⚖️   The former City of Ottawa lawyer accused of defacing the National Holocaust Monument has pleaded guilty to a charge of mischief against a war memorial. Iain Aspenlieder, who was on leave from the City at the time of the vandalism, is no longer a civic employee. He has been released on bail. – Kristy Nease at CBC 

🔥 The fire ban is back on. Even if you have an outdoor burn permit, no fires are allowed until further notice. – City of Ottawa 

🛒 Every week, @stomanker reads all the grocery flyers and posts the deals on Ottawa Reddit. This week, some of the deals are beef ‘French’ steaks $5.99/lb (Metro Cite des Jeunes), milk $5/4L (Independent and Loblaws), and olive oil $8.88/1L (Super C).  – /Ottawa

🛻 Sentencing for Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber will be announced October 7. A three day hearing heard that the Crown is asking for seven and eight years respectively for the duo's conviction for mischief, amongst other charges. Lawyers for Lich and Barber are asking for absolute discharges, meaning no jail time and no criminal record. – The Canadian Press 

FRIDAY

• Creative Mornings Ottawa will wake you up with an inspiring chat with dancer, registered nurse, and Moov Ottawa founder and artistic director Alea de Castro. Enjoy invigorating beats as you mingle and sample the coffee and treats, then settle in for the talk and Q&A with Alea, and maybe learn some new dance moves. It will all over by 10:00am, when you head out to work with a big grin on your face.  

• Shrug off the stresses of the week at Rahim Salsa. You'll start with a Bachata lesson and then dance the night away.

• Music Bingo is back at Calabogie Brewing’s Kanata taproom. 

• 🆓 Capital Pop-Up Cinema screens Spice World at Beechwood Cemetery. 

• Road Trip: Visit some of your favourite local breweries at Almonte Craft Beer Fest outside the Old Town Hall. 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.  

• Today at Chamberfest: At noon: A Brahms Expedition, Vol. I: Beginnings with pianist Carson Becke, NAC Orchestra violinist Jeremy Mastrangelo, and cellist Julia MacLaine.  Jenna Richards plays again at Record Centre at 5:00 pm. Montréal Guitare Trio celebrates the release of their brand-new album at 7:00 pm and the day closes with Comedy Night with Sarah Hagen: Perk up, Pianist! 

• Side by Side Weekend art and music festival opens at Club SAW.        Flexible ticket options including a completely FREE show on Sunday July 27.

• Art House’s monthly 1920s speakeasy returns for an evening of Jazz, ragtime, and blues. 

• Drunken Cinema screens True Lies, a 1994 film about a spy who keeps his wife the dark about his job. TBH, Martha found the film depressingly sexist back in 1994, and she doubts it has aged well. 

• ByTowne Cinema: Cloud, Eddington, Sorry, Baby, Drunken Cinema:  True Lies

• Mayfair Theatre:  Bad Shabbos, Life of Chuck, The Rocky Horror Picture Show

  Gigs

• Adrian Sutherland. Red Bird

• QI de Abelha. Rainbow Bistro

• Beervana: tribute to Nirvana. Kaffé 1870 (Wakefield)

• Tribe 3. City at Night

• The Keystrings. Ridge Rock Brewing

• Mama Mush, Dantes Paradise, I Love You Dearly. Avant-Garde Bar

• 80s Dance Party. House of TARG

• Cowboys From Hell: A Tribute to Pantera. Brass Monkey

SATURDAY

• Freedom Dog Rescue celebrates its 10th birthday with a BBQ at Stray Dog Brewing.

• Bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket to Capital Pop Up Cinema’s screening of The Sandlot outside the Merivale Mall.

• Today at Chamberfest: Yoga with Becky Radmore & and Julia MacLaine (cello); Masterclass: Shuann Chai (piano); Bring the Kids: Pianist and Comedian Sarah Hagen; The Gesualdo Six: Wishing Tree; Rideau Hall: The Central Band of the Canadian Forces; uOttawa Senécal Prize Winner Éric Bouchard: Romanticism, Past and Present (piano) ; Rideau Hall: The Central Band of the Canadian Forces; Chamber Chat: Jens Lindemann; Mozart & Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Shunske Sato; Jens Lindemann and friends: Tribute to Trumpet Greats

• Carivibe Reach the Beach Weekend brings tropical sounds, food, and vibes to Petrie Island

• There'a a double header of excitement at the Ottawa Valley Roller Derby this evening.  First, Quebec Roller Derby comes to town to face the A-level travel team Ottawa Valley Rapids. Then, House League teams Valley Cats meet the Street Rats. 

• Thr33's Company Snack Bar's fifth birthday party is going to feature giveaways, samples, prizes, and loads of special food and drink. 

• Side by Side Weekend continues at SAW Centre.

• The East Ottawa Wine & Fruit Tour is a trip along Ottawa's pioneer wine trail, starting with a visit to Domaine Perrault in Navan for a guided vineyard tour and tastings of three estate wines at Ottawa's oldest winery.

• Treasure hunting
  Go hunting at Urban Art Collective’s Antique, Vintage & Thrift Market (1088 Somerset St W); Ottawa Geek Garage Sales in Vanier; and The Knick Knack & More Community Garage Sale in Navan

• Yoga
  Do your cat/cows under a hot sun at March Meadow Farm’s Yoga at the Farm The $20 session is suitable for all levels; let them know you’re coming info@marchmeadow.ca; Get into Pure Flow on the patio of Tavern at the Gallery (National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr).

• Road Trip: The town of Carleton Place is bringing magicians, artisans, food vendors, and fun for the whole fam to the Bridge Street Summerfest. 

• At the markets
  Celebrate creativity, identity, and community at the Queer Market (Next Door, Saturday and Sunday), a queer-centered market spotlighting LGBTQIA+ makers, artists, and small businesses; Cumberland Farmer’s Market welcomes local growers, makers, and caffeine by Coffee Cartel and CCA Coffee; Road Trip: 45 vendors of local produce, treats, and crafts are waiting to meet you at Metcalfe Farmers Market. Meanwhile in Carp, Station 64 local responders will be on site at Carp Farmer's Market's Safety Day. 

• Down on the farm
  BeetBox Farm hosts Ottawa Garlic Festival, a harvesting-bunching-contest and good time with tunes, food, and even a visit from … Santa. It’s all getting underway at 8:00 am. Join the Ottawa Farm Fresh’s Carrot Weeding Bee for a relaxed “shift” in the fields and a yummy lunch. Gees Bees Co offers a weekly meet and greet with the little buzzers for just $7 per person. Mingle with more than 50 vendors at the dog-friendly Fetch Local Market at Walter Baker Park (Kanata). If you’re curious about traditional, low-impact mowing techniques, the Scything Workshop at Gaia Organics is a good fit.

• ByTowne Cinema: La Pie voleuse (Stealing Angel), Sorry, Baby, Cloud, Eddington

• Mayfair Theatre: The Life of Chuck, Crash, Saturday Night Sinema    
  
  Gigs

• A Night Between Amigos. Night Oat

• Primary Colours. National Arts Centre

• Honky Tonk Heroes. Gavan's (Quyon, QC)

• Inferno. LIVE on Elgin

• Shrek Rave. 27 Club

• Joe Ray McDonald. Irene’s Pub

SUNDAY

• Start the day with a visit to the food and craft vendors at Market @ the Barn in Stittsville

• Today at Chamberfest: Mozart Quintets: Ironwood Quartet with Sean Rice and Theresa Rudolph (11:000 am);  Rideau Hall: Despax Duo 2:00 pm  and 3:30 pm . The festival closes with Canadiana: Jens Lindemann, Taurey Butler & Friends play Oscar Peterson and more at 7:00 pm.  While the festival's music performances conclude this evening, you have until August 4 to participate in the Chamberfest Silent Auction. Bid on experiences like private dinner and concert evenings, event tickets, photography sessions, personalized garden design services, a free concert hall rental, and many more. 

• 🆓 🚗 Road Trip Take a scenic drive to the historic Waba Cottage Museum and Gardens in White Lake for HerbFest 2025. Meet vendors, enjoy a beer, and visit the food trucks.

• 🚗 Road Trip: Groove Revival performs at this week’s Concert in the Park in Arnprior’s Robert Simpson Park.

• Rocky Road Rescue presents Puppy Yoga at the Mat Lab Ottawa. 

• Beer and doggos: Proceeds from Whiprsnapr’s Dog Days of Summer Fundraiser will support Ottawa Dog Rescue. Over at Beyond the Pale (250 City Centre)'s Patio Paw-ty there’s a special menu for the pups donated by Critter Jungle. 

• Peek into some fabulous outdoor spaces on the Cumberland Art and Garden Tour. 

• Gees Bees Co offers a weekly meet and greet with the little buzzers for just $7 per person. 

• Today’s Heritage Ottawa Walking Tour explores the Basketball History and Heritage of the city. 2:00pm. $10 for members, $25 for non-members

• There’s free parking at the Dance Quality Ballroom Afternoon Social. 

• Support the new comics at the Absolute Comedy Stand-up Comedy Class Showcase.

• Side by Side Weekend continues at SAW Centre. 

• Celebrate creativity, identity, and community at the Queer Market (Next Door), a market that spotlights LGBTQIA+ makers, artists, and small businesses.  

• ByTowne Cinema: The Golden Age: The Wild Party (1929) 4K Restoration, Sorry, Baby, Eddington, Cloud 

• Mayfair Theatre: Peirrot le Fou, Bad Shakos, Felidae 
  
  Gigs

• Sunday Blues with Mark Green. Stray Dog Brewing Co

• Open Mic. Brew Revolution

MONDAY

• Support the Algonquin College PR Charity Campaign to raise funds for Harmony House. Expect jazz, spoken word, and everything in between at the Keys of Hope open mic at Rainbow Bistro. 

• ByTowne Cinema:  La Pie voleuse (Stealing Angel), Eddington, Cloud 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Life of Chuck, Pierrot le Fox, Crash  

  Gigs

• Karaoke Mondaze. Atomic Rooster

• Geek Trivia. Level One Game Pub

• It’s a Satire Summer. LIVE on Elgin

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• Road Trip: Say yes to the Chocolate and Cheese Pairing Experience at Hummingbird Chocolate in Almonte on Thursday September 25.