⚽ The Ottawa Rapid has a new majority ownership group. The new ownership group for the Northern Super League professional women’s soccer team is banker Nick Sakellariadis, and a former owner of Cincinnati Reds affiliate team Dayton Dragons, Michael Savit, and Ellen Shumway. The Rapid’s first match of 2026 is April 25.– CBC

🚍 The Occasional Transport website has expanded its offerings to include canceled buses. Occasional Transport has long covered cancelled O Trains but cancelled buses is a growing trend. – Occasional Transport 

↪ For the third week in a row, OC Transpo has reported that it has only 21 O Train carriages in service. The other 38 are still under repair for metal flaking off in the wheel assembly.

↪ City Council has endorsed a provincial plan to give O Train special constables the power to fine individuals consuming illegal substances.

🌡️ Kanata residents are worried that developing housing on the former Kanata Golf and Country Club will release mercury. Kanata North ward councillor Cathy Curry says, ‘It is documented – there is mercury contamination across this entire site’. Residents want a full assessment by the City before development commences.  – Jacksen Friske in Capital Current

SATURDAY

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  ✳️ 🆓 Femme Fest is a two day event with change makers, entrepreneurs, and artisans who are committed to advancing gender equality and supporting women-led initiatives. Expect a market, kids craft table, music, art exhibit, and a panel discussion with features a panel discussion with creative director Pearly, artist-photographer Kaya Comeau, artist researcher Erin Galt, and writer and film programmer Tish Black at 2:00 pm. (Little Italy)

• ✳️  NPHL Eastern Conference Final Series game 1: After an exciting 5-0 win over Madawaska Valley Wolves on Tuesday, the Mariners are back to take on the North Dundas Rockets at Fred Barrett Arena. For context, the NPHL is eastern Ontario’s version of Shoresy’s NOSHO. (Gloucester)

• Where will you watch the St Patrick’s Day Parade? (Downtown to the ByWard Market)  

• Run alongside the St Patrick’s Day Parade with RunOttawa’s The Emerald Mile. (Downtown to the ByWard Market) 

• Salon du Vélo Gatineau – Ottawa / Bike Show has all the bikes, gear, clothing, and trips you need to be inspired for the 2026 season.  

• ByWard Beerfest continues at Lowertown Brewery. 

• Feral Femmefest continues with Sumo Cyco headlining and Feral Union, Sovereign Council, and Scraam rounding out the bill. (ByWard Market) 

• Toronto-by-way-of-Glasgow comedian John Mostyn completes his two night gig at Yuk Yuks (Lincoln Heights) 

• Bring the fam and catch the excitement and drama at Acclaim Pro Wrestling’s No Turning Back. (Centretown) 

• The organizers say: ‘It’s Dumb. Just Come Have Fun about the Shrek Rave at the 27 Club. 

• Find the vintage decor or dress that you didn’t know you were hunting for at 613Flea (Lansdowne) 

• Get ready for the season at the Ottawa Gatineau Golf Expo (YOW)  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The President's Cake, L’étranger, The Testament of Ann Lee, Donnie Darko on 35mm  

• Mayfair Theatre: Stagecoach, All That’s Left of You, Pillion 

Gigs

• Mammoth. Hard Rock Ottawa

• Journey: Final Frontier Tour. Canadian Tire Centre

• The Co-Pilots. Night Oat

• The Uninvited Guests: All-Canadian Rock Revue. Overflow Brewing

• Excuses Excuses. Dominon Tavern

• Women In Folk: Jessica Pearson and the East Wind & Ambre McLean. Motel Chelsea

• Joel Sauve. Hard Rock Ottawa

• Selfish Act. Avant-Garde Bar

SUNDAY

♀️International Women’s Day Events

• 🆓 The second day of Femme Fest at Next Door features a panel discussion at 4:00 pm artist-photographer Kaya Comeau, artist researcher Erin Galt, rope teacher and artist Kosmick, and writer and film programmer Tish Black. (Little Italy) 

• 🆓 Bicycle Craft Brewery launches Freedom Machine Raspberry Pale Ale (5.5%), inspired by the suffragette name for the bicycle and brewed in celebration of International Women's Day. Drop by from noon to 3:00 pm for a celebration that includes Women's History Trivia, Nonna's Famous Pizza, and this new beer. Everyone’s welcome. (Belfast/Sheffield)

• Beyond the Pale’s International Women’s Day Market will bring vendors like Arts and Cass, Ganden Gardens, Nat's Bread Company, and others to the taproom for shopping, sipping, and celebrating. (Centretown West) 

• 🆓 The Canadian and Turkish Women’s Association of Ottawa present the CATWAO International Women’s Day Market. In addition to vendors there’s a kids’ corner for creative littles. (The Glebe) 

• Mayfair Theatre screens Housewife of the Year (2024), a documentary about the treatment of Irish women in the latter half of the 20th century, told  through the experiences of some of the contestants from the live TV competition that ran from 1964 through 1995. One screening only, at 11:30 am. (Old Ottawa South) 

• Motel Chelsea presents Women in Folk with local performers Tina Therrien, Alise Marlane, Chris Maclane, Kate Greenland, Kate Weekes, and Eva Danielson.  $3 from each ticket sold will support the Voice Found charity. (Chelsea)  

• Rough Draft Events has a full afternoon planned with Slices and Solidarity: a choice of craft workshops, a market, and Nonna's Famous Pizza. (The Glebe)  

• Bridgerton fanatics will love the Dearest Gentlewoman: An International Women’s Day Daytime Soirée with speakers, tea, mimosas, and all the florals, pastels, and the Regency-era vibe of your dreams. (Heron Park) 

• Cornerstone Housing For Women is selling house-made "Heat for Her" Heat Packs in honour of International Women’s Day. (Online) 

• Book your team into the Stray Dog Brewing International Women’s Day trivia at 7:00 pm. (Orléans)

• Road Trip: Donations of unopened menstrual products collected at the screening of The Nest at Studio Theatre Perth will be distributed between several community organizations in the town. The entry of $15 cash or debit at the door will support Lanark County Interval House.  Special guest speaker Rajnish Sharma is the Program Coordinator with Immigrant Women Services Ottawa. (Perth) 
  
   

• The Gatineau - Ottawa Bike Show runs all weekend at the Palais des congrès de Gatineau.
• The Caring Cities Play Reading explores the everyday realities of city living, from transit to housing. (East End / St. Laurent)  

• Kevin’s Hot Chicken will be popping up at Manor Park Brewing on Sunday March 8, from 2:00 pm until they sell the heck out. (Manor Park)  

• Get something new for your garden at Seedy Sunday in Kemptville 

• 🆓 (Entry by donation) The Ottawa Regional Youth Choir and guests will perform a concert to support the St. Joseph’s Church ‘St. Joe’s Supper Table’ initiative. (Sandy Hill) 

• End the weekend with The Soca Kitchen’s Seafood Fiesta Buffet, $39 per person. It’s dine-in only, so bring the fam for a sit-down end to the weekend.  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Spectacle: Days of Heaven, The President’s Cake, L’Étranger, Twin Peaks: Season 1 - Episodes 3-5 / 

• Mayfair Theatre: Housewife of the Year, Svadba (aka The Wedding), House 

Gigs

• Dave Hause & The Mermaid with guests Northcote. The 27 Club

• Asia Ruby album release with Eliza Rankin. Art House Café

• Rise Against. Hard Rock Ottawa

• River City Junction. Atomic Rooster

• Heydoo live in concert. Algonquin Commons Theatre

• Glitterer with Graham Hunt and Prize Horse. Rainbow Bistro

MONDAY

• Silent Book Club visits the Beyond the Pale taproom (City Centre location) for reading, maybe a bit of socializing (that's up to your discretion) and sipping a nice beer. (Centretown West) 

• Parents of excitable puppers, consider booking your place at the Hasty Hounds session by Ottawa Humane Society. 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Testament of Ann Lee, The President’s Cake, Marty Supreme 

• Mayfair Theatre: All That’s Left Of You, Pillion, House 

Gigs

• Steph Strings. The 27 Club

• Karaoke. Atomic Rooster 

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• See what the 16-25 year old creative teams have conceived at the 28th annual Youth Infringement Festival, March 11-21 at Arts Court (Downtown) 

• Robert Planet Greenhouses is holding a very special meet and greet with miniature cows on Saturday March 14, Sunday, March 15, and Monday, March 16. Spaces are limited. (Orléans)  

• NPHL Eastern Conference Final Series game 3 in a best of 5 series: On March 14 the Manotick Mariners take on the North Dundas Rockets on their home ice at Manotick Arena. For context, the NPHL is eastern Ontario’s version of Shoresy’s NOSHO. (Manotick)