The Ottawa Citizen’s weekly guide to help you slam the laptop shut and get the most out of life in the capital |
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Heyyyyy Ottawa -
I had a fantastic surprise last week when I went to the opening of Salons des Bananes, a new gallery space on Carling Avenue. There was art on the walls, but also, in the middle of the room, was a big “tent” of black fabric with slashes in the sides. Peeking through those slashes, you could see a setup of drums, electric guitars and amps. To my astonishment, the band that soon proceeded to blow the roof off the place from this bizarre shroud was the Ottawa punk trio Wet For Days, an all-female group that includes a good friend of mine on bass. It was so fun to stick my head through the fabric and watch them rock out!
Although not all Ottawa galleries are going to have a surprise guest punk band, they do have some interesting art, as you can see in my guide to the art galleries of the city. I tried to be as inclusive as possible but if I missed one you think should be listed, please let me know.
Also in the newsletter this week is Peter’s review of Allo Beirut, his coverage of the recent OpenTable resto list, and my first impression of the newly renovated Zoe’s lounge at the Chateau Laurier.
Finally, the holiday season is almost upon us, and both the ByWard Market and Lansdowne Park are jockeying for shoppers. Both have Christmas markets starting this weekend, so if you want to shop local, those are perfect spots to look for your own fantastic surprises.
Have a fun and safe weekend, and thanks for reading! -Lynn Saxberg
Arts reporter
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Up first, because this is our favourite story of the week |
PHOTO: Wayne Cuddington / POSTMEDIA
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By Lynn Saxberg
Art galleries in Ottawa have an exciting lineup of exhibits this season. At the National Gallery of Canada, you’ll find groundbreaking textile art, works by Sobey Art Award finalists, and rarely seen drawings by masters like Gustav Klimt and Edvard Munch.
Across the city, spaces like the Ottawa Art Gallery and SAW Centre explore themes ranging from contemporary Indigenous art to housing insecurity, while smaller galleries offer immersive installations, local perspectives and historical retrospectives.
HERE'S WHAT'S ON |
PHOTO: Jean Levac / POSTMEDIA |
By Lynn Saxberg
After a major renovation that took most of the year, the newly updated Zoe’s lounge and restaurant at Château Laurier is not only sleek and gorgeous but also fits in perfectly with the rest of the historic, downtown Ottawa hotel. Designed by Calgary’s Frank Architecture and Interiors, the main-floor space was thoroughly modernized, from plumbing to security, without losing the charm of the castle-like building that’s been standing at the top of Rideau Street for 114 years. Now billed as Zoe’s: The Capital’s Social Place, the new floor plan connects the lounge and dining areas, maintaining the cozy vibe of the oak-panelled reading lounge alongside the palatial grandeur of the dining room where high tea will again be served.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS STUNNING SPOT |
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Three things to do in Ottawa this weekend |
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Jim Cuddy
PHOTO: Greg Southam / POSTMEDIA
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Can-con for all
It’s shaping up to be a multi-generational celebration of Canadian music at the National Arts Centre as three of the country’s most popular acts happen to land at the Elgin Street bunker on the same weekend. The fun starts in Southam Hall on Friday with a rare soft-seater appearance by Vancouver-based pop-rockers Mariana’s Trench on their Force of Nature tour. Tickets are almost sold out for that one, but you can still get seats for 1980s stalwarts Glass Tiger, who play the Babs Asper Theatre Saturday, accompanied by another blast from the past, Erica Ehm. To cap off the weekend, the Jim Cuddy Band returns to Southam Hall on Sunday, with an opening set by the Blue Rodeo frontman’s musically accomplished son, Devin Cuddy. For tickets and times, go to nac-cna.ca.
Market merriness
The festive season in the ByWard Market starts after sunset Friday with the lighting of a 20-foot balsam tree on George Street Plaza. Close by, and open for skating, is a new synthetic ice pad, complete with skate rentals, plus an outdoor market highlights local vendors who are fully stocked with gift ideas and treats. To elevate the seasonal spirit even more, Friday’s kickoff also features live tunes from the Salvation Army Brass Band (4-5 p.m.) and the Dickens Carolers (5:30 -7:30 p.m.). Free Beavertails and hot chocolate will be available, along with free horse-and-carriage rides through the area with the pros from Cundell Stables, the last horse stable in the Market. The tree lights up at 5:30 p.m.
Lighting up Lansdowne
Lansdowne Park is turning one of its surface parking lots into a Christmas Market for the holiday season, showcasing a multitude of vendors and two stages full of local talent. The opening weekend of this outdoor festival features the bands Sussex and Funk-A-Tron 5000 on Friday evening; Landon A. R. Coleman, the Lionyls and more on Saturday; and Strum Chums and Renee Landry and The Cool on Sunday. There are also workshops and activities for families, plus ticketed events such as the indoor Kids Dance Party and a screening of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with live musical accompaniment. The market is open weekends, Friday to Sunday, from Nov. 22 to Jan. 5. Admission to the site is free. Go to https://www.ottawachristmasmarket.com/ for more information.
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PHOTO: Tony Caldwell / POSTMEDIA |
By Peter Hum
On my fifth visit to Allo Beirut, I finally got around to ordering shawarma.
Until then, when I ate at that strip mall restaurant on Carling Avenue near Cole Avenue, I opted for breakfast items and dinner-time main courses that are infrequently found on other Lebanese restaurant menus in Ottawa.
From the get-go, I have to laud this bright little eatery that seats about 55 for straying from the stereotype that has held for decades for Ottawa’s myriad Lebanese restaurants. Allo Beirut shows there’s more to that country’s cuisine than the shawarma and kebabs that usually represent it in Ottawa. MORE ON THE VARIED MENU |
Ottawa, Out of Office was curated and assembled this week by Lois Kirkup.
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