This WEEKENDER is brought to you by the ByWard Market
Alvvays
Recent Polaris-prize nominees, Alvvays (pronounced always, in spite of the double ‘v’) have established themselves in the Canadian music scene with their stunning, self-titled 2014 debut. The Toronto dream pop darlings perform for an all-ages-show on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Algonquin Commons Theatre. Tickets from $20. Purchase tickets here.
Ottawa International Film Festival
OIFF gets underway this Friday, Oct. 16 with more than 30 short and feature length films from Canada and around the world. Some notable entries in the lineup: My Enemy, My Brother, a documentary about two former enemies from the Iran-Iraq War who become friends; The Sandwich Nazi, which tells the real-life story of a former male escort who makes sandwiches for Vancouver’s homeless; and Kurayami No Wa, a short horror film directed by an Ottawa high school student. OIFF continues until Sunday, Oct. 18. Tickets from $12. Here, for more info and showtimes.
African Film Festival of Ottawa
The first of the its kind in Ottawa, the African Film Festival highlights award-winning cinema from Africa. On opening night, check out Africa Paradis, a satire that reverses the immigration narrative and shows Europeans fleeing their collapsing economies for an Africa in full bloom. The festival, held in River Building Theatre, Carleton University, begins on Friday, Oct. 16 and continues until Sunday, Oct. 25. General admission $13 per film. All tickets are available at the door by cash purchase only. More info, here.
Kevin Hart
He’s appeared in dozens of Hollywood comedies, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Death at a Funeral, and the later entries in the Scary Movie franchise, but Kevin Hart got his start on stage as a stand-up comic. Now’s your chance to see his latest offering, the What Now Tour, at the Canadian Tire Centre this Friday, Oct. 16. Tickets from $50. More info, here.
The Freewheeling Curator
Artisans and vendors from the Ottawa region come together at Maker Space North to share their unique products at The Freewheeling Curator. On Saturday, Oct. 17, browse jewellery, gourmet foods, apparel, skin care, pottery and art, home décor, and more. Participating vendors, among many others, include Strut Jewellery, Winged Beast, Scrub Inspired, Moo Shu Ice Cream, and N-Product. Admission is $5, but parking is free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info, here.
Julie Corrigan
On The Language, Julie Corrigan sings about her past, as well as a longing for home, which happens to be Shawville, Quebec. Having recorded at Little Bullhorn studios, she’ll be debuting her roots, folk, country, soul album, The Language, at the National Arts Centre’s 4th Stage on Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. More info, here.