ORIENTEERS
Kick off the long weekend right! Formerly known as That’s the Spirit, local band Orienteers is known as a dynamic Ottawa band with a space-folk vibe. They make their first appearance under their new moniker at this Black Sheep Inn show. The band, which garnered raves last year as the high-profile opening slot for The Flaming Lips and Metric on the main stage at Ottawa’s Bluesfest, felt it was time to make the name leap. “I don’t think the tongue-in-cheekiness of it got across,” explains the band’s main song writer, Ben Wilson. Montreal’s Chris Velan, a folk-meets-reggae troubadour, opens. Friday, May 20. 8:30pm. $10. Black Sheep Inn, 753 Riverside Dr., Wakefield, 819-459-3228. www.theblacksheepinn.com
MY WORDS FLY UP: A LIGHT-HEARTED LOOK AT SHAKESPEARE
Get the weekend rolling with a little Shakespeare. As the promo says: “This is NOT what they taught you at school!” Ottawa StoryTellers Gail Anglin, Daniel Kletke, and Lea Sander take to the Fourth Stage to present stories from and about the Bard. Decide for yourself who the real Shakespeare was, find out what happens when Hamlet is transported to Africa and Iago is sentenced to community service. Andrew Huggett and Tobi Kiesewalter set the mood, accompanying the storytellers with Elizabethan music on recorder and guitar. Thursday, May 19, and Friday, May 20. 7:30 p.m. $20, students/seniors $12. NAC Fourth Stage, 53 Elgin St., 613-947-7000 ex. 620. www.ticketmaster.ca
A TOUCH OF KLEZ (IN THE TULIPS!)
The rain has finally abated and the tulips are out. It may even be warm enough to get out for a stroll. Check the Tulipfest website for a full lineup of long weekend events — there’s stuff going on every hour of the day. But we will not be missing A Touch of Klez. C’mon. Klezmer music in the great outdoors? Monday, May 23. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Kaleidoscope Tulip Beds. www.tulipfestival.ca
OTTAWA ROCK LOTTERY
The promo goes something like this:
- 25 musicians from all different genres and bands;
- 5 bands determined by randomly pulling names out of a very stylish hat;
- 24 hours to create a 20-30-minute set of all original music;
- 1 night only;
- all proceeds to to a local charity;
- it could be great; it could be shit. You won’t know unless you show up and support local musicians.
Sounds like a plan, non? Saturday, May 21. Doors open at 7 p.m. $8. Mavericks, 221 Rideau St., 613-562-3941. www.ottawarocklottery.com
VANKLEEK HILL MAY SHOW (FREE!)
Vankleek Hill’s Main Streetis the centre of the action during the town’s 30th annual May Show. Beau’s Beer has set up a beer garden, more than 40 crafters and artisans have set up booths, and two stages will host upwards of 20 performances over the long weekend, with blues, celtic, rock, and dixieland all on the bill. There are food vendors, games for kids, and visual arts shows at the three nearby galleries. Fingers crossed for good weather. Saturday, May 21, to Monday, May 23. www.vankleekhill.ca/events
ADVENTURE ORIENTEERING
The Ottawa Orienteering Club teams up with staff at city-run Pinhey’s Point to put on a super-cool outdoor adventure for families. Using only a map, a compass, and the help of their teammates, participants try to navigate the extensive grounds of Pinhey’s Point, which covers 88 acres of green space and historic ruins. Pack a lunch and spend the day. Saturday, May 24. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $6 per person; $10 per couple; $16 per family. 270 Pinhey’s Point Rd. (off 6th Line Road), Dunrobin, 613-832-4347. ottawa.ca/museums