DESIGN LINES: MASTERS OF DESIGN SHOWCASE (FREE!)
Come meet and mingle with the design stars of tomorrow. Carleton University’s Master of Design Program celebrates and showcases the innovative design work for which its students are known with this exhibit that highlights projects and achievements as well as the career paths students followed after graduation. Friday, February 8, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. MDES Space, 4th Floor Azerieli Pavilion, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., www.id.carleton.ca.
ON THE ROCKS: FAIRY TALES OF NORWAY
Skål! The Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Ottawa Art Gallery celebrate winter with a fairytale themed party for adults, including gløgg (warm mulled wine), aquavit (a traditional flavoured spirit), Norwegian cheeses, smoked salmon, and other hors d’oeuvres. There’ll be music, stories, art, and (weather permitting) an outdoor lounge. $20. Friday, February 8, 7:30 p.m. Ottawa Art Gallery, 2 Daly Ave., www.ottawaartgallery.ca.
OTTAWA FASHION WEEK
Hot fashion trends warm up Winterlude as Fashion Week struts its way to its ninth season. Get ready to be inspired by a great mix of international designers and local favourites, including Jana and Emilia Fashion, Dare by Gwen Madiba, and Copious by Carissa McCaig, who are all returning from past seasons’ to show at OFW. $45, all three days $90. Friday, February 8, to Sunday, February 10, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Ottawa Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Dr., www.ottawafashionweek.ca.
FACE 2 FACE
Four pairs of international dancers descend on Ottawa with a series of duets. Belgium’s Pieter Ampe and Guilherme Garrido’s Still Standing You winks at violent one-upmanship between friends (warning: contains full-frontal nudity!). Canada’s Ame Henderson and Croatia’s Matija Ferlin’s The Most Together We’ve Ever Been takes a gentler look at life, while Sweden’s Philippe Blanchard choreographs identical twin dancers in How About You? And finally we have T.R.A.S.H. from the Netherlands with T † Bernadette and the Enchanted Room, a look at siblings’ loss of innocence (contains mature content). From $68 for all four shows. On until Saturday, February 9. National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St., www.nac-cna.ca.
WINTERLUDE AT THE BYTOWN MUSEUM (PRACTICALLY FREE!)
Free hot chocolate! Free apple cider! Daily timberstamp workshop! Youth-led tours and heritage representatives! There’s always something fun to do during Winterlude weekends at Ottawa’s oldest community museum, which takes you on a fascinating (and dare we say fun?) journey through Ottawa’s history. $2 donation. Saturdays and Sundays, on until February 18. Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Lane (between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier), www.bytownmuseum.com.
WED BY HAND: OTTAWA’S INDIE WEDDING SHOW
Weddings are expensive undertakings, but Wed by Hand is here to help. Hands-on, DIY, handmade, eco-friendly tips, products, and teachers await. With four free workshops and over 40 exhibitors (including a selection of pre-loved wedding dresses and cocktail attire) you’ll find everything you need for your unique, thoughtful, and — best of all — affordable nuptials. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Sunday, February 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Ave., www.wedbyhand.com.
COFFEE WORKSHOPS AT THE BRIDGEHEAD ROASTERY: BE A BARISTA!
You’re in your favourite local coffee shop and the barista hands over your latte, a perfect work of art, and you think, “How do they do that?” Head to the Bridgehead Roastery and you can finally find out. Learn how to pull the perfect shot of espresso, steam milk into luxurious foam, and combine the two into latte art. Bonus for the home barista: you’ll get solutions to common problems with home espresso machines. $75. Sunday, February 10, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bridgehead Roastery, 130 Anderson St. (at Preston), 800-565-8563, www.bridgehead.wordpress.com.
WAKEFIELD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (WIFF)
WIFF shows are never sold out, but have a repeat screening if the first showing is full. The organizers believe the seven documentaries they’re showing are just that important. The festival opens with Academy Award nominated 5 Broken Cameras, which follows one West Bank family over five years of chaos and destruction. Two upcoming films address Canadian controversy: The People of Kattawapiskak River and The Hole Story. $10, festival pass for all seven films $60. Takes place Sundays from February 10 to March 24. The Great Hall at the Wakefield LaPêche Community Centre, 38 Valley Road, Wakefield, Quebec, www.wakefieldfilmfestival.weebly.com.
UNDERCURRENTS
Get thee to the undercurrents festival and check out some great groundbreaking theatre. You’ll encounter Hip Hop Shakespeare (just what it sounds like), be fed (literally) by Bread, get a glimpse into the life of a public servant in the aptly-named The Public Servant, and wonder at the myths of the Ladies of the Lake and Skin’s Selkie legend. Plus meet Kitt, who loves alarming the neighbourhood with Danish folk tales in Little Orange Man, and two childhood friends grappling with art and war in Little Iliad. See website for show schedules. $15; three-show flexipass: $40, Bread is pay-what-you-can. On until Sunday, February 17. Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1233 Wellington St. W., www.gctc.ca/whats/undercurrents.