WEEKENDER: Laila Biali at the NAC! Easter eggs at the Museum of Civilization! An assortment of outings and activities to get you through March Break
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WEEKENDER: Laila Biali at the NAC! Easter eggs at the Museum of Civilization! An assortment of outings and activities to get you through March Break
BY Ottawa Magazine
POSTED March 13, 2013 12:30 pm

SHOSTAKOVICH’S CELLO CONCERTO
Perhaps the rich and melodic sound of the cello will coax spring into arriving a little sooner this year. Superstar German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser performs pieces from Shostakovich, Haydn, and Brahms. From $22. Thursday, March 14, and Friday, March 15. National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St., www.nac-cna.ca.

ELEGANT EGGS
Proof that Easter eggs aren’t just for kids, artist Valentyna Galadza-Park of ArtsyEggs.com leads a three-hour workshop in psyanka, eggs decorated in traditional patterns using dyes and wax. All supplies are included, so all you need to bring are your design ideas and willingness to get a little messy. $30. Thursday, March 15, and Sunday, March 17. Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Laurier St., www.civilization.ca.

The whole family can learn about our solar system at the Helen Sawyer Hogg observatory.

SOLAR OBSERVING (FREE!)
Get up close and personal with the sun at the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory, where you’ll safely observe solar activity and sunspots. It’s a fun way for the whole family to learn a bit more about our solar system. Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Canada Science and Technology Museum, 1867 St Laurent Blvd., www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE (FREE!)
Wear green and show up along the parade route with the whole family for a fun Irish-themed celebration. Bring (non-perishable) food and cash donations too: volunteers will be collecting them along the parade route to benefit the Ottawa Food Bank. Saturday March 16, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. See website for parade route information, www.irishsocietyncr.com.

LIVE ANIMALS FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE VALLEY
Local wildlife takes over the Museum of Nature! Zoologists from the Ecomuseum Zoo are on hand to introduce your family to the amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds from around our region, plus give talks on diversity and conservation. $12, students and seniors $10, children (three to 12) $8, children two and under free. Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., www.nature.ca.

CANTATA SINGERS OF OTTAWA: STABAT MATER IV
Ottawa’s Cantata Singers have been wowing audiences since 1964. For the final performance in their Stabat Mater series, the Singers, joined by Thirteen Strings, perform choral music from the Renaissance to the 21st century by Rheinberger, Mealor, and Mäntyjärvi. $30, seniors $25, students $10. Saturday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. St. Joseph’s Church, 174 Wilbrod St., www.cantatasingersottawa.ca.

Laila Biali combines the best of pop, rock, classical, and soul. Photo by Edith Maybin.

LAILA BIALI
What happens when you combine formidable jazz talents with the best of pop, rock, classical, and soul? Laila Biali. She’s performed in venues all over the world and now brings her award-winning sound to the NAC’s Fourth Stage. From $27. Saturday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St., www.nac-cna.ca.

VERSEFEST POETRY FESTIVAL
Versefest is further proof, if you needed it, that poetry readings and the art of the spoken word did not end with the beatniks. Celebrate the beauty and the versatility of the English language with some of the best the poetry world (and Ottawa!) has to offer. From $5.  On until Sunday, March 17. See website for festival passes and venue information, www.versefest.ca.