METAMORPHOSES
Director Jillian Keiley makes waves with Mary Zimmerman’s take on Ovid’s Metamorphoses, a collection of myths involving transformation. The play interprets 10 of those myths and sets them in and around a giant swimming pool, exploring the ideas of water, fluidity, and change. The Romans could be a little saucy, so this one’s recommended for audiences ages 16 and up. On until Saturday, February 16. From $22. National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St., www.nac-cna.ca.
GOD OF CARNAGE
Third Wall Theatre Company presents the outrageous tale of two sets of upper class parents who meet to discuss an incident that happened between their two sons. If you’ve seen Roman Polanski’s Carnage, this will sound familiar: his film is an adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s play. $35, seniors $27. On until Sunday, March 3. Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre (Great Canadian Theatre Building), 1233 Wellington St. W., www.thirdwall.com.
BRIGHT NIGHTS: THE 3RD BALTIC-NORDIC FILM FESTIVAL
Back by popular demand, the Canadian Film Institute presents the most recent incarnation of the Bright Nights film festival. Winterlude partners to bring Inuk, the hard-hitting Danish film and coming-of-age story that addresses the issues facing the Greenlandic Inuit, to Canadian audiences. Director Mike Magidson will be in attendance to introduce and discuss his film. See website for full list of films being screened and detailed festival dates. Friday, February 15, 9 p.m. $12, seniors/ students $8. Canadian Film Institute, 2 Daly Ave., www.cfi-icf.ca.
THE LOVE CONCERT
In honour of Valentine’s Day, the Capital Vox Jazz Choir brings you and your loved one an evening of music celebrating love and heartbreak. Celebrate the ups and downs of romance with Canada’s first community jazz choir. $25. Saturday, February 16, 7:30 p.m. National Library and Archives Auditorium, 395 Wellington St., www.capitalvox.ca.
WINTERBREWED
Raise your glass to Ottawa’s newest annual craft beer festival! Sparks Street Mall is set to fill up with snowmen-building competitions, maple taffy, and, of course, BEER. With your wristband and official sampling glass you can purchase beer and food, and there’s no entrance fee for those who just want to browse. Booths selling tokens for food and beer will be set at Elgin, Metcalfe, and O’Connor along Sparks Street, plus you can preorder your wristband and tokens online. $10 for wristband, sampling glass and one token. Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sparks Street Mall from Elgin St. to O’Connor St., www.winterbrewed.com.
SANCTUARY SONG
This opera for the whole family is about an elephant’s journey from being poached in the wild to her release in a wildlife sanctuary, documenting the true story of Sydney the Asian elephant and her zookeeper friend James. From $18. Saturday, February 16, to Monday, February 18. National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St., www.nac-cna.ca.
BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR
Actor Chris Ralph takes on a dizzy array of characters (18 in total!) in the Terry Lorreto-Valentik-directed Billy Bishop Goes to War, featuring James Caswell on the piano – because not only is it practically a one-man show, it’s a musical. This is one award-winner chock-full of Canadian content you won’t want to miss. Friday, February 8, to Saturday, February 23. $39, seniors $34, students $23. The Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave., www.thegladstone.ca.
FULTON’S PANCAKE HOUSE AND SUGAR BUSH
Spring maple harvest season gets off to a sticky start this weekend! There’s a ton to do, so why not make a day of it? Opening day brings two-for-one pancake meals at the Maple Shoppe and Restaurant (with real maple syrup, of course), so you’ll have all the energy you need for exploring the trails, touring the maple camp, and going on horse-drawn carriage rides. Entrance to the grounds is free; activity prices vary. Saturday, February 16, to Sunday, April 21. Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush, 291 6th Concession Rd., Pakenham, www.fultons.ca.
TONE CLUSTER: MY DARLING VALENTINO
Have your Valentine’s celebrations culminate with Tone Cluster, Ottawa’s very own community queer choir, as they sing an assortment of love songs running the gamut from sweetly traditional to unconventionally twisted. Sunday, February 17, 3 p.m. $20, students $10, children under 12 free. First Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Ave. W., www.tonecluster.ca.
FUNATORIUM EXPLORIUM
The Funatorium Explorium is back for a second year! This event is designed to be a jam-packed, hands-on day of thrills, where parents and kids can play together (and we mean seriously play together). A mere sampling of the activities you can try out: spider climbing, body zorbing, rock climbing, giant Lego piles, gladiator jousting, martial arts workshops, Bollywood dancing, and oh so much more. Sunday, February 17, and Monday, February 18. Opens at 9 a.m. $19.99 online, $22.12 at the door, four pack $75, children three and younger free (though most activities are designed for four and up). Ernst & Young Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr., www.funatoriumexplorium.com.