CHINATOWN REMIXED (FREE!)
Chinatown Remixed is a month-long celebration of art in the heart of Chinatown. Throughout May and June, both emerging and established artists will showcase their works at businesses along Somerset Street West. Art works will appear in completely unexpected places — think grocery stores, laundromats, and hair salons. This year, watch for work by artists such as Joanna Swim, Justin Wonnacott, and Brita Evans Fenton. The event kicks off on May 15 with street performances, live music, and DJs — again, in the most unlikely of places. Sunday, May 15 to June 15. Somerset Street West. www.chinatownremixed.ca
NINETY POUNDS OF UGLY WITH THE F-HOLES
Join Ottawa’s award-winning group Ninety Pounds of Ugly for a night of old-time music. Expect accordions, trumpets, and suspenders! They’ll be joined by Winnipeg’s F-Holes – a rockabilly/roots band that wowed crowds at last year’s O-Town Hoedown. Saturday, May 14. $10. Irene’s Pub. 885 Bank St. www.irenespub.ca
ENERGY DAY
Want to teach your kids about recycling in a cool way? Take them to the Science and Technology Museum for Energy Day. You’ll find out how to be eco-friendly through hands-on activities about wind and solar power. And show them how responsible people dispose of hazardous waste — the event also serves as a collection point for used car batteries and other electronic waste. Saturday, May 14. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $9, students and seniors $6, children (four to 14) $4, families $20, free for children under four. 1867 St Laurent Blvd. www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca.
PATRIOT LOVES: VISIONS OF CANADA IN THE FEMININE (FREE!)
In honour of the 40th anniversary of True Patriot Love – Joyce Wieland’s famed exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada – the Carleton University Art Gallery has put together an exhibition that features many of Wieland’s celebrated works, along with paintings and drawings from artists such as Nadia Myre and Cynthia Girard. The exhibition examines historical and political elements that help understand the notion of patriotic love. Watch the gallery website for details about next month’s free screening of Wieland films at the National Gallery of Canada. May 9 to July 10. cuag.carleton.ca
FOLKA VOCA
The Ottawa Folklore Centre Community Choir (a.k.a. Folca Voca), led by award-winning singer-songwriter Lee Hayes, performs at a benefit for the Humane Society. A local choir of more than 40 members who perform on a regular basis at senior homes and for charities, the choir sings contemporary pop/folk and plenty of songs by Canadian artists. Sunday, May 15. 7 p.m. $20-$25. Sunnyside Wesleyan Church, 58 Grosvenor Ave. www.ottawafolklore.com/folka-voca
CUPCAKES FOR KIDS
Foodies with kids: Flock Boutique is hosting a cupcake class led by workshop leader Bri Plamondon, who will help kids create their very own sweets. And the best part is they’ll be taking their tasty creations home for the entire family to munch on. Students are asked to bring an apron or old shirt. Ingredients may contain traces of nuts. Sunday, May 15. $25. Flock Boutique, 1275 Wellington St. W. www.workshopboutique.ca
OTTAWA LITTLE THEATRE’S PLAYWRIGHTS WEEK
Catch readings of plays by five of the writers who won prizes at Ottawa Little Theatre’s 70th National One-Act Playwriting Competition. The contest winner, Trenna Keating of Toronto, will be joined by the runner-up, Calgary’s A.J. Demers and other writers, who will come together at the Ottawa Little Theatre for five days of readings and rehearsals. Designed to give the writers an opportunity to see their works performed, the visions will be brought to life by six local directors and more than 25 actors. Saturday, May 14. $10 per reading. Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave. www.ottawalittletheatre.com.
SPRING AWAKENING
Broadway’s smash hit Spring Awakening is coming to O-Town. The rock-infused musical, which deals with themes of morality and sexuality, originally starred Glee’s Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff. The new cast features Coby Gretzug, Elizabeth Judd, and Christopher Wood. The play received a whopping eight Tony awards back in 2007 – including Best Musical – and four Olivier awards last year. Friday, May 13, to Sunday May 15. $29.75 to $79.75. Centrepointe Theatre, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive. www.centrepointetheatre.com
— by Ilan Mester