SIX CONCERT EXTRAVAGANZA!
Now there’s a good bang for your buck. The Ottawa Jazz Festival and arts association CAPACOA present this six-concert evening. Featuring talented young performers, the show illustrates the many faces of modern jazz, from the African and Latin rhythms of Ottawa’s Souljazz Orchestra, to the jazz/tap dance performance “Finding Synthesia,” to the traditional style of Juno-winning bassist Brandi Disterheft. $15. Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage, 53 Elgin St., 613-755-1111. www.ottawajazzfestival.com
3D parties. Audio-visual performances. Art installations. All this and more is on the bill at this celebration of contemporary electronic arts. Arts organization Artengine is at the helm of the festival, bringing in boundary-pushing partners for one-of-a-kind happenings. Our top picks: “On the Other Side,” an AV performance that deconstructs the music of Leonard Cohen using analogue and digital electronics, and a Mini Maker Faire that brings crafty folks and exhibitors together in the spirit of DIY. Until Nov. 7, see website for schedule, locations, and ticket cost (some events free). www.artengine.ca/electricfields/2010
LYNN MILES
Folkies take note! The hometown girl returns to perform two shows at the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday in support of her recently released Fall For Beauty. $35. Nov. 6, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows. Doors open one hour prior to each concert. Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank St., 613-730-3403. www.mayfairtheatre.ca or www.ticketweb.ca
MELISSA AUF DER MAUR
Now’s your chance to catch her in a small venue! The ever-cool Melissa Auf Der Maur (of Hole and Smashing Pumpkins fame) plays Mavericks this Friday. Along for the ride is Montreal’s Final Flash. Just back from an Australian tour, the band is making a name for itself with its unique brand of psychedelic folk-rock. Wow, it’s like 1968 meets 2010. $17. Friday, Nov. 5. 8 p.m. Mavericks, 221 Rideau St., 613-562-3941. www.mavericksbar.com
OTTAWA WINE AND FOOD SHOW
Chefs and wine experts, as well as connoisseurs of all things consumable, will gather this weekend for the 25th anniversary edition of the Ottawa Wine and Food Show. Learn wine-tasting etiquette and what food to pair with what spirits, while savouring food and wines from around the world. Come see local masters and world-renowned specialists show their finest brews and cheeses. $18 in advance, $23 Friday and Saturday at the door, $18 Sunday (sampling tickets extra). Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank Street, 613-523-6356. www.ottawawineandfoodshow.com
ROCKCLIFFE BOOK FAIR (FREE!)
Pegged as one of Ontario’s greatest book fairs, the annual Rockcliffe Book Fair has thousands of used books up for sale. It was started 49 years ago to promote children’s love of reading, but you don’t have to be a young’un to find a book to enjoy. The fair sells a variety of genres for both adults and kids, as well as videotapes, records, DVDs and games. If you don’t feel like browsing for books, just have lunch with friends at this local community gathering place (down the hall from the fair auditorium, you’ll find a cafe offering gourmet snacks, hot tea, coffee, and home-made sweets). No admission fee. Nov. 5 – Nov. 7. Rockcliffe Park Public School, 370 Springfield Road, 613-745-5995. www.rockcliffebookfair.com
Rockcliffe Book Fair
Pegged as one of Ontario’s greatest book fairs, the annual Rockcliffe Book Fair offers thousands of used books. It was started 49 years ago to promote children’s love of reading, but you don’t have to be a young’un to find a book to enjoy. The fair sells a variety of genres for both adults and kids, as well as videotapes, records, dvd’s and games. If you don’t feel like book-browsing, just have lunch with friends at this local community gathering place. No admission fee. Nov. 5 – Nov. 7. Rockcliffe Park Public School, 370 Springfield Road, (613) 745-5995. http://rockcliffebookfair.com <http://rockcliffebookfair.com/>