There’s been a theme on in a nutshell this week… it’s getting colder.
Graced with unseasonably warm fall weather, our little corner of Canada is starting to get a bit chilly – and – we’ve noticed.
With the unpacking of previously stored sweaters, the perusal for a new winter jacket and the looming prospect of the next four more months of grey skies, runny noses and frost-bitten extremities, usually comes a certain seasonal dip in spirits.
Christmas is still too far away to get really excited about and the last rays of Vitamin D are long gone.
However, if the theme on the ‘shell this week has been mentally preparing for colder weather, it’s also been seeing the silver lining on the season of silver bells.
With the Ottawa Wine and Food Show – one of the capital’s most looked-forward to events of the year– behind us, it’s easy to write-off the rest of November. But, as always, Ottawa has hidden treasures behind the curtains of every. single. weekend.
Below a mere sampling of some unique activities taking place this month. See you there?
Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show
Nov. 10 –- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. –- Ottawa Convention Centre, 130 Besserer St.
The Ott nuts spent a silly afternoon at the Ottawa Antique Show a few weekends back. Whether you’re actually in the market for some new pieces (we bought a trunk, seriously), or if you’re just going to browse, trust us, it will be time well spent. Canada’s LARGEST vintage clothing show boasts the best and rarest vintage scoured from around the world. Retro and vintage clothing, Designer vintage, handbags, accessories, jewellery and men’s vintage will be on display. Admission is $10.
Poutine Fest on Sparks Street
Nov. 15 – 17 –- Sparks St. (duh)
HOLD THE PHONE. Yes, we love promoting a healthy life style. Yes, fries, cheese and gravy are a lethally caloric combination. And yes, New Year resolutions are right around the corner. BUT – we’re also Canadian. Kaylee is from Montreal. And we LOVE poutine. A festival dedicated entirely to our national dish seems a little too tempting to pass up. Smokes Poutinerie and The Works are among the 20 participating restaurants and with live entertainment, poutine eating contests and more, this first-ever Ottawa event is sure to draw a crowd. As a life-long Ottawan, I’m happy to see beautiful Sparks St. making better use of such a prime piece of capital real estate and…. ya, ya, ya, we just love poutine. So, see ya there.
Superfoods Dine-A-Rama
Nov. 21 — participating locations
This one is a cause after my own heart. On Thursday, Nov. 21, over 50 Ottawa restaurants will participate in the second annual Superfood Dine-A-Rama – a fundraising campaign in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Not only did it raise over $100,000 in its first year, but the money raised will work to support CyberKnife technology – state-of-the-art equipment that is effectively treating a broad range of cancers and is credited with saving the life of someone I know. Support someone who is fighting cancer by eating at your fave Ottawa restaurant? Sign us up!
For more information: http://ottawacancer.kintera.org/
Ottawa Tea Festival
Nov. 23 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Ottawa Convention Centre, 130 Besserer St.
Synonymous with colder weather is warm cups of tea. What better to embrace the chilly season than with the Ottawa Tea Festival? More than just loose leaf cups of goodness, the Tea’Riffic afternoon will include musical performances, classical dances, a Japanese tea ceremony, and expert presentations. They had us at the description “the ultimate foodie destination” with promises to celebrate a vast array of artisanal food producers from the Ottawa area. There will be lots to taste from delicious teas to sweets, chocolates and honey from local companies, which we love to support.
Tickets at the door: $20.
Nature Yoga @ the Museum
Nov. 24 from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Nov. 28 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St.
So now that you’re full of poutine from the Sparks Street Poutine Fest, make sure to pencil this super-cool event into your calendar, as well. Nature Yoga allows you to practice while surrounded and inspired by the museum’s beautiful and unique exhibitions. On the Nov. 24 session you’ll be able to build your bones alongside the dinosaurs (I LOVE deeno’s!) in the Talisman Energy Fossil Gallery. On Nov. 28 you’ll be able to go with the flow in the RBC Blue Water Gallery.
If you’re a lover of the natural world, make sure to check out Nature Nocturne, on Nov. 22, when the museum becomes a party – a nutshell tried, tested and true event.
Cost is $20 and includes museum admission for the entire day.
Reservations are recommended 613-566-4791
Picturama!
Nov. 26 – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Fall Down Gallery, 288 Bank St.
Any event held at Fall Down Gallery is sure to be a dope time with an unforgettable atmosphere, but this free event has really peaked my interest. A group called The Civil Servants is calling on all photographers and photography enthusiasts to join Ottawa’s most-loved photo-sharing show. To participate, it’s easy. Find your favourite 10 photographs, submit an envelope of 4X6 or 4X4 photographs on photo paper, on any subject, from any date, and boom! – your photos will be on display for all of Ottawa and sold for $2 each. I love the idea of watching someone fall in love with your most cherished memories. Your name and a brief description complete the requirements, just make sure to get your photos in to Fall Down Gallery by Monday, Nov. 25. Drinks will be available for purchase – and- one more time, it’s FREE.
The Great Gatsby Movember Party
Nov. 27 – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Steak Modern Lounge, 87 Clarence St.
Remember how nuts we are for you mo’, bro? Well this year is no different. There may even be rumblings of resurrecting a certain contest. Stay tuned. But in any event, we love supporting Movember and how much the cause has grown over the years. Lending out mo’sista support any way we can, we love the idea of adding some class to all those lip sweaters out there by participating in a Gatsby-themed event. Roaring twenties inspired attire, live jazz band, complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with all proceeds going to Movember Canada, we lend our stamp of approval to this glorious night of moustachery and debauchery.
Tickets: $45
Whiskey Business
Nov. 30 – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3911 Carp Rd.
Sure we’re lovers of wine and bubbles, but the nutshell gals have been known to throw back some whiskey on occasion. You can only imagine our delight to hear the Diefenbunker Museum is hosting its second-annual whiskey tasting fundraiser. With the help of Geoffrey Skeggs, master sommellier, guests will taste the wide range of flavours, aromas, and colours available in single malts and blended whiskies. Part travelogue, part history lesson, and certainly a multi-sensory experience, guests will taste five different whiskies with five different food pairings. Not to mention, the Diefenbunker is a not-for-profit that funds educational and public programs. Drink to donate? OK!
Again, just a very small sample of what the capital has to offer for the remaing 21 days of the month and at least 8 more reasons why the upcoming cold might not be so bad, afterall.
Cover image via
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