games

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah-ing Through Trees

Written
by
Khoi
on Thursday, August 5, 2010
.
Photo courtesy of khoioi on Flickr.

Photo courtesy of khoioi on Flickr.

“We’re going zip-lining… are you in?”

“Sure!” I replied. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I should have perused the website to prepare mentally for this ‘aerial experience’, as they call it at Camp Fortune. All I can say is that zip-lining gives the term “tree-hugger” a whole new meaning.

I envisioned zipping through Gatineau Park, enjoying the thrill of speeding through the trees and having a cool breeze on my face. For some unexplained reason, I did not envision “how” we would get high enough to experience all that. By climbing trees and going through an obstacle course in mid-air, that’s how! It literally felt like a suspended version of boot camp. As first-timers, we did the “easy” Explorer trail. I don’t even want to imagine the intensity of the Amazone trail. Not just yet.

Click to continue reading “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah-ing Through Trees”

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in Ottawa Tourism, games and sport
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Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival

Written
by
Katie
on Tuesday, June 15, 2010
.

An annual, culturally diverse festival, held at Mooney’s Bay Park every June. What began in 1993 with 25 dragon boat teams competing in a half-day event has grown into a three-day festival with 190 teams in competition! Over 5,000 paddlers compete to win on the water while immersing themselves in a wide variety of cultural performances, workshops, and raising $350,000 for local charity. The festival is in its 17th year and is recognized as North America’s largest Dragon Boat Festival.

In addition to cheering on the paddlers, thousands of visitors enjoy free admission to the live entertainment, children’s area activities and various on site vendors and exhibitors. This year’s festival will be held June 18-20th, at Mooney’s Bay Park. For more Festival information, please visit: http://www.dragonboat.net/ For more Foundation information, please visit: www.dragonboatfoundation.net

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Game Summit June 12-13 at Nepeans Sportsplex

Written
by
Francois
on Friday, June 11, 2010
.

Game Summit launched in fall 2008 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario its first of many Game Summit events to come, opening the doors for table-top gamers of all kinds. Each event will have plenty of space for board gamers and more serious hobbyists as well as providing painting clinics and information sessions.

This year, Game Summit is bringing back low entrance fees and a token system for special activities, similar to what you would find in community fairs. Each special activity is indentified with its associated amount of token required to participate.

Game Summit 2010 will be held at the Nepean Sportsplex (Halls A & B) in Ottawa, Ontario.

For more details on the Summit, check GameSummit.ca.

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The 2010 Blog Walk takes it all the way to the Bank (street that is)

Written
by
saxby
on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
.
blogwalk41

All Photos are Courtesy of Art Hill

After the self-proclaimed success of the Apartment613 Blog Walk for last year’s Jane’s Walk festival, we decided to take a group down Bank Street to some of the more interesting stops along our favourite slice of Bank Street. About 20 walkers braved the threat of rain, collected some local lore and learned a bit about the people who make Bank Street the home for their business. Here’s a taste of what we saw…

Click to continue reading “The 2010 Blog Walk takes it all the way to the Bank (street that is)”

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in centretown, games, learning, lectures, personalities, politics, restaurants and shopping
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Hintonburg Tulip Festival

Written
by
Katie
on Tuesday, May 4, 2010
.

Event Date: May 8, 2010
Event Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Connaught Public School

The 10th annual Hintonburg Tulip Festival will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at a new location. While the Parkdale Market is closed to renovations, the Hintonburg Tulip Festival will be held at Connaught Public School at the corner of Gladstone and Rosemount.

Here is the Schedule of Events:

10 am to Noon - Plant Exchange & Sale

12 pm to 4 pm - Bouncy slide, Radical Science: 12:30pm, Dance Contests, Games, Step Dance: 1:45pm, Parkour.

Best Brownie Bake-off - All Entries must be in by 12:30pm, judging led by Gay Cook will start at 1:00 pm.

For information, to donate baked goods, or to volunteer, please call Lorrie, Hintonburg Economic Development Committee, at 613-761-6672.

Happy Spring!

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in DIY, calendar, crafts, games, listing only, meet up and west wellington
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Skaraoke - Ottawa Roller Derby Karaoke Night

Written
by
Katie
on Sunday, May 2, 2010
.

Friday, May 14, 2010 at 10:00pm - 1:00 AM

Join Ottawa Roller Derby and host China Doll for a fun night of karaoke! For the low low price of $3, make a DerbyGirl of your choice sing any song you like! Achy Breaky Heart, I Touch Myself, The Macarena - torture your favourite DerbyGirl! We’re tough, we can take it (though we just might wait outside for you later…)!

Cover is $5. This is a fundraiser for the Ottawa Roller Derby league - so come out and support us, and have a blast doing it!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=111408965555533&ref=mf

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Ravenswing DIY fair games night fundraiser!

Written
by
Francois
on Tuesday, April 27, 2010
.

Ravenswing DIY Fair is organizing a fundraiser to support its 4th Annual DIY Craft & Zine Fair.

The fundraiser, a games night that will take place this Friday, April 30, 2010, at the Legion (Kent & Gilmour), is a licensed 19+ event that will consists of:
- A full fledged, officiated, board game tournament (Cranium, Settlers of Catan, DDR);
- Quick, fun, and nostalgic pay-to-play games (giant jenga, muli-player N64 classics [007 Goldeneye, MarioKart, Super Smash Bros], connect four, bingo, amplified board game badgering/commentating);
- Do-It-Yourself Game Pitching Contest (great prize for winner!);
- A truly special silent art auction – with over a dozen local Ottawa artists having contributed pieces).
- Inevitable dance party. We’ll be turnin’ up the volume following the auction.

The competition starts at 6:30pm, and while the tournament aspect has nearly sold out, the world is welcome to come join in the fun! We invite folks to come check out and cheer on the tournament players, play all them there pay-to-play games, win a plethora of amazing prizes from local retailers, bid on some talented local art, make new friends, and support the Ravenswing 4th Annual DIY Craft & Zine Fair!

We have the pleasure of offering variety of amazing prizes to players and party-goers, all donated from fine local establishments. While you’ll have to come find what exactly we have in store for everyone, this will also prove as a great chance to learn about, and in the future visit, great spots around town. Thanks to extremely generous contributions, EVERYONE will have the chance to win prizes from the following establishments:

The Mayfair Theatre, Ms. Tiggy Winkles; Octopus Books; Planet of Sound; Glebe Tailors; The Clothes Secret; Victoire Boutique; Forno Antico Pizzaria; Cafe Morala; Compact Discs; Nectar Teas; Trillium Bakery; Jak’s Kitchen, and more!

Helping spread the word of our fundraiser supports our desire to inform, motivate, and perhaps remind our metro-Ottawa friends as to how unique, diverse, and innovative our creative community is. This year our Fair will be held Sunday, May 30th, 2010, from 11am - 4pm in Minto Park, right in the heart of Centretown. This is a fun, simple, authentic community building event, bringing folks together, and showcasing a variety of local crafters, zine vendors, skill-sharing workshops, and independent musicians.

For inquires into becoming a vendor ($20/table – very reasonable!), please contact Ravenswing’s Director, Sean Zio. We’d love to have you join, but please be aware that space certainly is limited. Please visit our website, www.ravenswingottawa.ca, for more information and vendors’ guidelines.

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Trailer Park Bingo @ Zaphod’s

Written
by
Katie
on Friday, January 22, 2010
.

RAD!! Hot Fudge Sundays is pleased to announce a sweet new addition to your weekly calender…Trailer Park Bingo!!

Every Sunday, Zaphod’s plays host to an all-star Bingo, starring our resident radical dudes and dudettes. Come play some bingo, taunt your friends with your great prizes, quench your thirst with $5.75 tallboys of frosty Budweiser, and most of all, have fun!!

It all gets started at 9 pm. The Retardinator will be providing the slick beats as usual; spinning the best of Funk, Old School, Motown, and HipHop - all on sexy vinyl! Spag and Chris will be providing stylish service, $3.50 Jagerbombs, and did I mention $5.75 cans of Budweiser?!? SICK!! Our host with the most is the one and only Flesh Cadillack himself - Joady MacIntosh!!

It’s 19+, and there’s no cover - nada, zilch!! So, get your ass down here and join the party..after all, you’ve gotta be IN to WIN!!

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Spins and Needles at the National Art Gallery

Written
by
Katie
on Monday, September 14, 2009
.

In conjunction with the National Art Gallery’s evening program Artsparks, spins & needles presents a night of creative exploration of the contemporary collection. Fine art meets funky beats and hands-on art/craft workshops in the Gallery space.

The night will feature late-night access to the Gallery’s contemporary collection, interactive DIY art/craft projects, music by DJs Jason Pelletier and Clifford Brown and guided tours. Interpret the Gallery - its collection and its space - in a new light!

When: Thursday September 17th @ 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Dr. @ St. Patrick) >Map and Directions
Cover: $12 (Members: $10). Tickets for purchase at the ticket counter. Includes all project materials and instructions. Also includes guided tours of the contemporary collection from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Cash bar @ the event. 19+

EVENT DETAILS

DJ Set with Jason Pelletier and Clifford Brown (Montreal)
Water Court Foyer
7:00-11:00 p.m.
DJs Jason Pelletier and Clifford Brown mix up some funky beats.

Interactive DIY Art + Craft Projects
Water Court Foyer + Gallery Studio
7:00-11:00 p.m.
Work on a variety of projects inspired by the exhibitions and collections on view to make and take home with you. All materials + instructions provided.

Guided Tours: Contemporary Exhibit - Thomas Nozkowski and other exhibitions on view
Meeting point: Near coat check area
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Gallery interpreters will host guided tours of contemporary artist Thomas Nozkowski, the first exhibition organized by new director Marc Mayer at the National Gallery of Canada. Tour times to be announced at the event. Also on view: The Art of the Celebrity Portrait and other exhibitions.

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Go Back to School at Alternative 101 Week

Written
by
Katie
on Wednesday, September 2, 2009
.
Photo courtesy of MikeNeilson on Flickr.

Photo courtesy of MikeNeilson on Flickr.

Students are a privileged elite. No one goes out of their way to organize zombie parties or free indie rock shows for policy analysts. Sure, I may sound bitter, but all you other working stiffs will start whining along with me once you hear about Alternative 101, the frosh week being organized by the University of Ottawa’s OPIRG Branch. (Although Carleton is also holding a radical frosh,  I couldn’t get that assignment in on time because my dog ate my notebook.)

This 4th edition of Alternative 101 runs from September 5 to the 12 and will entail a scavenger hunt, daily breakfasts, a free show by Thunderheist and Plants and Animals, a movie screening, a zombie party, a swing dance party, a green tour of campus, workshop from Venus Envy, a drag show, a take back the night 101 march, a potluck, a hike in Gatineau park and, naturally, a zombie party.

The whole idea behind this cornucopia is to cater to kids who might not feel like drinking or partying their way through their first week of school (all of the events are dry). It targets new students who might feel a bit different due to a disability or sexual orientation, or to those to whom the experience of moving to a new town is particularly intimidating. But really, any freshman student can participate. It’s also a way to get students to look beyond the walls of the ivory tower. As Georgianna and Peter, the two organizers behind this year’s event, describe it, Alternative 101 is “a good link between getting people involved in stuff going on about campus, but also introduce them to the secret and more radical side to the city.”

OPIRG, the Ontario version of the public research groups that have sprung up in various cities around North America, works to link community and campus social and environmental activism. The organization is funded through the university through an optional levy. Although Alternative 101 is only open to students, any member of the community can become a member of OPIRG. There are currently several committees consisting of both students and community members working on a variety of issues.

So if your a new student, have fun! You may event run into me and my friends trying to sneak into the Plants and Animals show with our fake student IDs.

For all events, you can meet OPIRG at the Alt101 table (in front of 90U) 15 minutes before the start time. The event details can be found after the break.

Click to continue reading “Go Back to School at Alternative 101 Week”

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