Current Happenings
Events special to this month are not numerous, but I'll let you know of upcoming and ongoing gallery and museum exhibitions in coming months. Summer is usually better for such things.
At the National Gallery (on Sussex Dr., within blocks of the major hub of bus activity, the Rideau Centre, and visible from Parliament Hill):
I'd like to think I'm cultured, but looking at this list and not recognising any of the names, maybe I should reconsider that assessment.
Until April 25, 1999
- William De Morgan Ceramics
Until May 2, 1999
- French Prints from the Age of the Musketeers
- Robert Murray: The Factory as Studio
- A Collective Vision: Gifts to the Photographs Collection
- Sculptures by Liliana Berezowsky
- Tibetan Thankas
There's also an impressive Inuit Art exhibit going on, from what I hear. For more information about events and exhibitions at the National Gallery go here.
At the Museum of Civilization in Hull (take OC Transpo bus #8 from Ottawa):
The Birth of Nunavut has resulted in several exhibits on the Inuit, opening on April 1st. Don't know what Nunavut is? Go here.
The exhibits at the Museum of Civilization:
- Iqqaipaa
- Inuit and Englishmen
- Nunavut: Jewel of the Arctic
Also, the International Year of Older Persons is being celebrated there on April 22nd.
At the Canadian War Museum (next to the Gallery on Sussex Drive):
Apart from the great permanent exhibits, there are two new ones opening this month.
- A Garrison Country: Newfoundland and Labrador in Canadian War Art opens April 1st; and
- Athena (about Women in the military) opens April 8th.
Will have more complete listings next month. For more information on entertainment in Ottawa, check out the listings in the Ottawa X-Press, a local entertainment paper (don't worry, it's free).
Most exciting news about spring so far is that the Royal Oak Laurier has opened up its patio. This pub is my second home. They also have many other locations.
Nightlife
Does Ottawa have a nightlife? Sort of... There's a handful of decent clubs including Zaphod Beeblebrox and Barrymore's. No big names in town at either this month (unless you count the Moffatts, who are playing April 1st), but some good local stuff. Check out this site for more details.
As for dancing, check out the Cave's (Sparks Street) Retro Night (Tuesday and Thursday) Swing Fridays. From what I hear, Atomic (Besserer)has DJ's spinning just about anything on any given night. Unless you're into meat markets and Eurotrash music, avoid Reactor.
Ottawans aren't big clubbers. Flannel shirts are fairly normal attire and in most bars the Tragically Hip and similar Fratboy rock is the music of choice. (I won't diss the Hip, but it's not good dancing music, is it?)
That's it for this month. Next month...What the hell is with all the tulips?!?!
Questions?
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