Go to a gala for the Snowsuit Fund<\/p>\n
SnowBall: A Cool Winter\u2019s Eve<\/a> (Wednesday, March 4) will be a festive evening fundraiser at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society\u2019s headquarters on Sussex Drive. Guests will enjoy premium cocktails, chef stations, DJ tunes, live music, auctions, beauty bars and surprise experiences. The evening will be raising money for the Snowsuit Fund, which helps bring warm clothing to children in need.<\/p>\n Dream about golf season in Ottawa<\/p>\n Can\u2019t wait till the snow melts and you can yell Fore? Then head to the Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo<\/a> at the EY Centre (March 6 and 7) to browse for golf gear of all sorts, learn about local courses or plan a golf vacation.<\/p>\n See a movie for a good cause in Perth<\/p>\n Sunday, March 8, is International Women\u2019s Day, and CFUW Perth & District\u00a0is marking the occasion with a fundraising screening<\/a> of the National Film Board documentary The Nest at Studio Theatre Perth. The film tells the story of the women who lived in a historic Winnipeg house over the course of 140 years. The screening will be followed by a presentation from special guest speaker Rajnish Sharma, program coordinator with Immigrant Women Services Ottawa. Funds raised will go to Lanark County Interval House.<\/p>\n See a play in Ottawa, Brockville or Kingston<\/p>\n Theatre lovers are spoiled for choice this week. Ottawa options include the musical After the Rain at the National Arts Centre, Jesus Christ Superstar and Anne of Green Gables at the Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, the Agatha Christie whodunnit The Murder of Roger Ackroyd at Ottawa Little Theatre, and a play about Lizzie Borden called Blood Relations at the Gladstone Theatre. In Brockville, a comedy called Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery is on stage for two nights only. And in Kingston, Domino Theatre is staging a farce called Suite Surrender. See my theatre guide<\/a> for links and details.<\/p>\n Get cycling inspiration in Gatineau<\/p>\n With some 100 exhibitors showing off the latest cycles and promoting bike trips all over the world, the Gatineau-Ottawa Bicycle Show<\/a> (March 6 to 8) is a great opportunity to get yourself equipped for two-wheeled adventures this summer. It\u2019s happening at the Palais des Congr\u00e8s de Gatineau.<\/p>\n Cheer for your favourite hockey team<\/p>\n Pro women\u2019s hockey team the Ottawa Charge face off against the Seattle Torrent<\/a> at the Arena at TD Place on Wednesday, March 4.<\/p>\n On the men\u2019s hockey side, the Ottawa 67s have two home games<\/a> at the Arena at TD Place this week. They take on the Brampton Steelheads on Saturday, March 7, and the Peterborough Petes on Sunday, March 8.<\/p>\n In Outaouais hockey, the Gatineau Olympiques are playing the Val d\u2019Or Foreurs<\/a> on Sunday, March 8, at Centre Slush Puppie.<\/p>\n In junior league hockey action, you can choose from the following games:<\/p>\n Pick up new-to-you art supplies in Carleton Place<\/p>\n The Craft Cycle Creative ReUse Centre<\/a> is celebrating its grand opening in Carleton Place this weekend inside A Touch of Whimsy at 142 Bridge Street. Craft Cycle accepts donations of all sorts of arts and crafts supplies\u2014beads, paint, pipe cleaners, yarn, fabric, marbles, mirrors, paper, dyes, feathers, mannequins, sewing machines and much more\u2014then resells them at good prices. You can feed your creative habit and keep good stuff out of landfills!<\/p>\n Freeze your buns off for a good cause<\/p>\n Canadian Geographic\u2019s nationwide Polar Plunge<\/a> is happening on Sunday, March 8. The event raises money for Canadian Geographic and Royal Canadian Geographical Society activities and initiatives, including research and a podcast. If (like me) you\u2019re too chicken to jump into frigid water yourself, you can always pledge your support to a braver soul and come out to cheer for the swimmers!<\/p>\n An unrelated event, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ontario<\/a>, will be taking place in various locations across the province throughout the winter and spring. This weekend, you can join the frosty fun on Saturday, March 7, in Renfrew<\/a>, Smiths Falls<\/a> and Brockville<\/a>, and on Sunday, March 8, in Kingston<\/a>, among many other places. Can\u2019t make it this weekend? Special Olympics plunges are also happening in Gananoque<\/a> on Sunday, March 15, and in Belleville<\/a> on Friday, March 27.<\/p>\n Amuse your kids during Quebec\u2019s March Break<\/p>\n Most of Ottawa-Gatineau\u2019s national museums are offering March Break activities for kids during Quebec\u2019s March Break (March 2 to 8). See my March Break guide<\/a> for details on museum fun and more.<\/p>\n Celebrate St. Patrick\u2019s Day early in Ottawa or Arnprior<\/p>\n OK, St. Patrick\u2019s Day isn\u2019t until March 17, but Ottawa is getting a jump on the celebration this year. The Ottawa St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/a> on Saturday, March 7, will wind from the Supreme Court of Canada to the ByWard Market. (Note that the parade organizers are facing a funding shortfall this year and have started a GoFundMe campaign<\/a> to make up the difference.)<\/p>\n Also starting the festivities early is the Arnprior Curling Club, which is hosting a St. Patrick\u2019s Day Bash<\/a> on Saturday, March 7, to raise money to renovate the club. The fun will include live kitchen party music by the Ghost Town Cryers Band, prizes, a 50\/50 draw, a late meal and a cash bar.<\/p>\n Have some laughs in Gatineau<\/p>\n This is your last week to catch Juste pour rire Com\u00e9die club en tourn\u00e9e<\/a> in Gatineau. The French-language standup comedy show has been doing the rounds of Loto-Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s casinos. The free 90-minute show will have its final Gatineau performance at the H\u00f4tel Casino Lac-Leamy on Thursday, March 5. <\/p>\n Drop into a craft\/artisan market in Ottawa<\/p>\n Among the craft and artisan shows you can check out this weekend is the International Women\u2019s Day Market<\/a> at Beyond the Pale Brewing on Sunday, March 8. Crafts are also among the goods\u2014along with antiques, vintage clothing and more\u2014at the 613flea market<\/a> at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, March 7.<\/p>\n Enjoy maple syrup in Gatineau and beyond<\/p>\n In these days when many of us are feeling especially patriotic, what could be more Canadian than visiting a sugarbush? Lots of them are open for the season now, offering taffy on snow, wagon rides and lots of other amusements. Check out my big sugar shack guide<\/a> for details on sugarbushes throughout Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais.<\/p>\n On Saturday, March 7, l\u2019Association citoyenne de Bellevue Sud in Gatineau is hosting a F\u00eate des sucres<\/a> at Pavillon La V\u00e9rendrye (730, rue Main, Gatineau), from 11am to 2pm. Come enjoy maple taffy on snow, pancakes, soup and live music. That same day, from 11am to 3pm, Parc de la ferme Dalton in Gatineau is also having a F\u00eate des sucres<\/a>. This one features taffy on snow, pancakes and other food, live entertainment, outdoor games, and horse-drawn carriage rides. You can buy maple syrup, too.<\/p>\n Celebrate Holi in Stittsville or Chalk River<\/p>\n Holi is an annual Indian celebration also known as the Festival of Colours. Revellers mark the arrival of spring by throwing brightly coloured powders at each other and sharing festive dishes<\/p>\n The Gujarati Cultural Association of Ottawa is holding a Holi celebration<\/a> at Walter Baker Park in Stittsville on Saturday, March 7. The fun will include music, refreshments and more.<\/p>\n The following day (Sunday, March 8), the Ottawa Valley Bharatiya Cultural Association is marking the occasion<\/a> at the Chalk River Lions Club with a vegetarian lunch, games, dancing and more.<\/p>\n Thrill to tango in Gatineau<\/p>\n In Tango After Dark<\/a>, world tango champion German\u00a0Cornejo, and a group of nine\u00a0world-class tango dancers will be dancing to the music of Astor\u00a0Piazzolla, performed by an internationally renowned tango band. The colourful spectacular takes to the stage of the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre du Casino in Gatineau on Wednesday, March 4.<\/p>\n Kick back with country for CHEO in Carleton Place<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a deal: You can enjoy some great music and support children\u2019s health at the same time by going to the Country Matinee for CHEO<\/a> on Sunday, March 8. Headlining the musical entertainment are Gord Barnes and the Allstar Band. The fundraising dance at the Carleton Place Arena runs from 2pm to 6pm.<\/p>\n Learn Palestinian embroidery in Almonte<\/p>\n The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is hosting Stitching Solidarity<\/a>, a hands-on workshop focusing on Palestinian Tatreez embroidery, on Saturday, March 7. Facilitator Rawd will share the basics of Tatreez, a craft she discovered through her special relationship with her grandmother, Alia.\u00a0This workshop is part of the exhibition A Stitch in Time: The Palestine History Tapestry<\/a>, on display at the museum until April 19.<\/p>\n See the stars of tomorrow in Pembroke<\/p>\n At the Ottawa Valley Talent Showcase\u2014The Ultimate Talent Competition<\/a> in Pembroke (Saturday, March 7), you might just see the next big celebrities at the start of their careers! The event is open to performers of all sorts in every age group, and $1,600 in prizes (including a $1,000 grand prize) are up for grabs.<\/p>\n Raise a glass in the ByWard Market<\/p>\n Byward Beerfest<\/a> (March 6 and 7) is a two-night craft beer festival at the Lowertown Brewery in the ByWard Market. You can sample brews by a range of local microbreweries, along with tasty bites from Lowertown. There\u2019s live music, too.<\/p>\n Find some gardening inspiration<\/p>\n Did you miss the Seedy Saturday\/Sunday<\/a> events last week? Then head to Alta Vista or Brockville on Saturday, March 7, or Kemptville or Peterborough on Sunday, March 8, to trade seeds and gardening advice.<\/p>\n Catch one of many concerts<\/p>\n Maybe some live music is just what you need to shake off the late-winter blues. Fortunately, concerts galore are on the schedule across our region this week\u2014everything from Sloan at the Bronson Centre and Bedouin Soundclash at the Shenkman Arts Centre to Ndidi O at the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg and the Barra MacNeils at Festival Hall @ L\u2019Equinoxe in Pembroke. Check my concert listings<\/a> for links to these and many other concerts.<\/p>\n Learn about local history in Cornwall<\/p>\n This talk is actually next week, but since it\u2019s early in the week, I\u2019m listing it here so you can plan ahead. In the last talk of the SD&G Historical Society\u2019s Winter Speaker Series, Cornwall Community Museum curator and local historian Don Smith will be giving a talk on the impact of the St. Lawrence River on Cornwall and the surrounding region. The presentation<\/a> is taking place in the Back Room at Schnitzels Restaurant in Cornwall on Monday, March 10, starting at 7pm. <\/p>\n Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe<\/a> to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First<\/a>, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"307 No need to sit at home under the covers this week\u2014there\u2019s so much going on! You can…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":513189,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194295],"tags":[49,48,20739],"class_list":["post-513188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ottawa","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-ottawa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/513188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=513188"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/513188\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/513189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=513188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=513188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=513188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"close](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/robert-ruggiero-golf-unsplash-e1740620355332.jpg\" "\\"robert-ruggiero-golf-unsplash")
Photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash.<\/p>\n![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chepe-nicoli-bike-wheel-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"chepe-nicoli-bike-wheel-unsplash-1")
Photo by Chepe Nicoli on Unsplash.<\/p>\n![\"half-finished](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/elena-mozhvilo-art-butterfly-unsplash-e1715019511913.jpg\" "\\"elena-mozhvilo-art-butterfly-unsplash")
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash.<\/p>\n![\"crayons](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/aaron-burden-crayons-unsplash.jpg\" "\\"aaron-burden-crayons-unsplash")
<\/p>\n![\"red](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/small-TEMPLES-MAPLE-SUGAR-CAMP-AND-RESTAURANT.jpg\" "\\"small")
If you see smoke rising from the chimney at a sugar bush (like Temple\u2019s), the sap is probably simmering. Photo courtesy of Lanark County Tourism.<\/p>\n![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bence-boros-beer-unsplash-e1707783498622.jpg\" "\\"bence-boros-beer-unsplash")
Photo by Bence Boros on Unsplash.<\/p>\n