The first day of summer is closing in, the Ottawa Marathon just thundered through the neighbourhood, and those thoughts about getting in shape, maybe trying to be a bit healthier are no doubt creeping in. So here are a few things that might inspire you to eat some healthy food, or get out for a nice bike ride or a walk. Or just spend some quality time sitting down, that’s cool too.
Veggie Party
Have you been to West End Well yet? It’s a tiny co-op grocery store/cafe conveniently located at the east end of Wellington West. (Why let geography get in the way of a catchy name?) West End Well is pretty much what I imagine Portland looks like, it’s all about local, organic, sustainable foods.
They are having a little party on May 30 called A Taste of Spring. It’s a night of wine tasting and vegetarian cooking. Hintonburg author and wine enthusiast Heather Heagney of After the Harvest (aftertheharvest.blogspot.ca), will be leading the night through five wine and food pairings featuring Ontario wine and fresh vegetarian tapas from the WEW kitchen team.
And all that for only $35! You can easily spend more than that on a single bottle of wine for a night out, so for everything included, that’s a great deal. You can get tickets in person at the store or by phone, 613 725-0505. Catch a Q&A with Heather right here.
Bicycle Style
The Ottawa Velo Vogue fashion show is returning for a third year, and it’s coming to City Centre June 6.
What’s a Velo Vogue? Well, velo is French for bike and vogue is a word that makes everything around it sound high-class and fashionable. More simply it is a fashion show with bicycles! Yes, a hipster’s paradise. The show is put on by the blog ottawavelovogue.com, where a bunch of stylish Ottawa cyclists are featured with some outstanding photography and a chance to tell their stories about biking in the city.
There will be bikes and clothes, food, booze, auctions, raffles and most importantly the funds raised go to Right Bike, who provide good jobs and some convenient, affordable bike repair to the people of Kitchissippi. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, check out the website for more info on that, and the show goes from 8:00 p.m. straight through til 1:00 a.m.
Meta Theatre
On this month at the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Public Servant – a play about working for the government.
As if there could be a more perfect production for Ottawa. This comedy show follows Madge, a young civil servant on her journey through the government bureaucracy. Anyone who has lived in this town more than a month knows someone who works for the government, so a more relatable show would be hard to find.
Public Servant runs from June 2 ’til 21 and ticket prices range from about $30 to $40.
Winston Where?
Winston Square! It’s finally opening, for real this time.
June 6 is the official launch for the Westboro public space. Located right between the Dairy Queen and the Legion, the square is meant to be a staging ground for local art,music and activities. The Official launch runs from 10:55 a.m. ’til 4:30 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. At this time it’s not sure exactly what the Westboro BIA have planned, but things will certainly be happening all day, so take a walk down there and see for yourself.