WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT
🚌 The Queen’s Park committee that is reviewing Bill 9, an act that would allow municipalities to oust misbehaving councillors, meets today at the Sheraton. While the idea is popular, the Bill has found pushback from councillors who argue that it is complicated and ultimately requires the miscreant’s co-councillors to vote them out. Some opponents prefer that an out-of-town judge make the call. A former staffer of ex-councillor Rick Chiarelli will testify today. Chiarelli’s harassment of City employees is considered the final straw that led to the creation of the Bill. – Aya Dufour at CBC
⚖️ The City of Gatineau has lost its bid to collect more money from the National Capital Commission for Gatineau Park. Gatineau asked for the judicial review as it believed that the Commission was underpaying the city. Federal government agencies don’t owe property tax but usually pay an equivalent amount in lieu. The judge disagreed, stating that the Commission makes its own determination what is owed.
The municipality of Chelsea lost a similar case over Gatineau Park, where it argued that the basis should be on the development potential. And in February, the City of Ottawa also lost in court when it argued that a reduction in business property rates by the province did not mean that the rates on Federal buildings should also be reduced. – Josh Pringle at CTV
THE DAILY POLL
Have you ever been to the Ottawa International Animation Festival?
Previously in ottawan polls:
We asked, ‘Have you ever used a ‘safe trade zone’ for something that you bought online?’
2% Yes, it was fine
6% Yes, it was sketchy
36% No, while I meet locally, I don’t feel the need
56% No, I don’t buy online and meet locally
Commentary
▪️ “I’ll have to admit, I’ve taken a lot of chances. Thankfully, they all worked out, but, if the safe zones had been available to me back then, I would’ve used them.”
▪️ “The person never showed up.”
▪️ “I make sure that I meet in a public location with lots of people around and have someone with me.”
▪️ “I really only use the neighborhood “buy nothing” Facebook page and have people pick up their free stuff off my porch. Craigslist, FB marketplace, etc are too sketchy.”
▪️ “How much of a tax write-off are the police getting for ‘providing’ this service (aka SO magnanimously allowing citizens to use their unattended parking lot)?”
Taking a wild guess, we’d say ‘zero’. The police, like the city itself, doesn’t pay income tax – the ottawan
THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR
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✳️ Means change from previous edition
THURSDAY
✳️ 🆓 Mādahòkì Farm is opening up to the general public with family-friendly activities, an outdoor play area, an Indigenous Marketplace, the chance to meet small animals like goats and rabbits, and a peaceful trail to explore every Thursday through Sunday until August 31. The Farm also holds workshops and other events that have an admission fee.
✳️ It’s Country Evening at Parasol Festival in Gatineau. Grab your denim for the line-dancing.
The lunchtime series Songs from the Shed continues on Sparks Street.
The Canadian Museum of History will be closed today for a private event. This includes Panorama Café, the Second Cup, CINÉ+, the Gift Shop, the Canadian Children’s Museum as well as the parking garage.
The NAC’s Symphonic Waves: Beethoven for Everyone concert will ‘sweep you away with pure sound and emotion’. All tickets are $20.
Today at Bluesfest, bluesman Sean Paul headlines RBC Stage, Peach Pit play River Stage, Moontricks play Lebreton Stage, and Harry Manx tops the bill at Barney Danson Theatre.
‘Up Yours! A Butt Workshop’ by Venus Envy is pretty self explanatory, and will be presented as a hybrid irl and virtual event.
Insider Trading is back at the City Centre location of Beyond the Pale Brewing Co. The taps open at 8:00 pm and prices rise and fall throughout the evening.
ByTowne Cinema: Black Dog, Super Happy Forever, Drawn In: Millennium Actress
Mayfair Theatre: The Phoenician Scheme, Materialists, Contempt
You have a choice of wonderful night markets to meet your retail therapy needs:
- Ottawa Mystic Market (5:00 pm –10:00 PM at 955A Gladstone Ave) is a night of spiritual energy and local makers. Free market entry from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, followed by a live psychic reading with @TristenSky at 8:00 PM. Tickets: $35
- Hintonburg Night Market by Urban Art Collective is pet friendly as usual.
- ByWard Night Market by Minerva Ottawa rolls out on William Street.
Gigs Settle For Sleep. Dominion Tavern
Music Bingo! Brew Revolution
Open Mic. Stray Dog Brewing Co
Bingo Thursday. Broadhead Brewing
Corky Kealey, Vince Halfhide. Irene's Pub
The Foreign Resort. House of TARG
PAKT: Progressive Jam-Fusion Supergroup. Rainbow Bistro
FRIDAY
✳️ There’s a Beach Party planned at Parasol Festival in Gatineau. Expect cool vibes from DJs across the venue, from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
✳️ 🚗 Road Trip: If you're looking for an excuse to visit the utterly charming town of Perth, this weekend’s Stewart Park Festival is it. When you need a break from the live music and food, just take a wander and ogle the gorgeous heritage homes lining many nearby streets.
✳️ Revived in a new location in the George St Plaza (in front of BeaverTails) Th3rd Fridays Dance Battle: Summer Edition 2.0 is a chance for kid and adult street dancers to showcase their style in public.
🆓 Catch an outdoor screening of the original Parent Trap (1961) with Haley Mills playing the dual roles of scheming twins. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair to the Churchill Seniors Rec. Centre
🆓 Book a pass and take a day trip on Ontario Parks Free Day
🆓 There's something fun brewing in Stittsville. Grab dinner from a food truck and settle in for Music and Movies in the Parkat Village Square Park (6000 Abbott St. E).
Today’s Bluesfest lineup includes bluesmen Green Day (RBC Stage), Dwayne Gretzky (River Stage), Ron Sexsmith (LeBreton stage), Fantastic Negrito (Barney Danson Theatre).
🏳️🌈 Queers & Beers: Summer Edition happens at Lowertown Brewery.
🆓 The Summer Exhibition: Claudia Gutierrez and Guillermo Trejo opens at De Montigny Contemporary gallery.
🆓 Go stargazing with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Meet in the parking lot of Carp Library at 9:00 pm. (3911 Carp Road)
Chamberfest opens with a free masterclass with Katherine Dowling at 10,000 Hours Piano Rehearsal Studios (4:30 pm) and Montréal Horn Stars play Great Canadian Theatre Company at 9:30 pm.
ByTowne Cinema: Sorry Baby, Eddington
Mayfair Theatre: The Phoenician Scheme, The Room
Gigs
Duo Joe Ray McDonald. Panorama Patio at Canadian Museum of History (100 Laurier St, Gatineau)
Rube and Rake. Red Bird
Dimestore Playboys, Eddie Gazel. Irene's Pub
LXSTCAUZ. Rainbow Bistro
Perfect Strangers. House of TARG
Marcus Visionary. City at Night
Cardamom Years. Art House
SATURDAY
Electro music creates the languid backdrop to Parasol Festival’s final day of the opening weekend. Book either the noon to 4:00 pm slot or stay from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
🆓 The Royal Thai Embassy welcomes everyone to a one-day Thai Festival at the Horticultural Building (Lansdowne). Food and drink, cultural demos and performances, and shopping at a Marketplace are all on the menu.
Today’s Bluesfest Lineup includes Papa Roach (RBC Stage), Christone "Kingfish" Ingram (River Stage), Lucius (Lebreton Stage), and Bob Log III)
Chamberfest starts the day with a restorative stretch and strength class set to the cello music of Raphael Weinroth-Browne.(9:00 am). At 10:30, dancer Sarah Hopkin and pianist Jenna Richards lead a family-oriented morning of music and movement. The Gryphon Trio plays Brahms, Silvestrov, and Ravel at noon. Jenna Richards is back, playing Music That Made The Movies at 3:00 pm. Chamberfest Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak hosts a sit down with three Ottawa composers in Chamber Chat: New Music Now (5:30pm). At 7:00 pm mezzo-soprano June Nesrallah sings Torch Songs & Deco Dreams. Bytown Sea Shanty Collective closes the day with a program of original and traditional sea shanties.
Ottawa Roller Derby’s Bytown Blackhearts take on Nipissing Roller Derby’s Bombshell Bombers.
Pints in the Park brings local craft beer, food, and music to Manor Park Community Centre.
🦇 Of all the items you should bring to the Goth Beach Day at Britannia Beach, even more important than food and drink, chair, towel, or picnic blanket, is probably a beach umbrella.
Comedian Kyle Lucey plays Yuk Yuks Ottawa West
🆓 Get your Saturday night going with the free DJ sets at The Shed on Sparks St. (Between Elgin and Metcalfe).
🆓 Bring your canoe or kayak to the watery flash mob that is Lock & Paddle 2025. It’s free, but you'll pay for parking.
Best of the Saturday markets:
Go treasure hunting at 613Flea, source decor and gifts at Metcalfe Farmers’ Market Christmas in July and bring the dog to The Summer Spark Market at Shenkman Arts Centre.
ByTowne Cinema: Art House Classics: Bicycle Thieves, Eddington, Sorry, Baby
Mayfair Theatre: To A Land Unknown, The Phoenician Scheme, Videodrome
Gigs
Emo Night Divorced Dad Rock Night. The 27 Club
Misyrion. House of TARG
Ness Nöst. Irene's Pub
Boots n’ Bling. LIVE on Elgin
Duff Thompson. Rainbow Bistro
JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING
Tickets go on sale Monday (July 21) for the new musical comedy Mrs Doubtfire, which plays National Arts Centre November 4 through November 9.
While there is no Puppets Up! Festival in Almonte this year (it’s biennial and therefore returns in August 2026), there will be a fundraising, one-night-only event on August 9 to remember the festival's original leader, Noreen Young. Noreen’s Night of Nonsense (an adult cabaret) will support the Noreen Young Award for the Arts and the 2026 Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival.
Kid Koala’s The Storyville Mosquito tells the tale of an ambitious young mosquito who dreams of being a big time musician. Told using puppetry, film, sound effects, turntables, and live music, the show is something special for the whole family. Dec 3 - 13 at the National Arts Centre.
