Covert Ottawa Guy

GCTC Presents: Jade Circle 玉環
2026-05-03 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-05-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-02 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-05-01 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-30 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Toronto) | GCTC, 1233 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Jade Circle 玉環
April 28 – May 10, 2026
written and performed by Jasmine Chen
directed by Derek Chan | translation by Johnny Wu
a rice & beans theatre production
in association with Neworld Theatre
a part of The Mother Tongue Project

Using Mandarin and English, Jade Circle follows Jasmine, a second-generation Canadian who has lost her mother tongue. Through intimate interviews with her mother and using music, movement, and storytelling, Jasmine finds her place within the legacy of her matriarchs. As she learns Mandarin, she unearths the lost stories of her grandmother’s past.
Jade Circle is a love letter to matrilineal relationships. It’s a profound longing for and acknowledgement of where we’ve come from. Jasmine invites memory, ancestry, and culture into the room in a ceremony of the things we’ve lost that we might still name and regain.
A solo show that is a feast for the senses.

Singles Mingle Fest
2026-05-03 13:00 - 18:00 | Overflow Brewing Company, 2477 Kaladar Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Meet new people and enjoy a lively social atmosphere at this large-scale singles mingle event. Featuring music, comedy, interactive games, and structured activities designed to spark conversation, the event offers a fun and relaxed way for Ottawa singles to connect. Whether seeking romance, friendship, or simply a memorable afternoon out, attendees can expect an energetic and welcoming experience.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
2026-05-03 11:30 - 17:00 | Byward Market, 55 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9C3, Canada
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over French forces in 1862, symbolizing resistance and unity among Mexicans. It is celebrated with music, dance, and traditional food.This day represents a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, emphasizing the importance of understanding our roots. It has become an important day not only for Mexicans abroad, but for all people who appreciate cultural diversity.

Celebrate Mexican Heritage & History — A Fiesta Like No Other!
​
Join us on Sunday, May 3, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the ByWard Market for a vibrant, family-friendly cultural celebration as the Mexican community proudly honors Ottawa’s 200th anniversary.
​
Experience the Market transformed with colorful papel picado, live music that will get you dancing, authentic Mexican cuisine, and captivating folkloric art and performances throughout the day.
​
Special Featured Art Exhibition — For the First Time in Canada“Tales of Conscious Dreams” by Mexican artist Carolina PaviaOn view at Gallery 55 from May 2 to May 30 — presented as part of the Mexican community’s official contribution to Ottawa’s bicentennial celebration.
​
Special Performances in Ottawa
Grupo Folklórico Tonatiuh, directed by Luz Adriana Castillo, with special participation of singer Diego Muñoz performing Mariachi para el Mundo.
​
Ballet Viva México
Traditional Mexican dance performance celebrating the colors and rhythms of Mexico.
​Rock en Español Concert — Nada que Perder
High-energy Latin rock concert to keep you moving and dancing!
​
Free Activities for All Ages:• Children’s Zone• Dance workshops• Food tastings• Carnival games• Photo booth
​Mark your calendar and bring the whole family — culture, color, and community await!
Organized by YZETA Meeting & Event Management in collaboration with Vida Mexico and the ByWard Market District Authority.

Ottawa Poutine Festival (10th Anniversary)
2026-05-03 11:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-02 11:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-01 11:30 - 21:00 | RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 7X7, Canada
Welcome/Bienvenue to the Ottawa PoutineFestMay 1-3 on the Great Lawn @ Ottawa RA Centre as we celebrate 10 years of serving the World’s Best Poutine.

The Windup - Ottawa party band
2026-05-02 21:30 - 23:00 | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1X 1A3, Canada

Triumph
2026-05-02 20:00 - 22:30 | Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Kanata, Ontario, K2V 1A5, Canada
Triumph formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1975 after a chance meeting led Emmett, Levine and Moore to embark on a marathon jam session. They immediately decided to form a band and the debut ‘Triumph’ was released in 1976 on Attic Records. The Canadian power trio stands out as a visionary, uniquely influential entity among their musical brethren. Virtuoso musicianship, soaring melodies and exceptional songs with a positive perspective and outstanding live shows propelled vocalist/guitarist Rik Emmett, bass guitarist/keyboardist Mike Levine and vocalist/drummer Gil Moore to stardom.

They defined and epitomized arena rock in the 70’s and 80’s. Between the band’s 16 albums and DVDs, Triumph has received 25 Gold and Platinum Awards in Canada and the United States, a testament to their endless touring, and loyal fans.
Individually, Emmett, Levine and Moore received countless accolades for their instrumental abilities. Triumph received the influential Performance Magazine’s “Innovators of the Year” award in 1981 for the unique way they changed the arena rock landscape.

Journey to Boston
2026-05-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Overflow Brewing Company, 2477 Kaladar Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Join us for an electrifying night of classic rock nostalgia on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 as Journey to Boston takes the stage at Overflow Brewing Company!

Doors open at 7:00 PM • Show starts at 8:00 PM

Get ready to journey back to the golden era of rock music with high-energy performances featuring iconic hits from bands like Journey, Boston, Kansas, Styx, and more.

Led by powerhouse vocalist Steve Carter, the band has been rocking audiences for over a decade, delivering passionate renditions of beloved classics that will have you singing along all night long.

Don’t miss this unforgettable experience as we pay homage to the legends of rock and roll — a night guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to rock with us on May 2nd, 2026.

Tickets are limited — secure yours now for a night of pure rock ’n’ roll bliss!

Lowest of the Low: Shakespeare My Butt to celebrate its 35th Anniversary
2026-05-02 19:30 - 22:00 | Bronson Centre Musical Theatre, 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6H5, Canada
We Are In The Future presents
Lowest of the Low
performing Shakespeare My Butt to celebrate its 35th Anniversary
19+

Sat May 2nd, Doors at 7pm, 19+ ID required
Advance tickets on sale Thu Jan 22nd at 10am at Ticketweb.ca

Ticket Prices:
$35

Phoenix Players Presents: CRACKERS & Debate Debacle (A Comedy Double Bill)
2026-05-02 19:30 - 21:15, 2026-05-02 14:30 - 16:15, 2026-05-01 19:30 - 21:15 | The Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6Y4, Canada
Crackers
A story of two parrots who are definitely not “birds of a feather.”
Eric, a fifty-year-old scarlet macaw enjoys reading the paper that lines his cage and watching his favourite daytime soap opera. Then young green amazon parrot Salvadora shows up and occupies the cage next to him. Salvadora is not at all happy and constantly complains to Eric. Eric tries to ignore her but then begins to suspect that Salvadora is much more than the whining boarder she purports to be.
Crackers premiered in 2012 at the Orleans Star-L’Express Music Rehearsal Hall, Shenkman Arts Centre, Ottawa Ontario, by Tale Wagging Theatre, directed by Arras Hopkins. This production received an ARTicipate Endowment Fund grant.
In June 2015, a revised version of Crackers was produced by Tale Wagging Theatre for the Ottawa Fringe Festival.

Debate Debacle
The Prime Minister’s sudden change in behaviour forces his staff to concoct a wild scheme to cancel a TV debate.
The Prime Minister is getting ready for a televised election debate. However, his sudden change in character to a pleasant, happy-go-lucky fellow has his staff worried and confused. When the PM’s bizarre behaviour gets out of control, and involves Martians, his staff concoct a wild scheme to cancel the debate and get him out of the building.

Ottawa School of Theatre: Alice By Heart
2026-05-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Boulevard, Orleans, Ontario, K1E 0A1, Canada
Set during the London Blitz of World War II, the story follows Alice Spencer, whose teen life is upended when she and her friend Alfred take shelter in an underground tube station.
When Alfred is quarantined, Alice invites him to escape into their cherished book, journeying together down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. This moving musical explores first love, loss, and the courage to move forward, celebrating the transformative power of imagination even in the most difficult times.

The Little Mermaid - Les Petits Ballets
2026-05-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-02 13:30 - 15:00, 2026-05-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K2G 5K7, Canada
Dive into the timeless tale of a mermaid who dreams of living on the land above and finds a love that is deeper than any ocean. With the help of her sea creature friends and a little bit of magic, anything is possible!
Live performance is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your family to theatre and dance while providing valued entertainment. This production is sure to delight audiences of all ages with colourful costumes, charming sets, and a classical music score, all complementing the accomplished steps of our dedicated dancers.
Plan to bring the whole family to a refreshing version of a most beloved fairy-“tail”!

Ottawa Rapid FC vs. Calgary Wild FC
2026-05-02 17:00 - 20:00 | TD Place, 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 3W7, Canada

613flea
2026-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Aberdeen Pavilion, 1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5J3, Canada
Don’t miss the ever-changing marketplace that features eclectic goods,
handmade, antiques, vintage clothing, great foods and one-of-a-kinds!

Well behaved dogs are allowed at 613flea – but no barking Fido!
The 613flea marketplace is always on a Saturday (and always free to attend)
but the dates change each month, so you could easily miss
us unless you sign up for an email reminder here!

613flea is not a typical flea market! Check out what you’ve been missing…
Also have a look at a day at 613flea inside the Aberdeen Pavilion.

The Vanduras - Ottawa’s Jayla Kirkey band
2026-05-01 21:30 - 23:00 | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1X 1A3, Canada

Forever Foreigner
2026-05-01 19:30 - 22:00 | Overflow Brewing Company, 2477 Kaladar Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Get ready for a night of arena-sized anthems, soaring vocals, and timeless rock!
Forever Foreigner, the ultimate Foreigner tribute band, brings the soundtrack of a generation to life — loud, passionate, and note-for-note faithful.

Sing along to legendary hits like “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Urgent,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” as Forever Foreigner delivers a high-energy show that captures the power and spirit of one of rock’s greatest bands.

📍 Overflow Brewing Co.
📅 May 1, 2026
🕖 Doors open at 7:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $30

🎫 Tickets available now at 👉 overflowbeer.com

This show is perfect for classic rock fans, date night, or anyone ready to relive the golden age of rock with a cold beer in hand.
⚡ Don’t wait — this one will sell fast! ⚡

Leith Ross - I Can See The Future Tour
2026-05-01 19:30 - 22:00 | Bronson Centre Musical Theatre, 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6H5, Canada
spectrasonic presents
Leith Ross
I Can See The Future Tour
All Ages

w/ special guest Wyatt C. Louis
Fri May 1, Doors at 7pm, All Ages/Licensed
Advance tickets on sale Fri Oct 24 at 10am at spectrasonic.com

Ticket Prices:
$35

Zarna Garg: Million Dollar Excuses
2026-05-01 19:00 - 21:30 | Algonquin Commons Theatre, 1385 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, K2G 1V8, Canada
Presented by Just for Laughs Live.
Following two sold-out shows during Just For Laughs Toronto, Zarna Garg is bringing her new show, Million Dollar Excuses, to Ottawa, ON, at the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Friday, May 1 at 7 PM.
Zarna Garg is an Indian immigrant mom based in New York City, whose comedy showcases her sharp and relatable humor. A regular at the world-famous Comedy Cellar in New York City who tours internationally, Zarna has created hundreds of videos with her family and built a devoted social media following of over two million fans and over a billion views. A proud immigrant woman building her American dream from traditional Indian values, Zarna continues to take audiences along for a wildly funny, unfiltered, and inspiring ride.

Dancing Under The Stars
2026-05-01 18:00 - 23:00 | St. Elias Cathedral, 750 Ridgewood Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, K1V 6N1, Canada
Join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars on Friday, May 1st at the St. Elias Centre.
Our annual gala brings together the Ottawa community for a night of celebration and impact. Enjoy cocktails, a delicious dinner, a spectacular silent auction, and dancing — all while supporting HWF’s mission to provide free furniture and household essentials to families in need.
This is more than a gala — it’s a celebration of compassion and the meaningful difference we make together. Early bird tickets available now — don’t miss out!

Schubert’s Monumental Ninth Symphony
2026-04-30 20:00 - 22:00 | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5W1, Canada
The evening culminates in Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, often called “The Great,” a monumental work that expanded the scale and ambition of the symphony. From its open, spacious horn calls to its propulsive rhythms and exhilarating final movement, the Ninth unfolds as a long, gripping journey that steadily gains momentum before landing in triumph. Bold, expansive, and deeply physical, it is a symphony meant to be felt as much as heard.
The first half of the concert turns inward, opening with French romantic miniatures that explore love, longing, and vulnerability. At the heart of this set is Hector Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été, a cycle of songs that reveals the composer’s most intimate voice, tender, melancholic, and quietly intense. Mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne brings warmth and emotional clarity to these deeply human reflections on love and loss.
Completing the French half is Ophélie, an evocative symphonic poem by Mel Bonis, an atmospheric work that heightens the sense of drama and emotion before the orchestra expands fully for Schubert’s monumental symphonic finale.
