Weekend Roundup: Events and things to do in Ottawa!
Apartment 613, Written by Katie
Photo courtesy of Mike.Geiger.ca on flickr
Why travel when the world comes to Ottawa? The city’s almost endless series of summer international festivals kicks off this week with South Asia. While the main festivities of the Turkish Festival don’t start until next weekend, you can get a sneak peak with some films and a cooking demonstration on Friday and Saturday. Stay tuned for Lebanon and Africa later this month.
Read more: Weekend Roundup: Events and things to do in Ottawa!
THE SOUTH ASIAN FESTIVAL
On Saturday, July 17th, Confederation Park (blocks from Parliament Hill on Elgin x Laurier) will come alive with South Asian music, dance, delicious food, henna artists, laughter yoga, traditional jewellery, silks, activities for kids, an extensive health section, and so much more!!
This Admission-Free festival is a full day event (11 AM to 8 PM) for the entire family. We are working hard to prepare for all weather conditions so rain or shine, please bring your lawn chairs and spend the day in Confederation Park!
LIVE Performances: You will enjoy free live preformances by Ottawa artists including diverse dance forms (such as Bhangra, Garba, Bollywood) as well as various vocal performances (traditional and RRB). This festival is also your chance to meet the talented Preeta Chabra from Montreal and Naomi Zaman & Jay Deala from Toronto!! You will also laugh your heart out with Sophie Teresse as she leads 2 laughter yoga sessions!! You’ll end the night dancing to DJ Imperial Desi’s South Asian beats!
Mouth-watering Cuisine: From popular items including samosas, butter chicken, biryani to specialties not easily found in Ottawa restaurants such as Hakka (Chinese fusion), paan, and Shikanjvi (South Asian style lemonade). There will also be special items for kids including pizza and fried chicken. And not to forget kulfi (South Asian ice cream) and Breyer’s ice cream cart!
Health & Well-being: We have expanded the Health Section of the festival, thanks to support from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario! There will be six health agencies on-site including the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, Canadian Blood Services, Canadian Liver Foundation, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, and Ottawa Public Health to provide information and answer your questions. Some agencies will also provide Free health screenings. There will also be booths offering information on alternative and holistic treatments including Reiki and Ayurveda.
Kid’s Zone: Professional face painters will be creating fun designs for kids of all ages! There will also be story-telling by My Barefoot World, which offers award-winning books and gifts for kids! And one of Ottawa’s best caricatures will be there to create amazing sketches!
Traditional Merchandise: The latest in South Asian fashion will be offered by Ottawa’s Preity Collections and Toronto’s Laiba Fashions! There will also be traditional jewellery, silks, miniature wooden creations, spices, teas, basmati rice, and cooking ware!! And of course Al-Nisa henna artists will be there to create intricate traditional patterns!
Community Information: The RCMP, Ottawa Police, Hydro Ottawa, South Asian Bar Association, Ecology Ottawa, 211 Ottawa,and South Asian Connection Business Directory will be on-site to provide you with information on the services they provide to the community including legal services, advocacy, child saftey, conservation, and the environment.
Parking is free at the World Exchange (111 Albert Street) on Saturdays. You can also find parking at City Hall (opposite Confederation Park), the National Arts Centre (less than a block away), and Rideau Mall. You can also use all the main transit linea to Rideau Mall and walk down to the Park.
Please check out our website www.southasianfestival.org for more information. You can also tune in to CHIN Radio 97.9 FM from 5 to 7pm to receive regular updates on the festival. Rogers TV and A Channel are also running special features on the festival next week. /A\ Morning Ottawa, will run a speacial feature on Wednesday, July 14th at 7:20am and Rogers Daytime Ottawa will run a special feature on Friday, July 16th at 11:50am.
THE SOUTH ASIAN FESTIVAL …RETURNS TO OTTAWA….!
Ontario South Asian Community Association www.southasianfestival.org
Ottawa Ontario Canada — JULY 17, 2010 will mark the Return of a full day of celebrations encompassing South Asian Arts, Entertainment and Delicacies to be offered in Canada’s Capital.
HISTORY WAS MADE LAST YEAR – Over 2500 Attendees celebrated the Inaugural Festival in Ottawa.
The 2nd Annual South Asian Festival welcomes your input and cooperation to make this year’s event an even more memorable and historic event.
Confederation Park will be the scene of Non-Stop Arts & Cultural Performances, Stalls offering mouth-watering Culinary delights, Henna Designers, Laughter Yoga, Face Painting, Traditional Artifacts, Health Related Education and Screening.
