Out in Ottawa: April 1–15, 2018

Choice events in the city


Monday, April 2

The Swizzles Stick Variety Show

The Swizzles Comedy Night presents a special variety show this Easter Monday. It includes performances by Kenney Ryan (comedian), Rory Gardiner (musician), Emerson Lake (erotic poet), Randi Rough and Koston Kreme (burlesque performers) and others.

8pm. Swizzles, 246 Queen St. More info here.

Saturday, April 7

2018 Ten Oaks Project Bowl-a-Thon

Filled with silly challenges, amazing costumes and fun prizes, this annual bowl-a-thon raises much-needed funds for an important organization. According to billing, the Ten Oaks Project connects children and youth from queer identities, families and communities with their supporters.

2–5pm. Bowling McArthur Lanes, 175 McArthur Ave. For more info, visit Facebook.

Show Tune Showdown 2018

Three teams of four singers compete in this musical theatre–focused singing competition. This year’s teams are Orpheus Musical Theatre Society, Suzart Productions and Zucchini Productions. The event is hosted by Tone Cluster, a queer choir based in Ottawa.

8–11pm. Centrepointe Theatres, 101 Centrepointe Dr. For more info, visit Facebook.

Homo Phono Featuring LCR4President

One of the most inclusive queer dance parties around returns with a slew of DJs: LCR4President, Adae and del Pilar. It’ll be a night of trap, pop, disco, hip hop, R&B, Afrobeats, Afrohouse — pretty much everything. The venue is accessible.

9pm–1:30am. Bar Robo, 692 Somerset St W. For more info, visit Facebook.

DJ del Pilar spins at Springtime Homohop at Bar Robo on June, 2018. Credit: Courtesy Shelley Taylor

Wednesday, April 11

Day of Pink Gala

The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity hosts an evening all about celebrating diversity and challenging bullying. It includes a reception and awards ceremony. Dress code: “fabulous pink.” RSVP required. The venue is accessible.

5:30–9pm. Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way. For more info, visit Facebook.

Friday, April 13

Queers and Beers

Queers of every stripe “queer” the city by having a few drinks — and dumping heaps of glitter — in typically straight microbreweries and pubs. Hosted by Queering613, this event is a chance to socialize and enjoy some craft beer. The venue is accessible.

 

6–11pm. Mill Street Brew Pub, 555 Wellington St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Queers and Beers takes place April 13, 2018 at Mill Street Brew Pub. Credit: Courtesy Bailey Cook

Jeremy Willard is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor. He's written for Fab Magazine, Daily Xtra and the Torontoist. He generally writes about the arts, local news and queer history (in History Boys, the Daily Xtra column that he shares with Michael Lyons).

Read More About:
Culture, Event listings, Ottawa, Arts

Keep Reading

A collage with colour images of Cole Escola and Anania, black and white images of Gavin Newsom and Bari Weiss, and the numbers 2025 against an abstract pink and white background

Righteous queens and shady bitches of 2025

Here are the main characters that made, and broke, the year in queer
Collage featuring drag performers and the numbers 2025

The top 10 ‘Drag Race’ lip syncs of 2025

International seasons dominate the list of best performances of the year

Silky Nutmeg Ganache on taking a ‘Slaycation’ with Alyssa Edwards

The ‘Canada vs. The World’ star talks the value of a variety of drag TV and Miss Fiercalicious’ desire to be Galinda

2025 was about finding solace in the human-made slop

AI’s got nothing on good quality dumb entertainment—and only people can make that