MARCH 

Monday, March 1
8:00pm
Dominion-Chalmers United Church
355 Cooper Street
CONCERT: Ottawa Int'l Jazz Festival presents: Béla Fleck Throw Down Your Heart Tales from the Acoustic Planet Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions featuring Béla Fleck – banjo; Bassekou Kouyate – n’goni; Anania Ngoliga – marimba; John Kitime – guitar. An exhilarating evening of African-inspired music that transcends barriers of language and culture! Tickets: $30 - Students $50 - General admission. More concert info: www.ottawajazzfestival.com  Artist info: www.belafleck.com  
www.throwdownyourheart.com

Friday, March 5, 2010
6:00 pm
Bar 56 (under Collections)
56 Byward St., Byward Market, Ottawa
Ottawa Young Black Professionals presents: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - Taking A Deeper Cut, an informal discussion on how to "Be More". For more info, visit Ottawa Young Black Professionals website at http://www.oybp.ca/

Saturday, March 6
5:30pm to 8:30pm
Crowne Plaza Hotel-101 Lyon St.
Sigma Beta Phi Sorority presents: "Strength of a Woman ; Superwoman", in celebration of International Women’s Day. This event is also a fundraiser for Haitian earthquake victims. Highlights include a Keynote address by special guests and performances in appreciation of women. Cost / Prix: 25$ Students / Étudiants: 20$ Includes refreshments and hors-d'oeuvres. Contact info: Arielle: 613-293-6151 or Sigma.beta.phi@hotmail.com

Saturday, March 6
5pm to 2am
379 Waverly St. (near Bank St., in downtown Ottawa)
African International Women's Day celebration feat. performances by: Vicent Nsengiyumva (musician using traditional instruments including the Inanga, a Rwandan string guitar); JMV Rurangwa (poet); Abakobwa b'iwacu (Rwandan folkdancers); Mighty Pop (singer/musician); D. Nyabyenda & J. Kayinamura (traditional dancers). Special guest: Elizabeth Dallaire (UNICEF spokesperson). For more info: (613) 298-2566/899-4159/856-9136

Saturday, March 6
4pm – 8pm
Paroisse Marie-Médiatrice
344 Cyr Avenue, Vanier, ON. K1L 7P1
Bus #12 Blair/ Bayshore MATCH International and ABEZAMUTIMA (A Burundian Traditional
Dance Group) present: Examining Women’s Participation in Politics in Africa and the Caribbean celebrate International Women’s Day 2010 with an afternoon of discussion and dance followed by a cultural show. Tickets: 20$ per person(18 years & over), 30$ per couple or family, free for Children. Dinner included. For more info: www.gahuza.com, email Abezamutima@yahoo.ca or call 613-686-5262

Saturday, March 6
7:00 pm
Auditorium, Library and Archives Canada
FILM: NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY, dir. Charles Officer (Canada 93 minutes). NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY is an urban love story about the soul of a mother, the heart of a fighter, and the faith of a child.
JUDE is a single mother who descends from a long line of Jamaican caregivers. SILENCE is a ‘past his prime’ boxer who fights illegally to survive. CIEL is a boy who delves into music, conjuring dreams for his mother. During the last week of summer, a late-night brawl finds the fighter in the nurse's care causing their three fates to be forever entwined. The critically acclaimed NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY is director and co-writer Charles Officer’s feature debut. Charles Officer studied visual art at Cambridge and communication design at the Ontario College of Art and Design. He worked as a graphic designer before attending the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. Since then, he has appeared on stage and in film and television productions. Officer’s debut short, WHEN MORNING COMES premiered at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival to wide acclaim. Charles Officer will be in attendance to introduce and discuss HIS film!

Sunday, March 7
4.00pm
Knox Church-120 Lisgar Street (at Elgin)
Commonwealth Day Inter-Faith Service, feat. The Nepean Choir and Organist, followed by an informal Reception in the Church Hall. ALL ARE WELCOME. This Service celebrates – with prayer, music, song and readings – the values and ideals which we share, regardless of our particular religious tradition. High Commissioners, High Commission personnel, and local representatives of several Faiths, will participate with Baha’i and Jain prayers, and readings from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. The flags of all Commonwealth countries will be carried, in the Procession which starts the Service, by sons and daughters of High Commission personnel Girl Guides, les Guid’amies franco-canadiennes, Scouts, Rangers and Pathfinders. Over the past 31 years, this Service has also been held at ChristChurch Cathedral, St Andrew's, McLeod Stewarton, Holy Cross, Knox, Orleans United, and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The Service is organized by the ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY, Ottawa Branch
(www.rcs.ca) PO Box 8023, Postal Station T, Ottawa, ON K1G 3H6

Dimanche 7 mars
18 h à 22 h
Maison du citoyen (agora Gilles-Rocheleau),
25 rue Laurier, Gatineau, QC
GALA: 4e soirée du Regroupement Affaires Femmes (RAF) dédiée à la gente féminine ainsi qu’à Haïti. Thème: « Yon panse pou Ayiti ». Souper, un spectacle et une conférence ainsi que de nombreuses surprises! Après avoir survécu le séisme en Haïti, la présidente du RAF, Violène Gabriel, récolte des dons matériels lors de son gala annuel afin d’aider plus concrètement les familles sinistrées. Marraine: Ginette Gratton (animatrice de l'émission "Pour tout l’amour", TV Rogers). Invitée spéciale: Johanne Adam(journaliste chez Astral Média). Lors de cette soirée, le RAF soulignera aussi l’excellence des femmes inspirantes par leurs talents et leur dévouement communautaire. Billets: 45$ l’unité ou 80$ par pairs de billets. Les Billets sont disponibles à: Salon Universel Fleur des Antilles : 351, chemin Montréal, 613 741-1753; Salon Luxus Hair Design : 274, chemin Montréal suite 2, 613 744-4300; Salon Christa : 639, chemin Montréal, 613 842-9406. Rappelons que le RAF oeuvre dans la communauté depuis 2006 et a pour objectif de motiver les femmes de tous âges à améliorer leur santé, leur bien-être et à leur épanouissement personnel et celles de leur famille.Les dons seront recueillis au 1846, Greenacres à Ottawa, dans les jours précédant l’événement 17 h. Veuillez noter que le coût du billet couvre seulement les frais du souper et du spectacle et qu'aucun don en argent ne sera accepté lors du GALA. Le RAF vous invite à donner généreusement à la Croix Rouge ou l’UNICEF. Plus d'info: Le Regroupement Affaires Femmes 613 266-1222 www.affemmes.com ou info@affemmes.com

Thursday, March 11
6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Centurion Conference and Event Center - 170 Colonnade Rd, Ottawa, ON
OCISO Awards Gala -Celebrating Our Community, emceed by CTV News anchor Graham Richardson and CHUO 89.1FM radio host, Sarah Onyango. An evening of fine dining, awards, entertainment, dancing and auctions. At the gala, OCISO will present its 2nd Annual OCISO Community Awards of Excellence (OCAE) to community members and an organization whose contributions enable immigrants and their families to fully participate in an open and welcoming Ottawa. The OCAE award categories are: Youth Leadership Award, Heroes Amongst Us, and Organizational Leadership. Tickets: $75 ($25 tax receipt); $125 for a couple ($25 tax receipt);$30 for students and youth. For gala tickets, and to confirm your attendance email Safiah at saghliw@ociso.org or call 613 725 5671 ext 332 by March 5, 2010.

Saturday, March 13
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Christ Church Cathedral
420 Sparks Street (at Bronson)
CONCERT: Cathedral Arts presents DUO BRAZIL, the exciting new ensemble created by Ottawa’s internationally renowned soprano, Donna Brown, along with guitar virtuoso, Andrew Mah in 2007 performing music of Brazil. These two great Canadian musicians will present a programme which will include music by Baden Powell, Jobim, Villa Lobos, Garoto and others. Tickets: $40, $30, $20 and $15 (students) available through the Cathedral Arts office at 613-567-1787, or, purchase online at cathedralarts@yahoo.ca. You are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to support the Dalhousie Food Cupboard.

Saturday, March 13
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Canadian Museum of Civilization - 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
(Hull sector), Quebec K1A 0M8
A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer V-Day in the Capital 2010 - HopeAngerCourage presents a benefit reading. A benefit show to help stop violence against women and girls, locally and globally. Join us as we raise awareness and funds to end violence against women and girls, locally and globally. With: Erin Blaskie, Katherine Kitty Dines, Hedy Fry, Alan Neal, Oni the Haitian Sensation, Kerry Pither, Jason Tetro, Adrian Harewood & Bill Welychka. For more information about this event, its hosts and sponsors and V-Day, visit hopeangercourage.com. Silent auction at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets: $30, available at the Museum of Civilization box office, or by phone at 819-776-7000. Donations and group tickets can be arranged by emailing capitalvday@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 16
Doors 7pm, movie 7:30pm
Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St., downtown Ottawa
Divergence Movie Night presents "Africa Rising". Every day, six thousand girls from the Horn of Africa to the sub-Saharan nations are subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). With little more than fierce determination and deep love for their communities, brave African activists are leading a formidable and fearless grassroots movement to end five thousand years of FGM. This extraordinary and powerful film is the first to focus on African solutions to FGM, presenting an insightful look at the frontlines of a quiet revolution taking the continent by storm. 62 minutes. Free admission, $5 suggested donation. flyer:
http://divergencemovienight.com

Tuesday, March 16
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Jean Piggott Hall, Ottawa City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario
Free Admission (Donations Accepted)
RSVP by 5:00pm (EST) Thursday March 11, 2010 to bwcenetwork@gmail.com
On behalf of the Black Women’s Civic Engagement Network(BWCEN) and our Founding Patron the Honourable Marlene Jennings, M.P., we wish to extend to you a special invitation to join us at a Cocktail Reception marking International Women’s Day. During this event, the BWCEN will be recognizing the contributions of two extraordinary Canadian Women - Dr. Glenda Simms, former President of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women of Canada and Dr. Rita Deverell, founder of Vision TV, whose vision, commitment and achievements are transforming Canadian society through leadership and service.

Friday, March 19
7:00PM
University of Ottawa - Montpetit Hall, room 203
Panel Discussion on "Black Identity and the Sense of Community". Panelists: Prof. Boulou Ebanda de B'béri (Univ. of Ottawa Dept. of Communication); Prof. Joanne St.Lewis (Faulty of Law, University of Ottawa); Roger Boisrond (documentary filmmaker); a representative from the Black Coalition of Quebec. The discussion will try to answer several questions around the idea of a Black Identity and what we mean by "community". The conference will be a space of reflexion and dialogue on the question of black identity and is open to EVERYBODY. It's going to be a very interesting dialogue that will push us to think beyond what we think we already know. This is an opportunity to share your questions, opinions and thoughts on the subject. Food & refreshments provided. FREE admission. For more info: Gwen Madiba, gwennaellemoubouyi@hotmail, gmoub059@uottawa or call
613.620.7990

Saturday March 20
9pm
Ritual Nightclub – 137 Besserer St, downtown Ottawa (near uOttawa
main campus)
HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE with THE RECIPE, Ottawa’s own super-group of spoken word poetry and music, and with DJ Memetic. Blending the better parts of jazz, hip hop, reggae, rock, and soul, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble weave walls of massive, bouncy harmonies into a completely new sound they call ‘Now Music’. Hypnotic’s eight brass musicians (4 trumpets, 2 trombones, euphonium and sousaphone) are blood brothers who carry the musical legacy of their father, living legend Phil Cohran (Sun Ra Arkestra, Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians).The Recipe is Canada’s super group of spoken word poetry. Each a critically acclaimed and award-winning poet in their own right, Emcee E (Ian Keteku), OpenSecret (Ikenna Onyegbula), Poetic Speed (Komi Olafimihan), Rusty Priske and Brandon Wint were the Ottawa poetry team members who were crowned Canadian Festival of Spoken Word Champions in 2009. Kwende Kefentse aka DJ Memetic is a DJ, writer, researcher and culture worker based in Ottawa. He co-hosts one of Ottawa’s hottest underground dance parties, TimeKode, as well as a bi-monthly mix-show called Beet.Roots Radio on the Mighty 93.1 CKCU FM. Tickets $20 advance at End Hits, Compact Music(s), Reap & Sew. Presented by WFM

Monday, March 22
6:00pm
Cathedral Hall,
Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa
420 Sparks Street (at Bronson)
CATHEDRAL ARTS Dinner Lecture feat. Marion Wright. Theme: “Mental Health: A New Frame of understanding”. Master of Ceremonies: Rita Celli, Host, Ontario Today, CBC One. Tickets: (Before Thursday, March 18th at noon) $35.00 – 613-567-1787 Purchase online at cathedralarts@yahoo.com

Jeudi, 25 mars
20h
Salle Jean-Despréz - Maison du citoyen
(25 rue Laurier, secteur Hull, QC)
CONCERT: « Bouillon » , un savoureux récital de la chanteuse d’opéra Marie-Josée Lord. Voir courte biographie à www.radio-canada.ca/radio2/artistes/332.shtml Billets: 25$ pour les adultes, 22 $ pour les aînés et 20 $ pour les étudiants, en vente au Centre culturel du Vieux-Aylmer (120, rue Principale), du lundi au vendredi, de 9 h à midi et de 13 h à 20h, et les samedis et les dimanches, de midi à 16 h; au Théâtre de l’Île (1, rue Wellington), du lundi au samedi, de midi à 20h 30; à la billetterie de la salle Jean-Despréz (25, rue Laurier), du lundi au vendredi, de 8 h 30 à 11 h et de midi à 16 h; ainsi que le soir du spectacle, à la porte, dans l’heure précédant la représentation. Il est également possible de se procurer des billets en composant le 819 243-8000.

Saturday, March 27
7:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill Avenue
Ugandans & Friends Spring-ing Out Dance. Come network, have some fun and dance the night away! COST: $15.00/PER PERSON. Formal /Semi Formal. No children. Parking available on site at the Westboro Masonic Hall, in the parking lot at Churchill Public School, located behind the Westboro Masonic Hall, or on Churchill Avenue. Bus Routes: 95 97 2. More bus info at: www.octranspo.com. Tickets available from: Kizitos - (613) 727-5872 e-mail: kcatherine@rogers.com ; Juliet Kabetu - (613) 247-1630 ; Richard Kakaire - (613)265-0761 e-mail: kaksricky@yahoo.ca

Saturday, March 27
8 p.m.
Fourth Avenue Baptist Church (at Bank St. & Fourth Ave., in the Glebe)
CONCERT: A night of Gospel and Jazz featuring Roxanne Goodman, vocals and Bertram Boldon, steel pan, piano. With Paulo Mugarura on piano, Ken Kanwisher on bass, Matt Aston on drums, and Lionel Charles on guitar. Tickets $20/person. More info: Roxanne at roxanne@confidencebooster.ca

Saturday, March 27
8 PM
Dominion-Chalmers United Church-355 Cooper St, Ottawa
Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts. Impressions in Jazz (IJO) presents its 2009-2010 season finale. Fifty artists for a single Ottawa-premiere performance of of music from the three sacred concerts that were hailed by Ellington as "the most important thing I've ever done or am ever likely to do." Featuring the IJO's fifteen-piece jazz orchestra, the Capital Vox jazz choir, bass-baritone Marcus Nance from Toronto, soprano Doreen Taylor-Claxton, jazz vocalist Elise Letourneau and tap dancer Melissa Roy. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. As a special offer, each paid adult may be accompanied by up to three elementary or high school students. Tickets are available now online at TicketWeb.ca or in person at Compact Music in the Glebe, 3 locations of CD Warehouse or at the door on the evening of the concert. For more info: www.impressionsinjazz.ca/DC-270310.html or phone (613) 858-7904.

APRIL

Saturday, April 17
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Good Companions Centre, 670 Albert Street, Ottawa
PROSTATE HEALTH CARE: Have you had your PSA Test done lately? YOUR RETIREMENT FUND: How far will it go; Can you Afford Long Term Care. An information seminar on taking care of your Prostate & Financial Aspects of Future Care Planning. Admission: Free but Donations will be accepted. A light lunch will be served - EARLY PRE-REGISTRATION is a "MUST" (for catering purposes). Telephone: 613-834-1718;613-596-1059; 613-226-8085;613-830-4837