Things to do during a summer in Ottawa!

 Summertime could mean many different things to people: travel, full-time employment, going home and bumming it, or a little bit of everything.  Whatever the situation, it’s easy to fall prey to the procrastination of productivity, as we succumb to the laziness that takes over our bodies and infiltrates our minds from all the accumulated stress from the school year. If you find yourself with a summer filled with (too much) free time and no idea how to occupy it with anything other than Netflix and binge drinking (jokes), not to worry – with all exciting events happening around the city, I’ve got you covered for a productive and fulfilling summer.

RBC’s Bluesfest 2014 (July 3-13): So you’ve seen the lineup and know it’s going to be awesome. If you have the time, you can even volunteer for it! Not only do you get free access to the festival, but you get a free meal every shift you work, a volunteer t-shirt, and get to attend a volunteer appreciation party. Sweet!  Applications are out May 14, 2014 at 7PM on a first-come-first-serve basis so mark your calendars. To check out the job descriptions, check out: http://ottawabluesfest.ca/volunteer/

Ottawa Fringe Festival 2014 (June 19-29): Ottawa’s largest theatre festival is back and looking for energetic volunteers for a variety of positions! Reap the benefits of a free entry to the shows for every shift, a t-shirt, and according to their site, ‘a thousand thank-yous’. If drama, comedy, classical music, art or contemporary dance is your thing, don’t miss out! For more information and tickets: www. ottawafringe.com

Tulip Festival (May 9 – 19)Assuming the weather will be nice enough for the flowers to bloom fully, check out North America’s largest tulip festival this spring! Free for all, and definitely a sight that’s Facebook-cover picture worthy.

International Writer’s Festival (April 7 – 27) Speakers, writing workshops, poetry, and music – whatever tickles your creative fancy, the Writer’s Festival has it. Thanks to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, tickets for main stage events are free for Carleton Students! Check out the events here: http://www.writersfestival.org/events.

Escapade Music Festival (June 28-29 + July 1st)Okay, this one’s more on the expensive side, but a huge electronic dance music festival with big-name DJs from all over the world coming to Ottawa? Worth it for all the EDM lovers out there.  Try to keep up with their social media sites for contests and updates for your chance to win free passes.

The International:  Latin Sparks – Tango your way to Ottawa’s Latin Street block party on Sparks street this summer! Bring your friends and enjoy the ambience of Latin American music, dancing, and performances.  

Italian Week (June 5-15)In the heart of Little Italy, this week is dedicated to the motherland of good food,  wine, and music. Why not romantically slurp the same spaghetti noodle with your significant other at Assagi restaurant, or take a stroll down Preston and check out a variety of entertainment. Maybe end the day with a gelato, or relax and enjoy la dolce fare niente (the sweetness of doing nothing).

Spend some quality time with your second favourite mother, Nature.With the abundance of greenery in the vicinity, it’s time to pack your bag and hit the hiking trails with your girls (and guys!). Camping trips are always a great reminder of the true beauty of stillness and pure serenity that life can be, and also a reminder that foxes don’t actually say Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding! It’s a really amusing bonding session when it’s time to put up the tent, and we can’t forget the shameless five-s’mores-per-night by the campfire.

FIFA World cup: a month long celebration (June 12 – July  13)I mean it won’t be anything like the street parties in Brazil, but if you’re into soccer, here’s your chance to gather your futboleras for some beers, cheers, and tears, and catch the games on the big screen. Forza Azzuri  ;).

Join a Race this summer!I’ve always wanted to try the Spartan run, just so I can say I thrived and survived, you know? There are literally tons of races you can join this summer – whether you’re running for a good cause, achieving personal goals, or doing it for fun – there’s a race for you: http://www.runguides.com/Ottawa/runs

Wherever your path may lead you this summer, I hope it’s amazing. See you lovely Collegiettes in the Fall!

XOLiz

Pic sources :http://www.ottawafestivals.ca/events/italian-week-of-ottawasettimana-italiana-di-ottawa/

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/midnight_sun/blog/2009/09/concert_review_lady_gaga_at_da.html

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Escapade+white+dancing+over/6870659/story.html

http://www.kellyturner.ca/Escapade-Music-Festival

http://melindahinsonneely.com/blog/fun/beat-the-summer-heat-and-have-fun-too/

http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/neymar-leaves-his-mark-gives-brazil-hope-for-2014/1136269/