March 10
Christ Church Cathedral, 420 Sparks St., will host an evening of Japanese art song and opera on March 10 at 8 p.m. The concert features soprano Takako Yanagida and pianist Chiharu Zeng. Advance tickets ($20) available at Lauzon Music, 1354 Wellington and Leading Note, 370 Elgin. Tickets at the door are $25.
David Halton, former CBC foreign correspondent, will give a lecture at 7:30 p.m. entitled “Prospects for Peace in the Middle East in memory of peace-activist Edith Holtom, at First Unitarian Church, 30 Cleary Ave (off Richmond, east of Woodroffe). Light refreshments. Ample parking. Call 725-1066 for more information.
March 25
The Ottawa Humane Society’s Second Annual Fur Ball takes place March 25 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Supported by Jubilee Fine Jewellers, the jeweller Jubilee is donating $10,000 in ROLEX watches to help make the masked ball a success. Jubilee is donating a Polar Bear diamond pendant for a door prize. In addition, great prizes for the best masks will be awarded Holt Renfrew is providing guest gift bags. In keeping with aVenetian theme, the Fur Ball will feature Mediterranean cuisine and live entertainment by Blush. An original oil painting by Philip Craig and vacations, including trips to Iqaluit, Bermuda and Tuscany, will be up for bid at the silent and live auctions. Proceeds will support the society’s Emergency Animal Protection Services (EAPS) team. Tickets are $195 per person. To order, visit www.ottawahumane.ca or call 725-3166 x333.
Barnyard Break at the agriculture museum
The Canada Agriculture Museum is launching its 2006 season with the annual Barnyard Break during the March school break, March 11-19.
Parents and children looking for March Break learning and fun will find it at the Canada Agriculture Museum’s Barnyard Break.
Visitors will be able to participate in or watch informative demonstrations such as knitting and corking, tasting a sweet and creamy treat in the demonstration kitchen or learning all about pigs by taking a Pig Quiz.
Visitors can also learn about many farm animals such as the museum’s Canadian horse, they can help feed the sheep, groom a calf and watch the milking.
A favourite children’s activity is suggesting names for the museum’s dairy calves.
For younger children, there will be a beeswax candle making craft. Museum-goers can visit the exhibition’s The Farm: Plugged-In and Tractors.
The following are some of the activities, displays and demonstrations that will be featured during Barnyard Break:
Pig Quiz (9:30 a.m.) — Museum-goers can to test their knowledge on pigs with a quiz.
Sweet and Creamy (10 a.m.,12 noon,1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) — Focus on Cream. Visitors will learn all about cream in the Dairy Barn’s Demonstration Kitchen: where cream comes from and its uses. Museum interpreters will be making cream fudge for visitors to taste.
Knitting and Corking (10:30 a.m.) — At this station, visitors can try knitting with the advice of an interpreter and children can try to knit with a corker.
Groom a Calf (11 a.m.) — Visitors will have the chance to meet a calf and help one of the museum’s interpreter with the grooming.
Meet Neo, the Canadian Horse (11:30 a.m.) — Visitors will enjoy meeting Neo, the museum’s Canadian breed horse, as well as learning about riding equipment, how to look after horses and interesting facts about them.
Bees and Beeswax Craft (1 p.m.) — Children can make a beeswax candle and at the same time learn all about bees and beekeeping.
New Exhibition —The Farm: Plugged-In: Visitors will discover the impact electricity had on farmers’ routine household chores, from the turn of the last century to today. The Beck Circus will demonstrate electricity’s early years in Ontario. Demonstration at 2 p.m.
Help Feed the Sheep (3 p.m.) — Visitors will be able to help feed the sheep while learning more about the digestive system of a sheep.
Help Us Name Our Calves! (Ongoing) — Visitors of all ages are invited to give suggestions to name our calves.
Also:
Horse- Drawn Tally-Ho Rides. From 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weather permitting (March 4, 5 and from 11 to 19).
Ongoing craft in the classroom for kids.
Children’ Activity Centre located on the Exhibitions level.
Afternoon milking (3:45 p.m.)
General information
Museum Hours: Barnyard Break 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Animal Barns and Exhibitions open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission prices (GST included. Prices subject to change without notice.)
Adults $6; seniors (60+), students $5; children (3-14) $3; children under 3 free.
Families (2 adults and 3 children) $13; families with additional children $2 per extra child; families with additional adults $3 per extra adult; members free; special rates available for groups (20 or more).
Location: Prince of Wales Drive, between the traffic circle and Baseline Road. Free parking.
Telephone: 991-3044
Reservations for guided tours and school programs: 613 991-3053; website: www.agriculture.technomuses.ca