I recently visited the National Arts Centre (NAC). It wasn't to take in any performance at this…read morevenue. I was downtown for Canada Day. I wanted a place to park. Its parkade was where my car was for a few hours. My original plan was to park at CF Rideau Centre and walk over to where the festivities were. I did it four years ago and it worked out nicely. Afterwards, I'd simply walk around the mall. However, I was curious to check this parking lot out. It's a part of NAC that I was not familiar with. The parkade is a 24-hour one. If you enter it before 4 pm, it's $3 for each half hour, to a maximum of $20. That's actually not bad if you consider that it would be an arm and a leg in other Canadian cities. It's automated. You do get a parking attendant when there's a performance or some activity happening at NAC. I don't know how all that works. I just know that for this national holiday, the parking attendant got a break. I inserted my credit card to enter the parkade. I used to same one leaving. It was pretty straightforward. I parked on level P1. I took the stairs to get to street level. It was perfect. I have only seen one concert at NAC. It was years ago when I lived in Winnipeg and travelled to Ottawa for vacation. It was a meaningful concert that holds a lot of fond memories. I saw my first Jann Arden concert here. Back then, I bought a ticket over the phone. The box office was a block away from my hotel on Slater Street. I walked over to fetch my ticket. On the night of the concert, I walked over to the NAC. It was November. There was snow on the ground. It was pretty, but a bit nippy. The female usher was so great showing me where my seat was. My seat was the last row of the orchestra section, the first seat on the left by the aisle. I was extremely happy. This concert set up countless Jann Arden concerts that I have attended all over the place. She is a wonderful performer and singer. Opening up for Jann Arden back then was Melanie Doane. This show alone sparked me to also see Melanie whenever she was playing over the years. What is cool is that when Jann recent played a couple of shows in Toronto, she had a bit of a reunion with Melanie. The latter has a ukelele school and students came down the aisles playing their ukes with Melanie leading the way to Jann. Such a cool moment! I got a Jann Arden t-shirt at the merchandise table. It said Happy? on it, to mark her newly released album back then. It's crazy to think that this album is nearly 26 years old. Yikes! I didn't grab any refreshments or snacks that night. I only remember happily walking back to the hotel and the sound my boots made walking on the snow. I had a great time then. I also had a decent parking experience on Canada Day just over two weeks ago. The NAC has changed since I last stepped foot. It looks like for the better. The digital leaves blowing around that you see above the NAC's main entrance was a nice touch. (240)

Beautiful space and always a pleasure to attend shows there…read more The ushers are always helpful and washrooms are easy to find. But the seats are a bit small and uncomfortable. I think they might need to update the seat or at least change the couchions - my left leg kept falling asleep and my back got noticeably sore at the end of the last show.

Had the opportunity to come here as an anniversary gift since I love anything to do with nature,…read moreand therefore had the chance to build my own mini succulent garden in a cute glass bowl! The instructor was clear, loud, gave great suggestions on how to decorate our bowls and also how to take care of them once we left. Solid music was played in the background and the people at our table were nice, friendly and rather helpful. Peering at everyone else's bowls gave me some inspiration and insight as to how I'd place my moss, stones and succulents but overall I think we all put our own unique take to our liking which turned out great! In the end we took photos by the Yaymaker banner and was handed a plastic bag to carry them home. Would recommend this as a cute and neat diy project to experience with a loved one.

They make you sit inside even when there is like no rain????!?!???…read moreThey do not have value.

I turned to Dovercourt to try to get lifeguarding lessons for my daughter. Unfortunately, classes…read morewere full. Having said that, the administrator with whom I spoke was very helpful and sympathetic. When more instructors were added to meet the demand, she called and got my daughter in. The courses were organized and well taught. So, I found the people at Dovercourt do their jobs well, and seem to truly give a damn. It is rare to find such character and expertise. I highly recommend this recreation complex.

I have yet to buy something from this shop but everything is hand made and is one of a kind. I have…read morehowever, taken their pottery classes and workshops. The first time I came here was for a Friday Spin the Wheel Workshop last summer. I enjoyed my experience so much I was inspired to try a set of 4-weeks beginner wheel spinning classes. I've since done another 4-weeks beginner wheel spinning classes followed by another 6-weeks beginner. I have signed up to improve my pottery skill by signing up for a 6-weeks beginner 2 class. I've also convinced my significant other to join me for a romantic hand building mug workshop for Valentine's Day. I highly recommend the one night spin the wheel workshops. They offer them Friday nights and Saturday nights and are around $65. This will give you a small taste of what it's like to make something on the wheel. It is harder than it looks and you might not make what you wanted but it's such a rewarding experience. You end up leaving with a little pot you've created. I love that this pottery shop offered Valentine's Day workshops. The workshop was all hand building so it did not require the use of a wheel. It was definitely a lot cleaner haha. The price included wine for the night and we each got to leave with our own handcrafted mug. With the workshops, you do not learn much about glazing so you get to choose what your end colour of your pieces or mugs are and the technicians glaze/colour them for you. My significant other is very proud of his mud and although he isn't an artsy type of guy, he really enjoyed himself. The 4 or 6-week classes teach you the essential skills for pottery. You learn about the clay, how to prep the clay, how to make and shape the bowls and cups, and how to glaze your pieces. The 4-week classes (~$200) are offered in the summer and the 6-week classes (~$300) are offered all year round. In both sets of classes, you end up making around 7 pieces. The only difference is that with the 6-week classes, you spend 4 days building your pieces whereas you only have 2 days to build in the 4-week classes. The facility is clean and the staff are very friendly. The instructors are very patient and helpful. I highly recommend at least trying the workshops. They become very addicting. Pottery requires lots and lots of practice. It took about a couple of sets of classes before I became comfortable. By the third set of classes, I was able to make larger pieces which makes me comfortable to move onto the beginner 2 classes.

We are so happy with our new large, white bowl with blue design that reminds us of ocean grasses…read more It completes a set that we use happily every day. Taking classes in clay at Hintonburg Pottery is one of the most creative activities that we can think of. The instructors, in both hand building and using the wheel, were very helpful, but allowed us to work our own spirit into our creations. Thank you for a great experience. We look forward to that grand day when Hintonburg Pottery re-opens. Bernadette and Richard

I have had the opportunity to work with many of the people at Ottawa Autism Therapy, and they have…read morethe highest level of professionalism and education on how to help children living with autism. Their ABA/IBI services are only run by people with proper credentials, a feature lacking at some of the competition service centres. Their social groups and services extend to all ages which is great for those diagnosed late.

This store has a great selection of beads for any of your jewellery needs. They're a little more…read moreupscale than your average arts and crafts supplies store, but the selection is very enticing! I would recommend this store for anyone who makes their own jewellery as a hobby or for sale. Just go in for a browse, and you'll see what I mean! If I had the choice, I would select somewhere between moderate and pricey for this shop, mainly because as I said, they're upscale without being too high class. Great selection and variety, better quality. August 2012: Updated to add the following comments: (1) I am thrilled that Canada Beading Supply has added business info to this review! (2) Having visited them again this past weekend, I see that their display is a little different and their selection is still wonderful. They do still offer gemstones, but now cater to a wider, more affordable market. I believe they offer classes, which is great!

swas just wondering if your store is open tomorrow or not as i am a big fan of you guys you're kind…read moreand very keen towards customers that have weird and apologetic towards the hours . because during this lockdown I really need alot of beading supplies too work with I plan to spend over 250.00

This has to be the best facility in all of Ottawa! It's absolutely huge!! There's plenty of…read moreparking, too. Two hockey rinks for winter sports and lacrosse in the summer. A gym that can be used for a badminton tournament. The facility is massive inside! You don't even know anyone else is in there. Lots of seating in the rink. I was impressed with the size and scope of the facility.

Love bringing my daughter here for extracurriculars. The staff always seem nice and the…read moreinfinity-type pool is really nice.

I was excited to get my frames. I accepted the work that was done. I now realise it was sub par. I…read morewould avoid this business. They do not deliver.

This place is great, in 2022. For those that have been in the United States, it has more than Hobby…read moreLobby, Michaels and JOANN. For my Canadians, in this store, I found excessive gouache, which is hard to find, the staff were nice and always helpful and they even have a gallery. It should be the #1 arts and crafts store here in Ottawa.