12 things to do this weekend: from beer to kilts to MSTRKRFT

Friday, Jan. 30

What do Canadians do when it is freezing outside? Chill their beer at the 4th Festibière d’Hiver Festival, featuring over 100 craft beers from brewers in Quebec and Ontario, music, workshops and a massive bonfire, from 5 p.m., Canadian Museum of History. Tickets: $15 on site, $5 for souvenir glass, more for workshops. On to Jan. 31. festibiere.ca

Scientist and illusionist Luc Langevin returns to town with two crowd-pleasing performances at Salle Odyssée. Tickets: $59. salleodyssee.com

The two-day 27th annual Rhythm & Blues Festival starts with four bands, Zydeco Loco, The Rod Williams Band, The Maria Hawkins Band and The Jesse Greene Band, 9 p.m., 885 Bank St. Tickets: $10. irenespub.ca

Nacre d’abalone by Sebastien LaFleur

Ottawa-raised multidisciplinary artist Sébastian Lafleur‘s latest exhibit Polymorphisme, featuring the above piece, opens with an event at the Karsh-Masson gallery, 5:30 p.m., 110 Laurier Ave. W. ottawa.ca/arts

Relaxed, but peppy indie-rockers Fast Romantics are at Zaphod Beeblebrox with the very-danceable Repartee and The Schminks, 8 p.m., 27 York St. Tickets: $7. zaphods.ca

NAC’s Casual Friday was rescued — after trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth cancelled her tour — by violinist Jessica Linnebach and host, rock star (and violinist!) Sam Roberts, who will explain the classical repertoire to the audience as they sample wine and food. Drinks begin at 5 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Tickets: from $25 includes wine, +$20 for food sampling. nac-cna.ca

Saturday, Jan. 31

Don Cummer will be wearing his kilt on the canal on Saturday.

Don your best tartan gear or tam for the Kilt Skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway, celebrating Sir John A. Macdonald’s 200th birthday (and that of organizer Don Cummer), starting at 9 a.m. at Fifth Avenue, heading to the National Arts Centre with a party of music and dancing — bring your boots! — 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Confederation Park. (Kilts are not required, but those wearing one get a commemorative pin.) thescottishsocietyofottawa.com

The Peptides are warming up for their theatrical show (Love + Hate opens in February) with a full-length concert, 8:30 p.m., The Black Sheep Inn. Tickets: $10 in advance. theblacksheepinn.com

Winterlude starts with so many events from which to choose: Winterlude triathlon on the canal, super slides, snow sculpting lessons and kick sleds at Jacques Cartier Park, obstacle course and winter design competition at Lansdowne Park and free pancakes from 10 a.m. at Marion Dewar Plaza, and more. See the full schedule at winterlude.ca

Professional pet portraits are being offered to support a local dog rescue.

Immortalize your favourite companion with a professional portrait at It Must be Love Pet mini-sessions, to benefit the Sit With Me dog rescue charity, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 420 Bank St. Props provided and all types of pets welcome. Cost: $15. Booking recommended but drop-ins welcome at 613-695-7387. sitwithme.ca

The Chris Timms Comedy Cabaret, hosted by the eponymous comedian, brings funny folk together, including Brendan McKeigan for an evening of “uncensored” standup and music, 7:30 p.m., NAC Fourth Stage. Tickets: from $20. nac-cna.ca

Death from Above 1979 plays the Bronson Centre on January 31.

Self-proclaimed “too loud” Canadian band Death from Above 1979 play the Bronson Centre with the first album they’ve released in a decade — since an epic break up after their debut album in 2004. Tickets: $39.50. (If the show is sold out, which it probably will be, there is an official after party with electronic duo MSTRKRFT, 10 p.m. at Ritual. Tickets: $17.) spectrasonic.com

Sunday, February 1

Can we make the most snowmen in an hour and beat the record?

Join funny man Rick Mercer in building snowmen in an effort to break the Guinness Record for most built in an hour, part of the Cracking up the Capital comedy festival, on this week in support of mental health. Registration starts at 10 a.m., snow building at 11 a.m., TD Place Stadium. Bring gently-used mitts, scarves and hats to decorate the snowmen, then donate to the Salvation Army. www.crackup.ca

Strauss’ comedic operetta Die Fledermaus (The Bat) is moved from the 19th century to the Roaring Twenties in this University of Ottawa Opera Company production, 2 p.m., Alumni Auditorium. Tickets and Info: www.music.uottawa.ca

At Winterlude today, besides skating and outdoor activities all over the region, enjoy the final day of the international ice-carving competition, culminating in the awards-ceremony at 5 p.m. For all events, visit winterlude.ca

Have a skate then grab local vegetables at the Ottawa Farmer’s Winter Market at the Aberdeen Pavilion, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ottawafarmersmarket.ca

Watch over 700 of Canada’s best cross-country skiers compete in the Haywood NorAm Canadian Eastern Championship along distance race, a qualifier for the World Cup, 9 a.m., Nakkertok South Nordic Centre, Gatineau. Admission: Free for the entire family. cecski.ca

Monday, February 2

It’s not until April but tickets for the Rocky Horror Show at The Gladstone are selling out, so they have added another show, a matinee on April 4 — perfect for those who find the 10:30 p.m. shows with tickets left a bit late. Tickets: $30, $25/seniors, $20/student/artist. thegladstone.ca

Likewise, if you want to see the  Veterans of SNL show featuring Rob Schneider and Jon Lovitz on Feb. 21 at Centrepointe Theatres, buy soon. Tickets: $60-$75. centrepointetheatres.com

Tuesday Feb. 3

It’s Pay-what-you-can tonight for the award-winning — and timely — play Stuff Happens, a political drama written by acclaimed English playwright David Hare, examining events leading up to the 2003 Iraq War, 7:30 p.m. Info: nac-cna.ca

The MEGAPHONO festival, a showcase of Ottawa musical talent and practical workshops, starts with Wearing all the Hats, a panel about the ins and outs of being a musician (2 p.m.) with Lynn Miles, Mike Dube, Jim Bryson and Matt Ouimet, and performances by Last Ex and others (7:30, St. Albans) and FET.NAT, The Yips and more (10 p.m., House of Targ). Festival on to Feb. 5. Passes and tickets available at www.megaphono.ca

Wednesday, Feb. 4

The Face 2 Face dance festival starts with a performance by Faustin Linyekula from the Congo.

Dancers from Africa and Canada share their stories in performances at the Face 2 Face dance festival until Feb. 7, starting with Congolese Faustin Linyekula in the bare-bones piece Le Cargo, 7:30 p.m., Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave. Tickets: Start at $20. Info: artscourt.ca / nac-cna.ca

Shop for vintage clothing at the weeklong sale at the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum, 1p a.m. to 4 p.m. until Feb. 8. www.cpbheritagemuseum.com

Québécois comedian Valérie Blais brings her first one-woman show to Gatineau, after appearing at Juste Pour Rire and in TV shows Tour sur moi and Cornemuse, 8 p.m., Salle Odyssée. Tickets: $36. salleodyssee.ca

Thursday, Feb. 5

UofT law professor Kent Roach will discuss how the justice system can provide redress for human rights violations at a Big Thinking lecture, 7:30 a.m., Parliamentary restaurant, Centre Block. Tickets: $25 includes hot breakfast. www.ideas-idees.ca

See experimental, dramatic and animated short films at Resolution, the screening of 13 works by Saw Video members, 6:30 p.m., The Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank St. Tickets: $5. www.sawvideo.com

Try your hand at the Amazing Scavenger Hunt in the Diefenbunker Cold War Museum, with lots of long corridors to run down, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day until Feb. 15. Tickets: Included with admission. diefenbunker.ca

Friday, Feb. 6

It’s all-you-can eat stew for $10 in the Market.

Hungry? It’s all-you-can-eat at the 24th annual ByWard Market Stew Cook-off, with all the varieties you could imagine, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., no matter the weather. Tickets: $10.  winterlude.ca

Wear your school colours as Carleton and Ottawa universities vie for the MBNA Capital Hoops Classic title, with the women playing at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m., Canadian Tire Centre. Tickets: $10-40 for each game. www.canadiantirecentre.com

Get three days of shows for $40 at the Black Sheep Inn’s In the Dead of Winter event, including bands Folly and the Hunter with Kalle Mattson (8:30 p.m. tonight), Amos the Transparent, Rick Fines and more. theblacksheepinn.com

Saturday, Feb. 7

Winterlude comes to the Shenkman Arts Centre with an annual pancake breakfast (for first 400 people), followed by art activities, ice carving and snow painting, music and dancing for all ages, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Come dressed as your favourite Frozen character! shenkmanarts.ca / winterlude.ca

A still from the Norwegian film I am Yours.

Bright Nights, the 5th Baltic-Nordic Film Festival screens Norwegian film I Am Yours, starring Game of Thrones actress Amrita Acharia, about a would-be Pakistani actress trying to survive disapproval from her mother and outcast community, 7 p.m., River Building Theatre, Carleton University. Tickets: $13. www.cfi-icf.ca

The STARS and Hey Rosetta! show at the NAC is sold out, but there is a chance 40 tickets will be released closer to Saturday, so keep an eye on the website. nac-cna.ca

Or, enjoy the garage pop punk of Pale Lips from Montreal and Average Times at House of Targ instead, 10 p.m. Tickets: $5. houseoftarg.com

Over 40 of The Beatles songs are performed in the stage show, Let It Be, starting from the band’s early days, 4 and 8 p.m., Centrepointe Theatres. Tickets: $66.75-$76.75. centrepointetheatres.com

The life of a train-hopping “hobo” is explored by John Mulkerns, member of the National Association of Hobos, and author Terrence Rundle West at a Stories from the Railway event, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Ivy on William, 42 William St. W., Smiths Falls. Tickets: $10, proceeds to the friends of the library and the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario. www.rmeo.org

Local author Dennis Stein will be signing copies of his family-friendly book The Magic Cat, about a mysterious feline who circumvents disaster to save family and friends, 2 p.m., Brockville Public Library, 23 Buell St. $2 from the sale of each book at this event will be donated to the Library.

Having an event? Send the information to kendemann@ottawacitizen.com by 8 a.m. Monday, two weeks before the event begins. Photos are welcome.