MAX Ottawa

Queer Lifting Club
2024-12-24 18:00 - 20:30, 2024-12-17 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 400 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R5A2, Canada
Free drop-in fitness and social club. Signed waivers required to participate.

Swim Workout
2024-12-23 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-12-22 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-12-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-12-19 19:30 - 20:30, 2024-12-18 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-12-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Montpetit Hall – uOttawa, 125 University Private, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Meet fellow Queer swimmers & get a workout in. Open to members or drop-in registrations.

Art House: Open Mic Night
2024-12-23 18:00 - 22:00 | Art House, 555 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R5K1, Canada
Weekly open mic night! Open to all artists/genres.

Sign up online. Starts at 6:30pm. Newly added in person sign up window from 6:00-6:30pm for a few spots. Spots reserved during the in-person sign up window take place from 6:30-7:00pm. Spots reserved online take place from 7:00pm onwards.

At this time, our capacity is reduced and online sign-ups (performers) are prioritized. Spectators welcome but may be turned away if we’re full. We apologize for any inconvenience!

*Sign up will open 1 week in advance (ie if it’s 7pm on Monday, then the following Monday’s 7pm slot will open online) Due to the nature of the event if you cannot make it please cancel asap so we can let other folk have a spot at the mic 🎶

Hosted by Phasez. @Phasezmusic

IMPORTANT ACCESSIBILITY INFOAt the moment, we are not wheelchair accessible beyond our patio.We provide gender-neutral washrooms.We are licensed to provide alcohol, but serve a variety of non-alcoholic options.

Karaoke Night
2024-12-22 20:00 - 23:00, 2024-12-19 20:00 - 23:00 | T’s, 323 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON, 2P 0J8, Canada
Karaoke with fellow Queers hosted by Jolene.

Sunday Night Tennis
2024-12-22 20:00 - 22:00 | Tennis Centre West Ottawa, 120 Greenview Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K2B8J8, Canada
Meet members of Gay Lesbian Tennis Ottawa at novice/advanced doubles tennis every Sunday.

Drop-In Volleyball
2024-12-22 18:00 - 20:00 | École Secondaire Franco-Cité, 623 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, Ontario, K1G1N7, Canada
Drop-in is more about having fun and getting exciting rallies going, rather than what is on the scoreboard. The Drop-in Coordinator explains the basic format at the beginning of the night. If you have any questions, you’ll also have a Court Leader to explain the basics. If you are new to volleyball or have not played in a long time, don’t worry, the atmosphere is casual! Everyone is there for fun, so enjoy yourself!Play description: Ideal for beginners or for those looking to build on their base skills. Open to all levels. Rotational play (setter position 2 or 3), promote 3 touches, and encourage your peers. Higher level players are expected to play at the corresponding level to promote play and help foster a conducive learning environment.

Solstice Chill - Homo Phono Listening Party & Games Night
2024-12-21 19:00 - 22:00 | The Grove, 18 Louisa St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R6Y6, Canada
Solstice Chill – Listening party & games night! We’re back with our pals at the Grove to bring you something a bit more laid-back as we move into winter. Expect low decibel Afrohouse/beats, funk & RnB. We’ll provide some games – feel free to bring your own!We’re excited to have Kaytlyn Nadjiwon (@softbutsturdy) with us to bring in the solstice! While Kaytlyn is not a self-described tarot reader or expert, she’s long worked with tarot and oracle decks, energy, and channelling in her personal practice. She was inspired by the Anchored deck for healing by Margeaux Feldman of @softcore_trauma to open that energy work to the community more broadly. She’s generously offered to share space with us on the solstice so we can think about our intentions for the winter months. Readings are by donation to Indigenous youth organization, @assembly7generations (cash, e-transfer suggested donation is sliding scale, $5 – 25). Readings are on a first come basis and there will be a sign-up sheet when you arrive. Accepting donations for A7G without readings as well!Bar with non-alcoholic drinks including beer, cocktails, seltzers and more, please enjoy outside.This is a covid-safer event! We don’t have a lot of spots for the covid cautious community so we’re prioritizing safety, access, and community at this event:N95 or equivalent are required indoors and optional outdoors. Some masks (overhead straps) will be available at the door. Three air purifiers will be running. We monitor CO2 throughout the night and will announce if the monitors reach 1500. With a lot of people in a small space, this can happen, but the readings go down quickly once we open the door for a bit.

A few tickets are available at the door on a first come basis. Sliding scale – $5-20 (cash only at the door)

Accessibility Notes from The Grove

We have a ramped entrance (33.5 in wide) and a ramp for the backdoor entrances.

Our space total sq is 800 sq/ft but the main studio portion is 350 sq/ft. That fits about 40 folks standing and 25 seated.

We have two bathrooms with door measurements 26 and 28 inches wide.

For seating, we have several options – White folding chairs (max 225lbs /102 kg static) Blue stacking chairs ( max 660lbs / 299.3 kg static) Brown couch (max 700lbs/317.5 kg static) Rustic brown stools (max 264.5lbs/ 120 kg static)

Bottomless Dine & Drag Dinner
2024-12-21 19:00 - 22:00 | The Vanitea Room, 551 Somerset St West, Ottawa, ON, K1R 5J9, Canada
Every week, on Saturday night, Vanitea is the destination for the no. 1 voted drag dinner, presented by beloved house host Devona Coe and a rotating calendar of featured local and visiting drag queens.Delivering their struts, gag-worthy performances & all-over sass for your Saturday night pleasure, + a fabulous 3 course tower (with meal included) and bottomless drinks!

Ace/Aro Space
2024-12-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Kind Space, 400 Cooper St. suite 9001, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2N1, Canada
Join us for thoughtful discussions and recreational activities centering Ace/Aro folks in the Ottawa Community every 1st Thursday of the month at 7PM and the 3rd Saturday of each month at 2PM! This in-person group is open to anyone who identifies under the asexual or aromantic umbrellas (including grey, demi, quoi, alloaro, etc). So even if you are new to the community, or have been waiting to meet and chill with other Ace/Aro folks for a while, this space is open for you.

Each month we will have a loose theme or event to bring us together, so stay tuned to social media! This group is for those ages 18+; Questions can be sent to acearo@kindspace.ca.

Winter Solstice Writers' Salon
2024-12-21 12:00 - 15:00 | The Grove, 18 Louisa St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R6Y6, Canada
In December, The Writers’ Salon meets on the winter solstice to explore routines, rituals and practices. This event may be of particular interest to folks who struggle to build routines, or those who find themselves resistant to demands (even those we put upon ourselves.) We’ll discuss commonly shared advice about building a writing practice, reflect on our own experiences, and explore if routine or ritual may be a kinder fit. There will be time for creation, connection and shame-free sharing. Beginners and aspiring writers are welcome.

The Writers’ Salon offers a space for writers to connect, share and build community. The Salon is open to writers ages 18+, of all backgrounds, genres and experience levels. It is hosted by Meg, a neuroqueer writer, artist and creative care practitioner. You can learn more about the Grove, including location, transportation and accessibility info here. Masks (K95 or higher) are required to attend, and must be worn at all times. Masks will be provided for folks who are unable to bring their own.

Ottawa Frontrunners Saturday Meets (Winter)
2024-12-21 09:30 - 10:30 | City Hall (Lisgar St Entrance), 111 Lisgar, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Ottawa Frontrunners (OFR) is a running and walking club for members of the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (2SLGBTQ) community and friends. Located in Ottawa, it is Canada’s national capital chapter of International Frontrunners. We have runners of various ages and skill levels and typically have groups going between 5 and 9 km (3 and 5.59 miles) at various paces. Walkers are also members of the club, consisting usually of runners on the injury list and partners or friends of runners.

BJ's Christmas EXTRAVAGANZA!!
2024-12-20 20:00 - 22:30 | SAW, 67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7B9, Canada
Burlesque | Drag | Improve

Luscious Creatures presents Ottawa’s favourite bimonthly variety show!

Hosted by BJ Stroker

Performances by

Zyra Lee Vanity

2 People improve group

Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm.

Ottawa Frontrunners Weekly Womens Meet
2024-12-20 18:15 - 19:45 | City Hall (Lisgar St Entrance), 111 Lisgar, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Cafe Q
2024-12-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Kind Space, 400 Cooper St. suite 9001, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2N1, Canada
On the first and third Friday, a diverse and dynamic group of youth meet at Kind Space for an evening of low-pressure hanging out. Care, support, and harm reduction are key practices at Café Q which is run by Taryn and other support facilitators. Join other youth for game nights, art making, snacks or just to chill and check in with friends. Contact taryn@kindspace.ca or programming@kindspace.ca with any questions.

Mööse Knuckle Boylesque: Jingle Balls
2024-12-19 20:00 - 22:00 | LIVE! on Elgin, 220 Elgin St #2, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1L7, Canada
The newly formed Tricky Willy Productions is thrilled to announce the fifth instalment of Mööse Knuckle Boylesque, Ottawa’s only all-male-identified burlesque revue, on Thursday, December 19 at LIVE! on Elgin. This will be our year-end holiday show and we promise you a fun-filled night of queer and local talent, comedy and stripping, and men of all kinds! Doors 7 p.m. Showtime 8 p.m.

Christmas & Holiday Dinner
2024-12-19 17:00 - 19:00 | T’s, 323 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON, 2P 0J8, Canada
Tis’ the season for festive feasts and jolly good times at T’s All Welcoming Pub! We’re serving up a Christmas Holiday Dinner with ALL the fixings and we want YOU to join the holiday merriment!

RSVP: Chat with our fabulous bartenders at the Pub to reserve your spot — spaces are filling up faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve!

Gather your chosen family, don your sparkliest holiday gear, and get ready for a warm, welcoming, and downright delicious holiday dinner. It’s going to be a holly jolly celebration, and we can’t wait to make memories with you!

Ottawa Date Squares: Advanced (A1) Class
2024-12-18 18:30 - 21:00 | Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Ln, Ottawa, ON, K2P 2J5, Canada
Advanced (A1) class for Plus graduates only.

We welcome visitors any dance night if you already know the dance program. The cost is $10 per night.

Crafternoon Delights Winter Edition
2024-12-18 18:00 - 20:00 | MAX Ottawa, 400 Cooper St. Suite 9004, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2H8, Canada
Craft one, craft all! We’re hosting a special winter edition of Crafternoon Delights Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 6pm to 8pm.

Crafternoon Delights is a self-driven, drop-in craft circle for hanging out while working on your craft project with other 2SLGBTQIA+ crafters and this time we’ll be making greeting cards and ornaments!

We’ll be providing some materials for this craft project, but feel free to bring any extra supplies you have you might want to use. Please leave glitter at home, though glitter glue or glitter pens are totally okay.

Snacks and beverages will also be provided.

Space is limited so please check the register below.

This is an in-person event. Masks are optional.

We are an accessible building with elevators, and accessible and gender neutral washrooms. The building doors are locked after 6pm, so buzz or call when you arrive and we will come to let you in.

Swim Workout
2024-12-17 18:45 - 19:45 | YMCA – Argyle, 181 Argyle Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K2P1B7, Canada

Ottawa Frontrunners Weekly Meet
2024-12-17 18:30 - 20:00 | City Hall (Lisgar St Entrance), 111 Lisgar, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Anonymous HIV Testing
2024-12-17 17:00 - 19:00 | MAX Ottawa, 400 Cooper St. Suite 9004, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2H8, Canada
Come get tested at MAX Ottawa!

Somerset West Community Health Centre will be offering rapid and anonymous HIV testing for queer and trans folks regularly at MAX Ottawa.

Testing will be available for queer and trans folks (14+) by appointment or by walk-in (first come, first served) in English or French. No names or ID required!

To learn more or to book an appointment in advance, feel free to reach out to Micah at (613) 295-9574 by call or text. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Please note that testing will not be available on the last Tuesday of each month!

QueerAmore
2024-12-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom, Ottawa
Queer Amore aims to create a comfortable space to gather and talk about issues related to being bisexual, pansexual, bi-curious and questioning. Queer Amore with Ben and Tova, takes a fresh look at exploring and enjoying your sexuality. Previously known as BiAmore, this group strives to be a safe space for those who are processing their identity or want to meet others who are on their journey.

Ottawa Date Squares: Plus Class
2024-12-16 18:30 - 21:00 | Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Ln, Ottawa, ON, K2P 2J5, Canada
This is for full Mainstream level dancers and recent SSD graduatesWant to join in the fun? Drop in to any of our weekly classes and we’ll be happy to show you a few dance moves so you can get a taste of what square dancing is like.New classes start every few months and we hold periodic free intros where you can try your hand at it with no commitment necessary.We welcome visitors any dance night if you already know the dance program.
