Hello ORLÉANS!

Welcome to the 56th edition of Orléans Connect. As always, welcome new subscribers! 👋

⛽️ As gas stations switch over to their ☀️ summer gasoline blends, prices in Orléans are expected to jump over $2.00 / litre putting more financial pressure on Orléans residents, many of which are now having to commute into the city with RTO mandates. On the other hand, gas prices may see some short-term reprieve if the cease-fire holds in the Middle East with oil prices plunging nearly 16% in the last day or so. Our thoughts remain with anyone affected by the conflict.

Also make sure to check out our review of Orléans newest spot to grab a ☕️ latte and enjoy some art while you’re there!

Don’t forget to check out this week’s poll below ⬇️ - today we’re asking: What’s the best 💆 Massage Therapy spot in Orléans?

Here’s a roundup of the events happening in Orléans over the next 7 days…

Here’s our roundup of upcoming events:

🎲 April 9th - Drop by for this local Board Game Group that comes together every Thursday evening, from 7:30 PM onwards. Beginners and experienced players alike are welcome!
📍Red Dragon Comics, 6008 Voyageur Dr
🎤 April 10th - It’s Live Music Friday at Broadhead Brewery! This week, it’s time to jam with Pav, on from 6-10 PM.
📍1680 Vimont Crt, Unit 106
💃🕺April 10th - It’s time for a Dinner and Dance featuring Divided Highway, on at the Orléans Legion. Dinner is on from 5-7 PM, live music and dancing from 7-11 PM.
📍800 Taylor Creek Dr
🎶 April 10th - It’s Trivia Night at Taproom260, on from 8:00-10 PM. Join for an epic night filled with challenging questions, laughs and your great friends!
📍260 Centrum Blvd
⚓ April 10th - The Bytown Sea Shanty Collective and Rude Pizza are combining forces for a Sing-a-Sea Shanty at Stray Day Brewing Co, from 8 PM til late. No cover, no tickets. Get there early and stay for the haul!
📍501 Lacolle Way, Suite 6
👚 April 11th - The Blackburn Hamlet Community Association’s Environment Committee is hosting their Spring Community Closet Event. Discover a variety of free, pre-loved clothing (for adults) just waiting for a new home - yours! Bring your friends, family and neighbours for a day of community, sustainability and style. It’s on from 9 AM - 4:30 PM
📍Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Dr
👗 April 11th - The Convent Glen Orléans Wood Community Association is hosting a Clothing Swap from 10 AM - 2 PM at Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Centre in Halls A and G.
📍1490 Youville Dr
♻️ April 11th - Recycle your Electronics! Free ‘drive thru’ event from 10 AM - 4 PM in the back parking lot of Bob MacQuarrie Rec Complex. Drop off anything with an electrical cord or that runs on batteries for recycling!
📍1490 Youville Dr
🎨 April 11th - Spring Paint Event at Navan-Vars United Church from 1-4 PM. Registration fee $45. For more information call 613-866-7435.
📍1129 Smith Rd, Navan
🤸🏽‍♂️April 11th - Be wowed by eight world-class acrobats as they investigate physical skill; how we obtain it, how we perfect it, and how it can transform our lives at Shenkman Arts Centre with Ten Thousand Hours at 8 PM. Get your tickets online now.
📍245 Centrum Blvd
🎶 April 12th - Live Music at Orléans United Church from 2-4 PM. Rock, country and blues - come and listen to some fantastic Ottawa musicians, and support this OUC fundraiser. 🎟️Tickets $20 per person (available at the door).
📍1111 Orléans Blvd
🧠 April 14th - Trivia Night is on at Moose McGuire’s, from 7-9 PM. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place teams. Half-priced apps from 4-7 PM.
📍4025 Innes Rd
❓April 14th - Tuesday Trivia is on at the Barley Mow. Starts at 7 PM. Win weekly prizes and gift cards for the Mow! Reserve your table today: 613-841-5111.
📍2034 Tenth Line Rd
🚓 April 16th - The East Ottawa Neighbourhood Watch Committee is hosting a presentation entitled Preventing LRT Crime and Enhancing Public Safety, from 7:30-9:30 PM at Ray Friel Recreation Centre, Fallingbrook Room.
📍1585 Tenth Line Rd

🗓️ SAVE THE DATES! 🗓️

👠 Get ready for the ultimate Girls’ Night Out in Orléans at Boston Pizza on Fri, April 17th at 8 PM. There will be live music with Michael Ben-Shalom, a variety of tasty shareables and drink specials!
📚 Orléans Wood Elementary School is hosting a Used Book and Bake Sale on Sat, April 18th from 9 AM-1 PM. Cash only. Bring your own bag!
🖼️ It’s the inaugural Arteast Fine Art Show coming up April 18th and 19th, from 10 AM-4 PM at the Pine View Golf Club. This show brings together 41 exceptional local artists whose work celebrates colour, texture, and the transformative power of creativity!
🐝 Learn about pollinators and supporting the bee ecosystem with Nicolas the Beekeeper on Earth Day, Wed, April 22nd at Place D’Orléans
🌎 Cleaning the Capital - Community Clean Up Event on Sat, April 25th at Golden Fries, from 9 AM - 12 PM. Everyone is welcome, supplies will be provided.
🧠 Orléans Lions Club is hosting Trivia Night on May 2nd - doors open at 5 PM (party food and silent auction), and the trivia starts at 7 PM. $20/person. Proceeds support the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre .

Do you have an event you want to see featured here? Let us know!

🗞️ NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: 🗞️

🚔 Ottawa police seeing 27% increase in impaired driving collisions so far this year. (CTV News)

🪻The Heart of Orléans picnic tables have a fresh new spring look! (Heart of Orléans BIA Facebook Page).

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🗓️ GET ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY: 🗓️

🌎It’s time to Clean the Capital!💚

Gather your friends, colleagues and/or family and help Clean the Capital! From April 15th to May 31st, the annual Cleaning the Capital campaign is on! Residents are encouraged to clean up parks, streets and green spaces at their pace. 🌱

🗓️ Starting April 15th, supplies can be picked up at François Dupuis Recreation Centre. There are other pickup sites as well. 📸 We’d love to see your efforts! Post your photos online and make sure to tag us, @OrleansConnect! ✨

This week’s Orléans business spotlight is… 🥁 … Creative Stir Cafe located at 1439 Youville Drive📍

☕️ Creative Stir Cafe is Orléans newest hub for creativity, connection, and seriously good sips and eats. Located inside the Niche Ottawa Gallery, where Art of Bean (RIP) use to be, the café is a blend of warmth and vibrant energy. It’s a great spot to grab a latte, a quiet spot to study, or a place to have a scintillating conversation.

Check out our full review of Creative Stir Cafe in this week’s Orleans Food Spot Review.

As always, if you wind up visiting them, make sure to tell them Orléans Connect sent you.

Orléans has an extensive French‑language school network. It is home to 12 French-language elementary schools, 3 French high-schools, and a French-language vocational institute, reflecting the area’s Francophone community needs.