An exhibition of sculptural ceramic pieces by Ottawa-born artist, Maryl Morris, is on display in the Artists Showcase Gallery at 187 Lyon St. This municipal art space is located in the Minto Place complex, adjacent to the Prime 360 restaurant and Minto Suite Hotel. This space is accessible 24 hours a day. Morris uses the medium of clay to express what she calls “sacred feminine energy” in the forms of figures and a variety of vessels. She draws upon historical and mythological sources for inspiration and the results are magical. Morris has created a fascinating collection of contemporary pieces with ancient origins for us to admire and ponder. The pieces are reasonably priced from $30 to $500. The use of diverse subject matter and references from realms both real imaginary, combined with equal measures of wonder and whimsy, make this exhibit both awe-inspiring and mysterious.

Capital Pride Festival presents an evening with author Ivan E. Coyote at the National Library & Archives, 395 Wellington Street from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. (doors open at 7:00). Light reception and book-signing to follow. Tickets are $10.00 and are available at After Stonewall Books or by calling the Capital Pride office at (613) 421-5387.

Join LIX member, Cindy Teevens, as she teaches you how to create and write stories that get published, get read, and influence the reader. Story brainstorming and writing are skills you can use to profit directly from, get free publicity, attract customers, and build your business. You will learn the secrets to getting your article published, what makes people read stories, how to write headlines and decklines, target (reader) marketing, how to get your message across, and how to integrate writing with your marketing and business plan. Stittsville. 6:30 - 9:30 pm. $95 +GST. For more information, call Cindy at (613) 596-1679 or go to www.gobeyond.ca.

Five years have passed since its debut, and it's still FREE! To mark this achievement, WESTFEST has been extended to five days. The festival's prime focus this year will be "A Celebration of Canadian Aboriginal Women in Music." Starting on Wednesday, June 11 through Sunday, June 15 an estimated 50,000 people will stroll through the community of Westboro Village taking in music, visual art, theatre, literary readings, dance, spoken word, and performance art. Richmond Road, between McRae and Golden Avenues. See Buffy Saint-Marie, Lynn Miles, Sue Foley, Ivan Coyote and dozens of other fabulous artists! For more information, visit the web site at www.westfest.ca.

Join community leaders and revelers at Pink Triangle Services' premier fundraising event, as they relaunch the PTS Gala. Tabaret Hall’s stunning Chapel, at the University of Ottawa, plays host to this fundraising event in support of PTS, a charitable agency that fosters the health and wellness of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer and questioning (LGBTTQ) people in the Ottawa/Outaouais region. With catering by Edible Impressions and entertainment provided by DJ JamieC, this is an event you can’t miss! Tickets are $75 and are available at After Stonewall, Venus Envy and the PTS offices at 251 Bank Street, Suite 301, (613) 563-4818. For more information about PTS, please go to www.pinktriangle.org.

Queer songwriter, spoken word artist and ironic social commentator plays Rasputin's Cafe, 696 Bronson Avenue. 8:00 pm. $10. For information, call (613) 230-5102.

Tone Cluster offers their last concert of the season.  This will be a concert of Latino vibes and greatest hits.  Glebe-St. James United Church, 650 Lyon Street South (at 1st Ave.).  Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door and are available at After Stonewall, Leading Note, Wilde's, Collected Works, mother tongue books.  You can visit the Tone Cluster web site at www.gaycanada.com/tonecluster.

The Ottawa Small Press Fair contains exhibitors with poetry books, novels, cookbooks, posters, T-shirts, graphic novels, comic books, magazines, scraps of paper, gum-ball machines with poems, and 2x4's with text.  12:00 pm. - 5:00 pm.  Jack Purcell Community Centre, Room 203.

Founded in 1997, the Ottawa Fringe Festival has enjoyed consistent growth over the years and now includes 15 venues in the heart of the National Capital. The licensed outdoor venue on the corner of Daly and Waller serves as the heart of the Fringe and features nightly musical guests. It’s the best place to meet performers, catch the buzz on hot Fringe shows and see previews for other performances. For more details and ticket information please contact (613) 232-6162 or check out the web site at www.ottawafringe.com.

Confederation Park and venues throughout the Nation's Capital.  Tickets are available at 61A York Street, Compact Music, CD Warehouse, MetroMusic, and the Ottawa Folklore Centre.  For a list of performers and venue details, go to www.ottawajazzfestival.com.

The New Bayou, 1077 Bank St. at Sunnyside, across from the Mayfair Theatre
9:00ish p.m.  Tickets $8.00 at the door.  Joint the Herb Girls as they celebrate their '10 year and 4 month' anniversary on the first day of summer!  For more information go to www.thenewbayou.com.  

Women’s Night is pleased to invite you to their 3rd annual picnic for the LBTQ women's community from 12 noon to 4:00 pm. at Britannia Park, 2805 Carling Avenue, under the round gazebo.  Just look for the ‘women’s picnic’ signs.  They will be there rain or shine.  Female partners and kids are welcome.  The event is free and is open to all those who identify as women.  Donations are welcome.  Food and drinks will be provided, but alcohol is not allowed in the park.  Please RSVP before Friday, June 20 to ptswomen@yahoo.ca or call Pink Triangle Services at (613) 563-4818 and let them know the number of guests who will be attending.  Feel free to ask the organizers about their other events, which include monthly discussion group meetings and social activities. 

The Ottawa Children's Aid Society is actively recruiting adoptive and foster parents in the LGBT community.  They hold two information sessions a month.  The first Thursday of every month is for LGBT people interested in adoption.  The last Thursday of the month is for those interested in fostering.  Sessions take place at the CAS offices, 1602 Telesat Court, Gloucester from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.   If you're interested in attending, please RSVP to Anik at (613) 747-7800 x2857.

Toronto Pride's hottest lesbian dance is being held at the beautiful Palais Royale on Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto. The Palais Royale is a heritage building with over 8000 square feet in the ballroom and a 4000 square foot deck overlooking Lake Ontario. This dance attracts over 1000 lesbians and sells out every year so get your tickets right away. For more information about this dance and other lesbian events at Palais Royale, go to www.palaisroyale.ca and look under Public Events. The web site also has gorgeous photos of Palais Royale to give you a sense of how beautiful this old ballroom truly is! Doors open at 8:00 pm. Shuttle from Union Station downtown starting at 7:30 pm. Proceeds will support Lesbian Health Initiatives at Women's College Hospital. Proudly sponsored by TD Bank. Tickets for Palais Pride are $25 and can be purchased at www.ticketweb.ca.  You can also reach Mary Lou, one of the organizers, at marylou@palaisroyale.ca or at (416) 533-3553 x22. 

Join LIX Chick, Carol-Anne, in her backyard at 127 Fairmont Avenue for a Canada Day BBQ!  Please bring your own food, seat and drink.  Carol-Anne will supply the propane and the space.  Women are meeting at Carol-Anne's around noon, going up to Parliament Hill and then returning around 4:00 pm. for the BBQ and good company.  Please RSVP at (613) 291-3547.

The 2008 edition of the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest will feature hundreds of performances on multiple stages located near the Ottawa River Parkway & Booth Street.  See Joan Armatrading, Feist, Donna Summer, Cassandra Wilson and Jully Black along with many, many more fabulous performers.  For information go to www.ottawabluesfest.ca. 

Meetings are held at Swizzles at 246B Queen Street (below the Green Papaya...entrance on the west side of the building) from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.  You don't have to be self-employed and/or promoting a business to attend...at least half of the gals come to check out lesbian businesses and to socialize.  If you have any interest in presenting a five-minute infomercial about your business/volunteer work/special interest group, etc. at one of the networking meetings, please contact Lucy at info@girlswanttoknow.com.

Based in Quebec, Politics of the Heart is a moving portrait of lesbian and gay families as well as a powerful story of how they organized out of conditions of violence and discrimination to win recognition of their relationships, families and parenting rights.  As a result of their work the Quebec National Assembly voted unanimously to extend the same parenting rights to homoparental families as heterosexual parents in 2002.  Woven into the story is also the landmark case in Quebec that broke the ban against same sex marriage, making Quebec the third province in Canada to recognize equal marriage. (68 min).  Sponsored by LIX.  Doors open at 7:00 pm; movie starts at 7:30.  FREE admission; $5 suggested donation.  Snacks for sale.  Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street.  For more information, visit the web site at http://DivergenceMovieNight.com.

Celebrating the spirit of women through music and nature.  Red Roof Farm (RRF) is located approximately 45 minutes northwest of Kingston in Marlbank, Ontario.  This idyllic setting features two days of live music with on-site camping amidst rolling fields and lush forest all surrounded by and accessible to beautiful Lime Lake.  All women 19 years of age and older are welcome.  For information about tickets, performers, directions, etc. visit www.redroofwomensfestival.ca.

Join friends from Kingston on their first annual gay-la cruise aboard the 1000 Island Cruise Line's Island Queen! You will be sure to enjoy the fun-filled evening as you embark on a 3 hour sunset cruise amongst the world famous 1000 Islands! Kingston's own Miss Tyffanie kicks off the evening accompanied with a special guest appearance! Enjoy the rest of the evening as the Island Queen is transformed into a floating gay night club with dancing to the beats of a DJ! On board you will find a selection of free appetizers, a cash bar & Martini lounge, and free wine tasting by Huff Wineries. The Island Queen departs at 8:00 pm. Early bird tickets for cruise only: purchase before June 30th, $52.50 plus taxes. July 1st to Cruise date $57.50 plus taxes. Tickets are available by calling either the Secret Garden Inn at (613) 531-9884 or the Abbey Manor Inn at (613) 545-0422. For further information, please go to www.staygaykingston.com (yes it is those same folks who own the inns).

Pakenham Highlands Golf Club. The annual scramble tournament is the Out Golfing Group's largest event of the season. The success of last year's inaugural tournament has paved the way for more of the same this year. In fact, word of the success of last year's tournament has spread far and wide. There are already confirmed participants from Florida and Connecticut! More than triple the participants of last year have already registered...at this pace, the organizers anticipate that they may be sold out by the end of June. If you have not already registered for this year's extravaganza, and you think at this point you will want to join in the fun, register now (regardless if you have been able to confirm your team). Better to get your name in now, than to miss out on the chance to be part of this year's showcase event. Kerry suggests that you register right away and let Robert know that you are a LIX Chick...the teams can be arranged later. Call Robert Meagher, Coordinator of the Ottawa Out Golfing Group at (613) 237-0200 or send him an email at rmeagher@istar.ca. For more information about the Out Golfing Group, check out their web site at www.outgolfinggroup.com.  

Get ready Ottawa for Capital Pride 2008: Live Your Pride!  This year, the organizers are planning more events and more excitement as they launch a new logo and a new theme.  Visit the web site often as they continue to add more events and information regarding Ottawa's most colourful event.  For more information, go to www.capitalpride.ca.

This powerful film is a compilation of footage documenting the first ACT UP meeting in 1987 in New York City's Wall Street and continuing to 2002. Amateur video recording – at the demonstration level and from the private, behind-the-scenes meetings and training – reveals the astonishing camaraderie that united a politically enraged community, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or gender. This political group taught how to fight back against government complacency, to protest the high cost of pharmaceutical drugs, and to simply ask others, "Where is your rage?" (75 min).  Doors open at 7:00 pm; movie starts at 7:30.  FREE admission; $5 suggested donation.  Snacks for sale.  Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street.  For more information, visit the web site at http://DivergenceMovieNight.com.

The Ron Kolbus Centre at Lakeside Gardens. Doors open at 9:00 pm. and the dancing continues until 1:00 am. This year we have chosen to give the largest portion of the proceeds to Pink Triangle Services. We will also be making a donation to Pride. The rest of the proceeds will go to the LIX 'kitty' (operating budget) to ensure that we can continue to bring you fun LIX events throughout the year! Tickets will be available to LIX members first at the July 3rd LIX Networking Meeting and after that at After Stonewall, mother tongue books, Wilde's and Venus Envy. Advance tickets are $15; $20 for tickets at the door. Please keep in mind that this dance sells out every year so if you want to guarantee yourself admission, buy your tickets in advance.

The fifth annual celebration of Queer diversity in the Seaway Valley!  Come to Lamoureux Park on Saturday, August 30th for Community Day.  The opening ceremony begins at Noon and will include the raising of the rainbow flag at the intersection of Pitt and Water Streets.  Then there'll be loads of live, family friendly entertainment from 1:00 pm at the Cornwall Lions Club Bandshell, the city's premier outdoor entertainment venue.  The highlight of the day comes at 8:00 pm when The B-Girlz, (www.b-girlz.com) Canada's most fabulous queer musical comedy troupe, take to the stage as this year's headliners.  There will also be vendors, info booths and many other activities all day and into the evening.  Best of all, admission is free!  The annual Pride Gala takes place on the evening of Sunday, August 31st at Army/Navy/Air Force Veterans' Club #342, 14 Marlborough Street North.  The evening begins at 7:00 pm with a wine & cheese and silent auction.  Then the party gets into full gear when dancing begins at 9:00 pm.  There will be door prizes, the ever-popular 50/50 draw, and the organizers will be announcing the winners of the annual rainbow quilt raffle.  Alain Merizzi, one of Cornwall's hottest DJ's, will be on hand to spin discs all night long!  Be sure not to miss it!  Many details will be announced in the weeks leading up to the festival so stay tuned to the Facebook page as the countdown progresses: www.facebook.com/pages/PrideFierte-Cornwall/26852068104.

Vancouver B.C. Coast Plaza Hotel.  The organizers are expecting about 200 lesbians and dykes, ages 50+ years, from across Canada and the U.S. to converge on Vancouver September 4-7.  As well, younger friends, partners and lovers are very welcome.  Women under 50 are an important part of the conference.  The program is spilling over with stimulating and thought-provoking workshops, presentations, outdoor activities, socials, meals and entertainment...and there’s still more to come!  Registration information and conference details can be found at www.soundsandfuries.com/bold.  Please check the website occasionally for program updates.  

Women For Sobriety is a self-help recovery program for women that can be used with or without a 12-step program.  Meetings are strictly confidential and anonymous.  Any woman with a sincere desire to start dealing with her addiction is welcome.  Meetings run from 7:00 - 8:15 pm. at the headquarters of the Christmas Exchange Program at 1390 Prince of Wales, 4th floor.  The office building is in behind the Chateau Royale apartments and has a Chinese restaurant on the first floor.  Turn west at the lights between Dynes Road and Meadowlands Drive East.  Parking is free.  Tim Horton's is on the south side.  For more information, call (613) 220-3588 or send an email to w.f.s.in.Ottawa@gmail.com.

A safe space for LBTQ women of all ages and all stages of coming out.  Meetings are held at the PTS offices, 251 Bank Street, Suite 301.  7:00 - 9:00 pm.  Check out Women's Night on Facebook, call (613) 563-4818 or send an email to ptswomen@yahoo.ca.

The "Keep it Simple" group of Al-Anon meets every Sunday evening at 7:30 pm. at the Jack Purcell Community Centre on Elgin Street.  Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close to them.  If you fall into this category and are looking for a safe LGBTQ space to get help and support, this meeting is for you.  For more information call (613) 860-3431 or go to the web site at www.al-anon.alateen.on.ca.

...is a large, vibrant organization that organizes a wide variety of recreational and social activities for lesbians in the National Capital Region.  Recent activities have included hiking, cycling, dining out, movie nights, pool, dog-walking, darts nights, picnics, camping weekends, indoor rock climbing, dances, games nights, gathering/potlucks etc.. etc..  For more details, visit their web site at www.lesbianoutdoorgroup.ca.

...brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) public servants from all departments of the federal government.  According to the mandate, the Network provides LGBT federal public servants with opportunities to develop professional communication networks, meet for social events, provide support to colleagues in the workplace, share information about experiences, and raise awareness regarding LGBT issues.  For more information and to see the calendar of events, please visit their web site at www.publicservicepride.ca. 

...is an Ottawa-based women's literary fundraising magazine...that will donate its proceeds back into various events and charities in the community.  The creators are looking for interested subscribers as well as women who wish to submit writing, photography or artwork for upcoming issues.  The yearly subscription rate is $18.  Find details on advertising, sponsorship, subscriptions, submitting work and more at www.mwdesign.ca/TheVoice.

.  ...takes place on the first Sunday of each month at the Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive, Ottawa at 7:00 pm.   Integrity Ottawa is a gathering of gay men, lesbians and straight friends living in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.  They are interested in supporting the lives of LGBTTQ people in the Anglican Church of Canada and abroad in the wider Anglican Communion.  For more information, check out: www.ottawa.integritycanada.org.

...regularly holds workshops of interest to women.  To see what's happening, check out the web site at www.venusenvy.ca.  Venus Envy is located at 320 Lisgar Street.