Events this Weekend & More
There will be no record conventions this weekend but Ottawa will be hosting two free events that might be of interest to some of this blog’s readers.
The first will be the two day, Winter Edition of Ottawa Comicon on the 25th and 26th of January at the EY Center:
There will be no guest speakers but plenty of exhibitions at this free event, which will be open from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. And note that the Uplands O-Train Station next to the venue will be open on Saturday, the 25th of January, so you will be able to use Lines 2 and 4 that day.
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Furthermore, the 613flea Market will be held at the Aberdeen Pavilion, also on Saturday the 25th of January, 2025, from 10am to 4pm. And you can use Bus Route 7 from the Carleton University Station to & from the venue:
This is a free event that occasionally has vendors that sell vinyl LPs/singles, DVDs/blu-rays and memorabilia, so it might be worth your while to pop on by. And remember to both stock up on cash and warm clothing, because it is cold!
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Now for some news for people in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec:
Steve’s Music will be moving into their new location, 280 St. Catherines Street, by February 1st, 2025. This store faces the former Ottawa Bus Terminal site and is next to Tannis Cash & Carry.
Also scheduled for February is the opening of the Boutique Musique web site; This is a cute little store in the scenic village of Wakefield, Quebec that sells vinyl LPs/singles, CDs and turntables.
Comiccon de Québec & More
The two day Quebec City Comicmon will be held at the Centre De Congres de Quebec on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of October, 2024.
Admission varies (click here for information) and multiple major bus routes on RTCQuebec service the venue though bus stops 1517 and 1560.
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A CompassCon Pop Up Event will also colour on Saturday, the 12th, in Newmarket (Ontario) at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 426 from 10am to 3pm.
Admission will be $5 or free for kids 12 and under. And the nearest bus stops to the venue, bus stop numbers 2060 and 2074, are a seven minute walk south Muriel Street and on Gorham Street. Route 56 services these stops and York Regional Transit does have a trip planner.
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Another edition of the Capital Trade Show at The Nepean Sportsplex will occur on Sunday, October 13th, 2024 from 10am to 3pm.
This is a free event, with ample free parking, but public transit users should know that this venue is services by multiple OC Transpo routes via bus stop numbers 1683 and 1701.
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Please note that cash may be preferred at these events so you might want to locate the nearest ATMs to the above mentioned venues. Enjoy.
Ontario/Quebec Covid Update & More
Capacity limits will be removed today on establishments that require vaccine passports in Ontario, like cinemas and conventions. But it appears a 50% limit will be imposed on concert venues and theatres according to the official press release from the Government of Ontario.
Proof of vaccination requirements will be lifted on March 1st but social distancing, masks and hand sanitizing will remain for some time, as it will in Quebec, where capacity limits have been lifted for cinemas.
Smaller venues in Quebec with less than 10,000 seats will be allowed to fully open but restaurants, bars and taverns will be limited to 50% capacity until March 14th.
By the way, the Record Store Day release lists for April 23rd and June 18th have been released. You can view them by clicking here.
Here We Go Again
Multiple cities and counties in Ontario are back in shutdown at Midnight tonight and a large portion of Quebec is already shut down, including the major cities of that province.
This means cinemas are shut down as are non-essential businesses, many businesses running at 35-50% capacity and/or reduced hours until further notice, with measures to protect the public including the mandatory wearing of masks and use of hand sanitizers in safe and customers. Call your local stores for details.
If possible, you should probably use delivery, curbside and pickup services if they are available. I’ve personally used these since March 2020 and rarely visited stores since then, taking advantage of subscriptions services like Amazon Prime and PC Insiders. But if you need to pick up a prescription at your local Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall, keep an eye out for discounted masks and hand sanitizers. I’ve noticed a few were available.
Mail order services are available from many retailers so this could be the safest option at this time.
Limited Shopping Reinstated
In store shopping returns in the province of Ontario, with safety measures. And it may also return in the province of Quebec by March 1st.
Contact your local stores for details. And don’t forget to socially distance, wear a mask and wash your hands frequently.
Enjoy. And stay safe.
Quebec Under Curfew
A curfew is now in effect in the province of Quebec for four weeks and this may cause retailers in the province to reduce their hours, possibly delaying shipments both inside and outside the province.
This curfew occurs from 8 PM to 5 AM province wide and is response to the high numbers of COVID-19 infections in the province.
Details in regards to delays and reduced hours of operation should be available on your retailer’s official websites.