Take in the Byward’s Best Cinema, Artistic Activities and Relaxing Retreats this March Break

March break is a time to indulge in some warranted down time. Ottawa’s Byward Market accommodates with the finest in cultural offerings, and countless activities. Whether imbuing your young ones with the district’s finest educational and cultural offerings to stimulate the mind, getting the hands messy creating an artistic masterpiece, or being treated to some rest and relaxation, ArtHaus Condos offers this list of what to do in the Market over this March Break.

Ottawa Art Gallery

ArtHaus Condos’ future neighbour upon the completion of the groundbreaking mixed-use Arts Court project, Ottawa Art Gallery offers a number of March Break workshops for kids aged 5 and over. March 13-17, drop in to one of the countless daily art exploration activities, inspired by works of art in the OAG collection, for free! Kids will be encouraged to draw something extraordinary from the story of their everyday life with ‘No Ordinary Story’, a March Break art workshop for kids ages 8-12.  Further  workshop topics include printmaking, painting and even photography, allowing children to explore their talents and pick up a new artistic endeavour over the break.

Upward Dog Yoga

Achieve a renewed zen and with the ideal exercise for body and mind. Head over to Upward Dog Yoga which offers all drop-in classes for the reasonable rate of 12$ for students. Part of Ottawa’s yoga community for over a decade, this centre offers a wide range of yoga classes such as gentle, power, yin and yoga Tune Up. So whether you’re a complete beginner starting out, enjoy a regular yoga practice, or perhaps a seasoned pro looking to take it to a whole new level, Upward Dog Yoga will help you find balance, peace, health, and well-being. The environmentally conscious Byward Market Centre has three yoga halls, equipped with changing and showering facilities, and now features a community room and wellness room with such luxuries as a sauna, registered massage therapy and Thai yoga massage.

ByTowne Cinema

Ottawa’s home of international and independent movies, Bytowne cinema is a slice of the market’s old-time charm. Gain a cinematic glimpse into the stories of various cultures and times though cinematic masterpieces ranging from fiction to documentaries. A number of PG rated offerings are featured over March break, including many a guaranteed gem. ‘Arrival’ is a compelling, refreshingly cerebral take on the standard first-contact tale. This is hard science-fiction made by a true artist, filled with big questions, impossible concepts and difficult choices. ‘Kedi is an absorbing cat’s-eye view of the colours, textures and pace of modern Istanbul, where these self-reliant animals have lived freely since before the Ottoman Empire. ‘The Man Who Skied Down Everest’, is an Academy Award winning documentary produced by Ottawa’s own Crawley Films, which follows Japanese adventurer Yuichiro Miura as he attempts to ski down the tallest mountain in the world.

York Street Spa

Escape from life’s busy day to day hustle by gathering your closest friend (teens and up) for some reasonably-priced ($30 single, or $15 each for 2 people) R&R. Release all those unwanted toxins from your body at York Street Spa’s Infrared Sauna, which promises to repair soft tissue, improve your skin’s complexion and your overall immune system.The infrared sauna works by increasing your blood circulation. Infrared beams are able to heat up the body and make the heart work harder at lower temperatures than steam rooms, an appealing proposition for many who overheat in traditional saunas. Further benefits included shedding calories and decreasing muscle pain. Simply shower following your session to remove the toxins excreted during the sauna session to prevent them from being reabsorbed through the skin. You’ll feel relaxed, refreshed and ready to head back into the hustle and bustle with a sense of renewal.

National Art Gallery

Getting an education over March break doesn’t have to be stuffy. Look at and make art at Artissimo, held over March Break by the National Art Gallery. Families can explore artworks in the Gallery’s collection in innovative ways, and then use their experiences as inspiration for art-making. For kids ages 3 and up accompanied by an adult, these activities are included with Gallery admission. Take an adventure with one of the Gallery’s ‘Art Buddies’: intricate detailed doll replicas of figures in the paintings. Carry your Art Buddy through the Gallery as you discover the painting your stuffed friend lives in, then learn more about your Buddy and the artist who painted them. Explore the Gallery’s unique building and architecture in artworks. Then make your own imaginary buildings with our impressive assortment of wooden blocks or challenge your sense of touch with the  Feely Boxes where you identify the objects and textures in the feely box, and find the artwork by matching what you feel with what you see. Dress up in costumes  that are stunning reproductions of the clothing people wear in the gallery’s artworks. Try one on, find the matching artwork, and imagine how your person lived. The Artissimo March Break program is a hands-on approach to children’s art education, mean to engage and inspire children’s creativity.
ArtHaus Condos believes in the art of living well-and there is no better place to do so than among the bevy of art and culture in the bustling Byward Market.