Bywords: Poetry and Ottawa Literary Events

Calendar compliments of www.bywords.ca.

February 17, 2026

Black History Month
Web: blackhistoryottawa.org/black-history-month-2026/
a celebration of the histories, achievements, and lasting contributions of people of African descent.

Perfect Books Readings and Signings
Time and Place: 258A Elgin
Web: https://perfectbooks.ca/events
small step up. ramp on Somerset by Scrimms.
February 17 - Book Launch for Lives Altered by War by Nataliia Stepaniuk, PhD 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
February 18 - Ottawology Book Launch with Tonya K. Davidson 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
February 21 - Book Signing with Theresa Redmond 1-3pm
March 4 - Book Launch for Dr. Maria Milland's Born at the Gates of Hell 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
March 7 - Book Signing with A.V. Howland 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
March 22 - Book Signing with Glenn McInnes 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
March 25 - Zena Sharman launches Staying Power 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Words and Culture
Time and Place: Every Tuesday at 10:00 am. CKCU FM 93.1
Web: cod.ckcufm.com/programs/640/info.html
Words and Culture weaves conversations with Indigenous language and knowledge keepers together with music by Indigenous artists. Airs: Every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM

The Lit Room with Susan Johnston
Time and Place: Every Tuesday at 12:30 pm. CKCU FM 93.1
Web: cod.ckcufm.com/programs/666/info.html
where books meet conversation, a half-hour show

The Greenhouse
Time and Place: Every Tuesday at 6:30 pm. dm on Instagram for address
Web: www.instagram.com/p/DOKZbxMjRe6/
a brave space for artists to commune, co-create and dream weekly

Silent Book Club Ottawa - Kanata
Time and Place: 7:00 pm. 3 Brasseurs, 565 Kanata Ave
Web: www.ticketleap.events/tickets/silent-book-club-ottawa/silent-book-club-ottawa-chapter-kanata
an opportunity to meet fellow book lovers and read quietly together. Sign up on site.

Live on Elgin Open Mic
Time and Place: Every Tuesday at 8:00 pm. 220 Elgin, #2
Web: www.liveonelgin.com/calendar/event/?ID=KHE6Y2L
Get there early, say hi your host, grab a drink and sign up to do some music, comedy, poetry, or whatever else! Sign up closes at 7:45pm

	February 2026 Events
Submit upcoming events to events@bywords.ca

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Black History Month Indigo Pinecrest Readings and Signings Selina Liang 11am to 1pm Perfect Books Readings and Signings Book Signing with Julian McKenzie 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM An Indian Morning 10:00am Culture géniale 1:00pm Ottawa Silent Book Club, Downtown 1:30pm	Black History Month Namaashoum 7:00pm	Black History Month Perfect Books Readings and Signings Book Launch for Lives Altered by War by Nataliia Stepaniuk, PhD 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Words and Culture 10:00am The Lit Room with Susan Johnston 12:30pm The Greenhouse 6:30pm Silent Book Club Ottawa - Kanata 7:00pm Live on Elgin Open Mic 8:00pm	Black History Month Perfect Books Readings and Signings Ottawology Book Launch with Tonya K. Davidson 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Literary News 9:30am Asian Sounds 6:00pm Ottawa Scrabble Club 7:00pm Ottawa Storytellers Open Mic In Person 7:00pm Riverbed Reading Series Season 6 7:30pm Riverbed x flo. literary magazine with musical performances by Domina Eliahou and seven readers from flo.’s seven issue run: Jillian Clasky, Lana Crossman, Susanne Fletcher, Vera Hadzic, Kees Kapteyn, Amber Rawson and Mekyle Ali Qadir www.riverbedreads.ca/s6.html	Black History Month Salon du livre de l’Outaouais 2026 Silent Book Club - Hintonburg 2:00pm Third World Players Present 6:00pm Sad Girl Cafe 7:00pm Nostalgica Pub Open Mic 8:00pm	Black History Month Salon du livre de l’Outaouais 2026 Friday Special Blend 7:00am Living Words of the Fallen 1:00pm The Dusty Owl Reading Series Book Launch + Open Mic 7:00pm	Black History Month Indigo Pinecrest Readings and Signings Oliver Dyment 1 to 3pm James Joyce Association of Ottawa Live reading of "A Mother" plus music 2-4pm Perfect Books Readings and Signings Book Signing with Theresa Redmond 1-3pm Salon du livre de l’Outaouais 2026 SIP & READ (+Book Swap) - Ottawa/Gatineau 2:00pm
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
Black History Month Freedom to Read Week 2026 Salon du livre de l’Outaouais 2026 An Indian Morning 10:00am Culture géniale 1:00pm Ottawa StoryTellers Signature Series 2025/26 2:00pm Recovering Romantic Artist: Briane Nasimok (un)told 2025 - Ottawa StoryTellers 7:00pm	Black History Month Freedom to Read Week 2026 Namaashoum 7:00pm	Black History Month Club de lecture francophone de BD Mois de l’histoire des Noirs (séance en présentiel) 15h à 16h30 www.uottawa.ca/bibliotheque/tous-evenements/club-lecture-francophone-bande-dessinee-mois-lhistoire-noirs-seance-presentiel Freedom to Read Week 2026 Sébastien Pierroz, Analyser ensemble : l’importance du dialogue civil à l’ère des fractures la Bibliothèque publique d’Ottawa- Cumberland, 1599, Tenth Line , 19h https://tinyurl.com/SebastienPierroz The Spaniel's Tale Readings and Signings Book launch - Eleanor and the South Beach Murders, by Ellen Yardley 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Words and Culture 10:00am The Lit Room with Susan Johnston 12:30pm Books on Beechwood Book Club 1:30pm The Greenhouse 6:30pm Live on Elgin Open Mic 8:00pm	Black History Month Freedom to Read Week 2026 Readings at Library and Archives Canada Randy Boyagoda Thinking Out Loud Together: Why Civil Discourse Matters More Than Ever 7pm Literary News 9:30am Asian Sounds 6:00pm Night Oat Open Stage 7:00pm Ottawa Scrabble Club 7:00pm Silent Book Club - East End 7:00pm	Black History Month Freedom to Read Week 2026 Third World Players Present 6:00pm Nostalgica Pub Open Mic 8:00pm	Black History Month Freedom to Read Week 2026 Friday Special Blend 7:00am	Black History Month Freedom to Read Week 2026 Indigo Pinecrest Readings and Signings LeAnne O'Brien 1 to 3pm Silent Book Club Stittsville 12:00pm