Friday's got live music, drag, and the Redblacks kicking off

Morning. It's 5°C and showers are moving through, so grab a jacket if you're heading out. Sunset hits at 6:16pm, so plan your evening accordingly — it'll be dark early. UV's low today, so the rain's the only thing you need to think about weather-wise.

First things first: the Redblacks host Toronto at The Stadium at TD Place tonight at 7:00pm. Bryson Barnes makes his CFL debut under centre, so if you're into football, this one's worth catching. The rain might make for messy field conditions, but that's part of the charm.

On the injury front — and this one matters — Ottawa's traffic deaths have hit 29 this year, the highest in years. Police are warning of three collisions and asking you to be extra careful out there. Drive like someone's counting on you getting home.

If you're staying dry indoors tonight, there's plenty to choose from. Cirque du Soleil's Luzia is running shows at St Laurent Shopping Centre at both 4:00pm and 7:30pm if you want pure spectacle. Bob The Drag Queen's also in town at the Bronson Centre at 7:00pm for anyone after live comedy and a good laugh.

Food-wise, if you're thinking dinner: Zen Bowl just landed in Centretown with Shanghai soup dumplings and pan-fried buns — worth the trip if you're craving something warm on a night like this. Or if you want to stick closer to home, there's a solid downtown spot that does really good mocktails if you're looking for a solo evening out.

On the food and restaurant side of things, there's some nice stuff happening locally. Yannick La Salle's advanced to the 2027 Canadian Culinary Championship, which is huge for the Ottawa food scene. And if you've been following Kat Ferries — one of the top chefs around — she's shifted gears into a butcher shop role, trading kitchen intensity for something more sustainable. That's the kind of real conversation happening in the 613 food world right now.

Police also released a suspect photo this morning in connection with a downtown Rideau Street assault from mid-September, so keep an eye out if you're in that area.

So: stay safe, grab a rain jacket, and pick your poison tonight — whether that's football, acrobatics, or drag comedy. It's Friday; you've earned it.

Stay dry out there.