It’s been a week of mixed emotions here in the capital. We’ve seen a rise in COVID-19 cases as local businesses and Ottawa favourites like Mayfair Theatre, the Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History and the Bytowne Museum open their doors for the first time since March. With these two very different moods in the city, it’s important to remember to stay safe, keep washing those hands and keep your mask on when you’re out and about in public indoor spaces or where crowds have gathered. If you are looking to escape those crowds, I’ve got some fun ideas for you below on this week’s Stay Home Club! 

[Watching]

This Friday, July 24th, is the season finale of Rupaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5. I’m beyond stoked to watch as Shea Coulee, Jujubee and Miz Cracker duke it out for the crown by turning looks and performing the house down. You can catch the finale tonight at 9:30PM on Crave.  

[Listening]

This week, Taylor Swift dropped a surprise record! It’s her 8th studio album, folklore. The album is very different from what you may have come to expect from T Swift’s personal style of pop. It is a stripped down, minimal folk-y album where Taylor reimagines various stories she’s heard over the years in her own way, experimenting with different narrative voices while incorporating some family history too. It’s great for a late–night listen – I say that because I listened to it when it dropped at midnight on July 24th!

What is especially fun about this album is that it includes collaborations from Bon Iver on the tune, “exile” and it was worked on by the Dessner brothers, well known for their musicianship in the indie band, The National. Aaron Dessner produced it and Bryce Dessner orchestrated it.  

And if you want to explore some new tunes, don’t miss your chance to vote for the SOCAN Songwriting Prize. Ten incredibly talented songwriters including Riit, William Prince, Iskwē and Haviah Mighty are up for a chance to win $5000. You can cast your vote daily until July 31st.   

[Spending Time]

If you’ve been looking for a new hobby, why not pick up crafting that could contribute to your home decor? I’ve kept up with my embroidery and cross stitch projects, adding some cacti and an avocado into the mix of my little collection of hooped stitchings. But I wanted to try something new this week – a stuffed animal embroidery! I’m extra proud of the cat I made. It needs a bit of TLC with some embroidery scissors (I didn’t know these existed until this week!) but I’m more or less happy with how it turned out. It’s nice to look around the home and see things you’ve made yourself! 

And that’s my Stay Home Club this week! What have you been up to? Drop a comment below.