Who Are We?
About Rough Draft Events
We believe every amazing idea starts a little messy, a little magical, and evolves into something totally unforgettable. We host workshops, trivia nights, and pop-up markets across Ottawa that blend nostalgia, art, and connection. Whether you're painting tote bags, debating fantasy book tropes over lattes at one of our amazing partner hosts, or wandering through a themed market space, our events are all about creating experiences that spark joy and belonging. Everyone is welcome in our spaces and we encourage others to get creative, express themselves, and find the beauty in creating something by hand while meeting other likeminded people in our amazing community!
Meet Our Team
Creative. Community-Driven. Connected.
We're a small but mighty (and growing!) team of creatives, planners, and book-loving community builders who believe in the magic of shared experiences. We all value inclusivity, creativity, and making spaces where everyone feels welcome. We're so grateful to be a part of this growing community with you!
Owner, Co-Organiser
Cara L.
she/her/hers
Cara is the creative mind behind Rough Draft Events. She started hosting community events to make spaces where people could show up exactly as they are and meet like-minded others. Cara's background is a mix of HR, administration, and creative entrepreneurship. Cara built Rough Draft from a handmade stationery shop into a thriving community hub. When she's not planning events or dreaming up new trivia themes, you can find her curled up with a romance novel or watching a throwback show!
Event Co-Organiser
Sarah Z.
she/her/hers
Sarah is our brilliant event co-organiser, bringing her big-picture planning and creative problem-solving to every experience we create. Sarah is currently working on bringing events to her hometown, Shawville! When she's not lending us a helpful hand, Sarah can be found running her own small business, Handmades by Sarah, crafting, or cozying up with a new romantasy book!
Event Assistant, Market Co-Organiser
Taylor C.
she/her/hers
Taylor supports our events as an event assistant, helping with set-up, guest experience, and on-site coordination. She makes sure everything runs effortlessly behind the scenes. Taylor also helps plan and execute markets. Her positive energy and adaptability help our workshops feel seamless. When she's not lending us a helping hand, Taylor runs her own business as a talented wedding and event hairstylist!
Event Assistant, Co-Organiser
Thomas P.
he/him/his
Thomas is our steady behind-the-curtain support, leading techincal help, problem solving, and calm energy at each event! He helps make the magic possible consistently and with a whole lot of heart. When he's not assisting us during crunch time, Thomas works as an engineer. In his spare time, you can find him playing Pokemon, reading, or brushing up on his video game skills.
Event Assistant
Skylar R.
she/her/hers
Skylar supports our events as an event assistant, helping with set-up, guest experience, and on-site coordination. She helps make sure everything is running smoothly and helps events shine with her bright and friendly personality! Skylar is also teacher candidate at the University of Ottawa and just recently finished her last classes of the year! She has a strong passion for teaching, learning, and helping others and is a mom of two!
Event Assistant
Ruthie M.
she/her/hers
Ruthie supports our events casually as an event assistant, helping with set-up, guest experience, and on-site coordination. She has attended many of our events and is extremely creative, putting her spin on all kinds of fun, artsy activities!
Event Assistant
Cansu O.
she/her/hers
Cansu supports our events as an event assistant, helping with set-up, guest experience, and on-site coordination, while helping make sure everything is running smoothly! Cansu is a creative at heart who loves bringing people together and turning ideas into something that hits you right in the feels and is usually writing poetry, behind a camera, or laughing a little too loud. She says yes to random side quests and cares about the details and energy that make experiences feel warm and memorable!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tickets refundable?
Tickets are refundable within 24 hours of purchase to allow space for accidental purchases or changes. After 24 hours, tickets are non-refundable. Up to one week before the event, tickets are eligible for a 50% credit to be applied to any future event. One week or less before the event, refunds and credits are unavailable.
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We may offer full event credits at our discretion. We understand that unexpected and unavoidable situations arise, and we will always do our best to support our community whenever possible! We also need to maintain a consistent policy for all attendees. We've seen an increase in requests for credits simply because someone has changed their mind about attending, and unfortunately, that isn't sustainable or fair to our business. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us continue to create these events for our community.
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There are always extenuating circumstances and we totally understand if something serious comes up - please send us an email and we will work with you to figure something out.
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Please note that this policy change is effective as of August 6th, 2026. We have updated our policy to ensure we can continue offering high-quality events while keeping our policies fair for everyone.
Why are your events priced the way that they are?
Event tickets cover much more than just the supplies you receive. Pricing helps over things such as:
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- Craft materials ad supplies
- Venue fees and revenue sharing with the venue
- Staff support and event assistants
- Planning, preparation, and set-up time
- Website, ticketing, and payment processing fees
- Printed materials
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Our goal is to keep events affordable while still ensuring they are well-organised and sustainable to run.
Can I come alone to an event? What ages are allowed at your events?
Yes! Many people attend our events on their own. Most events are designed so that you can comfortably participate solo. Trivia events may allow teams, but individuals are always welcome and we can often match people together if they would like.
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Our events are open to all ages unless otherwise specified. Our events are meant to be welcoming spaces whether you come with a friend or by yourself!
There's no ticket link, are tickets still available?
Nope! Once the link disappears or the item is marked out of stock, it means the event is sold out! If you'd like to message us to see if we have an extra seat or two, we can usually squeeze you in, no guarantees though!
Do I need to bring anything?
Nope! We provide all supplies, tools, and materials for our events (unless otherwise indicated). You just show up ready to have fun. Some events at café locations may have the option to buy drinks or snacks from the venue as well.
Can we collab?
Absolutely! We love collaborating with local businesses, cafés, pubs, and creative spaces. If you have a venue or an idea, reach out through our contact form or send us an email!
Are your events inclusive and/or accessible? What do I do if I have accessibility concerns/ needs?
We strive to host in accessible and inclusive spaces, with most venues being barrier-free. We're always happy to provide accommodations when we can. Please contact us ahead of time if you have accessibility needs so we can make sure everything's comfy and inclusive.
Can I take photos or film at events?
Yes please! We love seeing your photos and if you'd like to, we'd love if you tagged us in them too at @roughdraftpaper.co! We also take photos and videos at all our events so people can see what we're all about!
Why are drinks no longer included in ticket prices?
In the past, drinks were included in some events. Unfortunately, this would now significantly increase ticket prices and limit venue flexibility. To keep ticket prices lower and allow guests to choose what they want, drinks are now available for separate purchase directly from the venue. This also supports the cafés and breweries that generously host our events!
Why do you focus on social media during events?
Social media helps us, as a small business, reach new people and keep events running. Photos and short videos from events allow us to show what the experience is like, promote future workshops, and help ensure events continue to sell enough tickets to happen. Without this visibility, it would be much harder to keep offering events regularly.
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With that said, we always try to be respectful and unobtrusive while capturing moments and you are welcome to opt-out at any time.
Will there be photography at events?
Yes, photos and short videos may be taken during events for use on social media, our website, and future promoted materials. If you would prefer not to appear in photos or videos, please let us know before the event when we send out our "Important Info" emails or at the start of the event and we will do our best to respect that!
Are food and drinks available during events?
Food and drink availability depends on the venue. Some locations offer full menus, while other may have limited options. When possible, event listings will include information about what is available to be purchased during the event directly from the venue.
What if I don't finish my craft during the event?
Crafting takes different amounts of time for everyone, and sometimes projects take longer than expected. We are planning to introduce monthly open crafting hours, where participants can return and continue working on unfinished projects using supplies from that month.
Will there be instructions for workshops?
Yes! Moving forward, all workshops will include printed instructions and examples. Our event assistants will also be available to help if you need guidance throughout the event.
How big are events?
Event sizes vary depending on the venue. Current capacities are approximately:
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- Manor Park Brewing: up to 40 people
- Equator (Kanata): up to 40 people
- Equator (Westboro): up to 30 people
- Arlington Five: up to 20 people
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These numbers help ensue that everyone has enough space and that events are comfortable.
Why do you often work with the same venues?
When we find venues that are supportive, accessible, and experienced, it allows us to run smoother and more consistent experiences for everyone. Working with the same locations also helps us build strong relationships with the businesses that host us, which makes it easier to secure space, keep event costs reasonable, and plan recurring events.
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Many venues also have scheduling, staffing, and capacity limitations, so not every location is able to host the types of events we run.
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With that said, we always reach out to venues that are suggested to us, we just might now always hear back from them. Our goal is to continue expanding while still working with locations that provide a good experience for us as a business and for you as an attendee.
Why are some events on weekdays instead of weekends?
Weekend venue availability is very limited, especially at cafés. breweries, and restaurants that already have high customer traffic. Because of this, many venues can only host private events on certain events or specific time slots.
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Weekday events also help keep ticket prices lower, since venue costs and minimum spends are often higher on weekends. That said, we do try to schedule some weekend events when possible, and we are currently working with venues to secure more daytime weekend options.
I still have a question. What do I do?
Send us an email at hello@roughdraftevents.ca and we will get back to you as soon as we can!