The BreakFest Blog
News about Ottawa Festivals and our Member festivals, special events and fairs.
“A Violent State” and “Inescapable” are screened at OIFF 2011
Jennifer Barnes, Ottawa Movie Examiner
The second year of the Ottawa International Film Festival finished last night with the music video portion. I attended only the opening night, where the short film “Inescapable” and the feature length “A Violent State” were both screened. Many people turned out for the opening night, showing their support for friends and family involved, as well as the Ottawa film community.
“Inescapable” was a short starring veteran actor and Ottawa citizen, Barry Blake, as well as Jon McLaren, who has starred in many tv movies. McLaren actually appeared in “A Violent State” creator Adrian Langley’s last feature, “Donkey”. The short dealt a lot with a philosophical discussion on death, what it means to kill and the best way to die. All this occurs between a man and his assassin. It was very well acted and interesting, however due to the lighting, a lot was taken away from the delivery. I am told that it was not the film, but the projection that is to blame, but you can only comment on what you see. As with many short films, you don’t get all the story, so there may seem to be little point to the tale. However, I choose to see the point as being the discussion and the irony of how it unfolds between two people on different sides of the talk about death, in more ways than one.
Read more on the Ottawa Citizen website:
Midway Magic: Final Weekend to Make Memories
[Source: Midway Magic press release]
Midway Magic is riding into its last weekend. Plenty of memories were made this week.
- Little Darius erupting from the merry go round with the smile on his face then scampering to hug grandma’s knees.
- 4 year-old Emma who told the face painters she wanted to be an actress then posed for her picture taking young dad as if she were on the red carpet.
- Wide-eyed 3 year old Chan who studied how to catch a plastic fish more than they studied catching fish in Jaws.
- 71 year old grandfather Paul who reluctantly went on the Fireball with his 12 year old grandson because no one else would. Paul had to breathe in lots in order to get the safety belt to fit. The grandson thanked him.
There are 3 days left to experience family memories!
Ottawa’s Oktoberfest Celebration Get Bigger Than Ever!
Oktoberfest Ottawa Sept 30, Oct 1 & 2 Richmond Fairgrounds
[Source: Oktoberfest Ottawa press release]
It may be early August but plans are already underway to fill the fields with food, froth, fun, frauliens, steins, lederhosen, dirndls, pretzels, sausage and more to make this year’s Oktoberfest Ottawa the biggest & best Oktoberfest celebration around.
Oktoberfest Ottawa will take place Friday September 30th (4p-11p); Saturday October 1st (11a-11p) and Sunday October 2nd (11a-6p) at the Richmond Fairground …just 10 minutes from Kanata
Ottawa’s Oktoberfest Celebration really has something for everyone!
BEER
What would Oktoberfest be without it? Plenty of choice to fill your stein this year…Local Ottawa brewer Kichesippi Beer Co will be on hand serving up their popular ‘Natural Blonde’ & ‘1855’ beers plus a new and exclusive traditional German style beer to be debuted in a limited batch at Oktoberfest Ottawa.
A Violent State Wins Best Film at Ottawa International Film Festival
[Source: OIFF press release]
Ottawa, CANADA – August 22, 2011 – The Ottawa International Film Festival is proud to announce that Adrian Langely’s A Violent State has received the award for Best Film.
“My hope for the Ottawa International Film Festival is that it becomes a champion for emerging filmmakers, like Adrian Langley, so they can continue to create great cinema. It’s a real pleasure to present this award to A Violent State,” said Nina Bains, executive producer, OIFF.
Ottawa-shot A Violent State is a crime drama about a man on the verge of leaving his life of crime only to have to return. Director and Writer Adrian Langely was in attendance when it had its World Premiere at OIFF to a sold-out crowd on opening night. A Violent State stars Rams Fax, Jessica Edwards and Adrian Langley. Richard Towns and Sean Parker of Parktown Productions, John Kambites of Kambites Media, and Sara Deline produced it.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive the Best Film Award from OIFF. Truly honoured to be chosen,” commented Richard Towns.
Folk Festival more accessible this year
Janice Thiessen, EMC News
“(Our new location) gives you the opportunity to see a lot of these artists in an intimate setting.
“It also gives people a chance to see artists in the workshops, there’s a lot of interactive opportunities,” said artistic director and Folk Festival supervisor Mark Monahan.
“It’s really a gem of a site, a beautiful setting in the heart of the city.
“We’re very excited to have Hogs Back Park as the new home for the festival.”
The Ottawa Folklore Centre is one of the founding sponsors of the event and has been heavily involved with the preparations including setting up numerous interactive workshops.
“It’s really important to have their involvement and have local artists apart of the Folk Festival,” Monahan added.
The Folk Festival used to be held at Britannia Park but because of some limitations the festival was moved to Hog’s Back Park this year.
“The festival is not viable in its (older) location for a number of reasons, but mainly because of accessibility,” said Monahan.
Read more on the Ottawa Citizen website: Folk Festival more accessible this year
Ottawa Fashion Week Tickets on Sale Soon Through Ottawa Festivals
Tickets for Ottawa Fashion Week’s (OFW) sixth season taking place at the Ottawa Convention Centre from September 29, 2011 to October 1, 2011 will be on sale tomorrow starting at 7:30 a.m. You can purchase tickets online through Ottawa Festivals by going to www. ottawafestivalsticketing.ca
OFW has become a platform for national and international designers and artists to showcase their work while uniting the community with the latest trends in art and design. It has also become a means for arts and fashion industry members to grow and gain opportunities. The overall philosphy has been to promote the arts such as photography, music ad film and allow for artistic expression.
Carrie Underwood brings her fans to their feet
Lambert blasts the show open
REVIEW
Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert
Capital Hoedown, LeBreton Flats Park, Friday, Aug. 12
OTTAWA — If Carrie Underwood ever tires of Nashville, Ottawa will welcome her with open arms. At least the 17,000-plus fans who greeted last nights headliner at Capital Hoedown would embrace her.
When the country superstar, who played Scotiabank Place just over a year ago, took the stage at LeBreton Flats Park, lawn chairs were abandoned and the folks who’d been sitting in the raised VIP sections were suddenly standing on their chairs, dancing in place to tunes like the big opener Cowboy Casanova and Wasted. (The fans were eventually chased off the chairs by a Hoedown representative.)
Underwood’s not a big woman, but her rafter-shaking voice easily dominates whatever venue hosts her. The former American Idol proved that again Saturday night with tunes like Some Hearts, a big sing-a-long favourite for her Ottawa fans.
She’s also a hard-working performer who uses body language superbly to connect with the audience in a song like All-American Girl.
Drum circle catches the beat
Day-long jam hits the right note
Tony Lofaro, The Ottawa Citizen
The beat goes on for drummers in a drum circle at the foot of the Peace Tower, but not for Lindsay Ballard who found it difficult to keep the beat.
“I’m trying to keep the rhythm in my head and just beat it out, but it’s hard when everyone around you has the beat,” said Lindsay, 12, on Saturday afternoon as she banged away on a djembe, a skin-covered drum native to Mali.
“I’m not a drummer at all, I’m a ballet dancer,” she said.
Lindsay was one of many spectators who tried the free drum jam on Parliament Hill as part of the second annual Ottawa International Drumming Festival.
The day-long event saw eight drum groups perform, as well as Vietnamese, Indian and Middle Eastern dancers in a free show.
The drum groups represented were Samba Ottawa and the samba drums of Brazil and Afro-Latin rhythms, Tine Rufaro Marimba Band featuring the sounds of Zimbabwe and Muraya showcasing the voice of a Burundi reggaeton artist and the cool sounds of the Ottawa Folklore
Read more on the Ottawa Citizen website: Drum circle catches the beat
Ottawa International Film Festival stars slate of world premieres
EMC News
EMC News – The Ottawa Film Festival (OIFF) is proud to announce their Official Film selections for the second annual edition, which takes place at the Empire Theatres at the World Exchange Plaza from August 18 to 21. Filmmakers of Internationally and Canadian-made feature and short films will be attending the various Canadian, Ottawa and World premieres.
“It is a real privilege for us to introduce these films to the Ottawa audience. Our program is a wonderful example of the incredible talent we have in Ottawa and it reflects the diversity of filmmakers across Canada and around the world,” said Nina Bains, Executive Director of OIFF, “We are really excited to screen several world premieres, which will help establish the Nation’s Capital as a great place for cinema.”
“I’m very proud of this year’s line up of films. We will showcase a number of great shorts and feature films that mirror the festival’s image in terms of independent cinema – a celebration of our homegrown filmmakers with extra added international flavors,” commented Martin Forcier, OIFF Programmer.
Starring Henry Winkler, Graham Green, DJ Qualls, and Paolo Mancini, the comedy Running Mates (directed by Thomas Michael, USA) about two best friends who run against each to be the mayor of their home town, will make its Canadian premiere on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Read more on the EMC News website: Ottawa International Film Festival stars slate of world premieres
Ottawa International Film Festival Lines Up Impressive Slate of Canadian, Ottawa & World Premieres
[Source: OIFF press release]
Ottawa, CANADA – July 25, 2011 – The Ottawa Film Festival (OIFF) is proud to announce their Official Film selections for the 2nd annual edition, which takes place at the Empire Theatres at the World Exchange Plaza from August 18-21. Filmmakers of Internationally and Canadian-made feature and short films will be attending the various Canadian, Ottawa and World premieres.
“It is a real privilege for us to introduce these films to the Ottawa audience. Our program is a wonderful example of the incredible talent we have in Ottawa and it reflects the diversity of filmmakers across Canada and around the world,” said Nina Bains, Executive Director of OIFF, “We are really excited to screen several world premieres, which will help establish the Nation’s Capital as a great place for cinema.”
“I’m very proud of this year’s line up of films. We will showcase a number of great shorts and feature films that mirror the festival’s image in terms of independent cinema – a celebration of our homegrown filmmakers with extra added international flavors,” commented Martin Forcier, OIFF Programmer.
Starring Henry Winkler, Graham Green, DJ Qualls, and Paolo Mancini, the comedy Running Mates (dir. Thomas Michael, USA) about two best friends who run against each to be the mayor of their home town, will make its Canadian premiere on Saturday August 20.
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