The 25th annual Capital Pride Festival celebrates the diversity of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) community. Capital Pride partners with many community groups that represent the GLBT community of the National Capital Region to host 10 days of diverse events including: sporting events, a human rights vigil, events for youth and Rainbow Party 11. The festival concludes with the highly-anticipated Pride Parade and outdoor Pride Stage on Sunday, August 28. Happy Pride!

Pride Parade

The 2011 Pride Parade will start in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The Parade begins at 12:30, Sunday August 28th at Old Wellington and Wellington across from National Library and Archives of Canada, heads east down Wellington where it goes past the Supreme Court of Canada and Parliament Hill to Elgin Street where it turns at the National War Memorial, follows Elgin to Laurier West and finishes at the Festival Plaza Festival Site.

Festival Information:

General information: 613.252.7174
General information email: info@capitalpride.ca
Location:  Various locations throughout the National Capital Region (see the website for details)

On the Web:

Website: www.capitalpride.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=capital+pride&init=quick#/group.php?gid=8660583102&ref=search&sid=503005157.1702231908..1

Let Navan Fair be your summer tradition! Launched in 1946, this rural celebration has all the countrified events one would expect from a great country fair. Located only 20 minutes south-east, in the village of Navan.

• Live entertainment all weekend long
• Midway
• Demolition derby
• Horse shows (Heavy Horse, Light Horse & Western)
• Agricultural displays and exhibits
• Livestock competitions
• Antique machinery and tractor display
• Parade

Located only 20 minutes south-east of downtown Ottawa, in the village of Navan.

Festival Information:

General information: 613.835.2766

General information email: navanfair@bellnet.ca

Location: 1279 Colonial Road, Navan

On the Web

Website: www.navanfair.com

Map:

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Kombite Outaouais (KO) proudly presents Haiti en Fête! Founded in 2007 by Pierre-Richard Fidelia, Edy Joachim and Michel Paisible, K.O. is a nonprofit organization striving to promote the artistic and cultural heritages of the Haitian community and the many other francophone minorities in Ontario. K.O. strives to showcase the beauty and uniqueness of these heritages.

As a Caribbean festival, Haïti en Fête invites all the communities in the Ottawa region, Caribbean and otherwise, to take part in this celebration. This festival not only serves as a showcase for local talent but it is also a stage for various international performers.

KO created Haiti en fete with the following objectives in mind:

1. Afford the various communities in Ottawa the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the Caribbean culture, more specifically the Haitian culture, all in an effort to facilitate the integration process and encourage harmonious coexistence;
2. Encourage young Franco-Ontarians to embrace their ethnic language and cultural heritage.
3. Provide well-known and up-and-coming artists the opportunity to perform before a large audience while simultaneously contributing to the development of the Canadian and Franco-Ontarian cultures.

This initiative is part of KO’s self-imposed mandate to highlight and promote the artistic and cultural heritage of the Haitian community.

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Festival Haïti en Fête

Haïti en fête est une initiative de Kombite Outaouais (KO), un organisme à but non lucratif dont la mission est de mettre en valeur et de promouvoir le patrimoine artistique et culturel de la communauté haïtienne et des minorités raciales francophones de l’Ontario.

K.O. a été créé par Pierre-Richard Fidelia, Edy Joachim et Michel Paisible au début de l’année 2007 afin de mieux faire connaitre la culture haïtienne et celle des minorités raciales francophones de l’Ontario.

Haïti en fête, est un festival de musique antillaise qui s’adresse à toute la communauté antillaise d’Ottawa et aussi à la communauté d’accueil. Il met en vedette des artistes et des formations musicales de la région ainsi que des artistes de l’extérieur.

Les organisateurs poursuivent 4 objectifs principaux:

1. Permettre à la communauté d’accueil et aux autres communautés de mieux connaitre la culture antillaise et la culture haïtienne en particulier afin de faciliter l’intégration et la coexistence harmonieuses;
2. faciliter l’intégration et la coexistence harmonieuses dans la capitale nationale des communautés franco caribéennes,
3. développer  le sentiment d’appartenance de la culture afro caribéenne auprès des jeunes;
4. donner aux artistes la possibilité de se faire connaitre par un public plus large et ainsi contribuer au développement de la culture franco-ontarienne et Canadienne.

Ce projet s’inscrit dans le cadre du mandat que s’est donné Kombite Outaouais de mettre en valeur et de promouvoir le patrimoine artistique et culturel de la communauté haïtienne et des autres franco caribéennes

On the Web:

Web: www.haitienfete.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/haitienfeteottawa

The 30^th Annual HOPE Volleyball SummerFest event combines the World’s Largest One Day recreational volleyball event with live rock entertainment. Each year, more than 25,000 players and spectators flock to Mooney’s Bay Beach in Ottawa for the greatest summer party in the region. These participants have helped HOPE donate over $3.5 million in support of more than 110 local charities.

Festival Information:

General information: 613.237.1433

General information email: info@hopehelps.com

Location: Mooney’s Bay Beach, Ottawa, ON

On the Web:

Website: www.hopehelps.com

Facebook: www.hopevolleyballottawa.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/hopevballottawa.com

This one day event started as a small soccer tournament for new immigrants, organized by the Catholic Immigration Centre, to celebrate multiculturalism through sport and help make Ottawa a more welcoming community. Over the years has developed into a full blown community festival with over 2000 visitors. It is a “friend-raiser” event and is like no other event in Ottawa in its ability to contribute to the integration efforts of newcomers as it promotes: healthy living; cultural sharing; network building; civic engagement; and fun!

This year’s Community Cup has something for everyone- for sports fans, for music and arts lovers and for foodies. Soccer is a big part of the Community Cup and 24 co-ed teams will play a tournament with the winning team receiving the Community Cup Trophy.  The main stage will feature musical performances and dance troupes from around the world that now make Ottawa their home. Other highlights include an international food bazaar, a citizenship ceremony, children’s activities, demonstration sports and screening FIFA games in the FIFA tent.

Event Highlights:

• Opening Ceremonies with Aboriginal Blessing
• Soccer Tournament (Recreational – Community Cup style)
• Community Tent (25 Community Organizations under one roof)
• Live Entertainment (Dancers, Singers, Slam Poetry artists, etc)
• Live DJ blasting out some of the latest international music
• Seniors Sharing Circle
• Demonstration sports (All Abilities Welcome –Tai Chi, Cricket, wheelchair basketball, etc)
• Kids Zone (puppets, art, clowns, games, soccer skills training, face painting, etc)
• Re-affirmation ceremony
• Musical Language Village
• International Food Bazaar
• Trophy Presentations

Festival Information:

General information: 613-232-9634 ext 421

General information email: communitycup@cic.ca

Location: Brewer Park, 100 Brewer Way, Ottawa, ON K1S 5R2, Canada

On the Web:

Website: www.communitycup.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCommunityCup

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/communitycup

Mobile App (iphone, Android, Windows Mobile, or Blackberry)  http://m.communitycup.ca or by scanning the QR code.

This is a free event to attend. To participate in the Tournaments, register at www.communitycup.ca

The local chapter organizes numerous activities including celebrating the Italian culture and Ferrari. This FREE event occurs during the Italian week festivities and appeals to the motoring enthusiast who enjoys pleasure drives, rally’s and social bbq’s. The festival attracts Ferrari’s from Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and New York State.

During its fundraising efforts funds go directly to the Villa Marconi Long Term Health Care Centre to provide peace of mind and care to the seniors of Ottawa.

The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is the largest festival of its kind in North America.  It is a three-day event filled with free family entertainment taking place June 22-24, 2012 at Mooney’s Bay Park.  Admission is FREE and features non-stop racing, a concert series, the Tim Hortons Children’s Area, cultural performances, local delicacies and fun shopping!  It is a great family destination and easy getaway for visitors from Ontario, Quebec and the United States. In partnership with the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation, paddlers raise funds through the Pledge Challenge for local charities.

To join the Pledge Challenge, visit www.dragonboatfoundation.net.  For event schedules, visit www.dragonboat.net.  Like us www.facebook.com/ottawadragonboat and follow us www.twitter.com/ottdragonboat.

Event Highlights:

• Non-stop racing
• Concert series
• Beer garden
• Tim Hortons Children’s Area
• Cultural performances
• Local concessionaires
• Vendors
• Demonstrations

Festival Information:

General information: 613.238.7711
General information email:  info@dragonboat.net
Volunteer information email: www.dragonboat.net/volunteers
Location: Mooney’s Bay Park

On the Web:

Website:  www.dragonboat.net/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=501153579961

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ottdragoboat

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ottdragonboatfoundation/

Map:

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In December 2001, the Senate of Canada proclaimed May as Asian Heritage Month (AHM).  Since July 2004, the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society (OAHMS) has been organizing and coordinating local AHM activities. Each May, there are dozens of events covering dance, sports, music, films, exhibitions, literary readings, seminars, cooking demonstrations and much, much, more!  AHM is a time to experience many unique aspects of Asian culture and to learn about the history and contributions of Asian Canadians through activities for all ages.

Asian Heritage Month Official Launch

Parliamentarians, government officials, community leaders and the general public are invited to celebrate the start of AHM. The evening includes welcoming remarks, several cultural performances and a reception. Learn about AHM and network with other guests. Hosted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the OAHMS.

Era 21 Networking Breakfast for Young Canadians

Honorary Patron Senator Vivienne Poy hosts a May 3, 2012 breakfast panel in the Parliamentary restaurant for a diverse group of students selected from various Ottawa high schools.  The students will meet Parliamentarians and community leaders and learn about leadership and cultural fluency in Canada’s multicultural reality. A joint initiative of the OAHMS and the J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre.

Gala Concert

East meets West in a cultural fusion of the traditional and the contemporary – featuring many exceptional Asian-Canadian performers. The Gala Concert showcases the artistic talents of ten acts from across the pan-Asian spectrum.  This 10^th Anniversary Gala Concert is to be held on June 2, 2012 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.  (Presented by OAHMS in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization)

Locations:

• Ottawa Main Library, 120 Metcalfe St. Ottawa
• Library and Archives Canada (LAC), 395 Wellington St., Ottawa
• Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., Ottawa
• Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Laurier St., Gatineau

Festival Information:

General information: mwu@rogers.com

On the Web:

Website: www.AsianHeritageMonth.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ottawa-Asian-Heritage-Month-Society/169117216443050

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsNov00dZ04&feature=email

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ottawaahm

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En décembre 2001, le Sénat du Canada a désigné le mois de mai le « Mois du patrimoine asiatique (MPA) ». Depuis juillet 2004, la Société du mois du patrimoine asiatique d’Ottawa (OAHMS) organise des activités à Ottawa pour célébrer le MPA. Chaque année en mai, plusieurs évènements tels des activités sportives, de la danse, de la musique, des projections de films, des rencontres littéraires, des séminaires et des cours culinaires sont organisés pour permettre à tous d’explorer les différentes cultures asiatiques et d’apprendre l’histoire ainsi que les contributions des Canadiens et Canadiennes asiatiques.

Lancement officiel du Mois du patrimoine asiatique

Les Parlementaires, les représentants du gouvernement, les chefs de file communautaires ainsi que le grand public sont invités à célébrer le lancement du MPA. L’ordre du jour de la soirée comprend le mot de bienvenue et plusieurs spectacles culturels suivis d’une réception. Renseignez-vous sur le MPA tout en faisant du réseautage avec d’autres invités. Courtoisie de Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada et le OAHMS.

Petit-déjeuner réseautage Ère 21 pour les jeunes
La présidente honorifique, la sénatrice Vivienne Poy, organise le 3 mai 2012 un petit-déjeuner réseautage au restaurant parlementaire pour un groupe diversifié d’étudiants de diverses écoles secondaires d’Ottawa. Les élèves rencontreront des parlementaires et des dirigeants communautaires et apprendront l’influence du leadership et de la culture sur la réalité multiculturelle du Canada. Présenté par l’OAHMS en collaboration avec le J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre.

Concert

L’est rencontre l’ouest dans une fusion culturelle amalgamant la tradition et le contemporain en mettant en vedette d’exceptionnels artistes Canadiens d’origine asiatique. Le concert comprend dix performances d’artistes venus des quatre coins du continent asiatique. Le dixième anniversaire du concert sera célébré le 2 juin 2012 au Musée canadien des civilisations. Présenté par la Société du mois du patrimoine asiatique d’Ottawa et le Musée canadien des civilisations.

Locations:

• la Bibliothèque publique d’Ottawa
• Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
• Le Musée canadien de la nature
• Musée canadien des civilisation
• (et autre destination)

L’information de Festivale:

L’information générale: mwu@rogers.com

Sur le site web:

Site web:  www.AsianHeritageMonth.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ottawa-Asian-Heritage-Month-Society/169117216443050

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsNov00dZ04&feature=email

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ottawaahm

Photo Credit: NCC/CCN

A flurry of fun in Canada’s Capital Region!

Come to Winterlude, where three fun-filled weekends of excitement and activity await the whole family! From glittering ice carvings and majestic snow sculptures to a gigantic snow playground and explosive shows under the winter sky, Winterlude is a great way to celebrate and enjoy the winter season. Experience the Rideau Canal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest skating rink. All this and much more await you during Winterlude, the Capital’s winter celebration.

Festival Information:

General information:613-239-5000 ● 1-800-465-1867● 613-239-5090 (TTY) ● 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY)

General information email: info@ncc-ccn.ca

Location: Rideau Canal Skateway, Crystal Garden Confederation Park, Snowflake Kingdom Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau

On the Web:

Website:  Winterlude

YouTube: CCN/NCC

Map:

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