Festival Updates and News
News about Ottawa Festivals and our Member festivals, special events and fairs.
Découvrez Art Éco sur la patinoire du canal Rideau : L’exposition met en vedette, sur la plus grande patinoire du monde, la vision artistique des jeunes Canadiennes et Canadiens d’un océan à l’autre
La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) invite les médias et le grand public à visiter Art Éco à la Galerie Dows, sur la patinoire du canal Rideau. L’exposition met en valeur des œuvres photographiques des jeunes canadiens, âgés de 14 à 24 ans, sélectionnés dans le cadre d’un concours national de photographie sous le thème de l’environnement.
Des 40 photos gagnantes, trois photographes ont reçu de l’équipement de photographie, offert par Henry’s Canada :
Choix du jury Vineeth Sampathkumar (Ottawa, Ont.)
Choix du public Amanda Hrabi (Calgary, Alb.)
Choix de Henry’s Austin Jean (Gatineau, Qc)
« Je suis ravi de voir ma photo choisie ainsi. C’est formidable que de jeunes photographes passionnés et compétents aient la chance de montrer leurs photos à un endroit aussi emblématique, » a déclaré Vineeth Sampathkumar, gagnant du prix Choix du jury.
Présentée dans le cadre des programmes jeunesses de la CCN, la Galerie Dows est un espace extérieur dans la capitale du Canada où les jeunes peuvent montrer leurs talents artistiques. D’ici la fin de la saison de patinage, des centaines de milliers de patineurs sur le canal Rideau, ainsi que les visiteurs virtuels à une galerie en ligne, pourront admirer les œuvres Art Éco.
« La CCN met tout en œuvre pour trouver des façons nouvelles et novatrices de donner une voix aux jeunes dans leur capitale, a déclaré Guy Laflamme, vice-président principal, direction de l’Expérience de la capitale, communications et marketing de la CCN. Ces images, de jeunes artistes de partout au pays, sont une source d’inspiration, et nous sommes ravis de présenter leurs interprétations visuelles et artistiques, sous le thème de l’environnement, pour le plaisir de tous. »La CCN a officiellement ouvert la 42e saison de patinage sur la patinoire du canal Rideau le 15 janvier 2012. Reconnue comme étant la plus grande patinoire du monde par la société Guinness World Records™ en 2005, la patinoire du canal Rideau reçoit, en moyenne, un million de visites chaque année. La célèbre surface glacée est l’un des sites officiels du Bal de Neige, qui a lieu du 3 au 20 février 2012.
Pour plus de renseignements sur les programmes jeunesse de la CCN, la patinoire du canal Rideau, Bal de Neige ou tout autre programme, les gens du public peuvent communiquer avec la CCN au 613-239-5000, au 1-800-465-1867 (sans frais), au
613-239-5090 (ATS) ou au 1 800 661-3530 (ATS sans frais), ou visiter le site Web de la CCN au www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca.
Discover Eco Art on the Rideau Canal Skateway: Exhibit showcases the artistic vision of young Canadians from coast to coast on the world’s largest skating rink
The National Capital Commission (NCC) invites the media and the public to visit Eco Art at Dows Gallery, on the Rideau Canal Skateway. The exhibit features the work of young Canadian photographers, aged 14 to 24, selected through an environmentally themed national youth photography contest.
Of the 40 winning photographs, three artists have been awarded a prize package of photography equipment, courtesy of Henry’s Canada:
Jury’s Choice Award, Vineeth Sampathkumar (Ottawa, Ont.)
People’s Choice Award, Amanda Hrabi (Calgary, Alta.)
Henry’s Choice Award, Austin Jean (Gatineau, Qué.)
“I’m elated that my photograph was chosen. I think it’s great that young photographers, who have such a strong passion and skill for the art, are given the chance to showcase their photos at such an iconic venue,” said Vineeth Sampathkumar, winner of the Jury’s Choice Award.
Part of the NCC’s youth programming, Dows Gallery is an outdoor space in Canada’s Capital where youth can express themselves through art. From now until the end of the skating season, Eco Art will display the winning works of art to hundreds of thousands of skaters on the Rideau Canal Skateway, as well as to virtual visitors in an online gallery.
“The NCC continually strives to find new and innovative ways to give youth a voice in their Capital,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing, NCC. “These works by young artists from across the country are an inspiration, and we’re delighted to present their artistic and visual interpretations of the environmental theme for all to enjoy.”
The NCC officially opened the 42nd skating season of the Rideau Canal Skateway on January 15, 2012. Recognized by the Guinness World Records™ in 2005 as the world’s largest skating rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway receives, on average, one million visits each year. The world-famous ice surface becomes one of the official sites for Winterlude, which takes place from February 3 to 20, 2012.
For more information about the NCC’s youth programs, the Rideau Canal Skateway, Winterlude or other NCC programs, the public can contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
He skates and skates and skates … and scores
JOE LOFARO / METRO OTTAWA
Organizers of the Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Festival will attempt to set a Guinness World Record on the Rideau Canal skateway next weekend for the longest breakaway goal.
The attempt will start at 7:15 a.m. on Feb. 11 on the ice near Chateau Laurier, and six skaters will pass the puck to each other in a relay-style trek across the 7.8-kilometre skateway.
The Beaver Cup Festival is a weekend-long four-on- four pond-hockey tournament. Participants in the tournament will include Ottawa Senators alumni and media personalities.
Read full story: He skates and skates and skates … and scores
Capital Pride organizers want grace period on outdoor smoking ban
Neco Cockburn, The Ottawa Citizen
Jean Levac, The Ottawa Citizen
A proposed smoking ban on municipal properties such as City Hall could hurt attendance at the Capital Pride festival, say organizers who are calling for a grace period this summer if the new rules are approved.
Proposed bylaw amendments would see smoking prohibited on city properties such as parks, beaches, sports fields and areas outside municipal facilities, as well as bar and restaurant patios.
Events on city properties would also be smoke-free under the regulations, something that would affect the 2012 Capital Pride festival planned for Marion Dewar Plaza outside City Hall, organizers said.
Read more: Capital Pride organizers want grace period on outdoor smoking ban
Winterlude bigger, more weatherproof than ever, NCC says
Maria Cook, The Ottawa Citizen
Photograph by: Wayne Cuddington, Ottawa Citizen
Traditional favourites such as ice sculptures at Confederation Park are now joined by new events such as the Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival.
Winterlude runs for three weeks until February 20.
“We wanted to put in place a program that is even less vulnerable to fluctuating weather conditions,” said Guy Laflamme, senior vice-president, capital experience, communications and marketing at the National Capital Commission. “I think we’ve done extremely well.”
Read more: Winterlude bigger, more weatherproof than ever, NCC says
Blizzart adds some northern passion: 10 new Winterlude installations help weatherproof artistic endeavours
Peter Simpson, Ottawa Citizen
Photograph courtesy of The Ottawa Citizen, by: Bruno Schlumberger
If you’re trying to interest your young children in contemporary art, then Confederation Park is the place for you. Winterlude has brought 10 installations to the park, and while the pieces are hit-and-miss artistically, most are sure to fire a kid’s imagination.
Blizzart is a part of the National Capital Commission’s plan to weatherproof the annual festival. A warm snap can make short work of the ice sculptures that are ingeniously carved by international teams in the park each year, so the NCC has chosen 10 artists from across Canada to make less-vulnerable installations on the theme of “northern passion.” They were in various stages of installation when I visited on Thursday, and a crazy variety of materials were being put to use, from old mittens and hockey sticks to coloured glass and even ice – though not as it’s used in the familiar sculptures nearby.
Read more @ Ottawa Citizen online: Blizzart adds some northern passion
Get your body movin’ at Winterlude: events include Winterlude Triathlon, annual Bed Race, skating demonstrations and Pond Hockey Classic
PAULINE ANDERSON / METRO OTTAWA
The Ottawa area is synonymous with winter sports and Winterlude certainly lives up to that reputation.
The three weeks of festivities are replete with events that range from deadly serious to the downright goofy.
This year’s highlight is Hockey Day in Canada, Feb 11 at 7 a.m. It features the Guinness World Record attempt for the longest hockey breakaway on the Rideau Canal at the Chateau Laurier.
Full story: Get your body movin’ at Winterlude
Skate back in history with Portraits on Ice
TERESA CHIYKOWSKI / METRO OTTAWA
If you plan to take in some of the exciting sights of Winterlude this month, don’t be surprised to skate upon an art exhibit of a different kind — Portraits on the Ice. This refreshing outdoor gallery returns to the Rideau Canal Feb. 3, this time to mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
The exhibit showcases 10 portrait reproductions that represent some of the French- and English-speaking militia and colonists, British officers and First Nations allies who were a part of, or were affected by, the War of 1812. The original works of art were created in a variety of media — paintings, prints and photography.
Read the rest of the story on Metro Ottawa online: Skate back in history with Portraits on Ice
Ottawa’s Winterlude presents Jazzfest for music lovers
Saxby / Apt 613
Photo courtesy of Ottawa Jazz Festival
Known for ice sculpture and skating on the canal, Winterlude hasn’t necessarily always been a key destination for the musically oriented. The JazzFest’s Petr Cancura is hoping to change that with this year’s Winter Jazzfest. We got some answers from Petr on what you can expect at the festival and why he thought jazz might be just what the Ottawa winter needs.
The Winter Jazzfest starts this evening and runs until Saturday. Shows take place in venues throughout the city. For a full schedule and information on tickets, visit the Jazz Festival Website.
For the full interview, please visit Apt 613: Ottawa’s Winterlude presents Jazzfest for music lovers
Taste of Winterlude will tickle your taste buds
PAULINE ANDERSON / METRO OTTAWA
Photo courtesy of the NCC
Taste of Winterlude features some of the best cuisine that Ottawa and the Gatineau region has to offer.
You can sample cuisine at some of the area’s top restaurants and venues, learn new cooking techniques from local chefs, and tour local restaurants or shops with top chefs or sommeliers as your guide.
Full story on the Metro Ottawa website: Taste of Winterlude
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