In a funny way, the resurgence of Ottawa’s theatre scene over the last dozen years can be traced back to Canada’s most famous political assassination.

On April 7, 1868, Thomas D’Arcy McGee, a Father of Confederation and Member of Parliament, was shot in the head on Sparks Street, less than a year after Canada was born. The perpetrator was allegedly Patrick J. Whelan, who was hanged publicly at what’s now a youth hostel—formerly Carleton County Gaol—on Nicholas Street.

That was Canada’s only assassination of a federal figure, and the whole episode continues to fascinate history buffs in the nation’s capital. Among those who were captivated by the story was Pierre Brault, who created a one-man show about Whelan called “Blood on the Moon” with collaborators Judi Pearl and Jon Koensgen.

“Blood” debuted at the Ottawa Fringe Festival in June 1999 at Arts Court—right next door to the former jail where Whelan was hanged.

Nobody realized that “Blood” would become a legend of its own—even a catalyst for the growth of the Ottawa theatre scene. A smash hit at Fringe that year, “Blood” was picked up by the NAC’s then-Artistic Director Marti Maraden for a reprisal on Canada’s national stage.

For full story, go to: What’s next for Ottawa’s theatre scene?

Ottawa will host several arts and cultural events related to the Juno Awards as the city gears up to welcome the best of Canada’s musical performers. The events include an exhibit of album cover art and a celebrity basketball game.

At a press conference Tuesday to announce the Juno nominees, some details emerged about four Ottawa events that will be held as part of the Juno festivities. They include the Juno Tour of Canadian Art at the National Gallery of Canada; an exhibition of original pastel drawings in celebration of Gordon Lightfoot’s Canadian Railroad Trilogy to be held at the Canada Science and Technology Museum; and an exhibit of album cover art from 1975 to the present, to be held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

And a celebrity basketball game called Juno Hoops will be held March 29 at the The University of Ottawa’s Montpetit Hall in support of MusicCounts, Canada’s national music education charity.

For full article, go to:

Ottawa welcomes the Junos with art exhibits and a celebrity basketball game

Photo Courtesy of,  Tony Lofaro, The Ottawa Citizen

from the National Gallery of Canada’s Canadian collection

Ottawa Fashion Week runs Feb. 17, 18 and 19, with designers showing their fall and winter lines for 2012-2013.

Does that sound a little early to be looking at clothes for next fall? Not really, says creative director Bruno Racine. Ottawa’s fashion week (OFW) starts after Montreal’s and before Toronto’s.

Last fall’s OFW attracted 5,000 visitors, and the event keeps getting bigger and better, says Racine. This season, OFW has partnered with Winterlude – the Ice Hogs will be stylin’ signature OFW togs – and OFW is aiming to attract 7,000 fashion fans this season.

Read More:  Runway ready

Winterlude is a veritable rite of passage for Ottawans and creates fond memories for years to come.

But what if the white playground of ice sculptures, snowy slides, and the winding Rideau Canal Skateway were a little bit greener?

Festival organizers are finding it more difficult each year to maintain the winter wonderland as climate change takes its hold over the season.

“Winterlude in Ottawa is all about having the snow, the slides, and the ice sculptures,” said Adam Mullins, who spent the day with nine family members, including his wife, Cara, and two children. “If that would change, it would take away from the tradition.”

To read the full article, go to :

Winterlude visitors like it cold and snowy

Thousands came to the opening weekend of Winterlude, taking in skating, ice sculpting, sledding and more. Residents and visitors alike had a hoot on the icy hills in the Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Oliver, The Ottawa Citizen

Tucker’s Marketplace took top honours with judges at the 21st annual ByWard Market Stew Cook-Off, part of the opening Winterlude festivities that drew a record crowd of almost 800 hungry participants on Friday.

Tucker’s winning entry was a hearty beef, sausage and vegetable stew. And the People’s Choice award went to Social Restaurant and Lounge for its venison, chipotle and sweet potato stew.

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Would you believe, 30 gallons of stew? From just one contestant?

Byward Market Square was a mighty busy place at annual stew cook-off Friday.

Photo courtesy of Ron Eade, The Ottawa Citizen

The City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and State Farm®, sponsor of the Skate Safe program, have teamed up once again to make an Ottawa winter tradition more fun for everyone through the Skate Safe program. The Skate Safe tent officially opened on Saturday morning on the Rideau Canal Skateway at the State Farm Zone at Concord.

Visitors to the Skate Safe tent will get assistance with helmet fittings, tips on helmet use and a free 15-minute “tips and tricks” skating session from staff and volunteers from Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Ottawa’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department and ThinkFirst. The tent will be open Saturdays and Sundays during Winterlude, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., until February 20.

“Skating on the canal can be even more enjoyable if you possess basic skating skills and are wearing a proper helmet,” said Councillor Mathieu Fleury, member of the Board of Health. “I’m proud that Ottawa Public Health and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services have joined forces to offer this innovative Skate Safe program to residents and tourists enjoying skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, a UNESCO world heritage site, located here in our Nation’s Capital.”

The Skate Safe program is a partnership between the City of Ottawa, the NCC, State Farm, the Ottawa chapter of ThinkFirst, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Brain Injury Association of Canada. The initiative began in 2004 when the NCC approached Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and asked for assistance in addressing the growing number of skating injuries on the Rideau Canal Skateway.

“The NCC wants residents and visitors to have a safe and positive experience on the world’s largest skating rink,” said Marc Corriveau, Director of Urban Lands and Transportation at the NCC. “Our partnership with the City of Ottawa and State Farm is building awareness of and encouraging the use of helmets on the Rideau Canal Skateway.”

“State Farm is always proud to have the opportunity to sponsor world renowned events, and being part of the Rideau Canal Skateway 2012 is a great way to show support for Canadian families. This event highlights the opportunity for family and friends to be able to interact and enjoy time together in a safe and friendly environment,” said Caroline Quinn, State Farm Canada Marketing Manager. “Our relationship with the NCC, City of Ottawa, and CHEO to support the Skate Safe program is a great way to enhance this family experience. We’re excited to be an official sponsor of this celebration which continues to be a memorable event, year after year. ”

This year, OPH will be hosting a contest to encourage Ottawa youth to wear a helmet while skating on the Skateway and at other City indoor and outdoor skating facilities. “Get Caught Wearing Your Helmet is just one more way that OPH is reaching out to youth,” said Dr. Isra Levy, Medical Officer of Health. “Making it fun by providing youth incentives to wear a helmet while skating will help us promote the important message that wearing a proper helmet is the right thing to do.”

For more information on Skate Safe, please visit ottawa.ca/health, or call the OPH information line at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656).

CFRA

The National Capital Commission is quite pleased with the first weekend of Winterlude.

Senior Vice President Guy Laflamme tells CFRA News attendance has been excellent. “If I count the number of smiles I have encountered, I think people were extremely pleased and happy with what they experienced.”

Laflamme is chalking some of the success up to changes in Winterlude’s business plan to focus on arts and culture, educational events, and food. “We still have winter outdoor sports, but we have way more arts and culture…culinary gourmet food activities…as well as scientific activities”.

But he admits the weather was also a big factor this weekend. “This was an A+ type of weather report and hopefully we’ll be able to benefit from the same kind of conditions for the next two weekends.”

Laflamme says over 30,000 people took in Friday’s fireworks at Winterlude’s opening ceremonies, and it was a great kickoff to what he believes is the best edition of the winter festival yet. “Winterlude has grown to a level of quality and sophistication unmatched in past editions.”

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 42^e 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.

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 42^nd 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.

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