Festival Updates and News
News about Ottawa Festivals and our Member festivals, special events and fairs.
SPEAK UP OTTAWA! The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word returns to the capital – October 12 to 16, 2010
The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word (CFSW 2010 Ottawa www.cfsw.ca) returns to the capital for the first time since its inception in 2004 with the largest slam-focused spoken word event in Canadian history. From October 12 to 16, 2010, Ottawa will be treated to a wide-ranging display of Canadian slam poetry and spoken word featuring over 100 of the best spoken word poets from 15 communities across Canada.
Over the course of five nights, 18 teams participate in highly competitive poetry slams that will determine this year’s Canadian Slam Champions. Home of the defending champions, Ottawa has two teams – Capital Slam and Urban Legends – attempting to keep the title in the capital this year.
CFSW 2010 Ottawa features some of the biggest names in spoken word, most notably Dwayne Morgan with Toronto’s Up From the Roots, Truth Is… with the Burlington Slam, RC Weslowski from Vancouver, El Jones from Halifax, and John Akpata on Ottawa’s Capital Slam team.
CFSW 2010 Ottawa opens with a Francophone Showcase featuring Outaouais poet Marjolaine Beauchamp and closes with performances by the festival’s Poets of Honour Anthony Bansfield a.k.a. ‘the nth digri’ and Shauntay Grant.
CFSW 2010 Ottawa’s Daytime Programming is entirely FREE! Poets and poetry enthusiasts are welcome to attend workshops and panel discussions on poetry writing, spoken word in schools, and connecting with other arts organizations. There will also be a Last Chance Slam on October 12 to determine the festival’s ‘Wild Card’ Team, a Youth Showcase on October 13, and a Steve Sauvé Memorial Nerd Showcase on October 14. The poets will hit the streets of Ottawa ‘Guerrilla style’ on the afternoon of October 15 to perform random acts of poetry in the downtown core.
Following the slams, there will be late-night events highlighting the poetry of music: the Poetry & Music Cabaret featuring Scruffmouth, Ian Kamau, and SPIN on October 13; the Slam After-Party with Montréal’s DJ Cosmo on October 14; and Toronto’s Kobo Town and Ottawa’s John Carroll & the Epic Proportions will grace the stage on October 15.
Spoken word poetry in Canada has boomed over the last few years with numerous achievements across the country and around the world. In January of this year, Shane Koyczan introduced spoken word to the world at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver when he performed his poem “We Are More” at the Opening Ceremonies. This past summer, Ottawa’s Ian Keteku, member of the spoken word group The Recipe and one of the workshop facilitators at CFSW 2010 Ottawa, won the World Poetry Slam Cup in Paris, France.
The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word takes place in numerous venues in downtown Ottawa (see the attached press release and schedule for details) from October 12 to 16, 2010. To purchase tickets and passes for the festival, please call 613 301 8648 or email info@cfsw.ca. For more information, visit www.cfsw.ca.
Tickets and Passes
Slams Tues Wed Thurs $10 | Semi-Finals Friday $12 | Finals Saturday $15
Friday & Saturday Pass $20 | Festival Pass $45
Ottawa StoryTellers Present the Following Events for September, 2010:
Ottawa Story Tellers is happy to announce the launch of the 2010 Ottawa Storytelling Festival Website! We hope you’ll have a look at the great programming we’ve planned: http://twentytenfestivalost.wordpress.com
Ottawa StoryTellers Story Swap: Open Stage Night – September 2, 7:00 pm
Ottawa StoryTellers offers Story Swap, an open stage night, on the first Thursday of every month at Library and rchives Canada (Room 156). This is an opportunity to experience the art of storytelling for the first time or for new storytellers to practice before an audience. The evenings also include stories by experienced tellers so that new tellers can learn the art. People are welcome to come and listen, but anyone wishing to tell a story should register on arrival with the evening’s host, and s/he will be given a time slot. Stories should be no longer than ten minutes and must be told, not read. They may be traditional stories, folk tales, literary stories, or personal stories.
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Room 156.
Price: Free admission
Norse Mythology: Creation to Ragnarok – Sept. 3-5
On Labour Day weekend storytellers from across the country will gather at the edge of Taylor Lake in Lanark Co, about one hour from Ottawa, for an epic week-end dedicated to telling fierce, compelling, and sometimes funny stories from Norse Mythology. The Norse Gods and their stories are embedded in the imaginations, literature, and language of all European cultures and as a listener, this is your opportunity to be immersed in these foundational stories. Listeners who have been here for other epic weekends can attest to the richness of this intensive experience.
Telling begins on Friday evening and with many pauses for food and conversation and a generally good time, continues till noon on Sunday.
For information about tickets, accommodation etc. please contact: Jennifer Cayley, jcayley@magma.ca or 613-256-0353.
Old Frost: Tales from a Nordic Hearth – September 12, 7:30 pm
OYP Theatre School at the Shenkman Centre, 245 Centrum Boulevard Tonight we look to the North Lands of Europe and the mythic tales of the Norse Gods. Join Jennifer Cayley, Ellis Lynn Duschenes, and Ruth Stewart-Verger as they recount the outrageous and sometimes very human exploits of Odin, Loki, and the other inhabitants of Asgard. From the creation of the world to Loki`s downward spiral of trickery and betrayal, these stories of the ancient gods have inspired everything from operas to modern day epics like Tolkien`s Lord of the Rings.
Journeys and Voyages – September 14, 7:00 pm
Donna Swewart and Ruth Stewart Verger
Stories and Tea
The Tea Party, 119 York St.
Pay what you can
Wild Women - September 28, 7:00 pm
Ruthanne Edward and Sheryl-Elaine Brazeau
Stories and Tea
The Tea Party, 119 York St.
Pay what you can
For more information, visit www.ottawastorytellers.ca
OST Programming is sponsored by the City of Ottawa, the Ontario Arts Council, Heritage Canada and Canada Council for the Arts.
LAST WEEKEND TO ENJOY MANY OF THE NCC’S SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Canada’s Capital Region – Many of the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) outdoor programs and activities are coming to their season’s end this weekend. The NCC invites residents and visitors to take in a last excursion during Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays, to participate in the Discover the Hill program and tour the grounds of Parliament Hill, to visit the National War Memorial, and to have a swim at Gatineau Park and Leamy Lake beaches.
The schedule for the last weekend of these summer activities and programs is as follows:
NCC BEACHES — OPEN UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
Residents and visitors have until Monday, September 6 to swim at Leamy Lake beach, in Gatineau, from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, and at O’Brien, Blanchet, Breton, Parent and La Pêche beaches, in Gatineau Park, from 10 am to 6 pm. Lifeguards are on site during duty hours to ensure public safety. Swimmers have access to various facilities such as washrooms, change rooms, barbecues and picnic tables. Entry fees to Leamy Lake beach are $6 per automobile and entry fees to Meech, Philippe and La Pêche Lakes beaches in Gatineau Park are $10 per automobile.
40th SEASON OF ALCATEL-LUCENT SUNDAY BIKEDAYS — SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
Gatineau Park: Parkways Reserved for Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays The Gatineau, Champlain and Fortune Parkways, which are ideal destinations for cycling enthusiasts who enjoy steep hills, are closed to motorized traffic from 6 am to 11 am. One section, to the north of Lac-Meech Road (parking lot P8), is ideal for families with young children and is closed for two additional hours, from 6 am to 1 pm. (Length: 30.5 kilometres)
Ottawa: Parkways Reserved for Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays
Ottawa River Parkway — 9 am to 1 pm
The westbound lanes of the Ottawa River Parkway, located on the south side of the Ottawa River just west of the downtown core, are closed to motorized traffic from Vimy Place (Canadian War Museum) to Carling Avenue. The Parkway is monitored by volunteers from Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. (Length: 5.5 kilometres)
Colonel-By Drive — 9 am to 1 pm
Both lanes of Colonel-By Drive, located on the east side of the Rideau Canal in the heart of the Capital, are closed to motorized traffic from the Laurier Bridge to the Hog’s Back Bridge. The Parkway is monitored by volunteers from KPMG. (Length: 7.6 kilometres)
Rockcliffe Parkway — 9 am to 1 pm
Both lanes of the Rockcliffe Parkway, running along the south side of the Ottawa River, just east of the downtown core, are closed to motorized traffic, from the Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard in Orleans. (Length: 8.4 kilometres)
Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikeday participants can get their bikes checked free of charge by members of the Alcatel-Lucent Switchbacks Sunday, September 5, 2010, from 9 am to 1 pm on Colonel By Drive (near Seneca Street).
Members of the Ottawa Inline Skating Club will offer free one-hour instructional sessions on braking, turning and stride improvement, and provide inline skating tips and advice, with special emphasis on safety, Sunday, September 5, 2010, from 9 am to 1 pm on Colonel-By Drive (near Clegg Street and Echo Drive).
DISCOVER THE HILL INTERPRETATION PROGRAM — ON UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
The Discover the Hill outdoor interpretation program is an excellent complement to the Centre Block tour, which continues all year long. The public is invited to gain a better appreciation of the importance of Parliament Hill by visiting the Info-Tent, enjoying a tour using the free Discover the Hill Outdoor Self-Guiding Booklet or walking In the Footsteps of Great Canadians during a free 45-minute guided tour of the grounds. The Discover the Hill Interpretation program runs until September 6, 2010. For more information, the public can visit the Info-Tent, located on Parliament Hill, weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm and weekends and holidays from 9 am to 5 pm.
INTERPRETATION OF THE NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL — ON UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
Confederation Square is Canada’s place of remembrance. The monuments found there, including the National War Memorial, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier and the Valiants Memorial, collectively speak of remembrance, sacrifice, courage and endurance, and represent all those whose actions in times of conflict and war have shaped Canada’s past and continue to influence our present. Visitors can learn more about the history, symbolism and importance of these monuments by speaking and sharing stories with the NCC interpreters stationed at Confederation Square daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm. For more information on the National War Memorial and The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, please visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website at www.vac-acc.gc.ca.
For more information on activities offered in Canada’s Capital Region, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530, or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
OCMS Wine Auction!
On Wednesday, September 29th, the Ottawa Chamber Music Society presents its annual Wine Auction at the Chateau Laurier featuring over 500 bottles of fine and vintage wines. Registration and a reception begin at 7 p.m. and the Live Auction begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased through the OCMS office at 613-234-6306. To view the catalogue, please visit: chamberfest.com.
UN PENSEUR DE LA CAPITALE ACCEPTE UNE CHAIRE D’ETUDES EN DIPLOMATIE PUBLIQUE À L’UNIVERSITÉ DE CALIFORNIE
Région de la capitale du Canada ─ La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) est heureuse d’annoncer que l’un des siens, le Dr. Mark Kristmanson, directeur de la programmation publique de la CCN, a été nommé à la chaire invitée 2011 du Centre de Diplomatie publique de l’École Annenberg de l’Université de Southern California à Los Angeles.
Sous les auspices du programme de chaires invitées Fulbright Canada-Etats-Unis, le Dr. Kristmanson étudiera, écrira et dirigera un séminaire d’études supérieures en «diplomatie des villes ». Ses études porteront sur le rôle particulier des villes capitales dans ce domaine émergent qu’est la diplomatie publique, ainsi que des initiatives de paix, de jumelage, de promotion d’image de marque et d’organisation d’événements internationaux.
Directeur de la programmation publique de la CCN depuis 2004, le Dr. Kristmanson est responsable de la planification des événements nationaux tels que la fête du Canada et le Bal de Neige, ainsi que les commémorations, l’interprétation, l’art public et l’Infocentre de la capitale. Il a été membre du Comité consultatif national pour le programme Capitales culturelles du Canada de 2002 à 2009. Dr. Kristmanson a eu une brillante carrière au sein de plusieurs sociétés d’états fédérales et provinciales, notamment comme directeur exécutif et fondateur du Conseil des Arts du Nouveau-Brunswick et directeur de production de l’opéra du Centre national des Arts. Il est l’auteur de Plateaus of Freedom: Nationality, Culture and State Security in Canada (Oxford University Press, 2003).
Suite à cette nomination prestigieuse, Dr. Kristmanson sera absent de la CCN dès la fin août 2010 jusqu’au début juin 2011. La CCN tient à féliciter le Dr. Kristmanson, et lui souhaite tout le meilleur pour un avenir brillant.
Pour plus de renseignements sur la CCN, le public est invité à composer le 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (ATS) ou 1-866-661-3530 (ATS sans frais), ou encore à consulter le site Web de la CCN au www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca.
CAPITAL THINKER ACCEPTS CHAIR IN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AT CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY
Source: Denise LeBlanc NCC Media Relations
Canada’s Capital Region : The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce that one of its own, Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Director of Public Programming for the NCC, will be the 2011 Visiting Chair at the Centre on Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Under the auspices of the Canada-US Fulbright Visiting Chair Program, Dr. Kristmanson will study and write as well as lead a graduate seminar on “City Diplomacy”. His studies will examine the special role of capital cities within this emerging area of public diplomacy that includes peace-building initiatives, twinning, city branding and the hosting of international events.
Director of Public Programming with the NCC since 2004, Dr. Kristmanson is responsible for the planning of national events such as Canada Day and Winterlude, as well as commemorations, interpretation, public art and the Capital Infocentre. A member of the National Advisory Committee to the Cultural Capitals of Canada Program from 2002-2009, he has had a distinguished career with Federal and Provincial Crown Corporations, notably as the founding Executive Director of the New Brunswick Arts Board, and Production Director for opera at the National Arts Centre. Dr. Kristmanson is the author of Plateaus of Freedom: Nationality, Culture and State Security in Canada (Oxford University Press 2003).
As a result of this prestigious appointment, Dr. Kristmanson will be away from the NCC starting in late August 2010 until early June 2011. The NCC would like to extend its congratulations to Dr. Kristmanson, and wish him all the best for a “Fulbright” future.
For more information about the NCC, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1 866 661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
Goodbye to SuperEX at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park
Source: North Country Public Radio
Ottawa’s Central Canada Exhibition was established back in 1888. Except for a break during World War Two, every year it returned as the largest fair in the area, remembered by generations as a last, happy gasp of summer.
Some things changed: September dates were moved to August. Agriculture now plays second fiddle to mid-way rides. And the event was re-branded as the SuperEX. But the location stayed the same. For 122 years, fair-goers flocked to Lansdowne Park, alongside the Rideau Canal, a site that eventually included a football stadium and hockey rink.
Lumière Festival Worksops and the Afterglow Vernissage
Summer may be winding down but as the evenings lengthen there is still one festival to mark on the calendar. Not to be forgotten is the Lumière Festival produced by the Crichton Cultural Community Centre, 200 Crichton Avenue 2nd floor, in Ottawa’s New Edinburgh neighbourhood.
Founded in 2004, Lumière Festival has developed into a three-part event with lantern making, and performance workshops held at the Crichton Cultural Community Centre from mid August. Workshops are ongoing, and spaces are still available in many of the workshops. This is an ideal end of summer activity!
The workshops are preparations for The Evening of Light Celebration September 4th from 5-10 pm in New Edinburgh’s Stanley Park 193 Stanley Avenue, Ottawa. From early evening into the moonlight, Visitors are invited to bring a lantern and stroll along the riverside and wooded paths. Lit only by beautiful lanterns, candlelight and lighted art; skilled performers, poets, magicians and musicians will delight Visitors as a joyous celebration of creativity, community, and art unfolds.
The Transformation Tent will allow the little ones to join in the excitement and opportunities to create a simple lantern will be available.
New this year is the AfterGlow photo marathon challenge. Over a 12-hour period, registered participants will capture the essence of
Lumière in just six shots! Open to the public, the Afterglow Vernissage will take place on Tuesday Sept. 7 in the Corridor Gallery at the Crichton Cultural Community Centre 200 Crichton Ave, 2nd floor where photographers will see their work hung on the gallery walls. The AfterGlow of Lumière- a photography exhibit, continues to September 9th 2010.
For additional details about Lumière or to view the workshop schedule, please see our website www.lumiereottawa.com or contact the CCCC at 613.745.2742
Ottawa Reggae Festival – Official Statement
Ottawa – August 22nd, 2010
The Ottawa Reggae Festival is run by its’ Board of Directors which sees Benjamin Williams, the boards Chair, as the festival’s president.
In the role of festival president, Mr. Williams’ youth and inexperience caused him to make decisions that were ambitious, and ill advised. His financial decisions were made without consultation, and ended up costing the festival its’ reputation, and put him in ‘over his head.
The team of volunteers who worked for the festival had no knowledge of Mr. Williams’ financial decisions, transactions, or previous financial issues. As such, all volunteers associated with this event were blind-sided when revelations began to surface that there were monies owing, and that there were financial issues beyond the norm.
Further, the staging of the third day of this years’ festival was cancelled due the financial strain when vendors past and present began contacting the festival for monies owed. In addition, the court judgment against the festival, and the Bailiff’s seizure of alcohol and gate admission revenues made it next to impossible for additional revenues to be earned. Volunteers had conversations with several local and international artists who expressed concern about performing knowing that their initial deposits had not been paid on time. Artists managers were further concerned about balances being paid upon the artists arrival for their performances.
Contrary to public perception, Barrington Levy was contracted to perform, and received his deposit. Due to clerical error at the Canadian embassy in Jamaica, Mr. Levy was unable to obtain his visa on time which would grant his entry to the country. Tarrus Riley is in the city of Ottawa today (August 22nd, 2010), and is prepared to perform, however is unable to due to the festivals cancellation. As for Sean Paul, Sean’s booking agency, Headline Entertainment, received Sean’s deposit after the deposit deadline was extended several times to accommodate Mr. Williams cash flow. Sean is not in the city as Headline Entertainment had no confidence in the balance of Sean’s $50,000 performance fee being met.
The volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the festival’s success are disappointed whe outcome, and stand together knowing that but for the financial decisions of the president, this years’ staging would have been a total success.
Fans who purchased tickets online or at ticket outlets and want a refund are being asked to call 613-315-4461, or send an e-mail to info@ottawareggaefestival.com.
PREMIER RAPPORT ANNUEL SUR L’ENVIRONNEMENT DE LA CCN : BÂTIR UNE CAPITALE PLUS VERTE
Le rapport annuel sur l’environnement 2009-2010 de la Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) est maintenant disponible sur le site Web de la CCN. Ce rapport offre un compte rendu de la gestion environnementale de la CCN et fait le point sur le progrès accompli en vue d’atteindre ses objectifs environnementaux.
Ce rapport a été approuvé par le conseil d’administration de la CCN lors de sa dernière réunion publique. La gestion et les pratiques environnementales de la CCN s’articulent autour de la stratégie environnementale, Bâtir une capitale plus verte, qui a été lancée le 4 juin 2009.
« Le rapport sur l’environnement de la CCN démontre notre volonté à faire sans cesse des progrès mesurables sur le plan environnemental et à être un leader dans l’édification d’une capitale plus verte, » a déclaré madame Marie Lemay, première dirigeante de la CCN. « Il souligne aussi l’attention particulière que la CCN porte à la gestion responsable de ses enjeux environnementaux quotidiens par les employés à l’échelle de l’organisation. »
Depuis le lancement de sa stratégie environnementale, la CCN est fière d’avoir accompli le travail essentiel de base à la mise en œuvre de cette initiative. L’objectif premier visait à recueillir des données repères afin de pouvoir mesurer les progrès futurs, prendre action vers les priorités environnementales et continuer d’assurer un alignement continu avec les normes gouvernementales.
Le public peut consulter le rapport annuel sur l’environnement 2009-2010 et plusieurs articles vedettes, en visitant le www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca/enviro/2009-2010.
Pour plus de renseignements sur la stratégie environnementale de la CCN, le public est invité à composer le 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (ATS) ou 1-866-661-3530 (ATS sans frais), ou encore à consulter le site Web de la CCN au www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca/capitaleverte.
- 8 July:
- 4 September:
- 16 September:
- 23 September:
- 30 September:
- 1 October:
- 14 October:
- 20 October:
- 21 October:
