Festival Updates and News
News about Ottawa Festivals and our Member festivals, special events and fairs.
Canadian Tulip Festival: Call to Artists
The Canadian Tulip Festival is seeking artists to lead hands on creative workshops in Major’s Hill Park, between May 6 and 23, 2011.
Please submit proposals for workshops that that highlight the tulip and draw upon the theme for the 2011 Festival: “Kaleidoscope, a celebration of spring awakening through colour, culture and community”.
Deadline for proposals: Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at 5:30PM.
For all inquiries and to receive the application form please contact: workshops@tulipfestival.ca.
NCC TO INCREASE NEW MEDIA USE FOR VISITOR SERVICES
Capital Infocentre moves to World Exchange Plaza
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is improving the way it offers information to visitors, reaching them where they are, before and during their stay in the Capital Region to better reflect market trends. As part of the new approach, the NCC plans to use technology to its full potential by offering a number of new services while moving to a smaller scale Capital Infocentre relocated at the World Exchange Plaza.
New services:
- a revamped web site which is designed for mobile devices;
- an expanded outdoor roving interpretation service that brings information officers to visitors along Confederation Blvd;
- QR-codes (quick response barcodes) interpretation modules for mobile devices
- Wi-Fi access at different landmarks and sites in the heart of Canada’s Capital region.
This will be in addition to the existing Info-Tent and Discover the Hill programs managed by the NCC on Parliament Hill.
LA CCN ACCROÎT L’UTILISATION DES NOUVEAUX MÉDIAS POUR LES SERVICES AUX VISITEURS
L’Infocentre de la capitale déménage au World Exchange Plaza
La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) améliore la façon dont elle offre l’information aux visiteurs pour mieux les rejoindre avant et pendant leur séjour dans la région de la capitale du Canada et mieux refléter les tendances du marché. Dans le cadre de cette nouvelle approche, la CCN prévoit utiliser la technologie à son plein potentiel en mettant en œuvre un certain nombre de nouveaux services tout en déménageant une version réduite de l’Infocentre de la capitale au World Exchange Plaza.
Nouveaux services :
- Nouveau site web conçu pour les applications mobiles ;
- Programme d’interprète ambulant bonifié le long du boulevard de la Confédération ;
- Modules d’interprétation en se servant de la technologie des codes barres 2D ;
- Accès Wi-Fi à différents sites et points d’intérêt au cœur de la région de la capitale du Canada.
La CCN continuera d’offrir des services sur la colline du Parlement avec son programme d’Info-tente ainsi que le programme d’interprétation Découvrez la Colline.
MOSAIKA, THE CAPITAL’S NEW SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW WINS FOUR AWARDS
Canada’s Capital Region ─ The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce that its Parliament Hill sound and light show, Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people, has won four Canadian awards. They recognize both the quality and creativity of the show and its promotional programs and materials:
- Canadian e-Tourism Award for Best Innovative Use of Technology and/or Media
- Festivals and Events Ontario Award for Best Promotional Campaign
- Festivals and Events Ontario Award for Best Poster
- Boomerang Award for Best Interactive Technology
“Productions such as Mosaika, which reach out to all Canadians on multiple platforms, serve to reflect in the Capital Region and throughout all of Canada, our shared history, culture and achievements,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the National Capital Commission. “We are delighted to see Mosaika recognized by these premiere Canadian organizations.”
For its second summer season, Mosaika will be presented free of charge from July 6 until September 5, 2011 (weather permitting). This 30-minute experience uses spectacular lighting effects, stunning animated projections and a rich tapestry of words, music and sounds to tell the story of Canada — our story — using the spectacular backdrop of the Peace Tower and the Centre Block.
Every evening, Mosaika is preceded by a uniquely interactive preshow, involving Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast. By logging onto www.mosaika-sl.ca, visitors can create videos or post messages that are considered for integration into the preshow, which is updated regularly throughout the summer with these contributions. Those who record a video on the website are able to view their messages online — digitally projected on “virtual Parliament Buildings” — with the chance of having them projected on the real ones on the evening of a show.
The NCC is proud to have worked with an exciting and talented group of Canadian companies for the creation of Mosaika: Moment Factory, the project leader and producer for the show; Groupe Phaneuf, the co-producer and in charge of sound management; Sid Lee, the creative consultant and responsible for program branding; and Absolunet, the developpers of the interactive online application.
The NCC has captivated audiences for 25 years with its sound and light shows on Parliament Hill. The last edition drew record-breaking numbers and was seen by over 1.2 million spectators. For more information about Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the website at www.mosaika-sl.ca.
MOSAIKA, LE NOUVEAU SPECTACLE SON ET LUMIÈRE DE LA CAPITALE DU CANADA GAGNE QUATRE PRIX
Région de la capitale du Canada ─ La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) est fière d’annoncer que son spectacle son et lumière sur la colline du Parlement, Mosaika : le Canada raconté par son peuple, a remporté quatre prix canadiens. Ils reconnaissent la qualité et la créativité du spectacle et de ses programmes et produits de promotion :
- Prix Canadien du tourisme en ligne – L’application utilisant de manière la plus novatrice des technologies et/ou des médias
- Prix Festivals et événements Ontario – Meilleure campagne de promotion
- Prix Festivals et événements – Meilleure affiche
- Prix Boomerang – Technologie interactive
« Les productions comme Mosaika, qui permettent d’atteindre tous les Canadiens et Canadiennnes sur de multiples plateformes, servent à refléter, dans la région de la capitale du Canada et dans tout le Canada, notre histoire, notre culture et nos réalisations communes, a déclaré Marie Lemay, première dirigeante de la CCN. Nous sommes ravis de voir Mosaika reconnu par ces organisations canadiennes de premier plan. »
Pendant sa deuxième saison d’été, Mosaika sera présenté gratuitement tous les soirs, du 6 juillet jusqu’au 5 septembre 2011 (sauf intempéries). Cette présentation d’une durée de 30 minutes comprend des effets de lumière saisissants, des projections animées étonnantes et une riche mosaïque de mots et de musique racontant l’histoire du Canada — notre histoire — avec pour écran le cadre spectaculaire de l’édifice du Centre et de la tour de la Paix.
Tous les soirs, un prélude interactif unique précède Mosaika : des Canadiennes et Canadiens des quatre coins du pays y ont contribué. En se rendant sur le site www.mosaika-sl.ca, les internautes peuvent créer une vidéo ou afficher un commentaire qui pourrait être intégré au prélude, qui changera régulièrement au cours de l’été grâce à ces contributions. Celles et ceux qui enregistrent une vidéo sur le site Web peuvent voir leur message en ligne projeté numériquement sur une version virtuelle des édifices du Parlement, en plus de courir la chance de le voir aussi, effectivement, sur les vrais édifices le soir d’un spectacle.
La CCN est fière d’avoir travaillé avec des producteurs canadiens talentueux et dynamiques pour la création de Mosaika : Moment Factory, le chef de projet et le réalisateur de ce spectacle; le Groupe Phaneuf, le coproducteur et chargé de la direction sonore; Sid Lee, le consultant créatif et responsable de l’image de marque du programme, et Absolunet, les développeurs de l’application interactive en ligne.
Au cours des 25 dernières années, la CCN a captivé le public avec ses spectacles de son et lumière. La dernière édition sur la colline du Parlement a attiré un nombre record de personnes et a été vue par plus de 1,2 million de spectateurs. Pour de plus amples renseignements sur Mosaika: le Canada raconté par son peuple, le public peut communiquer avec la CCN au 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (ATS), 1-866-661-3530 (ATS sans frais) ou encore consulter le site Web www.mosaika-sl.ca.
TD Ottawa Jazz Festival receives $395,000 in support from Ontario
The TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival is delighted to be the recipient of $395,000 in support from the Ontario government through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture!
The Festival’s dynamic programming continues to draw tourism to the city. Located at Confederation Park, along the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site, the Festival is situated in the ideal urban park setting right in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Visitors to the Park take in majestic sunsets over the skyline while reveling in the music of significant artists from around the world and across Canada.
The Festival continues to experience tremendous growth which is directly attributable to this vital investment through the Celebrate Ontario program since 2006. These are some of the milestones achieved in 2010:
- attendance in 2010 increased by 11.5% to 292,000
- 13% of the Festival’s audience reside 80km or more from Ottawa
- 10% of tourists were from Europe (an increase from 5.9% in 2009)
- visitors spend an average of 4 days in Ottawa at the Festival
- average expenditure is $614 (as opposed to $518 in 2009 – this figure does not include Festival expenditures)
- Direct economic impact by tourists attending the 2010 Festival more than doubled to $22.8 Million (from 10.6 Million in 2009)
- Box office revenue increased by 12%
“These results exemplify the extraordinary return on investment in culture and the arts on our economy,” explains Executive Producer Catherine O’Grady. “The province’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s belief in our proven track record is an example of innovative leadership and allows us to present the best programming possible.”
On April 13, 2011 at the National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage, 4pm, Festival officials will announce the unprecedented line-up to appear this summer at the 31st edition of the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival!
Genie Awards: Finding the ‘crazy manic sides’
Larissa Cahute, Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa’s Chris Robinson knew he was partly writing about himself when he penned the script for the Genie-nominated animated short film The Lipsett Diaries, but he didn’t realize how much until a year after he’d finished.
The film tells the tragic tale of 1960s film director Arthur Lipsett, and reveals the so-called method to his madness behind his unique experimental shorts.
During Lipsett’s time with the Nati onal Film Board, he would collect “found footage” from the trash and then connect those tossed clips to tell his desired story. Lipsett’s sporadic style is said to have stemmed from his battle with psychological disorders, from witnessing his mother’s suicide to his own struggle with bipolar disease, which ultimately led to his suicide weeks before his 50th birthday.
Read the full story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Genie Awards: Finding the ‘crazy manic sides’
Ottawa Police Service Celebrates Irish Week
In partnership with the Irish community and the Irish Society National Capital Region, the Ottawa Police Service will celebrate Irish Week by displaying the Irish flag at Ottawa Police headquarters in a ceremony on Thursday. Media is invited to attend.
Date: March 10, 2011
Time: 10 am
Location: 474 Elgin Street
Light refreshments will be served.
The flag will be on display until Thursday, March 17, 2011.
Importance of the Flag and Banner Recognition Program
The flag will be present as part of the Ottawa Police Flag Recognition Program. The program comes out of community requests and input from Interfaith Ottawa and is meant to increase awareness in the Ottawa Police about important secular and non-secular activities in our community. The program also provides opportunities for different communities in Ottawa to show their pride and traditions to our organization and the community at large.
Importance of the Ottawa Irish Festival
The Ottawa Irish Festival is an annual celebration of Irish and Irish-Canadian culture in the National Capital Region.
This week-long event allows residents and visitors to enjoy the very best of all things Irish: music, poetry, history, song, dance, theatre, language, sport and the annual Ottawa St. Patrick’s Parade and Grand Irish Party.
The 2011 Festival will run from March 10 – 17, 2011. For more information about Irish Week, please visit www.irishsocietyncr.com.
For more information about the flag and banner program, please contact Zoye Coburn, Diversity & Race Relations Section, 613-236-1222, Ext. 5011, or email: coburnz@ottawapolice.ca
Additional day and new festival site for Ottawa Folk Festival
More music, more accessibility for Ottawa music fans
Ottawa Folk Festival organizers today announced plans to add a day to the 18th edition of the annual event. There will also be a physical move to a new festival site. This means that the 2011 Ottawa Folk Festival will become a four-day event, running from Thursday, August 25 to Sunday, August 28.
Along with an additional day of programming, the festival will be moved from its past location in Britannia Park to Hog’s Back Park. Some of the many benefits cited for the move include the central location of the site, and the fact that Hog’s Back Park offers more flexibility in terms of space, sightlines, and stage settings.
“The festival is not viable in its current location for a number of reasons, but mainly because of accessibility,” says festival supervisor Mark Monahan. “This relocation is imperative to solidify the festival’s future.”
The plan is intended to meet the needs of the festival’s existing patrons for a central location and to attract and develop new audiences by showcasing one of Ottawa’s more beautiful public parks, adjacent to the stunning Ottawa landmark known as Hog’s Back Falls.
“The additional day of programming is intended to do the same in terms of audience development through more music, more to choose from, and more inclusivity,” says Monahan, while adding that the Folk line-up will be announced on May 25, with tickets going on sale Saturday, May 28. This on-sale date for the general public will be preceded by a special pre-sale for Ottawa Folk Festival insiders. To become an ‘insider’ music fans can simply visit www.ottawafolk.com to sign up.
Runners to take Ottawa’s scenic route
Martin Cleary, Ottawa Citizen
Running a marathon, halfmarathon or 10-kilometre road race is hard enough, but the organizers of the Ottawa Race Weekend will erect another hurdle in the path of their sneaker society members.
When the thousands of runners go to the start line for the races on May 28-29, they should be aware that there will be plenty of temptations and distractions as they head west and run through districts with some of the finest restaurants and shopping in the city.
Jim Robinson, the general manager of the Ottawa Race Weekend, announced Monday major revisions to all three race courses, which will see the runners and walkers pass under the impressive Imperial Arch gateway of Chinatown, and past the appealing cafés of Little Italy and the fashionable shops of the Westboro Village district.
Read more: Runners to take Ottawa’s scenic route
- 3 February:
- 17 February:
- 8 March:
- 28 March:
- 7 April:
- 26 April:
- 3 May:
- 4 May:
- 11 May:
