Festival Updates and News
News about Ottawa Festivals and our Member festivals, special events and fairs.
Fringefest kicks off 11 days of fun
Aedan Helmer, Sun MediaFire-eating jugglers, macabre stiltwalkers and the theatre of the truly absurd – get ready for life on the Fringe.
The Ottawa Fringe Festival returns for its lucky 13th season, bringing the best – and sometimes the worst – of alternative theatre to a dozen venues over the next 11 days.
The festival officially kicks off today, with the first of more than 300 performances to grace the city’s off-the-beaten-track stages.
The acts, all about one hour in length, run the spectrum from heart-wrenching melodramas to screwball comedies, risque sex romps to polished one-man soliloquies.
“It’s our biggest lineup ever and probably our most diverse as well,” said executive producer Kevin Waghorn.
Full story on the Ottawa Sun online: Fringefest kicks off 11 days of fun
Dragon boat fest city’s ‘best-kept secret’
MJ DESCHAMPS | METRO OTTAWA
The best fests in life are free.
Ottawa’s 16th annual non-profit Dragon Boat Festival is coming up this weekend at Mooney’s Bay, with free admission to spectators.
Although it is North America’s largest dragon boat race festival, “the Dragon Boat Festival is the best-kept secret in Ottawa,” said executive festival director John Brooman.
“It’s a free event that offers everything from team building for the racers to live shows for adults and children.”
Full story on the Metro Ottawa website: Dragon boat fest city’s ‘best-kept secret’
Festival fever
Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
The Dragon Boat and Summer Solstice festivals offer great entertainment this weekend, says Lynn Saxberg.
In the meantime, two relatively new festivals taking place this weekend are of growing interest to music fans. The Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival at Mooney’s Bay is presenting the all-star African Guitar Summit as part of its lineup, while the Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival on Victoria Island includes a headlining performance by one of Canada’s top First Nations bands, Eagle & Hawk, on Sunday.
At Dragon Boat, the concerts are part of an initiative that started five years ago, partly to entertain hundreds of paddlers and their families on shore at Mooney’s Bay. This year, 190 teams are participating in the races, with a goal of raising more than $300,000 for Ottawa-area charities.
June 21 is the summer solstice, a traditional day of celebration for aboriginal people around the world. In 1996, it was officially declared National Aboriginal Day in Canada. For the last couple of years, organizers of the Ottawa event have expanded the celebrations to fill a whole weekend.
Read the full article on the Ottawa Citizen website: Festival fever
A gift with strings attached
Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
American roots-rocker Ben Harper talked about the usual stuff during the first part of my phone interview with him last month. We chatted about his new band, Relentless7, their new album, White Lies for Dark Times, and what’s coming up for the summer. He’s on tour, headlining the main stage at Bluesfest on July 9.
So I asked what Harper thought of the ukulele as a teaching instrument.
“Oh man, ukuleles are fantastic,” he replied, pausing for a second before asking for my mailing address. I gave it to him, assuming he had a ukulele CD or instruction booklet he wanted to send. I was wrong.
“You think the kids would like ukuleles?” he asked, not waiting for an answer. “I’m going to send you 40 ukuleles from my family’s music store.”
Read the exciting conclusion on the Ottawa Citizen website: A gift with strings attached
Government of Canada Supports the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest
The Honourable John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and MP for Ottawa West-Nepean, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today announced the Government of Canada’s investment of more than $1.5 million to support the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest.”Every summer, the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest attracts thousands of tourists to our national capital, providing an economic boost to Ottawa businesses, restaurants and hotels,” said Minister Baird. “Our government is proud to support this world-renowned festival that brings big music names to our city while showcasing Ottawa’s local talent to international visitors.”
“We are ecstatic about receiving this funding from the marquee festival program,” said Mark Monahan, Executive Director, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest. “These funds will help boost the festival’s international reputation and draw significant numbers of tourists to the nation’s capital.”
The new investment will make it possible to expand the festival to a second site in the heart of downtown Ottawa’s premier tourism district – the ByWard Market. These funds will also help to enhance a domestic and international marketing campaign aimed at drawing visitors from the U.S. and European markets.
The Government of Canada, through the Marquis Tourism Events Program (MTEP), is investing $100 million over two years to assist marquee events across the country. This budget funding will help event organizers expand their reach and promote Canada as a must-see tourist destination to visitors from around the globe. Additional projects are now being reviewed, and successful applicants are expected to be announced at a future date.
Funding is provided through the MTEP, which is one of several tourism-related programs in the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. These programs provide measures to support Canada’s economy, stimulate the growth of tourism and contribute to the development of Canada’s visitor economy over the long term. They include:
- $150 million over two years for national parks and historic sites; and
- $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission for domestic and international marketing.
For more information, please visit the Marquee Tourism Events Program website. For additional information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
The Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP)
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $100 million in funding over two years for marquee tourism events that draw a significant number of tourists to Canada.
Marquee tourism events provide significant cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities for Canadians and attract national and international audiences to all parts of the country. Support for these events contributes to Canada’s visitor economy by sustaining or increasing the level of tourism and tourism-related spending that benefits hotels, restaurants and a variety of small and medium-sized businesses.
As a result, the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) will provide funding to support annually recurring, world-class events that generate significant levels of tourism and that aim to attract a significant amount of international media attention to Canada as a tourism destination. Events must be well-established and have a tradition of programming excellence.
The Government of Canada recognizes that tourism is an important driver of economic activity in all regions of Canada and that further expansion of Canada’s tourism industry can increase tourism export revenues and provide stimulus to the economy at a critical time.
The program requirements are strict and targeted. All interested applicants for the MTEP must demonstrate how their event will contribute to the objectives of the program to help events deliver enhanced world-class programs and experiences, thereby increasing or sustaining the number of tourists from within and outside Canada. If funding is provided, all applicants will be required to provide annual audited financial statements for the years in which funding is received and the two years following the completion of the proposed project. An independent study examining the economic impact of the funding is also required. Applicants will also be subject to monitoring and independent audits for the funds received.
The economic impact of the tourism industry is significant, representing 2 percent of Canada’s gross domestic product, over 662 900 jobs in all regions across the country and $20 billion in government revenues.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan is intended to stimulate the economy and invest in our long-term growth. The tourism initiatives in this plan lay out a framework for branding Canada as a tourism destination of choice for domestic and international visitors.
Bigger Bluesfest aimed at drawing more tourists, music fans to city
Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
In a move that could pave the way for Bluesfest to take over the city in an even bigger way and join the ranks of other world-class festivals, a newly expanded show will bring free concerts to the ByWard Market next month.
For Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, the initiative announced Wednesday could be the start of an exciting new chapter in its history. Look at Montreal’s jazz festival, where free outdoor stages in the downtown area are a huge attraction, or South by Southwest, where the non-stop club offerings entice people to flock to Austin, Texas.
Bluesfest organizers are using their $1.5 million in funding earmarked for 2009 to set up a satellite festival in the Market that will run July 9-13 and feature free concerts on a big outdoor stage, as well as ticketed shows with dozens more acts in 10 downtown clubs.
Funk legend George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars, Scottish folk-rockers the Proclaimers, hip-hop veterans Arrested Development and the Harlem Gospel Choir are among the acts booked to perform the free shows in the Market.
Full story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Bigger Bluesfest aimed at drawing more tourists, music fans to city
Spend an afternoon on the Bridge
TRACEY TONG | METRO OTTAWA
Previously known as Noon Under the Bridge, the free summer music series – a collaboration between the NCC and groups like Parks Canada, the National Arts Centre, Canadian Heritage River Conference, Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Turkish Festival – consists of outdoor music and theatre performances on the Plaza Bridge overlooking the Rideau Canal.
Residents and visitors are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy a free hour of entertainment from noon to 1 pm, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Full story on Metro Ottawa website: Spend an afternoon on the Bridge
LA CCN DONNE LE COUP D’ENVOI À LA SÉRIE « MIDIS SUR LE PONT » LE 17 JUIN
Prestations musicales gratuites offertes au cœur de la capitaleRégion de la capitale du Canada – La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) est fière d’annoncer que la quatrième édition de Midis sur le pont (anciennement Midis sous le pont) débutera le mercredi 17 juin, à midi.
Présenté du 17 juin au 6 août, Midis sur le pont est une série estivale de musique et de théâtre tenue sur le pont Plaza au cœur de la capitale du Canada, à proximité du CNA et avec vue sur le canal Rideau, un site du patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Les résidents et les visiteurs sont invités à apporter leur repas afin de profiter d’une heure de divertissement, présentée gratuitement, les mardis, mercredis et jeudis, de midi à 13 h (sauf lors de la première semaine, où il y aura une prestation le mercredi seulement).
La série débutera le mercredi 17 juin avec un cercle d’auteurs-compositeurs sur le thème de l’eau, coïncidant avec la clôture, dans la région de la capitale, de la Conférence sur le patrimoine des rivières du Canada. Pour l’occasion, des artistes canadiens partageront la scène avec Les Acteurs de Parcs Canada. Du 23 au 25 juin, des prestations de musique de chambre classique seront présentées par l’Institut estival de musique du CNA (ces prestations sont déplacées au pavillon Pérez à l’Université d’Ottawa). Le 30 juin, le quintette Chic Gamine, gagnant d’un prix Juno en 2009, sera présent pour offrir une sérénade aux membres du public. De jeunes musiciens jazz monteront sur scène le 2 juillet dans le cadre du Sommet Jeunesse Jazz de 2009. Autres prestations lors de Midis sur le pont mettront en vedette une variété de styles musicaux, dont le blues, roots et folk. Veuillez noter qu’il n’y aura pas de prestation le mardi 1er juillet, en raison des célébrations de la fête du Canada.
La CCN est fière de travailler en collaboration avec les organisations suivantes, afin d’offrir la série Midis sur le pont : Parcs Canada, Centre national des Arts, Conférence sur le patrimoine des rivières du Canada, Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique, Festival international de Jazz d’Ottawa TD Canada Trust, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Turkish Festival et CHIN International Radio – TV.
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur la série Midis sur le pont, les membres du public sont priés de communiquer avec la CCN en composant le 613-239-5000 ou 1-800-465-1867, le numéro d’ATS 613 239-5090 ou 1-866-661-3530, ou encore consulter le site Web de la CCN au www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca/midissurlepont.
NCC’S ‘NOON ON THE BRIDGE’ SERIES KICKS OFF ON JUNE 17
Enjoy free music performances in the heart of the Capital
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ The National Capital Commission (NCC) is proud to announce that the fourth edition of Noon On the Bridge (previously known as Noon Under the Bridge) gets underway with its first performance of the season on Wednesday, June 17, at noon.
Presented from June 17 to August 6, Noon On the Bridge is a summer series of outdoor music and theatre performances on the Plaza Bridge in the heart of Canada’s Capital, near the NAC and overlooking the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Residents and visitors are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy a free hour of entertainment from noon to 1 pm, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (except for the first week, when there will be a performance only on the Wednesday).
The series will begin on Wednesday, June 17, with a songwriter’s circle themed around water as the Canadian Heritage River Conference will come to an end. For that special presentation, Canadian singer-songwriters will share the stage with Parks Canada Players. From June 23 to 25, classical chamber music performances will be presented by the NAC’s Summer Music Institute (these performances are moved to Perez Hall at the University of Ottawa). On June 30, the 2009 Juno award winner quintet Chic Gamine will serenade the audience. Young jazz musicians from across Canada will take the stage on July 2 as part of the Jazz Youth Summit 2009. Other performances during Noon On the Bridge will showcase a variety of musical styles, including blues, roots and folk. Note that due to the Canada Day celebrations, there will be no performance on Wednesday, July 1.
The NCC is pleased to work in collaboration with the following organizations to offer the Noon On the Bridge series: Parks Canada, National Arts Centre, Canadian Heritage River Conference, Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique, TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Turkish Festival, and CHIN International Radio – TV.
For more information on the Noon On the Bridge series, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867, TTY: 613-239-5090 or 1-866-661-3530, or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/noononthebridge.
Summer Travel ‘09: Ontario
Brian Banks | Maclean’s.ca
Ottawa Bluesfest/Ottawa (July 8-19) This 11-day festival is number one with a bullet in Canada and not a lot of people know it. But they soon will. In 2007, in just its 13th year, Bluesfest drew more than 300,000 fans. A big factor is the quality and diversity of its program, drawing big-name talent from throughout North America. Among the 2009 headliners: Ben Harper and Relentless7, Our Lady Peace, Styx, Blue Rodeo, Ice Cube, Jackson Browne, Stone Temple Pilots, and Ornette Coleman. In 2007, Bluesfest moved to its present site at LeBreton Flats Park next to the Canadian War Museum. Organizers found room for five stages, including two main stages. With more than 220 acts, they’ll need them. Take the opportunity to visit the dozens of other sites throughout the National Capital Region: Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of Civilization, and the aforementioned Canadian War Museum, to name just a few.
Full article on Maclean’s website: Summer Travel ‘09: Ontario
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