Festival Updates and News
News about Ottawa Festivals and our Member festivals, special events and fairs.
LE SPECTACLE SON ET LUMIÈRE DE LA CCN EST MAINTENANT UNE DEMI-HEURE PLUS TÔT
Courtesy of NCC-CCN’s photostream on Flickr
Région de la capitale du Canada ─ La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) souhaite informer le public qu’à partir de ce soir, le spectacle son et lumière sur la colline du Parlement, Mosaika : le Canada raconté par son peuple, sera présenté une demi-heure plus tôt. Jusqu’au 12 septembre, ce spectacle bilingue et gratuit est offert 7 jours par semaine, à 21 h 30 (si le temps le permet).
Cette présentation d’une durée de 30 minutes comprend des effets de lumière saisissants, des projections d’images stupéfiantes et une riche mosaïque de mots et de musique racontant l’histoire du Canada — notre histoire — par la magie du son et de la lumière présentée sur la tour de la Paix et l’édifice du Centre. Mosaika sera présenté gratuitement tous les soirs de l’été jusqu’au 12 septembre 2010, et pendant les quatre prochains étés.
Au cours des 25 dernières années, la CCN a captivé l’intérêt du public avec ses spectacles de son et lumière. La dernière édition a attiré un nombre record de personnes d’année en année et a été vue par plus de 1,2 million de spectateurs. Mosaika est une attraction incontournable et une activité parfaite pour une soirée d’été dans la région de la capitale du Canada.
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur Mosaika, le nouveau spectacle son et lumière sur la colline du Parlement, 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.
NCC SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW NOW HALF AN HOUR EARLIER
Courtesy of NCC-CCN’s photostream
Canada’s Capital Region – The National Capital Commission (NCC) wishes to inform the public that, as of tonight, the sound and light show on Parliament Hill, Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people, will be presented half an hour earlier. Until September 12, this free, bilingual show is offered nightly, 7 days a week, at 9:30 pm (weather permitting).
This new 30-minute experience uses spectacular lighting effects, stunning image projections and a rich tapestry of words, music and sounds to tell the story of Canada — our story — with a powerful narrative set against the spectacular backdrop of the Peace Tower and the Centre Block. Mosaika will be presented free of charge evenings until September 12, 2010, and for the next four summers.
The NCC has captivated audiences for 25 years with its sound and light shows. The last edition drew record-breaking numbers and was seen by over 1.2 million spectators. Mosaika is a must-see attraction in Canada’s Capital Region and a perfect activity for a summer evening.
For more information on Mosaika, the new sound and light show on Parliament Hill, please 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.mosaika-sl.ca.
NCC-CCN’s photostream
LE DOMAINE EN FLEURS AU CŒUR DU PARC DE LA GATINEAU CE WEEK-END
La Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) invite le public à l’activité Le Domaine en fleurs au domaine Mackenzie-King, les samedi et dimanche 24 et 25 juillet 2010. De 13 h 30 à 16 h 30, les résidents et visiteurs pourront célébrer la passion que nourrissait William Lyon Mackenzie-King, dixième premier ministre du Canada, pour le jardinage, l’horticulture et l’aménagement paysager.
C’est sous le thème « les fleurs au cœur du parc de la Gatineau » que diverses activités seront présentées au cours du week end.
PROGRAMME D’ACTIVITÉS :
De 13 h 30 à 16 h 30
- Visites guidées thématiques sur les plans d’aménagement paysager du Domaine offertes par un interprète personnifiant Mackenzie-King :
- en français, à 15 h ;
- en anglais, à 13 h 30.
- Visite guidées par Jean-Pierre Martel, horticulteur de renom, qui vous guidera dans les dédales fleuris du Domaine :
- en français, à 13 h 30 ;
- en anglais, à 15 h.
- Ateliers de dégustation des fleurs comestibles enrobées de chocolat présentés par les boutiques Miss Chocolat et Fleuriste Avant-Garde.
- Ateliers sur la fabrication des savons et autres produits de toilette qui contiennent des fleurs, offerts par la Savonnerie Olivier de Chelsea.
- Présentation des fragrances qui ont fait la renommée des années 1930 et 1940 par Michèle Hamelin, esthéticienne et spécialiste en histoire des parfums européens.
- Activités et jeux pour toute la famille à Kingswood et à Moorside.
- Concerts de musique classique présentés par Atrium Trio à 13 h 30, 14 h 30 et 15 h 30 dans les jardins de Moorside.
- En plus du menu régulier, des bouchées et des rafraîchissements seront servis au Salon de thé Mackenzie-King :
- Thés floraux et autres rafraîchissements ($).
- Pâtisseries et friandises à saveurs florales ($).
Situé au cœur du parc de la Gatineau, le domaine Mackenzie-King fut la résidence du très honorable William Lyon Mackenzie-King, premier ministre du Canada, resté en poste pendant près de 22 ans, entre 1921 et 1948. Chaque été, cette attraction culturelle attire des milliers de visiteurs qui viennent en admirer la beauté.
HEURES D’OUVERTURE DU DOMAINE MACKENZIE-KING :
Horaire estival
Du 15 mai au 6 septembre 2010, le domaine Mackenzie-King sera ouvert :
- tous les jours, de 11 h à 17 h.
Horaire d’automne
Du 7 septembre au 17 octobre 2010, le domaine Mackenzie-King sera ouvert :
- en semaine, de 11 h à 17 h, et
- au cours des fins de semaine et des jours fériés, de 10 h à 17 h.
Le Salon de thé Mackenzie-King est ouvert tous les jours, de 11 h à 17 h. Pour obtenir plus de renseignements ou pour faire une réservation, veuillez composer le 819-827-3405.
PRIX D’ENTRÉE :
8 $ Laissez-passer quotidien — voiture
30 $ Laissez-passer quotidien — minibus (20 passagers ou moins)
50 $ Laissez-passer quotidien — autocar
65 $ Laissez-passer saisonnier — voiture (accès aux plages du parc de la Gatineau et du lac Leamy ainsi qu’au domaine Mackenzie-King)
LA ROUTE DES JARDINS VIA RAIL :
Les jardins du domaine Mackenzie-King font partie de la Route des jardins VIA Rail, qui vous offre la possibilité de contempler les plus beaux jardins du pays et d’apprécier l’enthousiasme des jardiniers canadiens. Reliant 18 magnifiques jardins et 27 Collectivités en fleurs – tous gagnants du premier prix 5-fleurs -, la Route des jardins s’étend de Victoria à Halifax pour le plus grand plaisir des amateurs de fleurs. Profitez-en pour prendre part aux différentes activités organisées par plusieurs des jardins participants, et admirez une foule d’expositions florales toutes plus spectaculaires les unes que les autres.
Pour plus d’information sur la Route des jardins VIA Rail, visitez le site Web www.viarail.ca/jardin.
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur Le Domaine en fleurs, le public peut communiquer avec la CCN au 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 (sans frais), 613-239-5090 (ATS), 1 866 661 3530 (ATS sans frais), ou consulter le site Web de la CCN www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca/king.
THE ESTATE IN BLOOM IN THE HEART OF GATINEAU PARK THIS WEEKEND
The National Capital Commission (NCC) invites the public to the Estate in Bloom festivities at the Mackenzie King Estate on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25, 2010. From 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, residents and visitors can celebrate the passion of Canada’s 10th prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, for gardening, horticulture and landscaping.
A variety of activities on the theme of “flowers in the heart of Gatineau Park” will be offered throughout the weekend.
PROGRAM:
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Guided tours with Mackenzie King (portrayed by a guide-interpreter), as he discusses his landscaping plans for the Estate:
- in English at 1:30 pm.
- in French at 3 pm.
- Guided tours by Jean-Pierre Martel, renowned horticulturist, who will guide you through the floral gardens of the Estate:
- in English at 3 pm.
- in French at 1:30 pm.
- Tasting workshops presented by local shops Miss Chocolat and Florist Avant Garde, where visitors can sample edible flowers dipped in chocolate.
- Soap-making demonstrations offered by the Olivier Soapery Chelsea.
- Presentation of renowned fragrances from the 1930s and 1940s by Michèle Hamelin, esthetician and expert in the history of European perfumes.
- Activities and games for the whole family at Kingswood and Moorside.
- Classical music concerts by the Atrium Trio at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm at the Moorside gardens.
- In addition to the regular menu, refreshments available at the Moorside gardens:
- floral teas and other refreshments available ($).
- floral flavoured pastries and sweets ($).
Located in the heart of Gatineau Park, the Estate was the residence of the Right Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King, who held the office of prime minister of Canada for almost 22 years, between 1921 and 1948. Every year, this national cultural attraction welcomes thousands of visitors who come to admire the beautiful setting and surroundings.
MACKENZIE KING ESTATE HOURS OF OPERATION:
Summer Hours of Operation
From May 15 to September 6, 2010, the Estate will be open:
- everyday from 11 am to 5 pm.
Fall Hours of Operation
From September 7 to October 17, 2010 the Estate will be open:
- weekdays from 11 am to 5 pm, and
- on weekends and statutory holidays from 10 am to 5 pm.
Mackenzie King Tearoom is open every day, from 11 am to 5 pm. For more information or reservations, please call 819-827-3405.
ADMISSION:
$8 per vehicle
$30 per minibus (max. 20 passengers)
$50 per bus
$65 season pass (access to all Gatineau Park beaches, Leamy Lake beach and Mackenzie King Estate)
VIA RAIL GARDEN ROUTE:
The Mackenzie King Estate gardens are included in the VIA Rail Garden Route destinations, where the public can experience the country’s most astonishing flower gardens and the enthusiasm of Canadian gardening addicts. From Victoria to Halifax, the Garden Route is an invitation to discover 18 magnificent gardens and 27 Communities in Bloom, all winners of the prestigious 5-Bloom award. Green-thumb travellers will enjoy the special horticultural attractions and activities. And everyone will delight in the spectacular displays of countless thriving blooms. For more information about the VIA Rail Garden Route, visit www.viarail.ca/garden.
For more information about the Estate in Bloom, the public may 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/king.
After blowing out the candles, the TD OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL ‘Blows its own horn’ after celebrating the most artistically successful Festival ever in 30 years!
From its roots as a weekend-long Dixieland bash to its current status as one of the National Capital Region’s largest annual events, the Festival has been thrilling music fans for 30 summers. Just over 290,000 attended the Festival’s most successful year in its 30-year history in 2010, up by 28,000 from 2009! On Canada Day more than 92,000 attended free concerts, performed by some of the most innovative and cutting-edge Canadian artists at Confederation Park.
More than 850 artists performed in 250 concerts, in 10 different series and in 8 different venues located in the heart of the Nation’s Capital.
“In an industry where success often depends on things beyond organizers’ control, the festival took major risks this year to build for the future, and everything it added worked according to plan.” – Ottawa Sun
Besides the star-studded line-up on the Main Stage there were gems to be found in the successful OLG Stage, Improv Invitational, Friends and the Late Night Jam Sessions at the Crowne Plaza.
“This year, the festival introduced the OLG Tent, a new stage in Confederation Park. Its eclectic, late-night shows were very successful, easily drawing listeners from mainstage concerts that had just concluded. The tent could not hold all who wanted to hear acts such as Bonobo or Gypsophilia.” – Ottawa Citizen
“the Improv Invitational series, experienced the best overall attendance in its five-year history, with some of its best programming to boot.” – Ottawa Sun
“The festival’s nightly jam sessions, run by Ottawa bassist John Geggie, were consistently impressive, with visiting stars such as the saxophonists Joshua Redman and Joe Lovano sitting in to play. An hour or so after the big band of Roy Hargrove finished playing in Confederation Park, the trumpeter and many of his musicians staged a benevolent takeover of the festival jam.” – Ottawa Citizen
Join us next year from June 22 – July 3 as we celebrate the 31st edition of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.
17th edition of Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest a massive success
Once again, the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest saw thousands of fans make their way down to LeBreton Flats Park for twelve days of outstanding music and comedy programming. As always the festival offered something for everyone. From indie punkers Alexisonfire to Tuvan throat singers YAT-KA—along with the likes of Iron Maiden, Further with Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, the B52s, Joan Jett, The Flaming Lips, Rush, Arcade Fire, Crowded House, Great Big Sea, Keith Urban, Weezer, and 250 other acts thrown in for good measure—the festival drew in excess of 350,000 fans.
Over the course of 17 years, the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest has grown to become the landmark event of the Ottawa summer and one of the top-ten outdoor music festivals in the world, according to Billboard Magazine.
The Massive outdoor event has deep roots in the community and is staged with the help of thousands of community volunteers. In 2010 4,000 volunteers worked 26,000 shifts and contributed over 100,000 hours. Within three days of the line-up announcement all volunteer shifts were filled and registration was maxed out.
The ongoing love affair between the ‘fest and its fans continued in 2010. Audiences were blown away by newcomers to the event such as the John Butler Trio, Caravan Palace, and Dana Fuchs and by rare appearances in Ottawa by the Flaming Lips and Santana, who drew the largest crowds ever seen at the event.
“I’d like to recognize the best music fans in the world—from Ottawa and beyond,” says Mark Monahan, the festival’s executive and artistic director. “Your support means everything to us and keeps us trying to improve your festival experience, year after year.” Monahan added that it was great to have another successful event in the books, and after a week or two off, Monahan and his team are ready to roll up their sleeves and start planning for 2011.
Drake, Great Big Sea draw waves of support
Who attracted more of the record-setting crowd to Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest last night?
By Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen July 17, 2010
Great Big Sea and lead singer Alan Doyle entertained the crowd on the MBNA stage at the 2010 Bluesfest held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Friday July 16, 2010.
Photograph by: Ashley Fraser, The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — Who attracted more fans to Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest Friday night: Newfoundland’s favourite sons, Great Big Sea, or Drake, Canada’s hot new rap superstar?
It was a tough call. Drake, being the only big-name rapper on this year’s program, drew throngs of young concertgoers to his show on the Claridge stage, although the Great Big Sea army turned out by the tens of thousands, as they always do when their top band is on the main stage. Plus, it was Friday night.
In other words, it was a huge crowd, at least as big as the 35,000 estimated at Santana the other night.
Read more: Drake, Great Big Sea draw waves of support
Second-generation blues artists bring it back
By Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
Crowded House started their set Thursday night with well-crafted, melodic pop rock.
A common criticism of Bluesfest is that it’s no longer about the blues.
Mainstage headliners are generally chosen for their ability to draw an audience rather than their adherence to the genre that inspired organizers to create the festival in the first place. Crowded House, for example, started their deadline-pressing set last night with well-crafted, melodic pop rock, showing not a shred of the hard-done-by grit of blues.
We know Bluesfest has grown beyond the blues, but it’s worth being reminded that its roots are in the blues, an influence that was demonstrated at the Hard Rock stage last night.
Read more: Second-generation blues artists bring it back
Getting into the swing of all things Turkish
Tracey Tong, Metro Ottawa
A dancer performs at last year’s Ottawa Turkish Festival.
The Ottawa Turkish Festival gets into full swing next weekend, but people can whet their appetites for all things Turkish starting this weekend.
Documentary screenings at the Ottawa Public Library, cuisine demonstrations, a flag raising ceremony and various language classes at the Turkish Cultural Centre start as soon as this Saturday as part of the Ottawa Turkish Festival, which puts on its main event next weekend, July 24 and 25.
Read more: Getting into the swing of all things Turkish
Amos The Transparent closing out Bluesfest
YourOttawaRegion.com, Jessica Cunha
Kanata-based band plays last day with Weezer
Amos The Transparent closing out Bluesfest. Amos The Transparent is playing Bluesfest Sunday, July 18 at 4 p.m. on the Claridge Homes Stage. Jamie Kronick
Kanata-based band Amos The Transparent is performing on the last day of Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, closing the show with Ottawa bands Ty Hall & The EZ3 and Hollerado, along with headlining act Weezer.
“We’re pretty excited,” said Amos guitarist Dan Hay about the July 18 show. “We’ll be giving a different show than what we usually do.”
A good deal of percussion has been added, along with different arrangements of songs as well as some new material – but the biggest add-on is a “super secret cover song,” said Hay. “It might be a piano-influenced song, it might be from the ’70s and it might be awesome.”
Read more: Amos The Transparent closing out Bluesfest
- 8 July:
- 14 July:
- 24 July:
- 30 July:
- 12 August:
- 13 August:
- 19 August:
- 20 August:
