Thousands of area students looking forward to Blues in the Schools
The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest organization will launch the 12th edition of their long-standing Blues in the Schools program on Monday, March 1. The two-week residency program, which sees professional artists/educators visit 18 area schools this year, will run through March 12.
The program begins with a series of assembly-like presentations. A variety of musicians visit two schools per day, performing a total of 72 presentations over the course of four days. The following phase involves classroom-size core groups, with students enjoying a more formal workshop approach. These sessions include a look at the heritage of blues music while examining its influence on other genres. Song writing, singing, and exploring various instruments is also involved. The workshop phase culminates with students performing for their families, teachers and peers. Ultimately these students are offered an opportunity to perform at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, during the festival’s Blues in the Schools day.
Initiated in two Ottawa-area schools in 1999, Blues in the Schools has seen tremendous growth. This year, visiting artists/educators and local musicians will deliver the program to more than 7,000 students in Ottawa-area schools. “The intent of the program,” says Bluesfest executive director, Mark Monahan,” is to expose students from all backgrounds to music and to encourage them to use music as a positive outlet in dealing with the world around them.”
Blues in the Schools is a charitable undertaking, which is financially supported by the not-for-profit Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest organization, with essential support from its private-sector partners: Holiday Inn© Hotel & Suites; Steve’s Music Store; and the Ottawa Citizen.
For more on the Ottawa Bluesfest’s community initiatives, please visit www.ottawabluesfest.ca
Portraits of Bluesfest Silent Auction: A Community Benefit for Blues In The Schools
ONE NIGHT ONLY! FRIDAY AUGUST 28TH, 2009 7:30PM – 10:30PM
ARTGUISE GALLERY: 590 BANK ST. OTTAWA ONTARIO CANADAPREVIEW
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27TH, NOON – 6:00PM and FRIDAY, AUGUST 28TH, NOON – 3:00PM
Artguise Gallery is pleased to be hosting “Portraits of Bluesfest”, a one night silent auction benefiting the “Blues In The Schools” program.
The event; curated by Peter Simpson, The Ottawa Citizen’s Arts and entertainment Editor-at-Large, features original pieces executed and donated by thirteen regional artists :
Jennifer Campbell, Carrie Colton, Heidi Conrod, Philip Craig, Shannon Craig, Andrew Farrell, Tony Fouhse, Darren Holmes, Jim Kohan, Brandon McVittie, Weldon Poapst , Amy Thompson and Jason Vaughan.
All of the pieces being exhibited are derived and inspired by the artist’s individual experiences at the 2009 Ottawa Bluesfest. The format for the evening will be a silent auction. The pieces in the exhibition will be bid upon between 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Vying parties interested in bidding on the works will pay five dollars upon entering the exhibition space. The bidder is then given a number enabling discreet / silent bids to be placed on each painting in increments of twenty dollars. The purchased pieces shall be available to the winning bidders to take away the night of the show.
All payments for the purchased artwork should be made payable by cheque to : Blues in the Schools. Please join us Friday night as this evening promises to be an exciting, talent rich affair benefiting a worthwhile community cause in our fair city. All are welcome!
For more information please contact Brandon McVittie or Jason Vaughan at 613 238 3803 or info@artguise.ca
Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest brings back Keb’ Mo’
Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest organizers today announced a return engagement by three-time Grammy winner, Keb’ Mo’, who wowed Bluesfest fans with a stellar set at the ‘fest in 2008.”When we saw that Keb’ Mo’ was coming to Canada in October, we jumped at the chance to book him,” says Bluesfest Executive director Mark Monahan. “He’s always had a strong following in Ottawa, and to be able to stage the concert in an intimate setting like the Bronson Centre should be a real treat for his fans.”
Keb’ Mo’ will be performing with a full band at Ottawa’s Bronson Centre on Saturday, October 17 at 9 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, August 29, 10:00am @ Ticketmaster; and at Compact Music 785-A Bank Street or 190 Bank Street; and at End Hits, 407 Dalhousie Street. Proceeds are in support of Bluesfest’s Blues in the Schools program.
