British Animators win big at festival
Steven Mazey, The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — British animators Phil Mulloy and Stephen Irwin took home two of the top jury prizes as the Ottawa International Animation Festival that ended Sept. 25.
The annual festival, the largest of its kind in North America, ran Sept. 21 to 25, presenting short and feature films on screens around town, as well as workshops and special screenings outside of the competition. In a closing ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the festival presented more than a dozen awards.
Phil Mulloy, a two-time previous winner at the festival for best feature film, won the prize again for Dead but Not Buried, a dark comedy bout a dead body that goes missing. The jury praised Mulloy’s “innovative way of filmmaking, bold use of minimalistic graphics, original use of sound and subversive humour.”
Stephen Irwin won the $3,000 Nelvana Grand Prize for best independent short animation, for his film Moxie, “for its powerful combination of style and narrative, leaving a memorable impression.”
NCC Wins Two Ottawa Tourism Awards
Canada’s Capital Region The National Capital Commission (NCC) has won two awards at the annual Ottawa Tourism Awards. Winners were announced tonight at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The prestigious awards recognize outstanding examples of quality and creativity in events, celebrations and innovations in the Capital region.
The awards are:
- Innovation of the Year 2010
for the sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people
- Partnership of the Year 2010*
for the Winterlude Opening at Canadian Museum of Civilization
*Note: the NCC and the Canadian Museum of Civilization are honoured to share the Partnership of the Year 2010 title with the Ottawa Chinatown Gateway Project
This brings to five the number of awards that Mosaika, the sound and light show on Parliament Hill has won since it’s launch in July 2010.
“The NCC is thrilled to see its productions, programs and events recognized by Canadian tourism industry leaders,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing of the NCC. “Projects, such as Mosaika and Winterlude, allow Canadians to better understand the importance of their Capital. They also enrich the cultural and social fabric of Canada through public activities and events that foster pride in Canadians.”
The following NCC productions, programs and events were also nominated for awards:
Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people – Event of the Year 2010
Canada Day – Event of the Year 2010
Capital Pathway Network on Google Maps – Partnership of the Year 2010
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.
A wintery family musical
Steven Mazey, Ottawa Citizen
It takes a beloved Hans Christian Andersen tale and adds music, a narrator and elaborate video projections, and its snow and ice-filled story is ideally suited to Winterlude.
On Friday and Saturday at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Ottawa Chamber Music Society will present The Snow Queen, a multi-media piece that includes music by the late Ottawa composer Patrick Cardy, narration by actor Alon Nashman, music performed by the Cecilia String Quartet and video projections by lighting designer Andrea Lundy.
Presented as part of Winterlude celebrations and recommended for children aged five and older, the production by Nashman’s Theaturtle company was praised by a critic for Toronto’s Eyeweekly as “multimedia storytelling at its most sensitive and thoughtful … it held the audience of adults and children rapt in Andersen’s magical world, where hope and love can dispel icy darkness.”
Full story available on the Ottawa Citizen website: A wintery family musical
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month – May 2011
In partnership with government institutions, cultural groups, community groups, embassies and local and national organizations, the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society (OAHMS) proudly presents a dynamic month-long celebration of Asian history and culture.
Asian Heritage Month (AHM) will begin with the Official Launch on May 5 in the Government Conference Centre, 2 Rideau St. Throughout the month the public is invited to enjoy fine music and dance performances, thought provoking and entertaining films, art and photo exhibitions, informative presentations, family celebrations, delectable cooking demonstrations, a hockey tournament and more. Best of all, most AHM activities are free!
The month-long celebration ends with the ever-popular, highly entertaining Gala Concert on June 3 in the Theatre of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Numerous acts from across the pan-Asian spectrum will showcase a cultural fusion of the traditional and the contemporary, where East meets West. There will be sights to dazzle your eyes and sounds to delight your ears. The official list of events will be released in mid-April. Please visit www.asianheritagemonth.net to learn more about the OAHMS and Asian Heritage Month.
In 2002, the Government of Canada designated May as “Asian Heritage Month” to recognize the long, rich history of Asians and their contributions to Canada. AHM is supported by partners like Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian Museum of Nature, City of Ottawa, City of Gatineau, Library & Archives Canada and Ottawa Public Library, as well as numerous sponsors.
The Lost Dominion 70mm Film Festival
The Lost Dominion Screening Collective is proud to present the first annual 70mm Film Festival at the Canadian Museum of Civilization on September the 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2010.
Poster for the 1st Annual 70mm Film Festival
For full festival deatails please visit in70mm.com.
O Ottawa. When did you get so hip? Discovering Canada’s cool capital
Michael Kaminer, Special to The Washington Post
In fact, if anything now characterizes the city, I’d say it’s an unselfconscious cool. There’s a proudly indie aesthetic in its neighborhoods, but without the hipster posturing of Toronto. Unlike language-obsessed Montreal, the city has a relaxed attitude toward bilingualism — everything here comes in both official languages — that lends Ottawa an easy cosmopolitanism.
Oh, yes: Ottawa also boasts Canada’s Parliament, along with the National Gallery, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian War Museum, Rideau Hall, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian Children’s Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. They’re all gleaming, serious attractions, with collections often lauded as some of the world’s best.
They used to be the reason for a visit to Ottawa, with restaurants and shopping an afterthought. These days, don’t be surprised if you find the opposite to be true.
Read the full article in the Washington Post: O Ottawa. When did you get so hip?
Ottawa Folk Festival Joins Forces with the Museum of Civilization for Unplugged Earth Day Celebration, April 22
The Ottawa Folk Festival and the Canadian Museum of Civilization have teamed up to host a candlelit, acoustic Earth Day Celebration at the Museum of Civilization on April 22.
Celebrating Earth day in true eco-friendly fashion, the event will be au natural. Lighting will be provided by candle as well as energy efficient LED bulbs. Entertainment will be acoustic, and refreshments will be low-impact and locally grown. The evenings’ festivities will include intimate, “unplugged” performances from popular local artists Ana Miura with Fred Guignion, Julien Lelièvre, Jill Zmud, Michel Sauvé, and Louis-Philippe Robillard, and awesome eco-chic DIY crafts.
The Ottawa Folk Festival’s participation in the Earth Day event is a natural fit for the green-inspired Festival, the first of the Ottawa festivals to ditch wasteful plastic water bottles for lower-impact public water. The public water initiative in partnership with CUPE, CUPE 503, Ottawa Riverkeepers and Council of Canadians, had water supplied by on-site Hydration Stations which were tapped into Ottawa’s public water, an effort that had a substantially positive effect on the eco-footprint of the festival.
“The festival’s water-bottle ban was also considered a success. Stainless-steel bottles were widely available, and close to 1,000 gallons of water were dispensed at the so-called hydration stations. According to water-station attendants, more than 7,000 plastic bottles were diverted from landfill sites.” – The Ottawa Citizen
The festival also was able to purchase reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery to serve the 600+ volunteers as well as the public throughout the festival weekend; made possible by the TD Friends of the Environment Fund.
This year’s festival will see the continuation of the bottle-free initiative and its resourceful, impact-reducing results.
With free admission to the Earth Day celebration, participants can enjoy the cozy atmosphere and music performances while taking part in eco-friendly arts and crafts with all supplies provided. Locally produced refreshments can be purchased from the cash bar.
The Earth Day Celebration will take place at the Ottawa Museum of Civilization in the Grand Hall and Riverview Lobby at Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7pm. Admission, musical performances, and eco-crafts are free.
32ND WINTERLUDE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS: Winter Fun Brings Out The Crowds
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce that the 32nd Winterlude, Canada’s winter celebration, was a resounding success. Although no official survey was conducted this year, organizers estimate that over 600,000 visitors enjoyed the official sites over the three weekends of Winterlude, which took place from February 5 to 21, 2010.
“Winterlude offers residents and visitors from around the world a chance to enjoy a Northern experience that is typically Canadian. The NCC is proud to contribute to promoting Canada’s Capital Region across Canada and around the world,” said Jean François Trépanier, Executive Vice-President of Operations at the NCC, during the Ice Hogs’ farewell, Winterlude’s closing ceremony.
Winterlude 2010 highlighted the 40th season of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the Olympic Winter Games and Canada’s solidarity with Haiti, through a special project with the Red Cross.
American Express® Winterlude Opening
The American Express® Winterlude Opening at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Major’s Hill Park was a great success. More than 25,000 people attended the sports and cultural performances and watched the fantastic musical fireworks display.
The NCC is increasingly seeking federal partnerships to offer diversified cultural programming that highlights the treasures of the Capital Region’s federal institutions. The successful partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization demonstrated the potential of this approach.
Rideau Canal Skateway
The Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest naturally frozen ice rink, was open from the National Arts Centre to Dows Lake, during all three Winterlude weekends. The quality of the ice surface allowed events and activities to take place along the full length of the Skateway. Today marks the 23rd day of consecutive skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway and the 40th season will continue while conditions allow.
An initiative that engaged youth, Urban Art, an exhibit expressing young local artists’ vision of the Rideau Canal Skateway through graffiti, drew large crowds to the outdoor gallery at Dows Lake. These works will remain on display throughout the entire skating season.
Winterlude visitors had many opportunities to enjoy winter fun and become more acquainted with Canadian traditions during activities such as the Great Canadian Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Classic, the Annual Bedzzz Bed Race, Subway® Learn to Skate lessons, and the Portrait Gallery of Canada’s exhibition of the portraits of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Rogers Crystal Garden at Confederation Park
Rogers Crystal Garden enchanted the thousands of visitors and those who love ice sculptures, during the three weekends of Winterlude.
The 23rd Rogers International Ice-Carving Competition, with 38 professional sculptors from 13 countries, included several competitions that took place in Confederation Park. Visitors could also take in a majestic sculpture celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy, an ice replica of HMCS Sackville, as well as the impressive six-tonne ephemeral ice sculpture of a polar bear.
Rogers Crystal Lounge was also the place to be for those who enjoy DJ music. The performance by well-known DJ Dan Desnoyers attracted a large crowd.
Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom
Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau was a paradise for children, youth and families. Thousands of visitors slid down the 30 slides, made their way through the Olympic-themed snow maze and tried their hand at ice fishing on the Ottawa River.
The NCC, in collaboration with the Ville de Gatineau, presented the National Snow Sculpture Competition, the theme of which was “Winter Fun.” The 10 teams, representing various Canadian provinces and territories, each had the task of carving a 40-tonne block of snow. The sculpture entitled Snow Skates, created by the team from Alberta received top honours, winning both the Jury’s Award and the People’s Choice Award.
Several performances, such as “Arthur L’aventurier,” also captured the attention of visitors to Snowflake Kingdom. The screening of the Québécois film La Guerre des tuques, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, was very popular, as were the walkabouts by the Ice Hog family, Winterlude’s famous mascots.
The NCC is proud of Winterlude’s success, and of the successful skating season on the Rideau Canal Skateway. The NCC gratefully acknowledges the support and collaboration of some 700 volunteers, and its many sponsors and partners, including the City of Ottawa, the Ville de Gatineau, OC Transpo, the Société de transport de l’Outaouais, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Government of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian Forces, the Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable, American Express®, Rogers, Sun Life Financial and WestJet.
The NCC is inviting the public to mark their calendars for the 33rd edition of Winterlude that will take place from February 4 to 20, 2011.
For more information about the NCC, please call 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
27 Years of Winterlude Triathlon in Ottawa
By Devashish Paul
www.xtri.com
2/2/2010
The Winterlude Triathlon is one of Canada’s oldest multisport events. This Saturday Feb 6, 2010, it goes into its 27th year in Canada’s Capital, Ottawa, Ontario. Typically, and I say typically, because mother nature works in weird ways, the event is held in the following format:
• 8K mass start speed skate event on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa
• T1 on the ice and change into XC skis, with a race distance of 5-6K depending on the year
• T2, back on the ice and then run 5K with 4K of it on ice, and 1k on a path beside the Rideau Canal
Typically the top competitors are done in around 1 hour, so if you want to put it into the context of summer triathlon, it is more like a sprint triathlon, but requiring a unique mix of winter sporting skills. It is traditionally the kick off event for both the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, which is essentially a 2 week long excuse to party in the depth of winter with a variety of events centered around snow and ice around the historic Rideau Canal.
For those who have been here to race the Canadian Irondistance and half irondistance events in September, the Winterlude tri uses some of the same “geography” smack in the middle of town along the Canal that Colby built in the 1800’s so that the capital could be connected through waterways down to the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes system….now it is used largely by boaters during three seasons and skaters in the winter.
While you might think “what does an event like this have anything to do with triathlon in the ‘traditional sense,’” think twice. As you know, Canada is not just famous for producing hockey players, but we have a long history of producing Triathlon Olympic medalists and Kona champions. It is funny how a nation that is largely covered by snow and ice for 4-5 months can produce champions in the heat of Kona, Sydney or Beijing. Chalk it up to some of the mental tenacity that comes with growing up under some pretty harsh weather circumstances, where we learn from an early age that you can’t let bad days get in the way of training. Heat, cold, wind, snow, ice…in the mind you use the same psychology to work with nature to achieve personal victories.
So back to the Winterlude tri, while we get our swims in at the pool, battle nature during our runs and are confined to the trainer for any form of riding, many of us get ready for the next triathlon season with a mix of the above, complimented by XC skiing, snowshoeing and speed skating. The sports offer great compliment to our triathlon preparation and best of all, another “racing season” to beat ourselves up over.
I raced the Winterlude triathlon for several years and it is truly one of the most fun days of my year. Sure as heck beats the inevitable shuffle with the 800 lbs gorilla around 16 miles into an Ironman run.
I had the opportunity to catch up with Race Director Rick Hellard recently who aside from running this race is an accomplished athlete of his own right with an 8:41 Ironman PB and a former member of the Canadian Elite triathlon team. Rick also has a thriving coaching business (www.zone3sports.com) that has helped athletes from across the region achieve PB’s from first time Ironman finishes to overall IM victories.
To read Dev’s interview with Rick Hellard, click here.
Winterlude kicks off at Museum of Civilization – Feb. 5
By Tony Lofaro
The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — The 32nd edition of Winterlude opens Friday night at the Canadian Museum of Civilization with a splash that includes, among other special effects, a musical fireworks show.
The opening events take place indoors and outside the museum beginning at 7 p.m.
The evening includes The National Parcs, three musicians and a VJ who use strong lyrics and visuals to promote positive environmental messages in their show Timbervision. As well, those attending will see The Mythical Creatures on Stilts showcase with larger-than-life animal characters on stilts, and Nite-Lite, an interactive installation by artist Alexandra Gonzalez-Vucina that borrows from the concept of Lite-Brite, the popular toy from the ’60s and ’70s.
Glacialis is an original performance piece by composer/percussionist Jesse Stewart who produces sounds from very unlikely sources. H2Orchestra features a hydraulophone, the world’s first and only water-based musical instrument which was invented by Canadian artist Steve Mann. Their performance will be in an outdoor bathtub.
Fireworks beginning at 8:50 p.m. will explode to musical accompaniment and can be viewed from the museum grounds, Major’s Hill Park or from Jacques Cartier Park. The fireworks soundtrack will be broadcast live on CHIN Radio, 97.9 FM.
After, DJ Misstress Barbara spins tunes outdoors in a giant bubble. Improvised dance moves to the music of DJ MIsstress Barbara will come from Thomas Clair, Rhonda Dextor, Driven Dance and Culture Shock. And inside the museum, Saltarello, a three-piece band from Rouyn-Noranda will perform instruments from different cultures.
Over at Major’s Hill Park, the Flying Canucks will showcase their freestyle ski and snowboard skills with extreme sports demonstrations. Jacques Cartier Park will also be the scene for the Tethered Hot Air Balloon that lights up and presentations of winter-inspired, short animated films will be screened on a giant snow screen.
To read the full article, click here.
