The good news and the bad about the arts in Canada
Charles Gordon, YourOttawaRegion.com
Summer is the right time for a look at the good, the bad and, yes, the ugly in the Canadian arts.
First the good: Last week, during the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, a band of young musicians rehearsed in the theatre of Library and Archives Canada, as part of the TD Jazz Youth Summit. The 17 players, high school, university and college students, were brought together from across the country. Later, they would present two concerts on the festival’s main stage.
Three seasoned pros, all Canadians, worked with them as they struggled to learn a difficult composition, Transit, by Darcy James Argue. The band’s musical director, Jim Lewis, a Toronto trumpeter, composer and teacher, welcomed Argue, who is originally from Vancouver but now leads a New York-based band. One of his trumpet players, Ingrid Jensen, who is also originally from British Columbia, also pitched in, as well as playing fiery trumpet solos.
The guidance was in part technical but also general – it was about breathing, it was about not playing timidly, it was about projecting authority and it was enjoyed by both sides. “I’m very appreciative of you guys playing my music,” Argue told them.
By the end of the 90-minute rehearsal, the piece was sounding almost as professional as it would sound later that night, when Argue’s own band, the Secret Society, played it in Confederation Park.
Read more on the Your Ottawa Region website: The good news and the bad about the arts in Canada
Top-Notch Musicians Play Ottawa Jazz Festival: Béla Fleck and Matt Andersen thrill the crowd
Susan Hallett, Epoch Times
Canada Day saw masses of people at Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa. Two boys were swimming in the fountain while three others gathered the pennies people had thrown in for good luck while I strolled past. Mobs of people were licking ice cream cones and eating rotis, sipping beer and enjoying poutine along with the all-day free jazz concerts at the 31st annual TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
What we heard on this perfect, star-filled night was an absolutely unique bluegrass-jazz crossover displaying what the festival brochure describes as “a special kinship between the four musicians, a bond forged over 20 years ago in a mutual passion for creativity and artistic advancement.” After playing with various artists and taking a hiatus, Fleck reconvened the original Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, that amazing initial line-up of an incredible combo.
Ottawans and fellow jazz lovers were fortunate to have the opportunity to hear these stars play. It was definitely a night to remember.
Full review on the Epoch Times website: Top-Notch Musicians Play Ottawa Jazz Festival
Hugh Masekela replaces Youssou N’Dour in the 2011 Ottawa Jazz Festival lineup
OttawaJazzScene.ca
The Ottawa International Jazz Festival announced June 13 that South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela has replaced Youssou N’Dour in the 2011 jazz festival lineup. The festival said N’Dour had abruptly cancelled his Canadian tour and will return home to Senegal following a family emergency. A story in a Montreal Gazette blog suggested N’Dour had a problem with obtaining visas.
Masekela last appeared in Ottawa in 2008 at a jazz festival winter concert. The famed vocalist and trumpet player will perform in Confederation Park on Tuesday, June 28 at 8:30 p.m. All tickets purchased for the N’Dour performance will be honoured for Masekela’s show.
Much of Masekela’s music reflects his experience of growing up in South Africa under apartheid. As an icon of the fight for equality in that nation, his style is derived from the battlefields of Johannesburg, the street, the church, labour camps and political protests,along with the sounds of South Africa’s diverse ethnic culture. His story is told in vivid portraits of the struggle and the sorrows, the joys and thepassions of his country.
In other lineup changes, French trumpeter Médéric Collignon
earlier cancelled his appearance at the festival due to health issues. No replacement for his concert has been announced.
The Festival also announced that Israeli piano dynamo Omri Mor will be performing at the festival on Thursday, June 23 (instead of June 30); logistical issues had originally put this concert into doubt.
Rideau Canal Festival announces lineup
Tony Lofaro, Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — The Rideau Canal Festival is rolling toward its fourth year, adding some new wrinkles to a midsummer festival that celebrates the canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Borrowing a page from other local festivals, the Rideau Canal festival is this year introducing a passport offering discounts valued at $100 at all festival sites and activities, including canal bikes, walking and bicycle heritage tours, as well the adopt-a-metre-of the canal program. The passport is $20 for adults, children under 12 are admitted free to festival sites.
The festival will also have a World Heritage Stage Concert Series featuring several Ottawa-area bands at Confederation Park, one of the official festival sties. Some highlights include Fresh Beat, a house music show marking UNESCO’s International Youth Year, and Puffin Productions’ environmental storytelling and music for children, and also music honouring some of the builders of the canal.
Read more on the Ottawa Citizen website: Rideau Canal Festival announces line-up
Ottawa Turkish Festival
The Festival will be open to general public free of charge and will display Turkish art, folk dance, music and gourmet food, where visitors will get an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage and cuisine.
The first Ottawa Turkish Festival was organized in 2007, based on the fantastic initial success it has expanded to weeklong festival. Turkish culture, dance and music have mesmerized audiences for the past four years and this year’s schedule promises no different.
Visitors will be able to browse and buy Turkish products, souvenirs and handcrafts, participate in activities for children, view many authentic demonstrations and performances, sample Turkish cuisine, and do much, much more at the Festival.
| Flag Raising Ceremony 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2011 Ottawa Police Headquarters 474 Elgin Street |
Turkish Parade Noon – 1 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 Sparks Street Mall (Starts at Lyon to Elgin) |
| Festival Opening Gala 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 Ottawa City Hall 110 Laurier Avenue West |
Festival Grounds Noon – 9 p.m. Saturday, July 23 & Sunday, July 24, 2011 Confederation Park Ottawa |
What to expect at the Festival?
- Performances of Turkish Folk Dances, Whirling Dervish of Rumi and Live Turkish Music.
- Watch an Ebru (Water Marbling) painting demonstration on paper and Classical Calligraphy Drawing.
- Relax at the Turkish Oriental Corner, decorated with pillows, rugs, arts, handicrafts, traditional jewelry and more.
- Enjoy Turkish cuisine, sample gourmet foods including kababs, donair vegetarian & olive oil dishes, Gözleme (Turkish Pancake), Börek (Turkish Flaky Pastry), Mantı (Turkish Ravioli), as well as drinks like Ayran (Turkish Buttermilk). A meal would not be complete without desert! Taste Baklava, Turkish delight and more.
- Don’t miss popular Turkish coffee and tea served in an authentic setting
- Let your kids enjoy all sorts of activities: face painting, games, cotton candy, the inflatable village and more!
- Browse the different vendors and booths for books, souvenirs, fine arts and crafts.
- Visit our employment corner to discuss career opportunities with the Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ottawa Police.
- Support charitable organizations like Northern Lights Educational Services (NLES) providing top quality Child Care services and the Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) hosting monthly Interfaith Dialogue Talk Series (IDTS).
- Plan your trip to Turkey, to the land of ancient civilizations! Pickup a copy of touristic brochures available at our information booth.
This year the Festival promises to be even better with International performers and increased programming! It will take place on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24 at Confederation Park in Ottawa. For the complete week-long Festival Events Schedule please visit www.ottawaturkishfestival.com.
WINTERLUDE PROMISES A SECOND WEEKEND OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES
Line-up includes: Yukon Celebrations, Giant Human Foosball, Great Canadian Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Championship a Sub-Zero DJ Series, and Roxy Paine at the National Gallery of Canada
The National Capital Commission (NCC) wishes to remind residents and visitors that the second weekend of the 33rd edition of Winterlude, Canada’s winter celebration, promises to be an exciting one. Winterlude continues in the Capital Region until February 21, 2011.
Here is a sampling of some of the activities taking place during the second weekend of Winterlude:
WINNERS OF THE 24TH ROGERS INTERNATIONAL ICE-CARVING COMPETITION
Over the first weekend of Winterlude, the National Capital Commission (NCC) hosted 28 professional carvers from 11 different countries at the Rogers Crystal Garden 24th International Ice-Carving Competition, held in Confederation Park.
The NCC is pleased to announce the winners of the 24th Rogers International Ice-Carving Competition in the Pairs categories and the Media Choice Award.
Pairs Category
1st place: Junichi Nakamura & Hideshi Terada (Japan/Canada) – Life in the Balance
2nd place: Samuel Girault & Michal Mizula (France/Poland) – Duel
3rd place: Ross Baisas & Michael Tuinstra (Philippines/Canada) – Destiny
Media Choice Award: Junichi Nakamura & Hideshi Terada (Japan/Canada) – Life in the Balance
The NCC would like to thank Mathilde Hountchégnon from Rogers TV and Codi Jeffreys from Majic100 for accepting to participate as media judges. VOTE ONLINE for the Best Winterlude Ice Carving Contest
Rogers People’s Choice: Vote for your favourite sculpture for a chance to win a trip for two with WestJet. Visit Winterlude.gc.ca for more details. (contest open until Sunday, February 21, 4pm) On Friday, February 4, carvers taking part in the Rogers One-Block Challenge transformed one block of ice into a sculpture inspired by the theme “Yin and Yang” in two hours.
The winners of the Rogers One-Block Challenge at Confederation Park are:
1st place: Ross Baisas (Philippines)
2nd place: Fermin Gomez (Mexico)
3rd place: Wang Ji Wei (China)
For more information about Winterlude, 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 NCC’s website at Winterlude.gc.ca.
Benson hits the groove where jazz meets soul
Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
The scattered showers and cool temperatures were a minor inconvenience for smooth-jazz master George Benson at Confederation Park on Wednesday. He’s such a pro, he made everyone feel like they were in a cushy seat in a posh casino instead of a damp lawnchair.
“It’s party time, people,” the good-natured musician said at one point. “The rain ain’t gonna get us.”
The 67-year-old singer-guitarist began with a couple of instrumental pieces, Collaboration and Weekend in L.A., that demonstrated his effortlessly fluid style on a hollow-body guitar. Cascades of notes tumbled from his fingers in the form of elegant melodies, showcasing a unique playing style that was flashy but, at the same time, restrained.
Full review on the Ottawa Citizen website: Benson hits the groove where jazz meets soul
Brubeck and Sanford to Perform at Ottawa International Jazz Festival
The Ottawa Citizen
By Peter Hum
This year, with the Ottawa International Jazz Festival turning 30, the National Arts Centre marking its 40th season and Dave Brubeck turning 90, a festive collaboration is in order.
The festival will present the jazz legend on July 3 in Confederation Park, with the NAC Orchestra, the festival’s executive producer Catherine O’Grady said.
Brubeck, best known for performing the catchy composition Take Five by his alto saxophonist bandmate Paul Desmond, played the Ottawa festival’s mainstage in 2007.
“When we get e-mails about who we need to bring back, the hands-down winner is Dave Brubeck,” O’Grady said.
The festival’s lineup is not yet finalized, but it is to be announced April 8. However, some of the event’s main attractions have already posted online the news of their performances in Ottawa.
Among them is alto saxophonist David Sanborn, who will play Confederation Park on June 26.
To read the full story, read Brubeck’s coming back.
TD Jazz Youth Summit @ Ottawa Int’l Jazz Festival – Call for Applications
TD Jazz Youth Summit
For the 6th consecutive year, the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival is pleased to invite young jazz musicians between the ages of 17 and 22 to participate in a jazz intensive workshop during the 2010 Festival from June 24 to July 4. The results from the week long summit will be showcased during a special Canada Day presentation on July 1, and again on July 4 on the Festival’s Main Stage in Confederation Park. All eligible young jazz musicians may apply for this exciting musical adventure by March 30th, 2010.
Jim Lewis, the director of this intensive summit, is a renowned jazz professor at Humber College and the University of Toronto. He will select 15 – 20 young musicians from across Canada to participate in this event, consisting of daily 4-hour work sessions, visits from Festival headliners, and other workshop guests.
All Summit participants will receive:
- all access pass to all concerts during the 11-day TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival
- all travel and accommodation expenses for out of town participants (Summit participants are responsible for their own food and beverages)
- a guided tour of Ottawa provided by the National Capital Commission
- eligibility to be selected for a $2,000 scholarship donated by the Festival, and a $1,000 scholarship donated by Harvey Glatt through Rogers
Applications must be received by March 30th, 2010.
Contact Catherine O’Grady at 613.241.2633 or 1-888-226-4495 for detailed information.
