Students’ Art to Fly High in Canada’s Capital
NCC invites young Canadians to express their views in their own inspiring way
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ─ The National Capital Commission (NCC), in partnership with Classroom Connections, is kicking off the third year of a cross-Canada classroom banner contest and public art project.
Students in Grades 5 through 8 (Elementary 5 through Secondary 2 in Quebec) are being asked to create and submit a one-of-a-kind banner design to the “Raise Your Voices!” National Student Banner Contest 2012. Designs should represent an issue or topic of importance to Canadian youth. The deadline for entries is February 17, 2012. The seven winning banners will be professionally produced by the NCC and seen by thousands as they fly in Major’s Hill Park from May to October 2012.
“Through this contest, our youth can share the events, people and symbols that they identify with,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing at the NCC. “We look forward to reflecting their ideas and values in Canada’s Capital Region for all residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Countdown is on to the Biggest Birthday Celebration in the Country
Celebrate Canada Day at the Capital’s official sites
[Source: press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ─ With one month to go until Canada’s 144th birthday, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce celebration details for two of the three official sites for Canada Day festivities in the Capital: Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa, and Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau. Celebration plans for the iconic heart of the party, Parliament Hill, with Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William and Catherine, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will be shared soon.
The 2011 Canada Day activities will celebrate the Centennial of Parks Canada, the oldest national parks service in the world, the 120th anniversary of the Canadian invention of basketball and the 150th anniversary of the birth of its inventor, Dr. James Naismith, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Ballet of Canada, and will highlight three of Canada’s Cultural Capitals for 2011, the City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the City of Lévis, Québec, and the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. The day will culminate in a breathtaking fireworks display.
“Canada’s Capital is an inspiring reflection of the people, values and achievements of this country, and no day is that more evident than on Canada Day,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “On July 1, the Capital will undoubtedly be the ideal place to have a memorable, Canadian experience.”
Time for Tulips: Festival season kicks off Friday with Canadian Tulip Festival
Tony Lofaro, The Ottawa Citizen
Much like May weather in Ottawa, the Canadian Tulip Festival is always evolving. And this year, the festival, which kicks off Friday, may evolve into having few tulips.
Fewer blooms will be just one of the changes to the festival this year. Organizers are restoring a single passport to all events, reducing the Celebridée speaker series, and bringing several Ottawa bands to the stage at Major’s Hill Park, including Amos the Transparent and The Murder Plans. The International Pavilion featuring the culture and cuisine of more than 20 embassies is back at Major’s Hill after a disastrous stint last year at Lansdowne Park. A children’s program has been added, and Waylon, a hot new Dutch artist, will perform in the Mirror Tent May 15.
The festival’s theme is “Liberation,” and things get rolling at noon Friday with a street party on Sparks Street to mark the 65th anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands at the end of the Second World War.
“We intend to have a huge celebration and throw a street party much as in the spirit of 1945,” says festival spokeswoman Christine Charette.
Read more: Time for Tulips
Tulip Festival lineup revealed
Liberation party to kick off festivities
The Ottawa Citizen
By Tony Lofaro
The Canadian Tulip Festival unveiled its new lineup Tuesday, offering 1945-style nostalgia with a Liberation Street Party and the return of some favourites, including a revived Festival Passport.
The theme this year is Liberation and a highlight is the Liberation Street Party, which kicks off May 7 on Sparks Street, recreating the events of May 7, 1945, when news arrived that Europe had been liberated by Allied forces. There will be bands and street cafés from Elgin to Bank Street, including Cabaret Libre, which will showcase 1940’s-era cabaret and swing music.
The festival runs from May 7 to 24.
The International Pavilion returns to Major’s Hill Park after a one-year stay at Lansdowne Park and will feature a beer garden hosted by Beau’s Brewery of Vankleek Hill, as well as the cuisine and culture of 23 countries.
Celebridée, the much vaunted speaker series, returns to the Mirror Tent at Major’s Hill Park and some of the announced speakers so far include Jeremy Rifkin, author of Empathic Civilization, Andrew Cohen, president of the Dominion Institute, and Ottawa lawyer Ron Caza.
Under its Capital Sounds banner, the festival is bringing music back to Major’s Hill Park with Ottawa bands The JiveWires and John Carroll and The FiftyMen. There will also be a P.E.I. Kitchen Party with chef Michael Smith, featuring six local restaurants offering samples of seafood.
To read the full article, click on Tulip Festival lineup revealed.
[N.B. Chantal Gagnon has advised that, in September of 2009 the Dominion Institute and the Historica Foundation of Canada merged to create the Historica-Dominion Institute, and that Andrew Cohen's proper title is President, Historica-Dominion Institute.]
