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
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.
NCC LAUNCHES MOSAIKA, THE NEW SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW ON PARLIAMENT HILL
The National Capital Commission (NCC) today launched a brand new sound and light show on Parliament Hill entitled Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people. 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. It will be presented free of charge evenings until September 12, 2010, and for the next four summers.
“The sound and light show grants the NCC a unique opportunity to instill pride in Canadians and increase visitors’ awareness of our great nation by making the Capital a reflection of the people, values and achievements that define our country,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “Mosaika captures the essence of the Canadian spirit and is sure to dazzle audiences.”
Mosaika, produced by Moment Factory — a Montréal-based production company — is a bilingual show presented seven days a week (weather permitting). Bleacher seating can accommodate approximately 500 spectators. Hours are as follows: from July 8 to 18, 2010, at 10 pm, and from July 19 to September 12, 2010, at 9:30 pm.
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.
REDISCOVER THE NCC DURING “DOORS OPEN OTTAWA” ON JUNE 5 AND 6
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is opening its doors, at 40 Elgin Street, during the “Doors Open Ottawa” event on June 5 and 6, from 10 am to 4 pm. The public is invited to come and rediscover the NCC, while admiring the beautiful architecture of the Central Chambers Building.
The public will be able to learn more about the NCC’s projects, which aim to conserve, improve, plan and enrich Canada’s Capital Region.
This is also an opportunity for the public to review the NCC’s three creative concepts for branding Canada’s Capital. Visitors are invited to share their thoughts on how the concepts reflect a Capital for all Canadians and inspire Capital pride.
Other subjects and activities include the following:
• The official gardener of the NCC for the official residences will share frugal gardening tips with visitors.
• The public will have the opportunity to try a water station to refill their water bottles like the ones that will be used at the different Canada Day sites.
• The NCC’s Archaeologist will be onsite to show artefacts from Canada’s Capital Region.
• The public will have the chance to be part of the pre-show for Mosaika, the new sound and light show on Parliament Hill that will be launched in July.
• As part of the development of the Plan for Canada’s Capital, the NCC will ask the public to share its long-term vision for the Capital.
• A one-minute calculator will be available to determine your carbon footprint and better understand the impact of your lifestyle on the environment.
For more information about “Doors Open Ottawa” at the NCC, 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/doorsopenottawa.
For more information about “Doors Open Ottawa”, visit www.ottawa.ca/doorsopen.
Phase 2A of the Environmental Assessment Study of Interprovincial Crossings:
Public Consultations Completed; Final Documents Released
CANADA’S CAPITAL REGION—As the completion of Phase 2A of the Interprovincial Crossings Environmental Assessment approaches, Co-Entreprise AECOM-Delcan announced today that it has posted on the Study’s website, final versions of the key reports it was commissioned to develop. The reports include:
• The Study Design, which outlines the process and methodology that will be used in the next and final phase of the environmental assessment, Phase 2B, to select an interprovincial bridge crossing in the Region’s east end; and
• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Scoping Report, which provides details on the project and scope of assessment for Phase 2B.
Also posted was a Consultation Summary Report outlining how public consultation at Phase 2A helped inform and shape the two reports. Several opportunities were built-in at Phase 2A to allow communities, members of the public and stakeholders to provide their input into the development of the Study Design and Scoping report. Consultation activities began in December 2009 and comments were accepted up until April 16, 2010. Opportunities to provide comment included:
• Two public sessions held in Ottawa on March 30 and in Gatineau on March 31 (total attendance was over 250)
• Three meetings with the Public Consultation Group (comprised of over 125 members representing 93 organizations with a regional interest in the Study)
• One online consultation exercise (completed by 159 respondents from Ottawa and Gatineau)
• Three meetings with First Nations leaders and representatives
• Ongoing opportunities via comment sheets, mail, fax, email and other means (resulting in hundreds of submissions).
In an additional effort to be proactive and innovative, the Consultant Team also held the following meetings with leaders and residents of communities that stand to be directly or indirectly impacted by a future crossing:
• Six meetings with Community Consultation Groups (CCG), representing communities located within or adjacent to one of the three corridors under consideration;
• Two meetings for Ottawa`s east-end and Lowertown communities, to discuss concerns raised by community leaders regarding truck traffic and the potential impact on commuting times, quality of life, health and safety, etc.
Phase 2A will be completed at the end of June 2010. All comments received from the public and stakeholders have been given full consideration. As part of the Consultation Program’s reporting efforts, the Consultant Team will present their findings and the Final Study Design and Scoping Report at the following three public events:
• June 2: City of Ottawa Transportation Committee
• June 8: Ville de Gatineau Comité plenier
• June 29: NCC Board of Directors Meeting.
Details of the three meetings will be posted on the websites of the meeting hosts.
Phase 2B is anticipated to begin at the end of 2010. The approvals process for the EA Study is expected to extend until the end of 2013.
The Study is funded by the National Capital Commission (NCC), the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ), and guided by a Study Team consisting of the funding partners and the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau. The three corridors under consideration are those that obtained the highest ranking during Phase 1 of the Study: Kettle Island (Corridor 5); Lower Duck Island (Corridor 6); and Gatineau Airport/McLaurin Bay (Corridor 7).
For more information, please visit the Study website at www.ncrcrossings.ca.
NCC TESTS MOSAIKA, THE NEW SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW ON PARLIAMENT HILL
Preparations are under way for the launch of the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) new sound and light show. Work has started on the installation, testing and calibration of equipment for Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people. Two years in the making, this custom-designed show will now be tested in, and adapted to, the unique environment and acoustics of Parliament Hill.
Mosaika — The Show
Set to launch on July 8, 2010, Mosaika, will be a free, bilingual show presented nightly on Parliament Hill, from July through September (weather permitting). This entirely new 30-minute experience will tell the story of Canada — our story — with a powerful narrative set against the spectacular backdrop of the Parliament Buildings. Mosaika will take audiences on an unforgettable journey of sound and light, as they explore Canada’s physical, historical and cultural landscapes.
Mosaika — The Technology
State-of-the-art technology will wrap Parliament Hill’s Centre Block in high-definition video, transforming it into a screen more than 143 metres (470 feet) long and six storeys high. Over 200 moving and static lighting fixtures will light up the Centre Block and a custom-designed sound system will bring Mosaika’s original score, narration and sound effects to life in this one-of-a-kind outdoor environment.
Media — Behind the Scenes
A special “behind the scenes” technical briefing for media is planned for the second week in June. The NCC will provide more details about this exclusive event in the coming weeks.
Background
The NCC has captivated audiences for 25 years with its sound and light shows. The past sound and light show on Parliament Hill, entitled Canada: The Spirit of a Country, debuted in 2005 and ran for five consecutive summers. This very successful production drew record-breaking numbers, and was seen by over 1.2 million spectators.
For more information about Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people, 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 website at canadascapital.gc.ca/mosaika.
NCC HIGHLIGHTS CAPITAL ICONS IN VIRTUAL MUSEUM OF CANADA
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is proud to participate in the Virtual Museum of Canada’s new interactive online exhibit, Canada’s Got Treasures!
Launched today, to mark International Museum Day, Canada’s Got Treasures! invites people, museums and heritage institutions from across the country to share videos and photos of objects they consider to be culturally significant to Canadians through popular social media channels. In addition, each week from May to November 2010, new treasures from Canada’s national museums and institutions will be revealed.
Over the coming weeks, the NCC will contribute to the project by highlighting iconic jewels from Canada’s Capital Region. Set to coincide with Aboriginal Awareness Week (May 19 to 22, 2010), the first such treasure to be showcased is the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. This richly symbolic monument pays tribute to the extensive and voluntary contribution of Aboriginal men and women to the Canadian Forces over the years. It reflects traditional beliefs about honour, duty and harmony with the environment.
For more information about monuments and commemorations in the Capital, 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 www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
For more information on the Virtual Museum of Canada, or Canada’s Got Treasures! please visit www.virtualmuseum.ca.
Here’s your guide to some holiday fun
By Citizen files from Tony Spears, Kristy Nease, Katie Stewart and Bruce Deachman, The Ottawa Citizen
Our traditional observance of Victoria Day (the Queen’s official birthday) has given Canadians the perfect spot on the calendar to unofficially kick off summer. Bedding plants go in the frost-free ground. Cottages are opened and the patio furniture is hosed down. If you need a break from all that work, there’s plenty to do in the capital. The fabulous new incarnation of the Museum of Nature opens, with a packed schedule of special events. It’s also the final weekend to enjoy the Tulip Festival as it wraps up with a Prince Edward Island kitchen party. Another sure sign of the May long weekend is the launch of Sunday Bikedays, when the barriers go up to keep four-wheeled vehicles off the parkways, at least for a few hours.
Read more on the Ottawa Citizen website: Here’s your guide to some holiday fun
NCC HIGHLIGHTS CAPITAL ICONS IN VIRTUAL MUSEUM OF CANADA
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is proud to participate in the Virtual Museum of Canada’s new interactive online exhibit, Canada’s Got Treasures!
Launched today, to mark International Museum Day, Canada’s Got Treasures! invites people, museums and heritage institutions from across the country to share videos and photos of objects they consider to be culturally significant to Canadians through popular social media channels. In addition, each week from May to November 2010, new treasures from Canada’s national museums and institutions will be revealed.
Over the coming weeks, the NCC will contribute to the project by highlighting iconic jewels from Canada’s Capital Region. Set to coincide with Aboriginal Awareness Week (May 19 to 22, 2010), the first such treasure to be showcased is the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. This richly symbolic monument pays tribute to the extensive and voluntary contribution of Aboriginal men and women to the Canadian Forces over the years. It reflects traditional beliefs about honour, duty and harmony with the environment.
For more information about monuments and commemorations in the Capital, 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 www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
For more information on the Virtual Museum of Canada, or Canada’s Got Treasures! please visit www.virtualmuseum.ca
NCC WELCOMES THE CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL TO ITS CAPITAL PARKS
Visit the NCC’s Tulip Legacy Exhibit in Commissioners and Major’s Hill parks
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to welcome the Canadian Tulip Festival to Commissioners and Major’s Hill parks, from May 7 to 24, 2010, and to provide the colourful displays of tulips found throughout the Capital Region.
NCC’S TULIP LEGACY EXHIBIT
Commissioners Park, May 7 to May 24, 2010
Major’s Hill Park, May 14 to 24, 2010
The NCC’s Tulip Legacy Exhibit recounts the history of the Dutch Royal family’s refuge in Canada during the Second World War and the contribution of Canadian troops in the liberation of the Netherlands in 1944-45. With panels, photographs and a discovery cart*, NCC interpreters can help visitors discover how the tulip has become a symbol of peace and freedom shared by Canada and the Netherlands. (*discovery cart available at Commissioners Park, Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm)
65th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF THE NETHERLANDS
This year, 22,000 tulips, donated last fall by the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, will bloom in a special commemorative flowerbed at Commissioners Park to pay tribute to the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. The design of the bed represents, in red and white tulips, the two countries – Canada and the Netherlands, and in blue hyacinths both the Netherlands’ flag and the ocean that unites us.
While touring the Capital, visitors can pick-up a free copy of the “Experience the Beauty! The National Capital Commission’s Tulip Beds” brochure, which provides information on the tulip legacy story, maps out the location of key gardens and designated photo sites in some of the Capital’s most beautiful tulip displays, and recommends walking and cycling routes, with distances, to best enjoy the flowerbeds.
TULIPS AT THE NCC’S CAPITAL INFOCENTRE
May 7 to 14, 2010, from 9 am to 5 pm / May 15 to 24, from 9 am to 9 pm
Tulip lovers will also want to visit the NCC’s Capital Infocentre, one of the Festival’s official sites located across from Parliament Hill. The gallery on the second floor offers an impressive view of the 28,000 red tulips planted by the NCC each year on Parliament Hill.
TULIPS AT THE NCC’S HISTORICAL MACKENZIE KING ESTATE IN GATINEAU PARK
Beginning May 15, weekdays from 11 am to 5 pm and weekends and statutory holidays from 10 am to 5 pm
William Lyon Mackenzie King was Prime Minister of Canada when Princess Juliana of the Netherlands sent a gift of thousands of tulip bulbs to the Canadian people to be planted in Canada’s Capital. Each spring, tulips also bloom at Mackenzie King Estate located in the Capital’s Gatineau Park. The historic buildings of the Estate, set among a unique collection of ruins and stunning gardens, will be open to the public beginning May 15, 2010.
ABOUT THE NCC’S FLORAL PROGRAM
Each spring, over one million tulips and 200,000 annuals planted by the NCC bloom on Parliament Hill, in Major’s Hill, Commissioners and Jacques-Cartier parks, as well as along Confederation Boulevard, the historic Rideau Canal, the Capital’s scenic parkways and recreational pathways, and in front of national museums and institutions. As the official gardener of Canada’s Capital, the NCC is responsible for the design and maintenance of many of the public gardens and the 90 flower beds found throughout the region. The most impressive display of tulips is found in Commissioners Park, where some 300,000 tulips bloom each year.
For more information on tulips, the public can 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/tulips.
For information on the Canadian Tulip Festival, the public can visit the Festival’s website at www.tulipfestival.ca.
