White Cloud weaves Mongolian folk with American rock
David Bohatyretz, The Epoch Times
Photo: Pam McLennan of the Epoch Times
As dusk settled on Saturday August 14, Namgar thrilled the crowd at the Ottawa Folk Festival with its amplified versions of traditional folk songs.
Namgar (“white cloud” in Tibetan) was founded in Buryatia, a republic of Russia, by Namgar Lkhasaranova, from whom the band takes its name.
Possibly among the most obscure bands to appear in festival history, Namgar was well-received in the capital city, as it was nights previous in Vancouver, where it sold the last of its CDs. For this reviewer this came as a blow, which was softened greatly however when Bulat Gafarov, the violinist, gave me his own disk, which features an intriguing blend of hand percussion, strings, and vocals.
Read the full review @ The Epoch Times online: White Cloud weaves Mongolian folk with American rock
17th edition of Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest a massive success
Once again, the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest saw thousands of fans make their way down to LeBreton Flats Park for twelve days of outstanding music and comedy programming. As always the festival offered something for everyone. From indie punkers Alexisonfire to Tuvan throat singers YAT-KA—along with the likes of Iron Maiden, Further with Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, the B52s, Joan Jett, The Flaming Lips, Rush, Arcade Fire, Crowded House, Great Big Sea, Keith Urban, Weezer, and 250 other acts thrown in for good measure—the festival drew in excess of 350,000 fans.
Over the course of 17 years, the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest has grown to become the landmark event of the Ottawa summer and one of the top-ten outdoor music festivals in the world, according to Billboard Magazine.
The Massive outdoor event has deep roots in the community and is staged with the help of thousands of community volunteers. In 2010 4,000 volunteers worked 26,000 shifts and contributed over 100,000 hours. Within three days of the line-up announcement all volunteer shifts were filled and registration was maxed out.
The ongoing love affair between the ‘fest and its fans continued in 2010. Audiences were blown away by newcomers to the event such as the John Butler Trio, Caravan Palace, and Dana Fuchs and by rare appearances in Ottawa by the Flaming Lips and Santana, who drew the largest crowds ever seen at the event.
“I’d like to recognize the best music fans in the world—from Ottawa and beyond,” says Mark Monahan, the festival’s executive and artistic director. “Your support means everything to us and keeps us trying to improve your festival experience, year after year.” Monahan added that it was great to have another successful event in the books, and after a week or two off, Monahan and his team are ready to roll up their sleeves and start planning for 2011.
Reggae fest to bring in more Caribbean heat
TIM WIECLAWSKI | METRO OTTAWA
Local reggae fans are in for an unforgettable weekend this August, according to the president of the third annual Ottawa Reggae Festival.
“We hope that the community comes out to support this event,” said festival president Benjamin Williams at the official media launch Wednesday. “We’re geared up and ready to go.”
Williams would not predict how many people they expect attend the festival, but he hoped the lineup would be exciting to the whole city.
Full story: Reggae fest to bring in more Caribbean heat
Bluesfest set to bring out some heavy sounds
TIM WIECLAWSKI | METRO OTTAWA
When the members of The Reverb Syndicate first got together, it was just to enjoy playing a different brand of surf music.
“We thought maybe a handful of people might get it,” said Jeff Welch, of The Reverb Syndicate.
Turns out, the Ottawa-based quartet has managed to attract many fans. In their brief career, they’ve been able to play concerts in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, New York City and as far away as London, England.
On July 17, they’ll be making their second appearance at Bluefest after getting “nothing but love” when they played there in 2007, said Welch.
Read the full article @ Metro Ottawa online: Bluesfest set to bring out some heavy sounds
Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest forms new partnership with the National Gallery of Canada
The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest organization and the National Gallery of Canada—which features their exciting summer exhibition Pop Life: Art in a Material World—have formed a partnership. Pop Life will become the presenting sponsor of the sophomore edition of the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest ByWard. This popular, free music programming on an outdoor stage in the ByWard Market was introduced for the first time in the summer of ’09. It was a big hit bringing in almost 75,000 Ottawa residents and visitors to Ottawa to see a wide variety of acts. Pop Life is also a key new feature on the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest website that allows patrons to preview the exhibition and add its dates and surrounding events to their personal Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest calendars.
Pop Life Presents the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest ByWard from July 8 through July 13. Pop culture enthusiasts can check out Pop Life: Art in a Material World at the National Gallery of Canada then stop by the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest ByWard Pop Life Stage on York Street for some free musical entertainment! Officials from both organizations feel that this partnership adds an extra dimension to their respective events and creates a “win win” situation for music lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
The Ottawa Bluesfest ByWard line-up includes: City and Colour; Doc Walker; Taj Mahal; Wintersleep; Stereos; Tokyo Police Club; Junior Brown; Born Ruffians; Amanda Rheaume; Peter Voith; the Mighty Popo; Jhevon Paris; JW-Jones; Jeff Rogers; and Abandon All Ships.
Go to: www.ottawabluesfest.ca for a link to all the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest ByWard programming details.
Pop Life: Art in a Material World
June 11 through September 19, 2010
SPECIAL EXHIBITION GALLERIES
Pop Life: Art in a Material World explores the complex relationship between contemporary art, commerce, marketing and the mass media that has evolved since the late 1980s when Andy Warhol uttered his provocative maxim that “good business is the best art.” Featuring artists often known as much for their notoriety as for their art, the exhibition traces how Warhol, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, Keith Haring, Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, Martin Kippenberger and numerous other high-profile figures from the international art world from the 1980s to today have developed iconic, at times even famous, signature “brands” using their artistic persona as much as their art.
Organized by Tate Modern, London, in association with the National Gallery of Canada.
For more information and Gallery hours, visit the exhibition website: www.gallery.ca/poplife/
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
Registration now open for HOPE Volleyball SummerFest
ATTENTION VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS, BOTH SKILLED AND CHALLENGED…
…start polishing up those mad volleyball skills
or at least give the appearance that you are by registering your team! Come out, have fun and support five great charities at HOPE Volleyball SummerFest on Saturday, July 10!
In addition to helping improve your game or give you bragging rights, you’ll be playing for five local charities dedicated to great causes.
Registration Opens Friday, April 30!
Register your team in the division of your choice at:
2010 team entry fees for each division are as follows:
Corporate $875
Competitive Plus $875
Competitive $425
Recreation $375
Registration closes Friday, May 28
Music in the city
TIM WIECLAWSKI, METRO OTTAWA
Summer in Ottawa is festival season, which brings no shortage of outdoor concerts for every taste.
The big one, as always, is Ottawa Bluesfest, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people to LeBreton Flats Park in early July.
Jazzfest starts June 24 and ends July 4. Most of the big concerts take place in Confederation Park, but shows also take place in the National Arts Centre. The Jazzfest concerts Canada Day will be part of dozens of shows available for revellers on the nation’s birthday.
Full article on Metro Ottawa website: Music in the city
Ottawa Bluesfest lineup announced: Festival nabs Rush, Drake, Keith Urban, Arcade Fire, Great Big Sea and Santana.
Lynn Saxberg, Canwest News Service
One of the biggest summer music festivals in the country, Bluesfest runs from July 6 to 18 on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats. This year’s event starts on a Tuesday, a day earlier than the festival’s traditional start date, but includes a day off on July 12. The newly devised schedule divides the festival into two separate weeks.
In all, about 230 acts are performing at Bluesfest, including about 60 from the Ottawa area. Concerts take place on five outdoor stages and in the museum’s indoor Barney Danson theatre.
Last year’s festival attracted more than 350,000 people, according to statistics gathered by the festival.
Full story on Canada.com: Ottawa Bluesfest lineup announced
Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest announces blockbuster line-up
Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest organizers have announced the line-up for the 2010 edition of the festival. This year, scheduling will run from Tuesday, July 6 through Sunday, July 11 (Monday will be an off-day for fans and organizers to re-charge their batteries) and re-commence Tuesday, July 13 through Sunday, July 18. Festival organizers are expecting another year of great attendance while offering a dynamic festival experience, for what Billboard Magazine has ranked as one of the top-10 festivals in the world.
Confirmed Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest acts to-date include Alexisonfire; Anders Osborne & Johnny Sansone; Andrew Bird; AfroReggae; Arcade Fire; Aterciopelados; Babe Ruth; Basia Bulat; Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba; Bear in Heaven; Big Jeezus Truck; Big Soul Project featuring Roxanne Goodman; Bill ‘Sauce Boss’ Wharton; Bjorn Berg; Blonde Redhead; Campbell Brothers; Caravan Palace; Carolyn Wonderland; The Cat Empire; Champion and His G-Strings; Charlie Winston; Coolooloosh; Crowded House; Culture Reject; Curtis Salgado; Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band; Down With Webster; Drake; Dream Theatre; Eamon McGrath; Elvis Perkins; Ethiopique; Faber Drive; Foghat; Furthur featuring Phil Lesh & Bob Weir; Garaga; Gipsy Kings; GOOD2GO; Gord Downie and the Country of Miracles; Great Big Sea; Great Lake Swimmers; Group 1 Crew; Grupo Fantasma; Iron Maiden; James Hunter; Jimmy Cliff; Joan Jett; Joe Krown Trio with Walter Wolfman Washington & Russell Batiste; John Butler Trio; John Hiatt; John Kilduff; Keith Urban; Ken Workman & the Union; Kevin Costner and Modern West; Kings Go Forth; Konono No. 1; Lady Tramaine Hawkins; Laurent Bourque; Levon Helm; LIGHTS; Loudlove; Lukas Nelson; Marc Cohn; Marcia Ball & The Voice of The Wetlands All Stars featuring Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Johnny Sansone, Waylon Thibodeaux, and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux; Marianas Trench; Martin Sexton; Matt Andersen; Matthew Good; Matt Schofield; Metric; Moneen; Monster Mike Welch; NEWWORLDSON; Nicolas Collins; Occidental Brothers; Octoberman; Ozomatli; Passion Pit; Paul Rishell & Annie Raines; Planet Smashers; Renaissance; Richie Righteous; River City Junction; Robert Farrell Band; Robert Randolph & the Family Band; Roger Hodgson; Ronnie Baker Brooks; Roy Rogers & The Delta River Kings; Rosanne Cash; The Rural Alberta Advantage; Ryan Montbleau Band; Santana; Septentrional d’Haiti; Slyde; Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes; Staff Benda Bilili; Steel Pulse; Steve Dawson’s Mississippi Sheiks Project; Steve Hackett; Steve Winwood; That 1 Guy; That’s the Spirit; Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience; The Aggrolites; The Budos Band; The Constellations; The Ethics; The Flaming Lips; The Hold Steady; The Lost Fingers; The Love Machine; The Mohawk Lodge; The Moody Blues; The Musical Box; The Swell Season; The Whigs; The White Wires; Timber Timbre; TJ Wheeler; Tommy Castro; Too Slim and The Taildraggers; Trevor Hall; Tye Tribbett; We Are Wolves; Weezer; Woodhands; and Yatkha, with more to be announced.
Once again, Canada’s capital city will become a music Mecca during this 12-day arts extravaganza—drawing fans from far and wide. The festival site at LeBreton Flats Park offers a variety of food and merchandise concessions and is fully licensed. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 24.
Please, see www.ottawabluesfest.ca for detailed performance schedule and ticket information.
