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FIND our reviewers’ and videographers’ daily reviews, videos and profiles of Bluesfest performers at ottawacitizen.com/bluesfest

READ a blog by music fan Evelyn DuBerry at www.ottawacitizen.com/bluesfest

SUBMIT your Bluesfest photos by going to www.ottawacitizen.com/mypics for our daily Bluesfest photo gallery

Get the full list at OttawaCitizen.com: Bluesfest Essential Info

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

Ottawa Folk Festival organizers today announced plans to add a day to the 18^th edition of the annual event. There will also be a physical move to a new festival site. This means that the 2011 Ottawa Folk Festival will become a four-day event, running from Thursday, August 25 to Sunday, August 28.

Along with an additional day of programming, the festival will be moved from its past location in Britannia Park to Hog’s Back Park. Some of the many benefits cited for the move include the central location of the site, and the fact that Hog’s Back Park offers more flexibility in terms of space, sightlines, and stage settings.

“The festival is not viable in its current location for a number of reasons, but mainly because of accessibility,” says festival supervisor Mark Monahan. “This relocation is imperative to solidify the festival’s future.”

The plan is intended to meet the needs of the festival’s existing patrons for a central location and to attract and develop new audiences by showcasing one of Ottawa’s more beautiful public parks, adjacent to the stunning Ottawa landmark known as Hog’s Back Falls.

“The additional day of programming is intended to do the same in terms of audience development through more music, more to choose from, and more inclusivity,” says Monahan, while adding that the Folk line-up will be announced on May 25, with tickets going on sale Saturday, May 28.  This on-sale date for the general public will be preceded by a special pre-sale for Ottawa Folk Festival insiders. To become an ‘insider’ music fans can simply visit www.ottawafolk.com to sign up.

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

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.

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

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

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/

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

…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:

www.hopehelps.com/register

2010 team entry fees for each division are as follows:

Corporate $875
Competitive Plus $875
Competitive $425
Recreation $375

Registration closes Friday, May 28