REOPENING OF GREENHOUSES AT RIDEAU HALL
The National Capital Commission (NCC) invites the media to the reopening of the ceremonial greenhouses at Rideau Hall that serve the six official residences in Canada’s Capital Region, following the completion of a major rehabilitation project, on Tuesday, September 28, 2010.
To mark this important reopening, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, accompanied by her husband, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, and Madame Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC will deliver remarks in the presence of workers on the rehabilitation project, employees as well as other guests.
9:30 a.m. ― INFORMATION SESSION ON GREENHOUSE AND PALMHOUSE RESTORATION WORK BY NCC
Media are invited to attend an information session on work carried out by the NCC on September 28, at 9:30 a.m., inside the greenhouses at Rideau Hall. During the session, media will have the opportunity to hear from the NCC leaders of the project:
- Michelle Comeau, Vice-President, Environment, Capital Lands and Parks Branch, NCC
- Mona Lamontagne, Project Manager/Architect, NCC
- Mark Burleton, Manager, Official Residences’ Grounds and Greenhouses, NCC
10 a.m. ― OFFICIAL REOPENING OF THE GREENHOUSE AND PALMHOUSE
Media are invited to cover the Governor General’s speech, to be delivered at approximately 10 a.m. to be followed by an address by Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC.
The greenhouses are an integral part of Rideau Hall’s main building and share its designation as a classified Canadian heritage building and site according to the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office. An outstanding feature of Rideau Hall since 1867, when they provided fresh fruits and vegetables, the greenhouses supply the capital’s six Official Residences with plants and floral arrangements for state visits and other official occasions.
Media wishing to attend the information session preview are asked to contact the NCC in advance.
Media wishing to cover the Governor General’s speech are asked to confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office.
For more information about the Official Residences, visit the NCC’s Web site at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
O Ottawa. When did you get so hip? Discovering Canada’s cool capital
Michael Kaminer, Special to The Washington Post
In fact, if anything now characterizes the city, I’d say it’s an unselfconscious cool. There’s a proudly indie aesthetic in its neighborhoods, but without the hipster posturing of Toronto. Unlike language-obsessed Montreal, the city has a relaxed attitude toward bilingualism — everything here comes in both official languages — that lends Ottawa an easy cosmopolitanism.
Oh, yes: Ottawa also boasts Canada’s Parliament, along with the National Gallery, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian War Museum, Rideau Hall, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian Children’s Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. They’re all gleaming, serious attractions, with collections often lauded as some of the world’s best.
They used to be the reason for a visit to Ottawa, with restaurants and shopping an afterthought. These days, don’t be surprised if you find the opposite to be true.
Read the full article in the Washington Post: O Ottawa. When did you get so hip?
Come Savour the Classic Sounds of Summer With the 2009 Governor General’s Summer Concerts
Everyone is invited to savour the sounds of summer on the grounds of Rideau Hall during the Governor General’s Summer Concerts.The first concert in the series will feature the Band of the Ceremonial Guard on Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. One of the oldest and best-known military bands in the country, the Guards’ rich repertoire is sure to enchant young and old alike.
Rideau Hall and the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival join forces to present Echoes of Italy, on Sunday, July 26, at 1 p.m. Enjoy a summer afternoon with guitarist Andrew Mah and violinist Renee-Paule Gauthier as they perform virtuoso pieces by Boccherini, Piazzolla and Gismonti, arranged for guitar and string quartet by Ottawa’s Andrew Mah.
At 4 p.m. that same day, the Summer Concerts will conclude with a rhythmic performance by the OnnanoKo Drumming Ensemble, presented in collaboration with the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival. Experience cross-cultural creations from this dynamic, all-female drumming ensemble as they explore the fusion of Eastern and Western rhythms and sounds.
The Governor General’s Summer Concerts is a popular summer activity for the whole family to enjoy. Audiences are invited to come early; bring a picnic and make an occasion of these outdoor events on the beautiful grounds of Rideau Hall. All concerts are free of charge.
Rideau Hall gratefully acknowledges its concert media partners: Le Droit, the Ottawa Citizen, CHUM Radio and Astral Media.
