We're staying home and have been here for a while, and if you're looking for some ways to keep busy, here are some ways to fill your time at home and connect to the arts: Firstly, the Ottawa Festival Network has launched our Get Festive at Home Vlog with OFN's social media assistant, Shanice. There will be videos with updates about online festival content, the arts world, and interviews with OFN members. The first two videos are up and there will be more videos and interviews to come. If you enjoy poetry, check out the periodicity poetry blog curated by Verse Ottawa’s Rob Mclennan. There is a virtual poetry reading series and much more on the blog! If music is more your style, you can have your own mini music festival from the comfort of your couch by connecting to the fantastic artists who were set to perform at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival. You can learn about all the performers and jam out toall the different musicians. You can also enjoy all the submissions of the Algonquin College Entertainers Showcase.The International Film Festival of Ottawa has been postponed until next year, but you can access IFFO’s alternative list of films that you can enjoy in your own home theatre. There are other film options available too. Thanks to the Irish Film Festival of Ottawa for sharing the links to the lists of live action and animated films made in Ottawa that you can enjoy from the Ottawa Film Office!
The Canadian Tulip Festival also has online content to entertain and inform you about all things Tulips through the Tulip TV youtube channel and through their social media to celebrate the Tulip Festival from May 8-18th at home. Want to do some shopping? You still can from home and support local businesses by buying gift cards and shopping for items online. Shop Ottawa has got a full list of local businesses and services you can enjoy products from now and sign up for services in the future. You can also get festive and get active with the Virtual Tamarack Race Weekend, which will run from May 15 to September 7th. You can still sign up for the race to participate in a safe and distanced manner. Connecting to that festival spirit goes beyond just the festivals. Local businesses are the lifeblood of any community and directly connected to the world of festivals. You can support local businesses through the Buy Local campaign through the City of Ottawa and buy gift cards, order takeout and more.This is just the tip of the iceberg of what is available online so keep an eye out for more content as we share what you can do to connect to the arts community and get festive at home. Multiple events are publishing virtual content in the wake of cancelled and postponed festivals and this info will be available on the website and through OFN's social media.
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