Glowfair impresario set to light up Bank St.

By Sarah Togman

A full weekend of music, art and glowing entertainment is in store for Ottawa’s annual Glowfair Festival in mid-June — and with an all-Canadian lineup to mark the country’s 150th celebrations.

On June 16 and 17, Bank Street will be transformed into a display of local art and music with lights, stretching from Slater Street to James Street.

The festival, which was launched in the summer of 2014, showcases new performers and artists every year.

In honour of this year’s Canada 150 celebrations, Christine Leadman, the executive director of the Bank Street BIA, said she’s excited to announce new partnerships.

“Basically all our talent that we have this year is all Canadian,” Leadman said. “That was a big goal for us looking at the Canada 150 celebrations.”

The biggest new partnership for Glowfair 2017 is with Tara Shannon and her record label, Willow Sound Records. Leadman explained the partnership is not only a benefit to the label, but also for the festival.

“We’ve been able to tap into a lot of local, Canadian, not only entertainers but suppliers and artists. We have a lot of new people coming on board this year…  we’re just really thrilled with the programming this year,” she explained.

Shannon, the owner of Willow Sound Records and an artist herself, is thrilled with the opportunity that Leadman and Glowfair are giving her budding business.

“Any time we get to showcase our talent at the label, we love the opportunity,” Shannon said. “We’re really wanting to working with anybody in Ottawa that’s trying to bring more music into the city.”

Shannon founded Willow Sound Records in January and the business has flourished. She said Glowfair is one of the biggest events she’s been able to lock down for her artists.

“This is huge for us. The experience is going to be a big benefit for artists that we work with. The exposure is going to be wonderful for them,” explained Shannon.

Shannon and other artists from her label are set to perform on the second night of the festival.

The festival is also partnering with Quiet Events to hold a “silent disco.”

Participants can attend an outdoor dance party with a twist — everyone has a different playlist streaming through their headphones. Other events are still to be announced.

Leadman said she hopes the new programming this year will draw in larger crowds to the festival.

“I think like any festival our attendance will really determine our success. With the 2017 activities, it will be that much more happening in the city,” Leadman said. “Once people experience the festival, it is something we want them to remember and come back to.”

Glowfair has been known to draw visitors from Toronto and Montreal, but support from Ottawa residents has been most noticeable.

“Glowfair is one of my favourite things about Ottawa in the summer,” said Micaal Ahmed, a loyal Glowfair attendee. “The new artists and the atmosphere is something I look forward too all year.”

Ahmed explained that this year’s focus on purely Canadian talent is a great way to incorporate and celebrate Canada 150 and Ottawa 2017 altogether.

“It’s one of the most fun weekends of the year,” he said. “It gets bigger, better and more exciting every time I go.”

More performers, artists and activities are set to be announced in the upcoming weeks, closer to the date of the festival.