Harmony and Home: Persian music event unites local Farsi speakers
On a bitterly cold Sunday night in downtown Ottawa, Shirin Ghodrati stepped through the doors of Bronson Centre, her breath curling in the frosty air. Just four months into her new life in Canada, she had more than the weight of winter on her shoulders; she carried a longing for connection. Drawn by the soul-stirring melodies of a Persian music...
A question of space: Jazz in Ottawa needs more and better venues, performers and fans say
Ottawa's need for dedicated jazz spaces is apparent to local artists, who find it 'disappointing and sad' that there are so few places to hear and be heard.
Members of Nightlife Council eager for a community approach to promoting Ottawa’s culture
Recently-announced volunteer members of Ottawa’s Nightlife Council say they are looking to highlight and promote the city’s cultural and artistic diversity, as well as safety, in their inaugural term.
City Builder: Mark Monahan’s musical road has built an important legacy
Mark Monahan is the visionary behind Ottawa's very own Bluesfest.
Music students have a message: Female classical composers matter
In concert halls around the Western world, classical music remains overwhelmingly male-dominated, but a concert held at the University of Ottawa is a reminder that female composers have also made important contributions to the art and must not be ignored.
Ottawa concert series celebrates female artists, who remain under represented
A female concert series in Ottawa is a reminder to popular music fans that women still have a long way to go to be considered ‘equal’ to men in the music industry.
City Builder: Cody Coyote is a powerful Indigenous voice on the Ottawa music scene
Ottawa musician Cody Coyote is a prominent city builder, seeking to inspire future generations with his art.
City Builder: Empress Nyiringango is a musician on a healing journey
Empress Nyiringango is an Ottawa based Rwandan-Canadian singer and song writer who embarked on a "healing journey" in response to genocide.
Orléans arts venue moves diversity to centre stage with new collaboration
The 15th anniversary season at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans features a new partnership with Axé WorldFest — an organization that empowers BIPOC artists, newcomers to Canada and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. The initiative reflects the centre’s strengthened commitment to ensuring that its annual lineup of performers includes traditionally unrepresented groups. Born and raised in Brazil and living in Canada for...
City Builder: City Fidelia is more than the music
City Fidelia’s contributions to the city of Ottawa go further than his musical career.
Sounds of trouble: Canadian orchestras struggle against dwindling audiences, changing tastes in post-COVID era
In 2023, the collapse of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra send alarm bells ringing about the state of Canadian orchestras. Experts say the orchestra experience may be under threat with dwindling audiences and changing tastes post-COVID.
Review: Cheng2 Duo mark Chamberfest homecoming with heartwarming performance
Ottawa’s favourite piano-cello duo returned for their annual Chamberfest homecoming on Aug 7 at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre for a magical night of music. Silvie and Bryan Cheng made their debut at Chamberfest way back in 2007 at the Rising Stars showcase. This year, they once again returned with a new folk-inspired repertoire, titled Kindred Spirits, exemplifying the spirit of...