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.
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 February 2023, Rebecca Diderrich’s dream came true: she landed a tenure-track position playing the viola with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra after seven years of playing as an extra with the venerable Central Ontario ensemble. Just eight months later, it all came crashing down. Over email, the KWS abruptly cancelled its season in September, the day before it was set...
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...
Review: Angela Hewitt pairs Mozart and Brahms to great effect at Chamberfest
The Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre was packed on Saturday night when Ottawa’s own world-class pianist Angela Hewitt took the stage for an elegant evening of Mozart and Brahms. The humidity and thunderstorms only added to the dramatic nature of the night. The Officer of the Order of Canada and a Officer of the Order of the British Empire was showcasing her...
From Rising Stars to Signature Series: Silvie and Bryan Cheng return to their musical roots at Chamberfest
Silvie and Bryan Cheng have come full circle at Chamberfest. The talented sister and brother started as the winners of the very first Rising Stars showcase. Today they are rocking the festival’s premier Signature Series in the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre stage on Aug 7 . The siblings have been playing together professionally for years. But it started in the family...