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.
Rideau Centre CAMP Cube experience helps business spread the word to customers
In mid-August, a large, mysterious cube appeared inside the Rideau Centre. Located next to Bento Sushi and tucked underneath an escalator, it attracted a line of curious mall-goers. Some had seen it on Instagram; others had not. Turns out the Cadillac Fairview (CF) CAMP Cube is a futuristic marketing tool that provides shoppers with a sci-fi gameshow experience. It will...
City Builder: Jean-François Bélisle is at the forefront of art in Ottawa and beyond
Jean-François Bélisle is bringing new ideas to the National Gallery of Canada.
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...
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...
Review: Danish String Quartet captures the heart and soul of Chamberfest with delightful classics and modern adaptations
The Danish String Quartet and Finnish cellist Johannes Rostamo gave a stunning performance at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre on Aug 2 with their take on Franz Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, D. 956, Op. posth. 163. Along with this chamber music classic, they performed a modern arrangement of the quintet, by Thomas Adès. The performance is part of the...
Review: Pouliot and friends deliver rare performance of Mendelssohn’s Octet in elegant concert of romantic music
Canadian violin virtuoso Blake Pouliot took over the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre stage on July 31, much to the delight of the audience. For Pouliot, this was a return visit to Chamberfest for the talented violinist from Toronto who has forged a stellar international career as a soloist. He was the grand prize winner at the 2016 Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal...
Review: Nicole Presentey and John Dapaah dazzle Chamberfest audience with piano duet
Delicacy, precision, power. These words come to mind when Nicole Presentey and John Kofi Dapaah make music together. The Ottawa pianists performed “1 Piano, 4 Hands” in the NAC’s Thorsteinson Staircase, part of the Midday Matinées series at Chamberfest. The pair met at Carleton University, where Dapaah studied with Presentey. Soon after, they began playing duets together at Chamberfest and...
Innocence Lost: Experts weigh impacts of repurposing beloved characters from childhood classics in campy horror films
When Winnie-the-Pooh starred in the 2018 Disney film Christopher Robin, young families turned out in droves to watch as the beloved bear with the “rumbly tumbly” was reunited with the title character as an adult, and the two rediscovered the joys of childhood wonder in the Hundred Acre Wood. But in the newest films starring Winnie-the-Pooh, the bear is out...
The “Bratification” of Kamala Harris: Gen Z at the intersection of internet culture and politics
Bright lime green, simple font, Charli XCX’s hit album “Brat” is everywhere these days. It’s even put its stamp on Democratic presidential candidate and current U.S. vice president Kamala Harris’ social media accounts. “Brat” is a dance-pop album defined by a gritty authenticity, capturing the vulnerability of the cool-girl aesthetic. But it’s more than the music. Charli herself says Brat...
Review: The Art of Time Ensemble kicks off Chamberfest with heartwarming Beatles tribute
The energy was high in the Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre Thursday night as the Art of Time Ensemble warmed up ahead of their performance of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, kicking off Chamberfest’s 30th anniversary. The group, led by concert pianist Andrew Burashko, offered a classical and jazz inspired arrangement of the iconic Beatles album, hailed as one of...
A Capital Current Profile: Consumed by passion for music, Henry Kennedy brings his talent to role as NACO’s resident conductor
Henry Kennedy is the NAC Orchestra’s new resident conductor and a rising talent in the classical music scene, although that’s not to say that the young conductor hasn’t already had an impressive career. As resident conductor, Kennedy will spend the next two years working with the NAC Orchestra under the guidance of music director Alexander Shelley. Capital Current spoke with...
A Capital Current Profile: Ottawa’s John Kofi Dapaah finds meaning and faith in the intersection of classical and jazz music
For John Kofi Dapaah, music is more than just a career. It’s a way of connecting with his faith and family. Dapaah is a well-known pianist and music teacher in Ottawa who will perform at Chamberfest on July 30 alongside his teacher and friend Nicole Presentey. Dapaah comes from a musical family and his first experience with music was in...
A Capital Current profile: Nicole Presentey’s musical journey has deep roots in Ottawa
Nicole Presentey is an Ottawa native and while she is certainly one of the most talented pianists and music educators to come from this place, she has remained in the region even though the world beckons. One of her deep local connections as a supporter and as a performer is Ottawa Chamberfest, one of the city’s best known classical music...
Turning 30: Chamberfest celebrates with a bevy of stars and series for all musical tastes
There’s nothing like summer in the city, and there’s nothing like Ottawa’s Chamberfest either. The capital’s renowned classical music festival Chamberfest is returning from July 25 to Aug. 8.
Nova Scotian Henry Kennedy announced as first new resident conductor with NAC Orchestra
Nova Scotian Henry Kennedy is taking up his place as the first resident conductor in a new program with the NAC Orchestra.
REVIEW: Opening night of Bluesfest offers some intimate and captivating performances
Capital Current took in several shows on opening night at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest Thursday night. Here's our take on three very unique performances.
Museum of History looks at career of architect Douglas Cardinal as his building turns 35
Museum of History honours the career of architect Douglas Cardinal.
NFB showcases Canadian films in celebration of the national day
The National Film Board of Canada is showcasing Canada’s diversity with the art of film with 14 channels of programming.
What to do on Canada Day in Ottawa
Canada Day in Ottawa will be hectic with events downtown and across the region.
Live Nation to open major new music venue in downtown Ottawa
The former Chapters building at the corner of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive in Downtown Ottawa will soon by a 2,000 seat music venue operated by Live Nation, the largest music promotion company in North America.
New study finds women and transgender artists underrepresented in Canadian radio
A new study shows that women, trans and BIPOC artists get less airtime on Canadian radio that white men.
New National Gallery exhibition celebrates Indigenous beadwork
The National Gallery of Canada unveiled its newest exhibition on May 17 celebrating contemporary Indigenous beadwork.
Bytown Museum unveils new exhibition on Ottawa’s healthcare history
The Bytown Museum unveiled a new temporary exhibition celebrating Ottawa's healthcare history on May 17.
80 years ago: Canadian War Museum remembers D-Day with new exhibitions and events
The Canadian War Museum is hosting new exhibitions and events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Ottawa Arts Council announces 2024 awards celebrating artists, upcoming and established
The Ottawa Arts Council celebrated local artists, educators and donors at the 2024 Arts Awards.
Museum unveils new exhibition featuring 200 years of war art by women
New exhibition at the Canadian War Museum features some 70 works by women artists over the past two centuries.
Capital Music Awards celebrate Ottawa’s growing music scene
The fifth annual Capital Music Awards highlighted Ottawa's music scene last Thursday with a sold-out show at the Bronson Centre Music Theatre.
Summer beat: Live music returning to downtown Ottawa
Free live music is returning to Ottawa's downtown core this summer.
Canadian animators can kickstart career at Ottawa’s International Animation Festival
The Ottawa International Animation Festival is currently accepting applications for their Pitch THIS! competition.
A Capital Current conversation: For Richard Lee, filmmaking is ‘storytelling in all its complexity’
Filmmaker, theatre creator Richard Lee is working to bring the stories of diverse people to the screen and stage.
Stone carver Danny Barber keeps an old tradition alive in Ottawa
Danny Barber's work as a Parliamentary stone carver and his sculpture festivals are key to the survival of traditional sculpture techniques in Ottawa.
Aviation museum unveils exhibit on Canada’s Cold War experience
A new exhibit on the Cold War has opened at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Capital Current pays a visit.
Fighting graffiti, city seeks applicants for 2024 Paint It Up! mural-making program
It’s the 14th anniversary of the City of Ottawa’s Paint It Up! initiative, and there is only one day left for community groups battling graffiti and encouraging mural artistry to apply for funds. The April 4 deadline is the cutoff for groups hoping to hire local youth to participate in the initiative. Paint It Up! is a youth engagement program...
Second edition of ‘Crépu: Our DNA’ put a spotlight on the ingenuity of Black hair design
Black hair was the focus of a recent event at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The evening of unique visuals and spoken testimonies featured creations that captured stunning aspects of innovation in hair design techniques using trailblazing technology for stylistic expression. The night was the work of a unique partnership between event organizer Hors Pair Social and arts promoter The...
Museum at Experimental Farm offers weekend of ‘hoppy’ Easter activities
This Easter the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is celebrating spring and the new life that comes with the changing season.
Centuries-old Irish stick fighting showcased in Ottawa event
An Ottawa martial arts instructor is on a crusade to resurrect interest in a forgotten Irish martial art.
Capital Music Awards nominees celebrate Ottawa’s support of local artists
Ottawa Music Industry Coalition has announced the 2024 Capital Music Award nominees.
Queer community hosts ‘proudly Jewish’ Purim variety show at Arts Court
More than 50 members of city’s queer Jewish community gathered in downtown Ottawa to celebrate story of survival and resilience
Local director hopes his ‘Slasher Film’ will help put Ottawa on the Horror map
Kevin Preece hopes his directorial debut, Slasher Film, will expand Ottawa's filmmaking industry beyond Hallmark Christmas movies.
Ottawa Bluesfest main stage lineup has many asking: Where are the women?
Ottawa's Bluesfest announces its 30th-anniversary lineup featuring predominantly male headliners, sparking controversy and social media outcry over gender representation.
Ottawa Gallery show explores the intersection of motherhood and artist
Ottawa-based mother-artist collective 44.4 unveiled their first exhibition Nobody Sees a Flower, exploring the complexities of motherhood and art.
Colourful parade hosted by Chinatown BIA ushers in Year of the Dragon
The Chinatown community marked the Lunar New Year with the first parade since the pandemic ended. This year is the Year of the Dragon.
PopX ’24 at Lansdowne draws collectors, vendors of all things popular culture
Geeks and vendors crowded into Lansdowne's Horticulture Building recently to celebrate pop culture the PopX festival.
Trailblazer’s Trail: Jody Vance shares lessons as pioneering sports journalist
Broadcaster Jody Vance has been an icon for Canadian women sports journalists. She talked to Capital Current about where it all began.