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...
Words matter: Seeking asylum in Canada is not illegal
Earlier in June, U.S. President Joe Biden announced measures on migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border that allow authorities to deport or turn them back to Mexico without having the chance to claim asylum. One of Donald Trump’s main campaign agendas is to deport millions of undocumented migrants and prevent others from crossing borders. In recent years, tensions over Quebec’s Roxham Road...
Two-time Palestinian Olympian and Carleton alumnus says Paris games will be his last
The two-time Palestinian Olympian and Carleton University alum Yazan Al Bawwab says the Paris 2024 Olympics will be his last. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Dubai, the son of a Palestinian refugee, Rashad Al Bawwab, achieved his father’s dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer to represent his country. “I am delighted to be here to represent Palestine and...
Redblacks enjoy a well-deserved bye week break with a strong second place in CFL East standings
The Ottawa Redblacks went into their bye week on a bit of a high. After a win against Calgary at home of July 28, the surprising Redblacks improved their record to 5-2 good for second place in the CFL’s East Division with a game in hand on the rest of the competition, right behind the defending Grey Cup champs, the...
Letter demands removal of Liberal MP as point person on Jewish community and antisemitism
A letter signed by hundreds of Canadians is demanding the prime minister replace Anthony Housefather as the federal government’s special advisor on Jewish community relations and antisemitism. The letter accuses the Montreal MP of pushing “anti-Palestinian racist and Islamophobic narratives” for months. Addressed to MPs and Senators, the letter asks for a full re-assessment and evaluation of the appointment. and...
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...
Deep Dive: New-look Redblacks on fire and on track to snap lengthy CFL playoff drought
What a fantastic season the Ottawa Redblacks have had so far. It’s the best start in Redblacks’ franchise history and the best for any of Ottawa’s CFL clubs since the 1978 Rough Riders started 6-1. The Rough Riders finished that season in first place with a 12-4 record but ultimately lost the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes. Through seven...
The wheels on the bus: Black History Ottawa’s educational tour connects families and community
Black History Ottawa is educating the city about local history with an interactive History in the Streets Bus Tour, every Saturday this summer. The tour showcases the contributions of Black Canadians in Ottawa’s rich history, from athletes to politicians to activists and medical professionals. Names mentioned include Rawlson King, the first Black Canadian city councillor in Ottawa in 2019, Wangari...
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...
Transit advocates in Ottawa alarmed by OC Transpo’s pattern of “cutting services”
Community organizations, workers and residents are raising concerns over a pattern of service cuts after OC Transpo announced its plan to reduce LRT frequency during off-peak hours and accusing the city of ruining Ottawa’s public transit system. OC Transpo says, starting Aug. 26, Line 1 will run every 10 minutes at stations between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays...
In wake of changes to alcohol market, Ottawa brewers urge province to consider dedicated shelves for their beer, incentives and tax cuts
In the wake of the LCBO strike settlement, Ottawa breweries say they welcome Ontario’s plan to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails, saying it is an encouraging, but long orverdue move for the local market. But without financial incentives for small breweries, dedicated shelves for local products in sales outlets and a re-evaluation of...
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...