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.
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.
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.
First person: Weighing the pros and cons of internships for young journalists
Capital Current writer Victor Vegas Alvarez assesses the value of internships for young journalists.
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.
The 25th Hour: I make clothes
Young desginer, Hamza Yassin behind the brand Atlas Vestis tells Capital Current about the struggles of entering into the fashion industry in Ottawa.
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.
Giggles4Health helps address loneliness thanks in part to Awesome Ottawa grant
The Awesome Foundation in Ottawa empowers grassroots projects
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.
Inclusive events woven into Winterlude show Ottawa is ‘celebrating Pride 365’
Winter Pride offers inclusion and community during the annual Winterlude festivities.
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.
Local performers share stories of family ahead of Black History Month event
https://www.inourtongues.ca/upcoming-gatherings
Free Ottawa concert series eases disappointment of cancelled Ice Dragon Boat Festival
The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival cancels its annual race for the second consecutive year due to warm weather, but shifts focus to a successful free concert series featuring Canadian musicians.
The jig is definitely up: Saint Brigid’s filled with Irish singing and dancing — just wait for St. Patrick’s Day
More than 100 participants enjoyed a Céilí at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, featuring dances, music, and Irish culture.
For Ottawa poet Natalie Hanna, hope and some soothing are essential
Natalie Hanna is an Ottawa-based poet and lawyer who works with low-income populations. She says her work in both areas comes from a feminist perspective and though each area is different, she sees intersections.
Lights, cameras, people: Independent cinemas being creative to get audiences back
Statistics Canada shows motion picture cinemas returning to profitability in 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic ended. However, they still face challenges.
Two years after it almost closed, The Rainbow is thriving
The Rainbow Bistro almost closed down in 2021 and the venue has taken on new life after being given a second chance.
Having a fling: Ottawa hosting international Highland Dancing competition in 2025
Ottawa will be a hotbed of Highland Dance in the summer of 2025 as more than 1,000 competitors will take part in the ScotDance Canada Championship Series.
Step by Step: The challenging life of Miss Danielle
Danielle Hamilton is passionate about Highland Dancing but an accident in her youth put an end to high-level performance. Today she has turned to teaching at her own home studio.
City builder: Ottawa’s Kate Heartfield finds inspiration in curious places
Ottawa's Kate Heartfield is an award-winning fantasy author and a former journalist at the Ottawa Citizen.
City builders: Derick Fage — from theatre kid to news host and advocate
Derick Fage is a television host and motivational speaker who has shared his experience of a chronic condition willingly with others.
New colouring book helps people have fun while learning about the human brain
A new colouring book offers an accessible way to learn about the human brain and the importance of keeping it healthy.
‘The Mummy’ emerges from his tomb to take stage in third New Opera Lyra ‘gothic’ production
New Opera Lyra, a local opera company, is putting on an original production entitled "The Mummy" just in time for Halloween.
Yes I Can!: Michelle Obama’s inspiring story comes to the musical stage at Centrepointe
Yes I Can! is a new musical featuring the life of Michelle Obama, tells a story about family sacrifice, love and determination.
Barbie, Addams Family and Five Nights at Freddy’s some of Ottawa’s top Halloween costume picks
Expect to see Addams family characters, Barbie, and Five Nights at Freddy's characters among the top costume choices this year.
Touched by art: Legally blind Ontario painter makes tactile paintings to enhance the experience for all
Legally blind artist, Lynda Todd, presents paintings you can touch in an exhibition called Tap: Please Touch
Inclusive choir Tone Cluster embarks on 30th year as a ‘chosen family’ in Ottawa
Choir members reflect on the 2SLGBTQIA+ choir's legacy and the importance of designated safe spaces.
Bear Grease: An Indigenous take on an American musical classic comes to the NAC
As Bear Grease comes to Ottawa, the audience is not just Indigenous people. However, for those who do come from Indigenous communities, the show's meaning is palpable.
Hardcore tunes and some heavy judgment: the myths about Ottawa’s alternative music scene
With the fall season fast approaching, and Halloween around the corner, live music and social events are being organized to celebrate Ottawa’s alternative music scene. Despite harmful misconceptions, goths, emos, metalheads and punks alike have been working to keep Ottawa’s alternative music scene alive.
Flowers bloom on Centretown sidewalks as mystery artist adds colour to the community
An anonymous Ottawa artist has begun spray-painting flowers all over the streets of Centretown in an attempt to brighten people's day.
City builder: Kevin Loring is revolutionizing Indigenous theatre in Canada
Loring is best known as the Artistic Director for Indigenous theatre at the National Arts Centre. Recently, he had his term extended into the 2026-2027 season. The Indigenous theatre program at the NAC provides a platform for Indigenous artists to have their work staged and produced.
City builder: Artist, entrepreneur Fiona Khaemba boasts diverse representation in fashion
Fiona Khaemba is an artist, entrepreneur and founder of Ayana Arts, an arts and apparel brand that highlights the work of Black artists.
City builder: Alexandra Badzak led the Ottawa Art Gallery expansion, boosting local art scene along the way
Alexandra Badzak is one of Ottawa's many "city builders" and works to preserve Ottawa's art scene at the OAG.
City builder: Local movie theatre co-owner Josh Stafford focused on growing independent cinema
As co-owner of the Mayfair Theatre, Josh Stafford works behind the scenes to promote the importance of independent cinema.
Living the dream: Ottawa artist Bob Waters celebrates solo exhibition decades in the making
At 68, Bob Waters has finally fulfilled a lifelong dream to feature his art in a solo exhibition.
City considers multi-museum membership program to boost attendance
With an eye on increasing attendance, the city is looking at creating a membership program that will offer access to all five locally run museums for an annual fee.