Ontario’s film and television professionals optimistic and working despite COVID-19
While many businesses are struggling with the financial impacts of COVID-19, film and television professionals are optimistic the industry's decade of solid growth will sustain it.
Audio storytelling rides a wave of pandemic popularity
The pandemic has not slowed the interest in podcasting as a way to engage and interested audience.
Lookahead ’21: Lebanese arts hub hopes to offer in-person, digital classes with fall relaunch
Tony Yazbek, the driving force in promoting Lebanese arts and culture in Ottawa, said he’s hoping for a fall re-launch of programming in updated studio spaces equipped for both in-person and virtual classes. In 1976, at the height of his career as a professional dancer and choreographer, Yazbek left Lebanon because of a civil war that was raging. After settling...
Hazel McCallion’s 100th birthday bash to showcase arts council’s virtual transition during pandemic
When the curtain came down on live performances and other in-person cultural events because of the pandemic, the Mississauga Arts Council immediately switched gears. MAC has been navigating a virtually supportive environment since March 2020 and continues to bring artists and audiences together as best they can. Executive director Mike Douglas says he hopes people will embrace the arts more...
Lookahead ’21: Museum links pandemic, wartime challenges in ‘Make Do and Mend’ workshop series
On Feb. 19, the Canadian War Museum will host the latest in its series of “Make Do and Mend” online events, which were inspired by an exhibition about everyday life during the Second World War and advocate for resourceful, self-sufficient living in 2021. During the LeBreton Flats-based museum’s closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online portal called Museum at Home...
The 25th Hour: Hauler turns its creativity to a new way of touring during pandemic
When COVID-19 hit, Celtic band Hauler had to cancel their tour and find new ways to promote their first album.
The 25th Hour: Spreading laughs, not germs
Stand-Up Comedy with Pierre Brault has offered stand-up classes for those looking to break into the art. Now, it serves a new purpose during the pandemic.
Faces of change: Wise Atangana works to empower Black youth
Wise Atangana hopes to open a cultural centre to empower young Black artists in Ottawa.
OK Created: channelling quarantine creativity into a small business
Unable to find a job this past summer due to COVID-19, Carleton student Olivia Kabelin turned her quarantine hobby into a small art business. Here’s a look into that journey.
Still waiting in the wings: Why women and people of colour remain sidelined in Canadian film and TV
While change is starting to happen, too many BIPOC women are still waiting for their turn at leadership roles within the film and television industry in Canada and worldwide.
The show goes on: Ottawa street dancers staying strong during the pandemic
A group of Ottawa street dancers has been adapting to COVID-19 restrictions in its own way since the lockdown was declared in March. This fall, for example, the group released a dance video project on YouTube in which 13 masked dancers performed. Culture Shock is a non-profit dance organization started in San Diego in 1993. Culture Shock Ottawa, founded in...
Night at the museum: How Canada’s history hubs are struggling through the dark days of COVID-19
Museums across Canada are wrestling with the impact of COVID-19 and trying to plan for an uncertain future.
Ottawa fans are doing their part to help Korean boy band BTS dominate the music scene
BTS have been dominating the international music scene, and it's thanks to their dedicated fans.
Latest ‘Lost Ottawa’ book explores the past through shared memories
Lost Ottawa provides a way to talk about shared experiences, memories and changes through photos of the past.
Saying goodbye to the Bytowne underlines importance of supporting small cinemas
Following announcement of its closure, the Bytowne Cinema is proof why we shouldn't take our city's slowly-disappearing gems for granted.
Ottawa artist, musician keeps creating even as COVID-19 threatens his safety
Chris Binkowski recently celebrated his 40th birthday, something few people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy achieve. He is also an artist and musician dealing with COVID-19 from an assited living facility.
Coming to a computer screen near you: Ottawa film festivals find virtual silver screen lining during pandemic
Film festivals in Ottawa are discovering the challenges and benefits of online screenings as they adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.
War Museum exhibit tells personal stories to reveal much about the history of the Second World War
Months after being postponed by the arrival of COVID-19, the Canadian War Museum is marking the 75th anniversary of the Second World War with an exhibit that showcases the experiences of dozens of Canadians during 1939-45 conflict. Forever Changed: Stories from the Second World War was curated by Tim Cook, author and military historian, and is open to the public....
Faces of change: Ottawa photographer Katherine Takpannie uses her camera to raise awareness
Capital Current continues its occasional series profiling some of the people who are making a difference in our community: Katherine Takpannie says her journey with photography started when she was 15. “I have an uncle who gifted me a little point-and-shoot camera, and I had started a project called 365, when you take one photo a day for an entire...
Ottawa artists with developmental disabilities take their creativity online
A unique group of Ottawa artists with developmental disabilities has been working to stay creative through virtual activities since leaving their studio March 13 as a result of the pandemic lockdown.
Faces of change: Jessica Ruano advocates for the arts community in Ottawa and abroad
Capital Current continues its occasional series profiling some of the people who are making a difference in our community: From theatre to community support to journalism, Jessica Ruano has worked to pave the way for younger artists in Canada and abroad. In 2006, she founded the Ottawa Arts Newsletter in response to what she felt was a lack of local...
Despite heavy COVID-19 losses, movie theatre operators remain hopeful
Despite several months of on-and-off closures and steep drops in revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic, movie theatre operators are optimistic that a pandemic bounce-back could be around the corner.
Ottawa theatres in forced intermission because of COVID-19 closures
Not being able to attend live theatre is becoming a major issue for smaller theatre companies.
Bored into beautiful: The pandemic has inspired people to embrace their creative side
Crystal D’Souza was scrolling through Tik Tok to pass the time under COVID-19 restrictions when she was struck with inspiration while watching tutorials on how to frame pressed flowers. She thought it was a cool idea. “I made the first one for my friend Katherine’s birthday and then other friends wanted one and I had a lot of spare time,...
The art of protest: Painting in support of Black Lives Matter
Ottawa artists are painting their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Ottawa drive-in concert example of how COVID-19 is reshaping cultural gatherings
A closer look at Ottawa's changing entertainment scene following new COVID-19 restrictions.
Faces of Change: Body Ngoy wants to draw a fresh picture of Black Canadians
Body Ngoy, a prominent figure in Ottawa's Black community, details how his experiences shaped both the comic book author and proud Black Canadian man he is now.
Museums seizing digital moment: Funding for virtual skate exhibit highlights pandemic trend
This year's batch of approved projects include an exhibit that will explore one of Canada's most underrated sports: figure skating.
Emmy winner Annie Murphy launched acting life at Elmwood
Annie Murphy, member of Schitt's Creek's cast, won Best Supporting Actress in the comedy category at the 2020 Emmy Awards.
‘A Like Vision’: Kleinburg gallery marks 100th anniversary of iconic Group of Seven’s inaugural 1920 exhibition
The Group of Seven's first exhibition was held 100 year ago. To celebrate the anniversary, the McMichael art gallery has put on a special exhibition.
Comic relief: Local comedians happy to be back with live performances under Ontario’s Stage 3 reopening
As comedy clubs begin to reopen during Stage 3 of Ontario's reopening, comedians must start getting used to the new normal when it comes to performing.
Museum celebrates women in service during Second World War with exhibition of art by Molly Lamb Bobak
The Canadian War Museum has created a virtual exhibition of war art by Molly Lamb Bobak
Special event for frontline health workers kicks off Ottawa Art Gallery reopening to public
The Ottawa Art Gallery is reopening the the public on July 9, with new safety measures in place to protect visitors and staff.
Super Felix Brothers: Gatineau author — and mom — addresses sickle cell anemia, diversity in her storytelling
GATINEAU — When Nahomie Acelin and Ronald Felix discovered two of their three sons had sickle cell anemia it would have been natural for them to focus on the negative. But they chose a different way of coping with the diagnosis. “We made a family decision last summer that, instead of complaining, we will talk about (the diagnosis) and turn...
Ottawa artists keep creative in a time of COVID-19
These local artists took their time in quarantine and created inspired art.
Ottawa Fringe steps onto a digital stage
Ottawa Fringe organizers have announced they will hold this year’s festival virtually. How are organizers and participating artists adapting to the performing arts in the time of COVID-19?
Close Knit: Traditional skills now part of the fibre of the queer community
Members of the LGBTQ community are turning to fibre arts to express themselves.
Stand-up moves online
They usually earn their living doing stand-up in clubs. Now they’re trying to figure out how to make a new kind of audience laugh.
Ottawa group builds community through music in time of COVID-19
As people around the world move indoors to stop the spread of COVID-19, Ottawa's musicians are continuing to keep the city's music alive online.
They came, they SAW and they are conquering: Gallery renovations have changed artist-run organization
Ottawa's SAW Gallery and Club SAW underwent a major renovation and expansion and are experiencing the benefits in programming, audience and artist development.
First season of NAC’s Indigenous Theatre winds down; artists hope for expanding opportunities
With the first season of the NAC’s Indigenous Theatre program winding down, Indigenous artists hope the spotlight remains and representation continues.
Ottawa’s used book stores find ways to survive in digital market
The age of huge online retailers has not been kind to independent booksellers. Capital Current visited three independent, used bookstores to find out how booksellers are plying their trade in the 21st century.
Make way for the first International Film Festival of Ottawa
The International Film Festival of Ottawa is quickly approaching. Here's everything you need to know.
Local Ottawa entrepreneur thrives with new fast fashion company
Angela Dargham's local fast fashion company from Ottawa, Rosaii, continues to rise in success after only one year of being in the business.
Inked in Ottawa
Tattoos aren’t just for gang members and ex-cons anymore. These days they have become more accepted in society and young people are investing in wearable art.
Divas and distortion: concert celebrates female-fronted metal bands
Three part-time musicians are hosting a local music event highlighting women-fronted metal and rock bands.
The Big Bang has families flocking to the NAC for the fun
Families flocked to the NAC this Sunday to enjoy the opening day of the Big Bang festival. This is the second year the Big Bang brings its unique sound of music to Ottawa.
Carvers take up the challenge of turning ice into art at Winterlude
The Annual Winterlude Ice Carving Challenge marks a time of friendly competition for the world's best ice carvers.
25th Hour: Moved by Passion
Moved By Passion is a profile on Alesia Kazantceva, an Ottawa-based photographer who moved to Canada from Russia to pursue a career in medicine. She wants her photos to show the natural beauty every person has. Especially during the craze of social media. This story first appeared on Carleton’s 25th Hour.
25th Hour: The Queen of Drag
Balancing work and a social life is hard enough. Add being one of Ottawa’s top drag queens to the mix. Adrianna Exposée is taking over the drag scene one performance at a time. This story was originally published on 25th Hour.