Author Archive

PARTY PAGE: Snapshots from Politics and the Pen, featuring Conrad Black, Jian Ghomeshi, Mark Carney, and more

On March 6, Canada’s political and literary worlds teamed up for the annual Politics and the Pen gala, held at the Fairmont Château Laurier. As well as being an important fundraiser for the Writers’ Trust (it raised an estimated $325,000), this event is a chance for writers and politicians to rub elbows with diplomats, journalists, leaders in business, people in the arts, and more.

The event was hosted by the charismatic Mark Carney (Governor of the Bank of Canada) and John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs). Among the 500 people in attendance were such notable names as Conrad Black, Jian Ghomeshi, Rick Mercer, Olivia Chow, and Jim Watson (as well as Ottawa Magazine editor Sarah Brown and St. Joseph Media president Douglas Knight.)

The evening culminated with journalist Marcello Di Cintio winning the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing for his book Walls: Travels Along the Barricades. The other finalists up for the award were Taras Grescoe, Noah Richler, Peter F. Trent, and Jeffrey Simpson (who was profiled in Ottawa Magazine in September). The finalists didn’t leave empty handed, though — each took home a $2,500 prize.

Click on the photos to launch a slideshow of pix from a night that’s considered a “highlight of the capital’s spring social calendar.”

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  |  March 12, 2013 at 4:05 pm

ON A ROLL: A Q&A session with Ottawa Rickshaws’ Brian Clarke

He’s a man with pull. After three years as a rickshaw runner, Brian Clarke bought into the company in 2010, joining fellow partners Adam Slight and Chris Lalonde. He sat down with Misa Kobayashi to talk about funny rickshaw experiences and the importance of business blogging.

This story appears in the Summer edition of Ottawa Magazine. Buy the magazine on newsstands or order your online edition.

Photography by Trevor Lush.

Why do you think rickshaws are something Ottawa needs?
In the Market, there’s so much that’s hidden from view. A good example is the hidden courtyards between George and York and between Murray and Clarence. Most tourists, and even people who live in Ottawa, miss finding them. Rickshaws give a pedestrian point of view but with the speed and mobility of a tour service.

You and your partners blog on the Ottawa Rickshaws website. Why?
One of the trends we’ve been reading about is using blogging as a tool for business. The nature of the job means we’re really knowledgeable about downtown, so having the blog helps us share this knowledge. It also helps us brand Ottawa Rickshaws so that people know it’s not just this little cart that drunk people take from bar to bar — we also showcase Ottawa.

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  |  June 22, 2012 at 8:45 am

PARTY PAGE: Snapshots from the Politics and the Pen gala — where copies of Ottawa Magazine adorned the goodie bags

On April 25, Canadian politics and literature joined forces for the annual Politics and the Pen gala. Held at the Fairmont Château Laurier, the event brought together politicians, writers, diplomats, leaders from the arts and business communities, and other notable names to celebrate with food, drink, entertainment and — of course — memorable conversation. The night also included a presentation of the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing to Richard Gwyn for his biography Nation Maker: Sir John A. Macdonald: His Life, Our Times; Volume Two: 1867-1891. Here’s a look at the who’s who from the night (guests walked away with copies of Ottawa Magazine in their goodie bags). For an insider’s perspective on the evening, check out the post on Ottawa Magazine’s Politics Chatter blog, where Mark Bourrie blogged about the event in a post entitled “Dishing on last night’s Politics and the Pen dinner. Hint: Barbara Amiel rocked it.” Photography by Jake Wright and Steven Gerecke.

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  |  May 11, 2012 at 1:51 pm

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Q&A with writer Linda Kay on being a female journalist and a local reporter’s impact on history

By Emma Paling

Writer and journalist Linda Kay was the first female sports reporter at the Chicago Tribune.

Linda Kay is the author of The Sweet Sixteen: The Journey that Inspired the Canadian Women’s Press Club. Her book recounts how a single train ride in 1904 ended with the creation of a club that would go on to count Nellie McClung and Lucy Maud Montgomery among its members. A young Ottawa reporter, Margaret Graham, asked a CP publicist for the same press pass her male colleagues were given to attend the St. Louis World Fair. He said if she could find 12 accredited female writers, he’d escort them to St. Louis himself. Well, she found 15. He named them the “Sweet Sixteen,” despite the fact that these were tough, tenacious women, working as journalists at a time when they weren’t even legally recognized as people.

Kay herself was the first female sports reporter at the Chicago Tribune, and is now chair of Concordia University’s journalism department. The Sweet Sixteen book launch will be held this Saturday at the Media Club of Ottawa, an offshoot of the Canadian Women’s Press Club.

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  |  May 11, 2012 at 11:32 am

The Weekender: A soulful singer and a couple funky craft sales, plus four other awesome outings

Singer-songwriter Royal Wood plays at the NAC on Nov. 20. Photo credit: Ivan Otis.

ROYAL WOOD
You might have heard singer-songwriter Royal Wood when he opened for national tours with Serena Ryder, Sarah Slean, and David Gray. If you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, you’ve encountered his mellow, velvet-smooth voice on the soundtrack. Here’s your chance to hear him on his own well-deserved tour to promote his latest album The Waiting. Those in the know have even gone so far as to put his talents in the same league as Sexsmith and Wainwright. Saturday, Nov. 2o, 8 p.m. $25. National Arts Centre, Studio, 53 Elgin St., 613-755-1111. www.nac-cna.ca

THE ONE & ONLY CRAFT SALE (FREE!)
For those keeners (you know who your are!) who like to start their Christmas shopping in November, the One & Only Arts and Craft Fair is the place to be this Sunday. For one day only, the Sandy Hill Community Centre plays host to an eclectic group of vendors displaying funky jewellery, stuffed toys, purses, artwork, and knitted items. But what really sets this craft show apart is the free buffet of comfort foods and sweets. Sunday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St. E. www.sandyhillsoneandonly.blogspot.com

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  |  November 17, 2010 at 11:59 am

The Weekender: A ’50s dance party, two terrific art events, plus three more intriguing ideas

Louis Helbig's exhibit "Beautiful Destruction" is on view at City Hall Art Gallery until Sept. 26. Photo courtesy of Louis Helbig.

FESTIVAL X (FREE!)
There are way too many awesome exhibitions (35 at last count) to list them all, so check out the website and plan to spend lots of time being inspired and intrigued over the next few days and weeks. Some of our must-see picks for the weekend: Justin Wonnacott’s freaky fish at Carleton University Art Gallery (Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.), Louis Helbig’s Beautiful Destruction shots of the oil sands at City Hall Art Gallery (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., ending Sept. 26), and Karsh Award winner Tony Fouhse’s portraits at Karsh-Masson Gallery (Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). www.festivalx.ca

LA VENDEMMIA
Little Italy’s tasting, feasting, and stomping festival hits its peak this weekend. Our weekend picks? On Sept. 24, dozens of restaurants showcase feature lunch and dinner menus in honour of the event. On Sept. 25, head to Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana at 9 a.m. to meet up for a walking tour of Little Italy, then to Preston Hardware at 11 a.m. for a free wine-making seminar. For a full list of events visit www.prestonstreet.com/lavendemmia

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  |  September 22, 2010 at 11:05 am

The Weekender: Grown-up cartoons, hot air balloons, and four more long weekend events

 

"Twilight" is just one of the paintings by Michel Luc Bellemare that will be on view at Orange Gallery.

PIXIE DUST (FREE!)
An exhibit by artist Michel Luc Bellemare opens this Thursday as part of the 1st Thursdays Wellington West Art Walk. Bellemare, a young aboriginal artist working in Ottawa, offers a visually striking collection of large abstract paintings in the style of colour-realism. Vibrant and radiant, meditative and pleasing to the eye, Bellemare’s work actually stops you in your tracks — no mean feat if you’re doing the six-gallery crawl. Vernissage Sept. 2. 5-9 p.m. Show runs to Sept. 23. Orange Gallery, 233 Armstrong St. www.orangeartgallery.ca

GATINEAU HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
Look up — way up — for this aeronautical adventure that draws participants from around the world to show off the best in balloon designs. If you’re more of a feet-on-the-ground type of person, catch extreme sports demos, buskers, fireworks, a midway, and concert performances by Our Lady Peace and Hedley. Sept. 3 to 6. One day wristband: Sept. 3 $24, Sept. 4-6 $18. See website for full ticket info. La Baie Park, Gatineau, 819 243-2331. www.montgolfieresgatineau.com

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  |  September 1, 2010 at 11:57 am

The Weekender: Dancing, drive-ins, and three other inspired weekend ideas

Catch the Sound of Light grand finale on Aug. 21.

CASINO DU LAC-LEAMY SOUND OF LIGHT
This annual fireworks fest draws to a close on Saturday night with the aptly titled grand finale. The best pyrotechnics from four different countries duke it out to see who puts on the best show set to music — and earns bragging rights and the coveted Zeus trophy. Head out to see if Portugal, the defending champs, can hold on to their crown. Aug. 21 (9:30 p.m). General admission $10, free for children 11 and under, reserved seating $23. Lac-Leamy, 1 boul. du Casino, Gatineau, 819-771-FEUX (3389). www.feux.qc.ca

BELL BIV DEVO
Parliament Ultra Club hosts its biggest Rewind Party ever, courtesy of Bell Biv Devoe. Guaranteed to perform their smash hits “Poison,” “Do Me,” “I Thought It Was Me,” “When Will I See You Smile,” “She’s Dope” etc. Dress code: chic + summer. Vibe: dance till you can dance no more. Aug. 21 (9 p.m.). $35-$45. Tickets at Norml Clothing, The Pita Pit, Fades, and Mama Cee’s, as well as online. Parliament Ultra Club, 151 George St. www.capitaltickets.ca

PORT ELMSLEY DRIVE-IN
Relive your youth — visit the drive-in and make out under the stars. If you’re under 40 and have never experienced the drive-in, grab some friends and head to Port Elmsley to enjoy the groovy-ironic retro-cool vibe. First up, it’s The Switch with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. After that, some hardcore action with The Expendables. Movies begin at dusk. $10, children, $2. Snack bar available. Cash only. 333 Port Elmsley Rd. (just outside Smith’s Falls), 613-267-7772. www.portelmsleydrivein.com

IBL ALL-STAR CLASSIC
The boys of summer keep that sweet season feeling alive, serving up the Intercounty Baseball League All-Star Classic at sunny Ottawa Stadium (Lynx Stadium to baseball old-timers). The two-match series sees two Ottawa Fat Cats All-Star players (Cody Mombourquette and Danny Desclouds) suiting up for the IBL. On the other side, the cream of La Ligue de Baseball Senior Elite du Quebec (LBSEQ). Aug.21 (7 p.m.) and Aug. 22 (2 p.m.). Adult $10.62, child $5.31, seniors and students $7.08. 300 Coventry Rd., 613-749-2020. www.ottawafatcats.com

JUSTIN BIEBER
Ok, so this concert takes place after the weekend, but how could we not mention the Stratford, Ontario-native? Since becoming a YouTube sensation, this kid has attracted more than four million followers on Twitter, performed on Saturday Night Live alongside Tina Fey, and set the online world abuzz about his dreamy hair. Plus, he can sing! Songs like “Baby” and “One Less Lonely Girl” have no doubt made their way into your head and camped out for days. See what “Bieber Fever” is all about when he comes to Ottawa on Aug. 24. $32.50-$52.50. Scotiabank Place, 1000 Palladium Dr., 613-599-3267; 877-788-3267. www.scotiabankplace.com

  |  August 19, 2010 at 10:17 am

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