Author Archive

WEEKENDER: Big Mama Thornton, Bourbon & Spice, Living Green, plus theatre, music and more Northern Scene

BIG MAMA: THE WILLIE MAE THORTON STORY
Feel the unmistakable energy of a 70s blues club as the memory of Big Mama Thornton rocks on with the same old soulful songs and commanding stage presence. If the play leaves you wanting more, don’t miss a free talk on Saturday, April 27 at 12:45 in the NAC Fountain Room with Director John Cooper to discuss the creation of the play and the history and influence of the Blues.  $30. Wednesday, April 24, to Saturday, May 11, see website for show times. NAC Theatre, 53 Elgin St., www.nac-cna.ca

Lynda Brown © Ottawa Inuit Children's Centre

SPIRIT OF THE DRUMS (FREE!)
Shake your way into a new week! Delve deeper into the culture of First Nations and Inuit people of the North along to spirited dancing and the driving rhythm of the drums. This fifty-minute performance will help you to connect with Northern Scene, and discover first hand why drum dancing is such a beloved and vital art form. Sunday, April 28, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. NAC, 53 Elgin St., www.nac-cna.ca

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  April 24, 2013 at 9:51 am

MAY ISSUE: Daniel Alfredsson: 11 essays on No. 11. On newsstands April 25!

THE ALFIE ISSUE

He’s the face of the Ottawa Senators. Daniel Alfredsson. Captain, hero, hockey god. Father, mentor, community builder. As Alfie winds down his 17th season with the team, Ottawa Magazine deconstructs an icon: 11 perspectives on Number 11

Letter from the Editor

Thirteen years ago, Toronto’s late, great Saturday Night magazine published a brilliant article on a rising NBA superstar by the name of Vince Carter. The magazine’s editor asked 15 writers and artists for their impressions of Number 15, the new face of the Toronto Raptors. The resulting piece made for a great read. Carter was analyzed as a cultural invader, a Torontonian, even as an armpit (basketball fans will understand this — there are a lot of armpit shots at the free-throw line). You didn’t have to be a sports nut to enjoy the story, just a follower of local news and pop culture. After all, this guy was everywhere.

Which brings me to Daniel Alfredsson. For years, I would periodically ponder that Saturday Night article, waiting for the right moment to profile an Ottawa sports personality so well known that even the least-sports-minded local would recognize him on sight. That man is Number 11, the captain of the Ottawa Senators. A private person in a very public role, Daniel Alfredsson is both the face of the team and a community builder. In media interviews, he’s open and honest, sensible and direct. We feel as though we know him, but we don’t really. And that’s a credit to a huge star who has managed to protect his private life and self. We asked an array of accomplished writers — some who know the captain personally, others who have never met him — for 11 perspectives on the multi-faceted star wearing jersey Number 11. The results,
I hope you’ll agree, are both fun and revealing.

COMING UP: You’ve been asking for it ever since Ottawa Magazine published the first “101 Tastes to Try Before You Die” in 2009. That issue disappeared off newsstands within days and remains a popular page on our website. This past spring, food editor Shawna Wagman teamed up with food writers Anne DesBrisay and Cindy Deachman to comb the city’s bistros, bars, and markets in search of the 101 most enticing flavours of 2013. What does this list have in common with the one that caused such buzz in 2009? Absolutely nothing. And that’s a testament to just how fast the food scene is evolving — and how delicious and ambitious it has become. Get ready to be tempted all over again by the city’s bounty. Also on the bill: summer fiction to enjoy at your leisure and an Asian-inspired cottage-home on the water.

Sarah Brown, EDITOR

feedbackottawa@stjosephmedia.com

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  April 22, 2013 at 1:57 pm

TOP FIVE: Northern Scene offers something for the film lover, the foodie, the family, the music lover, and the partier

Springtime means Scene time in Ottawa. The sixth in a series of national festivals that showcase the country’s breadth of artistic talent is back for another round of revelry, this year giving a nod to Canada’s north. Starting April 25, some 250 artists take part in 50 events over 10 days. Worried you can’t get to everything? Heather Moore, producer/executive director of Northern Scene, narrows it down, offering her five picks (and the peeps they’ll appeal to).

Swarm include 15 exhibits, live music, and a fashion show.

1. For the partier – SWARM – April 26
SWARM is your event if you like the idea of experiencing everything in one night — a gallery crawl to 15 art exhibits is followed by a party at the NAC that includes an unconventional fashion show, DJs, live music, and performance art. And it’s free!

2. For the food lover - North-South Fusion: Live Cooking Demo and Tasting Event - May 1, NAC Le Salon
It’s a north-south gourmet mashup! Three chefs from north of 60 — Yukon’s Michele Genest, NWT’s Robin Wasicuna, and Nunavut’s Rebecca Veevee — show three local chefs  a thing or two about northern cuisine. Les Fougères’ Charles Part, Fraser Café’s Ross Fraser, and Le Café’s John Morris take on the challenge.

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  April 22, 2013 at 10:31 am

GIVEAWAY! Ottawa Magazine celebrates its 15th anniversary with 24 days of prizes!

 

Ottawa Magazine celebrates 15 years of success this April with a special collectors’ issue.

We never would have made it without the support of our readers and advertisers.

To both, a huge thank you!

As part of our celebrations, we’ve teamed up with 24 long-time Ottawa Magazine advertisers to offer 24 days of giveaways during the month of April.

Check back daily to see the prize of the day and enter to win!

 


  |  April 19, 2013 at 8:30 am

MY LOOK: Talking style with Dominic Coballe, co-owner of the local design house know as N-Product

Dominic is wearing a Joseph Abboud jacket paired with a Hugo Boss button-down, vintage Lee denim jacket, and Levi's cords. He topped off his outfit with a vintage tie and N-Product wooden tie clip. Photo by John Kealey.

By Elisabetta Bianchini

N-Product, the company owned by you and your wife, is basically a small design house for the lifestyle goods you conceive. How would you describe the brand and your designs?
N-Product is a play on words. N speaks to a mathematical equation — to the nth degree — meaning infinite ideas and products, which is our motivation. We don’t want to limit ourselves. Our goal is to make things that are fun and that instigate some sort of reaction with people.

You’ve said you’re a practitioner of the Slow Goods movement, which emphasizes quality materials, sustainable sourcing, and local manufacturing whenever possible. How does that impact what you personally wear or buy?
Both of us like fashion and clothing, but we don’t really like the disposable nature of things — we try to think of everything we buy as an investment. Really look at brands and labels that follow the Slow Goods approach, and you understand why the price tag makes sense.

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  April 18, 2013 at 8:41 am

WEEKENDER: The Edward Curtis Project, the great outdoors, and a girls’ day out — plus 6 more events that offer something for everyone

Todd Duckwork, Quelemia Sparrow, and Kevin Loring perform in The Edward Curtis Project.

THE EDWARD CURTIS PROJECT
More than 80 years after photographer Edward Curtis documented the First Nations, which he called a “vanishing people,” Métis/Dené playwright Marie Clements and photojournalist Rita Leistner embarked on a journey to re-contextualize his findings. The result is a phenomenal multi-disciplinary theatre production contrasting Curtis’ findings and the contemporary landscapes and people encountered by these two women. Directed by Clements, The Great Canadian Theatre Company provides an insightful glimpse into modern First Nations communities throughout North America. From $36. Until Sunday, April 21. See website for show times. Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington St. W., www.gctc.ca.

POTTERY SALE AND EXHIBITION (FREE!)
Fifty Ottawa ceramic artists and potters have been wedging, trimming, glazing, and firing up a storm in preparation for the annual Ottawa Guild of Potters Spring Sale and Juried Exhibition. The Ottawa Guild of Potters celebrates their 40th anniversary this year, and will kick off the weekend with a vernissage at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Come browse the creations of local potters, and find a uniquely hand crafted pot or sculpture to call your own! Thursday, April 11, to Sunday, April 14. See website for exhibition hours. Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd., www.shenkmanarts.ca.

THE COTTAGE AND BACKYARD SHOW
There might be a snowstorm in the forecast, but that won’t stop us from picturing days spent at the lake or dinners on the patio. The Cottage and Backyard Show rolls into town to get your outdoor space equipped for some fun in the sun. Join in seminars on gardening, grilling, and landscaping with resident experts to brush up on your knowledge of the season. And don’t miss out on this weekend of prizes, contests, and exhibitors to renew your holiday haven. $12, $10 online, children 17 and under free. Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14. See website for show hours. Ernst and Young Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr., www.caneastshows.ca/Cottage-Home.

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  April 10, 2013 at 12:19 pm

#dangerousliaisons: Inside the shocking online worlds of three teen girls charged with pimping out their friends

This article appeared in the October 2012 edition of Ottawa Magazine.

by Judy Trinh 

At the first home, a woman unleashes a barrage of profanities at me while chasing me off her garbage-strewn front yard. At the second, I encounter another woman sitting on her back stoop, staring vacantly at a parking lot. She simply sits in silence, refusing to acknowledge my presence. By the time I visit the third place, a simple walk-up brick apartment building in the city’s south end, I’m not sure what to expect. The main entrance consists of a creaky screen door that opens up to a set of steep, narrow stairs. My shoes echo with each step as I climb the dozen or so stairs to the top-floor unit, a not so subtle announcement of my arrival. A knock on the door of Unit 2 prompts a singsongy voice to inquire, “Who is it?”

A petite woman opens the door, smiling politely. Dark curls frame her makeup-free face, and she’s dressed in a long floral skirt with a crocheted shawl draped over her shoulders. When I introduce myself as a reporter, her breath catches and her smile fades. She knows the reason for the visit is her 15-year-old daughter, C.B.* [all names changed to protect the identity of the teens] “I don’t know what happened. I’m still trying to figure it out.”  Her words trail off. Her voice is tinged with defeat.

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  April 8, 2013 at 8:50 am

WEEKENDER: The Beatles Experience, a cool art party, and an orchestra outing for families are on the bill this April weekend

Relieve the magic that was the Beatles with Day Tripper: The Beatles Experience on Thursday night.

DAY TRIPPER: THE BEATLES EXPERIENCE
Though it’s been almost 45 years since The Beatles last played together publicly on a London rooftop, you’ll feel as though it was only “Yesterday” as you behold The Beatles Experience. Four accomplished Montreal musicians take the stage as John, Paul, George, and Ringo, reviving the nuances, mannerisms, and musicianship of the band that forever changed the world. From Beatlemania to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to Abbey Road, this concert will have you twisting and shouting for more. $51. Thursday, April 4, 8 p.m. Salle Odysée, 855 boule. de la Gappe., Gatineau, www.beatlesexperience.com.

EXTRAORDINARY ARCTIC FESTIVAL
As the weather (hopefully) warms up in the city, things are cooling off at the Canadian Museum of Nature. The Extraordinary Arctic Festival kicks off this weekend, featuring films, storytelling, performing arts, games, and activities. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition (a scientific expedition in the Arctic Circle), the Festival’s feature exhibit, Flora of the Canadian Arctic, contrasts flora specimens from 1912 and 2012. Get out and discover the remarkable heritage of Canada’s far north! $12, students and seniors $10, children $8, children three and under free. Thursday, April 4, to Sunday, April 28, Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., www.nature.ca.

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  April 3, 2013 at 11:00 am

WEEKENDER: Rubber chickens, rockin’ shows, and oh so much more to make this Easter weekend egg-ceed your egg-spectations! (Ha ha)

FALSE ASSUMPTIONS
Mystery! History! Drama! Romance! Ottawa native Lawrence Aronovitch applied his background in science and tremendous talent as a playwright to this must-see play about women’s contributions to science. Highlighting the hardships, heartbreaks, and hard-won achievements of female scientists, The Ottawa Theatre School and Plosive Productions bring science and sisterhood to the stage in the world premiere of False Assumptions. $20. Tuesday, March 26 to Saturday, March 30, 8 p.m. The Gladstone, 910 Gladstone Ave., www.thegladstone.ca.

The coveted Rubber Chicken Award is up for grabs at this year's Ottawa Theatre Challenge.

13th OTTAWA THEATRE CHALLENGE
Want to be entertained? Put all your eggs in one basket and head over to the NAC’s Fourth Stage. Watch as Ottawa’s theatre companies duke it out in the hopes of taking home the coveted grand prize: The Rubber Chicken Award. The catch? Each theatre group must write, rehearse, and produce a brand new piece of theatre from objects of inspiration provided to them by the other competitors — oh, and they only have 48 hours. Some feathers may be ruffled, but everyone leaves feeling good knowing that all proceeds go to the ALS Society of Canada. From $20. Wednesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St., www.fools.ca.

EASTER ON THE FARM
Spring is finally here (sort of), and the Agriculture Museum has come to life! As the barns start stirring with newborn creatures, your little animal lover will be psyched to check out these adorable animals. Visit with these fluffy chicks, furry rabbits, and wooly lambs and learn what make them so special on the farm. When you’re done, wash up and try your hand at making Easter breads. $9, students and seniors $7, children (three to 12) $6, children two and under free. Friday, March 29, to Monday, April 1, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Canada Agriculture Museum, 901 Prince of Wales Dr., www.agriculture.technomuses.ca.

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  March 27, 2013 at 3:42 pm

WEEKENDER: Nature Museum nightlife, a lumberjack showdown, and more in this colourful compilation of weekend events

LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
It’s a birthday of sorts! The Canadian Film Institute is celebrating an impressive 17 years of the annual Latin American Film Festival. All 16 films making their debut in Ottawa demonstrate the richness and diversity of Latin American culture and are by some of Latin America’s finest filmmakers. Films are in their original language with English sub-titles. From March 21 to April 7. $12, students and seniors $8. Library and Archives Canada building (Auditorium), 395 Wellington St., See website for showtimes, www.cfi-icf.ca.

Nature Nocturne takes over the Museum of Nature for its third edition. Photo by Martin Lipman © Canadian Museum of Nature.

NATURE NOCTURNE
A great way to warm up those joints after a long winter, the Nature Nocturne party is beckoning you out of hibernation! Grab your friends and shimmy and shake through the castle’s workshops, galleries, and art installations. You can also meet and greet with the artists to the rhythm of guest DJs. This highly interactive environment promises a titillating (and educational?) time for all those who attend. $20. Friday, March 22, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., www.nature.ca.

GRAND DESSERTS AFFAIR
Tired after a long week at work? Kick off the weekend with some sugar. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society are hosting the 5th annual Grand Desserts Affair. With prizes to be won, top chefs from across the city sweeten the deal by whipping up cakes, pastries, and other treats at dessert stations. And what you can really feel good about is that proceeds go towards cancer care in Ottawa. $75. Friday, March 22, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ashbury College, 362 Mariposa Ave., www.ohfoundation.ca.

Read the rest of this entry »

  |  March 20, 2013 at 9:01 pm

Newer posts » « Older posts
Food + Wine
Shopping
Homes + Gardens
Society