EVENT WATCH: Jane’s Walk explores hidden spaces, contemporary art, social services — and turtles!

Thousands of residents are expected to hit the streets on May 4 and 5 for Jane’s Walk, a citywide event that celebrates local businesses, public spaces, and the city’s history. Launched in Toronto in 2007 in honour of the late activist and author Jane Jacobs, the walks have quickly grown in popularity and spread all over the world, beginning in Ottawa six years ago. An expert in urban literacy and city planning, Jacobs was known for saying “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” In this spirit, the free events are led by experts and locals with a passion for their neighbourhoods. With an expected 50 walks taking place around Ottawa-Gatineau, here are five we’re especially eager to try.

By Sanita Fejzic

Documentary photographer Jackson Couse invites people to explore — and discuss — the Somerset West community on a special route that includes hidden paths and alleyways. Photo by Jackson Couse.

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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.

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COMEDIC TIMING: Linden House’s Janet Uren talks about this year’s theatre production and what it takes to succeed

Linden House is growing up. Over the past six years, it has been lovingly nurtured, developing from one woman’s brainchild into a mature theatre company with a production team of 10. Ottawa Magazine’s Emma Paling caught up with mother-of-the-operation Janet Uren ahead of this year’s production, George Bernard Shaw’s You Never Can Tell.

You Never Can Tell runs Oct. 23 to 27, 28, 31, and Nov. 1 to 3. $25. Elmwood Theatre, 261 Buena Vista Rd., 613-842-4913, www.lindenpro.ca.

Janet Uren is an "advanced" woman, while Danny McLeod is an impoverished dentist who has the bad luck to fall in love with her daughter in the October production of "You Never Can Tell" by George Bernard Shaw. Photo by Mike Heffernan.

Why did you start Linden House?
The most important reason was that an opportunity arose to perform on a stage — community, and even professional, theatre in Ottawa faces a shortage of stages.

I’m an alumna of Elmwood School, and they have a lovely auditorium and stage [that we could use], so I had a venue. I’d also encountered George Stonyk while working on another production, and he became our director, while I covered the business side and acted in the productions.

Another reason for starting Linden House is that I had a yen to do a particular type of comedy — the comedy of wit, an intelligent kind of humour. That tends to be British — American and Canadian humour is usually different.

How do you choose which plays to produce?
It’s agonizing! George and I both read plays and submit them to each other as possibilities. Then we blow each other out of the water and start again. We do just one play each season, though this year we also did a one-night reading in September. We don’t look for just a good play, but for a play with roles suited to the actors we have in our circle from Ottawa’s theatre community. We look for plays that are interesting, but also happy. It’s a difficult process that takes a long time. It’s a bit frightening too, because a good play is the first ingredient to success.

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AUGUST ROAD TRIPS! Events and inspiration before it’s back to school

These events listings appear in the Summer edition of Ottawa Magazine. For more local events, buy the magazine on newsstands or order your online edition.

Calabogie Blues & Rib Fest. All good things come together at Calabogie during this popular three-day festival. Attendees eat sticky ribs while enjoying the great outdoors and listening to blues grooves by some of Canada’s best musical talent. For those looking to keep their costs down, camping is available for both tents and RVs. Aug. 17 to 19. $50 weekend pass, $25 day pass, children under 12 free. Calabogie Peaks Resort, 30 Barrett Chute Rd., Calabogie, 800-669-4861, www.calabogieblues.com.

Lanark Village 150th Anniversary. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of Lanark Village, and they’re pulling out all the stops to celebrate. This four-day event kicks off with LanarKarnival, featuring a giant slide, bounce castle, dunk tank, gladiator ring, live music, and a barbecue. Saturday and Sunday events include the unveiling of a mural, walking tours of the town, and historical demonstrations of blacksmithing, weaving, quilting, and broom-making. On Saturday afternoon, there’s a parade of vintage cars, fire trucks, and floats. Sunday also features a classic car show, and the festivities wrap up on Monday with another barbecue. Aug. 3 to 6. Various locations, Lanark Village, 613-259-3001, 613-256-7881, www.lanarkvillage150th.ca.

Civil War Re-enactment Weekend. Few Canadians realize that some 50,000 Canadians fought in the American Civil War. The war itself had a very large impact on Canada, and Upper Canada Village is picking up the tradition of Civil War re-enactments and giving it a Canadian twist. The re-enactment weekend includes military camp and surgery exhibits, military drills for children, and, of course, a number of battle recreations. Aug. 4 and 5. $17, seniors and youth $14, children under five free. Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, www.uppercanadavillage.com.

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EVENT WATCH: Bluesfest goes local with the PepTides, July 8

Photography by Jonathan Hobin.

Much of the hype you’ll hear about Ottawa band The PepTides surrounds their live show — and the buzz is apt. The PepTides is a nine-piece band where everyone is dressed to the nines in a style that’s part Mad Men and part Solid Gold circa 1981. That style is played out in the music — a blend of old-time swing and kitschy synth-rock. The band’s flair for delicious contrasts is appealing, especially when they set chipper, new-fangled disco music against intriguing lyrics about the darker side of humanity. See website for individual ticket prices and festival pass options. The PepTides play the main stage at 3 p.m. on July 8. LeBreton Festival Site, 613-247-1188, www.ottawabluesfest.ca. 


DESIGN NEWS: Colour Confidential’s Jane Lockhart comes to town (for free consultations!)

Lockhart will be giving free mini-consultations on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Sears Home Pinecrest

Jane Lockhart, host of Colour Confidential, wants you to call it quits with that colour that can’t commit. With over 20 years of experience and her own interior design show on W Network, Jane Lockhart knows her stuff. She’s making the trip from Toronto for an appearance in Ottawa this weekend, but took a time-out to chat with Ottawa Magazine’s Emma Paling first.

Why did you get into interior design?
I’ve been in interior design for 22 years now. I know it sounds like such a cliché, but I always built dollhouses and things like that ever since I was a little kid. I don’t know why, it’s just always been my thing. It’s probably because, in a strange sort of way, I never had a good home life, so I think a good home represented that for me.  I planned to go into architecture all along, since grade seven, but as I got further into my education I realized interior design gave me more flexibility.

How did you end up as the host of Colour Confidential?
I actually pitched the show to a producer I was working with at the time, who I was friends with. I graduated in the ‘80s during the recession, so I actually started out working at Benjamin Moore. One of the things I noticed there was how scared people were of colour. So, fast-forward 10 years later, I said to the producer, “I really find it amazing that we can do all this renovation work for people and the only thing they comment on is colour.”

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JULY ROAD TRIPS! Events and inspiration for the height of summer

These events listings appear in the Summer edition of Ottawa Magazine. For more local events as well as August roadtrips, buy the magazine on newsstands or order your online edition.

Fort Henry Flight of the Royal George. To celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Fort Henry presents an incredible re-enactment along the shores of Lake Ontario of when American vessels pursued the British ship The Royal George into Kingston. The re-enactment features three tall ships and seven gunboats in a carefully orchestrated display of military history. This is one of the largest naval re-enactments to take place during the bicentennial celebrations. July 1. $17, seniors and youth $14, children five and under free. Fort Henry, 1 Fort Henry Dr., Kingston, 613-542-3054, www.forthenry.com.

Sunset Ceremonies. Be sure to attend one of Fort Henry’s most celebrated events — the spectacular Sunset Ceremonies! Every Wednesday and Saturday evening, the Fort Regiment performs split-second bayonet drills and field manoeuvres, recreating the exciting battle tactics from over a century ago. The ceremonies are more than a visual display of movement and colour — sound is also very much part of the experience. Listen to period military music, and prepare yourself for thundering gun salutes, complete with a fireworks finale. July 4 to Aug. 29. $20, seniors and youth (six to 12) $17, children under five free. 1 Fort Henry Dr., Kingston, 613-542-7388, www.forthenry.com.

Silence of the Hams: Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise. Big Time Murder Productions and Gananoque Boat Line collaborate to serve dinner and set the scene for murder. Big Time’s resident flatfoot is on the case. The combination of mystery, hilarity, and an elaborate menu is sure to make a great evening for any pseudo-seafarer. July 7. $70, $130 per couple. 280 Main St., Gananoque, 613-382-2144, www.ganboatline.com.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Q&A with Canada Dance Festival performer (and local gal) Jocelyn Todd

Jocelyn Todd will be performing with students from across the country at this year's Canada Dance Festival.

Call it the contemporary dance version of a mash-up track. On Tuesday night at the Canada Dance Festival, which runs June 8 to 16, students from five different dance schools across the country will perform Joe et Rodolphe, a composite production of two different works choreographed by Canadian artist Jean-Pierre Perrault. Jocelyn Todd, who’s just graduating from The School of Dance’s three-year contemporary program, is the only Ottawa native in the ambitious production. Ottawa Magazine’s Emma Paling caught up with her a few days before the big show.

What does it mean to be part of this festival?
It’s a great opportunity for any dancer who’s graduating to be a part of this festival. A lot of people come to see the new faces of the professional scene. It’s wonderful to be part of such a well-respected dance project. For me, it’s also a real honour to be working on this piece because the original production of Joe and all of Perrault’s projects are really important to many dancers. He was the first choreographer to have people dancing in regular street clothes and shoes onstage.

How will your training in Ottawa influence your career as a dancer?
The program here in Ottawa is different from other programs. Graduates from other programs tend to have a lot more people in their schools, so since we’re a smaller group we get a lot more attention. Here, we’re taught by one of Canada’s grandfathers of dance, Peter Boneham. He brings a lot to the training.

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OPENING! Font freaks will love artist Anne Wanda Tessier’s show at Pressed cafe

LETTER PERFECT

Like many before her, Anne Wanda Tessier made the sensible decision to obtain a Business Degree from the University of Ottawa rather than try to make a living as an artist. But her love of art and painting stayed with her, inspiring her to continue painting. Her brightly coloured acrylic paintings have been exhibited in galleries in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, and now her interest in letterpress printing has resulted in a series of prints on display this summer (her show opens June 7 at Pressed cafe). The limited edition prints are graphic representations of compliments Anne has collected over the years in a small notebook. Reading them made her happy, and she wanted to share that happiness with others. Ottawa Magazine art director Jane Corbett  talked to Anne recently about the genesis of her project and the process involved in the making of the prints.

Marked and well-used wooden type blocks spell out Anne's initials. (Photography by Anouk Landry) Anne poses with her Compliments prints. (Photography by Rémi Thériault) A compliment inked and ready to print.

Q. How did you become interested in letterpress printing?

I’ve been interested in anything print-related for the past few years. I’ve always wanted to experience how typesetting was done before the days of InDesign and Illustrator, and I wanted to learn how to make those beautiful deep imprints on paper. In October 2010, I went to Printopolis, an international symposium on printmaking in Toronto. Printopolis was an eye opening look at the trends in printmaking, the studios that were available, and the projects printmakers were producing—it was inspiring to attend! That spurred me on to take a 1-week intensive letterpress workshop at the San Francisco Center for the Book in November, 2010. There I learned how to set type and operate a Vandercook press. 

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THIS WEEKEND! A jam-packed heritage house tour in Sandy Hill

The Historical House and Garden Tour: In support of the Laurentian chapter of the IODE, the city’s heritage is on display in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood on June 8 and 9. The ambitious tour includes: 9 open houses from all the eras; expert interpreters (historians, designers, restorers, heritage activists, descendants of the Besserer family); tea on the verandah at Laurier House; music both days by Julian Armour (at All Saints – great place to rest your feet); backstage tours of Ottawa Little Theatre; a self-guided walking tour; and an illustrated talk on architect James Mather at St. Alban’s. All this for just $30. 


A LOOK AT ONE HOUSE ON THE TOUR   By Janet Uren
Richard Gervais, who for many years has run a B&B out of an Edwardian terrace at the corner of King Edward and Laurier, was not thinking about neighbourhood preservation when he bought the derelict property in another older enclave of the city — Sandy Hill — in the 1980s. He merely wanted to save one glorious old house. It was not long, however, before he found himself working to preserve the street and, later, the whole of Sandy Hill. Gervais’ house (pictured at left) is featured on the 2012 IODE House & Garden Tour, the IODE Laurentian Chapter’s 51st annual tour for charity. His house and eight others on the tour give rare insight into the story of Sandy Hill.

The Martin Terrace was almost in ruins when Gervais bought it, but its restoration is only part of the work that he has undertaken on behalf of the neighbourhood. Not long after he moved in, he discovered that the city planned to demolish Panet House next door, a limestone house built in 1874.

Gervais did everything he could to make sure that the building survived. Restored by heritage renovator Sandy Smallwood, the house is now occupied by the Embassy of Angola. (Smallwood has been responsible for the preservation of many historic properties in Sandy Hill, including Wallis House, site of two glorious condos, which are also included on the house tour.)

Tickets are $30 and are available at various retailers (see website), by calling 613-842-5304, or through the website at laurentian.iode.ca.


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