Category Archives: Canadiana

November 18, Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar played the NAC Fourth Stage, and the intimate setting leant itself to a great show for the 10 piece band. Samantha is exploring a new sound, taking Delta Sugar from a 5 piece to a 10 piece, and it works! Samantha’s roots/soul/blues sound has just been taken up a couple of notches.

The Hamilton based husband and wife duo Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland, better known as Whitehorse, are known for their passionate performances on stage, and it was no different on Tuesday night at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Canada’s King of the rumba flamenco Jesse Cook took centre stage at the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on Tuesday night delivering a show not soon to be forgotten.  This was my first experience seeing Jesse live and it didn’t take more than one song to solidify his spot on my list of best live performances I’d seen this year.

I always love an excuse to go to the city, and rock shows are my favourite kind of excuse. The venue, Marquee Beer Market & Stage, is top notch. I mean, the place has four bars, serves food, has a fantastic stage and lighting set-up, and huge dance floor. Oh, and I can’t not mention the giant disco ball and microphones hanging from the ceiling. This place is a good times factory.  

After months of preparation and anticipation the Grey Cup Festival has finally arrived in Ottawa. The Grey Cup itself will make its arrival in the city tomorrow and the main events will kick off starting Thursday. Here’s a rundown of what you can do for FREE over the next few days at the Grey Cup Festival.

James Keelaghan is a Canadian songwriter of the finest caliber.

My first experience listening to James was celtic styled folk tune, “Henry’s Downfall”. I positively expected he was from Canada’s East coast, but as it turns out, he originally hails from Calgary, Alberta.

Talented, local Ottawa country singer/songwriter, Sandi Skye graced the stage at the John Street Pub in Arnprior last weekend and delivered a performance that will not soon be forgotten. The performance included a mix of her original songs and some classic gems from country hitmakers Johnny Cash to Shania Twain. The John St. Pub was the perfect setting and the crowd that was taking it all in.

Crowd at WE Day in Ottawa 2017 (Canadian Tire Centre) Photo by Els Durnford (@elsdurnford)

12000 students from around Ottawa, and as far as St John’s NFLD gathered at the Canadian Tire Centre this past Wednesday for a spectacle of inspiration for change at We Day Ottawa 2017. All ages from elementary school to high school gathered to hear notable speakers like Former Secretary General of the United Nations and the Downie-Wenjack Families. Discussing a variety of issues from indigenous rights in Canada, to Canada’s impact overseas, to the ability for an individual to make a difference through organ donation or volunteering with food banks.

Brett Kissel has FINALLY announced his much anticipated new album We Were That Song today which is currently in pre-sale for full release December 8. This album was creating it with the help of record label Warner Music, and had its release date pushed in order to put the time and energy into each detail. Following his performance at We Day Ottawa, we were lucky enough to be invited to listen to a few tracks on the album with Brett and an intimate audience, where he made it clear how much of himself went into this album describing it as a “labour of love.”

Celebrating 40 years of music Foreigner’s 40th Anniversary tour rolled into Budweiser Gardens Tuesday night. Now if anyone knows me at all they know I’m a 20 something and logistically that means that I wasn’t even alive when both Prism and Foreigner were in their prime, but I’m no stranger to both artists and let me tell you after a show like this I can fully appreciate why these two bands have had such long successful careers.