The Musical Storm of Ash & Bloom

 The powerhouse folk duo Ash and Bloom, is bringing a musical storm to Ottawa. Echoing thunderous harmonies and striking bolts of brilliant songwriting, these two are a must-see act this spring. Hamilton-based Matt McKenna and James Bloemendal have been playing music together for almost a decade, originally meeting in the

Fashion Goes Green

 Photo credit: MIV Photography Bayshore Shopping Centre and H&M collaborate for eco-fashion initiatives through “Conscious Exclusive” line We wake up every morning, head to our closet and skim through racks of clothing. Some pieces are our favourites, some are fashion staples and some have never made the cut. Inevitably, the story

Venture into the Mind of Experts with OSFAS

 With our busy day-to-day lives, it’s not too often we get the chance to sit back and engage in something new. If you have a passion for arts and sciences, here’s your chance to discover new information at the upcoming presentations from the Ottawa Society for the Arts and Sciences (OSFAS).

Walk Towards a Cure

 When you were a kid who was your favourite super hero? Batman? Superman? Wonder Woman? No matter who it was, you always admired them for their determination and courage. These qualities are equally demonstrated by the estimated 75, 000 Canadians living with multiple sclerosis (MS), an unpredictable illness that affects

Exploring Beauty at the National Women’s Show

 You cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of curiosity and a burst of adrenaline rush through your veins when you walk into a room filled with over 250 exhibitors and thousands of excited women looking to discover the next best thing. The aisles are crowded, the discounted goods are

Must Read: The Thin Black Line by Simon Gervais

 Prepare for a whirlwind of a read. Simon Gervais’ newly released debut novel The Thin Black Line, is a must-read thriller based right here in Canada’s capital city. A first time novelist, Gervais delivers a heart-pumping, nerve-racking story with a climactic ending you won’t see coming. In The Thin Black

Give Pierre a Chance

 With new cabinet responsibilities, Pierre Poilievre has the opportunity to prove his worth The new minister responsible for the National Capital Commission isn’t without his critics. Pierre Poilievre, who has served as the minister of state for democratic reform since July 2013, has gained what seems like an unending supply

Experiencing Wonderkind

 Learn what it means to feel “wonderkind” with the cross-Canada tour of Language Arts this spring. Toronto’s unique alternative jazz-pop band has been together for ten years, although it has been a rotating door in terms of members. Currently the band consists of classically trained Kristen Cudmore, drummer Neil MacIntosh, keyboardist Joel

IBEW PROFILE: Rick Wallace

 Rick Wallace is a construction and maintenance coordinator with Hydro Ottawa. Over the last 34 years, Wallace has been working in a career he loves and cannot imagine doing anything else. He says the best part about his job is being able to work outside with a great team that

Artfull Embassies

 Knock on the door of U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman and his wife Vicki's Lornado residence in Rockcliffe, and you are greeted by the beautiful work of American artist Eric Fishel. Take a few more steps inside and seven other major pieces of art will catch your eye. The Art in

Around the World in a Day: The Ottawa Travel & Vacation Show

 Photo courtesy of Lois Siegel Bit by the travel bug? Your timing couldn’t be better. Photo courtesy of Lois SiegelThe Ottawa Travel and Vacation Show is back to guide you every step of the way in planning your next trip! Whether you want to bask in the sun on a

Calling All Superheroes!

 Are you a geek? Well, it’s time to celebrate! The Ottawa Geek Market is back at the Nepean Sportsplex to celebrate all things superheroes and gaming from March 27 to 29. Imagine 40,000 square feet of shopping, games and superhero-themed activities! Is there anything else you would rather be a

Beauty Beneath

 To the average person, Tornillo, Sapelle, Marupa and Ipe might seem like the names European soccer players. However, they are actually the names of art materials to Frank Diaz, owner of Buena Vista Flooring. “When you’re working with wood, stain, colours and custom designs, you can do anything. When the

Nepean Fine Arts League Spring Show and Sale: Buying Local Art

 By Melody Duncan Forty years ago, I bought my first painting at a local art show. It was the first of many. Today, I am one of the 124 area artists who belong to that same association. The Nepean Fine Arts League is now 51 years old, still going strong

Upcoming Festival Launch for Westfest

 Ottawa’s favourite free arts festival is coming back to town! Westfest will be launching the line-up and programming for their 2015 event on Thursday, March 12, at 10 a.m. sharp. The public announcement will be made at Clocktower Brew Pub on Richmond Road. Each year more than 100,000 people attend

Unleashing Folk ’n’ Roll 

 Cloudless, blue skies are drawing nearer for the Toronto band Sun K with the release of their debut album on March 10. The eight-track collection titled Northern Lies, brings together a combination of folk and rock genres creating a fresh and catchy sound. “We like to call it folk ’n’

Jump! Start Your Broadcasting Career

 Local Ottawa radio station JUMP! 106.9 has started a nine-week, city-wide search for a new morning show co-host. And that co-host could be you! No experience? No problem! Jump! is offering a rare chance to bypass all of the studying, less-than-ideal radio jobs and work for an almost instantaneous shot

Once Upon Kingdom: Ottawa Children’s Theatre Turns Six

 Photo courtesy of Mikhail Matousov Once upon a time, in faraway Russia, a little girl Ekaterina Vetrov dreamed of theatre. Over one hundred people came to celebrate the theater's birthday. Photo courtesy of Lily Baranova Today, the artistic director Vetrov is celebrating the sixth anniversary of her own international theatre

Jeremy Harder: The Art of Dynamic Doodling

 Photo courtesy of Jeremy Harder For as long as he can remember, Jeremy Harder loved to draw. By the age of five, he was already receiving praise from family and friends for his talent. By the time he reached high school, Harder was constantly filling notebooks with doodles and designs.

Ottawa Hockey Analytics Outlined Where the Game is Headed

 The Ottawa Hockey Analytics conference at Carleton University showed how the game is evolving from a statistical standpoint. When author and advanced statistics writer Rob Vollman stated “we might make fun of plus-minus for its weaknesses and flaws” in front of a sold out crowd at the Ottawa Hockey Analytics

Winterlude: the key to enjoying winter in Ottawa

 By Katie Burley (Photo courtesy of Canadian Heritage) From Jan. 30 to Feb. 16 Ottawa's winter comes to life as people gather from all over to enjoy Winterlude in the nation’s capital. On the weekend of Feb. 7 and 8, many gathered in the frigid cold to enjoy ice-skating, beavertails

Liz Manley and friends fundraise for youth mental health in Ottawa

 Photo courtesy of Photographics Photography.  Canada’s skating sweetheart, Elizabeth Manley and other Olympic Champions will gracefully glide around the ice rink at Ottawa’s TD Place as part of a two-day fundraiser on February 13 and 14, 2015. A portion of the money raised will go to the Do It For

Joking around for over 30 years

 As a mainstay in the Canadian comedy scene, Yuk Yuk’s entertains audiences with laughter across the country. This past year marked the franchise’s 30th anniversary. A lot has happened in the last three decades. Formed with the intention of providing an outlet to local comics in Toronto, Yuk Yuk’s performances

The 2015 Federal Election is a chance to put the disastrous Harper era behind us

 ABOVE: The Conservative Party led by Stephen Harper won a majority in the 2011 federal election. (PHOTO: CBC) By Paul R. Meinema After nine years of scandals and cynical policies from Stephen Harper's Conservative government, it is clear that Canadian voters have grown weary of the Conservatives' ideological, secretive, and

Representing Canadian workers: the IBEW and Kathy Choquette

 "I knew I wanted to get into a trade,” says Kathy Choquette, an electrical foreman with Ziebarth Electrical Contractors Inc. (ZEC). Choquette is celebrating 10 years with the company and 21 years with the IBEW. It all started in 1989 when she took the Women in Trades and Technology course at