Looking Back, Gazing Ahead — It’s all Beautiful to Alan Doyle

 “They came to see you. So you be you and nobody else,” Gord Downie once told Alan Doyle. They are words he’s never forgotten. Words that remain as the one time member of Great Big Sea, Canada’s biggest party band, continues his career as a solo musician. Once, in what

One Nation Under Gord

 For a good life we just might have to weaken  And find somewhere to go Go somewhere we’re needed Find somewhere to grow -Gord Downie “Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by” It's a sentence that brings tears to the eyes of a

TIFF 2017, A Movie Fan’s Look Back

 The hangover is just about over. It lasted longer than expected. Of course I am referring to my hangover from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Over 11 days I saw 50 films and came back to Ottawa with the hopes of reviewing all of these films immediately. Unfortunately, the

Ed Socks it to Canada Day!

 Photos courtesy of the back of Ed's closet It’s 15-Oh Canada, eh! Sure we could have gone to J.T. himself, we could have lined up a new rendition of “Tears Are Not Enough” with Northern Lights 2017 and we could have even hosted a séance with the ghost of ol’

Book Review: Tragically Hip, Twisted

 Tragically Hip, Twisted: Illustrated stories inspired by Hip songs By David Sachs 154 pages  • ISBN 978-0-9940102-6-1 Last year Gord Downie’s courage inspired many Canadians but for David Sachs the inspiration from Gord and the Tragically Hip hit him 15 years ago with an initial spurt of creativity that has

Amazing Week For Canadian Music? JUNO-it!

 Photos by Kamara Morozuk What a great time to be a music fan in Canada’s capital, eh?  You could have thrown a Timbit in any direction and hit a musician as Ottawa became music city in the days leading up to the 2017 Juno Awards! Was that The Strumbella’s playing

One Nation Under Gord

 Photos by Andre Gagne. “Thanks for listening in the back. Thanks for listening, period. Have a nice life.” -Gord Downie There are moments in time that unify a people, memories that become the history we look back on remembering where we were, what we were doing, who we were with.

Perth’s World Record Kilt Run

 Nowhere is the past more present than in Perth, Ontario. The little town just outside of Ottawa is now in its 200th year, and celebrations recognizing its long history in Canada are in full swing. And nothing stands out more than Perth’s World Record Kilt Run. Originally envisioned by Terry

Mike’s 2015 Photo Roundup

 Allie X, RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, July 2015 - © MikesMedia.com. Ottawa music photographer Michael Wing from MIKE'S MEDIA saw everyone from Ed Sheeran to Rob Zombie onstage this year. His 2015 slideshow will make you feel like you're standing right on the stage, no earplugs required. [wzslider height="800" transition="'flash'" info="true"]

The Secret Side of Ian Fletcher Thornley

 Ian Fletcher Thornley is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for multi-platinum selling hard rock band Big Wreck. On December 11, he will be stepping on stage as a solo act for what is sure to be a captivating performance at Mavericks. Thornley’s first independent album Secrets was released on

Folk Rock Hits the Road to Ottawa

 Shining headlights across the country, Vancouver-based folk rock band The River and The Road are touring Canada in support of their new album. They will be stopping in Ottawa on Thursday, May 14, for a performance at Cafe Dekcuf. The band started off as a busking duo, consisting of singer