In early 2009, I faced the question so many other actors, writers, and artists in Ottawa eventually ask: “should I stay or should I go?”
Jessica’s enthusiasm, her unwavering belief in the vitality of the Ottawa arts scene, and her Ottawa Arts Newsletter were instrumental in convincing me that I should consider seriously the possibility of staying in Ottawa.
Now, in June 2010, after seriously considering it, I’m convinced the Ottawa arts community is vibrant, ripe with opportunity, and poised for even greater things!
Jessica, in her unwavering commitment to all things arts in Ottawa, has made an important contribution to the growth of our community with this newsletter.
I am privileged to be entrusted with the Ottawa Arts Newsletter and the community she has nurtured around it.
I’ll do my best not to muck it up (much), Jessica.
Sterling
June 3
Corigliano & Co!
$5/students and $10/adults.
I don’t know a lot about music but this seems like a pretty sweet deal for some high calibre talent.
June 4 – 12
Check out Rubato’s impressive website to get a feel for the tenor of a show that features the cream of the crop in Ottawa theatre. Written and directed by RBC Emerging Artist Award winner Patrick Gauthier, the production features talented local actors Simon Bradshaw, Kris Joseph, Catriona Leger, Tania Levy, and Kate Smith.
June 5
When I first attended one of the monthly Capital Slam nights, I was deeply impressed and, to be honest, more than a little surprised by the high calibre of the poets and poetry on offer.
Capital Slam events are competitive and, at the finals, the top four poets on the evening will represent Ottawa at the 2010 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word which takes place right here in Ottawa come October.
Q: Who won the 2009 competition? A: The top four poets from the 2009 Capital Slam Finals!
Analysis: a great night of spoken word / poetry.
June 10
Vernissage: The SPAO Motto Exhibition
Click here for the invite
The motto of the School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO) is “Vision, Content, Craft”. Exposure Gallery’s SPAO Motto Exhibition features work exemplifying this motto by seventeen of SPAO’s very best students and alumni.
An inspired exhibit of fine art photography and Thyme and Again’s glorious pita chips! What more could you want?
Oh! And if you buy some of this fine art photography, you also help pay my rent!
June 11 – 13
A 100% Canadian three day festival that attracts about 200,000 people and features music, visual arts, literary arts, performance art, dance, spoken word, and theatre?
In what magical metropolitan not-Ottawa city could such an event take place?
How about Westboro Village? That’s in Ottawa, BTW.
Jessica tells me all the spoken word performers are local. She also recommends checking out local musicians Peggy White, Bloomistry, and The Balconies. And if you really want to get your local on — and you should — June 13th is Ottawa Night.
Word to the wise: I can’t make sense of the site. Click here to go directly to the printable PDF of the schedule.
June 17 – 27
The Ottawa Fringe is without question THE event in the Ottawa theatre community’s calendar. Amateurs, semi-pros, and pros come together to perform their work and to host some great national and international talent.
And by “host”, I mean, we try to out drink them in the beer tent.
There is so much happening in this year’s feast of a fest (yes, I will regurgitate publicity tag lines for the right people), I won’t even bother plugging the three shows in which I’m directly involved (I’m appearing in G-Men Defectives, Deliver’d From Nowhere, and I wrote Prisoner’s Dilemma.)
Instead, I want to plug two great new Festival initiatives.
First, the Lunchtime Artist Series will feature interviews and discussions with writers, creators, and performers involved with this year’s Festival. It looks rich with potential!
Second, OYP Theatre school will run a theatre day camp for 4 -13 year olds on the 19th & 26th of June.
This thoughtful initiative makes it easier for parents to attend the Fringe and it also indoctrinates a whole new generation of performers, audiences members, and Fringe volunteers.
June 24 – July 4
You probably don’t need to be reminded of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. You probably do need to be reminded to support some of the local acts.
Jessica says check out: Soul Jazz Orchestra, Jill Zmud, John Geggie, and Kellylee Evans.
Ok.That’s it for, June. I hope Henry isn’t jealous.
Claudia
June 2, 2010
Thanks for the mention about the Corigliano & Co! Concert tomorrow night at Freiman Hall! Best of luck with the Newsletter – looks great already!
sterlinglynch
June 2, 2010
You’re very welcome. I’d attend, if I wasn’t working. I hope it’s a great success.
jessicaruano
June 3, 2010
I actually had to look up that Henry and June reference. Man, you’re obscure!
Erika Morey
June 3, 2010
Perhaps a tad TOO obscure, one might argue. I’m still not getting it.
jessicaruano
June 3, 2010
I assume this is it, as it’s a sexy romance novel : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_and_June
sterlinglynch
June 10, 2010
Seriously! You guys don’t know about Henry Miller’s wild romance with June!?
Thanks for the link! I didn’t know about this book!
sterlinglynch
June 10, 2010
Perhaps by obscure, you mean lame.
Jan
June 4, 2010
A fahion show at the War Museum tonight? You heard me.
http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/whats-on/event-details&EventId=886
(Sterling, I hope you don’t mind people adding events to your newsletter. And I did get the Henry and June reference, but I thought of the movie instead of the novel.)
sterlinglynch
June 10, 2010
Jan! My apologies I totally forgot to answer your question!
Yes! You are very welcome to post other events! I hope the evening was a resounding success!
Diehl Art Gallery
June 27, 2010
Looks like you have a great month planned out!
sterlinglynch
June 28, 2010
It has been pretty fun!