Tony Wohlfarth
This is a expanded version of the story that appeared in the October 2021 print edition.
Lynn Miles
Ottawa’s own Lynn Miles (pictured here) wrapped up the Upper Canada Folk Festival (UCFF) on September 25. The UCFF was held in a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. The event also included Ottawa musicians Amanda Rheaume and Ball & Chain.
Miles performed songs from her latest album and received two standing ovations. Her latest CD, We’ll Look for The Stars, can be ordered via her website: lynnmilesmusic.ca/. Next up, Miles performs at the Wakefield Writers Festival on October 27. For free tickets and online access, readers can check out: www.writersfete.com/viral-songs1.html.
Irene’s Pub
Irene’s Pub (885 Bank Street) is open and featuring live music. On October 15, Irene’s features Sean Oliver; on the 22nd, Ball & Chain.
Sean Oliver is Ottawa-based country singer-songwriter. Ball & Chain are Michael Hall and Jody Benjamin, two Ottawa-based musicians who play vintage country music.
For tickets and show information, readers can check out: irenes-pub-restaurant.myshopify.com/blogs/live-music/
Ottawa International Animation Festival
The 45th OIAF wrapped up on October 3. Over 10 days, 281 films from 38 countries were screened, along with talks by directors and other leaders in animation. Major awards went to “The Shaman’s Apprentice”, directed by Zacharias Kunuk, and to “Night Bus” directed by Joe Hsieh.
A complete list of all award winners: www.animationfestival.ca/awards-2021/
Irish Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO)
Tickets are now available for the IFFO Shorts & Docs Film Program, screening virtually November 5-7 at: www.ifiinternational.ie
The opening film Untold Secrets is a documentary about Anne Silke, a survivor of the Mother & Baby Homes Irish Institution. Directed by Teresa Lavina, running time is 1 hr 24 min.
Canadian War Museum (CWM)
The CWM (1 Vimy Place) has a new exhibition of the art of Elaine Goble. Goble’s portraits are of war veterans. The BUZZ had an opportunity to preview her art and meet the artist on September 23.
The museum is open for timed entry from Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday until 7 p.m. Tickets and more information are available at: www.warmuseum.ca.
National Arts Centre (NAC)
The NAC (1 Elgin Street) features a list of live performances this month including Feist (October 14-17), Steph Richards & Supersense (October 16) and Alan Doyle (November 16).
The NAC Orchestra is also back with both its experimental WOLFGANG sessions on October 23, and a combination of modern classical and Mozart in Primal Message on October 30. And jazz lovers can enjoy pianist and vocalist Laila Biali (October 30), powerful Cuban vocalist Daymé Arocena (November 4) and saxophonist Benjamin Deschamps (November 6).
For tickets and more information, readers can check out: nac-cna.ca/en/calendar/list/2021/10
Great Canadian Theatre Company
The GCTC (1223 Wellington Street) is back with five live performances beginning November 30.
The first play is Daisy and it is the Canadian premiere. Based on true events, Daisy is a story about the ad agency which created the first modern political attack ads during the 1964 U.S. presidential election campaign.
For tickets and information about the season, check out: www.gctc.ca
Alanis Obomsawin
At age 89, Obomsawin is a famous and highly celebrated Canadian filmmaker. Her latest film, Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair, had its world premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The film is based on Sinclair’s acceptance speech before The Society of World Federalists at McGill University in 2016. I found the most riveting part of the 29-minute film were the excerpts from the testimony of survivors before the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The testimony of an Inuvik elder was especially moving.
In a remarkable 50-minute interview on Q, Obomsawin talks about her five decades of filmmaking with CBC host Tom Power. See the entry for September 30 at cbc.ca/q
Most of Obomsawin’s films can be seen on the NFB’s website.
National Day of Reconciliation
Canada’s first National Day of Reconciliation on Thursday, September 30, was marked solemnly with events across the city. The most moving was my visit to the Beechwood Cemetery, where volunteers marked Orange Shirt Day with tours of the gravesite on the theme of reconciling history. The cemetery offers self-guided tours. Details are online at:
https://beechwoodottawa.ca/sites/default/files/2021-08/Reconciling%20History%20Tour.pdf
Out of Town
Beginning October 21, Immersive Klimt (1 Yonge Street, Toronto) offers a unique perspective on the art of the Austrian artist and founder of the secessionist movement. Tickets and show information are available at: www.immersiveklimt.com.
The Museum of Fine Arts (1380 Sherbrooke Street, Montreal) is open and has a number of special exhibitions, including the portraits of Yousuf Karsh. Karsh, who lived and worked in Ottawa, is widely considered the most important photographic portrait artist in the world. Tickets and opening times are available online at: www.mbam.qc.ca.
Tony Wohlfarth is an Ottawa-based freelance film and entertainment writer. He screened Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair courtesy of the NFB.