Tony Wohlfarth
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum (1 Vimy Place) opened a new outdoor exhibition, War Machines, this week. You can see demonstrations of real combat equipment, from the Second World War to the modern era, in operation in the area behind the museum. The rumble of tanks will only run from August 18 to 21, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. each day. Vehicles will also be displayed inside.
Inside is the temporary exhibition, Forever Changed – a portrait of Canadians who played a role in World War II, ranging from factory workers making armaments to soldiers who fought and died in the battlefields of Europe and in Asia. I spent two hours touring this exhibit on Emancipation Day and found it very informative. It runs until September 5.
A Community at War is an exhibit developed by the Niagara Military Museum, profiling black Canadians from that region who played a role in defending Canada. It has been extended until March 19, 2023.
The permanent exhibition at the CWM has been revamped with new displays on \the Cold War, the Korean War, and the peacekeeping role Canada plays in places as diverse as Kosovo and the Golan Heights.
Timed entry tickets to the CWM must be reserved at : www.warmuseum.ca/visit/. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday until 7.
Canadiana
Last month, I caught up with the crew for Canadiana, filming outside Library & Archives Canada (LAC). Canadiana is a series of films about incredible moments from across Canada, told by a narrator who brings Canadian history to the small screen, accessible for both the young and the old.
Ashley Brook is the producer for the series. The film shoot which brought her to Ottawa is episodes 5 (about the Cold War) and 6 (the building of the Rideau Canal). Hosted by Adam Bunch, the series streams at: thisiscanadiana.com. The series is also available on YouTube, via their channel.
Are you a history buff? If so, Canadiana is for you. I found the episode on Sudbury and the origins of its vast mineral deposits informative and entertaining. Episode 5 drops on August 30.
The Bytown Museum
The Bytown Museum has re-opened, after closing for over two years due to the pandemic. The museum is located beside the Rideau Canal near the Chateau Laurier Hotel and features three floors of artifacts dating from the canal’s opening in 1832. The Rideau Canal is a national historic site.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, $2 for children, and $18 for a family.
Fourposter Bed
The Classic Theatre Festival is staging a version of the Broadway classic play by Jan de Hartog at Arts Court (2 Daly). Fourposter Bed runs from August 5-28 with eight shows each week. See classictheatre.ca/the-fourposter-ottawa/
SAW Gallery (67 Nicholas)
SAW Gallery is currently running a series of concerts and music videos outside its location near the ByWard Market. The final one is set for Sunday, August 22, with Ottawa street poet and rapper City Fidelia. Check out www.manymoonsconcerts.com for more information.
Imagine Monet
A colourful larger-than-life display of the art by French impressionist Claude Monet is on offer at the EY Centre, 4699 Uplands Drive. Monet is considered the father of the Impressionist school of art.
I previewed the exhibit in April during its run at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) in Montreal. I recommend devoting one to two hours for the display.
Imagine Monet continues until September 4. See: www.imagine-monet.com/ottawa-tickets/?lang=en
Banksy 360 at Lansdowne
Banksy is widely considered the world’s most famous street artist. He hides under a pseudonym but is thought to be from Bristol.
An unauthorized immersive exhibition of his work, Banksy 360, is on display at the Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park until October 7.
I had an opportunity to see the exhibition firsthand earlier this month.
The first three rooms are a storyboard, followed by a larger-than-life animated film directed by Justin Alexis. Well worth spending an hour discovering this artist and his work. There is a large gift shop with mementos from Banksy’s work.
Tickets and more information: banksy360.com/home/ottawa/
Looking ahead to September
On September 8-18, film buffs from around the world will gather in Toronto for the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Tickets and films to watch: www.tiff.net/
City Folk/OIAF
Closer to home, City Folk will return from September 8-17 at Lansdowne Park, and the Ottawa International Animation Film Festival (www.animationfestival.ca/) gets underway on September 21.
City Folk kicks off on the 8th with Ottawa’s own Kathleen Edwards. It wraps up on the 27th with Sarah Harmer.
National Arts Centre (1 Elgin)
The NAC is home to a diverse range of music this fall. Here is a guide to the top acts to watch out for:
- August 19: the Female Voices of the Middle East;
- August 25: The 2022 Capital Pride Pageant;
- August 27 – September 18: Buffy Sainte-Marie: Pathfinder, a free retrospective exhibition of Sainte-Marie’s paintings, sketches, artifacts and behind-the-scenes photos;
- August 30-September 4: Anastasia, the latest musical live from Broadway;
- September 15: Matt Dusk Sings Frank Sinatra;
- September 16: Buffy Sainte Marie in concert.
- Tickets and info: nac-cna.ca/en/calendar/list/2022/08/
Dundonald Park
On Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in August and September, you can hear free shows by local musicians in Dundonald Park.
A jazz guitarist is scheduled to play August 19. The schedule is at www.thearthousecafe.ca/events
Live on Elgin (220 Elgin)
On August 22, there’s a Queer Folks kitchen party at Live on Elgin featuring queer musicians from the Ottawa region (Jack Pine, Tina Wallace, Grayce Aromantic) playing a variety of acoustic, indie, and folk music as part of the Capital Pride festival. Other Pride-related shows are on August 24 and 28. See www.liveonelgin.com/.
IFFO
Also as part of Pride Week, the International Film Festival of Ottawa is presenting the classic LGBT+ film But I’m a Cheerleader at the Ottawa Art Gallery on August 22 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are PWYC, but seats must be prebooked at iffo.ca
Tony Wohlfarth is an Ottawa-based freelance film and entertainment writer. He is currently covering the Edinburgh International Film Festival.