What began as a hobby five years ago turned into a vehicle for sharing a personal story of addiction, recovery and faith — one that speaks to many who experience the turbulence of substance abuse. When Blake Alexander, a 29 year old Ottawa-based rap artist, first started developing his skills, he was still in active… Read more »
On a Friday night, just as many were putting the work week behind them and easing into a more relaxed pace for the weekend, I walked into the Capital Courts gym to meet Coach William Davenport — the 23 year old man who was still at work and fully engrossed in his interactions with a… Read more »
Established in 1985, the Ottawa Book Awards has a long history of showcasing local authors and often serving as a springboard for emerging talent. This fall, the City of Ottawa announced a total of 19 finalists for 2021, featuring authors of both English and French-language books. The publishers of these new books range from small… Read more »
Ottawa-based freelance author and poet Jagjeet Sharma’s newly released anthology Fragments offers poetry that straddles and explores the crossroads of traditional and contemporary society, as well as East and West. Our cultural roots and memories colour how we live in the present day. Sharma’s poetry is cognizant that time forms a continuum and as such,… Read more »
Benoit Chartier, the Ottawa area author of the anthology The Calumnist Malefesto, breaks the negative stereotypes often attached to self-publishing, offering readers a skillfully edited collection of engaging and atmospheric prose. Each story is unique, the themes diverse and the language varied–the latter adjusted to fit the tone of the given narrative. There is a… Read more »
Ottawa’s Capital Chamber Choir celebrated its tenth anniversary on June 8th, 2019 by performing British composer Joby Talbot’s cappella choral work Path of Miracles at St. Joseph’s Parish in Sandy Hill. What is perhaps most unique about this piece is that it is a modern, twenty-first century exploration of an ancient religious experience, namely the Camino de… Read more »
Above Forward is an emerging rapper in Ottawa who writes lyrics based on the real-life difficulties he personally experienced. Rising from the lowest point in his life, we met Above Forward in his new home to hear about some of his tough experiences and their impact on his music. When asked what percentage of his… Read more »
Originally from Windsor, Ontario and with life experience in rough-and-tumble Detroit, Dana Flaco Bassile, a rapper and hip hop recording artist in Ottawa known more widely as Flaco, spoke to us about his life, his work and how difficulties thrown his way have played a formative role in his music. Appearing at first every bit… Read more »
Set against the misery of the Great Depression, the Ottawa Little Theatre brought to life John Steinbeck’s story of how two men who journey together in search of work struggle to overcome a dehumanizing situation through their frustrating, yet ultimately genuine friendship. Ottawa actor J.T. Morris played George Milton poignantly and Dan DeMarbre, cast as… Read more »