The Soundcloud embed isn’t working, so here’s the direct link. It’s 10 minutes long. A couple weeks back, Cafe Alt hosted the second edition of the aptly named Cafe Alt Concert Series. It was a resounding success, in no little part due to the gentlemen you are about to meet. James and Blackburn is a band named after two streets. And while you should listen to their music, you should also listen to this interview. It’s zany, everybody. Zany. The next edition of the Cafe Alt Concert Series takes place... | Continue reading article

With waggling hands and adorable smiles the gathered toddlers begin to sing in Spanish: “Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo hace música,” they chant, “my body, my body makes music.” Following the body gestures of the group instructor, the eager toddlers proceed to clap their hands and stomp their feet as they recite the rest of the song.  “My hands go ‘clap-clap-clap,’ my feet go, ‘stomp-stomp-stomp,’ my voice says, ‘la-la-la’, and my body goes ‘cha-cha-cha.” The last part is eagerly performed by cute little arms swinging back in forth in a toddler... | Continue reading article

This year Apartment613 and Artengine continue our endeavor to foster new perspectives on the media arts landscape with an open call for the 2013 Critical Blogging Residency. This residency is for an art critic or cultural journalist from the Ottawa-Gatineau area, who will cross post thought-provoking dialogues on the Artengine and Apartment613 blogs throughout the year. Conceived as a creative space for expression and research into culture, technology and social engagement, the content and direction will be developed in consultation with the Artistic Director of Artengine. The residency begins with... | Continue reading article

The Jazz Festival announced their line-up for the main stage today, with a few big names topping the list. I’m particularly excited about getting a chance to see David Byrne and St. Vincent live. I love their album and it should be a great show. It’s also your chance to see a few icons of the music industry. It’s not every day that Willie Nelson and Aretha Franklin come to town. The program also features Macy Gray with a Big Band collaborator, as well as a full roster of more... | Continue reading article

From his show on Saturday Feb 16th. The house was packed, and Greilsammer delivered some haunting violin playing, singing in French, Hebrew and English alongside his wife Shimrit. These guys can sing. They’re leaving Ottawa on the 28th, but for now we have their talent to enjoy. Also, this video begins with an impromptu cover of Money, by Pink Floyd. Which is cool if you like music, I guess. @mgreilsammer michaelgreilsammer.com Update: Michael will be playing his final Ottawa show (at least for now) at a Purim Party at the Glebe Shul on... | Continue reading article

Head over to Reddit today and ask Mayor Jim Watson anything. There were already a bunch of questions this morning and you can add yours to the list now. He’ll be online from 12-1pm, so you can spend you lunch hour checking out the answers.  Find it all in the /r/Ottawa subReddit.

Maru Presents: Whitney Lewis-Smith from Maru Brand on Vimeo. Maru. Translated from Japanese as “round” or “circle.” Maru is the circle brand. Maru is a special project brand. Wait, what?! What does that even mean? Well, unlike a typical brand which serves to have itself recognized and adored, Maru isn’t about Maru at all. It’s about showcasing other individuals. Maru is the pet project of engineer-by-day/skateboard-phenomenon-by-night Andrew Szeto. A pretty rad skater, Szeto’s also a semi-professional photographer (“semi” only because he works for the Feds full time, nothing to do with lack... | Continue reading article

Mr. Yuri Bakker, the man from Rotterdam and Uncle Sam, lays down his signature electro sound in this video from Valentines Day. He is releasing two free EPs by the end of the month, both of which sound heavenly. We’ll keep you up to date on that front. Yuri can be found at yuribakker.com, or @YuriBakker. The Cafe Alt Concert Series runs until March 22, and its next show is March 15th featuring John McKiel and Scattered Clouds. #cafealtseries Video courtesy of Joelle Guédon.

In this video, me and the Elwins tour one of the underground parking garages at the university of Ottawa. Things get pretty serious, and I end up getting some real heartfelt sentiments out of them. But I guess Valentines Day does that to you, right? This is all part of the Cafe Alt Concert Series. The next show is on March 15th, and it features Scattered Clouds! Scattered Clouds?!  WOOO! @theelwins #cafealtseries

Beer outside. Polar bear hunts. The city is chockablock full of fun this weekend – and we’re giving away tickets to a show! Read on to find out how you can win. While you might have made plans for a candlelight dinner, tonight Babylon is hosting their Heroes and Villains Valentine’s party – who doesn’t want to get hit on by a superhero? If you’re hoping for a bit of groovin’, Phil Motion and the Easy Lo-Fi will be at Mercury Lounge for Mad Funk – which means a mash... | Continue reading article