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Live Events
Hanson Ottawa Concert Review
Hanson at The Bronson Centre
Say what you will about the Hanson brothers, but they know how to put on a show. Their concert at the Bronson center on February 8th was filled with frequent moments of fan interaction, and a comfort on stage cultivated from years of performing. Despite the cramped quarters of the venue, it actually felt cozy and helped the audience feel more like friends as opposed to strangers. The concert opened with young rising singer Carly Rae Jepsen who performed some of her popular hits like “Tug of War” and “Call Me Maybe”. The crowd knew little of her when she started, but by the end of her set, everyone was talking about her performance. Carly was the perfect choice for this tour since she was so full of energy, and clearly embodied the spirit of a Hanson show.
Standout Opening Act: Carly Rae Jepsen
After Carly’s set the lights dimmed, and the audience started screaming. Zac the youngest warmed up the drums at the beginning of their set like he’d been doing it his whole life (and he probably has), and the concert was underway. The band warmed up with their newest hit “Shout it Out”. While it took no time at all to get the fans excited, not everyone was as familiar with this song as they were with other tracks played. ” Thinkin’ ‘Bout Somethin’ ” proved to be more popular with the audience as they shouted the chorus back to the band on stage. As older fan favorites like “Deeper” and “Give a Little” were played I could feel everyone getting excited for the end of the show, when the band usually plays from their first album. At one point, Zac soulfully crooned “Oh Darling” by the Beatles and nearly sent every female into conniptions with his incredible 28.5 second “Oh”, perfectly on pitch. More impressive was that he didn’t break eye contact with the audience. Not once.
Zac & Isaac Hanson
Taylor Hanson
The biggest highlight of the show was when Taylor enlisted the help of everyone in the audience to jump up, and sing along to “MmmBop”. Every woman (as well as a few men) happily obliged as a sea of jumping hands bopped in rhythmic time to the timeless hit. This is what all of the fans were waiting for, to connect with Hanson over this one song. It was truly impressive to watch. Finally, it was time to say goodbye and the band threw the last of their energy into “If Only”, a big hit that rivals “MmmBop” in popularity. As Hanson walked to the edge of the stage to take a bow, the screams were deafening. It’s possible no one actually heard Isaac when he grabbed the mic to say “Thank you Ottawa, We love you!”.
My final verdict? If you have children, take them to see Hanson live. If you don’t have children, see them live anyway. Hanson strives to put on a show that engages people from all walks of life and truly delivered on that mission.
For more on Carly, and her music visit her website: http://carlyraemusic.com/
To learn more about Hanson, and join their fan club, visit their site: http://www.hanson.net/site/sections/1
You can find more of Andrea’s interviews and reviews here
Photo Credit: Simon Stiles
CENSORED OUT LOUD 2012! Celebrating Freedom To Read Week in Ottawa!
Censorship is the practice of governmental control over what can be printed, published or exhibited publicly. Many books have been banned in the past for reasons such as offending religious beliefs, because they are immoral or indecent, or for being seemingly unpatriotic or obscene.
According to the Book and Periodical Council (the Umbrella Organization for Publishing in Canada):
Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
When it comes to freedom of expression and what we are FREE to consume, who do we want to have the final say? Ottawa Tonite is working in collaboration with the Library Association of the National Capital Region, local writers, singer-songwriters, VerseFest Ottawa, The Gladstone Theatre as well as the Ottawa theatre community to hold a benefit night on Wednesday, February 29th to raise funds for PEN Canada – and celebrate free expression.
The late night event (10pm-12am) will consist of readings from censored works, musical performances of banned songs and scenes from plays that have been deemed ‘inappropriate’ or challenged. There is a cover charge of $10 at the door (or PWYC) and proceeds are going to PEN Canada, an association of writers formed in 1926 to defend freedom of expression and raise awareness of that Universal right.
It will be a night of variety and profanity, so bring your open-mind and prepare to exercise you FREEDOM.
The Gladstone Theatre (910 Gladstone Avenue Ottawa)
$10 at the door (or PWYC)
All proceeds from this event going to PEN Canada
PETS WITH PERSONALITIES: Exclusive!
The “Pets With Personlities 2012-2013 Calendar” presents:
A SPECIAL PREVIEW HERE ON OTTAWA TONITE!
The word is out. A very special launch party is happening for a great community project to raise funds for the Ottawa Humane Society.
Sunday, November 13th, 2011
D’Arcy McGees Pub
44 Sparks St, Ottawa
1 – 5pm
An afternoon of laughter, music, fundraising and prizes is planned with some of Ottawa’s well-known ‘personalities’ on hand performing and celebrating!
Join us, to help celebrate a great community project called “Pets With Personalities” and pick up your very own copy of this 2012-13 calendar before it SELLS OUT!
Calendars will be available at the door. ($25) A silent auction with some incredible items to bid on, will be setup. (all proceeds to benefit the OHS)
Here is a sneak-peek at some of the beautiful images captured by photographer Sean Sisk
Save animals – get this Calendar!!
Ottawa photographer Sean Sisk has worked for months to put together a gorgeous 18-month calendar called ‘Pets with Personalities’! For just $25.00, this calendar will make a great Christmas gift- and it will benefit the lost and abandoned animals in our community!
Here in Ottawa, we love our pets! And the ‘Pets with Personalities’ calendar highlights pet-lovin’ personalities and their best four legged friends. And there’s no better way to kick off a brand new calendar – than with a big bash! Join us next Sunday at D’Arcy McGee’s on Sparks Street, from 1 to 5!
There will be music, prizes, lots of laughs and of course the ‘Pets with Personalities’ calendar will be available for sale. I am thrilled to be the emcee for the afternoon, and I hope to see you!
Details here on the PWP Facebook page.
Babes4Breasts @ St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts
Here are the photos from the Babes4Breast Benefit Concert for Breast Cancer.
The concert featured:
The show took place at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts.
More photos can be found here.
Crystal Basement Star Wars Show 2: The Improv Strikes Back 3D
That time of year is here again folks! Time to bring your fave quotes and ideas from the Star Wars universe and we will put them into use in this action packed all Star Wars themed show. Twisted tunes will be back but you’ll have to be there to see what we twist next with the force 
It is your destiny.
Featuring at the Atomic Rooster.
Watch the Zombie Apocalypse HERE! Ottawa Zombiewalk 2011
Zombies Start Walking From MacDonald Gardens Park.
Zombies Arrive at the Parliament Hill.
You can watch the rest of the videos here.
UNDEAD COVERAGE: Zombie Epidemic Hits Ottawa
The Ottawa Zombie Walk prepares to celebrate its 6th anniversary.
One of Ottawa’s most anticipated events of the season is upon us. On October 22nd, 2011 dress up in your most ghoulish garb and come join the hordes of undead as they take to the streets for the 6th Annual Ottawa Zombiewalk.
An epidemic of undead will rise in MacDonald Gardens Park, home of four former cemeteries starting at 1:30pm. Zombies will gather to collect non-perishable goods for the Ottawa Food Bank (if they’re going to come after your brains they want them to be well nourished!). Zombies will be able to take Coffin Rides courtesy of RUNAMOK Party Rentals and get their pictures taken with Flynnphoto. At 3:00pm the undead will hit the streets in search of brains and will ultimately end their search by swarming Parliament Hill before returning to their graves (or local pub).
The Ottawa Zombie walk is a free event for participants of all ages. Families and pets are welcome and the entire route is wheelchair accessible. Full details about the walk and route can be found at ottawazombiewalk.com.
About the Ottawa Zombie Walk
In 2005 an epidemic hit Ottawa. The ground shook and the undead awoke. They leapt from their graves and took to the streets of Ottawa, lurching and groaning in search of human brains. Many Ottawan’s were unable to escape and the trail of limbs and guts left in their wake grew. Since then the undead have returned each year, growing in number and force in what is now one of the best attended guerrilla events of the year.
If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview with Bryony Etherington, please email zombiewalk613@gmail.com or call 613-863-8324.
Here’s a Googlemap of the walk:
Holy Smokes It’s The O-Town Hoedown!
Live from the 4th annual O-Town Hoedown
