Musician and producer Jack White
You might remember him from the much-missed rock band The White Stripes, and more recently from The Raconteurs or The Dead Weather, but chances are if you’re a music fan, you know Jack White. It’s taken the guitarist, producer and nine-time Grammy winner 15 years to record a solo album. He sings tracks from his debut, Blunderbuss, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (May 27).—Kristina Urquhart
Coldplay photo by Sarah Lee
The Brits are back. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin (pictured, centre) brings his falsetto and frenzied piano playing to Rogers Arena this month, promoting new material from his band’s fifth studio disc, Mylo Xyloto (Apr. 20 and 21). Longtime fans won’t be disappointed, with the boys’ breakout hit “Yellow” and sweepers such as “The Scientist” also featured on the set list. Rock on, mates.—Kristina Urquhart
Plattan headphones by Urbanears
Leave it to Swedish design collective Urbanears to up the ante on headphones and elevate them from an everyday gadget to a stylish accessory. Bid adieu to flimsy, blasé earbuds and instead choose from one of four cool and compactible styles (the Plattan, Medis, Bagis, Tanto), all available in a variety of funky colours (including the Plattan in mustard, pictured). Pick up a pair at Moulé or Walrus. —Jennifer Patterson
Friday, April 6
The best in Canadian handmade crafts are at Originals – The Spring Craft Sale. Come and browse through endless selections of jewellery, clothing, visual art, and home and garden decorations at the Ottawa Convention Centre. This weekend find items to brighten up your home and wardrobe for spring.
B.A. Johnston brings the sweaty underbelly of east coast music to Ottawa with the recent release of his eighth album Hi Dudes!. At Irene’s Pub, listen to Johnston wail hillbilly songs that are equal parts fun and debauchery (song titles include “Deep Fryer in My Bedroom” and “You’re Going to Miss Me When the Zombies Come”). Note: Not for the easily offended.
The Harlem Globetrotters take over Scotiabank with their wacky skills. Photo credit: Harlem Globetrotters International Inc.
Saturday, April 7
The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their madcap skills to Scotiabank Place this weekend. Basketball fans will love the Globetrotters classic tricks, jokes, and shenanigans, from this year’s team that includes Paul “Tiny” Sturgess, the world’s tallest pro basketball player; Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever; and Fatima “TNT” Maddox, the first female Globetrotter in nearly 20 years.
The first Saturday of the month is here and that means Urban Craft is back. Ottawa’s coolest artisans come together so you can sample the best of carefully made chocolate, jewellery, candles, clothing, baked goods, toddler toys, and more. It’s the ultimate stop for local handicrafts. (more…)
Musician Elvis Costello
At 57 years old, Declan Patrick MacManus—better known to the world as Elvis Costello—shows no signs of sitting back and taking it easy. The English punk/new wave singer, who was banned from Saturday Night Live for 12 years after his infamous unplanned performance of “Radio Radio,” is still shaking up the status quo decades later. During his Spinning Songbook Tour, which kicks off Apr. 10 at the Orpheum Theatre, no two concerts are alike: fans come on stage to spin a wheel that determines the evening’s set. Bonus track: keep an eye out for Costello and his wife, jazz singer Diana Krall, out and about in Vancouver, as the musical pair keeps a home here.—Sheri Radford
Listening to classical music is literally thought provoking. What better place to stimulate the little grey cells than at a VSO concert?
By Louise Phillips
Bramwell Tovey conducts the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in the Orpheum Theatre
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra can help you stay smart. It’s true! Listening to classical music primes your spatial and mathematical reasoning and abstract thought, because it is more structurally complex than a three-chord rock anthem. It also relaxes the brain in the same way as deep sleep. Now that science tells us cognitive acuity starts to wane at the age of 45, don’t you think it’s time to give your frontal lobe something to do? Just choose your category below, and book your ticket.
The Higgins
Get up offa that thing and head down to the Commodore Ballroom for some movin’ and groovin’ at the Motown Meltdown, Mar. 31. Over 25 Canadian vocalists and a scorchin’ 12-piece band crank up the heat for an evening of hot soul music and solid-gold hits. Shake it to classics such as “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” performed by the likes of award-winning country music band The Higgins (pictured), local singer-songwriter Ali Milner and many more.—Caitlin Dawson
Chic coats, cool jewellery, and plenty to decorate the home are on offer at this weekend's Ottawa Antiques Show.
Friday, March 30
The Ottawa Antiques Show is back for its annual spring edition, bringing with it a slew of great finds. But make no mistake: this isn’t your grandma’s show. While it does boast an assortment of century-old antiques, it’s also the place to find designer goods and hidden treasures. Vendors carry a selection of retro and vintage products; think designer jewellery by Tiffany & Co., haute couture accessories from Chanel and Hermès, handbags by Prada, and Rolex watches. Happy hunting!
Celebrate Canada’s diverse musical talent with Classical JUNOs in Concert, where JUNO nominated performers, such as Susan Hoeppner and Christina Petrowska Quilico, break out an array of instruments to perform classical pieces, including those by nominated composers. The afternoon concert is free and held in the lobby of the National Arts Centre.
Saturday, March 31
Step into the fantastical world of Tara Luz Danse – Les Billes, a creation of choreographer Anik Bouvrette, at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Here, dancers incorporate unusual objects into their movements: large marbles, lit hoops, and Chinese lanterns that resemble planets. In this lush performance of contemporary dance that has charmed both children and adults – not an easy task – the audience gets swept up in the question “When I close my eyes, in my imagination, I see…”
Come and be astounded by the magic of world-class illusionist Greg Frewin in his Vegas-style show, Beyond Belief, at the Théâtre du Casino. Frewin is the only magician to have won every major magic award in North America, and he has performed throughout the world. His show, featuring tigers, showgirls, and amazing illusions, will undoubtedly leave you beyond belief, just as it’s name promises. (more…)
Ute Lemper
Sultry, seductive Ute Lemper seems to have stepped straight out of a 1920s European cabaret. She’s dazzled audiences in Germany and around the world with her concerts and musical-theatre roles, and is also a talented dancer and painter. See the celebrated chanteuse in Berlin Nights/Paris Days: The Art of Chanson at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (Mar. 24).—Sheri Radford
It's all about glitz and glamour on awards night. Photo credit: CARAS/iPhoto).
The JUNO Awards celebrate the best of the best in Canadian music, and after eight years away the celebrations are back in Ottawa with a week of events that run March 26 to April 1. As musicians from around the country descend on the city, we highlight some of the hip happenings taking place around town. By Misa Kobayashi.
AWARDS SHOW
Roll out the red carpet! Taking place on April 1 at Scotiabank Place, the awards show will be broadcast live on CTV. With William Shatner hosting and big name nominees such as Michael Bublé, Justin Bieber, Drake, Arcade Fire, Hedley, Avril Lavigne, and The Sheepdogs vying for top honours, it’s certain to be a night of glitz and glamour for the Canadian music industry. Also on the bill are performances by JUNO Award winners City and Colour, Deadmau5, and Feist. Blue Rodeo will also take the stage and are being honoured as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees.
Singers, such as Michael Bublé, vie for top honours at the 2012 JUNO Awards, which will be hosted by William Shatner.
JUNO WEEK
Can’t make it to the awards show? There’s still lots to see and do at these signature JUNO Week events. (more…)
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