MUSIC

BY DANI-ELLE DUBÉ

The Tradition Continues

It is widely known that music offers a sanctity in times of despair, but given that live performances have been banned since mid-March due to COVID-19 restrictions, performers have had to get creative to be heard.

This year was to be the 75th anniversary of the National Capital Region Kiwanis Music Festival. Rather than prepare for a celebration, executive director Kim Chadsey feared the worst. “The festival was facing a crisis. The Festival Board and I faced the terrible prospect of presiding over the sudden fatality of a great institution,” recalls Kim. “We all felt a terrible responsibility even though the circumstances were beyond our control. We were deeply saddened by what we might have to do.”

PHOTO SUPPLIED AND SHOT PRE-COVID-19

Launched in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the festival has been a bright light in Ottawa’s cultural scene ever since. Thousands of young people in musical disciplines from piano and voice, to strings and concert bands, participated in this annual springtime festival, honing and proving their musical skills. Many had professional careers in mind.

The festival, which had been the launching pad of such stellar musical talents as pianist Angela Hewitt, baritone Gerald Finley and many more, would have to suspend operations. Not only that, the festival organization itself could face bankruptcy and not be able to pick up the pieces after the pandemic had ended— whenever that might be.

Cancelling was sure to bring disappointment to the nearly 800 entrants, but the financial threat was critical as well. The participants had already paid their entry fees, so cancelling would likely mean the return of those fees and a need to consider closing the festival office which partly relied on them to cover operations.

As the directors met by Zoom on a late-March evening, the idea began to emerge of a virtual festival—essentially held on-line. Participants would record their performances to be presented to adjudicators working in their home-studio offices and be judged by similar standards as in a live performance, but remotely.

Kim thought it was a great idea, but wondered, “Would the festival participants embrace it in sufficient numbers to make it work?”

Board chair Andy Xhignesse said that not only was a virtual festival the only option, but believed it was also, “A vital opportunity to take advantage of modern technology and do something truly innovative this year.”

Shortly after that critical board meeting, Kim issued a statement that the 75th Kiwanis Music Festival would be held online in 2020. And she awaited the reaction.

In the following days, it became evident that the musical participants were more than ready to tackle this new challenge. Only a handful bowed out. Even vocalists, who were unable to record in the same room as their accompanists, rose to the occasion and used their accompanists’ pre-recorded work. Some 1,000 musical performances were presented and judged by the equally sequestered adjudicators.

Although it was a scramble to come up with a short-term plan for this year, Kim says organizers now know that the festival will have to be online once again for 2021. The 2020 plan will remain in place with performers sending in their performances by video for judges to look over. Only time—and COVID-19—will tell just how long this “new normal” will continue, or if it will be a permanent feature in the future. One thing is certain, though—The National Capital Region Kiwanis Music Festival doesn’t plan on going anywhere any time soon!

RETREAT, CHILL OUT & RELAX

BY SANDY CONNELL

AT HOME

Assurance Home Care is an Ottawa-based company co-owned by Stephen Bleeker and Kristine McGinn. According to Kristine, their goal was to address the need to do better for seniors by creating a fivestar home-care experience tailored to each client’s needs and wishes. The boutiquestyle company, founded in 2015, offers a full suite of customizable home-care solutions ranging from companionship through to end-of-life care. Assurance has a double matching process where the client and caregiver choose each other based on the best fit for both.

Also unique to Assurance is their gourmet meal delivery service, made with fresh, whole ingredients by their own chefs. At a time when seniors are most vulnerable, the company stresses that the safety of their clients and caregivers is paramount, and they are following rigid COVID-19 prevention strategies.

WARREN MEREDITH, ADAM OUELLETTE, ALEX PELLERIN-AUPRIX, DANNY SEGUIN-BRUNETTE AND MIGUEL KINGSBERRY-BRUNETTE

ROCK ON

Local band Taming Sari has released their latest single Loving Way. Bandmates Warren Meredith, Adam Ouellette, Alex Pellerin-Auprix, Danny Seguin-Brunette and Miguel Kingsberry-Brunette are known for their ability to combine 70s classic rock and old school blues into a decidedly modern package.

Their latest rollicking single continues to deliver their unmistakable signature sound. Their 2019 breakthrough LP, Thirsty from the Drought, prompted invites to play during the Ottawa Senator’s game intermission, as well as live events with Rebel 101.7 for their Real Rock Concert Series and Rebel Real Rock Search. The album’s fifth and fiery track Wake Up Boy hit the Top 100 in Canada for CBC Searchlight 2020.

Find them at tamingsariband.com

SWEET ESCAPE

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, Scottish interior designers, TV hosts and property speculators, have compiled a collection of unique rural retreats in their newest book “Escapology.” A global cross-section of spectacular and inspirational retreats, this book is a diversion for dreamers and doers alike. Each of the featured properties shares one important aspect in common— they are escapes.

The book’s timely release coincides with a need to nurture readers longing for solace in beautiful rural spaces.

FLAVOURS OF MEXICO

Ottawa couple Sandeep and Riti Gupta co-founded Cada Día sipping tequila, to embody the joy of living life to the fullest and embracing the good in each day (which is the translated meaning of its name). Their journey began with the understanding that purpose and balance in life is paramount.

Inspired by the vibrant colours and fiery and flavourful foods of Mexico, they found a way to embrace its culture through artfully crafted tequila. Cada Día tequila is authentically made in Mexico, but the company is based here in Ottawa. While the premium tequila can be found at some of Ottawa’s best restaurants, during COVID, they are offering no charge delivery for individual bottle orders in the Ottawa area and throughout Ontario.

6-bottle case, info@cadadia.ca

FAMILY VINEYARDS

Legacy.

FAMILY OWNED FIVE GENERATIONS

Our roots here in California’s North-Central

Valley go deep. We’ve been working this land for

five generations, since 1938. It’s more than our

home, it’s a living part of our family’s history.

Today, McManis Family Vineyards cultivates

more than 3,600 acres throughout the region.

Even though we’ve grown over the years, we’re

still hands-on about our vineyards and our wine.

That’s heritage in the making.

FROM OUR UNIQUE PORTFOLIO OF ESTATE AND ARTISAN WINES

The complete range of McManis wines is available directly from theVineAgency.ca for home delivery. McManis Cabernet Sauvignon is a ‘Vintages Essential’ – always available at the LCBO. Please enjoy responsibly.

CONTACT: WINE@THEVINEAGENCY.CA / 416.693.7994

20TH ANNIVERSARY