Bluesfest adds some heat to Winterlude with diverse concert weekend

Tanya Tagaq is at Southminster United Church. Photo: Katrin Braga

Ottawa Bluesfest is set to warm up Interlude with a new festival.

Come See & Hear The World will take place Feb. 15 and 16 and will feature artists such as William Prince, Gabrielle Shonk, Tanya Tagaq, Antibalas, Sudan Archives, Harry Manx and Steve Marriner and Fateh in four different venues:

Shows at Southminster United Church (15 Aylmer Ave.) and Fourth Avenue Baptist Church (816 Bank St.) are ticketed. Shows at the CRAFT Beer Market and the Industria Pizzeria + Bar at Lansdowne Park are free.

For Bluesfest, the weekend event “gives us an opportunity to showcase Canadian and international artists who are performing and creating important music that celebrates their cultural identity,” said Mark Monahan, Bluesiest’s executive director.

The partnership with Interlude is a first for Bluesfest and Monahan says he hopes the connection with become “an important annual musical celebration.” 

Monahan’s enthusiasm was echoed by federal Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez who said, the government “is delighted to partner with the Bluesfest team.”

The festival coincides with Winterlude’s “new vision to celebrate our inclusive society,” Rodriguez added.

Feb. 15

6:30 p.m. Split Tooth: One on One with Tanya Tagaq (Southminster United Church)

8 p.m. William Prince (Southminster United Church)

9:30 p.m. Dwayne Gretzky (Southminster United Church)

7:30 p.m. Gabrielle Shonk / NEFE (Fourth Avenue Baptist Church)

10 p.m. The Commotions (CRAFT Beer Market)

10 p.m. BlakDenim / ASUQUOMO (Industria Pizzeria + Bar)

Feb. 16

8 p.m. Antibalas / Sudan Archives (Southminster United Church)  

7:30 p.m. Harry Manx and Steve Marriner / Crystal Shawanda (Fourth Avenue Baptist Church)

10 p.m. Julian Taylor Band (CRAFT Beer Market)

10 p.m. Fateh (Industria Pizzeria + Bar)

For information on tickets: ottawabluesfest.com

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Peter Robb began his connection with the arts community in Ottawa in the mid-1980s when he was the administrator and public relations director of the Great Canadian Theatre Company. After a long career in journalism with the Ottawa Citizen where he served in a number of different posts he returned to the arts when he became the Citizen's arts editor.