OTTAWA—The 16th annual Ottawa Folk Festival was a scaled down affair this year, but the high level of musical artistry, creativity in presentations, and “green” sensibility came together in one captivating event after another.
With its Dig Your Roots theme, over the weekend over 120 artists, on seven stages staggered throughout beautiful Brittania Park in Ottawa, crossed cultures, musical genres, and generations as they presented their unique musical talents, gardening information, and kid-friendly entertainment .
Not only did performers, like Canadian icon Bruce Cockburn, present their own shows, but they also participated in workshops that saw as many as 17 (the record number) people on the stage at one time taking turns to entertain the crowds and blend their musical vibes with one another.
This format enabled the artists to enjoy the moment while they shared the stage and jammed with often disparate groups and performers. The result was a series of relaxed and harmonious shows that embodied true folk roots.
The following is a very small sampling of Festival events.
