First, here are some films that are in contention for Oscars…

Hamnet, the Oscar front-runner about William Shakespeare’s family, is at both cinemas. The film is nominated for eight Oscars: Best Picture, Director, Casting, Original Score, Lead Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, and Costume Design. On Feb. 22, Jessie Buckley won the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) for Leading Actress, and Hamnet won the Best British Film. You can read more about it in my two February articles (1) (2).

Marty Supreme is back at the ByTowne. In previous articles (1) (2) (3), I enthused about Timothée Chalamet’s performance as an egotistical and competitive table tennis player. He’s nominated for Best Lead Actor, and the film is nominated in eight other categories: Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Film Editing, Original Screenplay, and Casting.

The Secret Agent continues at the ByTowne. As the professor fleeing assassins in 1970s Brazil, Wagner Moura is nominated for Best Lead Actor. The film is nominated for both Best International Film and Best Film, which is unusual for an international film, as well as for Casting. You can read more about it in these Magic in the Dark articles (1) (2) (3) (4).

Japan’s highest-grossing live-action film, Kokuho, is continuing at the ByTowne. It’s an engrossing story about the son of a murdered yakuza who becomes a famous onnagata (female) kabuki performer. It’s also a gorgeous film, nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. You can read more about it in my last article.

The ByTowne is still screening the 2026 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Documentary and has added the 2026 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Live Action. I recommended the documentary shorts last time. The five short live-action films are equally intriguing. For example, the peculiarly titled Two People Exchanging Saliva describes a dystopian world in which kissing is considered disgustingly inappropriate and a crime punishable by death. And there’s the comedy A Friend of Dorothy about the unlikely friendship between an 87-year-old widow and her 17-year-old neighbour. It even has a cameo by the delightful Stephen Fry.

Have fun watching the Oscars on March 15 with a bunch of fans. The ByTowne and the Mayfair are live-screening the Oscars for FREE! It’s a good idea to get your ticket online beforehand. The ByTowne is encouraging patrons to donate to Cystic Fibrosis Canada upon entry. Their concessions counter will have the usual offerings: yummy popcorn, snacks, and various beverages, including wine and beer. The Mayfair is offering a menu item from The SmoQue Shack and drinks from Beyond the Pale.

Here are some recently released films which are well worth seeing, despite being shut out from the Oscar nominations…

Pillion, the romantic BDSM film that critics have called “one of the best movies of the year, one that is as funny as it is relatable, romantic as it is trying,” and “the unlikeliest crowd-pleaser,” didn’t qualify for this year’s Academy Awards because it didn’t meet the Academy’s requirement for theatrical distribution in 2025. You can read more about it in my last article. It’s now at both the Mayfair and the ByTowne.

The Testament of Ann Lee is based on the life of Ann Lee, the founder and leader of the 18th-century Shakers religious sect. The screenplay was written by Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet and directed by Fastvold. Fastvold and Corbet wrote it for the memorable epic The Brutalist, which was nominated for ten Oscars last year and won in three categories. But The Testament of Ann Lee missed out on this year’s nominations, despite being written by the same pair and starring Oscar-winner Amanda Seyfried. Seyfried received widespread critical acclaim for her performance, with many claiming it the best of her career. It’s at the ByTowne.

The President’s Cake was Iraq’s entry for Best International Film. It didn’t go to the final list despite winning the Audience Award in the Director’s Fortnight and the Camera d’Or at Cannes. It’s set during Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, when Iraq was under severe sanctions after it invaded Kuwait. Food was scarce and expensive, but Saddam had instigated an egotistical ritual to celebrate his birthday – every school had to bake a cake in his honour. Poor 9-year-old Lamia is selected to do so. Her grandmother Bibi gives her a shopping list of ingredients. Lamia and her beloved pet cockerel, Hindi, joined by her friend Saeed, set out on a perilous journey to find them. Barry Hertz in the Globe and Mail said, “Make a cinematic shopping list of your own, and put The President’s Cake at the very top.” At the ByTowne.

Good news! Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is continuing at the ByTowne! Read some of Barry Hertz’s praise of my last article. When I saw NTBTSTM recently, I agreed – it’s laugh-out-loud funny! I bet Ottawa audiences will enjoy an excited reference to a certain infamous Ottawa bar.

There’s an excellent selection from the vault for you to choose from.

One of the most exciting offerings this month is Terrence Malick’s magnificent Days of Heaven in the ByTowne’s Spectacle series. It’s set in 1916 — Bill and Abby, drifters and lovers, along with Bill’s young sister Linda, hopped a freight train from Chicago to the Texas Panhandle. There, they’re harvesting grain for a wealthy young farmer. To avert gossip, Bill and Abby pretend they’re siblings, and the farmer takes a shine to Abby. Upon discovering the farmer has an illness that will kill him in a year, Bill persuades Abby to get the farmer to marry her, as she’d soon be a wealthy widow. Much of the story is narrated by Linda in a voice-over, an afterthought by Malick during post-production to improve the cohesiveness of the story. Linda’s narration is one of the things that will stay with you long after you see this film. The other is its visuals. Much credit to its two superb cinematographers: Nestor Almendros and Haskel Wexler. Almendros won an Oscar for their work. Don’t miss this on a big screen!

The 1994 film Little Women is screening in the ByTowne’s “Stitching Hour” series – “bring your own knit, crochet, embroidery or other project to work on while you watch a cozy classic.” TV Guide Magazine’s Ethan Alter wrote, “Director Gillian Armstrong’s feminist spin on classic material retains the moving humanity of Louisa May Alcott’s novel while reworking it with welcome freshness.” The cast is uniformly excellent.

Recognized as one of John Ford’s greatest Westerns (and the film that made John Wayne a star), Stagecoach is a must-see for any cineaste. This classic Western follows an eclectic group of travellers riding on a stagecoach through dangerous Apache territory (mostly Ford’s beloved Monument Valley). Wayne is one of the passengers, but he’s in handcuffs, having been captured after escaping prison after an unjust trial. Now he’s seeking revenge, wanting to kill the gunslinger who killed his father and brother, and whose accusation put him in prison. I will say, however, that their depiction of the Apache is less than desirable (after all, this is a 1939 film). And the cinematography is fantastic. At the Mayfair.

The Mayfair is presenting a tribute to a great, recently deceased actor, Robert Duvall. The first two films are “in the week of March 13” (so probably in the first half of March). First up is the Western True Grit, a good match to see after you see Stagecoach because it also stars John Wayne – though this time he’s not a strapping young cowboy but an aging, alcoholic, one-eyed U.S. Marshal named Rooster Cogburn. The story is also about revenge. Teenager Mattie Ross hires Cogburn to help her hunt down and kill Tom Chaney, a gunslinger who murdered her father. Chaney has joined a gang of outlaws led by Lucky Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall), who had previously escaped Cogburn’s custody. Their ensuing gun battle must be seen to be believed!

The next film in the Mayfair’s series also stars Robert Duvall. It’s George Lucas’ rarely seen first feature film – the 1971 film THX 1138. It’s “a love story filmed on location in the 21st century” in a dystopian society. Citizens are controlled by android police, and it’s mandatory to use mind-altering drugs that suppress emotions. Sexual intercourse and normal reproduction are illegal. Duvall is a “programmed” worker named THX 1138. The programming and drugs ensure that workers will conduct dangerous and demanding tasks. Things take a turn when LUH 3417, THX 1138’s roommate, secretly changes THX’s drugs for ones she has begun taking. THX 1138 is highly recommended for fans of science fiction or of Lucas’s Star Wars films.

The ByTowne’s Twin Peaks Day series continues on March 8 with Season 1’s Episodes 3 through 5. As FBI Agent Dale Cooper continues to investigate the murder of Laura Palmer, more weird mysteries surface. On March 22, the ByTowne will screen Episodes 6, 7 and 8 (the season’s finale). Incidentally, you can get a damn fine cup of coffee at the ByTowne’s concession stand.

Enjoy yourselves at Ottawa’s independent cinemas. And place your Oscar bets!

Dates, times, and tickets for the ByTowne are at www.bytowne.ca. You can also buy tickets at the box office. The ByTowne publishes its calendar several weeks in advance. Dates, times, and tickets for the Mayfair are at www.mayfairtheatre.ca. The Mayfair finalizes its upcoming films’ schedule weekly, which they post online and advertise via email. Both provide information about future weeks’ films. You can buy tickets via their weekly email and at the box office.

In reality, I decided it was time for me to come back home without a real plan or even a place to stay lined up (this was way more chaotic than I’m letting on, but I genuinely believed everything would work out).

I knew I needed a change and had many reasons to return home, but being honest with myself, I wasn’t ready to come home. Regardless, I did, and it started my own shift on new terms.

Ottawa Design Club hosted their sold-out ON NEW TERMS event on Feb. 12, 2026. Photo: Finn.

I feel like Ottawa has more going on than what people think, and finding events has made my transition back SO much easier.

Which brings me to the Ottawa Design Club (AKA the easiest “yes” you can say to your future self when you crave inspiration, community, or just a night out that actually means something).

The Ottawa Design Club (ODC) hosts quarterly speaker events at the SAW Gallery that are packed with creative and creative-adjacent people… and somehow still feels welcoming, even if you don’t have a “creative job title” on LinkedIn. (I don’t).

Ottawa Design Club hosted their sold-out ON NEW TERMS event on Feb. 12, 2026. Photo: Finn.

On Feb. 12, they had their 20th speaker event, On New Terms. A night about shifts that don’t wrap up neatly. Having moved and gone through my own shift, that felt relatable to say the least.

At the start, Isabelle Poirier (ODC co-founder) framed it in a way that landed immediately: “If you’re in a transition or questioning your path, you’re in the right place.”

Before the talks even started, the energy was high, and people were mingling, trying the bar’s themed drinks, and getting some pizza and treats. I feel like it’s rare to come across an event where it feels normal to walk up to someone you don’t know, introduce yourself and actually have a conversation. It makes it a great place to network or meet new friends.

The Ottawa Design Club / ON NEW TERMS. Photo: Finn.

As the music quiets and I find my seat, everyone cheers, and the talk starts.

Beccs Champagne: The Ideas that wait for you

Beccs’ story was equal parts inspiring and deeply human (no “overnight success”, no neat timeline, just persistence, timing, and coming back to yourself).

She discussed graduating, going into the workforce, and getting her first idea for a comic. An idea that mattered, but one she put on the hypothetical ‘idea’ shelf while working on other projects, including Netflix’s Hilda. Life kept moving. And then at some point, she got the chance to pitch the original comic idea to executives…and it got rejected.

This is usually the part of the story where people quietly give up on something. But she didn’t. She pitched the idea as a part of the Ottawa animation competition, Pitch This, and won.

Her talk was super relatable and encapsulated the idea that life happens, but “good ideas don’t rot, they ferment.”

Mique Michelle: Redefining Success (and letting it feel good again)

Mique Michelle’s talk was basically a reality check (in the best way). It took the whole “new terms” theme and brought it right into the everyday stuff: the stories we tell ourselves, the ways we compare ourselves to others, and how we can end up chasing someone else’s version of “success” without even noticing.

She’s painted a lot of murals in a lot of different cities, but she’s ready to stick to Ottawa (and who knows, maybe get invited to someone’s cottage). She talked about graffiti as a culture — walls that reflect the community and tell a story.

But her biggest point wasn’t even about walls, but mindset. She talked about pivoting back to fun and called out comparison for what it really is: the fastest way to miss your own life.

You spend so much time measuring yourself against other people that you stop enjoying what you’re doing, and you end up chasing these fake milestones that don’t even feel like you.

The big takeaway from her talk was to redefine success in a way that feels good to you and makes you want to achieve it.

Pascale Arpin: Choosing the work you’d rather be doing

Then came Pascale Arpin, a commercial sign painter who’s shifting from client work into a more personal art practice. What I loved is that she didn’t try to wrap it up in a neat little bow of “I followed my dreams, and everything was perfect! Quit your job, and it all works out!”

Her turning point was burnout creeping in. Quietly, of course, like it always does. No sleep, no fuel, working way too much, basically running on fumes and calling it “work ethic.” Arpin was honest in that she doesn’t totally know where this shift is going… she just knows she’d rather be painting. (Same).

She gives us a peek behind the curtain with her contemplation of “Should I go to art school?” “Could it hurt my career if I don’t go?” and then the layer of complexity of getting a visa to study abroad. She uncovers what we usually don’t get to see in the social media highlight reel. I think it’s easy to see someone accomplishing so much, but never seeing everything it takes to get to that point.

What made her talk land was how real and inspiring it was: even though it’s not easy and there’s so much uncertainty, she’s pivoting into something she wants to do and making space for work that feels like hers.

She reminds us that “whatever you’d rather be doing, do everything in your power to do that thing.” Don’t waste another minute.

The final and best part of ODC, in my opinion, is the end of the night. Once the Q&A panel starts, you can feel everyone leaning in a little more. People asked the burning questions they’d been holding onto all evening, and it turned from “watching a talk” into an actual conversation.

It was the perfect way to end the night: a little more personal, a little more real, and the kind of thing that makes you walk out feeling like you weren’t just entertained. You were part of it.

Ottawa Design Club hosts quarterly events. For more details, please visit their website. The next event will be on May 7 at the SAW Gallery. You can also follow them on Instagram to receive updates when they release tickets for events. There is an open call for submissions to their next zine, Chaos. You can submit your work here.

All Weekend

Playhard Productions’ Sherlock Holmes and the Locked Room is running through this weekend at the Gladstone Theatre. Read our full review here of the play that our in house experts call “a crowd-pleasing mystery” by the fully volunteer-run company. Tickets start at $20 for students/artists/unwaged theatre goers.

 

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For more classic mystery vibes, the Ottawa Little Theatre opened Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd this week, and it will run for the next two weeks starring a retired Hercule Poirot. Performances are at 7:30pm with Sunday matinées at 2:30pm. Watch this space for our review of the show!

Ottawa Dance Directives’ Series Dance 10 presents The Door Opened West by Marc Boivin and Sarah Chase. Catch the English performances on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, and the French performance on Sunday at the ODD BOX theatre at Arts Court. Tickets start at $22 for students/seniors/artists.

Opening this week, the NAC English Theatre is staging a revival of the Tarragon Theatre / Musical Stage Company Co-production After the Rain.  The show promises a fresh and folksy musical that grapples with some of life’s most complex nuances, the anguish of family dynamics, and the importance of friendship tickets start at $15 for the Under30 crowd. Watch this space for our review of the show!

Thursday

For a soulful, mellow night out in support of a good cause, head to the NAC Fourth Stage for Indigenous singer/songwriter Lacey Hill in the Minwaashin Lodge Benefit Concert. Tickets are $40 and available online.

Friday

Creative Mornings Ottawa is holding their monthly breakfast lecture at Bayview Yards Friday morning at 9am. This month’s speaker is Benazir Tom Erdimi — originally from Chad and now based in Ottawa, she is a youth advocate, storyteller and founder of The People of Tomorrow, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black youth. Tickets are free and include coffee and a light breakfast.

 

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Library and Archives Canada is hosting a 60-minute tour in honour of Black History Month at their Gatineau Preservation Centre. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the laboratories and vaults, discover works by Canadian artists, and learn how the archives preserve Canada’s history. Tickets are free but registration is required for the daytime tours offered in both English and French.

Friday and Saturday Dominion City is throwing a Pog Party to celebrate the release of the new Pacific Island flavoured City Seltzer. There will be a pop-up Hawaiian-inspired menu by Chef T and The BBQ Joint, and Pogs available for free play.

Saturday

Almanac Grain is celebrating the grand opening of the new bakery and café location in Little Italy. There will be cake and ribbon cutting at 10am on Saturday with samples all weekend long and prizes.

After an incredible performance at the Winter Olympics, the PWHL is back in action this weekend. On Saturday the Ottawa Charge are hosting the Boston Fleet for a 2pm Black History Month matchup. The Charge promises meaningful engagement with Ottawa’s Black communities and that all programming was developed in collaboration with Black-led organizations to ensure authenticity, respect, and cultural integrity. Take the opportunity to especially congratulate our Canadian Olympic Silver Medalists: Brianne Jenner, Jocelyne Larocque, Emily Clark; and the USA Gold Medalists Rory Guilday and Gwyneth Philips.

 

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The Friends of the Ottawa Public Library are holding their Mammoth Book Sale Sunday morning beginning at 10am. Find the event at 100 Tallwood Drive, home of the City of Ottawa Archives for thousands of gently used books, CDs and DVDs with proceeds supporting the work of the Ottawa Public Library.

Part of the NAC’s free programming, on Saturday night you can take in an evening of opera with the NAC Orchestra and Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique performing Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw. The tickets are free for the 8pm performance at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre.

Saturday night is the Coldest Night of the Year, the family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing homelessness. The 2km and 5km walks will start at the Rogers Centre and all fundraising proceeds go to support the work of The Ottawa Mission.

The Ottawa Black Bears are taking on the last place Oshawa FireWolves on Saturday evening at The Canadian Tire Centre at 7pm. The whole night is One Hit Wonders themed and tickets are available online.

The fourth annual I Heart Beer Festival is at the EY Centre Saturday with an afternoon and an evening session. Entrance tickets are $20, and tokens purchased onsite can be use for local beer, cider and drinks, as well as food. There will be arcade games, board games and lawn games as well as a DJ throughout the event.

Wayward Improvised Theatre is bringing competitive improv back to Arts Court on Saturday night. Ten performers compete for audience votes, and in the end, a winner is announced that evening’s Maestro with an exciting $5 cash prize. Tickets start at $10 for the 9pm show.

Sunday

Find the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at the Aberdeen Pavilion from 10am–3pm. Support local growers, and take home fresh ingredients for this week’s meal prep.

 

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End the weekend on a mellow note at The Robo Lounge with Ben Caplan in a candlelit listening room. Known for his electrifying stage presence, Caplan blends folk and jazz and this evening he will be performing solo on the Lounge’s piano. Tickets are available online.

For something completely different, Megadeth, Anthrax and Exodus will be rocking the stage at The Canadian Tire Centre, beginning at 7pm. There are still tickets left beginning at $69 online.

For more of what’s happening in Ottawa, stay tuned to @apt613 on social media. Out snapping photos? Tag us on Instagram @apt613 for a chance to be featured on our feed. Be sure to use the hashtag #Apt613 so we can share your photos!

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Blending elements of dream folk, ambient pop, and mystic wonderment, Allie has been said to “create languid melancholic soundscapes” that are rooted in storytelling and elevated by atmospheric production.

Her music often explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments, drawing listeners in with honest lyrics and a warm, emotive vocal style.

Her latest release is a collection of demos titled “Eno & I Down The Healing Path.”

“I made these at home, having fun, enjoying creativity, being silly, making noises… super lucky to do all this.”

In our ongoing Talking Albums series, Allie tells us about her music and albums that are special to her.

You can find Jasmine Trails on Instagram and bandcamp.

Talking Albums is a series created by John McDonald, now in collaboration with Apartment613, where musicians share six albums that shaped their lives and creative journeys — from first records to timeless favourites. Born during lockdown as a way to stay connected through music, the series has since grown into a video project featuring artists from everywhere. For Apartment613, the spotlight is on Ottawa-region musicians: you’ll find their stories and sounds on Apt613’s YouTube channel, celebrating local talent, community, and the music that brings us together. Musicians who would like to participate can find more information at talkingalbums.ca. 

As part of the World Music Series at Shenkman Arts Centre, Nomfusi takes the stage on Feb. 26.

We caught up with her via email to delve deeper into her past, influences and her compassion for helping others.

This interview has been edited for length & clarity.

Apt613: Take us back to the beginning. How did your upbringing in the Eastern Cape start your musical career?

Nomfusi: My musical journey began in the township of KwaZakhele in the Eastern Cape. I grew up in an environment where music was the wallpaper of our lives — you could hear everything from reggae to gospel drifting through the informal settlements.

The most profound influence, however, was my mother. She was a Sangoma (traditional healer), and every weekend I would accompany her to intlombe (ancestral rituals). I spent those hours beating drums and dancing, which is where I truly developed my sense of rhythm and musicality. Even though we lived at the bottom of the “food chain” in terms of resources, my childhood was rich with love and melody.

That foundation of traditional Xhosa rituals and the vibrant community sounds of the township is the heartbeat of everything I create today.

You tragically lost your mother and aunt to HIV/AIDS when you were at a young age. How did this experience influence your path to success and your messaging in your music?

Losing my mother when I was just 12 years old was a defining moment that changed my life forever.

At the time, we didn’t fully understand the illness; we thought it was perhaps a spiritual calling. When the truth became clear, I processed that grief through my first song, “Uthando” (Love), written in Xhosa.

That loss taught me that life is about the choices we make in the face of hardship. It gave my music a sense of purpose beyond just entertainment. I don’t just sing because I can; I sing to spread healing and hope. My debut album, Kwazibani, was named after my mother — it means “Who knows?” and serves as a tribute to her life. My message is always one of resilience: you can rise from the most difficult circumstances if you have the will to overcome the “poverty of the mind.”

You’re known as someone with great compassion. Can you tell us more about your outreach programs?

I’ve always felt a deep responsibility toward my community because I know exactly who and what I left behind in the townships. I escaped poverty through a combination of grace and support, and I want to provide those same ladders for others.

I am currently working on establishing my own NGO focused on empowering young people through the arts. I believe art has a unique power to “pierce the mind” and inspire change where traditional methods might fail.

I sing to spread healing and hope” — Nomfusi

Also, I’m planning on going back to school to study psychology so I can better support the emotional and mental needs of the youth I want to work with. My goal is to use my story and my platform to show them that their current circumstances do not have to define their future.

Nomfusi. Photo by Ales Malar.

How would you describe your sound?

I like to describe my sound as “The soul of Mama Afrika meets the fire of Motown.” It is a fearless mix of genres: you’ll hear joyful township rhythms and percussive Maskandi guitars blended with Afro-soul, jazz and gospel.

Critics have sometimes compared me to a young Miriam Makeba with a twist of Tina Turner, which I find very humbling! Whether I’m singing a soulful ballad or a high-energy Afropop track, my music is always rooted in my African heritage and the soulful sounds of the 1960s that I grew up admiring.

What can audiences expect from your show at Shenkman Arts Centre?

You can expect a “pint-sized packet of dynamite!” My performances are very high-energy and cathartic. I want the audience to feel the grit, the joy, and the soul of South Africa.

We’ll be taking you on a journey through the sounds of the townships — expect a lot of dancing, storytelling, and an invitation to connect on a human level.

My goal is for everyone to leave the Shenkman Arts Centre feeling uplifted and more connected to the global community. I can’t wait to share my story and my songs with the Ottawa audience on Feb. 26!

Nomfusi performs Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8pm. To purchase tickets visit online or call the box office at 613-580-2700.

For music fans across the city, despite the subzero temps, today is the official kickoff of the countdown to summer, and the endless debates can begin around the lineup strengths, over and under represented genres, and every minute aspect of the artists announced, as well as the disappointment of the dashed hopes for those who could’ve been.

As in years past, the organizers gave us an early bird announcement with none other than the legendary Guess Who anchoring the Ottawa Bicentennial celebrations on July 19th to close the festival. Pairing them with Saskatchewan’s Sheepdogs makes for a perfect bridge between eras, with their throwback style and sound paving the way for all of the Guess Who’s seminal hits.

While last year’s edition was fairly heavy on rock, this year’s edition has a much more subdued feel. In terms of genres, every year seems to have one or two country headliners, with Lainey Wilson and Shania Twain last year, Zac Brown Band and Tyler Childers in 2024 (plus surprise addition Jelly Roll). This year the tip of the stetson goes to festival opening night headliner Cody Johnson and Ella Langley, with HARDY bringing an alt-country twist to the genre.

Pairing with these country headliners are folk superstars The Lumineers and Lord Huron, and likeminded singer-songwriter Conan Gray. The one night that promises to be anything but mellow is the traditional Saturday night party, which this year will feature Gwen Stefani and Shaggy, for a solid throwback to the 2000s club days.

As mentioned, there’s a clear drop off in rock acts from last year, with only Limp Bizkit as the lone headliner that falls in the modern genre, with the Guess Who as classic rock. That said, where the last few editions were arguably somewhat top-heavy, with a significant gap between the headliners and the support acts and side stages, this year’s lineup is noticeably more balanced.

Bluesfest 2026 lineup. Graphic from Facebook/Bluesfest.

Non-headliners include hip hop royalty in Rev RUN, Digable Planets, Cypress Hill with current heavyweights BBNO$, Connor Price and BigXthaPlug, among others. The genre with the most notable quantity of quality is in that folk/singer-songwriter section, which features a star-studded cast of support acts such as Leif Vollebekk, Patrick Watson, Lucy Dacus, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, and countless more.

On the rock side, while scarce, those that did make the lineup are well worth checking out, including punk legends Social Distortion, Canadian stalwarts Death From Above 1979, and newer acts carving out their own space such as Cleopatrick and Royel Otis.

If any of the big names didn’t seem all that familiar to you, many were in the same boat last year when organizers announced Turnstile as a headliner. That move was practically prescient given they were still relatively niche until their Grammy snagging album exploded in 2025. Time will tell which of these acts might be the next “next one.”

With every edition of the festival, always pay attention to the local artists at the foot of the poster. You could very well discover a new favourite that just happens to be in your own backyard. Whether it’s My Son The Hurricane, Rebelle, F!TH, Les Rats d’Swompe, Banggz, LeFloFranco or the countless others on the bill, make sure to arrive early and catch the sets of their homegrown artists.

The 2026 lineup might not feature the massive gate busters like Green Day or Foo Fighters from years past, but promises to be a less overwhelming experience for those looking to find a nice spot, and chill to their favourite genre.

Bluesfest will be running from July 9-19 at LeBreton Flats. For the full lineup, and festival passes, visit ottawabluesfest.ca/

Hurry! One-Day Presale for a full festival shareable pass for $279 is only available tomorrow, Feb. 25 from 10am – midnight.

The Snowsuit Fund distributes new snowsuits to keep kids warm and cozy through Ottawa’s coldest season. This winter, The Snowsuit Fund has already surpassed numbers and has distributed over 20,000 snowsuits to children aged 15 and under – the largest number in the organization’s 44-year history. Proceeds from SnowBall support the purchase, storage, and distribution of new snowsuits for children in need across Ottawa. Last year’s event raised $90,000, making an incredible difference in our community.

“We’re a city that embraces winter,” says Lauren Parkes, Board Member for The Snowsuit Fund and Co-Chair of SnowBall. “Providing a child with a new snowsuit means they can play outside, feel included, and experience winter like every other child.”

 

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SnowBall brings together some of Ottawa’s best chefs and bars for an evening of live music, performances, silent and live auctions, made possible by corporate and community supporters.

On the menu this year are bites from Beckta, Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine, Andaz ByWard Market, Heart & Crown, Essence Catering, Barrio, Tulips & Maple, Mādahòkì Farm, Social, E18hteen, and Pelican Seafood. Attendees will enjoy wine, beer, signature cocktails, and mocktails from Dunrobin Distilleries, 1818 Farm & Cidery, Case Dea Estates Winery, Bar Ocelli, Overflow Brewing Co., and Fin Soda non-alcoholic cocktails.

“SnowBall is a powerful example of how Ottawa’s business community can come together to make a real difference for local families,” says John Robinson, SnowBall 2026 Title Sponsor, The Snowsuit Fund Board Member, and CEO of Intega IT. “We’re proud to support The Snowsuit Fund and help ensure children across our city stay warm, confident, and included this winter.”

To get a sneak peek at this year’s event, we connected with Witek Wojaczek, the Managing Partner of Bar Ocelli, who will be participating for the first time at the event after opening their doors in the ByWard Market in April 2024.

Apt613: Can you tell us about Bar Ocelli?

Witek Wojaczek: Bar Ocelli is a 40-seat, London-style cocktail bar built around the idea of the market as a cultural crossroads. Much of my background comes from hotel bars in London, as well as travelling to study how different regions present cocktails and food. That exposure shaped the concept.

Historically, markets have influenced societies by increasing access to ingredients and creating cultural exchange. We translate that into a contemporary bar format. Our menu explores ingredients, techniques, and culinary references from around the world, transforming them into cocktails with a subtle “what if” approach — bringing regions together through thoughtful fusion rather than novelty for its own sake. Our menu is shaped into three sections that showcase this approach:

Ingredient – reflects different ingredients from around the world.

Recipe – reflects the cultural aspect, translating recipes from specific regions into cocktails.

Fusion – reflects the “what if” and marries ingredients from different parts of the world or imagines a recipe from one culture through a lens of another.

The small plates program mirrors that philosophy. Dishes are globally inspired, designed to be shared, and intentionally structured to pair with the cocktails. At its core, our bar is about curiosity, craftsmanship, and creating a compact but immersive experience where global flavours meet refined cocktail technique.

Bar Ocelli. Photo provided.

What does it mean to be participating in this year’s SnowBall fundraiser for the Snowsuit Fund of Ottawa?

Participating in this year’s SnowBall for the Snowsuit Fund of Ottawa feels both meaningful and very grounded in reality.

Ottawa winters are no joke. For most of us, a snowsuit or warm clothing is just something we pull out of the closet without thinking twice. For some families, though, it’s a real financial stretch. What I appreciate about this cause is how direct it is — the funds raised literally turn into warm snowsuits for kids who need them. It’s simple, practical, and incredibly impactful.

Being part of SnowBall is also a chance for our hospitality community to show up in a different way. We spend our days creating experiences for people; this is an opportunity to channel that energy into something that helps kids stay warm, play outside, and just be kids all winter long.

It’s thoughtful, it’s local, and it’s the kind of initiative that reminds you how strong a city can be when everyone chips in.

What inspired your cocktails and bites at the event?

At the core, everything we do goes back to our concept. So for this event, we approached the cocktails and bites the same way we always do: looking at flavours from different parts of the world and asking, “what if these met?”

The drinks bring together global ingredients with a refined, balanced approach, and the bites are built to pair naturally with them. It’s thoughtful, a little playful, and very much rooted in who we are.

Do you have a favourite local ingredient to incorporate into your menu at Bar Ocelli?

One ingredient I really enjoy working with is Siempre Tequila.

Technically, it’s produced in Mexico — as proper tequila should be — but its ownership is tied to Ottawa, which gives it a meaningful local connection for me. It feels like a bridge between where we are and where the spirit comes from.

We’re always exploring how ingredients travel, how cultures intersect, and how you can honour tradition while presenting it in a new context. Siempre stays true to its Mexican roots — and that authenticity matters, especially knowing Monica’s family backstory and heritage are part of the foundation.

So using it on our menu isn’t just about flavour — though it’s a beautifully structured tequila — it’s about telling a story of connection, respect for origin, and cultural exchange, which is exactly what we try to do in the bar every day.

What can attendees expect from the SnowBall this year? What are you most looking forward to?

Attendees can expect a fun, energetic night — great drinks, great bites, and a shared sense of purpose behind it all.

I’m especially excited to see what the other vendors are presenting. Events like this are always full of creative surprises, and it’s inspiring to see how everyone showcases their business in their own way.

I’m also really looking forward to a strong turnout. There’s something powerful about a packed room coming together for a good cause — it just makes the whole night feel even more meaningful.

Is there anything else Apt613 readers should know?

You can find Bar Ocelli on 17 William Street in ByWard Market. We are always working on something new and exciting, and would love to welcome you all and showcase what we are all about! In the meantime, we will see you during SnowBall!

SnowBall takes place on March 4, 2026 at 50 Sussex. Tickets are $250 or $900 for a 4-pack. To become a SnowBall sponsor or purchase tickets, visit snowsuitfund.com/snowball-2026. Learn more about The Snowsuit Fund online.

Playhard Productions, an Ottawa-based, fully volunteer-run company founded in 2018, has steadily built a reputation for bringing new and engaging work to local stages. Known for premiering An Act of Grace by John Muggleton, a piece that has since earned recognition well beyond Ottawa, the company now steps into the Gladstone Theatre for the first time with Sherlock Holmes and the Locked Room.

The premise is classic Holmes. The great detective and Dr. Watson awaken in a mysterious locked room, only to discover they are not alone. Sharing the space is Holmes’ greatest adversary, Professor Moriarty. With no clear way out and time working against them, the three must set aside their rivalry and decipher the clues left behind by an unseen captor. It’s a strong setup, one that promises tension, intellect, and the kind of unraveling mystery audiences expect from anything bearing the Sherlock Holmes name.

Jarrod Chambers (playwright) as Sherlock Holmes. Photo by Maria Vartanova.

At its core, the production delivers exactly that. A show that understands its audience and leans confidently into the familiar pleasures of a Holmes-style adventure. There are twists, reveals, and enough intrigue to keep the narrative moving at a steady clip. It’s engaging without being overly complex, making it an accessible and enjoyable night at the theatre.

Jarrod Chambers steps into the role of Sherlock Holmes with confidence. It’s no small task to take on a character so deeply embedded in popular culture, shaped by countless iconic performances across stage and screen. Chambers strikes a careful balance, giving audiences the sharp intellect and composed presence they expect, while still carving out space for his own interpretation. There’s a natural charm and charisma in his performance that grounds the character, making Holmes feel both recognizable and refreshingly personal.

Rob Johnstone (current president of Kanata Theatre) as Professor Moriarty. Photo by Maria Vartanova.

The production design is another clear strength. Costuming, in particular, is solid, something Ottawa theatre often gets right, and this show is no exception. The wardrobe supports the world of the play effectively without becoming distracting or overly stylized. The set design also deserves recognition. While not without a few minor imperfections, it largely succeeds in establishing the tone and environment of the piece. In a play so dependent on a single space, that sense of atmosphere is critical, and here it lands more often than not. The room feels lived-in, purposeful, and appropriately mysterious.

Where the production settles, however, is in its overall ambition. While everything works, very little pushes beyond that. The show is functional, polished, and competently executed, but it rarely surprises or elevates itself into something more memorable. For a mystery built on tension and high stakes, there’s an opportunity to dig deeper, to heighten the urgency, to sharpen the psychological interplay between Holmes and Moriarty, or to take more risks in pacing and tone.

Dale McEachern as Dr. John Watson. Photo by Maria Vartanova.

That said, it’s important to recognize what the production does well. It delivers a clean, enjoyable theatrical experience that will absolutely satisfy audiences looking for a classic Sherlock Holmes story. There’s a clarity of purpose here that shouldn’t be overlooked. In many ways, it feels like the kind of production that will resonate strongly with audiences who simply want a good story told well, particularly those who already have an affinity for Holmes and his world.

Ultimately, Sherlock Holmes and the Locked Room is a well-executed, enjoyable mystery that delivers on its premise. For fans of Sherlock Holmes, this is an easy recommendation, you’ll find plenty here to enjoy.

Sherlock Holmes and the Locked Room is playing until Feb. 28 at the Gladstone Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 613-233-4523 or emailing them at boxoffice@thegladstone.ca. 

Whether he is tucked away on a snowy day in his home or writing from the back of a nearby bookstore, Sacha Bissonnette is a local artist whose imagination is always hard at work.

Born and raised in Ottawa, this Trinidadian and French Canadian writer has become increasingly prolific of late. Over the past few years, Sacha has published over 40 short stories across North America, appearing in publications like Wigleaf, Witness Magazine, The Baltimore Review, and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.

While his reach is international, his roots remain here; he often weaves specific Ottawa landmarks and events into the fabric of his craft.

His work has garnered significant acclaim, having been nominated three times for Best Small Fictions and twice for the Pushcart Prize. Most recently, his stories “The House Across the Street” and “Katie Says” were selected for the Wigleaf Top 50 in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, he was selected by Pam Houston for the Faulkner Residency in 2024.

Sacha Bissonnette at Black Squirrel Books. Photo provided.

I spoke to Sacha about his career, his recent wins, and what’s coming up next for him.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Apt613: How did you get started in writing fiction?

Sacha Bissonnette: I have always been writing here and there throughout high school and university. It wasn’t until I placed in a Carleton University poetry competition that I thought, “Hey, I’m not horrible at this.”

When I lived in Vietnam, I started writing about the things around me and often put those observations into Instagram captions. My partner challenged me to take it more seriously — to rethink how I approached writing and my relationship to it.

I eventually began submitting my work for publication, and I was amazed when my first piece, “The Thick of It”, was accepted by Smokelong Quarterly. After that, I started writing nonstop.

How do you find inspiration; where do your stories come from?

People, mostly. Interactions I witness. I’m also inspired by other writers, and I pull a lot of inspiration from film and travelling. If I see a scene I like — or don’t like — playing out on screen or in real life, that’s often my starting point. I’m also frequently lost in my head; daydreaming, imagining stories, plot lines, and their structure. I’ve had the opportunity to attend writing residencies, and I often find myself reflecting on and drawing from my time there.

What are you reading right now?

Lately I’ve been reading through Claire Keegan’s work. I also have Lydia Davis’ collected stories on the go, as well as Fishing the Sloe-Black River by Colum McCann. I like to randomly dip into my Sam Shepard and Plath books that are always lying around. I’m kind of all over the place with what I’m reading, with several things on the go at once. I’ve often switched between reading to be inspired, to learn, or to simply enjoy. It’s great when it’s all three.

How does Ottawa feature in or intersect with your writing? 

I’ve been making a much stronger effort to pull from my local surroundings and clearly set my stories and characters in Ottawa, or at least give them an element of the city. For example, “Preserves”, my most recent publication, is set just outside Ottawa in Wakefield. A lot of my inspiration comes from Ottawa and the people here. I was born and raised in Ottawa, and I’m proud of it. The novel I’m working on includes a pile of Ottawa spots — some recognizable, some a little more subtle.

Which local bookstore or spot do you like to sit and write in?

If I’m on a deadline — whether it’s self‑imposed or for an editor — you can usually find me at Black Squirrel Books (often chatting with the awesome staff) or typing away in the corner. Otherwise, I’m on my couch or up in the middle of the night, writing in the dark at the living room table.

What’s next for you? Are we going to see a full collection or a novel in the near future?

I just wrapped up reading hundreds of pieces for the Wigleaf Top 50 competition. The nominated pieces will now go off to the guest‑selecting editor, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the full long list and final selections.

I’m currently working on my first novel, set mostly in Ottawa. It’s exciting but also intimidating. I’m also trying to wrap up a horror short story and another about obsessive behaviours and looking for fossils.

I was selected for the La Baldi Residency in Montegiovi, Italy, and will be attending in April 2027, where I’ll be spending time writing and exploring.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing or creating? What advice would you give to another writer or artist?

Just sit down and write, the rest will figure itself out.

You can find more of Sacha Bissonnette’s work on his website.