OTTAWA GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL Cultivating Creativity and Celebrating Community

The Ottawa Grassroots Festival proudly unveils the lineup for its 12th edition, promising an unforgettable celebration of music, art and community spirit. The festival takes place at two venues: Irene’s Pub and, for the first time, the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa.

Headlining this year’s event are Lynn Miles, Charlie A’Court and Connie Kaldor. The trio of renowned Canadian musicians will bring a tantalizing range of personalities, performance styles and musical genres to the festival’s stages.

Ottawa’s own Lynn Miles and the Tumbleweeds kick off the celebrations Thursday, April 25th at Irene’s Pub. Lynn, considered Canadian singer/songwriter royalty by industry insiders and music aficionados alike, has released 16 albums, taken home a Juno award, racked up three Juno nominations and captured six Canadian Folk Music Awards. Her current release, ”Tumbleweedyworld,” has been nominated for Album of the Year at this year’s Canadian Folk Music Awards, and her song “Black Flowers” was included on Claire Lynch’s Grammy-nominated bluegrass album “North by South.” The New York Times has praised Lynn as bringing “an otherworldly purity to her tales of love gone wrong… she makes forlorn feel like a state of grace.” What better way to open the festival than Lynn with her six-piece bluegrass band delivering sweet, three-part harmonies? Doors at 7pm, showtime 8pm.

First time at OGF! Charlie A’Court will headline Friday, April 26 at the First Unitarian
Congregation of Ottawa. Planted at the crossroads of roots and soul, Charlie has built a fan base across the country and beyond with this mighty voice, fierce guitar work and contemporary songwriting. His latest album, A’Court, Spiegel, & Vinnick — a brilliant collaboration with Australian blues legend Lloyd Spiegel and Canadian roots/blues icon Suzie Vinnick — is nominated for Blues Recording of the Year at the 2024 East Coast Music Awards (ECMA). Frequently compared to mentors like Eric Clapton and Otis Redding, Charlie has consistently challenged musical boundaries, emerging as a five-time ECMA winner, eight-time Nova Scotia Music Award winner, and netting other awards as well as multiple Maple Blues Award nominations. Local artist Rory Taillon will be opening the show.

Saturday April 27th brings Canadian folk icon Connie Kaldor, celebrating 45 years in show business with the release of her 18th recording “Keep Going,” to the First Unitarian
Congregation of Ottawa. She began her career in folk music as part of the Canadian wave alongside artists like Stan Rogers and Valdy. Singer/songwriter, entertainer, TV personality and music pioneer, Connie is known for her enormous stage presence, remarkable melodies and emotional depth as a songwriter. The Boston Globe has described her as “a masterful performer, wildly funny one moment, deeply personal the next.” Connie is a three-time Juno winner, a member of the Order of Canada and a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal recipient. She also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Regina and is the first songwriter to receive a Western Literature Association Award of Merit. Jessica Pearson and the East Wind will open the show.

Friday and Saturday performances are at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. Doors at 6:30, showtime 7:30.

Tickets for the Ottawa Grassroots Festival are on sale now, and organizers encourage
festival-goers to secure their spot for what promises to be an extraordinary weekend of music and community. For the latest updates and to buy your tickets please visit ottawagrassrootsfestival.com/

Additional daytime programming to be announced.

About OGF Established in 2012, by Bob Nesbitt and powered by volunteers, the Ottawa Grassroots Festival is a multi-day, family-friendly celebration of homegrown music, art, culture and community. Affordable programming encompasses a vibrant mix of concerts, participatory workshops and artistic presentations at various venues.

OGF is almost entirely volunteer run and relies on the generous support of festival funders including the following: Government of Canada, Community Services Recovery fund, administered by the Canadian Red Cross, Government of Canada, BCAH, City of Ottawa, Hobin Architecture and Baker Tilly.

For a full list of sponsors please go to https://ottawagrassrootsfestival.com/sponsors/

About First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
FirstU is a lively, multi-generational congregation of passionate people who care about their world and the overlapping communities they’re part of.

30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa, off Richmond Rd. Ample free parking. Fully accessible.

About Irene’s Pub
Irene’s has been catering to Live Music, Good Beer and Great Food since 1985.

885 Bank St., Ottawa.