Good Music & Good Vibes Welcome Music Fans To The Last Weekend Of Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival
The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival may have suffered the second year in a row of cancelled competition due to unsafe ice conditions on the Rideau Canal, but that did not stop the Capital’s biggest music fans from ascending upon the Rainbow Bistro for the final of three weekends of the best free live music anywhere in the country and raising money for local charities.
Building upon the multiple weekend format created for last year’s festival, which saw 25 Ottawa artists play throughout the month of February, and this year’s expanded festival lineup, the final weekend of shows included an extraordinary mix of local favourites, legendary singer-songwriters, and, in the case of Detroit Americana rockers, Brother Elsey, on Tuesday, February 13, a little international inspiration.
Nick Posthumus & The Soft Maybes
Brothers Elsey
Adding to the excitement of the week, love was definitely in the air on February 14th for the legendary Craig Cardiff, who welcomed Toronto’s Mike Evin to perform his new single, “I Almost Called You Babe,” while Chemical Club and Fanclubwallet got the party started on February 15 for Canadian rock icon, Chris Murphy; who serenaded the audience with his Sloan classics, stories, and jokes.
Craig Cardiff (with Mike Evin)
Fanclubwallet
Chemical Club
Chris Murphy
Ottawa’s hardcore fans also returned en masse on February 16 to support Celtic rockers, DUNNER, and local punks, Neon Ghostface, as they set the stage for indie rockers, Born Ruffians.
DUNNER
Neon Ghostface
Born Ruffians
Finally, February 17 saw the serene Summersets and actor and eccentric singer-songwriter, Sarah Swire, warming up the thoroughly East Coast audience before the legendary Joel Plaskett took the stage with a rousing acoustic set of fan requests and favourites.
Summersets
Sarah Swire
Joel Plaskett
Regardless of the weather or race status, it can be said that the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival provided a well-needed and welcome opportunity for the city’s music fans to enjoy the warmth and company of good music and good vibes, and show love for one of Ottawa’s most well-loved events.