Head to the Arboretum Arts Festival in Ottawa

Ottawa Travel Guide

|

Wednesday, 15 August 2012 17:50

Arboretum Arts Festival creators Rolf Klausener and Marlene Power realized something was amiss when they found himself fighting for tickets to Ottawa's most popular music festivals. It seemed as though the sense of camaraderie had been lost, and in an attempt to remind music lovers about how the arts have brought people together for generations, Klausener and Power soon came up with an innovative music festival.

Klausener told the Ottawa blog Apt 613 "The dream location would be one that reflects the social and natural history of the region: something that is heavily forested, has a body of water, accessible swimming - where people would really connect with their environment."

The location

After exploring the Canadian capital, Klausener and Power settled on the Ottawa Jail Hostel and Arts Court as two of the main concert venues for their inaugural festival. Located not far from the Rideau Canal, this historic complex will undoubtedly provide an intimate and profound atmosphere for all festival attendees.

The music

This year's festival has an all-star lineup, ranging from the hip-hop beats of MC Highneken to the folky tunes of Andrew Vincent. The eclectic Jenny Omnichord is cute as a button in person, and her voice perfectly mirrors her adorable disposition. Using a number of mini electric pianos, Omnichord sings her heart out in a Regina Spektor-esque warble that has made her a prominent figure in the Canadian music scene.

The food

Not a single chain restaurant will be present at the festival, for the sole reason that Klausener and Power wanted to promote small businesses and local chefs.

"A lot of the festivals that I really love and really cherish have almost exclusively local food," Klausener told Apt 613.

Along with the popular Art Is In Bakery and Beau's All Natural Brewing Company, travellers in town for the festival staying at Ottawa accommodations can indulge in the sweet decadence of Pascale's ice cream or the comfort foods of The Wellington Gastropub. After filling their bellies with some munchies, festival goers can also pass time between shows and peruse numerous artists' tents, which will be set up in designated areas of the Jail Hostel.