Event Review: Holly McNarland Live at Mavericks

This past Saturday, September 15, I went to Mavericks to attend a live performance by singer-songwriter Holly McNarland. The Manitoban folk-rock singer with Metis roots stopped by Ottawa for the last show of her Canadian tour to promote her latest album entitled Run Body Run, also the title track inspired by things her daughter said.

The night started with a set by Sara Johnson of Bran Van 3000 who opened the show with her acoustic guitar and casual attitude to warm up the crowd before the main performance took the stage. The singer from Montreal performed songs from her new album Trespassing in front of a small crowd who was starting to gather for Holly McNarland.

It was my first time seeing her and I must say that Holly McNarland is not only an amazing songwriter, she also has a fantastic voice that is just as beautiful when you hear it live. I was pleasantly surprised by her live singing, but a bit annoyed by some of her comments.

She started the show with songs from Run Body Run and continued with a couple from Chin Up Buttercup and Stuff. Holly McNarland unsurprisingly ended the night with Numb, her biggest single, as the crowd sang along to every word of the song. To conclude, she sang a beautifully-executed Beautiful Blue off of the Falcon Beach Soundtrack to everyone’s delight.

All-in-all, it was a great performance by a solid artist!

 

Holly McNarland live at Mavericks in Ottawa (taken with my bad-quality Blackberry)

September in the City: From Arboretum Music + Arts Festival to Capital Variety

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we head into the second week of September, the days get shorter and the nights cooler. Regardless, weather hasn’t dictated what or when we do things around here and that’s not about to start now because in the National Capital Region, let’s face it, we get such a wide range of weather extremes that if we’d be bothered by outside conditions we’d never go out. On this note, here’s a selection of events taking place in the national capital in the coming days. This is just a brief sample to give you ideas on fun events and activities happening in our city this week.

This Thursday, September 13, Convoy Unlimited, The KNWLDG and Electric Church Party present Dub FX and Flower Fairy live at St. Brigid’s Centre for Arts. The Australian street performer and recording artist will be in Ottawa with his partner as part of his 2012 North American tour. Dub FX is set to perform live alongside guests Snareophobe and Starfighterz. If you want to know more about this event, you can click the poster below.

 

 

Also this Thursday, September 13 is Capital Variety: a circus-inspired performance with dark roots and a comedy twist showcasing Ottawa’s best stage and street performers. This unique event, curated by  Twisted Minds of Ophelia and Helvetica Bold takes place at Babylon at 9pm and tickets can be purchased for $10. You can get more details by clicking the poster below.

 

 

 

Starting this Thursday, September 13 is Ottawa’s House of Paint festival which celebrates hip-hop culture in the capital. The 10th edition of this urban festival runs until Sunday, September 16 and includes workshops, performances and battles across the four elements of hip-hop: emceeing, deejaying, graffiti art, and break-dancing. On the final day of House of Paint, a concert under the bridge is scheduled with performances by Shad, Kid Koala, Maestro, Radio Radio and Flight Distance. Grab all the info you need by clicking below.

 

 

This Friday, September 14, Toxic Twins present Grillz and Glam: Back to School Edition starting at 11pm at Babylon Nightclub. You can find out more about this monthly event by clicking on the poster below.

This Saturday, September 15 is the launch of a brand-new music and arts festival called Arboretum. As some of you may remember, I attended the festival’s reveal party back in June and wrote a review highlighting the event’s planned programming. Well, it’s now time for the organizers to deliver the final product and prove that this new addition to the region’s festivals is worth celebrating. The Arboretum event wishes to offer a fun-filled day that promises to blend music, arts and food in a celebration of all-things local. Kudos to the organizers for adding children’s programming as well. A bit pricy for a first endeavor, tickets can be purchased ahead of time for $25 and  more will be available at the door for $35. Find out everything you need to know by clicking on the poster below.

 

Also on Saturday, September 15, Mavericks presents a live performance by singer-songwriter Holly McNarland. The Canadian folk-rock singer best-known for her single “Numb”, will be in the national capital to offer an intimate show to her fans and present songs off her recently-released latest album entitled Run Body Run. For ticket information and other details simply click on the image below.