From Parliament Hill to Paylines: Why Online Slots Rule Ottawa’s Gaming Scene

 Imagine lounging on your comfy sofa after Sunday's big game, with the soft hum of your laptop as you open a world teeming with vibrant colors and captivating sounds. There's a certain magic to it, and before you know it, you're whisked away into the exciting new hobby of online

Unveiling the Best of Ottawa’s Festivals and Events throughout the Year

 Ottawa was once nicknamed "The City That Fun Forgot." The mean nickname was coined in the 1960s by the satirist Allan Fotheringham. Canada's capital is a place of countless bureaucratic buildings and offices but historically underwhelming nightlife. Public workers and government officials make up a huge part of the population.

Escapade festival Stylz

 It's year six and Ottawa’s popular Escapade festival continues to host some of the biggest names in electronic dance music. Deadmau5, Zeds Dead, Mark Knight and Tiesto have all headlined the festival in the past. However, along with the music and its various sub-genres, the EDM culture also brings with it

Turkish Delights

 Turkey has shared many gifts with Canada over the years. Distinctive ebru water marbling art, decorative Turkish carpets and Nazar Boncugu charms that fashionably protect against the evil eye all hail from that magical land. We are privileged to include Turkish culture as part of the Canadian mosaic. One of

#OLMExplores – Chinatown

 All photos courtesy of Arizona Lanceleve. Last week I spent the afternoon exploring Chinatown with a good friend. We walked down the streets looking at all the different shops and houses. A lot of buildings were painted with beautiful designs and animals, there was always something interesting to see. Most of

Shining Light on Turkish Art

 Art is just one of the many ways countries around the globe connect with one another. Different areas may have different practices, laws, traditions and cultural norms, but art is art. The Embassy of Turkey in Canada and Terra Art is putting on an art exhibition, "Mavi Art – Colours From

Rocking with ‘Boom’ at the NAC and Orpheus’ ‘A Chorus Line’

 A scene from 'A Chorus Line.' Photo courtesy of Orpheus Musical Theatre Society.  There are only two days left to catch Boom at the NAC and three days to catch A Chorus Line, Orpheus Theatre’s latest show now on at Centrepointe Theatre. Time is of the essence. In Boom, award-winning

January 29th to 31st

 Here at Ottawa Life we are always looking out for great things to do on a weekend! Check out some of the events that are happening right here in our city this weekend. National Arts Center, Peter Katz - Jan. 29th (7:30 PM) This Saturday the NAC presents Juno-nominated singer-songwriter

Turkey Welcomes Refugees with Open Arms

 The last 40 years have seen a rapprochement in the relationship between Canada and Turkey. The economic, cultural and trade relations between the two countries have blossomed, and a deeper mutual understanding has resulted. His Excellency Selçuk Ünal, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Canada, has travelled to all corners of Canada since taking

San Diego Baby

 For this year’s winter escape, get a hit of culture, history and, of course, warmth, by heading to the birthplace of California: San Diego. Despite the fact that it has roughly 3.2 million people milling about, the city has a chill pace to it. San Diego is both relaxed and

Experience Trinidad and Tobago at the OWFF

 All photos courtesy of Allison Ferguson The Ottawa Wine and Food Festival is here! This year, The Tourism Development Company Limited of Trinidad and Tobago is teaming up with The High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to bring two Trinidadian-born Chefs, Marida and Narida Mohammed, to the

Get Starstruck with Kodaline

 Vincent May (drums), Jason Boland (bass guitar), Steve Garrigan (lead vocalist), Mark Prendergrast (lead guitar). Photo courtesy of Ben Johnson. Kodaline has made a splash in the indie rock scene. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, the group has performed together since 2005 (as 21 Demands). In 2011, Jason Boland joined and Kodaline was

A Slice of Equality for All

 Photo Credit: Ashley Buttle Written by Michael Coren Let them eat cake but don’t, whatever you do, actually bake it for them. In May, a Belfast court ruled that a young couple who owned a bakery and refused to make a cake decorated with a pro-gay marriage slogan had broken

Politics, Perogies and Celebrating Ukrainian Heritage

 Photo courtesy of Lemon Bucket Orkestra. This weekend, the first ever Capital Ukrainian Festival is bringing a handful of amazing bands and about 16,800 perogies to Ottawa. Aside from celebrating Ukrainian arts and heritage, the events will shine a light on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the country’s long struggle

Universities Play Key Role in Reconciliation

 The success is staggering. The number of Aboriginal people and communities using education as a means to a greater future is rising. It’s a cause for celebration. Just 50 years ago, there were roughly 200 Status Indians taking courses at Canadian universities and colleges. In 2011, the number of self-identified

Burn Baby Burn at The Dailey Method

 New to Ottawa this year, The Dailey Method is a full body workout that will work all of your major muscles (and all of the other muscles that you never knew existed) in less than sixty minutes. The two classes offered, Dailey Basics and Dailey Barre are designed to help

Mellow Yellow

 Fun, fresh and often associated with the warmer months of the year, yellow is a worn-to-be-seen colour that will liven up your wardrobe this season. The sunny shade was seen on the Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Burberry Prorsum and Naeem Khan runways and the statement shade is also a sunshine basic at budget-friendly stores. Whether

Let’s Go on an Adventure

 Canada is a big place. If you’ve ever travelled to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Montreal, you know there is a vast amount of culture that makes each city unique. The same can be said for all of the smaller towns across the country. The only difference is you probably haven’t

Don’t Miss Craig Cardiff this Summer

 Craig Cardiff is coming back to Ottawa this summer! The Canadian, Juno nominated, singer-songwriter from Arnprior, Ont., known for his steady and smooth folk rhythms, is hitting the Ottawa festival circuit with performances on June 13 at Westfest and June 28 at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. Don’t

A Delicious Weekend in Barbados

 The sky is clear and the sun is shining. Is there a better way to start off the weekend in beautiful Barbados? The answer is yes—and it happens when I am handed a rum punch upon entering the Radisson Aquatica Beach Resort. Get ready to unwind by lounging poolside or

ME Milan Il Duca: Shop, Sightsee, Stay in Milan’s Fashion District

 Planning a trip to Italy but not sure where to stay? You’re in luck because ME by Meliá is opening its first luxury Italian hotel, ME Milan Il Duca, this month. If you are looking for a spectacular location where you can both shop and sightsee, ME Milan Il Duca

Fast Forward to the Weekend with Boogat’s Newest Album

 Photo credit: Guillaume Simoneau It’s everything you need on a Friday night after a long week: catchy, danceable and totally infectious music! Montreal MC Boogat’s newest album release, Neo-Reconquista, is enough reason to celebrate on its own. He’s been recognized for constantly evolving his music. Boogat’s unique mixed Latin-urban-electro-pop sound will instantly

Latin Expo 2015: Visit Latin America Without Leaving Ottawa

 Culture, community and commerce are coming together for one high-powered event that’s sure to spice up your Sunday. The third annual Latin Expo will take place at Ottawa City Hall on Sunday, May 17, 2015. “It’s like going to Latin America without getting out of Ottawa,” says Red MELOG public

An Exclusive with U.S. Ambassador Bruce A. Heyman

 The United States Ambassador to Canada, Bruce A. Heyman, arrived in Ottawa last summer and has been one of the most active U.S. ambassadors in decades. In less than a year, Heyman has hosted seven senior United States cabinet members in Canada, including several visits by Secretary of State John

Eat, Drink, pARTy

 Artist: David Kaarsemaker Looking for new artwork to freshen up your home? The Ottawa Art Gallery’s leading fundraising event Le pARTy Art Auction will lead you to the perfect piece! On Thursday, May 21, prepare to be whisked away in a cultural fantasy land surrounded by Ottawa’s best food, drinks and