7 benefits of being healthy

 Many people talk about the risks associated with being unhealthy rather than the benefits of being healthy. Being unhealthy, as we know, can cause a variety of nutrition and obesity-related health diseases. Chronic unhealthy habits result in 700,000 deaths in the US each year. How come there's less talk about

It’s Always Sing Song Party Time With Derek McKinley

 As a child Derek McKinley remembers Raffi, lots of Raffi. Whereas other youngsters may have been content bopping to the music, it was the lyrics that he latched onto. He still recalls the silly stories and songs that once sent his child-self spinning in circles while clutching a record sleeve

Time Travelin’ Band! Fogerty brings us back to Woodstock and beyond

 All photos by Andre Gagne. Note: Images are from John Fogerty's 2011 Bluesfest performance. “Who’ll Stop the Rain?” Who else but John Fogerty? As the ponchos came off and the umbrellas went down last night at RBC Bluesfest, it was perhaps no surprise to one of this festival’s biggest crowds

Boobyball Returns to Ottawa

 Get ready to mark your calendars Ottawa! Ottawa’s Boobyball Committee was at Inside Out Studio in Westboro to announce the date of Ottawa’s 2nd annual Rethink Breast Cancer fundraiser. Co-Owner Janine Goulet donated her time to instruct a class at the studio, allowing the Ottawa Boobyball team to raise $266

A Musical Farewell with Oliver Jones

 Photos by Andre Gagne and supplied by the National Arts Centre. Oscar Peterson watches the sun set from the corner, his piano by his side. A swinging melody plays from above as a couple hurriedly approaches. “I hear he plays just like him,” the woman says, jutting her thumb towards

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 15th to 17th

 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. TD Place Stadium, Ottawa 67’s vs. Niagara IceDogs - Jan.15th (7:00pm) This Friday, come support your local OHL

The YMCA’s Still Got It

 A shot from the YMCA-YWCA's annual cliffhanger event. Photo by John Enaje. The Capital’s YMCA-YWCA has a lot to offer locals. Founded in 1867, the Y works to advance the health and well being of children, youth and families. The Y provides services that tackle issues such as children’s health, unemployment,

Reggae and Running: A Unique Pair

 Images courtesy of: Jamaica Tourist Board When someone says they’re going to Jamaica for a vacation, you automatically think warm weather, beautiful beaches, delicious food and of course Bob Marley. While all those things are true, there’s a new attraction calling people to this gorgeous Caribbean island. The Reggae Marathon, Jamaica’s

Bluesfest Beats

 Photo courtesy of Steve G The countdown to the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest is on. As the weeks leading up to the festival go by, OLM will continue to highlight must-see performances by some of the acts that you may have not yet discovered – so Ottawa music lovers listen up! An

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

Daisies

 There is a special woodland flower That’s sunnier than the summer’s sun Round in shape and tall and straight It cheers the soul of everyone For when Daisies come into view They are a welcome sight Dancing and shimmering In the morning light So when you foray into the woods

Ontario’s Newest Folk Star

 Fiddler, singer, and step dancer April Verch is emerging into Ontario’s music spotlight! Recognized for her blissful voice, lively dancing and striking performances, her upcoming appearance at the National Arts Centre (NAC) is not one to miss! With impressive reviews coming from newspapers like the Huffington Post and Toronto Star, there

Tie Up Your Dancing Shoes and Get Ready for Sea Perry

 Get ready to put on your dancing shoes for the single Molly’s Shoes by Canadian folk-rock band Sea Perry. The catchy and upbeat song dropped at the beginning of April from the band’s debut full-length album, Do What You Do, set to be released April 21. If this first single

Native Man Celebrates Sobriety with Art

 Donnell Taylor of the Constance Lake First Nation paints to seek wisdom of his ancestors to deal with his addiction. On April 1, 2014, Donnell Taylor set his foot on Ottawa soil. A native man from the Constance Lake First Nation was continuing his "good journey," which started back in

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame profile: Toller Cranston

 Toller Cranston: Athlete, Figure skating Toller Cranston lived up to the expectation of his first name—a German word meaning “beyond great.” Cranston can be credited for revolutionizing men’s figure skating by bringing a form of artistry to the sport. It was his creative free-skating style that helped push figure skating

Shen Yun Returns to Ottawa for Ninth Season

 In Chinese, Shen Yun means “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” Indeed that is exactly what audiences can expect from the 2015 performance of Shen Yun at the National Arts Centre. “The show will be a lasting memory and the profundity of the Chinese culture will uplift their life,” says

You Belong Here: Carlingwood YMCA

 Now that fall is officially here, the days of frisbee in a wide-open field or stepping up to the plate for a game of baseball are gone. With the brisk air setting in, families can look to the newest YMCA at Carlingwood Mall for indoor family fun. The YMCA offers

Stepping Into Medieval Times

 It’s only 30 minutes from downtown--but the Osgoode Medieval Festival makes you feel as though you are far from home. Inside the Kingdom of Osgoode, there are sword fights, knights clad in shining armour, horses, dancing and even hotdogs. “If something fires toward you, duck!” Yelled the referee, wearing a

Diary of a Jazz Fest Goer

 When I lived with my parents, Saturday afternoons meant it was jazz time. Actually, any time was really jazz time, but Saturday afternoons especially. Latin Jazz would heat up my living room as Café Latino host Laura Fernandez shared her favourites. Whether my family was busy or not, we would