Fall for Nova Scotia’s autumn magic

 ABOVE: The orchards at Willowbank U-pick Farm, Port Williams, Nova Scotia. by Shelley Cameron-McCarron  Infinite inspiration? Or just plain fun? There’s no wrong answer when you’re standing on a Nova Scotia mountaintop, by a monument to one of the province’s last great Gaelic bards, breathing in fresh, crisp air and gazing

Walrus’ Wild Ride

 Photos courtesy of Walrus One of the latest powerful retro-inspired bands coming out of Halifax's amazing music scene, Walrus brings amazing psychedelic rock with heart. The band's already budding career was quickly swept up by an eager Dan Mangan and his Madic Records label. Dropping their new record, Family Hangover

JUNO Spotlight: Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class of 2017

 Winners of: 2017 | Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class   The legacy Allan Slaight has left on the Canadian music industry in his now 85 years is immeasurable. The once magician now media mogul has been called a rock and roll pioneer for his work on multiple platforms to promote the

Swan Lake: Ballet Jörgen Puts New Spin on Timeless Classic

 Inspiration, excitement, pleasure, happiness, and fatigue are all words ballet dancer Saniya Abilmajineva uses to describe what moves through her mind and body as her feet flow like windblown silk across the stage. Adrenalin still coursing inside but exhausted, she admits to feeling devastation in her soul when the show

Ria Mae Remains Grounded Through An Unreal Year and a Half

 “It has been an unreal year and a half,” says Ria Mae looking back on a climb that has seen the Halifax singer-songwriter swept up in a whirlwind that often leaves her wondering what time zone she’s in.  The momentum isn't slowing either. For somebody who used to sit alone

Clay shooting requires an eagle eye

 I first toted a gun when I was 10-years-old growing up in Calgary. A childhood friend introduced me to his birthday present BB rifle and we quickly high-tailed it to a vacant lot and shot pellets at cans.  It was fun even though we had no thoughts or concerns about

Sleeman #RailsideReps are Living the Dream

 Many Canadians dream about going on a cross-country tour by rail. Leaning back against a comfy seat and watching lakes, rivers and, eventually, mountains pass by while the nostalgic clank of the rails rattles beneath you sounds like a great way to see the country. But even in their wildest

Relax Like a Lumberjack at Bad Axe Throwing Ottawa

 All photos courtesy of Bad Axe Throwing Ottawa. Before he applied to work at Bad Axe Throwing, the fact that you can actually throw an axe never really occurred to Jesse Gutzman. “I’d never even though about throwing an axe. I’ve always used axes, I grew up in the country

A Short History of Jeanne Henry Côté

 Jeanne Henry Côté received her first drawing contract at the age of five. “Someone needed a drawing done by a five year old child. I was free to draw what I wanted, so I drew a turkey in a pan ready to go to the oven.” By the seventh grade, Côté

Folk in the City: Celebrating Canadian Talent

 Sounds of CityFolk are echoing throughout Ottawa, with the much anticipated music festival kicking off next week. This year's line-up the most brag-worthy to date, and OLM has put together a quick list of Canadian performers you won’t want to miss! Motel Raphaël Clara Legault, Emily Skahan and Maya Malkin

Audition Tour Dates Released by Canada’s National Ballet School

 Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) will be stopping in Ottawa on November 22, as part of its 2014/2015 National Audition Tour in search for Canada’s most talented young dancers. Presented by Sun Life Financial, the Professional Ballet Program (PBP) will visit 20 cities across the country beginning in Halifax, NS

Ottawa Lebanese Festival—A Scene of Cuisine

 The grounds of St. Elias Cathedral are busy this time of year—full of Lebanese festivalgoers eager to eat, enjoy music and have fun celebrating Middle Eastern culture. I went to the festival on an empty stomach so my first stop was the Tannis food tent. The tent had multiple line-ups

Part 2: Gen. Ray Henault: Focus of Canada’s Defence is Shifting

 Above: General Ray Henault in the cockpit, April 2004 In this three-part series on the state of Canada's military preparedness, Ottawa Life's top writers examine Canada's peacekeeping deployments around the world, capacity and equipment challenges, and pressing infrastructure replacement needs. Here is Part 2 of an interview with Gen. Ray