Orléans Star
Published: Friday, April 23, 2010 Arts in our backyard As a community of over 115,000 people, Orléans deserves its own summer festival. At least this was part of the thinking that inspired a group of local business and community leaders over 18 months ago to start planning an annual festival to start in 2010 to coincide during our 150th community anniversary celebrations. And so Orléans Festival d’Orléans was conceived with its birth slated for Sunday, June 6 at the Shenkman Arts Centre during the Doors Open Ottawa weekend. The best part of this festival which will run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., is that it will be totally free and family friendly. Orléans Festival d’Orléans is sub-themed as Arts-Chefs-Artisans, which is a really cool bilingual title which pays homage to the founding cultural duality of our community. However, even more encouraging is the festival’s celebration of the arts, performing, visual and culinary which will punctuate the entire day. After almost 15 years of living in Orléans, I am still amazed by the breadth, creativity and innovation in our local arts sector. Through countless volunteer hours and the generosity of local sponsors and partners, everything from drama to dance to improv to painting to cooking flourishes in our backyard. And a good cross-section of this talent will be on display, non-stop, in and around the Shenkman venue. Of course viewing all the great performances is sure to make a few folks feel peckish, so do not fear. From the kickoff pancake breakfast with a few local celebrities on hand to the Taste of Orléans event organized by the Heart of Orléans BIA, your taste buds will be teased, tormented and ultimately satisfied. Headline acts already lined up include Bam Percussion, which can best be described as a cross between Broadway’s Stomp and the award-winning Blue Man Group. Other notable artists include: energetic Blues and Rock performer Steve Marriner; the deep African drum beats of Cobra du Mandingue; and the French Canadian folklore of Les Affreux Lurons. Yes, each late-spring and summer weekend is jam packed with events in and around the national capital region. But what makes this festival special is that it will occur right in our backyard. The family does not need to pile into the minivan and voyage half way across the city or into the valley to be entertained; a quick walk, bus or bike ride down to the Shenkman Arts Centre precinct is all that’s need on June 6. And don’t forget, no money, no problem, it’s free. More details can be found on the festival’s website at www.orleansfestivaldorleans.ca. ******* On an unrelated note, summer is upon us and yours truly has a two-fold appeal to drivers. First, please slow down and obey posted speed limit signs: 40 km/hour school zones and 50 km/hour maximum unless otherwise signed. Second, if you’re driving late at night, and you see suspicious activity, report it, don’t turn a blind eye. Thanks. |