Westfest

Last updated
Hilotrons at Westfest 2006 HilowtronsAtWestfest2006.png
Hilotrons at Westfest 2006

Westfest is a free arts festival in Ottawa, Ontario, taking place the second weekend of June, at Tom Brown Arena and Park, in the Hintonburg area of Ottawa. [1] The festival brings in over 300 artists, 150 volunteers and 40 staff over the weekend and features only Canadian talent. Westfest has been dedicated to bringing into the spotlight up and coming Canadian talent, while also featuring some of the best known names in the scene. The festival was founded in 2003 by Elaina Martin. [2] The range of artistic disciplines includes music, contemporary dance, visual art, media art, performance art, spoken word, poetry and fiction readings, Aboriginal art forms, and children's entertainment. [3]

Contents

History

The festival's first year, 2004, saw Jane Siberry as its first headliner, and set the tone for the future of the annual celebration. [3]

One year later, in 2005, Westfest became a two-day festival. In 2006, Westfest was incorporated as a national not for profit organization and by 2007, became a three-day festival with extensive programming. In 2008, Westfest celebrated its fifth anniversary with a five-day event and more than 100 hours of programming, drawing in record breaking crowds, exceeding 100,000 people, to the festival's grounds. [4]

Westfest took place in 2011 on June 10, 11, and 12 and featured performances by Lucie Idlout, Bif Naked, and the Mighty Popo. In 2011, the Westfest main stage was positioned behind the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot, a strategy that would quadruple the space create a fully licensed audience area. [5]

In 2012, Westfest took place June 8, 9, and 10 [3] with headliners such as Steven Page, The Cooper Brothers, and the Hidden Cameras as well as family activities. [6] [7]

Westfest's programming is 100% Canadian and 100% accessible, and since the beginning, admission to Westfest has been free to anyone wishing to attend. Westfest is also 100% inclusive and participating artists have come from all over Canada; from every province and territory, including Nunavut. [3]

Past musical performers

2004: Jane Siberry; Adrienne Pierce; Ember Swift; Junkyard Symphony/Garbage and Guitars; Andrew Vincent and the Pirates; Recoilers; Susan O; Lori Jean; Greenfield Main; The Vanity Press; Neil Gerster; The Dunn Project [3]

2005:Cowboy Junkies; Danny Michel; Lynn Miles; Gentleman Reg; Ember Swift; Mighty Popo; Lee Hayes, Mina & Taqralik; The Lowbellies; The Vanity Press; Amanda Rheaume; Meredith Luce; Amy Campbell; Craig Hinman; Juluan Armour, Giulaine Lemaire, Renee-Paule Gauthier [3]

2006: Skydiggers; The Cash Brothers; Jim Bryson; Elliot Brood; Emm Gryner; Justin Rutledge; Ember Swift; The Cliks; Bigstone Drummers; Hilotrons; The Acorn; Kellylee Evans; Peggy White; Nukariik; The Habit; Joshua Morin; Bleeding Heart; Dr. Lee (Westfest Tam Tam), Musicians of the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra [3]

2007: Kathleen Edwards; Fiftymen; Shanneyganock; Dr. Lee; Bigstone Drummers; Camp Radio; Jason Collett; Crowded Skies; Angela Desveaux; Lindsay Ferguson; Lily Frost; The Golden Dogs; The Graveyard Dogs; Marie-Josee Houle; Hunter Valentine; The John Henrys; Jupiter Ray Project; Mackenzie MacBride & The Super Model Syndrome; Ana Miura; Nukariik; The Old Youth; Andy Swan; Slo' Tom; Eric Vieweg [3]

2008: Buffy Sainte-Marie; Lucie Idlout; Holly McNarland; Kinnie Starr; Leela Gilday; Tamara Podemski; Nukariik; Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm; Nemisak Singers; First Nations Cultural Performers; 1755; Marie-Jo Therio; Julie Doiron; Joel Plaskett Emergency; Land of Talk; Grand Analog; Matthew Barber and the Union Dues; i see rowboats; Hurray for Higgsfield [3]

2009:Danny Michel and the Camp Town Racers; Jenn Grant; Arctic; Prairie Oyster; Lynne Hanson; Ladies of the Canyon; Lake of Stew; Jan Purcell and the Pine Road Bluegrass Band; Ken Voita; The Acorn; Dave Draves; Rudeboy; Boom Creek; Sarandonga Tropical Band; Jenna Glatt; Glenn Nuotio; Jenna Taggart [3]

2010: Sloan, Will Currie & The Country French; The Balconies; The High Dials; Bloomistry; Dala; Nukariik; Madison Violet; Marigolds; Peggy White; MonkeyJunk; The White Wires; TokyoSexWhale; GOOD2GO; The Kingmakers; Ken Workman and the Union; Autumns Canon; EFARM; The Moonrunners; Choice Grade; In Progress [3]

2011: Lucie Idlout; Kaiva; Tanya Tagaq; Tumivut; Taqralik Partridge; M.O (Eskimocentricity); Bif Naked; The Pack A.D; The Johnnys; Hexes and Ohs; Mighty Popo; Marc Charron; The Murder Plans; Silver Creek; The Flats; The Jeers [3]

2012: Hidden Cameras; SILKKEN LAUMANN; The Cougar Chick Tribute Band; Dr. Lee; Steven Page; Amos The Tansparent; Brock Stonefish; The Haybirds; Liam Titcomb; Cooper Brothers; The Joynt; Riot Police; John Allaire; Andrea Simms Karp; Ty Hall; Tara Holloway; Al Wood and the Woodsmen; Churchill School of Rock; Big Soul Project [8]

2013: Jill Zmud; Juliana Pullford; Captain Dirt & the Skirt; Zoe Whittall; Jane Siberry; The Clicks; Holly McNarland; Plex; Andrew Vincent; rob mclennan; Elliott Brood; The Johnnys; Lynne Hanson; Jim Bryson; Cindy Baker; Greg Frankson; Skydiggers; Dr. Lee; Amos the Transparent; Silver Creek; Amanda Rheaume; Cara Tierney; Fiftymen. [3]

2014: A Tribe Called Red; Ashley MacIsaac; George Leach; The PepTides; River City Junction; The Fevers; Brock Zeman; Dr. Lee Tam-Tam; Good2Go; The Last Supper; DJ LAKES DISTRIKT; Maria Hawkins; Pony Girl; Shawnee; Smoke Wagon Blues [3]

2015: Sarah Harmer; Lynn Miles & Friends; Craig Cardiff; The Acorn; Rae Spoon; Terry Gillespie; Steve Judd & The Underdogs; Thomas Clair with River City Junction; Yo Mama; Elizabeth Riley Band; Southern Mud; Kris + Dee; Theland Kicknosway; Danielle Eyer; Dr. Lee Tam Tam; DJ Lakes District [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mötley Crüe</span> American heavy metal band

Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Hollywood, California in 1981. Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee first joined together with guitarist/lead vocalist Greg Leon. But after some time, Leon was replaced by guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Michael White respectively. The latter was soon replaced by Vince Neil and the Mötley Crüe moniker was chosen soon after that. The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. They have also achieved seven platinum or multi-platinum certifications, nine Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, twenty-two Top 40 mainstream rock hits, and six Top 20 pop singles. The band has experienced several lineup changes over the years, leaving Sixx as the only constant member; these included the introduction of lead vocalist John Corabi and drummers Randy Castillo and Samantha Maloney, both of whom filled in for Lee following his departure from Mötley Crüe in 1999; he returned to the band in 2004. In October 2022, after 41 years of service, Mars announced his retirement from touring with the band, with former Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 replacing him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levon Helm</span> American musician (1940–2012)

Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm was an American musician who achieved fame as the drummer and one of the three lead vocalists for The Band, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Helm was known for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, multi-instrumental ability, and creative drumming style, highlighted on many of the Band's recordings, such as "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek", and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newport Folk Festival</span> Annual American music festival in Rhode Island

Newport Folk Festival is an annual American folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the Newport Jazz Festival. The festival was founded by music promoter and Jazz Festival founder George Wein, music manager Albert Grossman, and folk singers Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, and Oscar Brand. It was one of the first modern music festivals in America, and remains a focal point in the expanding genre of folk music. The festival was held in Newport annually from 1959 to 1969, except in 1961 and 1962, first at Freebody Park and then at Festival Field. In 1985, Wein revived the festival in Newport, where it has been held at Fort Adams State Park ever since.

Music in the Canadian province Saskatchewan, one of the Prairie Provinces, includes a variety of genres including Indigenous music, folk, country, jazz, and classical traditions.

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival (VFMF), founded in 1978, is an outdoor multistage music festival, located at Jericho Beach Park on the west side of Vancouver, British Columbia. It takes place annually, on the third weekend of July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaunavon, Saskatchewan</span> Town in Saskatchewan, Canada

Shaunavon is a town in southwest Saskatchewan. At the junction of Highways 37 and 13, it is 110 kilometres from Swift Current, 163 kilometres from the Alberta border, and 74 kilometres from the Montana border. Shaunavon was established in 1913 along the Canadian Pacific Railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FloydFest</span> Music and arts festival in Virginia, United States

FloydFest is a Music and arts festival held annually near Floyd, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thursday at the Square</span> Weekly concert series in Buffalo, New York

Thursday at the Square was a free weekly concert series held annually from May through August in downtown Buffalo, New York at Lafayette Square.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Mangan</span> Musical artist

Daniel Mangan is a Canadian musician. He has won two Juno awards and has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Australia, having released 5 studio LPs and numerous EPs and singles. He has scored for feature film, as well as television for Netflix and AMC. He is also a co-founder of Side Door, a marketplace platform connecting artists with alternative venue spaces for in-person & online shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osheaga Festival</span> Annual music festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

The Osheaga Music and Arts Festival is a multi-day music festival in Montreal, Quebec, that is held every summer at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène. The festival takes place on six stages with various audience capacities. Translated from their French equivalents, they are called "River Stage," "Mountain Stage," "Green Stage," "Trees Stage," "Valley Stage," and "Zone Piknic Electronik." Each performance area is paired with a sponsor. Band set times fluctuate based on the status of the performer within the festival. Emerging artists play 30-minute sets, and headliners conclude each day with 90-minute plus sets. The 2006 festival attracted a crowd of around 25,000 people. The 2012 festival reached its 40,000 attendance capacity each day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantastic Fest</span> Annual film festival held in Austin, Texas, USA

Fantastic Fest is an annual film festival in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 2005 by Tim League of Alamo Drafthouse, Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News, Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, and Tim McCanlies, writer of The Iron Giant and Secondhand Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big John Bates</span> Canadian singer

Big John Bates is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He cofounded and performed in Annihilator, Big John Bates & the Voodoo Dollz and the Noirchestra. Bates has had long-term sponsorships with Jagermeister, Gretsch (guitars) and Hofner (basses) through his career.

The Fairbridge Festival is a music festival held annually since 1993 at Fairbridge village near Pinjarra in Western Australia until 2023. The festival is held over a weekend in April and is FolkWorld Inc.'s flagship annual event.

Soundstage is an American live concert television series produced by WTTW Chicago and HD Ready. The original series aired for 13 seasons between 1974 and 1985; a new series of seasons began in 2003, with the latest starting in April 2018, each presented in high-definition with surround sound. Some performances have been made available on DVD. The performances are taped on stage at the WTTW television studio in Chicago, as well as large venues throughout the United States.

Lan Tung is an erhu performer, concert producer, administrator and composer playing a dynamic role in the Canadian music community. Originally from Taiwan, she incorporates Chinese music with contemporary expressions in her works. At the same time, her strong interest in music outside her tradition has been a major drive in her artistic explorations. As the leader of the Juno Award nominated Orchid Ensemble, Tung has toured extensively in North America, working with composers, musicians, dancers, visual and media artists of various cultural backgrounds.

Edenfest was 3-day concert that took place July 12–14, 1996 at Mosport Park, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monster Fest</span> Film festival

Monster Fest is an annual genre film festival in Melbourne, Australia. Called "Australia's foremost celebration of international cult and horror cinema". As of 2017 it is the only genre film festival in Australia to be supported by the federal screen agency, Screen Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalvøyafestivalen</span> Music festival in Norway

Kalvøyafestivalen was a Norwegian music festival arranged at Kalvøya in Bærum nearby Oslo, Norway. The festival was initiated by people connected to the folk club Hades at the art center on Høvikodden. The festival was started by Sten Randers Fredriksen in 1971. The festival was officially closed in 1998.

References

  1. "Hello Mechanicsville! Westfest is moving to Laroche Park (updated)". Kitchissippi Times. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  2. "StackPath". Xtramagazine.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "The Best West and Fest Casino Slots: Songs List for Festival". Westfest.ca. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  4. "O.Canada.Com | Homepage". O.canada.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  5. "安全加密检测". Myottawalife.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  6. "CBC Ottawa | Events". Archived from the original on 2012-11-24. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  7. "Westfest - June 8-10, 2012 | OttawaStart.com". Archived from the original on 2013-03-15. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  8. "The Best West and Fest Casino Slots: Songs List for Festival". Westfest.ca. 22 March 2021.
  9. "WESTFEST - 2015 Artists". Westfest.ca. Retrieved 2017-09-21.