When Gil Levine died at 85 in 2009, three words in his obituary, “…plan a hootenanny”, were the beginning of Gil’s Hootenanny, an Ottawa tradition now into its 16th year and getting stronger. Held each year on May Day, this...
Continue reading...Kathy Kennedy
What is a Hootenanny?
Gil’s Hootenanny, Ottawa’s annual community singalong, celebrates songs of hope and protest with exuberant audience participation. While the word “hootenanny” may not be in everyone’s lexicon, Gil’s Hootenanny is hell-bent on reviving this form of entertainment for folks of all ages. Gil’s Hootenanny traces its roots back to folk legends Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie who popularized hootenannies in...
Continue reading...Rebecca Campbell to Headline Gil’s Hootenanny 2025
Musician, activist, song writer and song interpreter extraordinaire Rebecca Campbell will headline the 16th Annual Gil’s Hootenanny on Wednesday, April 30th at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. Rebecca is a magical performer who creates music that is “emotionally rooted”, “honest” and “interactive”. She honed her musical artistry in Ottawa in the 1980s and 90s, before moving...
Continue reading...Review: Big Sing Ottawa!
At a time when we all need a tonic to the days we’re living in, Evemarie Brunelle provided exactly that on the afternoon of November 10th at the Westboro Masonic Hall. Big Sing Ottawa! was big fun and a superb chance to raise our...
Continue reading...Big Sing 2024
Limited tickets available for cash at the door.
“Dynamic… magnificent… joyful” are just some of the superlatives used to describe the experience of singing together in harmony with Evemarie Brunelle. The Montreal-based singer, choir leader, and performer returns with Big Sing Ottawa! on Sunday, November 10…
Continue reading...15 Years of Hootenanny Magic
If you love a good hootenanny as much as we do, it doesn’t get any better than this. Heartful, uplifting and moving songs, a room full of people singing along, a venue with perfect acoustics, lyrics posted on a screen...
Continue reading...Tune in to Canadian Spaces
Tune in to Canadian Spaces on CKCU (93.1 FM) starting at 10:00 am this Saturday, April 27 for a preview of Gil’s Hootenanny 2024, when hosts Chris White, Carolyn Sutherland, Anne-Marie Brugger and Gil’s Hootenanny organizer Arthur McGregor speak with...
Continue reading...Ulyn Georgette & Ron Decock at Gil’s Hootenanny
Those lucky enough to have been at Gil’s Hootenanny last year (2023) will remember Ulyn Georgette and her show-stopping tribute to Odetta. Here’s a sample! Ulyn will be leading a few songs at Gil’s Hootenanny 2024, accompanied by her musical...
Continue reading...Gil’s Hootenanny
Gil’s Hootenanny
Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 7:00 pm
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
30 Cleary Avenue
Tickets are $20 (kids free)
We Shall Not Be Moved
Gil’s Hootenanny begins with a procession of performers marching down the aisles toward the stage, singing and encouraging the audience to join in. This year’s opening song is a well-known protest song, We Shall Not Be Moved. With lyrics based...
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