A beloved element of Gil’s Hootenanny is the opening procession. The performers promenade into the hall singing and playing, inviting the audience to join in the music, as they weave through the crowd. The beginning of this year’s hootenanny will...
Continue reading...Kathy Kennedy
”Ken Whiteley is one of the best.” (Sing Out! Magazine)
Ken Whiteley, a prolific songwriter, gifted and versatile musician and powerful singer, will headline the 17th annual and last Gil’s Hootenanny on Friday, May 1st at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. Called “one of the best” by Sing Out!...
Continue reading...Gil & Helen Levine’s Legacy: Changing the World Through the Power of Song
When Gil Levine died at 85 in 2009, three words in his obituary, “…plan a hootenanny”, were the beginning of Gil’s Hootenanny. The 2026 concert will be the 17th annual and last year of this engaging and entertaining sing-along of...
Continue reading...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 has been hell-bent on reviving this form of entertainment for folks of...
Continue reading...Tickets now on sale
Ken Whiteley, a prolific songwriter, gifted and versatile musician and powerful singer, will headline the 17th annual and final Gil’s Hootenanny. Whiteley delights his audiences with his participatory humour, grace, and energy. His music communicates themes of freedom, love and...
Continue reading...Ken Whiteley to Headline Gil’s Hootenanny 2026
Ken Whiteley, a prolific songwriter, gifted and versatile musician and powerful singer, will headline the 17th Annual and last Gil’s Hootenanny on Friday, May 1st at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. Whiteley delights his audiences with his participatory humour,...
Continue reading...Gil’s Hootenanny Announces Last May Day Concert in 2026
(Ottawa, Ontario, February, 2026) – Gil’s Hootenanny announced today that its 2026 sing-along concert on May 1st will be its last concert in this format. This farewell show will mark the 17th year of this engaging and entertaining May Day sing-along of...
Continue reading...Countdown to Gil’s Hootenanny 2025
Only two days till the 16th annual Gil’s Hootenanny on April 30th! Musician, activist, song writer and song interpreter extraordinaire Rebecca Campbell headlines the 16th annual Gil’s Hootenanny at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 30 at the First Unitarian Congregation of...
Continue reading...Rebecca Campbell on CKCU’s The Guest List, Thursday, April 24
Tune into The Guest List on CKCU (93.1 FM) from 5:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 24 for Joe Reilly’s interview with Rebecca Campbell, this year’s Gil’s Hootenanny headliner. You can also listen to the show RIGHT NOW using...
Continue reading...Solidarity Forever 2025
Gil’s Hootenanny begins with performers marching down the aisles toward the stage, singing and encouraging the audience to join in. This year’s procession will be singing “Solidarity Forever”, a well-known song of both protest and hope, commonly sung at union...
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