Gil’s Hootenanny, Ottawa’s annual community singalong, celebrates songs of hope and protest with exuberant audience participation. While not currently in the lexicon of many people, Gil’s Hootenanny is hell-bent on reviving the ‘hootenanny’ for folks of all ages. Gil’s Hootenanny traces its roots...
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Coco Love Alcorn to Headline Gil’s Hootenanny 2023
Gil’s Hootenanny 2023 will feature singer-songwriter Coco Love Alcon, who will bring her distinctive performance style to the 14th annual May Day community sing-along celebrating the stories, struggles and victories of working people. Alcorn won the Canadian Folk Music Award...
Continue reading...Gil and Helen Levines’ 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, an Ottawa tradition now into its 14th year and getting stronger. Held each year on May Day, this annual celebration of the collective power of song to change the...
Continue reading...Solidarity
My dad didn’t just work for the union. He believed in the union and workers’ rights with all of his heart and soul, writes Tamara Levine, daughter of longtime labour activist and founding director of research at the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Gil Levine.
Continue reading...Countdown to Gil’s Hootenanny
May 1st is the 13th annual Gil’s Hootenanny! Tune into Canadian Spaces on CKCU (93.1 FM) starting at 10 am Saturday, April 30 for a preview of the Hootenanny, when host Chris White and special guest Arthur McGregor speak with...
Continue reading...Gil’s Hootenanny Presents A Tribute to Willie Dunn
Gil’s Hootenanny is proud to present a tribute to Mi’kmaq singer-songwriter Willie Dunn as part of its 2022 event. Long an icon of Canada’s folk music scene, Dunn (1941-2013) was a multi-talented artist, activist and visionary. Dunn gave voice to...
Continue reading...The 2022 Hootenanny Band
We Can’t Keep from Singing Along A beloved element of Gil’s Hootenanny is the Hootenanny Band. The Band starts off the show with a procession into the hall as they sing, play, and encourage the audience to join in the...
Continue reading...Gil’s `Grassroots` Hootenanny
A 13th Anniversary Sing ’n Jamat the Ottawa Grassroots FestivalSaturday, April 23 at 3:00 pm Bring your voice and, if you like, your favourite musical instrument to St. Andrew’s Hall (basement) of St. Andrew’s Church, 82 Kent Street at 3pm...
Continue reading...James Keelaghan, A Student of History
Gil’s Hootenanny 2022 will feature Canadian singer-songwriter extraordinaire James Keelaghan as the headliner for its 13th Annual May Day sing-along. Keelaghan is one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters, with numerous Juno and Canadian Folk Music awards and nominations to his credit....
Continue reading...Gil’s Hootenanny 2022 Tickets Now on Sale
Time to get your tickets and start warming up your voice for the 13th Annual Gil’s Hootenanny, Sunday, May 1st at 2pm at the RA Centre (Clark Hall), 2451 Riverside Drive. This year’s featured performer is internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter James...
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