The song “Bread and Roses” is often a feature of the Gil’s Hootenanny repertoire. Coming out of the successful 1912 textile strike by immigrant women workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, “Bread and Roses” is an anthem of both the women’s...
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Annie Patterson: Spreading Joy Through Music
Annie Patterson will headline Gil’s Hootenanny 2024, bringing her powerful voice and incredible song knowledge and repertoire to the 15th Annual May Day sing-along. Annie is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and master song interpreter with an infectious stage presence that...
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, an Ottawa tradition now into its 15th year and getting stronger. Held each year on May Day, this...
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 is hell-bent on reviving this form of entertainment for folks of all...
Continue reading...Annie Patterson to Headline Gil’s Hootenanny 2024
Singer-songwriter and legendary song leader Annie Patterson will headline the 15th Annual Gil’s Hootenanny 2024 on Wednesday, May 1st at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Avenue. Described as a performer who “could get a roomful of store...
Continue reading...Odetta’s “Freedom Trilogy”
Gil’s Hootenanny’s 2023 program included a tribute to Odetta by Ulyn Georgette. In this video clip, Ulyn sings Odetta’s “Freedom Trilogy” accompanied by musician and Gil’s organizing team member Patricia Reynolds. Enjoy!
Continue reading...Big Sing! 2023
On the bleak rainy afternoon of October 22nd, 75 of us gathered at the Westboro Masonic Hall for the Big Sing! 2023 with Evemarie Brunelle of Montreal. It was the third Ottawa Big Sing! (and the first since COVID) sponsored by...
Continue reading...Evemarie Brunelle and the Joy of Voices Rising Together
“Dynamic… magnificent… joyful” are some of the superlatives used to describe the experience of singing together in harmony led by Evemarie Brunelle. After a knock-out, sold-out event in 2019 that left Ottawa participants clamouring for more, the Montreal-based singer, choir leader, and performer...
Continue reading...Ulyn Georgette leading “This Little Light of Mine”
Ulyn Georgette leading “This Little Light of Mine” at Gil’s Grassroots Song Circle on April 22. Ulyn will be performing a tribute to Odetta tonight at Gil’s Hootenanny.
Continue reading...Building Community Through Song
A beloved element of Gil’s Hootenanny is the opening procession, when the performers promenade into the hall singing, playing, and encouraging the audience to join in the music. The beginning of this year’s hootenanny will feature three musicians who are community builders, are...
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