“Down by the Riverside” is an African-American spiritual and anti-war song that pre-dates the American Civil War. The sentiments in the song’s chorus originate with a Biblical verse from the Book of Isaiah: “nation shall not lift up sword against...
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Labour Day 2021
September 6th marks Labour Day in Canada – a holiday to celebrate the importance of unions and workers’ rights. This year, Canadians have a deep understanding of the value and importance of the work of front line workers in services...
Continue reading...Be Sure to Catch ‘WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories’ tonight at 7:30 pm
Gil’s Hootenanny will be a feature story on the new WPBS current affairs program, ‘WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories’, tonight (Tuesday, April 27th) at 7:30 pm. A 5-minute segment features Tamara Levine sharing the history of Gil’s Hootenanny and plans...
Continue reading...Gil’s Hootenanny Releases Final List of Musicians Featured in New Video “Singing Together Apart”
For immediate release(Ottawa, April 26, 2021) Gil’s Hootenanny has issued the full list of performers featured in the 2021 sing-along video “Singing Together Apart”, to be released on May 1st at 4pm at https://gilshootenanny.ca/. “Gil’s Hootenanny 2021: Singing Together Apart”...
Continue reading...Gil’s Hootenanny Featured on PBS
For immediate release:(Ottawa, Tuesday, April 13, 2021) Gil’s Hootenanny to be Featured on New WPBS Current Affairs Program, “WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories” Gil’s Hootenanny is proud to announce that it will be a featured story on the new WPBS...
Continue reading...Gil’s Hootenanny to Release Retrospective “Sing-Along” Video on May 1st
For immediate release(Ottawa, April 8, 2021) The video “Gil’s Hootenanny 2021: Singing Together Apart”, a retrospective of highlights of past Hootenannies along with some exciting new songs, will be released on May 1st at 4pm at https://gilshootenanny.ca/. Since the first...
Continue reading...Ten Songs That Made a Difference
With permission of author Stephen Richer and The Society for the Preservation of Wild Culture. Source: Ten Songs That Made a Difference | The Journal of Wild Culture What kinds of songs inspire people to change their minds about something,...
Continue reading...In Memory of Bob Nesbitt
Gil’s Hootenanny joins with Ottawa’s folk community in commemorating the legacy of Bob Nesbit, long-time folk music aficionados and volunteer, and founder of the Ottawa Grassroots Festival. Bob was an active member of the Gil’s Hootenanny team for several years,...
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