Featured Artists

Let’s Sing! Let’s Play! with Coco Love Alcorn

If you love to sing, time to “get your sing on”. Gil’s Hootenanny will present a 2 hour singing workshop on Sunday, April 30 led by Canadian singer-songwriter Coco Love Acorn.

Let’s Sing! Let’s Play! will explore the joy of singing through melody, harmony, rhythm, creativity, improvisation, and ideas in a spirit of soulfulness, playfulness and fun. All voices are welcome.

Coco’s original songs have been used widely in TV and film and have been sung by choirs around the world. Alcorn also leads the Wonderland Singers, an online community choir and creative singing workshop series with hundreds of regular members from across Canada, the United States and beyond.

Let’s Sing! Let’s Play! takes place on Sunday, April 30 at 2 pm at the Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill Ave. N., Ottawa. Tickets are $20.

Coco Love Alcorn: “Musical Spark Plug”

Coco Love Alcorn will headline Gil’s Hootenanny 2023, bringing her distinctive performance style to the 14th annual May Day sing-along.

​Alcorn is a perfect fit for Gil’s Hootenanny with its focus on the collective power of singing together. Last year’s Gil’s Hootenanny headliner James Keelaghan has called Alcorn a “musical spark plug”, noting “I have never seen another performer able to bring people together like Coco does”.

​Recently awarded the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Contemporary Singer of the Year, Alcorn’s music combines diverse musical influences including jazz, R&B, pop, folk, and Gospel. Her love of improvising, and willingness to engage fearlessly with the audience has made Alcorn an established presence on the Canadian music scene. Alcorn’s career has spanned more than 25 years, 9 solo albums, cross-Canada tours, collaborations, festival appearances, and award nominations. Her original songs have been used widely in TV and film and have been sung by choirs around the world. Alcorn also leads the Wonderland Singers, an online community choir and creative singing workshop series with hundreds of regular members from across Canada, the United States and beyond.

​Gil’s Hootenanny is also sponsoring an April 30 Alcorn-led vocal workshop entitled Let’s Sing! Let’s Play! which will explore the joy of singing through melody, harmony, rhythm, creativity, improvisation, and ideas in a spirit of soulfulness, playfulness, and fun. The two-hour workshop will take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 30 at the Westboro Masonic Hall. All voices are welcome!

​Gil’s Hootenanny will take place at 7:00 pm on May Day, Monday, May 1, at 30 Cleary Avenue, the campus of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. The venue is accessible, has ample parking and is serviced by OC Transpo. 

​Tickets for the hootenanny will be $20; kids can attend free of charge. 

Workshop tickets will be $20.  

Tickets to both the hootenanny and the workshop will be discounted to $35.

Stay tuned for further information about ticket sales.

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 for Contemporary Singer of the Year in 2021 for her album Rebirth.

​Alcorn is a perfect fit for Gil’s Hootenanny with itsfocus on the collective power of singing together. She is an engaging performer who forges a deep connection with her audience, combining diverse musical influences with a love of improvisation. Alcorn will take Gil’s Hootenanny on a soulful, joyful and playful musical journey that will touch your heart.

​Gil’s Hootenanny, first presented in 2010, is inspired by the legacy of Gil Levine, who spent his life working for social justice and was the founding Director of Research at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Gil was a great lover of folk music and an enthusiastic supporter of folk musicians. He believed in the collective power of song to bring people together to speak up and sing out for change. 

​Over the years, Gil’s Hootenanny has seen increasingly larger audiences who join the headliner and other featured artists in singing along with new and traditional songs of hope and protest. 

​Gil’s Hootenanny will take place at 7:00 pm on May Day, Monday, May 1, at 30 Cleary Avenue, the campus of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. The venue is accessible, has ample parking and is serviced by OC Transpo.

Alcorn will also lead a two-hour vocal workshop at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 30 at the Westboro Masonic Hall. 

​Tickets for Gil’s Hootenanny will be $20. Kids can attend free of charge.

Workshop tickets will be $20.  

Tickets to both the Hootenanny and the Workshop will be $35.

Stay tuned for ticket sales and further information.

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.

James Keelaghan photo by Jen Squires
James Keelaghan photo by Jen Squires

Keelaghan is one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters, with numerous Juno and Canadian Folk Music awards and nominations to his credit. A student of history, he is on a perpetual search for unique storylines with universal themes. Many of Keelaghan’s songs concern social justice, inspired by people and events from Canadian history. His songbook includes Hillcrest Mine, Jenny Bryce and Kiri’s Piano, songs that combine exceptional melodies with memorable lyrics that instantly connect with audiences. Keelaghan’s distinctive and remarkable voice, song-writing prowess and on-stage persona have made him a celebrated international artist.

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 Keelaghan, who will bring his distinctive voice and masterful storytelling to this annual May Day community sing-along celebrating the stories, struggles and victories of working people.

Online ticket sales via Spirit of Rasputin’s website…

Inspired by the legacy of Gil Levine (1924-2009), the founding Director of Research at the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Gil’s Hootenannywas first presented in 2010. Gil and his wife Helen hosted hootenannies at their home for decades. Helen and Gil’s vision of a better world included bringing people together to share and sing about the stories, struggles and victories of working women and men. Gil’s Hootenanny continues that legacy.

Continue reading…

James Keelaghan to Headline Gil’s Hootenanny 2022

Gil’s Hootenanny 2022 will feature James Keelaghan, one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters, who will bring his distinctive voice and masterful storytelling to this 13th annual May Day community sing-along celebrating the stories, struggles and victories of working people.

First presented in 2010, Gil’s Hootenanny is inspired by the legacy of Gil Levine, who spent his life working for social justice and was the founding Director of Research at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). A great lover of folk music and an enthusiastic supporter of folk musicians, Gil believed in the collective power of song to bring people together to speak up and sing out for change.

Over the years, Gil’s Hootenanny has seen increasingly larger audiences who join the headliner, other featured artists and the Hootenanny Band in singing along with new and traditional songs of hope and protest.

While the pandemic interrupted the celebratory in-person sing-along that characterizes Gil’s Hootenanny, organizers held a virtual sing-along in 2020 that was attended by over 300 people. In 2021, organizers released Singing Together Apart, a one-hour video compilation of special performances from previous hootenannies and encouraged viewers to sing along with the performers.

Gil’s Hootenanny will take place on May Day, Sunday, May 1st, at 2 pm in Clark Hall at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive. Staffed by UNIFOR members, the RA Centre is accessible, has loads of parking and is well serviced by OC Transpo.

Tickets are $10, kids are free.

Stay tuned for further information.

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” is a retrospective of some of the best performances of sing-along songs from past Hootenannies along with some exciting new songs. It showcases a wide range of artists and sing-along songs including Sharon and Bram’s delightful version of “Grandpa’s Farm”; Maria Dunn’s moving song, “God Bless Us Everyone” and Tony Turner’s internationally acclaimed anthem to the power of collective singing, “Circle of Song”. The video begins with a processional entrance led by The Hootenanny Band and ends with a rousing version of “Wade in the Water” led by Ottawa’s own Maria Hawkins.

The artists are:

  • Maria Dunn
  • Mark Evenchick with Just Voices: An Activist Choir and other musical friends
  • Eve Goldberg
  • Christine Graves
  • Maria Hawkins with Greg Szepietowski
  • Arthur McGregor
  • Sharon and Bram
  • Stephen Richer with Tamara Levine
  • Tony Turner with Ann Downey
  • Chris White with Sid Ameen
  • The Gil’s in the School Band
  • The Hootenanny Band

Over its 12-year history, the annual May Day Hootenanny has featured outstanding Canadian musicians leading sold-out audiences in singing songs of hope and protest which celebrate the stories, struggles and victories of working people. This video encourages viewers to sing along with the performers, as if they were attending an in-person Hootenanny.

Gil’s Hootenanny is inspired by the legacy of Gil Levine, who spent his life working for social justice and was the founding Director of Research at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). A great lover of folk music and an enthusiastic supporter of folk musicians, Gil believed in the power of song to bring people together to speak up and sing out for change.

Singing together has played a key role in helping people face adversity through the centuries. As Martin Luther King said: “As long as we live, there is never enough singing.”

Stay safe and healthy and let’s keep on singing!

Contact:
Kathy Kennedy
kathyltk@gmail.com
613-729-7252 or 613-404-4553 (cell)

James Keelaghan: A Student of History

Gil’s Hootenanny 2020 will feature Canadian singer-songwriter extraordinaire James Keelaghan as the headliner for its 11th Annual May Day sing-along.

One of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters, Keelaghan has numerous Juno Canadian Folk Music awards and nominations to his credit. A student of history, he is on a perpetual search for unique storylines with universal themes. Many of Keelaghan’s songs concern social justice, inspired by people and events from Canadian history. His songbook includes Hillcrest Mine, Jenny Bryce and Kiri’s Piano, songs that combine exceptional melodies with memorable lyrics that instantly connect with audiences. Keelaghan’s distinctive and remarkable voice, song-writing prowess and on-stage persona have made him a celebrated international artist.

Born in Calgary, Keelaghan now resides in Perth, Ontario. Besides performing his songbook at music venues around the globe, Keelaghan also works as the Artistic Director for the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival in Owen Sound, Ontario, which has given him “new passion for programming”.

In March, Keelaghan embarks on a Canadian tour of southern Ontario and Alberta, but he will be back in Ottawa on Friday, May 1st for Gil’s Hootenanny 2020.

This year’s Hootenanny will be held in Clark Hall at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, starting at 7:30 pm. Staffed by UNIFOR members, the RA Centre is accessible, has loads of parking and is well serviced by OC Transpo.

Tickets are $10; kids are free.

BIG SING OTTAWA!


with EVEMARIE BRUNELLE
Sunday, October 27 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm
Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill Ave. N.
$20 online by PayPal or credit card

(via Spirit of Rasputins Arts Society PayPal account)
or at Octopus Books, 118 Third Ave.
Spaces are limited.

PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!

Sing together in harmony to experience a powerful source of energy, connection and joy! We will learn simple songs from around the world in unison and in harmony.

All ages welcome. No experience necessary. All voices welcome!

Led by Evemarie Brunelle, graduate of the Community Choir Leadership training. Founder of Allez Chante! in Montréal, non-auditioned choirs, since 2009.

Evemarie is known for her dynamic song leading, the quality of her presence, clarity of her instruction and her magnificent voice.
allezchante.ca