A Comedy of Errors in the park, Ottawa, August

Canada just looves Shakespeare. Every city and town seems to have a Shakespeare festival. Throughout the summer, the Company of Fools performs Shakespeare in neighborhood parks throughout Ottawa. This year was A Comedy of Errors, which is a very silly and slight play. But it is a great play for kids of all ages and I laughed throughout the performance. The Company just set up their stage and away they go -- no amplification at all. The costumes were just brilliant as was the acting. The audience seemed to be all locals with several just walking from their homes. No tickets -- a donation hat was carried around after the show. A tradition that goes back to the magic plays of medieval times and beyond. Highly recommended!!

A bike ride in Gatineau, Quebec, Ottawa, August

Gatineau and Ottawa have hundreds of km of bike paths. We did a 25km ride along the Ottawa River in Gatineau on a perfect -- indeed hot -- August day. A few days previously I had fallen and my leg was badly bruised. With the benefit of hindsight, I should not have ridden as the hematoma became quite infected and took a long time to heal.  

Northern Lights, Ottawa, August

Each summer after dusk, there is a sound and light show -- Northern Lights -- on the face of the Parliament Buildings. At a technical level, it is exceptionally well done and enjoyable. But as for the content, it is pure propaganda. One would think that all has been well with Canada over the last five hundred years. And, wait, the USA lost the War of 1812? I think not? I had thought that Canada could just rest on its many laurels without having to rely on propaganda. One of the folk in the park was telling me that this is Prime Minister Harper at his patriotic best --makes total sense.

A day out in Gatineau, Quebec, August

On a beautiful, and hot, summer's day we visited Wakefield and Chelsea, in the hills north of Gatineau and on the outskirts of the very large Gatineau Park. Wakefield is small but full of touristy boutiques, bakeries, restaurants and the like. We were brought to Wakefield by the excellent guide on local food outlets and restaurants we picked up at the tourist office in Gatineau. In particular, we were headed for La Confisiere, an artisinal producer of chocolate, fudge, chutneys and relishes. What a tremendous shop!

After wandering around Wakefield for a couple of hours we headed into the country to a local farm for organic vegetables and wild boar sausages! And then to lunch at L'Oree du Bois restaurant in Chelsea for a late lunch. This is a Provencal restaurant that has been in operation for more than 30 years. As is typical with this cuisine, the food came out 'family style.' There is a strong emphasis on seafood. Sauces are less heavy than Parisian food. What a revelation!!

Wakefield

Magnificent early 20th century home in Wakefield

La Confisiere in Wakefield

La Confisiere in Wakefield

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Entrance to the L'Oree du Bois

L'Oree du Bois, Chelsea

Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, August

We spent a day at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, just over the river from Ottawa. Originally called the Museum of Civilization, the museum has a strong emphasis on the history of the First Nations. The 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation is in 2017 and one floor is being equipped for this event. We had seen much history of the First Nations at museums in Vancouver and Winnipeg, so some was repeated. However, much was new and very well done indeed.  An exhibition on the prehistory of the Tsishmian was exceptional. The lighting in the exhibit area is kept very low to protect the exhibits, so very few photographs. A full day is required for the museum. And when the Confederation exhibit opens, it will probably take two days. 

The Grand Hall with totem poles

The wolf and the boat. Based on a First Nations myth

Haida Gwai modern statue

The building is clad in Tyndall stone from Manitoba.

Flowing lines is meant to represent the Canadian landscape

Wild grasses

National Art Gallery, Ottawa, August (3)

As you might expect, the holdings of Inuit art at the National Art Gallery are beyond excellent. They are stuck in the basement of the building -- why?

The most amazing sculpture with carved caribou antlers

One of my favorite pieces -- the snowy owl

National Art Gallery, Ottawa, August (2)

At the National Art Gallery, I was particularly struck with was Jean-Paul Riopelle. An artist I had not previously encountered -- or if I did, I did not notice him. He was working in the post-WWII period in bold colors, spread with a palette knife. His work has an almost 3D effect. Just striking abstract representations of the Canadian landscape.

A massive triptych

Detail of the triptych

Detail of the triptych

A Riopelle selfie

A smaller piece

National Art Gallery, Ottawa, August (1)

We are in Ottawa  for nine days, primarily for the Chamber Music Festival. The National Art Gallery is a relatively new Moshe Sande building, with as might be expected, a very strong representation of Canadian art. I have long been a fan of the art of Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven,  who were working on the early 20th century. Whenever I go to the Royal Ontario Art Gallery, I make sure to see their extensive holdings.

I particularly love the landscapes of Lawren Harris, especially his later works. Just massive representations of the Northern Canadian winter. 

Lawren Harris

Lawren Harris

Lawren Harris

Tom Thompson

Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Ottawa, August

Chamberfest is 15 days of intensive chamber music, broadly defined. We had not just traditional chamber music, but also traditional Persian songs with Nexus Percussion, Scandinavian folk tunes and Broadway standards as well as new music. Concerts can start at 10am and end at 11:30pm for Chamberfringe.

Over six days we attended 17 concerts! Highlights were;

• Canadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc with Constantinople
• Montreal Guitar Trio
• Danish String Quartet -- these young guys are just world class
• Night of tribute to Beethoven
• Israeli Chamber Project
• My Turquoise Gaze -- love those traditional Sufi songs of love

Montreal and California Guitar Trios at Dominon-Chalmers United Church

Danish String Quartet played a regular concert and then went on to play the Chamberfest fringe at 10pm. An hour of Scandinavian Folk Musi

My Turquoise Gaze at the Fringe

Performers at the Beethoven Concert. Final piece of the evening was Ode to Joy in piano transcription. At times, James Parker's fingers were flying so fast it was impossible to see them. Magic.

Audience at Dominion-Chalmers United Church

A Sunday morning concert at Beechwood, National Military Cemetery

Beechwood