To the beach for Sand Sational
With the success of last winter’s snow sculpture competition, Madawaska Valley and neighbouring townships are collaborating on Sand Sational — a sand sculpture event that runs from June 1 to August 31. There are gift certificates from local businesses totaling $875 to be won, and winners will be chosen from each of the municipalities involved: Bonnechere Valley, Brudenell Lyndoch & Raglan, Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards, Madawaska Valley, and North Algona Wilberforce. You’ll have multiple chances to win, and just think of all the fun you and your family can have at the beach! More details on Facebook/Sand-Sational-Sand-Sculpture-Contest
Doors Open Ottawa
Doors Open Ottawa, an annual event, was cancelled last year (for obvious reasons) but this year it’s being held virtually so even our kids (and adults) in Renfrew County can take part! So many sites to see behind the scenes: Supreme Court of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Bank of Canada, the water treatment plant, Christ Church Cathedral and many more. Instead of the usual two days, this year it will run for a full week FREE June 4 to 11, 2021 virtually. Click HERE for more details.
MV Swim Program registration open
Madawaska Valley is offering two sessions for its swim program this summer to be held at both Barry’s Bay and Combermere. Lesson times run between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. All sessions are subject to Covid regulations and may be changed/cancelled at any time:
- July 5 — July 23
- July 26 — August 13
In-person registration: June 18 at Barry’s Bay Beach between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Additional registration dates may be added if required.) Registration fees will increase after June 30, 2021.
Registration forms: available at www.madawaskavalley.ca
Combermere Craft Cabin
Thanks to volunteer artisans, crafters and makers in the area, the Combermere Craft Cabin is now open every Saturday from June to August between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The non-profit organization showcases locally handcrafted items for purchase in a heritage log cabin setting, with proceeds going to local charities at the end of the season. 39244 Combermere Rd, Combermere, ON K0J 1L0
International Indigenous Music Summit – ONLINE
Broadcasting from traditional unceded Algonquin territory in Ottawa, ON, June 8-12, created by Indigenous artists and inspired by traditional teachings, this year’s virtual Summit honours the rising Indigenous voices from around the world. The program schedule is much more than just music as it includes ceremony, showcases, panel discussions, networking and professional development opportunities for Indigenous artists. From the opening day Welcome Ceremony and Feast to the closing event at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards, the five-day program focuses on culture, narrative sovereignty, artistic expression and honoring the diversity of Indigenous arts and cultures. Each day will begin with 2:15 minutes of silence to honour the 215 Indigenous children at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops) residential school.
In addition to the Indigenous music showcases that highlight the connection between land, cultural and creative expression, the program includes the launch of a new National Indigenous Music Organization and a keynote speech by Jesse Wente, Executive Director of the Indigenous Screen Office and Chairperson for Canada Council for the Arts.
Speakers will include Elder Jim Dumont, Alan Syliboy, Kinnie Starr, Xiuhtezcatl (Earth Guardians youth movement), Bear Witness (The Halluci Nation, formerly A Tribe Called Red), double JUNO Award nominee Leela Gilday; Keziah Myers (ADVANCE Canada’s Black Music Business Collective), Mike Downie (The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund), Allan Reid (JUNO Awards/MusiCounts), and more.
For more information and full program details, visit www.indigenousmusicsummit.com
Pop Up Art call to artists
Ottawa Valley creative people of all ages have until July 5 to submit proposals for inclusion in a multi-media exhibition this fall. As outlined above, artists are asked if humans had the capacity to communicate with trees, what stories would they share with us? Through a variety of media, Tree Story looks at human relationships with the trees that we live with here in the Ottawa Valley and explores the stories they might tell us.
For more details visit www.ov-caos.org or email Anya Gansterer anya@ov-caos.org
