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The National Arts Centre Orchestra at 50
September 30, 2019A reflection by Winston Webber “The Centre must have a heart that beats.” - Jean Gascon. “A good orchestra is called for. A superb one would be more to the point.” - Louis Applebaum And on October 7, 1969, from the first dramatic notes of Haydn’s “Drumroll” symphony, played by…
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Come play with us
September 19, 2019Make theatre your playground and come play with us! Every time you visit, the space to be discovered will be unique and likely not what you expected. Who doesn't like surprises? Who doesn't like being amazed every now and then? That's good, because the stage is a magical place that artists…
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A Meeting Place Between Nations
September 11, 2019The kick-off for the National Arts Centre’s new Indigenous Theatre is the high point of a years-long transformation of the NAC into a welcoming space for Indigenous peoples, particularly the Algonquin Anishnabeg on whose unceded territory the NAC is located. In 2016, the NAC reached out to…
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“Our Stories are Medicine”: Indigenous Theatre Takes Flight
September 11, 2019Indigenous Theatre is here. The highly anticipated inaugural season has taken flight with the Mòshkamo festival, a two-and-a-half week “takeover” of the National Arts Centre, showcasing some of the best Indigenous music, theatre and dance. “In a season focused on themes of…
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The Land: A Gathering Place
September 11, 2019We recognize the Algonquin Nation, on whose traditional, unceded territory the National Arts Centre is located. The NAC is taking to heart the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to preserve and promote Indigenous languages and cultures through actions such as creating the first…
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Q&A: Kevin Loring, Artistic Director, NAC Indigenous Theatre
September 11, 2019Q. You’re about to launch the first national Indigenous theatre of its kind in the world. How do you feel? A. I’m excited. I take my position as a sacred trust to the Indigenous storytellers across this land. Q. What do you hope to achieve? A. My hope is that NAC Indigenous Theatre will…
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Cutting the Ribbon
August 23, 2019On August 22 the ribbon was cut on the latest named space in the National Arts Centre. The Mohammad Al Zaibak Lantern Room, formally known simply as The Lantern Room, has pride of place as one of the signature spaces on the Terrace level of the “new” NAC. The room is named in honour of…
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David and Susan Laister - A happy association
July 29, 2019Forty-six years is a long time. But for David and Susan Laister, it represents years of happy and satisfying association with the National Arts Centre. Originally from the United Kingdom, the Laisters came to Canada in 1969. David was attending Queen’s University, Kingston, on a…
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Daryl Banke and Mark Hussey
July 29, 2019“We love the NAC!” And with their long association and financial support of the National Arts Centre it’s clear that Daryl Banke and Mark Hussey mean what they say! Both Mark and Daryl began attending NAC performances after their move to Ottawa in 2001. They subscribed to the ballet and…
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Brenda Cardillo - Patron Exemplar
July 29, 2019“No question — dull and colourless!” That’s how National Arts Centre patron and donor Brenda Cardillo describes what her life would be without the arts. And she should know. Brenda has been an avid attendee and supporter of the NAC for almost 50 years. She simply cannot imagine what…
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Interview with Rich and Kenton
July 9, 2019Now widely recognized as one of the finalists on Canada’s Top Chef (season 4), Rich Francis is redirecting the spotlight to issues of importance to him, namely the rights of Indigenous people to continue creating and serving food in a culturally authentic way. As the Head Chef of Seventh…
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The National Arts Centre at 50: Propelling Canada’s Voices
June 18, 2019By Christopher Deacon, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. One month ago, I was sitting in the darkened hall of La Seine Musicale in Paris, overwhelmed. On three large screens, Indigenous dancers performed a choreography by the Mohawk dancer and choreographer Santee Smith in…
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A few comments on The Marriage of Figaro
June 7, 2019Susanna, Rosine, Marcellina, Barbarina and the rest It was barely two years after the opening night of The Marriage of Figaro, six years after its publication, that Mozart and Da Ponte transformed Beaumarchais’ lively ideological offering into a much more subversive musical work,…
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Illuminating Thoughts: Nicole Brooks on Obeah Opera
June 5, 2019Ten years ago she was told it could never be done — it was too big, too unconventional, too diverse, too much about women — now, artist Nicole Brooks is reveling in the success of her creation, Obeah Opera. Revolutionary creator Nicole Brooks shares her inspiration for Obeah Opera, the…
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A Glimpse Behind the Creation of Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddle and the...
June 5, 2019On Wednesday, May 15, NAC Foundation supporters spent an inspiring afternoon watching Alberta Ballet dancers engage in a working rehearsal of Act 1 of Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddle and the Drum, which would open that evening in the NAC’s Southam Hall. Prior to the rehearsal, donors were…
