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NEWS
metronews.ca WEEKEND, June 20-22, 2014
Fest celebrates Aboriginal arts, culture Summer Solstice. Family event includes seminars, entertainment and a pow wow
The Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival will give families a unique opportunity to experience the diverse Aboriginal cultures of the National Capital Region, organizers say. “It’s a great opportunity to see how our culture has evolved,” says Trina MatherSimard, executive director of the festival. “Altogether, we’re expecting to see about 30,000 people, and hopefully more with the beautiful weather.” The annual pow wow attracts hundreds of dancers and singers from all across North America to engage in a friendly competition with a chance to win some $75,000 in prizes. Seminars about Aboriginal cul-
Andrea Menard is among the many artists who will perform at the fest. Torstar news service file
ture at the event will attract approximately 6,000 students. Admission to the festival is free. Interactive family programming will also include stilt-walkers, the Big Sky Animal Ranch display, pony rides, and arts and crafts. A highlight this year is the new Southern Lights Spectacle program, which includes fire hoop dancing. The Festival is being held in Vincent Massey Park from June 20 to June 22. LAURA MACLEOD/FOR METRO
Busy weekend. Dragon boat event one of many festivals in the city Festival season has hit the capital and the 21st annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is set to make its biggest splash yet, according to festival CEO John Brooman. When the festival first began in 1994, says Brooman, it was held for just a half day at the Rideau Canal Club with about 20 teams participating. Now it’s held for four consecutive days, with 190 teams competing at Mooney’s Bay Park and a plethora of other activities. “You’ve got a sporting event, a music festival and
a fundraising event, so you’re tying the three of them together,” Brooman said. “It has something truly for someone from, like, zero to 100.” The Sheepdogs, Arkells and Down With Webster are some of the headlining acts to perform at the fest, which runs until Sunday. Other events in Ottawa include The Glow Fair, an arts fest that takes place Friday and Saturday on Bank Street and Ribfest, which runs until Saturday on Sparks Street. AMY YEE/FOR METRO
Short-term housing
YMCA to get $400K from city The city’s Planning and Protective Services Committee unanimously approved a motion to give $400,000 to the YMCA Thursday so that they can move ahead with plans for a $1 million renovation that would convert the entire second floor of the Taggart building on Argyle Avenue into temporary short-term housing for up to 30 families. The YMCA has already raised $550,000 for the renovations. DENIS ARMSTRONG/FOR METRO
Crime
Man charged with human trafficking
the 21st annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival runs until Sunday. metro file
Ottawa police arrested and charged Ricardo Spence, 31, with human trafficking and related offences on Tuesday. The charges stem from a complaint last September when police had issued a warrant for his arrest. Police say they are
concerned there may be other trafficking victims and want them to come forward. The Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Unit can be reached at 613-2361222, ext. 5005 or humantrafficking@ottawapolice. ca. metro Transit
Summer brings new bus routes New bus schedules go into effect on Sunday. Several new routes will be introduced, including weekend routes to local museums and beaches along with service to the Queensway Terrace North community, which OC Transpo says will lower demand for service during the summer vacation months. School routes will be suspended until the fall and there will be “minor” schedule reductions on mainline and peak period routes, the transit service says. Customers can get more information by calling 613-741-4390. LAURA MACLEOD/FOR METRO
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