Musicians Unite for Ovation, the Biggest Crowdfunding Campaign to Reignite the Ottawa Music Scene

OTTAWA – Tuesday, July 6, 2021: Ovation Ottawa, the biggest crowdfunding campaign to hit the local music scene, is set to launch this Thursday, July 8th. It will run every Thursday evening until Sept 2, 2021 and features over 40 local musicians, plus internationally acclaimed, 2x JUNO Award winning family entertainer, singer/songwriter, composer, actor, writer, author, TV host and keynote speaker –  Fred Penner! Every Thursday evening, audiences are invited to join local musicians on their social media platforms who will be treated to their live streamed concerts. 

The full line up of musicians taking part in Ovation are:

“As a musician, what I love most is connecting with people—especially through live shows—, and this past year has been limiting in that aspect; however, Ovation Ottawa is reigniting the city’s music industry. I am thrilled to participate in this event as I get to do what I love most, while raising funds to help other artists do the same!” singer Roja Valentine.

Donations for the live streaming concerts of $15 is suggested (or pay-what you can), with 10% of the funds raised from their concerts going directly to the musicians of that livestream and the remainder going towards the Ottawa Music Development Fund.  There is also a live online auction featuring an array of locally-sourced items: everything from musicians’ music and merchandise, art, to gift packages from businesses.  Fans are invited to visit the online auction regularly as new items are being added every week, with bids starting at $5!  For larger donations and / or corporate sponsorship, OMIC has various gift packages for donors and sponsors, which includes OMIC’s limited edition “Local Music” t-shirts, tote bags, and branding opportunities.

The goal of Ovation Ottawa is ambitious: to raise $50,000 to put towards the Ottawa Music Development Fund, towards a new stream of grants for local artists and some of the local favourite venues to create a series of music showcases in the fall and winter 2021 to help reignite Ottawa’s live music scene.

“Financial support from fans and strategic support from the Coalition will allow local musicians to once again enliven and enrich the community,” says CKCU FM host Chris White.  “The time to act is… now!”

For the full Ovation Ottawa calendar of concerts, link to the online auction, and crowdfunding levels visit https://ottawamic.com/ovation.  Follow OMIC’s Facebook Page for weekly updates on Ovation Ottawa.

Why Ovation Ottawa?

In a report entitled “Counting the Cost of Covid-19”, the City of Ottawa examined the devastating impact that the global pandemic has had on the arts, culture, and heritage sector.  It found that the projected pandemic-related income loss was $220.6 million with musicians and singers – making up a workforce of 2,657 within the city – having an estimated income loss projected at $28,112,857.21  (City of Ottawa, 2020).

“They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone and when the live music left during the pandemic what remained in me was a pretty deep void needing to be filled with drum beats, guitar strums and saxo solos.  Joining up with OMIC in an effort to raise something, anything, is a way to give back to the Ottawa music community that has given so much to me. After over a year of often silent venues and out of work musicians, we all want to see the industry come back strong and, before eager audiences who have awaited the music’s return, rise up. That’s Ovation!”  says Andre R. Gagne, part of the Ovation fundraising team and designer of the event’s logo and poster art.

The Fundraising Committee consists of musicians and music champions who are all coming together for the love of live music and includes: “Canadian Spaces” CKCU Radio host and co-founder of the Ottawa Folk Festival, Chris White; award nominated freelance photographer and journalist Andre Gagne; singer, songwriter, and performer Jumpin’ Joel Flash; trilingual singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sophie D’Orléans; Singer-songwriter and Twitch Partner Danielle Allard; musician/producer Jason Sonier; musician Pat Reynolds; President of OMIC and owner of Audio Valley Recording Studio Steve Foley; and OMIC’s Programs Coordinator Karim Rostom and Executive Director Jamie Kwong.

About OMIC

OMIC is a member-based, bilingual, non-profit organization that works to create the conditions for a thriving music ecosystem in Ottawa for the benefit of musicians, music businesses, and fans.

Specifically, OMIC strives:

•To support the growth and development of our artists, entrepreneurs and music professionals

•To build industry networks within and outside of Ottawa

•To shine a spotlight on, and build new audiences for, Ottawa music

•To engage in advocacy and research on behalf of the local music industry