Latest news with #MarkMonahan
Ottawa Citizen
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
How Bluesfest became one of the best music festivals in Canada
Article content Mark Monahan, the co-founder and executive director of Bluesfest, found himself at this year's festival casting back a couple of decades to the event's four-year stint at Ottawa City Hall. Article content The sight of a baby at Bluesfest brought Monahan back to the festival's early days, when he and his wife, Reine, had a young family. At the time, their youngest (of four) daughters was about the same age as Harley. Article content Article content Article content For three decades, Ottawa Bluesfest has taken over the city for two weeks in July, featuring major concerts on multiple stages and attracting tens of thousands of music fans of all ages. Article content It has grown into one of the biggest summer music festivals in the country, generating a buzz for being well-organized, multi-generational and diverse — with a picturesque location on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats Park, next to the Ottawa River. Article content The biggest shows this year saw crowds of 30,000 or more turn up for Green Day, Lainey Wilson and Hozier, and total attendance is expected to surpass 250,000 visitors. With all those people spending money on restaurants, services and often hotels, the economic impact for Ottawa-Gatineau is estimated to be in the neighbourhood of $40 million. Article content Article content Article content When the festival started in 1994, nothing much happened in the city in July. Colleges and universities were on summer break, Parliament was adjourned, and many Ottawa-area residents flocked to their cottages. Article content The addition of a blues festival to the July calendar was a welcome development, and prompted a flurry of media coverage during the slow summer news period. The low ticket price encouraged the curious to take a chance, and within a few years, Bluesfest was bursting at the seams. It moved several times in the early years, from Major's Hill Park to Confederation Park to city hall. It settled in its current location at LeBreton Flats Park in 2007.
Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
How Bluesfest became one of the best music festivals in Canada
Article content Mark Monahan, the co-founder and executive director of Bluesfest, found himself at this year's festival casting back a couple of decades to the event's four-year stint at Ottawa City Hall. Article content The sight of a baby at Bluesfest brought Monahan back to the festival's early days, when he and his wife, Reine, had a young family. At the time, their youngest (of four) daughters was about the same age as Harley. Article content Article content Article content For three decades, Ottawa Bluesfest has taken over the city for two weeks in July, featuring major concerts on multiple stages and attracting tens of thousands of music fans of all ages. Article content It has grown into one of the biggest summer music festivals in the country, generating a buzz for being well-organized, multi-generational and diverse — with a picturesque location on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats Park, next to the Ottawa River. Article content The biggest shows this year saw crowds of 30,000 or more turn up for Green Day, Lainey Wilson and Hozier, and total attendance is expected to surpass 250,000 visitors. With all those people spending money on restaurants, services and often hotels, the economic impact for Ottawa-Gatineau is estimated to be in the neighbourhood of $40 million. Article content Article content Article content When the festival started in 1994, nothing much happened in the city in July. Colleges and universities were on summer break, Parliament was adjourned, and many Ottawa-area residents flocked to their cottages. Article content The addition of a blues festival to the July calendar was a welcome development, and prompted a flurry of media coverage during the slow summer news period. The low ticket price encouraged the curious to take a chance, and within a few years, Bluesfest was bursting at the seams. It moved several times in the early years, from Major's Hill Park to Confederation Park to city hall. It settled in its current location at LeBreton Flats Park in 2007.
CTV News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Ottawa Bluesfest wraps up with big crowds, big names and a milestone for one volunteer
After nearly two weeks of live music, scorching temperatures and some of the biggest names in entertainment, Ottawa Bluesfest is taking its final bow Sunday night and closing out with Canadian artist Kaytranada on the main stage. Before the final set begins, organizers are already calling this year a banner edition of the beloved summer festival thanks to massive crowds, big performances and a personal milestone for one longtime volunteer. 'We've avoided a lot of weather and we're very, very lucky,' said Mark Monahan, executive director of Ottawa Bluesfest. 'Amazing crowds, great performances and just a great final day to wrap it up.' For Glenna Gosewich, this year hits a little harder in the best way. It marked her 30th year volunteering with the festival. 'Some days, it feels like it's been 50 years. Some days it feels like five,' she said. 'I've been lucky to see the evolution of the festival, and I think about that a lot.' Bluesfest Volunteer Glenna Gosewich getting ready for the final night of Bluesfest on Sunday, July 20, 2025 (Katelyn Wilson/ CTV News) Gosewich now leads the team responsible for artist transportation, making sure performers get to and from the venue. 'Sting was a big one for me, being able to drive Sting on the way in from the airport,' she said. 'He was great and throughout the years, it's been people who have achieved a lot of success.' Despite soaring temperatures, so far more than 250,000 people have made their way through the gates. This year's nine-day lineup stretched from country to classic rock, with top acts like Lainey Wilson, Shania Twain, Green Day, Def Leppard and Sean Paul drawing tens of thousands each night. While the music draws the crowds, organizers say it's the people behind the scenes who make it all possible. 'The volunteers are the backbone of the organization,' said Monahan. 'There's over 2,000 volunteers but it's so many different people who have also been working here.' The impact also stretches beyond the stage, with an estimated $40 million dollars in economic spin-off. Downtown businesses also saw a boost. 'After 11:30, whenever the train came in, we would see the rush come in so we've been preparing for that every night,' said Kirsten Larkin, a hostess at Aulde Dubliner & Pour House. With Bluesfest wrapping up under hopefully clear skies, fans are already speculating about next year's lineup. Monahan isn't spilling any secrets yet but says roughly 70 per cent of Bluesfest performers are returning acts. As for Gosewich? 'I'm a classic rock person. If Mark brought in Springsteen, Don Henley, or Peter Gabriel… I'd be in heaven.'
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Bluesfest to host ‘CHEO Night at Bluesfest' to raise money for Ottawa's children's hospital
Ottawa Bluesfest and CHEO are teaming up for a night of music and a chance to support pediatric care at Ottawa's children's hospital. Friday, July 11 will be 'CHEO Night at Bluesfest,' giving festivalgoers a chance to support CHEO through fundraising activities, including a 50//50 lottery, while also learning about CHEO's vision to care for children and youth in the community. 'Building a strong community is at the heart of what Bluesfest is about,' Mark Monahan, executive director of Ottawa Bluesfest, said in a statement. 'And supporting CHEO is a no-brainer for us, as it is about building the future of our city. We're thrilled to have Hozier headline on a night dedicated to such a vital cause.' The lineup on July 11 includes Hozier, The Dead South, Charlotte Day Wilson, Sarah Harmer, Amigo The Devil, The Claudettes, Claude Munson, Emilie Steele & The Deal, Kristine St-Pierre, Sophie d'Orléans, Vikki Gilmore, and DJ Karyen. During 'CHEO Night at Bluesfest,' you will be able to purchase a 50/50 ticket in support of CHEO online and onsite. There will also be tiptap stations throughout LeBreton Flats to accept donations for CHEO. CHEO is also setting up a booth throughout Bluesfest, allowing visitors to learn more about CHEO's transformative vision. 'When two beloved brands like Ottawa Bluesfest and CHEO come together, especially on a night featuring a talent like Hozier, the impact will be felt far beyond the stage,' Steve Read, president and CEO of the CHEO Foundation, said in a statement. 'Festivalgoers may be coming out for the unforgettable sounds of the music heard that night, but they'll also be directly helping change the lives of kids who need our help more than ever.' Bluesfest runs July 10 to 20 at LeBreton Flats.
