INSPIRATION VILLAGE
PHOTOGRAPHY : BENOIT BRÜHMÜLLER
LA MACHINE
PHOTOGRAPHY : LA MACHINE
In mid-summer , we ’ re hosting a company from Nantes , France , called “ La Machine .” This street theatre company will be bringing a giant dragon , about four storeys high , and a giant spider bigger than Maman to Ottawa . ( Maman is the large-scale bronze , stainless steel and granite spider that sits outside the National Gallery of Canada .)
La Machine will take over the downtown core with scenes to engage crowds in interactive stories . The mechanical creations will move along and be supported on truck beds and run by operators dressed in Matrixlike outfits . The machines will be so life-like , people will believe that they ’ re moving along under their own power . It ’ s edgy , futuristic and something adults and children will be amazed by . It will be a North American premiere .
On July 2 , we will be hosting the “ Interprovincial Picnic on the Bridge ,” which takes place on the Alexandria Bridge overlooking Parliament Hill . It ’ s already a sell-out . We will have four seatings on the bridge and will cover the pedestrian zone of the bridge with sod so people can have a memorable picnic overlooking Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River . This is also a great way for us to celebrate Confederation as this spectacular event is on the bridge that connects what used to be Upper Canada and Lower Canada .
Later on in the summer , on August 27 , we will host “ Canada ’ s Table ,” the most spectacular fine dining experience in the history of the country , in front of
Parliament Hill on Wellington Street . We will install a table with a 1,000-seat capacity where you will be treated to cuisine from the top 10 chefs in Ottawa and 10 top chefs from across Canada . We will enhance this experience with a sound and light show called “ Northern Lights ,” which will be projected onto the Parliament Buildings .
Over the course of the entire year , we will have events as part of “ Ignite 150 ,” a series of 17 epic stunts to illustrate the creativity of our artists and showcase the vibrancy of Ottawa . For example , on a beautiful summer day , we will produce seven consecutive dance performances in fountains around the city . So imagine a contemporary dance performance in Strathcona Park , children dancing in a wading pool or a professional ballet in one of the city ’ s major fountains .
Outside the city core , there will be other points of interest and activities . “ Agri 150 ” will consist of about 25 rural performances where people can discover local produce and new venues . At these venues , visitors will see all kinds of stunts and artistic productions . For example , think about visiting a traditional farm and seeing an aerial ballet with dancers attached to the branches of an old oak tree , swirling around layers of silk . Or enjoy a five-course meal in the middle of a cornfield . Or go on a boat cruise where we take you back to the Prohibition years and be treated with “ quasilegal ” products from back in the day . six star magazine 13