OTTAWA – Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will hold a six-week series of online mini-concerts and workshops celebrating local music and musicians called Ottawa Live & Local.

Ten musical acts in a wide variety of genres – from contemporary roots to hip hop – will add a local spin to the soundtrack of your summer with live performances of 30 to 45 minutes in length that you can experience live on Facebook. In addition to hearing great music, the audience will get to know the artists as there will be a host drawing out some of the stories behind this local talent between songs.  

“With musical chats built in to the Tuesday and Thursday evening mini-concerts, and interactive musical workshops most Wednesdays with one or more of the local musicians, the online series is designed to deliver a warm and personal experience where the audience can meet the musicians, and up their own musical literacy quotient without missing a beat,” OPL staff released in a statement today (July 24). “Workshops will be on a wide range of musical areas of interest. Specific topics will be announced during the concert series.”

COVID-19 restrictions have been particularly challenging for live music performers and artists everywhere and the Ottawa community has not been spared.

“OPL is proud to be able to offer a virtual stage to help support our local culture in these difficult times and hopefully facilitate some musical discoveries to a home-based audience,” the OPL said.

Mark your calendar starting next week. Mini-concerts will take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook Live, with the first one on July 28, and for the following weeks until the first week of September. Workshops start on Wednesday, Aug. 12, also at 7:30 p.m.   

 The OPL invites everyone to check the full schedule on its website. These events are offered in partnership with Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe and generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association.