Firehall concert series set to amaze

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Michelle Nash

EMC news - An upcoming concert series at Old Ottawa South's Firehall is only the beginning of what organizers hope will become the new musical hot spot for the city.

The Sirens of the Firehall series will get underway on Feb. 25 with a performance by Aradia Ensemblel.

Organizer Lisa Druillard, special events organizer for the Ottawa South Community Association, said there were a number of cultural events held when the community was fundraising to help renovate the old firehall, but organizers hope this series will be the start of a new tradition.

"We see that even though we don't have to fundraise for the building anymore, there is still a big appetite for cultural events and we have responded by organizing this fantastic series as just the start," Druillard said.

The Aradia Ensemble features both vocals and instrumentation and will be performing authentic baroque-style music.

Kevin Mallon, music director for the ensemble, is looking forward to the show.

"This will be the first time for us to be playing in this venue," he said.

"We haven't played in Ottawa for quite some time, but we are quite pleased to be back. It is also quite encouraging to be a part of this new enterprise."

For the second installment of the series, Ottawa jazz singer Renée Yoxon will be performing on March 31, while the Sara Burnell Band will complete the series on April 21.

Tickets are $25 for each show, which the committee said will simply cover the costs.

"We are not here to make money, we just want to put on a great show for the community," Druillard said.

The series was created to help celebrate the newly renovated building, which has been opened since June 2010.

"It is very obvious people in the neighbourhood want to have a venue they can walk to," Druillard said.

"And it is a definitely going to be a very different concert. We have already had really good experiences running fantastic, grown-up parties in the hall."

The special events committee has thrown two parties since they opened the centre, but this will be their first attempt at a concert series.

"I am completely excited and keen to see the response from the neighbourhood," Druillard added.

Since the renovations, the hall can hold about 160 people and Druillard added tickets are selling fast for all three concerts.

Residents can pick tickets up at the centre or order online at www.oldottawasouth.ca