OMIC City Sounds on Sparks!
- Sparks Street

- Oct 5, 2022
- 4 min read
OMIC's City Sounds brings 24 LIVE outdoor musical performances to various locations in Ottawa to encourage residents to shop local neighbourhoods!
Presented in partnership with the Sparks Street BIA, stop by and take in performances LIVE from THE SHED between Bank and O'Connor!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021 - EVENING PERFORMANCE
7pm: Taming Sari

Internationally renowned Canadian cellist and composer, Raphael Weinroth-Browne has been celebrated for his emotive and virtuosic playing both on stage and in the studio. In 2021, Worlds Within Live was released as a live version of the album, featuring pro-shot videos of the entire performance. Raphael is slated to join Leprous on tour in Europe and is poised on sharing Worlds Within with live audiences everywhere.
A road of mishaps and diverse life experiences made the Taming Sari guys collide and band together. Hailing from across Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, the members of Taming Sari form an eclectic and unlikely bilingual group. With a new sound to the playground, they infuse a classic rock and blues feel to modern day rock and roll. Toronto producer Ross Hayes Citrullo helped them tap into the melodic and unique voice of Warren Meredith and directed them towards what is now the Taming Sari sound.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2021 - MATINÉE PERFORMANCE
2pm: Derek McKinley
3pm: Blake Alexander

Singer and children's entertainer Derek McKinley brings his joy of life to music in a fun way inspiring children and adults alike! Supporting and encouraging the creativity and fun of music through songs that empower children and foster an appreciation for living healthy and environmentally aware.
Blake Alexander is a 29-year-old inspired, motivated, dedicated artist from Ottawa, Canada. Blake has released his album,” New Life” and has just released a 3 track EP called, “Unsettled.” He has also released his hit, “ The Usual.” That made it onto the Hot 89.9. He is currently working on his 2nd Studio Album,” From the Concrete Grew a Rose.” Which to be released in September. He also is releasing a single,” Move in Silence.” Coming out August 15 with 3 special collaborations from the city.
OMIC'S CITY SOUNDS
The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) has collaborated with several Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and local business associations, including Sparks Street BIA, to bring you LIVE FREE performances across Ottawa from Orléans to Kanata!
The 3 week family-friendly event runs from Friday, August 20 - Sunday, September 5, 2021 bringing local talents to the stage in our public spaces where you can visit and explore your neighbourhoods!
"As the city re-opens its economy, animating public spaces safely and attracting increased traffic to local businesses is vital to economic recovery. City Sounds was developed in partnership with the City of Ottawa and the Mayor’s Economic Partners Task Force. The Task Force was launched by Mayor Watson in March 2020 and brings together senior leaders from key business organizations to share challenges, insights and opportunities to support Ottawa’s economic response, recovery and rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. City Sounds brings together the music industry and local Business Improvement Areas and Associations to work collaboratively in order to animate public spaces and create economic spinoff for the benefit of small businesses. City Sounds also supports paid performance opportunities for Ottawa musicians eager to play for live audiences and encourages the rebound of the live entertainment sector." - OMIC
“It is great to see our Economic Partners Task Force members finding ways to collaborate on recovery efforts. That is why I am excited to support City Sounds, which brings together the Business Improvement Areas and Associations and the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition to work collaboratively to animate public spaces and create economic spinoff benefits for both musicians and small businesses. The more we work together and support each other, the faster we will overcome the impacts the pandemic has had on our city.” — Mayor Jim Watson.
“OMIC is so grateful to the City of Ottawa for its continued investment into our local music sector to showcase local talent across the city. These are all future potential JUNO nominees! We are excited to bring these performances across the city to draw in attendees and to encourage them to shop the neighbourhood after the performances in support of our local small businesses. It is only through mutually supporting each other’s sectors that our city, as a whole, can thrive.” — Jamie Kwong, Executive Director of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition.
Artist & Event info provided by OMIC. Follow the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition’s Facebook Page for regular updates.
List of participating artists:
Jumpin' Joel Flash, Kmbrly Snstrm, The Powergoats, Sophie D'Orléans,
Alanna Sterling & The Silvers, Danielle Allard, The Broken Bridges, Kristine St-Pierre
Derek McKinley, Crystalena, Taming Sari, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind
Raphael Weinroth-Browne, KAR33M and Twelve07, Tara Shannon, John Ian
Unsociably High, Double Experience, The Riot Police, Mad Gamma, Segue to Jazz
Terrence O'Brien, Blake Alexander, Lucas Haneman Express
List of participating BIAs and Associations:
Sparks Street BIA, Glebe BIA, Westboro Village BIA, Chinatown BIA
Elgin Area Business Association, Heart of Orléans BIA
Manotick BIA, Wellington West BIA
Kanata Central BIA














I like that OMIC City Sounds gives emerging artists a chance to share their music and stories instead of just another playlist. Posts like this always add a little excitement to my next drive quest for new local talent.
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What a wonderful way to celebrate local music while supporting small businesses and bringing communities together. Just as the Everest View Trek brings people together through breathtaking landscapes and shared experiences, events like City Sounds remind us that great journeys, whether through city streets or mountain trails are best enjoyed with others.
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