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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 6pm: Raphael Weinroth-Browne 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 Visit OMIC's City Sounds page for schedule, locations & more! 🎶Enjoy the show!🎶

We are SO jazzed to be partnering with the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival this year! We're helping bring live music back to Ottawa's downtown core via Spark Street's go-to new venue - The Shed! Normally, we have awesome local artists jamming away in our series, Songs from the Shed every Tuesday & Thursday noon - 2 p.m. We're delighted The Shed has been gaining in notoriety between the talents playing inside it and the artists muralling its outside walls this summer! You can find The Shed on Sparks located between Bank Street & O’Connor Street. The live, in-person concerts of ‘OLG Free the Jazz Series’ will be taking place between Thursday, August 19 - Sunday, August 22, 2021. Entry to enjoy the incredible musical talents lined up for The Shed is FREE! “This is a busking event. No reservation is required, just come down and enjoy the music!” - TD Ottawa Jazz Festival. There will be no dedicated seating and we request that all attendees adhere to current COVID-19 guidelines set forth by City of Ottawa public health officials. This is just one of the many events and partnerships to enjoy as our community returns to the downtown core. Sparks Street BIA looks forward to welcoming all musical visitors and fans of TD Ottawa JazzFest this August. Enjoy the 2021 show! TD Ottawa JazzFest Schedule Free The Jazz Live from The Shed on Sparks Street Thursday, Aug. 19 - Sunday Aug. 22, 2021 Between Bank & O'Connor ARTIST LINE UP: Thursday August 19 @12PM The Keith Hartshorn-Walton Lyric Trio: Featuring: Keith Hartshorn Walton - tuba Steve Boudreau - keyboard Alex Moxon - guitar Multi-instrumentalist Keith Hartshorn-Walton established himself in Ottawa’s jazz scene specializing in tuba and sousaphone, as well as acoustic and electric bass. He is introducing this new and unique combination of tuba, piano and guitar, featuring a blend of jazz-infused pop classics, collective improv and overall melodicism alongside two of Ottawa’s finest jazz musicians, Alex Moxon and Steve Boudreau. A particular focus of this project is to feature the tuba as a melodic jazz instrument outside of its traditional accompanying role. In this, Keith is following the example of his mentor, Howard Johnson, for whom he performed at a gala tribute concert in New York City in 2019. Thursday August 19 @ 4:00pm Wayne Eagles Trio: Featuring: Wayne Eagles - guitar Steve Boudreau - keys Dave Schroeder - bass Dedicated improviser and guitarist Wayne Eagles embraces a wide vista of jazz, rock, and fusion guitar styles. He has performed with a wide-range of artists, including: Adam Nussbaum; 3 Jimmys; The Platters; OutSpan; Soul Finger; Random Access Orkestra; Funkdawgs; Super Awesome Club; T Bruce Wittet and The Bitches Brew Tribute Band. He has been a guitar performance instructor at Carleton University’s School for Studies in Art and Culture (SSAC: Music) and served as Director for the institution’s Fusion ensemble since 2007. Friday August 20 @ 12:00pm Renaud-Elliott Trio: Featuring: David Renaud - woodwinds Garry Elliott - guitar Norm Glaude - bass Clarinet player and multi-instrumentalist David Renaud is a regular performer and busy freelancer performing for festivals, pit work, studio, clubs, private and corporate events. Dave performs for the National Arts Centre Pops concerts, and covers a multitude of doubles for theatre pit orchestras. Garry Elliott is an Ottawa guitarist specializing in classical and jazz guitar performance and instruction. As a classical guitarist, Garry provides live music services as a soloist, and also plays in duos and trios for weddings, ceremonies and events. He collaborates regularly with Ottawa musicians, including flutist Gertrude Létourneau, with whom he has recorded the CD Habañera, as well as the CD Pre Dawn Skies with pianist Steve Boudreau. His latest CD ‘Opus 2’ are tunes composed by himself and Steve Boudreau, and features the talents of Bassist Adrian Vidadi and drummer Camil Belisle. Garry has performed and recorded with composer, guitarist Roddy Ellias and the tango nuevo ensemble Norteño. Normand Glaude is the owner and operator of Morninganthem studio. He has been active on the Ottawa music scene for over twenty years, working as a double bass and electric bass player. He regularly performs locally, and occasionally accompanies out of town artists. His strong musical background is a definite asset in the studio when he produces and engineers recording projects. He recently recorded and produced Tim Bedner‘s “Of Light And Shadow” which has been getting great reviews. One of his cherished projects was awarded a “Trille Or” for Best Children’s Album with french artist Jojo. Friday August 20 @ 4:00pm Julie Corrigan Featuring: Julie Corrigan - guitar, vocals Blair Hogan - electric guitar There is a feeling that lives inside the music of Julie Corrigan that is timeless and elusive. Her songs feel like they have been a part of your life from the first listen. Her lyrics, carried on the golden thread of a uniquely beautiful vocal delivery, will take you down unexplored backroads on a road trip through the landscapes of love, small-town tales and tell bonfire stories of the big legends that frame the exceptional simplicity of fascinating, everyday life. Born and raised in the Ottawa Valley near Shawville Quebec, Julie’s home is a farm overlooking the Ottawa River and she cut her teeth performing shows around the Ottawa area before releasing her debut record The Language in 2015. Recorded at Little Bullhorn Studios in Ottawa and produced by Dave Draves, The Language is a collection of songs that fit comfortably in an array of genres from roots, country, soul and folk with contemporary pop sensibilities. It was the most played album on Ottawa’s CKCU radio station in 2015. The success of The Language took Julie across the country and to some of Canada’s biggest festival stages including the Ottawa Bluesfest, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the City Folk Festival and fulfilled a childhood dream to play her big hometown stage at the Shawville Fair. She has played sold-out shows at the National Arts Center and the fabled Blacksheep Inn and performed alongside the likes of Sass Jordan and Norah Jones. Julie looks forward to continuing to host her monthly Girls to the Front songwriter series that features women artists from the Ottawa area and beyond and is also working on her next collection of songs to be produced by Canadian music vanguard Jim Bryson. Saturday August 21 @ 12:00pm Justin Duhaime invites Edra Silva: Featuring: Justin Duhaime - guitar Edra Silva - vocals A dynamic vocal & guitar duo rooted in jazz and branching out into wherever the moment takes them. Edra & Justin share a passion for improvised and creative music, performing swing, bossa nova, tango, bolero and beyond. Edra Silva is a Chilean singer and composer who worked in Santiago and was a featured artist on cruise ships before settling in Ottawa. Justin Duhaime is an award-winning guitarist, teacher and composer with a deep passion and commitment to music. Saturday August 21 @ 4:00pm Kmbrly Snstrm: Featuring: Kmbrly Snstrm - vocals, acoustic guitar Kira Montfort - drums, percussion Kimberly Sunstrum (she/they) is a Queer, Motswana Canadian musician, singer-songwriter and producer based in Ottawa. Blending profound vocals with heartfelt lyrics, Sunstrum’s music delves into topics that are reflections of her life. Constant themes in her songs range from race, family and feminism to queerness and the ways these multidimensional identities influence how we navigate the world. Kimberly Sunstrum writes about the world as they see it with an eloquent poetry and grace. Sunday August 22 @ 12:00pm Courage4: Featuring: Martine Courage - vocals, piano Rob Frayne - bass Laura Nerenberg - violin, vocals Mike Essoudry - drums Courage4 plays off-the-wall arrangements of funk, pop and folk-infused jazz standards, originals and traditional songs. The quartet features Martine Courage’s creative, sometimes lush vocals and stripped back piano stylings, Laura Nerenberg’s nimble and warm violin tones, Rob Frayne’s jazzy harmonic bass (and sometimes tenor sax) and Mike Essoudry’s groovy and inventive drumming. The group just released its debut CD, Things Are Looking Up!, a 9-track album with horns, and is excited to present music from the CD as well as some new material at the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival. Sunday August 22 @ 4:00pm Elise Letourneau & Tim Bedner Featuring: Elise Letourneau - vocals, flute Tim Bedner - guitar Elise Letourneau is an award-winning composer, and an accomplished songwriter, multi-instrumentalist performer, arranger, and educator. An associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, Elise won the prestigious Ruth Watson Henderson composition competition, the Choral Canada (ACCC) composition competition, and the inaugural Diane Loomer award for choral composition. For four years running, she was shortlisted as a finalist for The American Prize in choral composition. Blurring the lines between classical, jazz, and popular music, her compositions have been performed internationally, by well-respected ensembles. Tim Bedner is a modern lyrical composer and improviser, and an award-winning teacher and performer on six- and seven-string guitars. His CD recording “Of Light and Shadow” debuted in the #1 spot of the CMJ jazz chart, where it remained in the Top 40 for four weeks. Tim received his undergraduate training at Berklee College of Music (Boston MA), graduating summa cum laude, and a Masters Degree with distinction in Jazz Performance at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh PA). He is the founding board President of the GigSpace Performance Studio, a performance instructor of jazz guitar at Carleton University and the founding director of the Guitar Ensemble. Get All The TD Ottawa Jazz Festival Details HERE!!!! DON'T FORGET... Stop in to any of our Sparks Street shops and restos to refresh, snack & browse hundreds of unique items before or after you Enjoy the Show! Sparks Street BIA Jazz Festival Partnership Press Release. Sparks Street BIA, Jazz Festival 2021

Sparks Street's new water bottle filling fountains are making a splash! Cool down with sustainable confidence as we roll out our brand new stations. Convenient when you're on the go, just BYOB (Bring your Own Bottle) and fill 'er up! The bottle filling stations are in place from May to October so feel free to stop, pop, and sip. GET YOUR FILL AT THESE LOCATIONS : 56 Sparks by Elgin near the Post Office 106 Sparks by Metcalfe in front of reResidences 171 Sparks by O’Connor in front of Dr. Goodwin's Sparks Street Optometry You can find the water bottle fill stations attached to some of the phone booth structures along Sparks Street. These structures house our water and electric supply which fuel our festivals as well as these awesome little refill stations. They run on Ottawa's city drinking water which "is treated at two purification plants and subsequently distributed through more than 3,000 kilometres of water mains before arriving at your tap". You can also find them on the Google Ottawa Bike Amenities Map. The water bottle fill stations are of a lead-free design and mechanically-activated with minimal splash. They are corrosion protected using base material constructed from marine-grade 316 stainless steel with a sealed Freeze Resistant Valve System, minimizing any chance of ground water contamination, and prevents drain water from mixing with fresh water. The units are GreenSpec listed, and installed to accessibility requirement standards. In addition, we're working on partnering with a local distributor to procure reusable bottles made from 100% recycled plastic. Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of sales of EcoSmart® products will be donated to environmental nonprofits. Public access drinking water is an important element brought forward by the amazing community participation in the Public Realm Plan. Brought to you in partnership with the Sparks Street Mall Authority .

Contest now CLOSED - Congrats to our 2 Winners Tina & Christina! Hey Ottawa, we've got your next Sparkscation Getaway planned!! All you have to do is Enter for your chance to WIN!! Pack your bags and head downtown to Sparks Street where your ALL-INCLUSIVE staycation vacation awaits! Stroll historical Sparks Street, shop at the unique boutiques, people watch while you sip something cool on one of our many patios, and tour our city and relax! That's right, with the return of visitors, people watching is becoming a thing again and we're thrilled to see people back enjoying our street from the new Green Zone and Copernicus Exhibit to our Little Library and Free Sparks Street Wifi! Not to mention all the incredible businesses and eateries. So grab a friend, partner, someone who would enjoy a Sparkscation Getaway with you because we're doubling the fun! We'll be randomly drawing not one, but TWO lucky winners! And the packages are made for TWO! Here's what's included: Package 1: • 1-night stay at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel • Breakfast for 2 at Le Moulin de Province KD • Lunch for 2 at Darcy McGee’s • Dinner for 2 at Rabbit Hole • One Shopping Gift Card for $250.00 at the Local Business (Retail or Personal Service) of the winner’s choosing * • 4 tickets for a Haunted Walk Bubble Tour Package 2: • 1-night stay at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel • Breakfast for 2 at Bridgehead • Lunch for 2 at Nate’s Deli • Dinner for 2 at 3 Brewers Sparks • One Shopping Gift Card for $250.00 at the Local Business (Retail or Personal Service) of the winner’s choosing * • 2 bike tours from Escape Bicycle Tours That's TWO winners - TWO chances at a Sparkscation Getaway! Our randomly selected winners will be pulled on August 27th and September 3, 2021 and notified by the e-mail provided. We've got you covered for accommodation, great eats, shopping, AND an adventure tour! What are you waiting for? Click below!! ENTER HERE!! Contest period runs from 12:01 a.m. on Monday August 9, 2021 until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday September 2, 2021. Full contest details can be found under our General Contest Rules. * Please see Contest Rules for complete list of participating businesses.

In the spirit of classic pub trivia, each Tuesday direct from one of Sparks Street's impeccable patios, we're asking Ottawa to test their IQ about all things Sparks! Our question of the week could be anything from the things you see, to historical & nostalgic knowledge of our amazing pedestrian street. Sparks IQ Trivia runs July 13 – September 2 on both our Instagram and Facebook pages. That's right - double the chance to test your knowledge & win! You can enter each week! Just comment on the #SparksIQTrivia question with your answer & follow the instructions to be automatically entered into the weekly draw for a Sparks IQ Gift Bag complete with a $50.00 Gift card to the patio featured to enjoy the sweet, sweet taste of victory at one our fabulous restos. Every Thursday the answer & our winner will be revealed - keep your eyes open for the #TBT post! Week 1 From Spin Kitchen’s Patio at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel: Question: What was the original name of the top floor restaurant at the Marriott Hotel? Answer: La Ronde! The revolving restaurant is now a banquet space called Summit, and yes! It still revolves (and is rentable). Congrats to our Round 1 Winners Lynn & Summer! Week 2 From D'Arcy McGee's Patio: Question: How many pint glasses (on their side) would it take to line the entirety of Sparks Street (Elgin to Bronson Ave)? Answer: 86,667! For the mathematically inclined: (15cm/6 inches per pint glass) total distance of Sparks on foot from Elgin to Bronson is 1.3kms (130,000 centimeters) = 86,667 pint glasses. Phew! 🤓 Congrats to our Round 2 Winners Garth & Michelle! Week 3 from Riviera's Patio: Question: A Sparks Street Bank Teller AKA “The Champagne Robber” emptied the safe at the former Imperial Bank of Canada (currently Riviera's wine cellar). A total of $260,958 (approx. 2.1 million today) was stolen before he took off on a lavish lam - about a month later arrested in Denver Colorado. What year did this take place? Answer: #TBT to August 2018, when Boyne Lester Johnston returned to the scene of the crime 60 years later, with a simple reservation to enjoy cocktails at the home of his once great heist. This uncanny return to the scene of the crime was a notable experience by the team at Riviera Ottawa and received international media attention. The year of the heist was 1958! Congrats to our Round 3 Winners Heather & Brian! Week 4 from 3 Brewers Sparks' Patio: Question: Sparks Street’s recognizable black, 5-bulb lamp posts were first installed in 1987. How many lamp posts light the way down Sparks? (Elgin to Lyon Streets) Answer: The correct number of lamp post locations on Sparks Street between Elgin & Lyon is 83! Congrats to our Round 4 Winners Nathan & Kristian! Week 5 from Ottawa Bike Café's Patio: Question: In what year was Ottawa’s first official bike race? Answer: #TBT to 1895! Mayor Borthwick laid the first asphalt on the streets of Ottawa. The July ceremony was held at the corner of Sparks Street and Elgin Street. The Bike Race took place a month later – the series of three races ran from the War Memorial to Bank Street. Congrats to our Round 5 Winners Rivi & Melanie! Week 6 from The Office Resto Pub's patio: Question: We have a number of utility boxes along Sparks Street that we use to power electrical and water hook ups that allow us to execute festivals and other major events up and down Sparks Street (including our new water bottle filling stations!). How many utility boxes are there on Sparks between Elgin & Lyon? Answer: The power charged answer is: 7! One of these units is actually located WITHIN The Office Resto Pub’s patio! Congrats to our Round 6 Winners Helen & Kristian! Week 7 from Bier Markt's patio: Question: In case of emergency, there are several fire hydrants spread out down Sparks Street. You can find them yellow or red or on different levels, and even within some patios! How many fire hydrants are located on Sparks Street? (Elgin – Lyon) Answer: The answer is 12! One is even located WITHIN Bier Markt’s patio! Congrats to our Round 7 Winners Gail & Mario! Week 8 from Rabbit Hole's patio: Question: During World War II, what item was hidden by Britain on Sparks Street under Operation Fish? Answer: GOLD! During Operation Fish, many shipments were made from England to Canada to safeguard British wealth. At the time, Operation Fish was the largest single transfer of wealth in the world's history: approximately $160 billion in today’s dollars! Over the years, Sparks has been home to many banks - a veritable rabbit hole of underground vaults 😉 Congrats to our Final Round 8 Winners Haleigh & Jessica! With summer weather here, we’re excited to be welcoming you all back to Sparks Street! Please remember to follow all health and safety policies each business has in place! #Stage3HereWeGo! Thanks to Library and Archives Canada from where many of the historical photographs were sourced. For full contest rules, please click HERE. Cheers!

Sparks has been behind on the mural scene with our lack of available WALLS, so we've gone and found other surfaces to beautify! Up first is our beloved Songs from the Shed! With 3 surfaces prime for the mural-ing, we teamed up with 3 local artists who have picked up their paints and our challenge! We installed canvases over our Shed's walls so @falldowng, @sssnakeboooy, and @a2dead could created upBEAT fun art to march across our little street performing venue! The Shed is best known for our bi-weekly summer live music shows, Songs from the Shed. In fact, it is a multi-purpose space that’s been used for exciting events like Winterlude Karaoke and DJ-ing too. It is a mini mobile venue we have big plans for once it is safe to do more on the street again! This mural depicts "Music & Community," giving context to our versatile shed with one panel for each side showcasing the fun and importance of music as a unifying force in our community. The mural integrates beautifully into our ongoing programming efforts. It showcases, celebrates, and supports the creative interpretation and presentation of music as a cultural theme in a way that is local, fun, interactive and engaging - whether the space is being actively animated or simply part of the street's visual fabric. Curious about the talented artists behind the paint? Let's get to know them! ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ Azdead Born and raised in Ottawa, Azdead has been drawing and creating from an early age. He's taken the city by foot, and many a bicycle path – finding inspiration in the urban heart of the core and surrounding greenspaces. Azdead’s work has been featured in many local collectives, House of Paint, Art Battle and other public art initiatives. Their work continuously evolves as collaborations and commissions keep concepts fresh and point of views elaborate with vivid illustration. Works can be found in private collections, local Ottawa restaurant establishments, and educational institutions. You’ll find Azdead immersed in paint, and dirt – the best tools for an animated mind and hands. Snakeboy Steven Whiffen, professionally known as Snakeboy, was born and raised in Ottawa. Snakeboy's showcased art at 3 solo shows in the city, displaying dynamic acrylics & canvas art. Snakeboy also contributes to collaborative shows such as Art Battle, House of Paint, Waves, and Festival de Montgolfier's Graffiti Competition. Art is his passion - currently pursuing a tattoo mentorship, an experiment with different mediums, with incredible passion as his drive – he continues to make a name for himself with local commissions in the following platforms: canvas, digital, prints, murals, and more. Falldown "I started drawing on t – shirts with sharpies over a decade ago. I made every piece myself, and even now everything I make has its own unique vision. With recognition and popularity, Falldown Clothing soon became Falldown Gallery. The gallery was a small hub for Ottawa artists to showcase and sell their work, network, and host events. The Gallery ran from 2010 and closed in 2015. Staying true to Ottawa's art scene and helping push the community involvement I now host a monthly community group show called (Waves). Murals and commissions have been my outlet for the past couple years, learning new techniques and strengthening my progression. I am proud to say that Ottawa is my home, and plan to watch my daughter grow up here, Rukah is the next generation and my future." - Robbie Lariviere, Falldown Gallery Beginning in Stage 2: not only can you check out the new art, but you can also catch live behind-the-plexi-glass performances every Tuesday & Thursday 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.! You'll find the shed on Sparks between O'Connor and Bank. Tag us into your pics/vids @sparks_street! BEFORE DURING AFTER

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you to ALL who participated!! Slow your Scroll! It’s time to Scroll IN to WIN! This June Sparks Street is blooming and slowly welcoming back all our Ottawa pedestrians with a chance to win $500 at any one of our participating local businesses! We are shining a spotlight on our fantastic Retail & Services. There are lots of ways to Shop Sparks....online shopping, collabs & consultations too! Keep checking back for spotlights on our local business owners - they are Ottawa inspo! Wanna win? It's EASY! All you need to do is ENTER HERE! Check out Instagram for bonus entries! Highlights on our Participating Businesses: True Bijoux 📍 206 Sparks Street Not only does this unique shop sell popular and vintage pieces, but they create custom in-house too! Have an old piece you want upcycled? Have a talk with Lindsay and her team - they love a sparkly challenge. Lots of options for online shopping, collabs & consultations too! Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals- Ottawa 📍 79 Sparks Street Looking to learn more about your hometown, Ottawans? Take a tour! Need a bike? They have them to rent! Maria and her team can help get you set up with all your cycling needs. Society Salon & Blow Dry Bar 📍 90 Sparks Street Whether you need a blow out or an emergency covid-cut-it-myself fix, Stefania and her team can help! Personal care services may not be open just yet, but you can put your winnings towards a salon day when they do open in July! 🤞 The Snow Goose Ltd. 📍 83 Sparks Street This year we’ve spent a lot of time at home and beautifying our spaces has heightened in priorities. Ian’s shop has a curated collection of Inuit and First Nation art from across Canada that make excellent pieces for gifting or styling your own home - maybe get two just in case. 😉 Alyea Jewellers 📍 50 Sparks Street Since 1961, this jewel of Sparks has been operating to assist its clientele in finding just the right pieces for all occasions. It was also the first independent jeweler in Ottawa to be accepted as a member of the American Gem Society and won a De Beers international diamond award for design! Anne and her team can’t wait to welcome you back now they’ve reopened! Retro-Rides 📍 65 Sparks Street If you need a bike or a bike fix, this is the shop for you! They sell some of the coolest vintage bicycles to be seen in Ottawa. They’re also known for helping two-wheeled commuters with repairs on quick turnarounds while their customers get through their workday in the nearby offices. Jason and his team are happy to assist you with any and all things cycle to keep you rollin’! Esthetics by Lucie 📍 167 Sparks Street For over 35 years, Lucie’s shop has been an Ottawa staple for top-quality waxing appointments, nail treatments, and various esthetic services. Her business has been voted Ottawa’s Favourite Esthetician by FACES Magazine four years in a row! Lucie and her team look forward to welcoming back their customers as soon as Stage 2 begins! Dixon Jewellers 📍 71.5 Sparks Street For over 50 years, this Ottawa jeweller shop has offered custom designs, restoration, and redesign for its customers. The majority of the jewellery is hand-made and manufactured on the premise. Experience ‘The Dixon Difference’ with Brette and the team to take care of your jewellery needs! Morgante Menswear 📍 141 Sparks Street This is where you come when you’re looking to dress to impress. Whether you’re upgrading your closet, refreshing your wardrobe, jazzing up your zoom tops, or for a special occasion, Domenic and his team will get you suited up accordingly. This second-generation business boasts experts of their trade and provide tailor services to make sure you walk out confident. Ivonne Sanchez Beauty 📍 138 Sparks Street This full-service permanent makeup clinic loves providing their clients with well-informed, safe, and effective beauty services. Helping their clientele to take the best care of their skin is their passion, be it with the right products or regimen. Offering a range of services from nail art to cosmetic tattoo, Ivonne and her team believe that ‘everyone can play with their sense of self and express themselves in a new light.’ A full list of our participating businesses can be found on our Shop and Services directories! Thank you for Supporting Local Businesses!! Contest closes June 30, 2021. Winner selected by random draw. Contest Rules

Each spring, Sparks Street comes alive in Ottawa’s downtown core with the streets swept of snow, the flowers blooming colour back into our cobbles, and the potential for new and exciting events and exhibits is palpable in the air. This spring we are introducing a Pop-Up exhibit, welcoming the Delegation of the European Union to Canada (EU) back to Sparks Street to celebrate its 45th anniversary! The EU’s 2021 “Where Art Meets Science” exhibit will be beautifying our street along the South side store fronts from Metcalfe to partway down the block towards O’Connor showcasing 24 satellite images. In 2018, Sparks Street was pleased to host the EU in celebration of the European Year of Cultural Heritage and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase their work this year on our pedestrian street, creating an outdoor, open-air art installation. These images were captured by Copernicus Sentinels, the EU’s Earth Observation Programme - ‘Europe’s eyes on Earth’. This exhibit is not only a beautiful display of art, but part of a larger research used to improve our quality of life on Earth. The EU’s exhibit focuses on the importance of research, innovation, and collaboration alongside competitiveness in addressing societal challenges and promoting sustainable development. This exhibit on Sparks Street is the first of the EU’s 2021 series of exhibitions planned in-situ and virtually in various cities across Canada. Our countries have a history of data sharing, collecting, and working together in the name of science and a collective well-being. In that same focus, the unveiling of the exhibit will be virtual in respect of Ontario’s current public health guidelines. The unveiling takes place today, Thursday, June 3 and is available to view HERE! ⬇️ The exhibit will remain on Spark Street for the public to visit and view this summer from June 3 until September 6, 2021. Next time you’re downtown for a walk and fresh air, be sure to stroll along Sparks Street to take in the Earth from a whole different perspective, bringing us all closer together while we continue to remain safely 6 feet apart.

The scent of roasting beans and a new patio catching your attention when you turn onto Sparks? Just past the Statue of Joy, at 79b Sparks Street, you’ll spot a new Coffee Shop on the block! One of the first of its kind in the city - Ottawa Bike Café! Owners of Retro-Rides, Jason Komendat, and Escape Bicycle Tours, Maria Rasouli, have teamed up yet again to bring Ottawa a fun spot to meet up, have a cup of coffee or a refreshing cool down beverage and a snack before gearing up for your next cycle tour. Or perhaps you’re stopping in to caffeinate your commute! This newest downtown hotspot it a central hub to stop in for a bite, drink, meet up, or bike tune up. No bike? No problem! They also rent, sell, and rent-to-own bicycles on site. This is a cyclist’s dream spot with an outdoor space to park and rest mid trip within a like-minded community. Even if you don’t partake in a 2-wheeled commute, it’s a great café to grab your morning/afternoon fuel with a uniquely built patio for people watching. All are welcome! Once restrictions lift, you can grab a seat indoors or outdoors, or you can even take it to go with one of their Bike Picnic Packages! Ottawa Bike Café & Escape Bicycle Tours The café offers local Fluid Solar Roasted Coffee, Organic Genuine Tea, specialty cold and hot drinks, baked goods from Bread & Sons, and sandwiches... and much of it is picked up fresh daily via BIKE! That’s right, even the catering is coming in by cycle! If it's not locally sourced, it's likely made in-house, including their vanilla and chocolate syrups and their lemonade with fresh lemons and organic cane sugar! They recently asked the public to help name their new drink menu on their Instagram page. The vibe inside is industrial and hip with an incredible wall mural by local artist Fall Down. The main décor is the colourful display of bikes hung from the walls and around the shop which flows right over to the café counter where you can order up your food and beverages. The Ottawa Bike Café officially opened it’s doors for takeaway-only on May 3, 2021. They are open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Closed on weekends at this time. As soon as restrictions lift, they very much look forward to welcoming you to visit, check out the new digs, and enjoy the sun on the patio! Check out the grand opening CTV coverage from July 10, 2021 HERE. Please remember to respect the safety of our pedestrian street and walk your bike while on Sparks Street! Ride on Ride on Ride on! Ottawa Bike Café

bol·lard /ˈbälərd/ noun a short post used to divert traffic from an area or road. Well, now that's cleared up, here's some info on Sparks Street's bollards that you may not have been aware of! Sparks Street utilizes bollards at the beginning/ends of each block for traffic control and to maintain the safety of pedestrians. We have an entire 'Vehicular Access Policy' regarding Sparks Street and our bollards. We wish we had the super expensive, fancy lower-into-the-ground-and-rise-back-up-again-remotely kind of bollards, but those are a dream until the Public Realm Plan can commence! You may wonder why the bollards are not in use during winter? Because they're not currently the above mentioned heated dream bollards we hope for and snow plows like to snack on them. Fun Fact: the first bollards were cannons used on old war ships. "The practice of using old iron guns as road posts or bollards was started at least as early as the 17th century" (Blackmore 1976, p. 70, catalogue no. 47). As the warm weather arrives, reducing the risk of our bollards freezing into the ground, Sparks Street will be putting our traffic diversion posts back in place Monday, April 12, 2021. The bollards are removed between 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. to allow deliveries on the street. There are signs notifying the public of this 15 minute delivery window on our Delivery Hours signs along the street. Due to the historical location of Sparks Street combined with the additional security measures that correspond to being a block away from the Parliament buildings, most of the North side of Sparks Street businesses do not have loading docks. For this reason, Sparks Street must maintain this delivery window due to this little-known fact. Every weekday, you'll see a dedicated Lafleur employee manually unlocking/locking, hoisting, and storing/replacing each individual bollard one at a time - it's not a quick or easy job! 30 bollards out, 30 bollards back in every day. Feel free to say hello/bonjour to our contractors and thank them for their work helping Sparks Street BIA maintain everyone's safety. We hope you enjoyed learning a little about our bollard operations! Vehicles beware, Sparks Street is primarily a pedestrian thoroughfare ;)

With the promise of spring in the air and sunshine warming the snow into a melt, we are so excited to get outside again! There's no better way to enjoy the warmer weather than on a patio and Sparks is home to a variety of them! In times where physical distancing is a must, it’s never been easier to leisurely walk down our historic street and take in the architecture, shops, and atmosphere. This can also be accomplished while comfortably and safely sitting at one of our many patios, sipping the beverage of your choice! Maybe even catch a tan 😎 Here are the patios currently open on Sparks Street: D'Arcy McGee's 44 Sparks Street Located at the corner of Sparks and Elgin, the people watching on D'Arcy's patio will keep you entertained if the architecture of the surrounding buildings doesn't catch your eye first. A crisp pint on D'Arcy's patio pairs well with their fish & chips and just about everything else on their menu! D'Arcy's is committed to health & safety and have amplified their safety procedures. Le Moulin de Provence KD 30 Metcalfe Street Le Moulin de Provence officially opened their patio today, March 19! You can find them just around the corner from Sparks at 30 Metcalfe Street where you can sit back with a much needed morning coffee. You can get a fresh baked croissant to go with it, or a variety of other delicious confectionery they bake daily. Fun Facts, they carry the local Happy Goat brand and your pets are welcome too! Safety measures are in place and physical distancing is a must. Brixton's British Pub 210 Sparks Street Brixton's have worked hard to winterize their patio in the most fun way, including roasting s'mores over their fire pits! If the sunshine & fire pits aren't enough to keep you warm, their outdoor heaters are sure to keep you toasty. If you're feeling more savory than sweet, their jumbo wings are always a big seller! They also make a mean caesar! Safety measures are in place and provincial guidelines are being followed. The Office Resto Pub 202 Sparks Street A hop skip down the street and you'll find The Office! They also have their fire pits going and marshmallows at the ready for roasting! To keep you warm inside and out, they have hot apple cider, spiced rum, or hot chocolate and sambuca! Coffee and Baileys is also a great choice while roasting s’mores. Their daily and weekly specials will get you wanting more than just the sticky treat 😉 Rabbit Hole 208 Sparks Street The Rabbit Hole patio is currently open Wednesday - Saturday at 5 p.m. (weather dependent). It is first come, first serve, but you can make reservations for indoor dining on their website. Their outdoor dining scene brings the indoors out with their lounge seating and heaters to keep away the Ottawa chill! Between their pizza and cocktail menus, you really can't go wrong in anything you order here. Visit their website to keep up with their hours & safety protocols. Bier Markt 156 Sparks Street Bier Markt is ready to welkom you back to their iconic grand patio! You can stop around for one of their famous sharing boards and bier pairings daily from 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Try the schnitzel or tuna power bowl - you won't be disappointed! Bier Markt is committed to health & safety and have amplified their safety procedures. 3 Brewers Sparks 240 Sparks Street At the corner of Sparks and Bank Street, the delicious smells of the 3 Brewers' menu will have you seeking a patio table ASAP! They also have $13 pitchers of beer and sangria going right now! They are open 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily. The patio is well removed from passing pedestrians and safety measures are being followed. Freshii 98 Sparks Street As of March 30, Freshii’s fun green patio will be open! Whether you’re on lunch or need a quick boost pre or post workout, the number of healthy menu options are substantial. You can grab a power bowl or a smoothie and enjoy it under their umbrellas or angle yourself for a little sunshine vitamin D depending on the time of day! Speaking of, Freshii is open daily 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. As spring continues to March in, we will update this list of open patios on Sparks Street. We can't wait to see you out enjoying the fresh air on our pedestrian oasis! You can always order Take Out, Curbside Pick Up, or Delivery too - contact the Sparks restaurant of your choice to check out your options! Don't forget your sunglasses! Bon Appetit & Cheers!

Bring cosy winter cooking comforts home with these delicious recipes from the kitchens of Sparks Street! Bier Market Maple Bacon Poutine Le Moulin de Provence Spin Kitchen & Bar The Rabbit Hole Planning on enjoying any of these Winterlude winter delights? Share the results with us on social! Facebook Instagram Twitter