“Replicating the vibe is really challenging, but we’re doing our best to be creative and make sure that things are still accessible.”
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The House of PainT festival is usually a weekend when the hip hop community of Ottawa comes together to celebrate under the Dunbar Bridge.
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The COVID-19 pandemic dashed that scenario last year, and, because the virus is still having an impact on gatherings, organizers are planning a “decentralized” edition of the 21st annual event that will include both online and in-person activities this weekend, plus a virtual networking conference later in the year.
“Our approach to the festival this year has been to break down the programming into different pieces and adapt it however we could to COVID and try to have a diverse range of options to access it,” said Veronica Roy, House of PainT’s executive director since 2019.
By spreading the love around to different sites across a longer timeframe, the goal is to recreate the energy of the festival in a safe and less crowded way.
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“What’s special about House of PainT is the vibe and the energy and the creativity where we all collaborate and celebrate together, and that is exactly what we cannot be doing right now,” Roy said. “Replicating the vibe is really challenging, but we’re doing our best to be creative and make sure that things are still accessible.”
Here are some highlights of the festival, which starts Thursday, Aug. 19. Admission is pay-what-you-can. Go to houseofpaint.ca to reserve your spot.
Words
An online version of the traditional opening event, a poetry slam, features 10 poets competing in three rounds, with a $500 prize for the winner. Special guest is Toronto’s award-winning artist and poet, Britta Badour, better known as Britta B. To make it even more competitive, instead of a panel of judges, audience members can vote for their favourite performers. The fun starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
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Video
A selection of short films, music videos and cine-poems will give insight into the lives and work of local and regional artists, including rapper Eyeda Sophia, JustJamaal ThePoet, poet-musician Le R Premier and West African musician and storyteller Asuquomo. It’s scheduled for Aug. 22. You can watch online starting at 8 p.m. that evening or in person at the Club SAW courtyard starting at 7:30 p.m.
Music
House of PainT takes over the CKCU-FM airwaves from 1 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 21-22, featuring studio sessions, DJ sets and interviews with a top-notch roster of talent. Listen for appearances by artists such as Dioganhdih, Exmiranda, Kmbrly Snstrm, DJ Trevor Walker, Jesse Dangerously and more.
Art
About a dozen urban artists are lined up to create murals in 11 locations around Ottawa, likely including a residence or two, as allowed under the city’s pilot program governing residential murals. Permits are required, of course. There’s also an opportunity on Sunday afternoon to hang out at the Club SAW courtyard and scribble in House of PainT’s official colouring book, a volume of 18 colouring pages by 14 graffiti artists, tattoo artists and muralists. Tunes will be supplied by Three 45 Soundsystem.
Dance
Pop-up dance battles will happen throughout the city in the fall, with a $500 prize for the winners. Locations are to be determined. You can also experience the action under the Dunbar Bridge in Brewer Park, but not until Sept. 24, when a socially distanced dance cypher takes place from 6 to 8 p.m.
lsaxberg@postmedia.com
