- C Cameron
Updated: Dec 11, 2020
Without earth of our own and all the public closed,
I have such gratitude for our balcony – our small piece of outdoor paradise.
This haven is one of fresh air and chirping birds and rustling leaves in trees.
I sit where the green things grow, suspended above the urban sprawl, and I hope.
Things seem much less bleak with the wind in your hair, listening to what is alive.
Artist Info
"Urban Oasis", C Cameron.
Courtney Cameron is a social researcher, ghostwriter, essayist and poet. Her aphorisms and poems primarily explore the everyday, introspection, nature, and mythology. She hopes to publish a book one day, though she’s not quite sure what kind yet.
IG: @awriterswhimsy
- Jonathan Marshall
Photography by Catherine Khorrami & Giacomo Oliviero
Written by Jonathan Marshall
In our last piece about Artin Avaznia, we introduced an artist that was making their debut into film with his tribute project, The Velvet Rope: A Dance Short Film.
Inspired by one of his most esteemed idols and teachers, Janet Jackson, Artin wanted to recreate the feelings he remembered experiencing when he first heard the original album in his youth.
Now he follows in her footsteps once more, with his performance at Ottawa’s popular Westfest.
Artin was the first solo dance artist to appear on the Westfest stage since its inception 15 years prior. In his multi-set performance, he acknowledges the great dancers that led him to where he is today, but more importantly he struts into his own story with sensual and provocative displays of choreography he spent months devising.
“Ever since last summer, I’ve been experimenting with new ideas and visions for my performance,” says Artin. “My goal is how you receive my piece; it’s one thing to be entertaining, it’s another to be understood.”
His routine was exacting, and perfect in its execution. The crowd that swelled from a dozen to over 200 once he took the stage sang as his feet sailed and shook every time his cane landed with crack. They couldn’t help but feel that hand on his thigh, or how the bass rhythm replaced their own heartbeat. Artin’s aim was to entrance, and his body was working magic.
While Artin is no stranger to live performances, this was by far the largest audience he had ever had the chance to enthrall.
“My career is just taking off,” he muses. “It’s important to me that every step of the way I am proving myself to be better than I was before, and to offer powerful emotions to my fans.”
Certainly, he gave everything that day. The future is ripe for Artin, and if he continues to progress as he has been -a soul brimming with passion- then Ottawa will soon see this talented choreographer reaching heights that heroes are made on.
In this story that will be continued, Artin Avaznia leaves us with moments to be remembered...
Updated: Dec 10, 2020
Photos by Yaneka McFarland
An extremely underrated festival beating furiously right in the center of Ottawa’s core. Everyone ELE held a roaster of continuous local music, promoting some of the cities finest acts. To sum up the experience in one word; impressive.
Shockingly, the local gigs during the day were just as talented as the featured artists brought on. The festival held such names as Nick Murphy (publicly known as Chet Faker), 6lack, and Jax Jones.
2017 marked the 3rd year ELE was organized by the University of Ottawa student union as a means to publicize and celebrate local performers in Ottawa. Despite being incredibly accessible and repping a ridiculous lineup, it seems that local artists have lately not been getting the love that they should have been.
In the most severe September heat wave to hit Ottawa myself and my photographer braved the sun’s sting to soak up ELE’s lineup. Comfortably tucked away on the University of Ottawa’s campus there was a hilarious contrast of students strolling from class and concert goers parading the streets, to say the event was entertaining would be an understatement.
Photos by Yaneka McFarland
Day 1 disappointed, but only so far as the crowd was concerned. There were not nearly the number of attendees as was rightly deserved. KHAØS was incredible, easily rated the best show of the entire weekend. Ottawa DJ, Ruslana Malytska had incredible stage presence despite a lonely crowd of possibly 30 people.
Day 2 brought was by far the best for those seeking a visual experience, with huge screens lining each side of the stage gleamed with bright forests, donuts, and creatures of all sorts. Some of the coolest stuff was coming from Catalyst and Forever Friday.
It was incredible how many of the performers were also crazy talented despite how young they were. On Saturday, artist Zach Diamond sat down to talk with me. He had so much personality packed into his set, beaming with raw lyrics and an abundance of skill I left so inspired and excited to see what he does next.
It’s worth mentioning again how insanely hot the entire weekend was, feeling like 40 degrees in direct sunlight so the shade that was supplied by the dome surrounding the stage was really appreciated. I’m not sure if that was planned in accordance to any changes in weather but it was a really useful space for people attending any of the shows during the day.
Photos by Yaneka McFarland
After a complex infusion of electronic, hip hop, and R&B, Day 3 brought in some jazzier tones with the likes of headliner Nick Murphy. The daytime shows complimented the evening nicely featuring Probably Raymond and The Free.
The place was packed Saturday and Sunday nights, people supporting their friends and others just excited for the closing acts. Either way it was an amazing weekend that brought people together for a greater cause, the music.