Celebrating Black History Month 2024 in Ottawa and Montreal

Happy Black History Month! Whether you’re in Ottawa or Montreal, there are plenty of ways to celebrate and honour Black History Month across both of Also Cool’s respective headquarter cities. Below, find a non-exhaustive list of events spotlighting our local Black communities and uplifting the power and influence of Black history, culture and creativity. Be sure to keep up with the programmers and curators of these events to enjoy and support their endeavours all year round!

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Ottawa Black History Month Roundup

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The second edition of “Crépu: Our DNA” returns this coming Sunday, February 4th, at the Canadian Science and Technology Museum from 5pm-9pm.

Presented in collaboration between Hors Pair Social, The Moving Art Gallery and Ingenium, “Crépu: Our DNA” is a multidisciplinary Black hair art show, showcasing the complexity and innovation that Black folks have engineered in hair care.

Following the event’s extremely successful launch in 2023, the second edition of “Crépu: Our DNA” features artists from both Ottawa and Montreal, and offers a wide range of programming, from workshops on curly hair care to a hair-art runway.

Advance tickets are sold out! A limited number of tickets will be available at the door - arrive early!

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In collaboration with the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition and Pass The Vibes, Produced By Youth presents FUBU (For Us By Us) at Club SAW on Wednesday, February 7th from 7pm-11:30pm.

Celebrating five years of Produced By Youth—a Black-led grassroots organization that delivers a unique music-making workshop program aimed at fostering a creative safe(r) space exclusively for Black youth ages 15-25—FUBU features a networking mixer, live performances, raffle prizes, games and more, for and by Black youth.

The FUBU lineup includes Produced By Youth Advanced Cycle alumni μames., Nonso, Chyme and Produced By Youth x Pass The Vibes DJs dj boatie & Mona Monet

Secure your pay-what-you-can tickets below!

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Hip hop takes centre stage throughout February at the National Arts Centre eleven-day Hip Hop Theatre Festival. On now until February 10th, the inaugural event revolves around the text-based essence of hip hop. Programming includes battle rap, spoken word, staged readings, panels, concerts and virtual events “aimed at broadening our perspective on how we view and experience theatre at its core.”

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On February 20th, Hors Pair Social invites you to celebrate Black History Month at the Algonquin Commons Theatre with The Ottawa Black Creatives Hub Performing Arts Showcase.

From 6:30pm-9pm, catch performances from musical artists, dancers, poets, and other multifaceted creatives representing Ottawa’s Black arts scene. The lineup includes Grey Brisson, N’nerjie, Sommer Knight, Malaïka Urbani, Chloe Bonnet, Miss Mcleod, Christjay, KingH509, Noni, Mxzy, Olivia Onuk, Carleton Afro Dance Crew AKA CADC, Jacqui Du Toit, Fitch Jean, and Kiera Meeks. 

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BLKGURL Prom takes Club SAW February 24th and this year’s theme is The Elements. Organized by BLKGURL—a grassroots collective dedicated to creating space, building community and uplifting Black women and gender diverse folks—BLKGURL Prom is the ultimate celebration of Black girl/gender non-confirming magic.

There is no dress code, but get ready to strut your stuff on the dancefloor! The event is free, and donations are welcome to support BLKGURL.

Please note that this a dry event. BLKGURL Prom is a closed event specifically for Black women, girls and gender/sexually marginalized people.

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Montreal Black History Month Roundup

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Also Cool had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Black Theatre Workshop’s Diggers at Segal Centre for Performing Arts. On until February 17th, this brilliant co-production with Prairie Theatre Exchange is the world premiere of the story of three essential workers—grave diggers—who make the best of a bad situation as townsfolk grow increasingly distant when illness hits their town.

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This Saturday, February 3rd, the second edition of Frky x Listen takes La Sotterenea from 8pm-10:30pm to celebrate Black musical heritage on the dancefloor. Spanning multiple genres, from jazz, hip hop, house, afrobeat and more, this free event brings together members of the music scene to honour Black history month and the rich tapestry of Black music and its influence.

The lineup features Mauro Pezzente, Donald D, Lexis (Music Is My Sanctuary), Dapapa, Blackgold, Sisters of Sim, Living Legends, Mathieu Grondin, Quest, Inobe, Jesse Walker, ESC, Duke Eatmon, and Supernature.

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The next edition of Also Cool x Mags Drink n’ Draw is coming up on February 21st at Système! Bring your friends (or make new ones), vibe to tunes supplied by DJ JU!CE, and enjoy the best food and drink in town as you unlock your artistic side. This Drink n’ Draw will have a special colouring page for Black History Month, made in collaboration with a surprise local music group!

More details coming soon - save the date!

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BLK WinterFest is fostering nothing but Black joy in the middle of winter! Organized by Hike Mtl, BLK WinterFest is a month-long happening, offering winter activities (skating, skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing) every weekend for the Black community throughout the month of February.

Open to all ages and skill levels, BLK WinterFest is the perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends for a fun outdoor excursion!

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From February 7th to March 10th, experience the story of American Black civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin. Presented by the Phi Centre, Colored: The Unknown Life of Claudette Colvin, is an augmented reality installation that uses the HoloLens 2 (an augmented reality headset) to transport the viewer through Colvin’s life in segregated Alabama.

Learn more about this immersive and powerful exhibition here.

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For more Black History Month programming in Ottawa, see this list compiled by Hors Pair Social and visit Black History Ottawa.

For more Black History Month programming in Montreal, visit mtl.org and Table Ronde.

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The Kaleidoscopically Queer Universe of Cara Connors

Cara Connors at Dynasty Typewriter. Photo courtesy of Andrew Max Levy

Cara Connors is here, they’re queer, and they’re occasionally feral.

What began with an extracurricular shot-in-the-dark at The Second City Toronto has since taken Connors on the ride of their life. The Chicago-born, LA-based comedian has made a name for themself with their charmingly-neurotic stylings, hitting their stride in the fringes between absurdism and sincerity. Their arsenal of talent continues to rise through the ranks, captivating the likes of Just For Laughs, OUTtv, and E! Network.

Most recently, they’ve been on the road sharing Straight for Pay, a solo show that wields Connors’ comedic strengths to explore the nuances of identity and self-acceptance. Between personal anecdotes of divorce, evolution and introspection, Connors fuses eccentric physicality and an earnest heart to keep audiences on their toes. Their recent stop at Diving Bell Social Club was a grand success, featuring the talents of queer Montreal comedian Inés Anaya. But fear not if you missed your chance — Connors’ summer of shenanigans is only just beginning.

Cara Connors at Dynasty Typewriter. Photo courtesy of Andrew Max Levy

Rebecca L. Judd for Also Cool Mag: Your style pulls from a prolific catalogue of comedic influences, ranging from the incomparable Maria Bamford to the rowdiness of your Irish Catholic family. What are the core tenets of your comedy, and how have those evolved? 

Cara Connors: Oh wow, there are so many places. Being able to make people laugh has always been both a survival mechanism and my general disposition since as long as I can remember (shout out to my favourite trauma response - fawning!) It's also always been the easiest and most satisfying way for me to connect with all kinds of people. 

Early on, I was definitely most enamoured by classic sketch-style shows like SNL and MADtv—cliche for a reason!—and also, perhaps most influentially, mimicking and parodying all the freaky real-life characters I was surrounded by. Teachers, camp counsellors, and parents of my friends with weird vocal cadences all endlessly fascinated me. I've always been a bit of a daydreamer, head-lost-in-the-clouds kinda gal; I can distinctly remember not paying attention in class, being called out, and then apologizing in the teacher's voice to the resounding laughter of my 7-year-old classmates. So much power, and so little respect for my American elementary school curriculum (ok, she's a trailblazer!). Not the most original of premises, but you gotta sometimes give the people what they want. In this case, it was poor impulse control and a knack for impersonations. 

As I grew up and got into comedy, my tastes have also thankfully somewhat evolved, and I now look to comedians like Maria Bamford, Rory Scovel, and Margaret Cho for inspiration and leaning into unapologetic strangeness and vulnerability. I love watching people who push the art form forward and who are not afraid to be their freaky little selves — people like Julio Torres, Bowen Yang and Natalie Palamides. Ziwe is so fun to watch and endlessly brilliant and flawless. The list could go on forever. 

Also Cool: You got your start in Toronto, taking comedy classes at The Second City while still married and in grad school. Tell me more about finding your footing and making the creative jump – when did it click that this was your path? 

Connors: Okay, first of all – trigger warning about mentioning my #straightmarriage! That was a very dark but formative season of my life. I first took the class at The Second City Toronto in an attempt to escape the mind-numbing boredom and academic despair I was wallowing in after a long first year of graduate school. I decided to take it because, growing up in Chicago, Second City was always such an institution and a favourite place for me to take in shows like the little comedy nerd I have always been. I wanted to do something nice for myself! When I realized there was a Canadian outpost in Toronto, I figured I'd give it a shot. 

I was hooked instantly. Stand-up is funny, because the first few years are often just a series of terrible open mics in the bleakest settings as you work out what the hell it is you're trying to say. And yet, the people who really, really love it will look around and still be like "This is fabulous! That drunk guy just threw a stool at the stage, and no one is listening to a thing I am saying, AND I really suck at this—and will for about the next four years—and… baby… I can't get enough!" 

It still took me a long time to make the connection that comedy was what I was meant to do, but I do clearly remember riding the streetcar home after about two weeks of classes and having a distinct lightning bolt moment thinking "This is what I want to do with my life!". Right on the carpeted seats of the TTC. So romantic!

AC: One of my favourite projects of yours is the 90 Day Fiancé series. Your range is incredible, and the impressions are ridiculously accurate! I'd love to hear more about the makings of this series, and how the show resonated with your comedic stylings.

CC: Thank you for saying this! I love 90 Day Fiancé in such a strong, guttural way that I am actually not sure WTF my problem is! I started watching the series a few years ago as a part of my general reality TV slate, but took a deep-dive when the pandemic hit because it was one of the few things bringing me joy and offering the exact kind of escapism that I needed. I was holed up in the mountains with a woman I had just met (she has a type!) and started bingeing all the seasons and spin-offs, and realized I couldn't keep my obsession to myself much longer. 

The casting department on that show is *chef’s kiss*, and each season just goes more and more off-the-rails. It also has such a diverse array of white people from all over the world behaving heinously, and I just couldn't help but poke a little fun. The series brought in a weird contingent of people consuming my comedy, because that fan base is basically an empire of cable-loving moms, so I still get occasional comments on my page from people insisting I post less gay thirst traps and more 90 Day vids. It's like, “...babe, I make these vids for ME first and foremost, and I am a person and not a dancing monkey, so don't tell me what to do! Or at least buy me a drink first!”

AC: Straight for Pay is a unique show, blending the intimacy of your queer evolution with visceral expression and utter foolishness! Has that willingness to share your story ever challenged you? How has this project in particular further molded your queer identity? 

CC: This hour is definitely the most vulnerable comedy I have made thus far. Delving into my personal life in an authentic way—not just mining it for more surface-level jokes—has been really meaningful, but it has also stirred up a lot for me internally. It's challenging, to be honest, talking about what has been such a strange and (at times) difficult journey. but it has felt really powerful to be able to share it and have so many people relate to it in different ways. If I am not pushing myself to be more open and more real and find a way to make it as funny and sincere as possible, then what is the point? I am an earnest bitch, and I felt so alone for so many years as I sorted through (and continue to sort through) my sexual and gender identity. During that time, I clung to the work of so many other brave artists that it feels special to now be in a place where I can begin to pay that forward. My queer identity continues to be molded by the larger, collective queer identity of the amazing people I continue to meet and am lucky enough to surround myself with, and I am just getting started!

AC: In selecting stops for this tour, you've said it was important to you to choose cities with identifiably queer arts scenes. Tell us more about your relationship with Montreal – what is your perception of the city, and what are your most memorable MTL experiences?

CC: Montreal is hands-down one of my favourite cities in the entire world.  I have been hooked ever since I first moved to Canada, and would make any excuse to come down for a weekend of eating, drinking and general queer debauchery. I love the food! I love how everyone minds their own business and is down to earth! I love how hot and low-key queer everyone is! And I love Bota Bota! (Not sponsored, but I'm all ears!) 

My first girlfriend was also from Montreal, and so the city will also always be inextricably tied to romance, queer angst and weird memories of me overhearing mundane phone conversations she would have in French where I would always find myself kinda turned on. That's how I feel about Montreal all the time. Just sort of hot and bothered all the time.  

I associate the city with fun and laid-back people who like to laugh and enjoy and let the bullshit go. It's such an artistic, creative enclave that doesn't always get the attention it deserves, but everyone I meet in Montreal is working on some exceptionally specific and beautiful pursuit and, okay, I have a crush on you all! What's the big deal?

My show at Diving Bell Social Club was one of the absolute highlights of my tour, and Montreal in general is one of my favourite places to perform. I felt so immediately embraced by the crowd, and will be back as soon as I can.

AC: Thank you for your time, Cara! Looking ahead to the rest of the year, what can our fellow neurotic queers expect from you next?

CC: OMG, hi fellow neurotic queers! I love you precious baby angels so much, and I am so glad you're here.

This summer, I'll be taking my hour down South for Pride month to spread my good gay gospel (and give all these dystopic, heartless, homophobic caricatures of politicians down there something to get angry about… besides creepily trying to control the bodies and words of children. Cue: Mariah Carey's “Obsessed”.)  I will then be heading overseas for the first time for a string of dates in the UK and Europe, and releasing my hour as an album in early July. I have not shared this with anyone yet, but gays love gossip, so it's only fair to break the news here.

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Cara Connors

Instagram | YouTube | Website

Twitter | Facebook

Rebecca L. Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag. She writes and creates out of her studio apartment in Ottawa, kept company by vivid dreams and a cuddly grey kitty named Dora.

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Debaser's PIQUE Returns for a Winter Edition at Arts Court and Ottawa Art Gallery

PIQUE poster by @mouthoftiger, original wordmark typeface created by Moritz Esch

Here to heat up December’s frost is PIQUE – back once again at Arts Court and the Ottawa Art Gallery.

The winter edition of PIQUE, a forward-thinking artist-driven music and multimedia arts event series produced by Debaser, offers live performances, in-person and online screenings, movement, installations and performance art. The multi-level building-wide arts event and digital program takes place December 4th, 2021 in-person in and around the Arts Court and Ottawa Art Gallery.

PIQUE’s third edition will feature live music performances and DJ sets, sound art installations, an in-person and online screening program of audio-visual works curated by cross-country co-presenters, performance art and original movement. PIQUE is produced by Debaser, Ottawa’s leading independent and underground music presenter.

PIQUE poster by @mouthoftiger, original wordmark typeface created by Moritz Esch

PIQUE is experimental in form and content. Its third edition features:

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Immersive sonic and visual live experience with Jerusalem in my Heart; a forging of modern experimental Arabic music wed to hand-made visuals using analog 16mm film

Photo courtesy of Ayla Hibri

Live performance by experimental Egyptian vocalist, producer and sound artist Nadah El Shazly, with visuals by Pansee Atta (visuals curated by Amin Alsaden)

Photo courtesy of Paddington Scott

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live modular synth performance by Tkarón:to-via-Seoul based producer and DJ Korea Town Acid, with visuals by local psychedelic analog artist Hard Science

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live performance by Tkarón:to-based psychedelic rock band Mother Tongues

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live performance by Tkarón:to-based queer Black electronic producer & singer-songwriter shn shn

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Photo courtesy of Debaser

‘dahan, dahan’ – a meditative sound installation created by discs of ice melting onto amplified metal sculptures by multimedia artist April Aliermo (PHÈDRE) in collaboration with Kat Estacio (Pantayo) and Kristina Guison

Photo courtesy of Debaser

A danceable, beat driven live electronic performance by Tkarón:to-based act PHÈDRE, with visuals by local psychedelic analog artist Hard Science

Photo courtesy of Debaser

The first live performance in four years by local art-pop band Pony Girl

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live performance by Tkarón:to-based pianist, composer, and singer Morgan-Paige, whose work blends contemporary, lo-fi genres with western-romanticism musical nuances, spoken word, vocals and projected visuals

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live improvised set by experimental electronic musician Liliane Chlela

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live ambient electronic drone performance by Kat Estacio (Pantayo)

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live music and performance art by local pianist Stephen Eckert, performing with piano prepared with electronics

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Live set by local electro pop producer and singer-songwriter ISØBEL

Photo courtesy of Debaser

DJ mix by local free-form DJ and producer Osita

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Movement by contemporary dancer and surreal ‘mad artist’ amelia rose griffin in collaboration with Ottawa Dance Directive (ODD).

Photo courtesy of Gary Franks

Guest curation by Amin Alsaden (DARC), a curator, scholar, and educator whose work envisions novel spatial responses to questions of displacement, exile, and belonging, and whose research explores modern and contemporary art and architecture in the Global South

Photo courtesy of Debaser

Light and projection installation “Bathed in that twilight gold” and performance by Nigerian-Canadian visual artist Kosisochukwu Nnebe (curated by Amin Alsaden)

Photo courtesy of Kamryn Cusumano

Jude Abu Zaineh explores the soft power of food for diasporic communities with a precarious connection to ancestral homelands with Ingesting Home. Comprising a performance, screening, and dinner gathering hosted by the artist, Ingesting Home convenes guests around Palestinian food, poetry, and folk stories (Ccrated by Amin Alsaden)

Photo courtesy of Katherine Takpannie

Photo courtesy of Claudia Mock

Photo courtesy of Debaser

The event also features in-person and online screenings of audio-visual works curated from the 2021 programs of co-presenters: EVERYSEEKER, Suoni Per Il Popolo, Sled Island, Long Winter, and from Debaser’s own archives:

• Silla and Rise live from Club SAW for the Many Moons Concert Series (Debaser)

• KMRU (Suoni Per Il Popolo)

• Amy Nelson live at the Central United Church (Sled Island)

PIQUE is produced in partnership with SAW, Ottawa Art Gallery, Wall Sound, Artengine, DAÏMÔN, Digital Arts Resource Centre, Firegrove Studio, Le Seltzer, Dominion City Brewing Co, Also Cool, Ottawa Fringe, Ottawa Dance Directive, CKCU FM, CHUO FM, Apt613, EVERYSEEKER, Suoni Per Il Popolo, Long Winter, and Sled Island, and is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, City of Ottawa, SOCAN Foundation, and FACTOR.

Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $30-$50. Tickets are on sale now on Eventbrite.

Information on COVID-19 policy, accessibility and more is available at the Eventbrite link above. For all other inquiries, please contact Rachel Weldon at hello@debaser.ca. For participating artists’ images and biographies, visit here.

Check out the full schedule for PIQUE’s winter edition below!

Debaser

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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"I hated working with Porky Pig" Frosty Valentine Gets Real on the Cartoon Industry, Shares Beauty Secrets and More!

Photo courtesy of Debaser

If you aren’t already in the know, Toronto’s Frosty Valentine is the next it-girl. Now retired from three decades in the cartoon industry, Valentine is turning heads as a triple-threat performer; singing, dancing and animating her way to the top of the charts, all while setting the record straight on her previously unrecognized talent. Rather than a thorn in her side, Valentine’s plight with the seedy underbelly of the entertainment world fuels her desire to make change in the form of sugary-pop anthems and elaborate, uncanny productions. 

We got the chance to connect with the pop-star leading up to her performance at the second edition of PIQUE, a new forward-thinking, artist-driven quarterly event series featuring eclectic musical, visual and multimedia artists produced by Debaser. Valentine will be performing at the festival this coming Saturday, September 11th, 2021 at Arts Court in Ottawa. 

Read our exclusive tête-à-tête with Valentine below. 

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter for Also Cool: Hi Frosty! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with Also Cool. To start, can I ask you how your retirement has been going? It seems like you've taken an unconventional path since leaving cartooning behind. Where did this new energy come from?

Frosty Valentine: My whole cartoon career

I was a shadow in the back.

I sang, stunt doubled, danced

to be honest I lost track…

I dressed as Lady and the Tramp

for the scene with the spaghetti.

Cause Lady was gluten intolerant

and I was camera ready!

I hated working with Porky Pig

and looked for a new job.

It was nearly impossible

and every day I would just sob.

I sang at Chucky Cheese at night

and then got my big break!

Manager Sticky was sitting there

and said that I was great!

Also Cool: You've spoken candidly about the industry leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Knowing that ethics are important to you, how do you cultivate an ideal work environment now that you're the ringleader of your troupe?

Frosty Valentine: Since being in the industry

I really saw it all.

That’s why I only have puppets

and a robotic doll.

AC: Speaking of your entourage, how did all of you come to know each other?

FV: I studied to become a wrestler

that was my retirement plan.

My costume is for a wrestler

just so you understand.

Every time I got knocked out

these visions came to me…

That’s when I came across

my heavenly puppet Pinky!

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Frosty Valentine and Pinky by Kate Killet at The Harbourfront Centre - Long Winter Festival, 2019

AC: At the same time, how do you take time for yourself, and look so good doing it, while managing your recent rise to fame? Any words of wisdom, or beauty secrets, that you'd care to share?

FV: It’s true that I'm famous

there are days that I forget…

But then everyone will know my name

Whenever I go to the vet.

You better drink lots of water

if you want to look like me!

Wear sunscreen every single day

and “Miscellaneous Water” by Cerave!

AC: Knowing that you're beginning to tour again, how will you keep yourself grounded and motivated as your schedule picks up and the paparazzi begins to swarm?

FV: I wear a tinted sunscreen

every single day.

it takes care of my skin

and it makes me look okay.

I stretch every morning

to release yesterday's stress.

If I don’t do that daily then

I promise I’m a mess!

AC: We’re excited to see your performance this Saturday in Ottawa at Debaser's PIQUE festival. Can you give us any hints about what your set will entail?

FV: This time my robot won’t be there but,

I have a body double.

I can’t say too much more

or you might get me in trouble.

I will say that a lot of local

people are involved.

I feel so grateful to them

that my heart will soon dissolve!

Frosty Valentine will be performing in-person at the second edition of PIQUE, Debaser’s new forward-thinking, artist-driven, quarterly event series at Arts Court (Ottawa Art Gallery - Jackson Courtyard) on September 11th, 2021 at 9:30PM EST.

For more information on PIQUE and to purchase tickets to Saturday’s event visit thisispique.com

Frosty Valentine

Instagram | Bandcamp | Youtube | TikTok

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