A small group of Algonquin College students learned how Buddhism can make everyday life easier
Shaun Klepko
Photos: Shaun Klepko
February 25, 2024 Revised: February 25, 2024 3:24pm
Photo: Shaun Klepko
Buddhist Araceli Cubas explains the basics of Buddhism to Algonquin College students at the AC Spiritual Centre on Feb. 20.
“The fact that you are here means you are very lucky,” said Buddhist Max Figueredo to a circle of learners seated around him. “Not everybody comes across Buddhism during their life.”
Six Algonquin College students listened to Figueredo’s teachings on Feb. 20. This was their first time at Introduction to Buddhism, a monthly event held at AC’s Spiritual Centre.
“There’s a lot of change happening here,” said Sue-Anne Hess, the centre’s coordinator. “We want to expand the diversity of our programming. One thing we are chatting about is increasing programming for the Buddhist community.”
Figueredo and Araceli Cubas, two Buddhists from the Diamond Way Buddhism Group, organized this event for beginners. They sat with attendees in a small circle of chairs and spoke about Buddhism’s origins and teachings.
“There are many different types of Buddhism,” said Figueredo. “There are monks who do silent retreats, but we are teaching layman Buddhism, meaning that you can apply it as someone who has a day job and a family.”
Figueredo explained how layman Buddhism can help people cope with stressful situations.
“When we experience suffering, we have all these negative emotions that arise,” he said. “When you reach the state of a Buddha, you still experience suffering, but it’s not personal. You become more like a mountain. Things happen and you are not blown over. You start to recognize what is really going on. When things happen, you don’t react, but instead, you can look at the situation and decide what happens.”
Figueredo emphasized that these Buddhist teachings could be applied to all people.
“We all have a Buddha inside of us,” he said. “It is not some deity. It is like a reflection of who we can be. If we become a better version of ourselves, then we help everyone around us.”
Figueredo led a short meditation session, in which all attendees closed their eyes and he read aloud from a booklet of Buddhist reflections. After the meditation, Figueredo gathered the email addresses of attendees who wanted to learn more.
“I found out about this event from a poster near where I usually study,” said Dawson Grey, a second-year police foundations student. “I actually didn’t know much about Buddhism. I’m actually thinking I’m going to come back here again.”
“This is just an introduction,” said Figueredo. “We have the monthly Introduction to Buddhism, but also follow-up sessions for those who are interested.”
These follow-up sessions occur about two weeks after the introduction event. For this six-person Feb. 20 event, the follow-up session will be around March 5.
The next Introduction to Buddhism event will happen March 19 at 6 p.m., at the Algonquin College Spiritual Centre.
Students get the mentorship needed to end the term on a high note
Isabella Disley
Photos: Isabella Disley
February 25, 2024 Revised: February 25, 2024 3:18pm
Photo: Isabella Disley
Shivang Jani (left) and Alvina Hendrawidjaja (right) are focusing and taking copious notes during Adulting 101 in the AC Hub.
The AC Hub hosted an Adulting 101: Stress Management and How to Stay Motivated event on the second floor of the Student Commons building on Feb. 20.
Students said the one-hour event provided useful information.
Speaker Elizabeth Peña-Fernández from Health Promotion supplies tips and tricks to cope with stress at Adulting 101 in the AC Hub. Photo credit: Isabella Disley
Project management student Shivang Jani is driven to enter their field.
“After I graduate, I want to secure a co-op position in my field. I’m really excited, and motivated. I want to learn as much as I can,” said Jani.
“If you are stressed, you have to do something about it. You need to find ways to be not stressed. Otherwise, you will get burnt out.”
Jani goes to the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre when taking a break from work.
“I’m never unmotivated for working out. If I’m stressed out or not having a good day, the Algonquin College gym is a really good place to be,” said Jani.
When taking a break from academics, Alvina Hendrawidjaja has a multitude of activities and affirmations.
“I go grocery shopping or just go on walks and use social media,” said Hendrawidjaja, a food and nutrition student.
“Have a goal, don’t take it too seriously, aim for progress, not perfection and everything happens for a reason.”
Elizabeth Peña-Fernández from Health Promotion emphasizes physical activity as an outlet when facing adversity.
“I would include doing exercise or going outside and taking a walk. Sometimes we take that for granted and don’t include it in our priorities,” said Peña-Fernández.
Project management student Chidera Lois Chinonyerem advises students to remain confident when dealing with stress and a lack of motivation.
“Just believe in yourself. If you believe you can do something, I feel like nobody can actually make you feel less about what you can do to be positive,” said Chinonyerem.
When dealing with hardships, Chinonyerem turns to friends and loved ones while maintaining self-confidence.
“I talk to friends when I’m stressed because most advice comes from the people who care about you and who you care about. You don’t have to depend on somebody to think you can do something,” said Chinonyerem. “I learned that you can be your own motivation.”
A reserved space and a chalkboard in the AC Hub that illustrates Adulting 101: Stress Management and How to Stay Motivated. Photo credit: Isabella Disley
Christina Latifi from Counselling Services says symptoms of stress and a lack of motivation vary.
“It depends on the person and how they deal with what they think stress is,” said Latifi.
“The symptoms when you’re not taking care of yourself as part of self-care, the symptoms are very similar in terms of getting anxious.”
Peña-Fernández offers solutions to relieve symptoms.
“Whenever you feel very stressed and overwhelmed, go back to the basics, which is eating, sleeping and drinking water. Those are really strong stressors. Not eating, drinking water, and sleeping are the biggest ones,” said Peña-Fernández.
“Our goal of this event is to provide different strategies to students to have a kit for themselves with a lot of tools so they can be able to use them when they need it,” said Peña-Fernández.
Student Support Services host informative events for students during the year. Registration is not required. More details on upcoming events can be found on the AC Hub’s website.
Capital City Clash kicked off its second-ever event on Feb. 17 with locals and guests alike
Siobhan Rollo
Photos: Siobhan Rollo
February 23, 2024 Revised: February 23, 2024 4:20pm
Photo: Siobhan Rollo
Competitors gather around to watch the Under Night In-Birth 2 bracket at the event.
Fighting game players from across Canada – and even some special guests from the United States – gathered in the student lounge in E-building on Feb. 17 for a nine-hour showdown.
The second-ever Capital City Clash, a fighting-game tournament series organized by a group which features Algonquin College alumni, hosted an event that saw eager participants of each bracket battle it out for the top.
The event asked its local players for one thing: to defend the capital.
The tournament featured eight unique fighting games: Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Granblu Fantasy Versus: Rising, Guilty Gear: Strive, Under Night In-Birth 2, Guilty Gear: Xrd REV2, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom, and Mortal Combat 1 (Showdown).
Both single and team brackets took place during the tournament.
Although the Capital City Clash implies a competitive atmosphere, most players were there for connection rather than a prize.
Ryan Aloysius, otherwise known by his gamer tag Smolcaps, is a Street Fighter 6 player from Toronto. Aloysius said that one of the most common goals for players who participate in tournaments is to connect.
“[I enjoy] meeting people I play with online all the time, building more intimate connections, the social aspect of being in person,” Aloysius said.
Many players put an emphasis on coming to bigger competitions to have fun. One of the event’s organizers, Jamel Johnny, expressed the importance of having fun.
“The conversations you have… improve everyone’s game. So many people [in the community] have known each other forever,” he said.
For instance, Johnny has known William Au, or Willintentions, an alumnus of Algonquin College and one of the organizers, since he was 10 years old.
Many of the organizers involved in putting together Capital City Clash were also players at the tournament, such as events, travelling across the country for gaming events, as well as putting together events such as Capital City Clash.
Au also runs events in Ottawa weekly, in venues such as the Level One Pub in the downtown core.
“I’ve travelled to cities for events,” said Au. “I’ve been around here and there. I’ve always wanted to help others get better.”
The biggest attractions to the tournament were Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. Tekken 8 was a particularly big draw, as the game had come out two weeks prior. In the Tekken bracket alone, there were a total of 45 players. Many of these players doubled up.
Two players, Jadon Van (aka Zykles) and Gustavo Romero (aka 801Strider), after their finalist match of Street Fighter 6. Photo credit: Siobhan Rollo
A celebrity draw to the tournament was famous American Street Fighter player, Gustavo Romero, or as he’s better known, 801Strider.
The room filled with applause once Romero walked into the room, with one of the organizers of the event, Amit Rao, announcing his arrival.
“I’m kind of hyped to see the Street Fighter bracket, and the Tekken 8. I’m excited to see the room filled with people,” said Rao.
Romero was invited as a special guest by event organizer and top Street Fighter 6 player, Jadon Van or Zykles. Romero, coming from Utah, was surprised by the Ottawa weather. “It’s cold here. I’m from Utah, we have snow, but this is a different level of cold,” said Romero.
One of Algonquin’s club presidents made an appearance at the event, playing in the Street Fighter 6 brackets, as well as providing commentary on the tournament’s livestream. Isaiah Thompson is the co-president of the Algonquin College e-sports club, as well as a member of the Students’ Association, and helped secure the event for the tournament.
Thompson originally got involved in the scene by entering the Students’ Association’s club room.
“I stumbled into the clubs room, saw people playing games, asked to grab a round and people were super accepting,” Thompson said.
Many of the organizers of the event expressed that they had spent a long time in the competitive fighting scene, with the average staff member starting 10-15 years ago.
Alexander Guidone, a commentator for the event, is one of those members. “I’m very familiar with these games. I’ve been playing for a super long time,” Guidone said.
Guidone said he anticipated the event would be a success. “These tournaments are in the infancy stage, with only one happening in January,” he said.
Many players had positive feedback about the venue, such as a pillar in the Ottawa Tekken 8 scene, Mohmad Nasser, otherwise known as Noctis.
“I’m glad we have [the] room,” said Nasser. “Considering the amount of people. Parking is good, which is usually a concern. The people running it are organized.”
The event concluded with nine winners, one for each bracket. The tournament finished at 10 p.m.
There are plans for another Capital City Clashevent happening next month.
Au’s goals for Capital City Clashare to put Ottawa on the map as another hub for the fighting game community. He expressed an end goal for what he’d like to see happen to Capital City Clash.
“The end goal is working at conventions, and forming small brackets there,” said Au.
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The Student Commons building was filled with beautiful Chinese artwork, performers practising in hallways and people mingling in the entrance while waiting for the Canadian-China Culture and Art Association’s Spring Festival Gala to start on Feb. 18.
The 2024 Spring Festival Gala took place in Algonquin Commons Theatre to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. This event showcased a variety of performances by respected Chinese and local artists.
Hosts Cici Wang and Jacob Gerow helped introduce each of the 15 performances.
There were performances from singer Wang Jianliang, dancers Huang Ying and Liu Xin from Wuxi Song and Dance Theatre, performers from the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra, Xu Jinlong and Ji Li, and magician Li Dongjin.
“I’m loving the show so far, all the performances have been amazing,” audience member Yijia Xian said. “I came for another Lunar New Year event today but didn’t realize this gala was on. I found out about this event from one of the organizers. I’m glad I came.”
Performers of all ages took the stage to showcase their different forms of talents for the start of the Year of the Dragon. With children from Xin Hua Chinese School performing Peking Opera Flowers Riddles to the choir from the Choral Society of Ottawa Chinese Community performing Chorus Ussuri Boat Song, everyone was showing their talents.
“Events like these really help our community a lot. Just showing the younger generation what our culture has to offer, it’s great,” audience member Xi Zhang said.
“The performances were shockingly breathtaking. I was shocked by the ability of some of those people on stage,” attendee Alex Liu said after the show.
Before bringing the final performers on stage, hosts Wang and Gerow thanked everyone and wished that the Year of the Dragon would bring them all evolution, improvement and abundance.
“This event was such a lovely way to bring in the Year of the Dragon, family and friends all together celebrating the new year,” attendee Ben Chen said.
A night filled with song, dance, and community ended with the final curtain call, a final festival to end the Lunar New Year events at Algonquin College.
What’s better than two sisters on the same varsity team? Potentially, three
Claire Donnan
Photos: Claire Donnan
February 23, 2024 Revised: February 23, 2024 4:21pm
Photo: Claire Donnan
Libby (left) and Leah Hirst pose in E-building.
It’s the evening of Thursday, Feb. 15 and the Algonquin College Wolves women’s basketball team are training hard at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. They warm up, run drills and take turns practicing how they will respond to a variety of different moves their opponents could throw at them.
They’ll be competing against Conestoga over the weekend ahead, and as it’s the first game of the playoffs their coach, Jaime McLean, wants the currently-undefeated team to be on top of their game.
Throughout practice, sisters Leah and Libby Hirst are never far from one another.
During a shooting drill, Libby, a forward, taps Leah, a guard, on the back as she jumps to shoot the ball. Another time, Leah goes to retrieve a ball and the women chant and hoot. It’s impossible to catch Libby not smiling at practice, and sometimes, she grooves on the court. This is just one practice out of thousands they’ve shared together, and everything feels routine.
Libby and Leah are in third- and second-year of the Algonquin College-University of Ottawa nursing program, and have been on the Wolves women’s basketball team for the same amount of time. Libby has started 13 out of 14 games this season, and averages 10.5 points per game. Leah has yet to lose a game in her time in collegiate basketball.
The sisters have a third basketball-playing sibling too: Anna Hirst, is a grade 12 student in Arnprior and is just as passionate about the sport. Anna is also a guard, and her high school team is undefeated within the district. The women were even supposed to play on the same team together in 2020, but Covid ruined their chances.
But now, with Anna graduating high school this spring, they may have an opportunity after all.
Anna has applied to Algonquin College next year and if she gets in – and chooses Algonquin – the Wolves may see three Hirst sisters on their roster in the fall.
Leah, Anna, and Libby Hirst after a game. (photo courtesy of Libby Hirst)
“I’m the oldest so I got into it first,” said Libby Hirst. “And pretty much as soon as the girls were able to they joined too.”
Leah Hirst, the middle sister, spent years switching which sister she shared a team with until joining the Algonquin Wolves in her first year of college.
“It was like, I play with Libby one year, and the next year it was me and Anna,” said Leah.
When McLean first met the Hirst sisters, they were doing somersaults around the gym during a coaching clinic he was running for the Valley Pride Basketball Club in Arnprior.
“I sort of looked over and was like ‘who are these girls?’” said McLean. “But as I went through the clinic I realized they were real athletes.”
The decision to continue playing, a passion they had nurtured through grade school, was different for each woman, however.
“It wasn’t this crazy decision, it just kind of was always a thing,” said Libby. “Play as long as you can, was kinda the thought process behind it.”
Her passion inspired her sister Leah to continue.
“Well, Libby was playing, so I was like, ‘If Libby’s playing basketball I don’t want to not be with her,’” said Leah. “I came and watched a few of her games and I sat in the stands and I remember thinking ‘I don’t want to have to come and just sit in the stands and watch,’ I wanted to play.”
At the high school level, Anna has been enjoying her final season on Valley Pride.
“I’m kinda in the same boat,” said Anna. “I just know it would be such an awesome experience for all three of us to play on the same team.”
McLean’s decision to recruit Libby and Leah to the Wolves women’s basketball team in 2021 and 2022 respectively came down to their graduation falling exactly when he needed to fill a position.
“It started with Libby, at that point in time we were losing a post player and Libby sort of filled a hole of what we were looking for to reload our roster,” said McLean. “With Leah…we went out with the Algonquin team to actually scrimmage her high school team [in grade 12]. That was our opportunity to see where Leah could get to with her game.”
Back in the ARC gym, practice quickly kicks into high gear.
The Wolves women’s team is very close and friendly, chatting and joking as they practice. Any time a collision happens there’s a chorus of laughter, followed by a “sorry,” and a helping hand. The women cheer each other on through free throws and congratulate each other on impressive plays.
When looking to the future, two questions are ever-present. The first: What’s Anna’s plan?
“I’ve applied for three different programs,” she said. “Hopefully this month I’ll be hearing back. Part of me wants to live just a regular university life experience, but I know…I will regret it if I don’t play with my sisters.”
Two of the programs Anna has applied to are at uOttawa, while the third is the same bridge program Leah and Libby are currently studying.
While McLean would like to have the trifecta of Hirst sisters on his team, he admits there’s more to recruiting than that.
“For me as a coach it’s about finding the right place for the athlete,” says McLean. “Not necessarily encouraging an athlete to come to us if it’s not the right spot.”
The final question is where the sisters hope to take basketball when their time on the varsity team is done.
“I think I’d probably be done playing after college basketball. Maybe go back and coach the club team [in Arnprior],” said Leah. “I hope my kids play, too, so then they have the same experiences I did.”
“And I hope my kids play with your kids,” says Libby.
“And I hope my kids play with your guys’ kids,” Anna chimes in over the phone, as all three sisters laugh.
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Food services on campus runs meatless Mondays and offers other plant-forward meal options. But some people remain unsure
Brahim Ait Ouzineb
Photos: Brahim Ait Ouzineb
February 23, 2024 Revised: February 23, 2024 3:01pm
Photo: Brahim Ait Ouzineb
“People hear the word vegan in there, and they cringe,” said Jordan Pett, the owner of Keepin’ It Vegan Bakery. “They picture some gross, spongy tofu.”
Vegan food is gaining fans as more people are environment-conscious.
With the recent climate change alerts and the inflation hikes, vegan food is a valid alternative. In Canada, more than 40 per cent of the population is actively trying to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, according to a study by the National Research Centre.
According to Emma Kaye, the Algonquin College registered dietitian, plant-forward eating does appear to be gaining traction.
The food services at Algonquin College offer a variety of vegan food.
“Although interest is increasing, these items do not appear to be more consumed compared to the other options available,” said Kaye.
Although the food services at Algonquin College did not share numbers with The Algonquin Times, the different eateries at the Woodroffe campus offer halal, vegan and vegetarian food to appeal more to the consumers. They promote options available through blog posts and the food services section on the website.
Food services often run meatless Monday campaigns, according to Kaye. In addition to regular dishes, they run features and have other plant-forward options available when customers identify themselves to the staff member at the station.
“Most of the people I meet nowadays go for veggies because of the kind of mindset they have on meat,” said Alex Osei, a human resources management student. “Most people have become conscious of the impact of eating meat on the environment.”
Continuing to consume meat will eventually harm the environment as some specialists observe.
In the Netflix docuseries You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, Pat Brown, the founder of Impossible Foods, talks about the 1.7 billion cows on Earth right nowthat are being raised for food.
Marion Nestle, a New York University professor, explains in the documentary that cattle have this unfortunate rumen system, which causes them to burp methane, a greenhouse gas that is much worse than carbon dioxide. According to an MIT study, methane is about 200 times less abundant in the atmosphere and lasts there for only about a decade on average—while carbon dioxide can last for centuries.
This plays in favour of vegan culture, yet the documentary argues that big meat companies and regulators prefer to ignore it.
Chef Joe Thottungal, a mentor for the culinary arts program of Algonquin College, serves 35 per cent vegan dishes in his two restaurants.
According to a spokesperson for the Vegan Society of Canada, there is still a lot of discrimination against vegan culture. The Canadian government, for VSC, would never dictate to other creeds the meaning of Kosher and Halal foods yet it does this for vegans.
The updated numbers on veganism are hard to find. The Vegan Society of Canada does not have the resources to do any studies. The National Research Centre issued an analysis in 2019 on the opportunity for Canada to be a world leader in the vegan market.
Vegan culture suffers a lot of stigmas. Most customers visit the stores out of curiosity and store owners dwell more on education.
“People hear the word vegan in there, and they cringe,” said Jordan Pett, the owner of Keepin’ It Vegan Bakery in Craig Henry, a neighbourhood west of the Woodroffe campus. “They picture some gross, spongy tofu.”
The lack of knowledge among people about various dietary preferences is the cause of such stigma, according to Pranav Kundra, a brand management graduate.
“More conversation is needed among people to normalize vegan diets,” said Kundra. “There are eight billion humans on Earth. It is important to understand and respect that we all can be a little different than one another in some ways.”
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The International Education Centre provides a space for students to communicate with each other
Zhiqi Zhou
Photos: Zhiqi Zhou
February 23, 2024 Revised: February 23, 2024 1:51pm
Photo: Zhiqi Zhou
Leah Grimes, international student integration full-time support, explained the IPM program.
Algonquin College’s International Education Centre hosted a coffee break on Feb.15. This coffee break provides an occasion for members of the International Peer Mentors program to network and help each other, and any interested students are welcome to attend.
The IPM program is open to all Algonquin College students. This program is designed to help students help each other, especially for international students who are coming to Algonquin College for the first time.
“IPM is designed to enable senior students to help incoming students better acclimatize and access the school’s resources, and to provide some help with life, but not with academic things,” said Fotina Cao, an intercultural programming support assistant.
“The basis of the IPM program is to bring new students into our community,” Leah Grimes, international student integration full-time support staff, said. “I think the barrier for new students coming here is that in a new place, at a new school, they don’t quite have an ‘in’ to join the community and make friends, so this is like a kind of an easy way to make some friends, and be invited to an event.”
It is easy to join the program, and every year new international students receive an email asking if they want to join. Students who are Level 2 and above can apply to be mentors, while Level 1 students can apply to be mentees.
“Applications happen before the beginning of the semester because we try to match up the mentors and the mentees before the semester starts so that the mentees have somebody to connect with, because they are Level 1 students, the transition can be easier,” said Grimes.
Grimes also said they are updating their webpage because the information on the website isn’t very detailed right now. However, they will be posting on social media and connecting with future students in other ways.
Mentors and mentees do not have mandatory work requirements. Sometimes the program’s leader will release questionnaires to mentors and mentees to see the feedback between the two sides.
“The contact between mentees and mentors depends on how often and how they communicate with each other, mostly through emails and WhatsApp group chats, if there are difficult questions they have a peer list to ask, and we also publish surveys to ask about their communication with each other,” said Cao.
The coffee breaks are a great way for mentors and mentees to get together and talk to each other, and all interested students are welcome to join in.
Grimes said: “Coffee break is a good opportunity to bring everybody in the program together, but it’s open to everybody on campus, is not just for the program.”
Charmy Modi, a Level 1 student in the fitness and health promotion program at Algonquin College, saw the coffee break on the IEC events calendar and came to attend.
Modi said, “I came to this event because I wanted to meet more people and make new friends, I’m from India but I know very few Indians at school.”
Ottawa Black Creatives Hub Performing Arts Showcase presented one of the first Black-artist exclusive shows in Ottawa
Siobhan Rollo
Photos: Siobhan Rollo
February 23, 2024 Revised: February 23, 2024 1:44pm
Photo: Siobhan Rollo
Musical artist Grey Brisson, playing his EP Nobody. He was accompanied by a band named The Lionyls.
In honour of Black History Month, the Algonquin College Student Association collaborated with Hors Pair Social, a Black-owned and focused event committee, to put on the Ottawa Black Creatives Hub Performing Arts Showcase.
The night was full of singing, dancing, music, poetry, storytelling and short films.
The event took place on Feb. 20, as Black artists from numerous different cultural backgrounds gathered to showcase their talents.
The Ottawa Black Creatives Hub Performing Arts Showcase is one of the first exclusive showcases dedicated to black artists in Ottawa.
The host of the night was Haitian-Canadian entertainer Sammy Blanco.
To begin the night, a panel of three black artists discussed the importance of what it means to be a black artist in Ottawa. The panel consisted of artists Rose-Ingrid, Patrick Cormack and Axandre Lemours. They discussed challenges, such as not having enough money in black communities, or not creating the space for artists, causing them to go to other cities.
They also discussed what it means to be a successful artist. The panellists concluded that success goes beyond monetary value. They determined that success is the amount of people who have shared the experience of whatever art an individual makes.
Sharlène Clarke, founder of the showcase and Hors Pair Social. Clarke discussed the behind-the-scenes of the event, as well as her experience as a black woman in Ottawa. Photo credit: Siobhan Rollo
Sharlène Clarke was the event’s founder, as well as the founder of Hors Pair Social. Hors Pair Social is a company dedicated to curating events dedicated to Black people in Ottawa. Hors Pair hosts social, entertainment and professional events across Ottawa.
Clarke said that the showcase was one of the first of its kind in Ottawa. Clarke continues to search for opportunities in the Ottawa community for Hors Pair Social events.
“I’m proud to be one of the first,” Clarke said. “Hopefully, this event inspires more.”
The opener of the night was Haitian-Canadian music artist Grey Brisson. Brisson’s influences range from folk, R&B, rock and pop music.
“I’d like to say I’m a rock artist,” said Brisson. “At first [I got into rock music] because people assume it’s all R&B and rap. No one ever thinks of rock as Black music, even though it has Black origins.”
On stage, Brisson performed his EP single Nobody.
“Nobody is from my EP, it’s my mum’s favourite song,” Brisson said.
Another featured artist was Somali-Canadian rapper Mohamed Ali, or as he’s better known, Mxzy.
Mxzy notes his musical influences come from many aspects of Black culture. Many of his lyrics surround black issues, such as systemic racism.
“A lot of the shit I do is therapy rap,” said Mxzy. “A lot of it comes from stuff I want to get out.”
Mxzy notes that his Somali heritage is a big inspiration for the music that he creates.
“Stuff comes from my culture… A lot of my family is in Somalia,” said Mxzy. “People often don’t know this, but Somalia is known as a nation of poets.”
Artist Malaïka Urbani performed an original song she composed and wrote. Urbani performed a vocal performance comparable to opera. Photo credit: Siobhan Rollo
Students were also welcome to participate in the showcase, such as University of Ottawa student, Malaïka Urbani. Born in Montreal, Urbani is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in classical voice and composition.
Urbani took the stage performing an original vocal performance, which she wrote and composed herself.
“I’m a poet, composer and singer,” Urbani said. “The essence of my art is storytelling. I want to bring it to life.”
Urbani’s background is Italian and Rwandan.
“I can only see art through my identity. My perspective is my own,” said Urbani. “My identity and art influence each other.”
One of the closing acts was internationally renowned dancer Chloë Bonnet. Bonnet has a Haitian background and also self-identifies as French-Canadian.
Bonnet has been dancing since she was three years old.
“Growing up in Ottawa, I was normally the only black girl in my dance classes,” said Bonnet. “The diversity is lacking, even still, unfortunately.”
The night wrapped up with a reception in the student lounge of the E-building.
Blanco’s closing statements recommended that the audience pursue other Black History Month events going on around Ottawa, directing them to the Black Ottawa Connect Instagram page.
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Titles of books were concealed during giveaway event at the Observatory
Ethan Macleod
Photos: Ethan Macleod
February 23, 2024 Revised: February 23, 2024 1:37pm
Photo: Ethan Macleod
Amanda Logan (left) and Tatanisha Riggan (right) wrapping books at "Blind Date with a Book" in the Observatory on Feb. 14.
The Algonquin Students’ Association gave away books for students on Valentine’s Day, for either themselves or their special someone at the Observatory.
The books were wrapped in paper so you could not see which book you were getting, but each had a word written on them describing the books, such as, “coming of age,” “romance,” or, “thrilling.”
“It’s a great way to meet other book lovers,” said Becca Nich, an Algonquin College student studying professional writing.
Nich went to the event with her three friends and each of them picked a book for themselves.
The selection had a variety of different genres and authors. Nich walked away with a book called The Surgeon by Tess Gerrtisen.
Nich loves reading books that are mysterious and thrilling and she was happy with the book she grabbed.
Tatanisha Riggan, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator for the Students Association, was wrapping the books with her colleagues to keep their bookshelf stocked.
She hoped students left with new connections and were able to socialize with others on Valentine’s Day.
There will be more social events planned by Students’ Association for those who missed out on the event.
“We love to hear feedback from students, it helps us figure out what we’re doing right,” said Riggan.
Like Nich, Sebastian Switzer, a student studying professional writing, went with his friends and grabbed an anonymous book. He managed to grab The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb.
“The mystery of the book is thrilling,” said Switzer.
Once the students grabbed the books, they all waited in the Observatory for another event, Speedfriending. The students then joined each other at random tables and began conversing — students with books and without books.
“It’s really fun, turned out to be really popular. I’m really glad I came here earlier with my friends to grab a book,” said Nich.
Local CTV: Ottawa Police and Ontario Provincial Police are warning Ottawa residents about fraudulent calls offering to inspect their heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. Police say the callers are […]
Shaun Klepko
Photos:
February 23, 2024 Revised: February 23, 2024 12:54pm
Local
CTV: Ottawa Police and Ontario Provincial Police are warning Ottawa residents about fraudulent calls offering to inspect their heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
Police say the callers are posing as inspectors from Consumer Protection Ontario or similar organizations, and offering high-interest loans intended to lower HVAC-related fees. These callers may then ask to enter victims’ homes, in order to photograph their HVAC systems. Police say scammers will likely use this opportunity to canvass victims’ homes.
Police are warning residents to exercise caution before allowing anyone onto their property and to check with the service providers that the callers claim to represent.
National
CTV: Ontario, Quebec, the Prairies and parts of B.C. are expected to experience drastic drops in temperature in the next few days.
Starting Thursday, there will be extreme cold in northern Quebec, including wind chills nearing -52 C. Starting this weekend, heavy snowfalls and strong winds are forecast for Ontario and Quebec. On Saturday, temperatures will drop below zero across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Friday evening until Saturday, Nova Scotia is expected to have strong winds and 25 to 55 millimetres of rain on frozen ground. This precipitation could cause flooding on roads and in low-lying areas.
International
CTV: Canadian Jeff Primeau, an influencer from Sault Ste. Marie, has been charged with murder and is being held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, California.
His bail has been set at $2 million and his next court date will be on March 14.
Primeau has been documenting his journey across the United States, which he was completing in a school bus converted into a camper.
According to L.A. news outlets, Primeau confessed to killing his girlfriend around Nov. 22, after she allegedly threatened him with a knife.
Police found her body near the L.A. International Airport and arrested Primeau shortly after. The police have not made the woman’s identity public at this time.
