There are so many great things going on across Ottawa right now. Back in June I made a bucket list for the summer, and I have been TRYING to check things off my list…but new, fun things keep popping up! I just recently found out that the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans has a FREE program running on Thursdays throughout July and August.

It’s called the Summer Series and it offers different lunch time entertainment every week just out front of the Shenkman Arts Centre. So, last week I packed a picnic lunch and drove out to Orleans to check it out.

The performance we got to enjoy was West African Drumming. It was a one man show put on by Fana Soro, a master musician of the Senufo people. Using singing and musical instruments Fano shared the musical traditions of his home country.

It was a super hot day to be sitting out in the sun but the performance kept the children involved and attentive. Many of the children watching the drumming were from summer camps taking place at the Shenkman Arts Centre, but I saw a number of moms like myself roll up with their young kids. All ages are welcome.

The performance lasted around 30 minutes long, and volunteers (my two kids included) got a chance to go up to the front and take part in a song and dance.

These free concerts will take place every Thursday in July and August. They begin at 12:30 pm and will present a wonderfully diverse selection of local artists and performers including Bollywood Dance, fiddle music and more. Check out the list of upcoming shows, and if you are in the Orleans area, consider checking them out! Also, they will go on rain or shine…if it’s raining they will simply move inside the main lobby of the Shenkman Arts Centre.

Shenkman Arts Centre Summer Series additional shows:

July 19 – Wise Atangana
July 26 – Dendê Do Recife – Capoeira Dance
August 2 – Puja Uppal – Bollywood Dance
August 9 – Rhonda Doxtador – Hoop Dance
August 16 – Calvin Vollrath – Fiddle Music
August 23 – Fana Soro “Yamo Yamo”