Cultural Affairs at the Embassy

January 14th, 2013

Hello and thanks for visiting the new U.S. Embassy blog. This is Diane Sovereign, the U.S. Cultural Attaché in Ottawa.

Our team will be regularly contributing to the Embassy blog as we phase out the Embassy Cultural blog. If you followed the Cultural blog, you’ll love the new Embassy blog with its expanded reach. If this is the first time you’re visiting, I hope you’ll keep coming back to find information about the wide variety of programs we operate in Ottawa, and also in Canada as a whole through our seven U.S. Consulates.

When you think of “culture” you may think of…

Visit the Embassy Blog!

January 10th, 2013

Thank you for visiting the U.S. Embassy in Canada’s Cultural Blog! All future posts will now be on the new Embassy Blog. You are being redirected there now. If you are not redirected within 5 seconds, please click here.

Tags: admin, Embassy Blog
Posted in Uncategorized |

Program with Jon Dudas

November 20th, 2012

You are invited to join us for an interactive Digital Video Conference (DVC) with

Jon Dudas

President, FIRST

“Science and Technology programs available for students from ‘For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics’”

Thursday, November 29th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Embassy of the United States of America

490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

Are you a student between the ages of 6 and 18, or educator interested in Science and Technology? Do you wish there were more programs available for youth and students to further their understanding and experience in science and technology?

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics is a program that inspires youth to consider the wide variety of careers in science and technology. It consists of exciting mentor-based programs to build science, engineering and technology skills; inspire innovation, and; foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership to engage students.

Join the United States Embassy in a presentation and discussion with Jon Dudas, the current President of FIRST, who will be discussing various programs available from FIRST Robotics.

Please RSVP to Alison Morris by Wednesday, November 28^th

via email: morrisag@state.gov or phone: 613-688-5484.

You must RSVP in order to attend. Reservations are non-transferable. Please bring photo I.D.

Electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, and cameras) will be checked upon arrival.

Please arrive at the SUSSEX ENTRANCE 10-15 minutes prior to the program to clear security.

Please indicate special needs requirements when you RSVP.

Parking is available nearby in the Byward Market.

Posted in Science |

Program with Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky

November 20th, 2012

You are invited to join us for an interactive Digital Video Conference (DVC) with

Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky

“US Support of Civilian Empowerment and Human Rights in Afghanistan”

Thursday, December 6th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Embassy of the United States of America

490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

Since 2002, the American and Canadian militaries have been working together in Afghanistan. As these efforts pull away from combat and move toward rebuilding the country and empowering civilians, we have a timely speaker. Are you interested in finding out how the United States is collaborating with Canada to help in Afghanistan after ten years of having a military presence there, and specifically how Afghanistan’s women are being helped?

Please join the United States Embassy at a presentation and discussion with U.S. speaker Marjorie Margolies-Mezvisnky on the United States’ Support of Civilian Empowerment and Human Rights in Afghanistan.

In addition to building the nation physically and structurally, there has been much emphasis on the importance of empowering the Afghan people, especially those who have been and continue to be unfairly treated. There are many international campaigns aimed at addressing women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. Many groups are denied equal rights including that of an education.

Ms. Margolies-Mezvisnky is a former Pennsylvania congresswoman who founded and now runs an NGO called “Women’s Campaign International,” (WCI) which has been doing work in Afghanistan. WCI has focused its efforts on women’s political participation at a national and local level and has conducted a number of workshops, trainings and rural outreach projects which aim to build the capacity of women.

Please RSVP to Alison Morris by noon on Wednesday, December 5^th

via email: morrisag@state.gov or phone: 613-688-5484.

You must RSVP in order to attend. Reservations are non-transferable. Please bring photo I.D.

Electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, and cameras) will be checked upon arrival.

Please arrive at the SUSSEX ENTRANCE 10-15 minutes prior to the program to clear security.

Please indicate special needs requirements when you RSVP.

Parking is available nearby in the Byward Market.

Posted in Democracy and Human Rights |

Houston Ballet Master Class

November 15th, 2012

Houston Ballet Master Class with Steven Woodgate a success!

On October 20th, local Ottawa and Gatineau students had the opportunity to attend a free Ballet master class with Steven Woodgate, world-renowned Ballet Master for the Houston Ballet. Mr.Woodgate was brought to Ottawa for this special dance event as part of the U.S. Embassy grants partnership program, which supports the promotion of American culture in Canada.

It was a full class with thirty–three ballet students, as well as four local ballet teachers who observed the class. Mr. Woodgate took the time to make individual corrections and suggestions to the students and focused on the importance of repetition in order to refine movement.

Feedback from participants and their families was immense. One participant described the class as a “dream opportunity to access profound knowledge, understanding and love of one of the most beautiful arts in the world. It is also a great privilege to be able to dance in the NAC magnificent dance studio to the live notes of superb pianists on a grand piano”.

Participants were very grateful to the Ottawa National Arts Centre, the Houston Ballet and Mr. Woodgate, and the American Embassy of Ottawa for making this opportunity possible. As one participant so eloquently put it, “providing equal access to arts and physical education is the best way to ensure healthy, educated and inspired societies, fundamental elements of happiness”.

To learn more about dance professional Steven Woodgate, please see his bio here.

Tags: Houston Ballet, National Arts Centre, Ottawa
Posted in The Arts |

Carleton University to Host Panel Discussion on 2012 Elections

November 9th, 2012

On November 14th, Carleton University, in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, will be hosting a panel discussion entitled “Continuities and Surprises: The American Elections of November 6, 2012″. For more details, click on the poster below!

Continuities and Surprises: The American Elections of November 6, 2012

Posted in Uncategorized |

American Fulbright to Lead Discussion on Obama, Race and American Democracy

November 9th, 2012

On November 13th at the University of Ottawa, Jeremy I. Levitt, the Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Human Rights and Social Justice at the University of Ottawa, will be leading a discussion entitled “Obama, Race and American Democracy”. Click on the poster below for further details!

Obama, Race and American Democracy – November 13, 2012 at the University of Ottawa

Tags: Barack Obama, Elections
Posted in Canada - U.S. Relations, Fulbright |

The A B Series presents Performing Artist and Poet John Giorno

November 1st, 2012

“It doesn’t get better”… than John Giorno

John Giorno, an American poet with a penchant for the offbeat will be gracing the National Arts Centre’s (NAC) Fourth Stage next month as part of the A B Series. The U.S. Embassy, Ottawa awarded a grant to the A B Series to support the visit to Ottawa of John Giorno. The U.S. Embassy grants partnership program supports the promotion of American culture in Canada.

Giorno, a long-time poet, has worked tirelessly to broaden the reach of his craft since the late 1960s when he set up “dial-a-poem” recordings of various poets reading their works. He did this using an existing communications system, back before there were instances of “dial-a-anything” available. Giorno wrote in an introduction to the collection of recorded poetry, now available online, “We established a new poet-audience relationship.”

Since that time, Giorno has expanded his poetry to include representations on canvas, such as those on display at the Almine Rech Gallery in Paris, France. He also does live performances of many of his poems, including “THANKS FOR NOTHING”, “Just say NO to family values”, and “It doesn’t get better.”

This will be the internationally-renowned poet’s first performance in Ottawa.

Tickets for the November 7th, 7:30 p.m. performance can be purchased in person at the NAC Box Office or online at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venue/131211?brand=nac&lang=en-ca.

Posted in Grants, The Arts |

A Sister City Success: Giant Pumpkin makes journey from Carleton Place, Canada to Franklin, Tennessee

October 25th, 2012

On Friday October 28th, the Franklin Giant Pumpkin will arrive in Franklin, Tennessee after a gruelling 20 hour road trip from her sister city, Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada. The pumpkin, which has been provided by a farm near Carleton Place for the past several years, is estimated to weigh between 800 and 1,500 pounds this year, and will be a feature attraction in the 29th annual Franklin Pumpkinfest.

The Franklin Giant Pumpkin prepares to leave Carleton Place, Ontario, for Franklin, Tennessee. (Credit: US Embassy Ottawa)

The Sister City program forms long-term bonds between communities in different countries and aims to encourage the understanding of historical, lifestyle and cultural similarities and differences. Through cultural exchange programs, shared research and development projects, or even a shared pumpkin, the Sister City program promotes peace and understanding through people-to-people relationships.

U.S. Embassy representatives went to Carleton Place to send the Franklin Pumpkin on its way, and have a photo op with Carleton Place Mayor Wendy LeBlanc and Sister City committee members.

To learn more about the Sister City program, please go to www.sister-cities.org.

Follow the Franklin Pumpkin on Twitter as it makes its journey from Carleton Place to Franklin for Pumpkinfest 2012!

Embassy staff and Carleton Place residents help send the Giant Pumpkin on its way. (Credit: US Embassy Ottawa)

Posted in Uncategorized |

University of Ottawa Panel Discussion:US Elections and Their Implications for Canada: Status Quo or Radical Change?

October 25th, 2012

On November 7th, the Centre for International Policy Studies at the University of Ottawa will be hosting a panel discussion entitled “US Elections and Their Implications for Canada: Status Quo or Radical Change?”. It will feature:

Stephen Blank, Fulbright Research Chair in Governance and Public Administration at the University of Ottawa and Acting Director of the Portal on North America; Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa and the Centre for North American Studies at American University in Washington.
Michael Kergin, Senior Fellow in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, Senior Advisor to law firm Bennett Jones and Canada’s ambassador to the United States between 2000 and 2005.
Pierre Martin, Professor of political science and Director of the Chaire d’études politiques et économiques américaines at Université de Montréal.
Srdjan Vucetic, Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa.

More details are available on the CIPS website.

Posted in Uncategorized |