Cultural Night Market

4:00 PM | Welcome Ceremony

Led by Master of Ceremonies (MC) Chris Kyte, speeches will include Mayor Lisa McGee and Manager of Culture / Curator Emily Stovel. 

4:30 PM | Indigenous Drumming 

5:00 PM | Sophie d'Orleans

Sophie d'Orleans is a trilingual singer-songwriter based in Ottawa that curates and performs upbeat indie folk and soul. Trilingual, multi-instrumentalist and vocal looping artist, Sophie d’Orléans believes in the healing power of music; exploring the depths of her humanity to share a wholesome message of resilience. Her feel-good music is a breath of fresh air. She’s performed across Canada in events such as Ottawa’s City Folk’s Marvest Festival, Festival international de la chanson de Granby, Du Haut des Airs, Cranbrook’s Sam Steele Days and Whistler’s Music in the Street. She’s shared the stage with artists like Sara-Danielle, Jessy Lindsay, Jahmeema, Malia Rogers, and Country Club Pool Boy. Check out her work on her website. 

5:45 PM | Aztec Dance Workshop 

Using dance as a form of healing and prayer through movement, participants will thank the surrounding elements as an expression of harmony with nature and the universe. You can watch a sample of the Aztec Dance Workshop which was held as part of the 2023 Kingston Intercultural Artfest in Kingston, ON. 

6:15 PM | Echoes Group with Sonia Avila (formerly Unsociably High)

Unfortunately, Unsociably High is unable to attend the Cultural Night Market due to illness. We wish them well and we are happy to announce that the Echoes Group with Sonia Avila will be moving from the secondary stage to perform in this slot. 

The Echoes Group is a family from Mexico and the group is comprised of 4 members: April, America, Roger and Sonia Avila. The musical talent is inherited from grandfather Salvador Avila who is a pianist musician who has taken Mexican music all over the world. They moved to live and work a short time ago and have been learning about life in Canada in this beautiful town. In this performance of music from Mexico they want to transmit to the audience their joy for life, music, and dance.

7:00 PM | Holli Cow 

Holli Cow (she/they) is Ottawa Valley's sweetheart and Arnprior’s first drag queen. Since debuting in August 2021, Holli Cow has made a name for herself by bringing drag shows and drag story times to rural communities across Ontario and through sharing her story of becoming the queer representation she never had growing up on a farm outside of Arnprior. This has lead to opportunities such as:

• CBC feature story in August 2023
• Performing for Stonewall Activist, Martin Boyce, and Ambassadors to the Canadian Government at The Courage to Stand Up Tour (Ottawa, 2023)
• Being selected as the "Ottawa Icon" in the Icons Canada Tour 2022
• Finalist in Toronto's Empires Ball Season 3 (Haus of Injustice), 2022
• Opening for Icesis Couture at The Courage Tour (Ottawa, 2023) 
• Opening for trans icon and activist Fae Johnstone's keynote presentation during Ottawa Pride 2023

Check out some of her work, social media (@farmgirlholli) and interviews at https://linktr.ee/farmgirlholli. 

8:00 PM | Tocani

Tocani is a contemporary fusion band formed in 2017 and based in Toronto/Tkaronto, Canada/Turtle Island. Its members (Luis Rojas, Guillermo López, Alfonso Galicia, Jesús Mora, and Camilo Giraldo) all have their roots further south in the Americas.

With Tocani (a Nahuatl term that means “the one who plants the seed” or semprador in Spanish), this group of friends seeks to explore ancient, pre-Hispanic traditions and re-interpret them for the present day, interweaving Nahuatl language, mythology, urban legends, popular stories, and the sounds of everyday city life to both connect them to their ancestry and to use traditional ways of knowing and doing to gain a fresh perspective on today.

Percussion and wind instruments form the core of Tocani’s music, with the drum signaling the heartbeat, the unerring rhythm of life. In that regard, Tocani’s performances also seek to explore and emphasize connections among Indigenous cultures across the globe.

Dancing in the footsteps of their ancestors, the members of Tocani perform on instruments modeled on those from pre-Hispanic times:

• Huēhuētls (a tubular membraphone from Mesoamerica)
• Ocarinas (a kind of vessel flute)
• Kuisi ( a type of flute from the Koguis people in Colombia)
• Marimba de chonta (a melodic percussion instrument from the Awa and Chachi communities in Colombia and Ecuador), and
• Teponaztli (an ancient wood-tongue drum from Mesoamerica).

Importantly, the group’s members strive to build their instruments themselves, leaning on guidance from traditional Indigenous knowledge keepers but also seeking to achieve a particular sound and look for their pieces.

“The act of creating the instrument with your own hands, of moulding it with your own body and your personal labor, forms part of the ritual that connects the performer to their drum or flute,” says Luis Rojas.

The group aims to transmit that organic sense of cohesion to its audiences as well: no matter their background, everyone is invited to immerse themselves in the rhythms, movements, and colours of a Tocani performance—to learn something about ancient traditions, to find a fresh place of connection, and, above all, to enjoy.

Learn more about the Tocani Project on their website. 

9:00 PM | Closing Ceremonies

Food and Beverages

• Mallard's Milk Bar: Your local ice cream shop, with a ever rotating menu of flavours using as many local ingredients as possible. We offer dairy and non dairy options all made from scratch and fresh weekly. 
• Sugar Daddy's Cotton Candy: We offer a large variety of handmade cotton candy flavours and toppings and live-spin our floss as well as offer it in take-home containers for those that like to savour their treat.
• Biryani House Arnprior: Serving Authentic Pakistani Halal Food in Arnprior.
• Just Perogies: Authentic Ukranian Perogies made in the traditional way. Handmade and hand pinched with quality ingredients.
• Anson's Mandazis: Offers mandazis, a African fried dough, often made in the shape of triangles that are puffy and taste a bit like old fashioned donuts with hints of coconut milk and cardamom.
• Kanata Soup Co: Small, veteran-run family business that makes artisan dried soup and dessert mixes using curated local and Canadian produce and our bespoke recipes. 
• Nala's Kitchen: Serving Indian Snacks, South Indian and North Indian mains. Based in Killaloe, ON. 
• Bake My Day Bakery: Baking a wide variety of items from butter tarts, cookies, squares to jams, preserves and more 
• Taski Foods: Serving Indian food including samosas, sweets and drinks.  

Restaurant Patios

• Urban Angus Steak & Wine: A modern twist to an original steak house offering a lounge bar atmosphere with Live Music, Drag Shows, and Comedy Shows.
• Lumbertown Ale House: Located in the heart of downtown Arnprior, Lumbertown Ale House is the only gastropub in the area. By featuring Ontario craft beer and wines on-tap, we work to maintain a local focus and offer what the people expect from us; freshness and quality in an upscale cozy environment.

Arts and Crafts

• Akon Crochet: Handmade crochet plushies, plants and flowers made by a local crochet artist originally from Ukraine and who now resides in Ottawa.
• Sew Crafty: Driven by a shared passion for sustainability and crafting, Celine and Debbie transform discarded textiles into beautiful, eco-friendly creations from charming tote bags made from upcycled denim to stylish accessories crafted from repurposed silk. All proceeds from the sale of items will go towards mission trips to Guatemala where we can give back to communities in need.
• Birdie Blocks Inc: Birdie Blocks hand makes gelatine based birdseed blocks and cylinders blended for the Wild Birds of Ontario as well as a full line of Cedar feeders to hold our blocks and cylinders.
• Funko Tribe (Cloud 21 Sales / Stylechair613): Specializes in vintage, collectible, and hobby items that appeal to all age groups including Pokemon, Funko pops, vintage and collectible items, along with offering Heena tattoos (organic temporary henna tattoos) at the event. 
• Yours To Love: Unique side hustle business that specializes in upcycling clothing, glassware and other items, giving them a new life and making them Yours to Love. Each of our designs is carefully hand-drawn, making them truly unique and personal. 
• Claudia's Art: A family-run business with over 20 years of experience. Since starting in Canada in 2020, we’ve been passionate about creating balloon decorations that bring big smiles and joy to your special moments. Based in Arnprior, we love turning your ideas into fun, memorable decorations that make your celebrations shine. Let us add a touch of magic to your day with our creative touch. 

Jewelry

• Jewelry by Joss: Hand made jewelry creations ranging from earrings to bracelets and necklaces and pins. 
• Falcon Feather Creations: Métis woman-owned business crafting unique beaded earrings. 
• Flowing Soul Circle: Join Breanna and explore all the secrets of the Universe. Stop by to chat, for a Tarot reading or shop a huge selection of intuitively designed & reiki infused gemstone bracelets, rings, pendants, crystals & more. 
• Hippie Trip Emporium: Handmade jewelry, dreamcatchers, smudge feathers, key chains, poetry books and hair feathers. 
• Miigiwewin: Indigenous art and beadwork 

Bath and Home Products

• Satura Bath & Body Company: Consciously crafted skincare and wellness products including Sugar Scrub, Whipped Body Butter, "oh so minty" Foot Scrub and Foot Butter, All Natural Deodorant, lip butter, and beautiful tie dyed Turkish Towels. 
  All of our products are made in small batches using only the highest quality ingredients to ensure freshness and overall quality of each and every handmade piece.
• SoapLadz: Specializes in vegan, hemp-based skincare with products including bar soap, liquid soap, bath bombs, solid shampoo and conditioner, scrubs, candles, deodorant, lotion, and lip balm.
• Mini Moo Soap: Offers hand made soap, shampoo bars, molded soap, felted soap dryer balls and hand woven cotton tea towels all made on the farm. 
• Luroma Therapy: Helping to increase your self-care routine with our homemade relaxation products designed to welcome peaceful moments into your day, with clean ingredients and calming aromas at the heart of everything we make. All products are crafted in small batches in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. 
• Ultra Riche Products: Offers spa inspired bath, body and candles. Native Beadwork and crafts.
• Chidima Dezigns: Unique African accents in home and fashion accessories such as throw pillow covers, aprons, table runners, tote bags, bow ties, greeting cards using a combination of bold African textiles. All pieces are made in Ottawa. 
• Beyond The Crystal: The Crystal Cauldron is a purpose business driven business that has given thousands of dollars back to the community. We sell Crystals and All Things Witchy. 
• pRawper Pet Treats: All natural freeze dried or slow dehydrated pet treats with a focus on novel proteins.  
• Scrunchies by Karen: Handmake scrunchies, bows and jewlery. 
• Justin's Iron Works: Local blacksmith and knife sharpener who hand forges knifes and other items and sharpens knifes using old school stones. 
• Scentsy / Get Lit With Liam: Local entrepreneur looking to share their love of making your life smell a little better! Selling Scentsy wax melts, melters, car bars, diffusers, body care items, laundry items and cleaning supplies.
• WIRED UP: Creating wired headbands with a creative and expressive feel to enhance your everyday style. Coming in a multitude of patterns and different widths there is surly something for everyone. Comfort, fun and versatility all in one band.  

Other (including not-for-profit organizations)

• St. John's Ambulance: Providing first aid services throughout the event. 
• Local Immigration Partnership of Renfrew and Lanark (LIP): Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP) are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a department of the government of Canada, and support communities in bringing together service providers, settlement agencies, community groups, employers and other key municipal organizations to create a welcoming and inclusive community for newcomers. In Lanark and Renfrew Counties, the work of Local Immigration Partnerships is administered by Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. To enable this work to happen, LIP staff conduct research to identify challenges that are preventing newcomers from fully participating in the economic, social, cultural and recreational life of the community. The LIP team also identifies new opportunities with a goal of helping newcomers settle in rural areas.
• Two Rivers Musical Productions: Community-based, not for profit musical theatre group run by volunteers of all ages who love the arts. 
• Pflag Canada - Arnprior Chapter: Charitable organization serving the 2SLGBTQI+ community and their families by providing peer support, education and outreach to make it safe for 2SLGBTQI+ people to come out to their families and to be out in their community. 
• Arnprior McNab/Braeside Archives: An independent non-profit corporation established in 1993 to acquire, preserve and make important historical documents available.
  • Local history buff Ed Murphy will also be hosting a Historical Walk Through The Decades (1900-1909) starting at 7:00 PM from the Archives booth on Elgin Street West within the market.
• Arnprior-McNab/Braeside Men's Shed: Community organization that operates a centre for older men to find mutual support, overcome social isolation, prevent suicide, and to provide services to the community. 
• Beyond Dance Company: Local dance studio focusing on developing well-rounded dancers with strong technique in various styles.

Local history buff Ed Murphy will also be hosting a Historical Walk Through The Decades (1900-1909) starting at 7:00 PM from the Archives booth on Elgin Street West within the market zone. 

Led by Anya Gansterer with Ottawa Valley Community Arts, the Shadow Puppet Booth will be an opportunity for event attendees to share their experiences arriving in a community for the first time while creating a shadow puppet that represents you. The puppets and their accompanying stories will be used by the Museum to gain insight into the arrival experiences that exist across our community. This booth will be located on John Street North near the Shoppers Drug Mart parking lot.