Ulyn Georgette performs at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Photo by Charlotte Morrison
The festivities of the Ottawa Grassroots Festival continued into Sunday with its first-ever open mic at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa.
Featuring more than 20 performers, the event showcased a mix of long-timers and emerging artists from Ottawa’s grassroots scene.
Before the show started, chatter filled the room as attendees shared their love of folk music.
“Folk is doing something together as a community,” one guest said to another.
Artists checked in with volunteers as the sound of guitar tuning echoed through the room.
The hosts, Pam and Jeff Gleeson, better known as Quiet Sky, welcomed guests with a performance at 1:20 p.m.
Quiet Sky opened the afternoon with an original song, setting the tone for the performances ahead.
To kick off the event, four featured artists who help organize open mics around Ottawa performed and spoke about the importance of these community spaces.
Alex Sampson began with an original song, “The Rain Song,” as heads nodded and feet tapped along in the audience. He followed with “Ain’t No Coffee in the Morning Strong Enough to Keep Me Awake,” a title that brought immediate smiles.
Matthew Palmer, who runs a dog-friendly open mic in Ottawa, transitioned into a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.” His deep vocals filled the room as heads swayed to the familiar tune.
“Open mics can bring so many things full-circle,” Matthew said.
He followed with “Lovers in a Dangerous Time,” encouraging the crowd to sing along, turning the room into a choir.
Matthew Palmer performing “I’m on Fire,” by Bruce Springsteen at Ottawa Grassroots Festivals’s open mic. Photo by Charlotte Morrison
Amanda Cottreau was promoting the Ottawa Trans Library’s new open mic in Hintonburg. “It’s important we have spaces that welcome and celebrate our differences,” Amanda said.
She took the stage with two original songs. “Sea and Sky” opened her set, her light vocals captivating the room followed by “Carousel,” a darker folk tune.
Ulyn Georgette performed an emotional a cappella tribute to mothers everywhere.
Next up, the band Mindful Drones, featuring guitar, drums, fiddle and piano, blended R&B and folk in their set.
The Sad Girl Cafe open mic, held at GigSpace, was highlighted as a space for women and gender-diverse musicians to perform. Erin Okrainec, speaking on its impact, jokingly reminded the audience that performers don’t have to play sad songs to take part.
“When I played there, I just felt so happy,” Erin said. “I performed a song I never sing, and everyone was just so supportive.”
The band launched into a performance that energized the room with smiles and excitement.
“One of my favourite things about open mics is you never know what’s going to happen, and this was a surprise,” Pam said.
The sign-up portion of the open mic began shortly after.
A volunteer named Laura and her student, Zoe, started things off with sing-along covers, including The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden,” complete with a kazoo solo.
They followed with “The Unicorn Song,” inviting audience participation — and even a surprise unicorn appearance at the end!
A unicorn surprises guests at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival open mic. Photo by Charlotte Morrison
Asia Ruby performed “Fires in Jasper,” a song inspired by the Jasper wildfires.
“I was feeling hopeless, so I wrote a song to get it out of myself,” Asia said, adding that it reflects the importance of slowing down and appreciating small moments.
Chanel, an emerging Ottawa musician, performed her original songs live for the first time. She opened with “Funny Face,” a song about nerves and self-reflection, earning cheers from the audience. She followed with “Gone Away,” a darker acoustic piece.
Ottawa-based duo The Dirty Sheet continued the afternoon, spreading the folk-joy at the event.
Next, Chairman George handed out lyric sheets to the audience before performing a song marking Ottawa’s 200th anniversary, referencing the territory the city sits on. Part of the chorus was written in Anishinaabemowin: “Anishinaabe aki miigwetch,” meaning Algonquin, earth, thank you.
George then transitioned into a rap based on the same song.
Rene and Adele, volunteers at the festival, took the stage next.
Peter Rutherford, who runs the Tunes After Noon open mic, then performed “Away in the Nature.”
Steve Judd, Leah Christie, and singers Syd and Jesse also took the stage.
Jesse performed a cover of “Time of Your Life” by Green Day, a fitting nod to the festival’s closing moments.
The final performer, Rockin’ Al, wrapped up the show with a sing-along performance of a Flintstones-inspired song, with the crowd singing “Yabba-Dabba-Doo.”
During closing remarks, an audience member suggested ending the festival by singing “Happy Birthday” to Bob Nesbitt, the festival’s founder, who passed away in 2021. The whole crowd sang along, with some people getting teary-eyed.
On a sun-filled Sunday in Ottawa, the festival came to an end, closing out a weekend of celebrating folk and grassroots music.
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