![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/UlynGeorgette-640x436.jpg\" "\\"UlynGeorgette\\"\/")
Ulyn Georgette performs at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Photo by Charlotte Morrison<\/p>\n Ulyn Georgette performs at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Photo by Charlotte Morrison<\/p>\n
The festivities of the Ottawa Grassroots Festival continued into Sunday with its first-ever open mic at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa.<\/p>\n
Featuring more than 20 performers, the event showcased a mix of long-timers and emerging artists from Ottawa\u2019s grassroots scene.<\/p>\n
Before the show started, chatter filled the room as attendees shared their love of folk music.<\/p>\n
\u201cFolk is doing something together as a community,\u201d one guest said to another.<\/p>\n
Artists checked in with volunteers as the sound of guitar tuning echoed through the room.<\/p>\n
The hosts, Pam and Jeff Gleeson, better known as Quiet Sky, welcomed guests with a performance at 1:20 p.m.<\/p>\n
Quiet Sky opened the afternoon with an original song, setting the tone for the performances ahead.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Alex Sampson began with an original song, \u201cThe Rain Song,\u201d as heads nodded and feet tapped along in the audience. He followed with \u201cAin\u2019t No Coffee in the Morning Strong Enough to Keep Me Awake,\u201d a title that brought immediate smiles.<\/p>\n
Matthew Palmer, who runs a dog-friendly open mic in Ottawa, transitioned into a cover of Bruce Springsteen\u2019s \u201cI\u2019m on Fire.\u201d His deep vocals filled the room as heads swayed to the familiar tune.<\/p>\n
\u201cOpen mics can bring so many things full-circle,\u201d Matthew said.<\/p>\n
He followed with \u201cLovers in a Dangerous Time,\u201d encouraging the crowd to sing along, turning the room into a choir.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MattPalmer-scaled.jpg\")
Matthew Palmer performing \u201cI\u2019m on Fire,\u201d by Bruce Springsteen at Ottawa Grassroots Festivals\u2019s open mic. Photo by Charlotte Morrison<\/p>\n
Amanda Cottreau was promoting the Ottawa Trans Library\u2019s new open mic in Hintonburg. \u201cIt\u2019s important we have spaces that welcome and celebrate our differences,\u201d Amanda said.<\/p>\n
She took the stage with two original songs. \u201cSea and Sky\u201d opened her set, her light vocals captivating the room followed by \u201cCarousel,\u201d a darker folk tune.<\/p>\n
Ulyn Georgette performed an emotional a cappella tribute to mothers everywhere.<\/p>\n
Next up, the band Mindful Drones, featuring guitar, drums, fiddle and piano, blended R&B and folk in their set.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t have to play sad songs to take part.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I played there, I just felt so happy,\u201d Erin said. \u201cI performed a song I never sing, and everyone was just so supportive.\u201d<\/p>\n
The band launched into a performance that energized the room with smiles and excitement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my favourite things about open mics is you never know what\u2019s going to happen, and this was a surprise,\u201d Pam said.<\/p>\n
The sign-up portion of the open mic began shortly after.<\/p>\n
A volunteer named Laura and her student, Zoe, started things off with sing-along covers, including The Beatles\u2019 \u201cOctopus\u2019s Garden,\u201d complete with a kazoo solo.<\/p>\n
They followed with \u201cThe Unicorn Song,\u201d inviting audience participation \u2014 and even a surprise unicorn appearance at the end!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Unicorn-scaled.jpg\")
A unicorn surprises guests at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival open mic. Photo by Charlotte Morrison<\/p>\n
Asia Ruby performed \u201cFires in Jasper,\u201d a song inspired by the Jasper wildfires.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was feeling hopeless, so I wrote a song to get it out of myself,\u201d Asia said, adding that it reflects the importance of slowing down and appreciating small moments.<\/p>\n
Chanel, an emerging Ottawa musician, performed her original songs live for the first time. She opened with \u201cFunny Face,\u201d a song about nerves and self-reflection, earning cheers from the audience. She followed with \u201cGone Away,\u201d a darker acoustic piece.<\/p>\n
Ottawa-based duo The Dirty Sheet continued the afternoon, spreading the folk-joy at the event.<\/p>\n
Next, Chairman George handed out lyric sheets to the audience before performing a song marking Ottawa\u2019s 200th anniversary, referencing the territory the city sits on. Part of the chorus was written in Anishinaabemowin: \u201cAnishinaabe aki miigwetch,\u201d meaning Algonquin, earth, thank you.<\/p>\n
George then transitioned into a rap based on the same song.<\/p>\n
Rene and Adele, volunteers at the festival, took the stage next.<\/p>\n
Peter Rutherford, who runs the Tunes After Noon open mic, then performed \u201cAway in the Nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve Judd, Leah Christie, and singers Syd and Jesse also took the stage.<\/p>\n
Jesse performed a cover of \u201cTime of Your Life\u201d by Green Day, a fitting nod to the festival\u2019s closing moments.<\/p>\n
The final performer, Rockin\u2019 Al, wrapped up the show with a sing-along performance of a Flintstones-inspired song, with the crowd singing \u201cYabba-Dabba-Doo.\u201d<\/p>\n
During closing remarks, an audience member suggested ending the festival by singing \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d to Bob Nesbitt, the festival\u2019s founder, who passed away in 2021. The whole crowd sang along, with some people getting teary-eyed.<\/p>\n
On a sun-filled Sunday in Ottawa, the festival came to an end, closing out a weekend of celebrating folk and grassroots music.<\/p>\n
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