Join us at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival 2025 for an amazing weekend of live music, interactive workshops, and plenty of fun!
The Dusty Drifters
The Dusty Drifters emerged out of Ottawa in 2008. Spending several years hosting the popular Bluegrass Sundays at Irene's they became one of the region's most celebrated and recognized Bluegrass bands. They've since produced an album and have played many local festivals where they continue to gain fans of all ages with each appearance. Their bluegrass/new acoustic sound is filled with a mixture of fresh arrangements of old favourites and original songs. The lineup includes Paul Roberto (guitar, lead vocals), Stuart Rutherford (Dobro, fiddle, vocals), Anthony Bacon (banjo, cello, vocals), Brent Weatherall (Bass, vocals), and Gilles Leclerc (mandolin, vocals)
https://www.facebook.com/TheDustyDrifters
Barrow Gang Buskers , originally an all-acoustic busking band, is a 5 - 6 piece rotating cast of gang characters. Punctuated by their stage antics, they play a rockabilly mix of toe-tappin' tunes including original songs written by George Stryker. George, once known for the best pompadour in Ottawa, is a long-time Rockabilly singer/songwriting performer and fronts the group as Clyde Barrow with his guitar Bonnie. He began his career over 40 years ago as the leading man in several Rockabilly ensembles who opened for acts such as the Stray Cats, Meatloaf, Rosanne Cash to name a few. The remaining graffs and quipsters, AKA Blanche (Jill Shipley), Chuck (Kevin Smith), Baby (Cyndi Kennedy) and Buckles (Ken Hatcher), are notable long-time musicians from all walks of life with a passion for energetic and entertaining fun.
https://www.facebook.com/thebarrowgangbuskers
Lynn Miles is an award winning singer-songwriter, record producer, teacher, writer, public speaker.
She’s also pretty funny, a 3 minute standup routine is at the top of her bucket list.
Lynn has 16 albums to her credit. She won a Juno award (Canadian Grammy)in 2003 for Roots Traditional Album of the year, and went on to be nominated in the same categories in 2011 and 2006. She is also the recipient of 6 Canadian Folk Music Awards including 3 for songwriter of the year. Her 2 most recent awards we given to her duo THE LYNNeS for songwriters of the year, and ensemble of the year at the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards. In 2016, Americana artist Clair Lynch recorded Lynn’s song “Black Flowers” on her Grammy nominated album “North By South”.
Lynn estimates she’s written about 900 songs, she’s never done an official count.
https://lynnmiles.ca/
Alanna Sterling, a mental health advocate and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, stands at the intersection of art and activism. As a non-binary singer-songwriter, they infuse their work with a profound sense of identity and purpose. Battling bipolar disorder, cPTSD, OCD and ADHD, Sterling’s music has always been a vessel for self-expression used to navigate life’s adversities. Through their heartfelt lyrics and music, they’ve been able to connect with a global audience of dedicated fans, and help them through their darkest moments. Alanna's journey is a testament to resilience and self-discovery, reflected in their diverse genre-bending style, poignant lyrics, and evocative melodies.
https://www.alannasterling.ca/
THE DEVIN CUDDY BAND
Devin Cuddy is a singer songwriter based in Toronto. From an early age he was drawn to music of the past. While sifting through his father's (Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo) CD collection, he found the music of Louis Armstrong and New Orleans blues piano players like Dr John and Professor Longhair. After attending York University for Jazz Piano, Devin starting hanging around Toronto's Cameron House, where he was inspired by the local singer songwriter scene. He began his performing career alone at the piano, playing every Wednesday night. It was during this time that he began writing and testing out his own material on an ever growing crowd. Drawing from inspirations like Randy Newman and Steve Earle, Devin started to build up a catalogue of his own material.
https://www.devincuddy.com/home
Josh Ritchie is a born performer. Ever since he could stand he's had a guitar in his hands and songs in his bones. From the minute the kid walks on stage it’s obvious he was meant to be there. Ritchie commands audiences with the confidence of a seasoned front man, serving them larger-than-life, stadium-rock energy at every show.
https://www.joshritchiemusic.com/
Established in 2012, by Bob Nesbitt and powered by volunteers, The Ottawa Grassroots Festival is a non-profit, community-based, volunteer-run organization dedicated to cultivating creativity and celebrating community.
For a full list of sponsors please go to
https://ottawagrassrootsfestival.com/sponsors/
All events for the 2025 festival will be held at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. Seats are on a first come basis. Please come early to get a good seat.
OGF 2025 EVENING CONCERT SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, APRIL 24
THE DUSTY DRIFTERS - 7:30PM
BARROW GANG BUSKERS - 9PM
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
ALANNA STERLING - 7:30PM
LYNN MILES - 9PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
JOSH RITCHIE - 7:30PM
THE DEVIN CUDDY BAND - 9PM
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