House of PainT.
Dance demonstrations are just one of the attractions at Ottawa’s largest independent hip-hop festival, House of PainT, taking place in Old Ottawa South from Aug. 3 to 7.
James Park
OLD OTTAWA SOUTH - Ottawa isn’t just Parliament buildings and tulips.
House of PainT is out to show that urban culture is alive and well in a city that some say “fun has forgotten.”
Now in its eighth year, the city’s largest independent hip-hop festival in Old Ottawa South is proving that hip hop is about more than rappers like 50-Cent. It takes place this weekend, from Aug. 3 to 7.
“Five or six years ago, that’s what the mainstream understood about hip hop,” said Sabra Ripley, founder and organizer of House of PainT.
The former Old Ottawa South resident said attitudes about hip hop are changing as socially conscious rappers like K’Naan and Shad climb the record charts and television shows like So You Think You Can Dance gain in popularity.
“In general, there is a much broader appreciation of hip hop – not as a novelty, but as an art form,” Ripley said.
That is reflected in the attendance at House of PainT, which has evolved from a one-day party with about 150 people to a five-day festival that attracts more than 2,000.
Now, family members and friends of the artists who participate in the festival are also joining in, Ripley said.
“It has grown in parallel with the mainstream acceptance of hip-hop culture,” Ripley said.
The core group the event appeals to is still urban artists, from dancers to graffiti artists to poets.
The artists who attend the festival are also the ones providing the entertainment. That collaborative environment is aimed at helping build up the artistic community in Ottawa, Ripley said.
While Ripley found that she needed to relocated to Toronto to pursue a career in community arts programming, she still organizes House of PainT as a way to contribute to the future of the Ottawa arts community.
“It’s an investment in the city, so that the future artists have more reasons to stay here,” she said.
House of PainT
Ripley expects 2,000 people to flock to the festival, but even neighbours in Old Ottawa South would be forgiven for not noticing the event.
That’s because it is tucked away under the Dunbar Bridge near Carleton University, the site of the city’s first legal graffiti wall.
“There is a sense of stumbling onto something secret,” Ripley said.
To get to the site, follow Bronson Avenue to Brewer Way. There is parking nearby (with a two-hour limit) and the site is located on the north side of the Rideau River.
Once you find your way there, take part in activities during the main event from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.
Events include a Bboy/Bgirl dance battle, dance demonstrations (styles include popping, rocking, house and hip hop), MC showcases, spoken-word performances, a barbecue and artist market. Visitors can also watch more than 60 graffiti artists at work on the graffiti wall.
If you want to participate, you can sign up as an artist/performer, or look for workshops on graffiti, MCing, DJing and break dancing.
The other four days of the festival include workshops and showcases around the city, including events at Fall Down Gallery at 288 Bank St., Ritual Nightclub and Piece Park. Topics include: budgeting and taxes for artists, writers’ technique and connecting with youth through hip hop.
There is also a gala launch and fundraiser from 8 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4 at the Fall Down Gallery.
For a full listing of events and directions, visit hop613.com.