Media Release: Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 @ 10 am ET
OTTAWA ON -- The Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa’s legendary home of live music, will officially reopen on Saturday, Feb. 26.
The Rainbow opens with major upgrades, including a new digital state-of-the-art sound system, new production lighting, video streaming capability and several stage and infrastructure enhancements. These investments were made possible thanks to a corporate sponsorship team, a partnership with Long & McQuade and FACTOR’s Support for Live Concerts program.
The Rainbow has also relaunched its website -- www.therainbow.ca -- using the Ottawa-based Bandzoogle platform. The website has ecommerce for tickets and merchandise, an improved calendar of events, a blog and photo gallery.
Under the guidance of owner Danny Sivyer, the upgrades to the Rainbow were led by a volunteer group of local business leaders calling themselves the Rainbow Bistro Business Amplifiers. The group includes Kevin Ford (Calian Group), Jim Harmon (Boyden), John Jastremski (MDS Aero), John Sicard (Kinaxis) and Michael Curran (Ottawa Business Journal). Karim Rostom from the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition is also assisting the group. Primary contractors for the project were Dalco Construction and Chris Heilig of Media Design Concepts.
“This continues our goal to find a stronger business model for the Rainbow,” says Ford, CEO of Calian Group. “With major improvements to this live music venue and a modern website, we’re strengthening the Rainbow’s ability to survive and thrive as Ottawa emerges from the pandemic.”
Jastremski, CEO of MDS Aero Support, says the upgrades needed to find a balance between adding new technology and retaining the Rainbows legendary atmosphere. “As a music lover or musician, you can’t set foot into the Rainbow without feeling an emotional connection. We are all thrilled to have participated in the revitalization of this iconic venue such that it can continue its vital role in our local and national music community.”
The reopening act will be JW-Jones, a native of Ottawa who has honed his skills on the stage of the Rainbow over many years. Jones is a Billboard Top-10 Blues Artist, JUNO nominee and 2020 IBC Winner. A limited number of tickets are still available at www.therainbow.ca.
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR MUSICAL ARTISTS
The official reopening of the Rainbow will also serve to launch a new crowdfunding campaign. In keeping with its 37th anniversary, the campaign will aim to raise $37,000 in 37 days. The money will be used to hire musical artists to perform at the Rainbow in 2022.
“The Rainbow benefited from an outpouring of public support, including $50,000 in corporate donations which helped to stabilize our finances. Now we’re turning to the community at large to help raise money for the musical artists who have also suffered during the pandemic,” says Rainbow owner Sivyer.
Crowdfunding donations can be made at www.therainbow.ca. The campaign includes several incentives ranging from digital music downloads, t-shirts, tickets and VIP access to an upcoming Rainbow show that will feature a major Canadian musical act.