Whether you want to learn how to sing harmony, write a song or get gardening tips, on Saturday, April 25th, the Ottawa Grassroots Festival has a full slate of workshops to both educate and entertain. Explore our workshop list to find something you will enjoy.
Read more: Workshops at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival 2026While the Ottawa Grassroots Festival is best known for its musical performances, every year the festival hosts several interesting workshops. This year there are more than a half dozen to choose from, including one provided by CKCU. All workshops will be held on Saturday afternoon, April 25th, 2026.
Songwriting Workshop (Lynn Miles)
Award winning singer-songwriter Lynn Miles will lead the Songwriting Workshop, at 3:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. Lynn Miles has some seventeen albums to her credit and has written all the songs on all of them. Her songwriting credentials are significant!
Lynn says, “I’ll give a brief description of my approach to songwriting and then we’ll focus on you. What are your questions, struggles. Bring an instrument if you have a song you want to discuss…although there might not be enough time to get to everyone.”
Portrait Drawing Basics for All Ages (Holly Alaine Stapes)
Live art performer, visual artist and art educator, Holly Alaine Staples, will lead the Portrait Drawing Basics for All Ages workshop at 12:00 PM in the Workshop Room (Room 6).
Holly says, ‘Sketchbooks encouraged, paper and pencils will be provided’.
How to Sing Harmony (Rebecca Campbell)
Singer, musician, songwriter, arranger, and arts worker, Rebecca Campbell will lead the How to Sing Harmony workshop at 1:00 PM in the Workshop Room (Room 6).
Rebecca promises that ‘We will work together to create parts that we will sing in sweet harmony’.
Introduction to Claw Hammer Banjo (Kate Weekes)
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Kate Weekes will lead the Introduction to Claw Hammer Banjo workshop at 2:00 PM in the Workshop room (Room 6).
Kate asks her audience to “Explore the basic techniques of clawhammer banjo and learn how to ‘bum ditty’ along to a tune. Bring your instruments!”.
Gardening Workshop (Ed Lawrence)
Gardening guru Ed Lawence, will lead the Gardening Workshop 3:00 PM in the Workshop Room (Room 6). Ed has participated in the OGF several times before and always draws a crowd.
Ed Lawrence will talk about gardening and answer all your questions, sharing expert advice drawn from decades of hands-on experience, including his time as Chief Horticulturist at Rideau Hall. Whether you are a seasoned green thumb or just starting out with your first houseplant, Ed’s approachable style and deep knowledge make him the perfect guide. Bring your curiosity—and maybe a photo or two of your gardens—and get ready to dig into practical tips that will help your plants thrive.
Fiddle Styles from Around the World (Erin Okrainec)
Award-winning fiddle player, Erin Okrainec will lead the Fiddle Styles from Around the World workshop at 4:00 PM in the Workshop Room (Room 6).
In this interactive workshop, participants will experience stories and music that bring fiddle styles from around the world to life, from Irish and Métis to Ukrainian, Bluegrass, Manitoba Old-Time, Blues, and more. You will learn how to recognize each style and what makes it unique, ending with a performance of the styles we explored. Open to all ages and accessible to everyone, no musical experience needed.
CKCU Radio Camp On Wheels (CKCU)
CKCU, a community-powered media organization that amplifies voices that need to be heard, hosts the CKCU Radio Camp on Wheels at 1:15 PM in Room 3.
This is a workshop for children and adults to learn audio, video, and photography skills.
