June’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Natalie Fraser and Meena Rajulu to organize a giant outdoor lunchtime dance party. “Instead of sitting in the grey walls of your dark, depressing cubicle, who wouldn’t want to get out and dance at lunch,” says Natalie. “Dance Dance (Office) Revolution will break your solo lunchtime routine and get you out into the city for a dance party. This will be your most important business meeting of the week.” Lunchtime dance parties have taken off in Europe over the last few years, especially in Sweden. Natalie and Meena believe it’s time for Ottawa to be a leader in this trend and make Ottawa the first city in Canada to get on board. The pair describe themselves as lovers of travel, food, friends, life, and adventures. Meena left Edmonton to study in Ottawa, where she met Natalie, hailing from Cape Breton. In the past, they’ve embarked on such awesome adventures as organizing speed dating for charity, holding fundraising dinners for Haiti/Pakistan/Mongolian charities, and, as they put it, exploiting their friends to help raise money for worthy causes. We’ll be sure to put out the word when we learn when and where the dance party will take place. We’re… read more →

This month’s Awesome grant goes to Randy Peterson and Ageless Art – Randy’s small but growing program helping seniors in assisted living facilities uncover the artist inside. Randy started with one student 3 years ago and now serves over 200 LA-area seniors a month – many saddled with serious neurological and health issues but, says Randy, with creativity just waiting to bust out: I’ve seen people who really have no mobility and expression come to life through art. THAT is worth a thousand bucks in paint brushes. Here’s just a few of thousands of works created by Randy’s students. Later this summer, we’ll update you on an Ageless Art Gallery showing – stay tuned for more info!