Capital Professional’s Open Mic is music to the ears for Big Brothers Big Sisters

CAPO brings music lovers together within the business community for a night of performance, networking and charitable support at Rainbow Bistro

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“There’s so much talent in this city, it’s amazing any work gets done,” organizer Ted Carty joked on stage at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday as musician after musician wowed the crowd at the 3rd edition of the Capital Professional’s Open Mic (CAPO).

The four-hour event featured live performances by folks who hold down a variety of regular jobs, including chief executive roles, while also embracing their artistic side as singers, songwriters and musicians. They performed to a sold-out audience that included supporters of beneficiary Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa.

While final numbers are not yet in, the event raised more than $12,000. A digital broadcast of the event was provided by iSiLIVE with a donation link, and is available on the iSiLIVE ROKU channel as well as here.

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Sponsors were the Railway Association of Canada, Kelly Santini LLP, seoplus+ and 100 Men Who Care Ottawa. Leaders from the music sector in attendance included Erin Benjamin, president and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association, and Colin Mills from Algonquin College’s program for music industry students.

Donna Logan, a and Calian Group CEO Kevin Ford on guitar during a performance with their band Split 312 at the third edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Erica Brighthill, Chantal Hackett and Crystalena Paquette performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Rainbow Bistro was at full capacity on Friday night for the 3rd edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Tyler Cochrane and Friends performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Lead vocalist and guitarist Justin Sugawara, a director for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, performed with his band Any Good Reason at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa city councillor Sean Devine (Knoxdale-Merivale) performed The Tragically Hip’s Bobcaygeon at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, CAPO co-hosts Tara Shannon and Ted Carty with Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa board member Carrie Irvine, CEO of Carrie Irvine Communications, and BBBSO development officer Jake Naylor at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The show was curated by Carty, who, along with being an independent business development consultant, is a respected singer-songwriter within the Ottawa music scene.

Local recording artist and record label owner Tara Shannon agreed to help host the show when asked by BBBSO board member Carrie Irvine, founder and CEO of Carrie Irvine Communications. The non-profit organization is led by executive director Susan Ingram while its board its chaired by former city councillor Keith Egli, both of whom were there that night.

Shannon, a long-time ambassador for BBBSO, reminded the audience how every dollar raised that night would help the organization match children and youth with volunteer mentors who can serve as friends and positive role models. “I encourage you to give a little bit tonight if you can,” said Shannon, who hadn’t planned on singing but, due to repeated requests, treated the room to an a capella number. Shannon was headed to Nashville today to finish up her next big album.

There was a surprise performance by Irvine, accompanied by Carty. They worked together to make the third edition of CAPO after she “cornered him” at the last CAPO and asked him if he’d host the next one for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He agreed.

Tara Shannon treated the audience to a song while co-hosting the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Calian Group CEO and guitarist Kevin Ford played that night with his band Split 312. He got a special mention from Carty for his major role in helping to rescue the Rainbow Bistro. A number of business leaders “banded” together to save the legendary live music venue, located in the ByWard Market, when it was facing hard financial times during the pandemic.

Ford was joined on stage by his son, Skyler Ford on drums, while eldest son, Cody Lee Ford, a professional guitarist with progressive metal band Soen, proudly watched from the crowd. It was a memorable night, with people dancing, singing along and just simply letting loose. “I just want to say what a pleasure it is to be here with you tonight,” Ford told everyone.

Split 312’s setlist included a Jeff Healey song. The Canadian artist was among the many to have graced the stage at the Rainbow over the years. 

Highlights included Split 312 singer Donna Logan’s performance of Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know. She nailed it, and left Carty thoroughly impressed. “That sounded way better than I thought it was going to be, I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to lie,” he said, describing her performance as “incredible” and “wonderful”.

The show was divided into three parts: original music, cover songs and music bands. The evening ended on a rousing note as all the artists were invited to return to the stage to perform a finale: Bachman-Turner-Overdrive’s Taking Care of Business — a classic Canadian rock song.

Participants, including Donna Logan, lawyer Doug Smyth and organizer Ted Carty (seen at the front) returned to the stage at Rainbow Bistro to close with “Taking Care of Business” during the 3rd edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) . Photo by Caroline Phillips

The official lineup of bands also featured Tyler Cochrane and Friends, the Knight Tones and Any Good Reason. As well, the crowd enjoyed performances by Real Strategy Advisors CEO Darren Fleming,  Ottawa city councillor Sean Devine (Knoxdale-Merivale), Catherine Lindquist (ED of Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization), entrepreneur David Stein, Ottawa lawyer Doug Smyth, and Akash Sinha, director of acquisitions and developments in Ottawa for the Rohit Group of Companies.

Matthew House executive director Allan Reesor-McDowell performed. As did Canadian Armed Forces member Michael Creech, singers Crystalena Paquette, Chantal Hackett and Erica Brighthill, IT specialist Darren McMenemy, Kay Francis and registered nurse April Rick.

Participants were encouraged to briefly introduce themselves and their music. Riaz Mohammed, who performed with his daughter Maya, honoured the memory of a friend with a passion for music who “became part of the cosmos” almost two years ago. 

“Jim [Weiler] was kind, compassionate, empathetic and loving — all the things I think we need more of,” said Mohammed. “He encouraged me to play more, and so that’s part of the reason why I’ve taken the challenge and come up here for my first time to play live.”

He humorously launched into the first few lines of Burt Bacharach’s saccharine song “What the World Needs Now” before switching to their intended musical choice, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, by Queen.

Carty announced plans to host a CAPO 4 in the fall, and instructed folks to register through the website, capomusic.ca.

The band Split 312 performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa board member and marketing, communications and PR professional Carrie Irvine performed on stage with Ted Carty, both of whom worked together to launch the 3rd edition of CAPO in support of BBBSO, a non-profit organization that provides children with life-changing relationships that inspire and help them grow. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa ambassador Tara Shannon, alongside executive director Susan Ingram, board chair Keith Egli and board member Phillip Shaer, general counsel at Invert, at the 3rd edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of BBBSO. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Akash Sinha, director of aevelopment for
From left, local singer-songwriter Tara Shannon with marketing, communications and PR professional Carrie Irvine, who helped to make Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa the beneficiary of the 3rd edition of the Capital Professional’s Open Mic (CAPO), held at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Allan Reesor-McDowell, ED of Matthew House Ottawa, performed an original song, accompanied by Doug Smyth, partner at law firm Low Murchison Radnoff, at the 3rd edition of the Capital Professional’s Open Mic (CAPO), held at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024 in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Heather Bakken, a partner at Pendulum Group, with her husband, David Taylor, director of communications for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Calian Group CEO, music lover and guitarist Kevin Ford, Calian board chair George Weber and his wife, veteran political journalist Julie Van Dusen, and former police detective-turned entrepreneur Dan Dunlop, founder and CIO at Inquisitive Intel, at the 3rd edition of the Capital Professional’s Open Mic (CAPO) held at the Rainbow Bistro. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Catherine Lindquist, executive director of the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization, performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa business development leader Ted Carty, founder of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) provided accompaniment on guitar, harmonica and vocals during performances at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Singer Tyler Cochrane, left, was joined on stage by musicians Nick Noel, Jason Matt and Al Hogan for the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Michael Creech, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, 100 Men Who Care member Gary Katz, founding partner of Logan Katz LLP, with 100 Men Who Care board members Gus De la Fuente (media liaison), vice chair Stephen McDermott and chair Ron Smith at the 3rd edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Duane Francis, p
From left, business leaders David Stein and Kevin Ford, both of whom played guitar in the 3rd edition of CAPO , and Colin Mills, program coordinator and professor of music business at Algonquin College’s Music Industry Arts program, and Erin Benjamin, president and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Darren Fleming, CEO of
Kevin Ford, CEO of Calian Group, performed with band Split 312, (son Skyler played drums) at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Erica Brighthill, Chantal Hackett and Crystalena Paquette (singing) performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
IT specialist Darren McMenemy performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Riaz Mohammed and his daughter Maya performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Donna Logan on vocals and Kevin Ford on guitar for band Split 312 at the third edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s Tricia Ross, left, and Andrea Timlin were at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, for the third edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Participants of the 3rd edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) returned to the stage at Rainbow Bistro for the finale: Bachman-Turner-Overdrive’s Taking Care of Business. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Erica Brighthill, Chantal Hackett and Crystalena Paquette perform at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Knight Tones performed at the 3rd edition of CAPO  (Capital Professional’s Open Mic), beneath the giant banner listing all the local businesses that supported live music venue Rainbow Bistro when it was struggling during the pandemic. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Carrie Irvine, founder and CEO of Carrie Irvine Communications, performed on stage with Ted Carty, founder of Capital Professional’s Open Mic, at the third edition of CAPO, held at Rainbow Bistro on Friday, April 5, 2024, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Rainbow Bistro was at capacity on Friday night for the 3rd edition of CAPO (Capital Professional’s Open Mic) held in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillip
caroline@obj.ca

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