White and Red Wine Cocktail Recipes & Bluesfest 2026 Artists You Can't Miss
Ottawa Bluesfest is officially underway, and one of my favourite parts of the festival is seeing local artists share the stage alongside internationally acclaimed acts.
This year, DJ Mace brought great energy to the Chill Zone, while Ottawa's own Leif Vollebekk reminded us just how much talent this city continues to produce. I actually met Leif through a mutual friend at the Rideau Centre nearly twenty years ago. Watching someone grow from playing around Ottawa to performing on international stages is incredibly inspiring.
If you're a local musician wondering whether Ottawa is the place to build a career, keep going. Our city has quietly developed an incredible music scene. We have folk, punk, electronic music, indie rock, and great venues to see them in.
Photo: Greg Kolz
A Little Serbian Flavour at Bluesfest
As a Serbian Canadian, I can never attend a summer festival without thinking about some of my favourite Balkan warm-weather traditions.
When it's hot outside, sometimes a full glass of wine feels a little heavy. That's where these two classic Serbian favourites come in.
White Wine Spritzer (Spritzer)
This was my late uncle's favourite summer drink. It's light, crisp, and incredibly refreshing on a hot festival day.
Ingredients
2/3 chilled dry white wine
1/3 chilled club soda
Method
Pour the white wine into a glass, top with club soda, and serve cold.
If you're at music festival, order a white wine, a club soda, ask for an extra cup, and mix your own.
Serbian Red Wine & Coca-Cola (Bambus)
Don’t knock it ‘till you try it…
Ingredients
Option 1: 1/2 red wine + 1/2 Coca-Cola
Option 2: 2/3 red wine + 1/3 Coca-Cola for a more wine-forward version
Ice
Method
Fill a glass with ice and combine the wine and Coca-Cola to your preferred ratio.
One More Balkan Festival Tip
Every year I'm drawn to that giant lemonade stand at Bluesfest.
If you've ever travelled through Serbia, you'll know why.
Traditional Balkan limunada is often made with very little sugar or sometimes none at all. Many cafés expect you to let the server know your preferred sweetness level. If you're travelling through the Balkans and order a lemonade, don't be surprised if it's much more tart than the Canadian version.
Personally, I love that bright, citrus-forward flavour, especially on a hot festival day.
Skip the Long Food Lines
As the evening goes on, food lineups can get long.
One of my favourite strategies is to bring a few snacks and eat a proper meal later in the evening.
If you're in Ottawa before the festival, stop by Farmer's Pick on Prince of Wales Drive.
I always stock up on a few Balkan favourites:
Smoki – Serbia's iconic peanut-coated puffed corn snack.
Thin Balkan pretzel sticks.
Peanut butter-filled pretzel sticks, if you can find them.
They're portable, satisfying, and perfect for holding you over until the dinner rush dies down.
Don't Skip the Chill Zone
If you're bringing children (or simply need a break from the crowds) the Chill Zone by the river is one of Bluesfest's hidden gems.
You'll usually find lawn games, shaded seating, and a much more relaxed atmosphere between sets.
Taking Back Sunday Bluesfest 2019
Artists Worth Checking Out
One local recommendation is Bridge Music, performing on July 18. Their music blends soulful vocals with Afrobeat and R&B influences, creating a beautiful soundtrack as the sun begins to set.
Another performance generating a lot of excitement is Quebec math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine. Fresh off an enormous free performance in Montreal, demand for their Bluesfest appearance is expected to be exceptionally high.
Festival organizers have recommended arriving early on July 17, with gates opening earlier than usual because of sold out attendance.
If math rock isn't your thing, London, Ontario punk band Thunder Queens offers a fantastic alternative set that evening.
Appalachian singer-songwriter Valerie June also performs, bringing her signature blend of folk, blues, soul, and Americana to the festival.
My Festival Survival Kit
If you're spending the day at Bluesfest, here's what you'll find in my bag:
Refillable water bottle (there are free refill stations throughout the grounds)
Electrolytes
Balkan snacks
Sunscreen
Comfortable shoes
Good vibes
Ottawa Bluesfest is one of those festivals where you can discover your next favourite artist simply by wandering between stages.
Have a wonderful festival season, stay hydrated, and maybe.. just maybe.. try a Serbian-style wine spritzer while you're there.
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Rediscovering My Passions at the CityFolk Festival
My First Time as a Parent at Bluesfest: A Memorable Adventure with Valuable Lessons
As a long-time Bluesfest enthusiast, I couldn't wait to experience the music, food, and vibrant atmosphere with my little one by my side. However, my plans took an unexpected turn as my baby wasn't feeling well, and I had to put him to bed instead of bringing him along. Nevertheless, I learned valuable lessons for next year and had an awesome time exploring the festival grounds. I love seeing it grow and change over the years. Let me take you through my journey as a first-time parent at Bluesfest!
Every year at Bluesfest, I love checking out the new products being sampled. This time, I stumbled upon Libra alcohol-free beer, and to my surprise, it was absolutely delicious! Really crisp, light and refreshing. The festival's food selection keeps getting better every year too, and I couldn't resist trying the decadent bacon bits topped poutine from My Catering Group. A perfect treat to accompany the festival vibes!
Enjoying Local Bands and Nostalgic Acts:
Although my baby's early bedtime limited my time at the festival, I've been a Bluesfest regular since 2002, and I always cherish any opportunity I can get to catch up with bands and friends I've played with or interviewed on my show, Eva Bee's Jamboree. Supporting local acts and reminiscing about the music of the past while seeing life long favourites is one of the reasons why Bluesfest holds a special place in my heart.
Bluesfest with Kids: A Doable Adventure:
While it was disappointing not to have any weekend festival days with early acts this year, I'm positive that Bluesfest is doable with children. The festival offers bands and lawn games on-site, making it enjoyable for young teens. There’s also an indoor area in the War Museum that offered washrooms and reprieve from the heat. With a wide array of food options available, and a few water refill stations to stay hydrated, Bluesfest ensures a family-friendly experience… except maybe on certain nights where the crows can get rowdy!
Lessons Learned and Amendments From My Previous Prep Post:
During my time at Bluesfest, I learned some valuable things that I want to amend from my previous festival post. While a stroller is okay for attending with a baby, a carrier is even better, especially because the festival grounds are mostly grassy. It provides more flexibility and ease of movement, allowing families to explore freely.
Additionally, bringing a picnic blanket and lawn chairs might seem like a lot of bulk, but it's undoubtedly worth it if you plan to be at the festival all day. I even saw a family with a cart to bring their kids around, though it may seem a little excessive, it sure makes the festival experience more enjoyable for the little ones.
Inspiring Budding Musicians at Blues in the Schools:
A highlight of Bluesfest that touched my heart was the Blues in the Schools showcases, featuring local youth performers. Witnessing these young talents on stage was not only inspiring but also a reminder of the power of music to shape and encourage the dreams of budding musicians. It's an excellent opportunity for kids to see what they can achieve with dedication and passion.
A Memorable Adventure Awaits!
My first time as a parent at Bluesfest was equally strange and inspiring, filled with incredible music by Radiohead side project, The Smile, delicious food, and valuable insights for the future. Though my baby couldn't join me this time, I can't wait for the next Bluesfest, where I'll have my little one by my side to create even more cherished memories together. I really want to show him how much independent music means to me and how much it has allowed me to discover who I am.
Until then, let's make the most of the summer festival season, embracing the music and experiences that bring us together as a community of music lovers!
Thanks to Luca Fiore for the incredible photos!
Share Your Bluesfest Stories:
Have you experienced Bluesfest with your kids? I'd love to hear your stories and tips in the comments below! Let's celebrate the magic of live music and festival adventures with our loved ones. 🎶🤗
