Brutkey

Ross of Ottawa
@ottaross@mastodon.social

A bit of a rabbit hole of reading on local #Ottawa music history this morning. Well before my time was Le Hibou Coffeeshop on Sussex Dr. where big names performed in classic coffeehouse culture performances. Many big names of late sixties played there.

Here's Jimi Hendrix, who was hanging out in Ottawa then. He notes in his diary entry for the day says "Went down to the little club to see Joni - fantastic girl with heaven words."

#leHibou #MusicHistory #JimiHendrix #JoniMitchell

A dark image shows Jimi Hendrix sitting at the foot of a stage with recording gear, capturing Joni Mitchell singing
Ross of Ottawa
@ottaross@mastodon.social

The place in Ottawa was like the Troubadour in London. Carleton Univ's "Rooster's Coffeehouse" was part of the culture of the time too, though that had faded by my time in the early 80s. Still, liked to spend time there.

Visited Roosters a few years ago while on campus for some collaborative work and was disappointed how they obliterated the decor with much white, character-free drywall, crap furniture.

Ross of Ottawa
@ottaross@mastodon.social

The location of Le Hibou on Sussex today vs in its heyday.

Looks vacant these days.I think these shops are owned and managed by the NCC, and i've heard anecdotally that they are horrible landlords. A far cry from Le Hibou's time when they were given discounted rent to encourage the arts scene.

#leHibou

A brick street-level late 19th century storefront with lots of character. It's two stories, with a 3 storey-dormered section next door. An old grainy photo shows the front of the Coffeehouse in the late 60s, maybe 1970. The signs in the window indicate that famed Americana folk and blues performers Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee were playing there at the time.
Ross of Ottawa
@ottaross@mastodon.social

Wouldn't it be something if someone could re-open the famed coffeehouse in the same spot again! Sadly the NCC with lack of vision would likely stand in their way.

rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua
@GustavinoBevilacqua@mastodon.cisti.org

@ottaross@mastodon.social

Such places are a boon for the tourism more than an expensive booth in some of the international tourists fairs.

Ross of Ottawa
@ottaross@mastodon.social

@GustavinoBevilacqua@mastodon.cisti.org Agreed! Beyond just the performances, they foster a culture. It's amazing that 50yrs after closing, the place still occasionally gets mentions in casual conversations I've had with others.

rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua
@GustavinoBevilacqua@mastodon.cisti.org

@ottaross@mastodon.social

There is the need of a "Friends of Le Hibou" association pressing for the reopening of it.

Ross of Ottawa
@ottaross@mastodon.social

@GustavinoBevilacqua@mastodon.cisti.org would be great to see