No more concerts at Ottawa Congress Centre: president
Another venue found for Nas to Rock the Vote
Last Updated: Thursday, August 30, 2007 | 11:33 AM ET
CBC News
Nas the rapper isn't the only musical artist who can forget about performing at the Ottawa Congress Centre — the venue isn't hosting concerts any longer, says its new president.
"Concerts simply don't make good business sense," Pat Kelly said Wednesday after the centre backed out of an event that Nas was to headline.
Rock the Vote was to take place on Oct. 1 at the centre to encourage students to cast ballots during the Ontario election on Oct. 10. The event was organized by a group of students from Carleton University and University of Ottawa.
Kelly, named congress centre president in January after the last big rock concert there, said concerts require too much labour, and a venue with carpets and chandeliers is the wrong place for such events.
He added that his decision has not yet become official policy.
In fact, the centre hosted an event called Melody of Music less than three weeks ago.
No policy targeting hip hop: Kelly
On Tuesday, Isaac Cockburn, vice-president of student issues for the Carleton University Students' Association, alleged that one of the centre's vice-presidents had told him that the venue had a policy specifically banning rock and hip hop acts over security concerns.
Kelly denied that such a policy exists.
"I wasn't part of any of those conversations, and all I can say is that what was expressed is not any sort of policy of the Ottawa Congress Centre," he said.
Meanwhile, another venue has been found for Rock the Vote, said Cockburn.
An official announcement on the new site hasn't been made.
The students had said they began discussing their event with the congress centre in July and were told they would have to clear their chosen musical act with the facility's management.
About two weeks ago, after they told the centre they had booked Nas, the centre said it would not host the event.
Cockburn said initially the students were told that was because of the policy banning rap and hip hop, but later they were told it was because Nas's lyrics promote violence.
