This is Ottawa

Imagine that you’re an artistic dancer. But your ‘studio’ is a sauna. And you have to perform in 85C heat. Welcome to the world of ‘aufguss’ - a communal ritual involving music, theatre, dance and SWEAT. Robyn Bresnahan meets the local sauna aficionados mixing artistry with athleticism.

On a hot summer’s day, what feels better than a cool dip? And if you’ve ever looked longingly at Dow’s Lake, wishing you could dive in - good news! Now you can. But how’s the water quality? Robyn Bresnahan dips into the data. 

A 14-storey office tower at the corner of O’Connor and Slater streets is about to be destroyed. But how do you bring down a building in such a densely packed area? Robyn Bresnahan learns about the painstaking preparation that goes into flattening a high-rise and finds out what’s set to replace it.

Libraries are known as quiet and calm places. But in recent years, there’s been an uptick in cases of harassment, suspected drug overdoses and thefts. Robyn Bresnahan sat down with three library workers, including Ottawa’s chief librarian, to find out how they’re coping.

You might scoff at the thought of catching your dinner from the canal. But how edible are the fish that swim between Dow’s Lake and downtown? Robyn Bresnahan goes boating with a fish expert to find out what comes out at the end of a rod - and what people do with the fish they catch in the canal. 

There’s a new breed of run club exploding in the capital. It attracts social-media loving millennials and Gen Zs who combine workouts with hangouts over coffee and craft beer. Robyn Bresnahan laces up to meet some of the fast and the curious.

For the past 32 years, the Elgin Street Diner has never locked its doors. Not once. In fact the day the owner bought it, he threw the key down the drain. Considering it’s one of Ottawa’s last remaining 24/7 diners, Robyn Bresnahan decided to pull an all-nighter to find out what it’s like in the wee small hours.

For the past 32 years, the Elgin Street Diner has never locked its doors. Not once. In fact the day the owner bought it, he threw the key down the drain. Considering it’s one of Ottawa’s last remaining 24/7 diners, Robyn Bresnahan decided to pull an all-nighter to find out what it’s like in the wee small hours.

Jokes about public servants = yes. Jokes about politics = hard no. A crew of Ottawa comedians tells Robyn Bresnahan what material works on audiences. And why they feel the city’s comedy scene is vastly underrated.

Even if you don’t give a hoot about baseball, this episode will surprise you. Did you know the original Ottawa Senators were NOT a hockey team? And that the uniforms of Ottawa’s first professional team became an international mockery? Robyn Bresnahan hears about the hits and misses of baseball in the city – and how once upon a time, the best team on the planet played here.