Country in the Capital: Stephanie Brooks on heading down to the Hoedown

Country group Rascal Flatts closed the Capital Hoedown Saturday

Stephanie Brooks (blog/Twitter) is an Ottawa journalism student. Originally from “the country,” she is now discovering the places and faces of her new Westboro hometown.

Tens of thousands of cowboy-hatted, plaid-wearing fans filled the grounds of LeBreton Flats this weekend for the second annual Capital Hoedown.

People from all over the city and across the country, according to the Y101 host, traveled to the crowded venue to watch live music from artists like Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans and Billy Currington, among others.

Chesney kicked off the festival with Thursday night’s show. Student and fan Andrew Retfalvi saw all the weekend’s acts and said, “hands down, Kenny and his band put on the best outdoor concert that Ottawa has seen in years.”

Stephanie Brooks enjoys a necessary lemonade at the Hoedown

Two of country music’s most powerful ladies, Underwood and Lambert, rocked the stage on Friday night. 

Being one of the many honky-tonk-loving fans that attended this weekend, I donned my cowboy boots and headed out to the festival’s closing night on Saturday, where the headlining act, Rascal Flatts, were sure not to disappoint.

The Flatts hit LeBreton Flats playing a lot of their older, signature crowd favourites like “What Hurts the Most” and cover “Life is a Highway,” but mixed it up with songs off their new album and even a rock medley. “Summer Nights” and “Unstoppable” garnered huge cheers, but the lead vocalist, Gary LeVox, sang their new slow single, “I Won’t Let Go,” angelically and pitch-perfect. At one point during their set, member Jay DeMarcus commented on the diversity of the Canadian crowd and said “country music is clearly taking over the world.”

While the trio played another high-energy, fun Ottawa show, it was newcomer Justin Moore and powerhouse Sara Evans who shone onstage.

Moore played second in the evening’s lineup after The Keats, and instantly amplified the atmosphere with his recognizable twang and upbeat country anthems.

He had the crowd on their feet as he sang (not enough) of his latest hits like “Small Town USA,” “Flyin’ Down a Back Road” and “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.” He connected to the crowd with ease on his first visit to Ottawa, getting a loud reaction when he asked the audience if it knew what a “hollar” is.

The Arkansas-native flew to the top of the charts in just the past year and gained a large following after touring with Brad Paisley. His popularity should have placed him further up in the lineup, but Easton Corbin took the stage after Moore and had fans in their lawn chairs singing along to his low-key acoustic tracks.

Sarah Evans wows the crowd with heartfelt vocals

Corbin left the limelight to seasoned professional Sara Evans, whose sweet and charming persona came through as she sang for 45 minutes. The sweetness in her voice was evident in songs like “I Could Not Ask For More” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” but the audience was thriving when she belted her oldie but goodie, “Suds in the Bucket.”

Having seen both Moore and Rascals in concert before, Evans pleasantly surprised me with her pure and sincere performance. If it’s any indication, I sang along to every lyric of her every song – much to the annoyance of my own audience around me, I’m sure.

Talented trio Rascal Flatts

The rain held off over the festival’s three-day stretch, and thankfully, the stage stayed intact. Overpriced (but delicious) lemonade kept many, including myself, hydrated in Saturday’s heat. The chaos that ensued as part of a busy outdoor gathering was inevitable, with incredible vendor station and bathroom lineups and mass exodus at the end of the night.

This Hoedown was amped up from last year’s show, where the biggest names were Alan Jackson, Dwight Yokam and Vince Gill, and held at the Rideau Carleton Raceway in the south-end. In the future, acts like Lady Antebellum, Eric Church, Jason Aldean or Zac Brown Band would have me back in a heartbeat, in the front row screaming “yeehaw!”

Needless to say, I can’t wait for next year. Let the countdown begin!

Thanks Stephanie! Next up on Ottawa’s music festival scene: Folkfest.

Small-town feel, big time taste: Stephanie Brooks visits Westboro’s Milagro Grill

Milagro Grill is located at 357 Richmond Road, Ottawa

Stephanie Brooks is an Ottawa journalism student. Originally from “the country,” she is now discovering the places and faces of her new Westboro hometown.

It’s a miracle an old diner and ice cream parlour was transformed into a trendy and picturesque dining room, bar, patio, and one of Westboro’s most popular eateries.

Brenda Freije and her co-workers from previous Mexican restaurants opened Milagro Grill in March 2006, to offer a unique atmosphere and dishes not found elsewhere in the area.

“Westboro was ideal. We’ve been trying to get in here for a very long time and finally found a perfect spot,” says general manager Freije.

The name “Milagro” – “miracle” in Spanish, just seemed to fit.

The 100-year-old hardwood floors, Latin decor and dimly-lit lanterns hanging above each table illuminating the exotic flavours on plates make the space reminiscent of a quaint Mexican café.

For more information on Milagro, visit http://www.milagrogrill.com

Located in the heart of Westboro Village between Churchill and Roosevelt Avenue, Milagro’s motto is “Mexican with attitude” – but the friendly service and staff on-hand have anything but.

Maybe that’s what keeps their regulars coming back. Or, it could be Milagro’s extensive and original menu, that features South American, Latin and Mexican flavours.

Whether it be the restaurant’s distinctive Kronenbourg or Tuborg beers, famous classic margaritas, or anything from the Milagro salad to the Brazilian Shrimp Stew, this restaurant has something for everyone. Sports fans can sit at the bar on one half the restaurant, families can enjoy one of the many booths, and candlelit corner tables are perfect for dates.

Freije says sandwiches at lunchtime are very popular, as it’s a go-to spot for local businesspeople. Their specials, she says, are also a big draw.

Milagro's motto is "Mexican with attitude"

“Our Brazilian chef, Lino, is always putting great specials together,” she says.

Others opt for my personal favourite: the never-disappointing Milagro Special – three enchiladas of beef, chicken, or cheese (or a combination), with beans, guacamole and salad.

“That’s the nicest if you want to try a bit of everything,” Freije says.

When the warm weather finally hits, two large garage doors will open up onto bustling Richmond Road for extra patio dining, adding to the 78 seats they have available.

During Westfest, Westboro’s annual outdoor weekend art and music festival, Milagro will join plenty of other vendors and open up their service onto closed-down Richmond Road. From June 10 to 12^th, Freije says they will turn down their menu in order to accommodate the orders, and have seating available for 65 on their extended patio.

So what’s next for the owners of Westboro’s little miracle? Trying to pull off another – right across the street.

“Churchill’s” will be opening in a couple of weeks, offering pub fare in a relaxed setting. Freije says they, too, are hoping to open up the patio onto the road for Westfest.

So if you’re strolling the street for a great meal with an inviting atmosphere and authentic Latin flare, you can’t miss the aromatic flavours coming from Milagro’s kitchen – or the colourful mural on its exterior.

Thanks Stephanie! We hope to see you around here again soon!