Some places hold entire chapters of our lives. For Shawn and me, that place was the Sens House. After every Senators home game, that’s where we went once he wrapped up his post-game show. It wasn’t just a bar; it was our spot. Loud, buzzing, full of life. It’s where I met Dave and where I first heard the Dueling Pianos.

Dave quickly became part of our world. More than just a musician, he was a friend. When Shawn passed, Dave stood right there with us. He opened the funeral with Stairway to Heaven. I can still hear the first notes. It was beautiful, raw, and so perfectly Shawn.

After that, Dave never disappeared. He checked in. He reminded me, gently, that one day I’d be ready to go out again. I didn’t believe him, until he told me about a show at The Manor.

The Manor was exactly what I needed for my first outing back. Not too big, not overwhelming. The kind of place where you can breathe. I went with a couple of friends; we had good food, good music, and I got through the night. That mattered. It was a small step back into something Shawn and I used to do together. And I was okay.

It would be another six months before I felt up to visiting a familiar place again. That’s how much time I needed.

This time it was Biagio’s. If you’ve never been, Biagio’s is one of those restaurants where the staff are genuinely happy to be there. They laugh with you, they look after you, and their joy makes the place glow. The food doesn’t hurt either. We ordered calamari, a charcuterie board, and Sambuca shrimp, because if Sambuca shrimp is ever on a menu, I have to order it. It’s become a little mission of mine to figure out who makes it best. Maybe that will be its own article one day.

The show started at 7.

Why the Dueling Pianos Are a Must-See

If you’ve never experienced Ottawa’s Dueling Pianos, let me tell you this: it’s not just music, it’s a full night of entertainment. Dave and Tyler on the pianos, Todd on guitar, and together they create magic. It’s not just about playing songs; it’s about pulling you into the show.

They take requests from the crowd—everything from Elton John to Billy Joel to Taylor Swift to Queen—and somehow blend it all into a seamless night where every person feels like the setlist was made just for them. One moment you’re laughing at their banter, the next you’re clapping along to a classic, and before you know it, the whole room is singing at the top of their lungs.

That’s the thing about dueling pianos: it’s not passive entertainment. You don’t just sit back and watch; you become part of it. The energy bounces between the stage and the audience, back and forth, until it feels like the walls themselves are humming. It’s music, comedy, crowd work, and improvisation rolled into one.

And these guys aren’t new at this. They’ve been performing together for over two decades, and it shows in how effortlessly they play off one another. Dave’s energy, Tyler’s smooth delivery, Todd’s guitar riffs tying it all together, it’s a chemistry you don’t come across often. There’s a reason they’ve built such a loyal following in Ottawa.

Honestly, if you’re looking for one of the best dinner-and-a-show experiences in the city, this is it. Don’t miss it.

My Night at Biagio’s

That Friday was magic. Every favorite rolled out one after another. I was smiling, clapping, singing along, until the opening chords of Oh Where, Oh Where Can My Baby Be. My heart cracked. I could feel the tears rising before the words even came. I slipped off to the bathroom, had my moment, took a deep breath, and came back. No one noticed. And that was perfect. It was mine to carry.

Minutes later, I was laughing again. By the end of the night, I was dancing, the whole room was on its feet, even the staff were caught up in it. Dave joined us after, shaking his head, knowing that song would hit me hard. Oh, Dave.

But here’s what I know: I did it. Another “first.” Some of them are too big to take head-on, so you break them into smaller pieces. And Friday night was exactly the piece I was ready for.

Music and Grief

Music hits different now. Even in the car, I usually keep it to podcasts or the news. Songs have a way of carrying me right back into memories, some too heavy, some too raw. Recently I’ve shifted to country, a genre that was never Shawn’s thing (except for Shania Twain, of course). Country feels safer, lighter, mine. Fewer memories tied up in every note. New songs, new associations. New space for me.

And maybe that’s the lesson in all of this. Grief doesn’t ask for big leaps, just for tiny, brave steps. Sometimes that looks like saying yes to dinner and a show. Sometimes it’s changing the station in the car. Sometimes it’s ordering Sambuca shrimp everywhere you find it, just to see who makes it best.

The firsts will always be hard. Some nights will sting; some songs will catch me off guard. But in between the tears, there is laughter, dancing, and moments of joy I never thought I’d find again.

That’s what music does: It breaks you, and then, somehow, it puts you back together again. Piece by piece. Song by song. And each time, you carry the love with you, in the memories, in the melodies, and in the courage it takes to keep going.

If You Go: Dueling Pianos in Ottawa

• Where to See Them: Regular shows at Sens House (ByWard Market), The Manor Lounge, Biagio’s Italian Kitchen (Richmond Road), and special events at spots like The Marshes Golf Club and even river cruises.
• What to Expect: A mix of piano, guitar, vocals, comedy, and lots of audience participation. No two shows are the same because requests drive the night.
• When to Go: Check their calendar for upcoming shows: Dueling Pianos Ottawa Events
• Pro Tip: Go hungry. Pair dinner with the show for the full experience. And if Sambuca shrimp is on the menu, you know what I’ll be ordering.