With the amount of festivals in store across the National Capital Region, the week’s are getting more and more exciting (and busy!) as we get closer to summer.
This week alone, festival-goers have the choice to attend the Ottawa Fringe Festival, the Franco-Ontarian Festival (Festival Franco-Ontarien), the Break North Festival and the Ottawa Explosion Festival. There’s really something for everyone!
The first festival to kick-off this week is Ottawa Explosion, which takes place from June 13 to June 17. Now in its second year, this new festival aims to promote underground music by presenting over 40 bands from across Canada and the United States. Unlike outdoor festivals, Ottawa Explosion focuses on venues such as bars, record stores, basements and even laundromats to showcase the various bands. This year’s full line-up can be found on the event Facebook page here. You can also grab more information on the festival by clicking on the image below.
Next up is the Ottawa Fringe Festival which runs from June 14 to June 24 at various indoor and outdoor locations. Celebrating 16 years of Fringe, the festival is the ideal opportunity for those who love theatre and artistic expression of all sorts. With local, national and international companies presenting their best performances, this year’s edition promises to be more exciting than ever! You can obtain all the details by clicking below or by visiting the Fringe’s Facebook page here.
On the hip-hop side of things, classic rap connoisseurs are most likely already aware that legend Jeru The Damaja will be performing live at Ritual this Thursday, June 14. And if you don’t know, now you know! Get all the info you need by clicking the poster below.
Also happening this Thursday is the launch of the Franco-Ontarian Festival better known as the Festival Franco-Ontarien. This veteran of Ottawa festivals will take place from June 14 to June 16 at Major Hills Park. A personal favorite of mine, the FFO allows you to purchase festival bandanas for the cheap sum of $20 and twenty bucks to have access to 3 days of francophone music shows is a great deal in my book. Also, new with this year’s pass, the festival has partnered with Piccolo Grande, The Cupcake Shoppe, Fat Tuesdays, Cornerstone Bar & Grill and Steak Modern Steakhouse Lounge to offer exclusive deals to FFO bandana holders! This year’s festival features Quebec-favorites Les Cowboys Fringuants, Brigitte Boisjoli, New Brunswick trio Radio Radio, Mia Martina and Mohombi. In addition, for the last song of Mohombi’s performance, yours truly will be participating in a Flashmob to show the world how dynamic the Franco-Ontarian community is! Get all the details by clicking the poster below.
New to the festival family this year is Break North, presented by New Cadence North, Beau’s Beer and CKCU FM from June 14 to June 17. Taking place at the Elmdale Tavern and the Rainbow Bistro, the inaugural festival will present 16 bands in an effort to showcase independent and emerging Canadian musicians. Get all the details below!
Last but certainly not least, the second Piknic Electronik of the season is taking place behind the Canadian Museum of Civilization in the River Park this Sunday, June 17 from 2 to 9 pm. This week’s edition features Polyslax, Dom Dumoulin, Dorobo VS Bushido and Bruno B. Get all the info here and see you at one of the many events taking place this week!
