Just in August in the National Capital Region: From the Mega Show to Wakefest

Yes, summer’s almost over. Yes, you’ve used up all your vacation time from work. Yes, it’s somewhat depressing. Having said this, those are all great reasons to get out and enjoy some of the events taking place in and around the National Capital Region this week, trust me, it’ll feel a bit like you’re still on vacation. Several of this week’s fun events are taking place on the Quebec side, which is a great opportunity for some of you to cross over the river and check out something different around the Outaouais region.

For starters, the City of Gatineau presents the Sirius XM Canada Mega Show tour this Wednesday, August 22 in the Grand Hall at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. For only $10, fans of francophone music will get to see and hear live performances by Louis-Jean Cormier, Malajube, Galaxie and Gatineau’s own Pierre Lapointe in an effort to promote emegering and independant Quebec talent. Tickets are selling fast but they are still available and you can obtain all of the details by clicking on the image below.

The 2012 Wakefest Arts Festival is happening from August 23 to August 26 at various locations in Wakefield, Quebec and it includes music, film, theatre, dance, visual arts and literature. Wakefest, which celebrates local artists has for objective to inspire and engage creativity within the community. You can find out more on the official Wakefest website by clicking below.

 

Also in Gatineau starting this Saturday, August 25 is the 15th anniversary celebrations of Le Troquet, a restaurant/show bar/exhibition space located in the Old Hull area. To thank its long-time regulars and new customers, Le Troquet is offering a special exhibition along with a couple of free shows including live music, slam poetry and even a very special Piknic Electronik with Montreal’s DJ Poirier. You can get more info by clicking on the link below.

 

If you want to go out and dance for a good cause, head over to Babylon Nightclub this Friday, August 24 for Oh My Jams Whine and Grind Edition with special guests Yes Yes Y’All Crew and A Tribe Called Red. All proceeds will go towards the Venus Envy Bursary Fund and the families of Sisters in Spirit. You can grab more details by clicking on the poster below.

This Saturday, August 25 is also the monthly Grind Party at Babylon Nightclub in Ottawa. This month’s edition features Big Toes HiFi from Scotland alongside Jon Deck and Selektah Shellz. Doors open at 11:00 pm and entrance is $8. More info below.

Also this Saturday, August 25, Kapacity Entertainment presents Ritual Nightclub’s 3-year and Straight Good’s 5-year anniversary party with Sinjin Hawke, Grandtheft, and Iggy Smalls. There are 200 free tickets available online, first come first serve. Click here to find out more.

Enjoy your week and make sure you do something fun!

Start Summer in the Nation’s Capital with the Asinabka Festival, Porter Robinson, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and l’Outaouais en Fête

This week brings its load of events starting with the launch of a new arts festival celebrating aboriginal film and media art called Asinabka. For its first edition, this festival gives itself the mandate to “allow independent artists (national, international, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) to share, present, and disseminate their work. It is is also to screen films by Aboriginal peoples and films about Aboriginal topics/issues; to support artists and filmmakers; to promote Aboriginal cultures and languages; to educate people about Aboriginal issues in Canada, and about Indigenous issues internationally; to provide a space where Aboriginal peoples can tell their own stories and see their own cultures reflected back at them; and to entertain and be innovative”. The festival starts today, June 18 and continues until Sunday, June 24 and it takes places at various locations around the downtown core. You can get all of the details and the schedule of events by clicking on the image below. Be sure to check it out!

 

For the fans of electronic dance music, DNA presents Porter Robinson at Barrymore’s this Wednesday, June 20 as part of the Language Tour. Porter Robinson will be accompanied by Mat Zo and The M Machine and tickets are still available for $25. You can grab all of the info by clicking the poster below.

 

For those who planned on going to see hip-hop artist and producer MF Doom at Ritual this Thursday, June 21, Kapacity Entertainment has had to cancel the show after MF Doom cancelled his entire Canadian tour. You can get all of the details and obtain refund options by clicking the poster below and accessing the Facebook event page.

 

Another festival that starts this week is the Ottawa International Jazz Festival which runs from June 21 to July 1 at Confederation Park. This year’s edition promises to blow you away with a lineup that includes Chris Botti, Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Janelle Monae, and Ziggy Marley with his Wild and Free Tour. I’m really looking forward to seeing Janelle Monae and Ziggy Marley perform live as I particularly enjoy both artists’ music. You can obtain the entire festival lineup and all other details on the festival website by clicking the below image.

 

This Friday, June 22, there will be an Electric Pow Wow with A Tribe Called Red and comedian Ryan McMahon aka Clarence Two Toes as part of the Asinabka arts festival. The event, which takes place at Babylon, will start with Ryan McMahon at 10pm and will continue with the DJs from A Tribe Called Red who will make you dance all night to their unique and catchy Powwow Step sounds. All the information is available on the Facebook event page here.

 

On Saturday, June 23, Ottawa will be host to the first-ever Hip-Hop Karaoke event taking place at Mugshots, the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel bar with host Atherton and beats by DJ So Nice. The event starts at 9pm and if you’d like to sign-up for a song visit http://www.HHKOTT.com

 

Also this weekend are the Outaouais en Fête celebrations on the occasion of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Quebec’s national holiday. The festivities kick off on Friday evening and last until Monday, June 25. I’m especially looking forward to seeing Vincent Vaillieres (for free!) on June 23 and Malajube and Quebec legend and singer-songwriter Jean Leloup both on June 25. This year’s celebrations include tons of family-friendly activities in both Aylmer and Gatineau and they offer a variety of shows that are sure to please everyone gathered to celebrate Quebec and its culture. All of the details are listed on the official website and you  can access them by clicking below.