Start your week off with some talented women musicians at the Girls to the Front Songwriters Circle happening at Irene’s Pub this Monday. Hosted by local singer-songwriter Julie Corrigan, the latest edition of this monthly event will feature live sets by artists Laura Gagnon and Kelsey Hayes.
Two of Canada’s most successful and popular hard rock bands, I Mother Earth and Finger Eleven have teamed up for a cross Canada Tour this year. They’re making a stop in Ottawa this Monday night to play live at the Algonquin Commons Theatre.
For one-night only this Tuesday, April 17, the Ottawa Dance Directive is presenting a fundraising show at Arts Court that will feature a performance of CURVE and PINK, by Artistic Director Yvonne Coutts. The piece, featuring dancers Marie-Michelle Darveau, Justin Gionet, Alya Graham, Jasmine Inns, Kay Kenney, Jessie Lhôte, and Simon Renaud, will be accompanied by music created by composer and musician Jesse Stewart.
The independent record store that has set up shop inside the Petit Chicago is having another DJ night this Wednesday, April 18. For the occasion, you can expect to hear an eclectic mix of music courtesy of DJs Mat Thibault, M Caffrey and Chris International.
This Wednesday, April 18 from 7-11 p.m. make your way over to AXENÉO7 for the opening reception of two new exhibitions, Di$play_Body by Montréal-based visual artist Dominique Sirois and Teiakwanahstahsontéhrha’ We Extend the Rafters, a children’s exhibition created by Montréal-based Mohawk artist Skawennati. Music will be provided by the Vieux-Hull’s own DJ GloryHull.
This Wednesday night, Toronto/Halifax folk ensemble Kitchen Orkestra are back in Ottawa to play at Live on Elgin and for the occasion, the group will be joined by bluegrass band The Backsliders, for a night of lively tunes and storytelling.
Foodie alert: the Ottawa Poutine Festival is being held from April 19-22 outside the Ottawa City Hall. If you’re a fan of this classic Canadian comfort food, be sure to grab a few of them at some point throughout the fest and try the different takes on this uniquely Canadian dish.
The Université du Québec en Outaouais invites you to attend the opening of Quatre Dimensions, four exhibitions presented at the university that features the works of students enrolled in this year’s visual arts, cartoon, graphic design, and museology programs. If you can’t attend the opening on Thursday night, you can check out the exhibition until April 21.
The 9th Head For West Records Showcase is another noteworthy show going down at Live on Elgin this week. It’s happening this Thursday, April 19 and the lineup will include performances by Montreal’s Ghostly Hounds, Ottawa experimental group Forgotten In The Woods Again, and Ottawa roots/folk artist Matt Vagrant.
Edmonton indie rockers Scenic Route to Alaska are playing live in Ottawa this week as part of their current tour. They’ll be giving a show at House of Targ alongside Victoria indie folk artist Mike Edel and Ottawa indie/soul band Chigurh.
If you’re in the mood for an intimate soulful show this Thursday night, make your way over to Pressed Café to catch Kitchener-Waterloo soul/r&b/funk singer-songwriter and musician Rufus John. John, who’s currently on tour across Ontario, will be sharing material off of his upcoming album “Gone But Not Forgotten”, set to be released in June 2018, and he’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa neo soul/jazz group No Fancy Parts and Ottawa live looping project Already, Already.
The Commotions, a 12-piece soul/funk band based out of Ottawa, are performing live at Babylon this Friday night and for the occasion they’ll be sharing new material from their latest album. You can expect a sizzling brass section, thumping backbeat, and sensitive ballads for the group’s last show in Ottawa before the start of festival season.
This Friday night, you can also catch Montreal indie rock band Karneef live at Pressed with Toronto alternative rockers Omhouse and Ottawa experimental artist Wellington Sanipe.
Benin native, Ottawa-based rapper, singer-songwriter and producer Le R Premier will be performing live at the NAC this Friday, April 20 to present work from his repertoire, including material from his album Coeur de pion, for which he received six nominations at the Trille Or Gala. He’ll be joined by Congo-bred, Ottawa-based hip hop artist Kimya.
4/20 falls on a Friday this year so there are lots of parties happening around town to mark the occasion, including this one going down at House of Targ with live sets by Ottawa heavy metal band Thunderkok, Ottawa old school thrashers World War 4, Ottawa metal newcomers Black Galaxy and Ottawa psych grunge band Blve Hills.
Over at the 27 Club on Friday, there’s a tribute to the legend Bob Marley hosted by local musician Rita Carter that’ll feature a live performance by Toronto reggae warriors House of David Gang. You can expect originals from the group’s repertoire, as well as some covers, and there will be munchies for those who want to grab some jerk chicken, brownies, veggie spring rolls and more.
Another party happening on 4/20 is going down at the Elmdale Tavern with Bellyfull Sound System playing reggae, dancehall, old and new flavours.
Ottawa’s brass band like no other, the Bank Street Bonbons, are back at Irene’s this Friday night and the supergroup of talented musicians promises to share lots of new material for the occasion.
TIMEKODE, Ottawa’s longest-running monthly dance party, is back to heat up the D’Afrique dancefloor this Friday, April 20. The inclusive party hosted by resident DJ Zattar will feature special guest DJ Illo, who’ll be making a return to TK for the first time in 10 years. You can expect nothing but good vibes!
There’s an new accessible, all-ages concert series at Makerspace North and Sioux Lookout folk artist Nick Sherman is performing live this Saturday as part of it. He’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa folk pop singer-songwriter Kimberly Sunstrum and Ottawa folk rocker Jonathan Becker. Check it out! 
Ska fans, you’ll be happy to know that The Planet Smashers are back in Ottawa this Saturday, April 21 as part of a mini-tour they’re on. The Montreal-based five-piece known for their feel-good ska/punk party music will be at Mavericks to perform live alongside American ska punks Mustard Plug and Montreal ska group K-Man & The 45s.
Lydia Képinski may be a newcomer to the Quebec music scene, but she’s already making her mark with a solid, raw debut album titled “Premier juin” and an attitude to boot. The inde folk pop singer-songwriter and musician will be making a stop in Gatineau this Saturday night in an effort to promote her first LP and she’ll be playing the Petit Chicago with local indie folk favourites Maggie’s March.
Newfoundland singer-songwriter Mark Bragg is in town this week and he’s giving a live show at the NAC on Saturday night. The east coast rocker will be presenting new material from his latest album “Winter” as well as other goodies from his repertoire.
Wanna party like it’s the 80s on Saturday night? Then be sure to make your way over to House of Targ for a live show and dance party featuring an eclectic selection of songs with host and MC DJ Remi Royale as well as Rapture, a Blondie tribute band.
Local brazilian band Florquestra is playing live this Saturday night over at the Mercury Lounge as part of the Brazilian Love Affair concert series. For the occasion, the group will be showcasing the best of samba highlighting the works of well-known Brazilian songwriters and musicians such as Paulinho da Viola, Jorge Aragão, Djavan, Adoniran Barbosa, Gilberto Gil and more.
Kitchen Party is going down this Saturday night at Pressed Cafe. The monthly dance party presented by DJs Hobo & Sweet Cheeks will feature the best in funk, soul, disco, hip hop, electro, techno, house and everything in between. A little bit of this and a little bit of that for your dancing pleasure.
CHUO 89.1 FM, CKCU 93.1 FM & Birdman Sound present the 18th Ottawa Community Record Show this Sunday, April 22 at St. Anthony’s Hall. This is the place to go to find LPs & CDs and dig for rare music gems from every genre. Tons of killer some filler. A must for music collectors!
Sarnia, Ontario Canadiana singer-songwriter and musician Donovan Woods is in Ottawa this Sunday night to play live at the NAC and tickets are almost all gone for this one. The Juno-award nominee with tons of charm is set to transport concer-goers on a night of sweet music and storytelling.
If you’re up for a DIY Spring show this Sunday night, there’s Vancouver-based artist Kimmortal playing live at Black Squirrel Books alongside Ottawa feminist hip hop artist King Kimbit and Ottawa soul/folk/r&b artist Kimberly Sunstrum.
