Last Week of August: End of the Month Events Around Ottawa-Gatineau

Here’s a list of event suggestions to get you through the last week of August. Having said this, keep in mind that next weekend is the Labor Day long-weekend and that there are many interesting and exciting things happening in and around the National Capital.

First things first, this Tuesday, August 28 is Fau Mardi at Petit Chicago in the Old-Hull neighborhood of Gatineau. This recurrent event, which focuses on audio-visual and the local electronic culture will feature Ottawa DJs Lance Baptiste, Lakes District and Fau Mardi resident Phil Beauch. Fau Mardi starts at 9:00 pm and you can access all the details on the event’s Facebook page here.

 

This Wednesday, August 29, DNA Presents is back to offer a live performance by Marcus Schossow at Barrymore’s. Schossow, who performed at the Escapade Music Festival this part July, will be back in the National Capital alongside Mister Parker. You can grab all of the event details by clicking on the poster below.

 

The Up and Up Concert Series presents Still Native this Thursday, August 30 at Mercury Lounge. Described as one of Ottawa’s best and brightest rock and roll acts, Still Native, who’s music combines blues elements with latin backbeats, performs live at 9:00 pm. You can obtain more information by clicking the below poster.

To kick off the weekend, Bydek presents DJ Adam K at Mansion Nightclub as part of the Loud Electronic Music Weekly Launch. The Toronto DJ, best known for his dance house live sets will be performing following Ottawa DJs Ryan Labelle and  DJ Charles. Grab all you need to know by clicking the poster below.

 

 

 

And lastly, a reminder that the Troquet resto-bar-show lounge celebrates its 15th birthday this week and that DJ Poirier will be  performing live on Saturday, September 1 for a special edition of thePicknic Electronik. There will be a photobooth on site for those who wish to capture the evening in style so dress to impress. More info below.

Enjoy the last week of August in the Ottawa-Gatineau region while it lasts ladies and gents and check back next week for a variety of event ideas to kick start the month of September.

 

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!

August in the City: From the Ottawa Greek Fest to Hip Hop Karaoke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s just another week in August in the National Capital Region and this persistent rain may or may not stick around, but regardless, here are some event ideas if you’re wondering what’s happening this week in the city.

Beginning this Wednesday, August 15 is the annual Ottawa Greek Festival. This year’s edition, which takes place on Prince of Wales Drive, runs until August 26 and although it offers the chance to sample the usual greek salad and tzatziki, it’s also a great opportunity to discover something new about Greek culture. If you want to check out the full program, you can simply click on the image below.

 

Also starting this week is the Capital Pride Festival which celebrates diversity amongst the transgender, gay, and Bisexual community of Ottawa. This annual festival has grown tremendously since the very first gay pride celebration which took place in the Canadian Capital in 1986. The event also runs until August 26 and ends with the popular Capital Pride Parade attended by so many. For the full programming, simply click on the below image.

If you love karaoke and hip-hop music, then Mugshots bar is the place to be this Thursday, August 16 for the third edition of the Ottawa Hip Hop Karaoke. Hosts DJ So Nice and MC Atherton took on the initiative and started this movement 2 months ago. The gentlemen promise a night of fun with this twist on traditional karaoke that steps away from the conventional “mom n’ pop video screen bouncy ball read-a-long half-assed last-minute-plan-with-your-girlfriends-in-korea-town karaoke jam”. If you think you got what it takes to rap along to your favorite hip-hop song, there may or may not still be an open spot for you this Thursday. Check out all the details by clicking the image below.

Taking place this Saturday, August 18 is the first-ever Gatineau Mud Run which happens at the Pierre Dagenais Quarry in L’Ange Gardien on the Quebec side. If you love Jeeps, trucks and modified vehicles then you should definitely check this drag event out. The Gatineau Mud Run also includes music with live shows by Plush Garden, Naymlis Believer, The Escape Mode, and LFC Band. A must for fans of big trucks and mud! You can get more info on the poster below.

Another even taking place on the Quebec side this weekend is the City of Gatineau’s Cultural Diversity Celebration Day happening on Sunday, August 19 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Maison du Citoyen on Laurier Street in Gatineau. This annual event includes an international food court, various artistic performances, and an artisan market among other things! Find out more by visiting the official website below.

Have an amazing week despite the weather and do try to get out there at some point and enjoy an event or two wether it’s rain or shine. Although September’s just around the corner, it’s still summer and there are plenty of exciting and fun events set to take place in the National Capital Region that I look forward to writing about soon 🙂

Just in August: From Action Bronson to the Ottawa African Festival

The second week of August promises another lineup of fun happenings if you’re looking for some event ideas and activities taking place around the National Capital Region.

First off this week is the Ottawa Lumiere Festival which started this part Saturday, August 4 and that continues until August 18, ending with the Evening of Light Celebration. This community festival launched in 2003 encourages young and old to celebrate the beauty and magic of light through lantern-making, performance workshops, and various outreach initiatives. To access the full program of events, simply click on the image below.

If you want to find out more about this year’s FOE (Festival Outaouais Emergent), head over to Le Troquet this Wednesday, August 8 at 5pm to hear the organizers as they unveil the full programming of the 2012 edition. The event is open to the public and all details can be found on the event’s Facebook page, just click below.

A note-worthy event for hip-hop heads this week is Action Bronson live in concert at Babylon Nightclub this Friday, August 10. The Albanian-American rapper from Queens, NY will be performing in Ottawa as part of his Canadian Tour. If you’re into his stuff and want to find out more you can grab the event info by clicking the poster below.

 

If you’re not into hip-hop and prefer to go out and dance this Friday night, why not head to Ritual Nightclub for Knew? Disco!, a night of new disco, disco house and electro indie courtesy of Ottawa’s own DJ Illo and DJ Kid SL. For more info, click on the poster below.

 

Starting this Friday is the fourth annual Ottawa African Festival presented by the Pan-Afrikan Coalition of Canada in collaboration with CHUO FM. This year’s festival will showcase live performances by some big names of the African music scene like South-African Lorraine Klaasen, Kenyan-singer Sarah Kariuki and Congolese-musician Awilo Longomba aka le propriétaire de tous les dossiers (those who know him will know what this is about). The three-day event takes place August 10 to 12 in Ottawa and you can obtain more details on the festival’s website by clicking on the below poster.

 

Enjoy your week in Ottawa-Gatineau and remember that summer won’t last forever!