In case you’ve been out of town or living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, know that the National Capital Region has been a HAPPENING place. There’s so much to do in and around the city that people are finding it more and more difficult to choose where to go, what to do and who to see. Aside form the numerous festivals that are taking place right now, there are also lots of other scheduled events that are sure to interest you. For one, it’s the busiest time of the year for Ottawa with Canada Day celebrations organized all over the place so there’ll be no shortage of those guaranteed.
For Canada Day weekend, the Mercury Lounge has organized an exciting two-day programming with some great Ottawa DJs who’ll be mixing a variety of music genres that are sure to please everyone and anyone. For details, simply click on the event poster below.
Over at Junxion Public House, on Sunday, June 30, producer Overwerk will be giving a live DJ set as part of Pre-Canada Day festivities. The British producer, recognized for his contribution to electro music, will be joined by local DJ BZRK who’ll take care of the opening set.
Canada Day itself is packed with family-friendly activities, free shows, animations and events of all sorts ranging from the classic festivities on Parliament Hill, free concerts at the NAC and Jazz Festival, free admission to several Museums, and the annual fireworks show among other things. For a complete list of family-friendly Canada Day events happening around the city, check out OttawaStart’s post on the matter, that should have you covered.
On the Gatineau side, head over to the River Park located behind the Museum of Civilization to check out free electronic music from 1pm to 10pm. Local DJs Le Ferrailleur, Manalogue, Grumpy B, DJF ,Doddy DJ & DJSB will make you dance to a variety of electro sounds in a beautiful outdoor setting. 
At Zaphod Beeblebrox on Canada Day, you can check out the talented West-African musician Vieux Farka Touré who’ll be doing not one but two live sets for the afternoon show. The son of legendary artist Ali Farka Touré, who’s known for his skills as a guitarist, will be performing starting at around 2pm. This is a rare occasion to catch this fantastic artist live and a real treat for Ottawa.
Over at the Arts Court, the Fringe Festival invites you to its last outdoor show featuring Ottawa’s own StillNative. The local rock duo will be performing live as part of the festival’s free outdoor concert series starting at 8:00 pm. 
A first for Ottawa, Detroit hip-hop trio Slum Village will be performing live at Ritual as part of Canada Day celebrations. The legendary formation, founded by highly-respected rapper and producer J Dilla, will be in concert in Canada’s capital with local support from Jutes, Silent T, Kofee Star, Marcus Visionary, Dr. Ozi, Danya D and Mugz. 
You may want to take July 2 to rest and recover from Canada Day festivities, but you should be back on your feet on July 3, just in time to check out Montag live at the Mercury Lounge. The Montreal artist also known as Antoine Bédard, recognized for his dreamy and minimalist approach to electronic music, will be giving a live set alongside Ottawa’s own Adam Saikaley. 
The highlight of the summer for many, the annual Ottawa Bluesfest is back starting July 4 and it runs until July 14. This year, several noteworthy artists to check out include headliners BB King, The Black Keys, Dixie Chicks, Wu Tang, The Tragically Hip, Great Big Sea and less-known but equally talented artists such as Amadou & Mariam, Femi Kuti, Adventure Club, Cold Specks, Neko Case, Diamond Rings, Passion Pit, A Tribe Called Red, Animal Collective, and Austra. Check out the full programming by clicking below. 
The Indie Filmmakers Cooperative of Ottawa invite you to Reel Thursdays starting July 4 at Mercury Lounge. This free screening will premiere new film works produced by female filmmakers Ariel Smith, Marianne Corriveau and Tasha N. Waldron among others. Grab more info by simply clicking below.
On July 4, Monster Energy, Double Barrel & Mugshots present 45 RPM, a celebration of the 7″ inch vinyl and some of the best music ever recorded from that era. The event is sure to bring you on a trip down memory-lane while featuring music selections by DJs Pump, Magnificient, Illo, Ray Ray and Vinyl Ritchie, some of the best DJs in Canada.
Also on Thursday, July 4, Maxwell’s presents Little Dog live for the first time. The Ottawa-based blues band, comprised of Dan McDonald on bass & lead vocals, Joel Scott-Mignon on guitar and Silas Cox on drums, will be giving their inaugural show starting at 9:30 pm. Encourage our local musicians! 
Even wanted to check out the music scene in Nelson, BC? Well, you might not need to this summer as Nelson is coming to Ottawa! Ghetto Funk Ottawa presents It Came From the West, a new monthly event starting on July 4 and taking place at the Mercury Lounge. For this first edition, DJs Tilman Greenhorn, Deuce D, Neuronic, and JD13 will be spinning live from their eclectic music collection which includes world beat electronica, breaks/DnB, and ghetto funk.
The monthly edition of Tropikalo is back on July 5 at the Mercury Lounge. The afro/latin/carribean dancefloor affair will feature the musical selections of residents Deejay Zattar, Trevor Walker and Lance Baptiste. 
If you’re into indie alternative folk music and like to support local artists, head over to the Rochester Pub & Eatery next Saturday, July 6 to check out a live performance by Ottawa artists Justice R.F., Erin Saoirse Adair and Fellow. 
This is really just a glimpse of the large selection of events happening in and around the National Capital Region this coming week. There’s certainly something in there to entertain you if you’re around the city in the days ahead. Enjoy our eventful capital in all its glory!
