In case you’ve been out of town or living under a rock for the past week, we’ve got news for you: the 2014 Ottawa Bluesfest has taken over the city and it’s been an amazing edition so far. But, perhaps festivals aren’t your thing or maybe you’re unable to attend for whatever reason. If that’s the case and you’d still like to check out some local events, fear not, there’s still plenty happening in and around the city. Check out Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below for some noteworthy ideas.
If you’re into film and cinema, Eventful Capital recommends that you make your way over to Avant-Garde Bar this Tuesday, July 8 for Ship Of Fools. Presented by Kinocular Vision, this screening will feature unique weird and wonderful short films along with a featured film: L’Atalante (1934), directed by Jean Vigo. What’s more, it’s free!
This Tuesday night, Debaser brings you Edmonton-based experimental indie pop band Brazilian Money live at Mugshots. The group will be performing alongside Renny Wilson, The Tee Tahs and Ottawa’s own Organ Eyes. Big bonus: the first 10 people who make it through the door will get free tacos courtesy of Total T’s. 
Buffalo indie/pop-punk band Lemurta will be in Ottawa this Thursday, July 10. For the occasion, they’ll be performing live at House of Targ alongside Portland indie/emo group King of Like Spitting and Ottawa indie/garage pop band Nightshades.
This Friday, July 11, House of PainT and VerseFest have teamed up to present American spoken word legend Buddy Wakefield live in Ottawa. The three-time world slam poetry champion will be giving a live feature alongside Ottawa’s own Ikenna Onyegbula also known as OpenSecret, the 2014 World Poetry Slam Champion. The event, which is sure offer an inspiring night of poetry, will be taking place at HUB Ottawa as of 7:30 pm.
Across the river at the Petit Chicago in Hull this Friday night, there will be a live performance by Guerilla Poubelle, a punk rock group from France who’s crossing the Atlantic for a North American Tour. For the occasion, the trio will be joined on stage by Montreal stoner punk rock group Oktoplut, Gatineau rock n’ roll band Eldorado and Ottawa punk metal project Sidelines.
If you enjoy burlesque, mystery and board games, then Nerd Girl Burlesque has got just the event for you. Happening this Friday night at the Clocktower Pub, the event dubbed Clue will feature a special edition of Tassels and Tabletop. Tassels and Tabletop: Clue will give you a glimpse into the secrets, psyches, and sensuality of six suspects as host, Chief Inspector Dice Roller Constable Jordan Richer, Detective First Class, acts as your guide. The evening will feature all original solo and group performances themed around the classic murder mystery board game that has inspired movies, television shows, and a cult following.
Avant Garde Bar is turning a decade old and to celebrate 10 years of success, the team invites you to party with local bands The Cowards, Tindervox and The Ven Dreddies this Friday night starting at 9pm. Happy Birthday to one of the funnest live music venues in Ottawa! 
Kitchen Party, is also celebrating a birthday this Friday night at the Rochester Pub and Eatery. Join DJs Hobo & Sweet Cheeks for the 3-year anniversary of this popular dance party break a sweat to the best of funk, soul, disco, hip hop, electro, techno, house and everything in between.
Also this Friday night, head over to House of Targ for Mother’s Children’s Official “Lemon” Album Release Party. The Ottawa-based punk powerpop band will be headlining the night alongside special guests Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs of Toronto and Pale Lips of Montreal.
The dancefloor affair that is Tropikalo is going down this Friday night, July 11. Now happening at Mugshots, it’s the perfect dance party if you’re looking for afro latin caribbean vibes. Just put your dancing shoes on and let DJs Zattar and Trevor Walker take care of the rest.
This Friday night, Kapacity Entertainment, Goodproblems, and Spectrasonic present the Official Bluesfest Yung Lean After Party. The event will feature a live performance and DJ set by Yung Lean & The Sad Boys along with an opening performance by Ottawa’s own NDMA with support from Laocapone and Meadow Gang. 
The July edition of Hip Hop Karaoke is happening outdoors this Friday, July 11 at Parliament Pub with hosts DJ So Nice and Atherton. If you want to perform and impersonate your favourite rapper by doing that track you spent hours memorizing in front of the mirror, or if you just want to support a buddy and be a member of the audience, click below for everything you need to know.
The Official Bluesfest After Party for Ryan Hemsworth and Jacques Greene is going down this Friday night at Babylon as part of a joint Grillz & Glam and Frenzy collabo. Toronto-based WeDidIt DJ/Producer Ryan Hemsworth and Frenzy favourite will be giving a live set alongside NYC/MTL DJ/Producer Jacques Greene and they’ll be getting local support from usual suspects Iggy Smalls, Foster, Brains4brkfst. A gloriously stacked lineup awaits!
Capital Pop Up! is hosting a variety of stylish, talented and creative people in the city this Saturday between 10 am and 3 pm at the Bronson Centre. From vegan, gluten-free goodies to beautiful handmade jewelry & independently designed clothing and baby apparel, there is something for everyone. Every artisan at the show will be supporting a local charity of their choice. Proceeds from the show’s organizers will go directly to Gabriella’s Groupies & Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. When you support local at Capital Pop Up!, you REALLY support local.
Picnic lovers rejoice! Harvest Noir, Ottawa’s unique pop-up picnic and harvest celebration, is throwing its first summer picnic of the season this Saturday, July 12 at the Main Street Farmers’ Market. Designed to get hip folks out enjoying Ottawa’s terrific urban spaces in a casual mass picnic, the event is completely free and encourages you to attend with a basket full of tasty local goodies – ideally from Ottawa’s many farmer’s markets. For more info on this fun outdoor concept, simply click on the event poster below. 
On Saturday, July 12, Debaser and Weird Canada present the monthly edition of Fryquency featuring a live show by Montreal indie pop band Brave Radar, Montreal punk pop group The Nymphets and Ottawa slacker pop grunge project Baberaham Lincoln.
Criticull’s “Seedy” Album Release Party is happening at House of Targ this Saturday night. Local bands Muffler Crunch and Elementals will be joining the Ottawa-based funk metal group for a live show that’s sure to be memorable.
If you’re a fan of Beyoncé, then consider dropping all the plans you made Saturday night to head over to Babylon for Bey Bey, an all-night Beyoncé dance party with DJ Matt Tamblyn who’ll be dropping all of your fave Bey and friends’ jams to keep you up dancing ’til the early hours.
Metal heads, how about going to Mavericks this Sunday night to catch a live performance by Chicago Metal/Hardcore band Barrier, Gatineau Trance/Deathcore group Greta Knights, Ottawa Progressive Metalcore project Of Burning Empires and Ottawa Metal/Hardcore formation Through Lucid Eyes? Sounds like a solid metal show!
This Sunday night at the Mercury Lounge, Mascarie Tribal Fusion Belly Dance presents Ottawa’s first Tribal Cafe, an evening of musical and dance wonderment. Featuring the haunting melodies of cello-vocal powerhouse, The Visit, followed by new choreographies by the ladies of Mascarie, the evening is sure to enchant and delight. Surprise guests will help immerse you into the spectacular and magical world of this Tribal Cafe.
