Another week, another jam packed lineup of shows and events happening in and around the National Capital Region. Make the most of this busy time and catch some of the fun over the next seven days.
Over in Gatineau, Francophones will be celebrating the Saint-Jean Baptiste from June 23-26 with a series of activities, rides, fireworks and live shows at the Des Cèdres Park in Aylmer. This year’s lineup will feature headliners Jean-Pierre Ferland, Ariane Moffatt, Les Cowboys Fringants, Louis-Jean Cormier, and Dumas among others.
This Thursday starting at 5 p.m., House of Targ and CHUO present the Wizard Werks Craft Show featuring some of Ottawa’s craftiest vendors selling unique and handmade and repurposed items.
The popular Ottawa International Jazz Festival kicks off this Wednesday, June 22 and continues until July 3. One of Ottawa’s longest running festivals and a recognized household name that’s been around since 1980, Jazz Fest will present another eclectic lineup for festival-goers. This year’s bill includes headliners Sarah McLachlan, Brian Wilson, Michael Franti, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Trombone Shorty and the SFJAZZ Collective among others. Organizers have also included a handful of local acts to the programming namely LeMeow and The Mackenzie Rhythm Section. As per usual, all of the performances taking place on July 1 offer free admission. Check out Eventful Capital’s Top 10 must-sees here.
This year again, the Ottawa Jazz Fest has teamed up with the Mercury Lounge to bring you a series of nightclub shows including Toronto-based calypso/reggae-inspired band Kobo Town. The Juno Award and Polaris Prize nominees will be performing live at the club this Thursday, June 23 and you can expect nothing but feel-good tropical vibes.
This Thursday night marks the return of Open Air Social Club at 73 North Resto Lounge on Sparks Street. The summer outdoor dance party will feature musical selections from resident DJ Matt Tamblyn as well as DJs Foster and Laocapone.
The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is celebrating it’s 23rd edition at Moonie’s Bay Park from June 23 to 26. North America’s largest dragon boat festival will feature a children’s area filled with family-friendly entertainment, the classic dragon boat races and a free concert series. This year, festival-goers will have the chance to see local faves A Tribe Called Red along with headliners July Talk, Mother Mother, and Alvvays among others. This is such a treat, make sure you take advantage of all these amazing and accessible events!
Have you ever wondered what some of Ottawa’s most creative men can do with jewellery? Well this Friday, June 24 is your chance to see some of their original works. Hard Metals, happening at Heist Jewellery, is an art show of sorts exploring wedding ring designs and concepts by some of the 613’s favourite contemporary artists that will give centre stage to their completely unconventional rings. Sounds interesting!
Over in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Friday, there will be a small Saint-Jean Baptiste celebration to mark Quebec’s birthday. As of 8 p.m. on Laval Street, there will be live music featuring Funk-A-Tron 5000 as well as a headlining performance by Rap Queb supergroup Alaclair Ensemble. What’s more, it’s entirely free to attend!
Over at Zaphods this Friday, there’s going to be a fundraiser for Fort McMurray. The live music show will feature performances by local bands The Superlative, Metronome Jones and Missioner.
In beautiful Wakefield, at the Blacksheep Inn this Friday, you can catch Toronto/Kingston indie folk band Wild Rivers, who’s self-titled album came out earlier this Spring. For the occasion, the four-piece will be sharing the stage with Toronto/Kingston indie rock group Lost Cousins and Ottawa funk/pop/soul outfit Harea Band.
Ottawa duo leMeow invites you to join them for their York St debut album release party this Friday night at the Rainbow Bistro. For the occasion, the group will be performing two sets: one of original material found on the album and another one featuring a mixed bag of fun tunes. Check it out!
Tropikalo’s back baby! This super fun dancefloor affair, that had gone into hiatus, made a long-awaited return in January and good times are bound to roll once again this Friday night at Happy Goat Coffee. Tropikalo is the perfect dance party if you’re looking for afrolatin caribbean vibes. Just put on your dancing shoe and let DJs Zattar and Trevor Walker take care of the rest.
Double Barrel, one of Ottawa’s funnest monthly dance parties, is going down inside Mercury Lounge this Friday night. Resident DJ Magnificent will be gracing the 1s and 2s as he does best and this time around he’ll be joined by special guest DJ Ruby Jane. An all-vinyl funk, soul, Motown and vintage reggae dance party you won’t want to miss!
This Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25, Amnesia presents the 11th annual Rockfest in Montebello, Quebec, just 45 minutes away from downtown Ottawa. The festival promises performances by 150 groups including headliners Blink 182, Rise Against, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, NOFX, Billy Talent and many others. The organizers offer an on-site camping option for those who wish to attend both days and stay overnight.
The Ottawa Makers Market is back and this time around it’s happening this Saturday at the Rideau Curling Club. The modern craft fair will feature 75 local makers, artists and entrepreneurs. It’s not your nana’s craft fair, trust. Dare I say better? Yes way better!
The House of PainT festival is having a community jam at the Science and Technology Museum this Saturday. It’ll be fun-filled day of breakdancing, skateboarding, music, science, art and food to celebrate the completion of the largest joint mural ever painted in the nation’s capital.
This Saturday night, the Ottawa Jazz Festival and the Mercury Lounge present NYC DJ Hector Romero live. The internationally-acclaimed DJ/Producer will be giving a set inside the club alongside guest DJs Trevor Walker and Luke McKeehan. On top of that, Matt Cameron will be there to take care of visual projections.
The Escapade Music Festival, dedicated to highlighting electronic dance music in its many shapes and forms, is being held on June 25 and 26 beside the Rideau Carleton Raceway. Now in its 6th year, this 2-day festival attracts electronic music enthusiasts from the National Capital Region and beyond. Headlining acts this year include Diplo, Martin Garrix, DVBBS, Dash Berlin, Bassjackers, Borgore and more.
Forest will be having their Flow EP release show at Live on Elgin this Sunday, June 26. To mark the launch of their project, the Ottawa-based experimental progressive rock band will be playing alongside special guests Nessie and Nighttime in Kansas.
