With the 4-day weekend ahead and great weather in the forecast, the world is yours, Ottawa-Gatineau. There’s so much happening this week you won’t know where to start, so here are some pointers to help you plan.
Interested in the music community? Check out the April edition of Music Monday at Bar Robo. This Monday’s discussion will look at how high tech can enhance and/or benefit the music industry. The event will feature a musical performance by Bucko and JUNO-inspired DJ set.
Contrast is a new event presented by NICA, a new creative space, to encourage creative conversation. Each event will feature two films, essays, or works of art for discussion. The first edition, called Abstract, will focus on the way we work.
If you’re into new hip hop, you may want to hit up the Bourbon Room this Tuesday night to catch Pouya and Fat Nick live. The Miami, Florida rappers will be performing live as part of the Drop Out Of School Tour and they’ll be joined on stage by Ghostmane, Flexatelli, Dillan Ponders and more.
This Wednesday, April 12 at Arts Court, check out ¡Fiesta Latina!, a launch party and fundraiser for the Latin American Film festival. The evening of music, dance, food and drinks will feature a live performance by musician Rommel Ribeiro, as well as a DJ set by Rodrigo.
The second Wednesday of every month at Bar Robo, DJ Trevor Walker aka Lifeboogie brings you Prestige, a new night that explores various grooves with jazz as the common thread. Expect jazz, funk, latin, afro, electronica and more, all on vinyl.
After a short hiatus, the Viree Blues series is back at the Petit Chicago, and they are now sponsored by Moosehead. The third show of the new series is happening this Wednesday, April 12 and it’ll feature a live performance by Guy Bélanger.
Ottawa emo/rock newcomers Castlefield are having their EP release show at House of Targ this Thursday night. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa rockers Nighttime in Kansas, Ottawa hardcore band RATS, playing Sum 41, Ottawa post-hardcore project Halfsleeper and Ottawa solo emo musician Silent Lovers.
Radiohead’s legendary album Ok Computer turns 20 years old this year so to mark the occasion, come hang at Bar Robo this Thursday night to experience the record in its entirety on vinyl and stick around for DJ Sweet Cheeks’ set after.
Music.Art.Ppl is back from a short hiatus and ready to celebrate the spring with co-founders Peter Albert and Nick Hebb as well as Montreal special guest Zepha for her first ever Ottawa appearance. Dubbed Jungle Jam, the part is going down this Thursday inside City and it’ll feature the visuals and live art of Paradiss and Coblou.
The best spot to find quality house music to dance to this Thursday night has got to be the Mercury Lounge hands down. Special guest DJ/Producer Fred Everything will be back in town to give an extended set filled with deep, soulful, electric & tech house.
If you’re feeling the bluegrass/folk/country vibes, make your way over to Bar Robo this Thursday night to check out Pleasant Goat, Big Big Wolf and special guest singer-songwriter Chloé Laberge.
If a psyche night sounds more like something you’d be down for, House of Targ is where you’ll want to be this Friday, April 14 to see USA Out of Vietnam, The Band Whose Name is a Symbol and Butterscotch Palace.
This Saturday, catch local collective JK3 live at the Atomic Rooster as part of their current residency. The rhythm section formed in Ottawa by members of Pony Girl will be giving three sets a night, the third one beginning around midnight and you can expect to hear instrumentals, improv, fusion and hip hop.
This Friday night, The Deep End is back at Bar Robo. Once again, the crew is bringing you a mixed bag of techno beats all through the night while also bringing a unique experience; intersecting music, lighting and video projections. This is an excellent party to check out if you’re into techno, house, and electronic music.
When it comes to blues, Ottawa-based musician Lyle Odjick is certainly one to watch for. You can catch him live at the Atomic Rooster this Saturday as of 4 p.m. with The Northern Steam.
Ottawa/Montreal’s Future States are embarking on a Spring Mini Tour and they’ll be making a stop at The Record Centre this Saturday evening. This time around, they’ll be playing live with Montreal indie pop singer-songwriter Ada Lea (who’s really worth checking out) and Toronto alt folk artist Merival.
The 4th annual Indigenius art, music and fashion show is being held this Saturday at the Canadian Museum of History. The event is an opportunity to acknowledge, learn, and celebrate the contributions and creativity of our Indigenous people living across this land we call Canada.
If you want to check out an indie rock show this Saturday night, you should head over to Mavericks to see IllScarlett, Darenots, The Superlative, and Project Mantra live.
The Back To The Loudness Tour is stopping in Gatineau this Saturday night. Happening at the Petit Chicago, the show will feature live sets by Reset, Punchline 13, Sidelines, and MindAtWar. Bring earplugs.
Montreal rockers March of the Worm and Montreal alt rock band The Fiers are on a Spring Tour and they’ll be playing live at Avant-Garde Bar this Saturday with Ottawa dream pop/post rock project No Mistakes In Space and Ottawa ambient post-rock duo Novusolis.
The National Capital Region’s favourite soul-steppers, the Mackenzie Rhythm Section, are returning to the Blacksheep in Wakefield this Saturday night, following their funky set at the Bangers & Mash Festival. It’s always a good time when the guys are in the building!
LA hardcore punks The Bronx will be playing live at Zaphods on Saturday, April 15 and they’ll be rocking out with Philly punk rockers Dave Hause and the Mermaid.
Ottawa’s favourite glam rock n’ rollers In Heat will be sharing the stage with Ottawa rockers Thunderkok this Saturday night at House of Targ. The show, dubbed The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, will also feature Remi Royale. It’s gonna get messy.
Afropolitan is a 5-month series of events presented at the Mercury Lounge as part of Canada 150 that features DJs, percussionists and dancers showcasing the strong African, Caribbean, and Latin influences that have shaped today’s house music. The third edition happening this Saturday will feature DJ Manoo of France alongside the Tribal Threat DJs and Trevor Walker.
What’s cool about the Deep Therapy monthly is that it keeps happening at different locations. This Saturday, the party returns to Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts with special guest Thomas Cardin from Toronto. For those unfamiliar with the concept, Deep Therapy showcases the sounds of deep and cutting edge house music in a unique and inviting atmosphere that defies the ordinary.
Three of Ottawa’s musicians are coming together this Sunday for A Night at the Gladstone, a special one-night-only music and theatre event. Join host Jumpin’ Joel Flash, Danielle Allard and The Ramblin Valley Band as they play on the still-being-used set of Little Shop of Horrors, running at the Gladstone Theatre until April 23.
RinseOut is back in the basement at Overkill and this Sunday it’s a jungle/DnB edition featuring Threesixty, Rob Saxon and Bellyfull Sound.
This Easter Sunday, Vanguard Pulse, SPOOR, Strange People and FAU Mardi have teamed up to bring you Соба AV, a night featuring an eclectic array of beats and a selection of stunning visuals. Gathering artists from different disciplines, the event will redefine Babylon into a multi-media environment and stage a unique experience.
INDIE CITY MADNESS 
