Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From the final FOÉ and Arboretum 2017 to the Twist Festival and TIMEKODE

If you’re looking for an intimate night of live music to kick off your week, head over to Bar Robo this Tuesday night to catch soul/folk musician Jamieson Mackay (of (How Far to Mexico and Shadowhand), post-Americana/country noir project Wired To The Sky and Ottawa dream psych artist Trails.

If you’d rather catch some American bands at House of Targ this Tuesday, you can check out Florida alt-rockers Surfer Blood and Brooklyn warped pop artist Katie Von Schleicher.

Moncton rock n’rollers Shades of Sorrow are performing live at the Rainbow Bistro this Wednesday night as part of their Tour of the Lunatics 2017. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa power pop rockers Holy Christopher and rock n’roll band Insufficient Funds.

The Nursery is a vibrant 4-piece band from Toronto and the group will be hitting up Bar Robo this Wednesday, August 16 as part of their synth-soaked summer tour with Vancouver synth-pop trio Adera.

The Curd Festival is back for another edition from August 16-20. Happening just outside of Ottawa in St-Albert, this annual celebration of the squeaky fresh cheese curds used in poutine is a family-friendly event packed with entertainment, tasty food and live performances by comedian Stephane Rousseau, and Franco-Ontarian folk rockers Hey, Wow, among others.

After touring Ontario in an effort to promote their debut EP Grave and Garden Songs, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind are back in Ottawa to play a hometown show at Live on Elgin this Thursday. For the occasion, the local folk/roots band be sharing the stage with Toronto old time/country/Americana 5-piece The Barrel Boys.

Montreal power pop rock n’rollers The Sick Things will be rocking House of Targ this Thursday, August 17 and they’ll be playing with Ottawa new wave project Hundred Pacer and Ottawa power rock trio Rex Heck.

Montreal dream pop band Bodywash will be making a stop at Pressed Cafe this August 17 to grace Ottawa with its sounds. As part of the show, they’ll be joined on stage by Ottawa electronica project Hi-Way and Montreal instrumental ambient sax-looping duo DF.

The Festival de l’Outaouais Émergent, affectionately called the FOÉ, announced earlier this year that is would be celebrating its 10th and final edition from August 18-20. The last instalment of the mighty little festival that could will for one last time celebrate emerging Canadian artists and feature a variety of artistic disciplines. On top of music, visual arts, and comedy, festival-goers will also have the opportunity to dance, eat and enjoy slam poetry. As always, festivities will take place at a few different locations in the heart of the Vieux-Hull. Most of the programming is free, and features performances by La Bronze, Beyries, Kroy, We Are Wolves and several others. A bittersweet goodbye, to say the least! Merci le FOÉ ❤

Ottawa singer-songwriter and pianist Megan Jerome will be performing live with the Together Ensemble this Friday, August 18 at Kaffe 1870 in the lovely town of Wakefield. Join the charming musician and her band as they transport you through a night a music drawing from traditional gospel, stoner jazz and meditative classical sounds.

Ever heard of Screamer? They’re a heavy metal band from Sweden and they’ll be performing live at House of Targ this Friday night alongside Montreal speed metal/trashers Warsenal and Ottawa metal group Black Tower.

Ottawa’s longuest-running monthly dance party is back at it this Friday night inside D’Afrique and this time around, resident DJs Zattar and Memetic will be welcoming special guest DJ Handsome Paddy all the way from Dublin, Ireland. TIMEKODE is a popular funk, soul and hip hop dance party that has been keeping Ottawa funky fresh for 12-years strong. See you on the TK dancefloor!

The Arboretum Music Festival returns with a 6th edition that runs from August 18-19 at the enchanting Rideau Pines Farm. For 2017, organizers of this music festival are trying something different by holding the event in a whimsical setting just outside the city. This year’s eclectic programming will unfold over 2 days that include late night parties, farm to table pick-your-own foods, and live music by Deerhoof, Cadence Weapon, Diana, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Claude Munson, Future States and many others. Grab all the details by clicking below and support this local gem of a festival.

Did you know that Canada’s biggest fibre festival takes place a stone’s throw away from Ottawa-Gatineau? The annual Twist Festival is back this weekend in Saint-André-Avellin, a municipality located about 45 minutes away from Ottawa-Gatineau. The two-day annual event serves as a showcase for the fibre world and is intended for the general public, fibre enthusiasts, producers, fleece animal breeders, transformers, artists, artisans, professionals and semi-professionals. It’ll feature workshops, activities, a textile art exhibit with a modern twist and many exhibitors from all trades of the fibre industry.

In the mood for some garage tunes this weekend? Head over to Cafe Dekcuf for Toronto garage rockers Binos, Toronto ska/rocksteady band The Classy Wrecks, Ottawa power pop garage rockers Sweet Rocket, Ottawa rock group Galapagos and Ottawa indie alternative pop project The Rocky Moon.

This Saturday at the Petit Chicago, there’s a drag night happening as part of the FOÉ and Capital Pride and it’ll feature Canadian talent only, including Horizon and guests.

Vancouver metal band Anciients is making a return to Ottawa this Saturday and this time around they’ll be playing at House of Targ with Vancouver stoner rock group Dead Quiet, Ottawa doom metal project Longhouse and Ottawa instrumental rockers Clavius.

What’s cool about the Deep Therapy monthly is that it keeps happening at different locations and the organizers continuously strive for bigger and better. This Saturday, the party is going back to the Albert Island warehouse with special guest DJ Brian Cid from NYC. 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.

Qualité Motel is VALAIRE’s 100% electronic project. The Quebec-based band is known for giving energetic shows complete with good vibes and and a guaranteed dance party. The guys were initially scheduled to play the Minotaure back in March, but the show got postponed to this Saturday, August 19, to be held as part of the FOÉ. VALAIRE doesn’t often perform as Qualité Motel, so it’s always a treat to have them play.

I can never get enough of the Drake Night promo posters, they crack me up. If you didn’t know, Drake Night is a recurring party dedicated to the 6 God, where you can expect to hear nothing but Drizzy jams and tracks from OVO affiliates all night long. It goes down this Saturday, August 19 at Babylon.

If you’re into hardcore and metal, there’s an all-ages show happening at Mavericks this Sunday that’ll feature American rock metal bands He Is Legend and Islander, as well as American hardcore rockers To Speak Of Wolves, American rockers Bad Seed Rising, Gatineau rock band Aarsen and Ottawa rock group Fragile Figures. A stacked bill!

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Eventful Capital at 5: More Love than Ever for the 613 and 819

Elly Laberge (Eventful Capital), Julie Cormier-Doiron (Couch Assassin Editor) and Gaston Doiron at Jackpine, Summer 2013. Photo: Ming Wu

When I created Eventful Capital in November 2011, I essentially had one objective in mind: to help change the way people perceive the National Capital Region. It was important for me to let the world know that fun things abound around here and that exciting stuff happens on the regular in our nation’s capital. I wanted to create a simple tool that people could turn to, to find out about the numerous events being held in and around Ottawa-Gatineau. I hoped this blog could act as a reliable source of information and paint an accurate picture of the local cultural scene. Five years deep, I thought I’d look back and reflect on the then and now.

Looking back, I can’t help but feel sad and nostalgic when I think of the various venues that we’ve had to say goodbye to through the years. Places like Mugshots, Raw Sugar Cafe, the Daily Grind, and Ritual (RIP) come to mind. These cherished culture hubs were gathering places for those who support local arts and certainly played an instrumental role in helping our city’s scene grow. They are truly missed and I’ll always have fond memories of the times I spent there. Thankfully, the gaps they left were filled by new welcomed venues like Bar Robo, Live on Elgin, House of Targ, Le Temporaire and the Minotaure who host a variety of events on a weekly basis, supporting musicians and visual artists alike.

Between 2011 and 2016, our region also gave birth to new organizations that work towards improving our local cultural scene, namely the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, Megaphono, Babely Shades, l’Ambassade Culturelle, Nuit Blanche Ottawa-Gatineau and Ottawa Beat, just to name a few.

There have been some milestone anniversaries as well, for example the legendary Mercury Lounge, which just turned 20 years old, Bluesfest, which also marked its 20th anniversary in 2014, and the Timekode movement, that just celebrated 11 years of soul moving soles.

Ottawa-Gatineau being the capital of festivals, you’d think there are enough existing ones already. Yet, they keep popping up left and right to the delight of festival-goers. I’m thinking Arboretum, Glowfair, Megaphono, the Ottawa Grassroots Festival and Marvest, among others.

There has also been more and more municipal support for culture and arts initiatives (the #OttMusik program for example), which is generally encouraging and certainly appreciated by our community.

It also wouldn’t be right to publish this post without giving a big shout-out to all the other blogs and influencers, who, like Eventful Capital, work towards supporting the Ottawa-Gatineau artistic scene. I see you Ottawa Showbox, Couch Assassin, Apt613, Sous-Sol 819, Spotlight Ottawa, Sometimes Always, our community radio stations CKCU, CHUO and RÉÉL-Radio. Thank you, for doing what you do, your work is truly important and our community needs you.

At times, I’ve asked myself why I bother with this blog, wondering if it’s really worth all the time, energy and effort I pour into it week after week. And then, I remember all of the emails I receive from artists, movers and shakers who call on my help to spread the good word, and all of the wonderful people I have met along the way who make this place so special, and I shake that feeling off because in the end, I know that if I’ve helped just a handful of people fall in love with our nation’s capital, I’ve done my part, and that’s all that matters.

And what have I learned over the course of the past five years? I’ve learned that working together and helping each other out makes us stronger, and that we have a better scene for it. So thank you, lovely people of Ottawa-Gatineau who believe in our local cultural scene and support it in one way or another. Let’s keep building this great little region of ours. Here’s to another five! *heart emoji*

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From Capital Pride and Arboretum to the Twist Festival and Barnstorm 17

Summer is slowly slipping away so before it’s over, make sure you enjoy the rest of the outdoor festivals and events before they’re long gone. If you’re in Ottawa-Gatineau this week and have time to check out some events, there’s no shortage of things to do. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below for ideas on what to do.

Capital Pride, Ottawa’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration,  is taking place from August 15 to August 21 this year. The 31st edition of this important community celebration will feature live performances by Jade London, Kiki Coe, Deko-ze, Sofonda Cox, Nefe, Eva Darling, Markida Brown, Rae Spoon, the Ottawa Stilt Union and several others. On the program this year, there will be the traditional flag raising ceremony at City Hall, an Alt Queer Art/Fashion Swap, a family picnic, a youth movie night, a human rights vigil, a Queer Con event and of course the pride parade. There’s a slew of other events being held in conjunction, so be sure to check out the full programming by clicking below for complete details.

This Tuesday night at Pressed Cafe, there’s going to be an all-ages show with Pittsburgh’s Brightside and Detroit’s Mover Shaker. Joining them on stage will be local indie/emo band Nighttime in Kansas and Ottawa indie lo-fi rock project Sparklesaurus.

Also on Tuesday night, you can check out one-man blues/rock project Bob Log III who’ll be playing live at House of Targ. This time around, the artist will be sharing the stage with Ottawa lounge lizards Casa Lagarto and tour mates The Kevin Dowling Fitness Hour who promise dancing good times.

The Arboretum Music Festival returns with a bigger and better 5th edition that runs from August 17-21 at various locations across the city. For 2016, Ottawa’s festival of new music and best kept secrets is back in full force with an eclectic programming spread out over 5 days that includes industry events and talks, BBQs, late night parties, and live music by Metz, Sloan, Mykki Blanco, Junglepussy, Hooded Fang, Safia Nolin, Nap Eyes, Evening Hymns and many others. Grab all the details by clicking below and support the local greatness that is Arboretum.

This Wednesday starting at 5 p.m., House of Targ presents the second Wizard Werks Craft Show featuring some of Ottawa’s craftiest vendors selling unique and handmade and repurposed items. Check it and support local craft wizards!

This Thursday, August 18, Queers & Beers is having a glitter hoppy edition at the 3 Brasseurs. For those unfamiliar with the concept, this monthly event is for those who love craft beer but not the sexist & heteronormative culture that sometimes comes with it. It’s for those who like getting together over interesting conversations and meeting new friends in a different atmosphere.

Montreal power pop/rock & roll band Dany Laj & The Looks are making their return to House of Targ this Thursday night and for the occasion they’ll be performing live with Edmonton alt country/rockers Altameda and Ottawa indie power pop/rock band Ornaments.

If you’re into punk and hardcore, you should make your way over to Cafe Deckuf this Friday night to catch Ottawa pop punks Bearings. The guys will be playing alongside Ottawa post hardcore band T-Rex Marathon and Gatineau/Ottawa post hardcore project Fractures & Outlines.

If you’re a fan of fibre, as in the kind that’s spun into yarn, then you’ll want to check out the Twist Festival happening this weekend in Saint-André-Avellin, a municipality located about 45 minutes away from Ottawa-Gatineau. The two-day annual event serves as a showcase for the fibre world and is intended for the general public, fibre enthusiasts, producers, fleece animal breeders, transformers, artists, artisans, professionals and semi-professionals. It’ll feature dozens of workshops, activities, a textile art exhibit with a modern twist and over 80 exhibitors from all trades of the fibre industry.

Barnstorm 2016 is being held this Saturday, August 20 at the usual spot in Finch, Ontario. This year’s edition of the annual music festival will feature live performances by The Jimmy Tri-Tone Band, Julie Corrigan, Harea Band, James Lecaire and Muffler Crunch among others. Free camping is available and encouraged for those who want to get their party on.

Something You Whisper will be making a stop in Ottawa this Saturday night as part of the Scream My Name Tour. The Cambridge post-hardcore band will be performing live at Cafe Dekcuf with Ottawa metal group Vesuvius, Ottawa melodic hardcore formation WKFLD, Ottawa progressive metal outfit Trentia and Ottawa metalcore project Eyes Over Sea.

If you’re into francophone hip hop, head over to the Minotaure in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Saturday night to check out Manu Militari live. The Quebec rapper will be performing live in an effort to promote his latest album Océan and he’ll be sharing the stage with Gatineau hip hop artist L’entracte.

The OhMyJam monthly is having a special pride x anniversary edition this Saturday, August 20. The dance party, which takes place at Babylon, will feature sets by DJs Lissa Monet, Sammy Rawal and D-Luxx Brown + Dae.

This Sunday, Somerset Street will turn into a block party dubbed the Community Love Project. A benefit for Ten Oaks, For Pivots Sake, Nishgonkoz and Around the Rainbow, the event will feature outdoor fun including DJs, a patio, beer, a BBQ, a photobooth, a youth stage, a family area and more.

Apparently, block parties are a hot trend these days, cause there’s another one happening this Sunday, this one on Bank St in the Glebe for which all proceeds will go directly to Interval House of Ottawa, a local women’s shelter. The fundraiser will include a Makers Market, live music, face painting, a BBQ, live art and hair cuts, braids and hair tattoos by donation from Studio B stylists.

This Sunday at Pressed, there’s a sweet lineup if you’re looking for an early all-ages show. There’s going to be live sets by Toronto new wave band Century Palm, Ottawa garage punks Average Times, Calgary garage pop group Feel Alright and Calgary psych project Fever Feel.

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From the Asinabka Festival and Capital Pride to Arboretum and Twist

Summer is slowly slipping away so before it’s over, make sure you enjoy the rest of the outdoor festivals and events before they’re long gone. If you’re in Ottawa-Gatineau this week and have time to check out some events, there’s no shortage of things to do. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below for a glimpse into the number of events happening in and around the National Capital Region in the coming days.

This Monday, August 17, North Carolina alternative rock n’ roll band He Is Legend will be performing live at Mavericks alongside rock n’ roll group Sleepwave, Ottawa melodic hardcore group Wkfld, Ottawa rock 4-piece Monsun, Ottawa metal duo Accretion and Ottawa progressive metal outfit The Aphelion.   

Also this Monday night, there’s going to be a small punk rock show at Raw Sugar Cafe featuring live sets by London punk rockers Heart Attack Kids, Vankleek Hill punk rock band Audio Visceral and Ottawa garage surf newcomers The Boreds.

For the fourth year, Ottawa will be home to the Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival celebrating Indigenous arts on Algonquin Territory. Following three successful years, the annual festival is back with a 2015 edition taking place from August 19 to 23 that promises to offer a rich and engaging programming emphasizing art works that examine Indigenous issues and topics. The festival will take place over four days and will feature film screenings and gallery exhibitions, some of which are being held outdoors. Click on the below poster for festival details and check out Eventful Capital’s special feature on Asinabka to find out more.

The Arboretum Music Festival returns with a bigger and better fourth edition that runs from August 19 to 22 and the event has new headquarters on Victoria Island while Arts Court is getting a facelift. For 2015, Ottawa’s festival of new music and best kept secrets is back in full force with an eclectic programming spread out over 4 days that includes live music by Austra, Braids, Hayden, The Sadies, New Swears, Scattered Clouds, Nightshades, Saxsyndrum and Fet.Nat. among several others. The lineup also includes art installations, interactive talks and warehouse after parties. Grab all the details by clicking below and support the local greatness that is Arboretum. 

The metal fans will want to head over to House of Targ this Wednesday night to check out Vancouver-based old school thrash metal band Aggression perform live with Ottawa metal group Signs Of Chaos and Ottawa metal project Opium Winter.

This Thursday night, PBR Thursdays present a night of heavy metal tunes featuring local hard rock veteran badasses Gnarly Brownm Montreal thrash/groove metal power trio Venomenon and Ottawa classic heavy metal/speed metal four-piece Vyc Vypyr.

Toronto spacey post punk band Sparrows will be performing live at Mavericks this Thursday night and for the occasion the four-piece will be sharing the stage with Ottawa alternative rock group The Superlative, Ottawa indie artist Hamn (a member of local group Those Gulls) and Ottawa acoustic musician Cory Levesque.

This Thursday night at Babylon, check your pants at the door and dance the night away with DJs Smiles and Sarita at the Pantless Pride Party in celebration of Ottawa’s diverse queer and trans community. The event will include door prizes and is being held in support of HIV/AIDs education initiatives in Ottawa.

This Friday night, join Ottawa punk rockers The Valveenus for their Catalyst album release show. The event, being held at Mavericks, will also feature live performances by Burlington folk/punk/rock band The Penske File, Montreal punk rock group Lost Love and Ottawa alternative garage rock trio Elementals.

If you’re looking for an intimate night of live folk music to kick off your weekend, be sure to make your way over to Pressed Cafe this Friday to catch roots folk band Allison Brown & Uncle Dan, folk/grunge/pop musician Ali McCormick and indie alternative folk artist David DaCosta.

This Friday, August 21, join Ottawa rock trio Metronome Jones for their CD Release Party happening at Zaphods. The show will also include live performances by Ottawa alternative hip hop group Alex Silas and The Subterraneans and Ottawa quintet Lost To The River, a project that emerged from the ruins of Miss Polygamy.

This Friday night, Ottawa’s favourite doughnut joint is hosting an outdoor screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox. The bring-your-own-chair event will be held in the Suzy Q parking lot and will start at dusk, not to mention it’ll include amazing snacks.

Ottawa rock and rockk 4-piece HELLbros! will be giving a show at House of Targ this Friday, August 21 and for the occasion they will be rocking out with Quebec City party rock band Dance Laury Dance, Ottawa glam rock group In Heat and delta blues rock duo Bearshark. A guaranteed good time.

The August instalment of 90s or Bust is going down this Friday night at Babylon and this time around, it’s the Street Dancer Edition. The popular monthly, that features the best in 1990s and early 2000 hip-hop and r&b jams is the perfect event to attend if you’re looking for a old school vibe dance party. 

This Saturday, August 22, Maker Space North will hold its official opening with a community showcase of makers, startups and an open house tour of the facilities. The all-ages free event will highlight the projects, interest groups, tech, tinkering and creative happenings that abound in the National Capital Region all under one roof at the new Maker Space North.

If you’re a fan of fibre, as in the kind that’s spun into yarn, then you’ll be happy to know that the Twist Festival is happening this weekend in St-André-Avellin, a municipality located about 45 minutes away from Ottawa-Gatineau. The two-day annual event serves as a showcase for the fibre world and is intended for the general public, fibre enthusiasts, producers, fleece animal breeders, transformers, artists, artisans, professionals and semi-professionals. It’ll feature dozens of workshops, activities, a textile art exhibit with a modern twist and over 80 exhibitors from all trades of the fibre industry.Over at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefiled this Saturday night, there will be a night of live music featuring two charismatic francophone artists. The show will open with flamboyant Ottawa-based alternative indie pop/rock/folk artist Mehdi Cayenne Club and it will be followed by a set from Toronto-based indie western/surf/folk musician Melanie Brulée.

Those of you who are into grindcore shouldn’t miss Belgian grindcore band Agathocles who’ll be stopping in Ottawa to give a live show at House of Targ this Saturday, August 22. The group will be playing alongside Montreal grindcore formation Powercup and Ottawa grindcore project Annoize.

Saturday night at the Atomic Rooster, Grasshawk Local Toons and Music + Art Sessions present Dynamite Motel’s Green Lights Album Release Party. The local jazz/r&b/soul singer-songwriter will be joined on stage by Ottawa grunge/rock band Emmas Ringer, who’ll be giving an acoustic set, Baritone folk rock musician Jess Cole. The event will also feature live art by Ottawa visual artist Peter Purdy and  music selections by DJ Billy.

This Sunday afternoon and evening, CKCU presents the Ottawa Rock Camp For Girls Summer Record Jam. Come hang out at Raw Sugar Cafe and learn how to spin vinyl, enjoy the breeze and listen up at the afternoon session featuring emerging DJs and seasoned vets. From 3-5pm, bring your own vinyl and from 5-8pm, listen to DJs Audrey Lourdes, Jas Nasty and more budding players spin some tunes. Proceeds from the event will go to support this year’s Ottawa Rock Camp for Girls.

September in the City: From Arboretum Music + Arts Festival to Capital Variety

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we head into the second week of September, the days get shorter and the nights cooler. Regardless, weather hasn’t dictated what or when we do things around here and that’s not about to start now because in the National Capital Region, let’s face it, we get such a wide range of weather extremes that if we’d be bothered by outside conditions we’d never go out. On this note, here’s a selection of events taking place in the national capital in the coming days. This is just a brief sample to give you ideas on fun events and activities happening in our city this week.

This Thursday, September 13, Convoy Unlimited, The KNWLDG and Electric Church Party present Dub FX and Flower Fairy live at St. Brigid’s Centre for Arts. The Australian street performer and recording artist will be in Ottawa with his partner as part of his 2012 North American tour. Dub FX is set to perform live alongside guests Snareophobe and Starfighterz. If you want to know more about this event, you can click the poster below.

 

 

Also this Thursday, September 13 is Capital Variety: a circus-inspired performance with dark roots and a comedy twist showcasing Ottawa’s best stage and street performers. This unique event, curated by  Twisted Minds of Ophelia and Helvetica Bold takes place at Babylon at 9pm and tickets can be purchased for $10. You can get more details by clicking the poster below.

 

 

 

Starting this Thursday, September 13 is Ottawa’s House of Paint festival which celebrates hip-hop culture in the capital. The 10th edition of this urban festival runs until Sunday, September 16 and includes workshops, performances and battles across the four elements of hip-hop: emceeing, deejaying, graffiti art, and break-dancing. On the final day of House of Paint, a concert under the bridge is scheduled with performances by Shad, Kid Koala, Maestro, Radio Radio and Flight Distance. Grab all the info you need by clicking below.

 

 

This Friday, September 14, Toxic Twins present Grillz and Glam: Back to School Edition starting at 11pm at Babylon Nightclub. You can find out more about this monthly event by clicking on the poster below.

This Saturday, September 15 is the launch of a brand-new music and arts festival called Arboretum. As some of you may remember, I attended the festival’s reveal party back in June and wrote a review highlighting the event’s planned programming. Well, it’s now time for the organizers to deliver the final product and prove that this new addition to the region’s festivals is worth celebrating. The Arboretum event wishes to offer a fun-filled day that promises to blend music, arts and food in a celebration of all-things local. Kudos to the organizers for adding children’s programming as well. A bit pricy for a first endeavor, tickets can be purchased ahead of time for $25 and  more will be available at the door for $35. Find out everything you need to know by clicking on the poster below.

 

Also on Saturday, September 15, Mavericks presents a live performance by singer-songwriter Holly McNarland. The Canadian folk-rock singer best-known for her single “Numb”, will be in the national capital to offer an intimate show to her fans and present songs off her recently-released latest album entitled Run Body Run. For ticket information and other details simply click on the image below.

 

Event Review: Arboretum Reveal and The Hidden Cameras at Westfest

This past Thursday, I attended the launch of a new arts, music and food festival called Arboretum at Babylon nightclub. The Arboretum reveal had for objective to announce what this new festival is all about and to raise funds in order to make it happen considering this will be the first edition and the organizers have a very limited budget to work with. Hence, admission was by donation.

Ontario breweries Beau’s and Kichesippi were specially on site to promote their beers as part of the festival’s food partners. Also on location was Art-Is-In Bakery, making delicious grilled-cheese sandwiches for the crowd to enjoy.

The decoration and event atmosphere was conceived by Carleton University architecture students who designed a progressive space with an emphasis on nature. Kitchen Party DJs got things started as both members of the media and public trickled into Babylon, after which Managing Director Marlene Powers and Artistic Director Rolf Klausener made their way to the stage to announce the line-up.

Powers and Klausener began by explaining how they had the idea to create an urban camping festival in the city by putting an emphasis on nature and the local scene. They highlighted the festival’s partners which include Forest School Canada, Artengine, CHUO FM, Saw Gallery, the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and Ottawa Explosion. By presenting the National Capital Region with something off the beaten path, they hope to offer visual and media artist collaborations as well as showcase the most progressive foods rooted in the community. Part of Arboretum’s mandate is to remain local and this is reflected in their music selection which ranges from Adam Saikaley to Highneken to Gatineau-band Eraserheads and Montreal-based Snailhouse.

Several fundraising incentives will be taking place throughout the summer to raise funds for Arboretum and you can find all of the details on the official website here. The festival is set to take place on September 15 at the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel. More to come!

Then on Friday, June 8, I attended Westfest for the first time and checked out The Hidden Cameras on the main stage. Not only was it my first time at Westfest, it was also my first time in Westboro and I was immediately charmed by the boutiques and cute store facades. What a great way to discover one of the many unique neighborhoods of Ottawa! And all that without spending a penny (aside from my Bridgehead Chai Latte that is)! The Hidden Cameras, an indie-pop band from Toronto, were a nice musical discovery as well 🙂 Although the sound wasn’t very good, the group put on an energetic show and performed a variety of songs from their repertoire including several crowd-pleasers. All in all, a great family-friendly festival, which is extremely accessible and fun to partake in! Kudos Westfest!