Spring is finally upon us and what better way to celebrate its arrival than by going out to attend some of the great events being held this week in our nation’s capital. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks for a glimpse into what’s happening in and around Ottawa-Gatineau in the upcoming days. This Tuesday night at Mavericks, Whitby, Ontario pop country duo The Stellas will be performing live alongside Tim Chiasson and local pop rock singer-songwriter and guitar player Laurent Bourque. 
If you’re into hardcore and punk, don’t miss South Carolina hardcore band Abacus, Louisiana doom metal group Christworm, Ottawa technical-melodic punks Sidelines and Ottawa post metal/noise rock project Black Oak Decline live at House of Targ.
A true celebration of artistic talent across Canada and beyond, the 5th annual edition of VerseFest combines written poetry, spoken word, and French and English in the most ambitious festival to date. Sixty-three talented poets from across the planet will perform from March 24 to March 30 at 21 intimate events happening around the capital city.
Ottawa-based 4-piece Harea Band will be hosting a video release show at Raw Sugar Cafe this Wednesday night for the song “Smile”. The local pop/rock group will be performing live alongside special guest Jensen Grant.
This Thursday night at Mavericks, catch Montreal/Ottawa hardcore band Obey The Brave live. For the occasion, the group will be performing alongside Ottawa metalcore/post hardcore group Of Reverie, Ottawa hardcore/metal/punks Footsteps to Gaia and Ottawa hardcore project Life On Trial.
The Cross Ontario Unity Tour will be making a stop in Ottawa this Thursday, March 26. The show, featuring live performances by hip-hop artists Deuce The Prodigy, Knoncents, C-Note, Tempo Mental, and Shine Boy, among others, will be held at Ritual.
Local visual artist Mawt Trood is having a vernissage this Thursday at Raw Sugar Cafe to launch his first zine titled Hulltramar as well as a series of illustrations representing storefronts from Chinatown to Vieux Hull. For the occasion, DJ Ste_phono will be taking care of the tunes.
CKCU’s Both Kinds of Music is turning 10 years old and to celebrate a decade on the airwaves, the radio show host is throwing two live music shows, one being held at House of Targ on Friday night featuring Chris Page, G. Rogers and the Capital Dominion Radiators, and Lone Pig and the other happening at Irene’s Pub on Saturday night with Saint Clare, Trevor Alguire and Mark Ripp. Happy birthday Both Kinds of Music!
Over in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Thursday night, RÉÉL-Radio presents Patrick Lac & South Heaven live at the Cafe Tonik. The show, which you can attend for free, will also feature a set by Outaouais singer-songwriter and guitar player Natacha Paquette.
The March edition of Party Pack goes down this Friday night at Multi Social Room with usual suspects Laocapone an Foster. This instalment will feature a special guest DJ set by Montreal/Saintwoods DJ and Producer WYLN.
If you’re into punk and hardcore, be sure to make your way over to the Bistro in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Friday night to check out Salt Lake City’s Cult Leader, New Jersey’s Old Wounds, Ottawa-Gatineau’s Iron Golem, Gatineau’s Accretion and Ottawa’s Stuck. It’s an early show that’ll start at 6:40 pm sharp since there’s another event happening at the same venue later that night so be sure to show up on time if you want to see all the bands perform.
Montreal-based artist (Xavier) Cafeine, originally from Aylmer, will be performing live at the Petit Chicago this Saturday night as part of a mini-tour of Quebec that he’s giving following his return from California. The post pop punk artist will be sharing the stage with Montreal garage pop punk 4-piece Sonic Avenues.
If you’re looking for something more underground in style and nature, Anomaly will take over House of Common this Friday night with sounds by Theaternia vs Cabaal and interactive visual projections by Drifnote vs. Hard Science.
Celebrate the arrival of Spring and chase away Winter at the annual Doldrums Music Festival being held this Friday and Saturday at Pressed Cafe and Club SAW respectively. The Friday show will feature live performances by local musicians Winchester Warm, Tindervox, Black Dogs and Riishi Von Rex. If you plan on attending, be sure to get there early as Pressed is a very small venue.
B.A. Johnston is making a return to House of Targ this Friday night and for the occasion the self-proclaimed “failed showman” and funny man musician will be sharing the stage with Ottawa’s Dead Weights local garage band Sailor Jupiter and stand-up comedian The Unknown Wrestler for good measure. 
The Double Barrel monthly is going down inside the newly-renovated Mercury Lounge this Friday night. Resident DJ Magnificent will be gracing the wheels of steel in fancy attire as per usual and he’ll be joined by special guest DJ Illo for the occasion. A funk, soul, Motown and vintage reggae dance party like no other!
Ottawa hip-hop duo Buck N’ Nice will be celebrating their birthdays this Friday, March 27 with a special show happening at The Daily Grind. The festivities will include live sets by Toronto hip-hop artist M.O. Littles, Ottawa emcee Max Ventura (formerly known as Tukan) & DJ/Producer Max Zims, and Sudbury’s Chezza.
The second night of the 2015 Doldrums Music Festival is going down at Club SAW this Saturday night and will feature post-hardcore/punk duo Big Dick, power pop/blues-punk band Ornaments, psych-rock project Pith & the Parenchymas and post-punk group Dreamphone.
Calgary singer-songwriter and guitarist Samantha Savage Smith will be performing live at Cafe Nostalgica this Saturday night in an effort to promote her latest album “Fine Lines”. The artist will be giving a live set alongside Montreal/Ottawa indie pop/rock 4-piece Future States and Ottawa alternative folk musician Justice R.F.
Local favourites The Souljazz Orchestra are giving a hometown show at Babylon This Saturday night. As one of the band members once said “these nights are straight-up mayhem. Get there early, it’s first-come, first-serve.” That says it all.
At the Blacksheep Inn this Sunday afternoon, why not catch a matinee show filled with soul, rhythm, and groove? Local artists Gary Slimmoore and the New Soul Project will be sharing the stage with local blues/soul singer-songwriter Bella Cat.
If you enjoy ska, punk and reggae, be sure to make your way over to Mavericks this Sunday night to check out New York City ska band The Slackers live in Ottawa. The lively 6-piece will be performing alongside Montreal ska/reggae group The Beatdown, Toronto-based ska/punk outfit The Cardboard Crowns and Ottawa ska/reggae band The Sentries.
