What’s nice about this time of year is that promoters, organizers, artists and venues tend to kick it up a notch to offer a wide selection of entertainment options for those looking to go out throughout the month of December. Wether you’re looking for live music shows or dance parties Eventful Capital’s got you covered with a selection of noteworthy events happening around Ottawa-Gatineau in the week ahead.
‘Tis the season for giving and for the occasion, singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards and Ian Reid are putting on a fundraiser at the Manx Pub this Monday, December 16 to raise much-needed funds for the Shepherds of Good Hope. The two will be performing some live music and presenting some readings for the cause.
On Tuesday, December 17, head over to Maxwell’s Bistro and Club to catch Jonesey’s Beatlemania Christmas Show. Jonesey and the GreyTones will be performing live in celebration of to the annual Christmas shows the Beatles performed starting in 1963. 
SAW Video’s last party of the year is going down this Wednesday at Club SAW. Hosted by Ottawa comedian Greg Houston, the event will feature old-school country jams courtesy of DJ Lefty McRighty followed by a live performance by Ball & Chain and the Wreckers, one of Ottawa’s best live country acts. There will also be a silent auction and Spice Box whiskey flowing. 
The Radioactive indie music series presents Little Suns live at the Mercury Lounge this Thursday, December 19. The Montreal-based group will be launching their debut album “Normal Human Feelings” and they’ll be performing alongside opening acts The Sick Sick Sicks and Sparrowshanks. 
This Thursday, December 19, check out the first #Minktacular mobile photography exhibit at Kinki Restaurant. This one-night-only exhibition will feature street photography by Mink Wiliams as well as local haunts and creative edits and music and entertainment by DJ Inferno and Koston Kreme of Capital Tease Burlesque. 
If you’re into the local hip-hop scene, be sure to hit up Ritual this Thursday to catch Prehistoric’s ” Walking Backwards on an Escalator” Album Release. The launch will feature a live performance by Prehistoric along with opening sets by local hip-hop artists Bender of Flight Distance, Atherton, Philly Moves, Dallas Waldo and Spitten Image. 
The monthly Silk RnB Dance Party is taking over Babylon Nightclub this Thursday, December 19. DJs Matty McGovern, Eric Roberts and Matt Tamblyn are going big and promise to deliver the best and sexiest RnB jams to get you dancing all night. Remember Mya’s Case of the Ex and JLo’s Jennie From the Bock? Best believe you’ll be hearing this kind of gold at Silk! 
If you prefer rocking out this week, check out Headstones live in concert at Mavericks this Friday and Saturday. The Toronto-based punk rock group will be performing live in Ottawa alongside opening act Gloryhound in an effort to promote their latest album “Love + Fury”. 
Wanna relive the 90s pop craze with the Spice Girls this week? Then be sure to head to Babylon this Friday, December 20 for 90s or Bust featuring Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute Act. Wannabe will bring you as close to the real deal as you can get with huge personalities, costumes, dance moves, glitter, confetti and platform shoes. After the show, stick around for the 90s or Bust dance party with resident DJs Palm D’or and Pat Johnson.
The Mercury Lounge’s Locally Grown Series presents Funktion with DJs Disko Dave and Plush this Friday, December 20. The duo will be giving a live DJ set complete with the latest house, breaks and beats. 
Over in Gatineau, Powerhouse presents Nussknacker Xmas before Xmas in the Grand Hall at the Canadian Museum of Civilization this Saturday, December 21. This massive dance party will feature live DJ sets by TJR, Arabika, Martin Villeneuve and Mayro. 
‘Tis the season for sweating & grinding. Another dance party happening this Saturday is OhMyJam Drop Low Edition being held at Babylon. Queer hip-hop, dancehall and RnB jams will be provided by DJs NDN of A Tribe Called Red and D-luxx Brown including a live twerking performance by Toronto’s House of Monroe. 
