August is already upon us, which means there’s a month left of summertime fun to enjoy before it’s back to school and/or the work, eat, sleep, repeat routine. 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.
Calgary metal band Lie Among Us will be performing live at the Rainbow Bistro this Wednesday night as part of the Transcendence Tour. The lineup will also include Ottawa industrial metalcore group Greylights, Edmonton future space grove outfit Eternal Prophecy, Ottawa progressive death metal project Dissentient and Ottawa progressive metal band Trentia.
If you’re into jazz music, head over to Pressed Cafe this Wednesday night for the Jazz Trio Double Bill. The night of live music will feature a performance by Chris Maskell, Alex Bilodeau, and Michel Delage, a new trio made up of established musicians from the Ottawa jazz scene which explores both classic songs and lesser-known gems from the traditional jazz repertoire. The night will also feature a set by Henley, Bilodeau and Eskritt, a trio of young improvisers from around the National Capital Region.
Burlington, Ontario alternative rock band Finger Eleven will be performing live at Mavericks this Thursday, August 14 in an effort to promote their latest album Five Crooked Lines. For the occasion, the 4-piece will be sharing the stage with Ottawa rock bands Iconoclast and The Bigmuffs.
This Thursday night at the Mercury Lounge, Johannesburg, South Africa’s Mi Casa will be giving a live performance. The 3-piece band, who’ll also be hitting up Toronto and Vancouver, will be delivering a set filled with soulful house infused with jazz and gospel elements and they’ll be joined by Ottawa’s Tribal Threat DJs.
From August 14 to 16, over in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau, there will be the second “Festival de la Principale”, a family-friendly event stretched over one kilometer along the main road. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to enjoy live music outdoors, a hot-dog eating contest, a public market, an outdoor cinema, board games, and an oyster shucking contest among other activities.
Toronto natives Crash Karma will be performing live at Mavericks this The rock 4-piece made up of members from I Mother Earth, The Tea Party, Our Lady Peace and Zygote will be giving a show alongside Ottawa hard rock 5-piece Crossing Jane.
This Friday night over at Live on Elgin, there will be a show featuring a great local lineup including alternative rock band The Haig and hip hop artists Yusso, Aron the Alien and wotts who’ll be releasing their new EP album for the occasion.
This Friday night at House of Targ, local project The Ya-Ya’s will be performing live, bludgeoning the Rolling Stones with relative competence. Get out there and play some pin-ball, eat delicious perogies, sip on tasty brew and jam to rock music. That’s the life, no?
The August edition of Hip Hop Karaoke is going down this Friday night at the Elmdale with usual suspects DJ So Nice and Atherton. If you want to perform and impersonate Nicki Minaj by doing that Feelin’ Myself track you spent hours memorizing in front of the mirror, now’s your chance to show the National Capital what you’re made of.
Silk, the best R&B dance party in the capital city, is back this Saturday night at its new outdoor spot over at 73 North on Sparks. As per usual, resident DJs Matty McGovern, Matt Tamblyn and Eric Roberts will take care of playing your favourite R&B hits while you dance the night away in the open air.
This Saturday, August 15, there will be a special show at Mavericks dubbed Artists for Awareness: Raising Awareness for Victims of Sexual Assault. Ottawa acid pop musician Cosmo Doris, Ottawa pop punkers Shootin’ Blanx, and Ottawa punk band The Dreaded Rebels will be joining forces to raise money for the Sexual Assault Support Center of Ottawa and the event will also feature the art of visual artist Victoria Evans.
Over in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Saturday, August 15 is the 9th annual pétanque tournament being held at Fontaine Park. The free event will include animation all day courtesy of DJ Fitness, a BBQ and bar service as well as a play area for the little ones. A retro-kitch theme will be in full effect this year and costumes/themed outfits are strongly encouraged.
R.A.P.S.Ody is Ottawa’s new monthly event where urban artists compete in a classic “cypher” hip hop format. Happening at the Flava Factory this Saturday evening, the event will feature cyphers including spoken word artists, rappers, dancers, beatboxers, singers and a live performance by special guest Dee Ciple who’ll be presenting a special King Kunta dance routine.
If you can’t catch Greylights on Wednesday, you can also see them live this Saturday at Pressed Cafe. This time around, they’ll be performing alongside Ottawa high energy angular riff rock band Heavy Traffic and Ottawa metal duo Obsidian Will.
Over at the Blacksheep Inn in beautiful Wakefield this Saturday, Amos The Transparent will be giving a live show. The Ottawa alternative folk rock 6-piece will be performing with Ottawa alternative folk rock singer-songwriter and guitar player Cody Allen.
If you’re looking for an eclectic night of live music this Saturday night, the Avant-Garde Bar has got just the show for you. The lineup will include sets by Burlington indie folk rock band Oh Geronimo, Ottawa experimental psychedelic duo ONFIILM, Ottawa dream pop duo Willows, Montreal alternative rock/blues/grunge 5-piece Blank Bullets and Stouffville, Ontario musician Greg Mashinter.
Ottawa punk rock wizards The Glorious Moonrockets will be rocking out on stage at House of Targ this Saturday night. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Edmonton psych/grunge punk band Dead Fibres and Ottawa funk/punk/surf rock 4-piece Randy Shenanigans.
Over at Babylon this Saturday night, Off Beat will be hosting a pre-Pride Festival pop party with DJ Matt Tamblyn who’ll be playing all kinds of sexy, dirty pop music going back to the turn of the century. This monthly party is always a guaranteed fun night of dancing to guilty pleasures!
This weekend, August 14, 15 and 16 head over to Gatineau for the annual Festival Molokai, which celebrates world cultures. This 3-day festival, now in its 8th year, offers a mix of shows, exhibitions and cuisine for all. For details and the full festival program, just click on the poster below.
