Another week, another round-up of noteworthy events happening in and around the National Capital Region. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below to find out what’s happening in Ottawa-Gatineau in the days ahead.
Los Angeles Hip-Hop artist Dumbfoundead, also known as Parker, will be performing live at Babylon this Tuesday night. For the occasion, the independent rapper will be sharing the stage with Ottawa hip-hop artist Charron, Ottawa hip-hop group Swift Crew, and local hip-hop trio The Adding Machine.
Just back from a US tour, the double Maple Blues Award winner and Juno nominee for this year’s blues album of the year, JW-Jones, will be launching the 21th edition of Viree Blues Boreale this Wednesday night. For the occasion, he’ll be joined on stage by two other Maple Blues Award nominees, Irene Torres (The Sugar Devils) and Jon Knight (Soulstack) in this very special show happening at the Petit Chicago.
On Thursday Feb 12th, the Avant Garde Bar presents a the Redrum Comedy show featuring a superb lineup of amazing Ottawa talent. Redrum is a live comedy night like no other presenting performances filled with laughter and drama.
From February 12 to February 15, over in the Hull sector of Gatineau, the Music Conservatory presents its 10th annual Guitar Festival featuring live performance, master classes, and conferences. If you’re into traditional and modern guitar, this celebratory event is right up your alley.
The second edition of the Ottawa Implosion festival is going down from February 12 to 15 at Gabba Hey and House of Targ and also serves as Bruised Tongue Recs’ anniversary celebration. Over 3 days, there will be live performances by local garage punk bands and out-of-towners including Boyhood, Monomyth, Big Dick, Ultrathin, and Pregnancy Scares who’ll be giving their last show. 
The Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival’s second weekend runs from this Friday, February 13 and until February 15. This weekend’s lineup will include performances by The Lost Fingers, Esmerine, Martha Wainwright, Scott Helman and several more. Check out the entire programming by clicking on the poster below.
As part of his Canadian tour, rapper Sean Brown will be making a stop in Ottawa this Thursday night to give a live performance at Babylon nightclub. The Toronto-based hip-hop artist, signed to Kid Ink’s Tha Alumni Music Group, will be joined on stage by supporting acts Mace Milly, Kidd Major, Antonyo, and more.
The organizers of the Gatineau Festibiere are presenting the inaugural edition of the Winter Brewfest to be held February 13 and 14 inside and outside the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park. This beer-lovers’ festival, featuring local breweries Beau’s, Beyond the Pale, Big Rig, and Kichesippi among others, will also include yummy eats courtesy of LOCAL Lansdowne and music by DJs Kid SL, Illo and more.
In conjunction with Start Up Dance, the INDI presents the “XO” Choreographers Showcase. This showcase, set to expose Ottawa’s best dance choreography is taking place at Shenkman Arts Center this Friday, February 13. Open to all genres of dance, this community event is set to provide an open space for choreographers to show their craft, alongside their selected dancers.
This Friday night at Venus Envy, celebrate the book launch of “Russell Square Station: mine the trash”, the new poetry and art book by spoken word poet Sylvie Hill and visual artist Dixon. The event will feature 1 hour of sharing and reading from the book with an author Q&A, moderated by Rick Kaulbars. For more info, simply click on the event poster below.
As part of the Ottawa Implosion weekend, local-based garage punk duo Big Dick will be releasing a new LP titled “Disappointment”. Happening at House of Targ, the show will also feature a live set by garage-shock noise two-piece The Famines of Montreal. 
The third annual “You Now Have Valentine’s Day Plans” edition of Girlz & Glam is going down this Friday night at Bablyon. For the occasion, the Grillz & Glam fam is dedicating the night to celebrating the ladies of the 613. As per usual, local DJs Brains4brkfst will be taking care of your musical needs and providing the soundtrack to your Vday massacre alongside guest DJ Foster.
Over at SAW Gallery this Friday night, Snowblower Ottawa and the Queer Mafia present POP [dance dance dance], a (surprise!) dance party featuring music by DJs Matt Tamblyn of Ottawa and Kasey Riot of Vancouver. Ever want to be a prancing unicorn? Well this party is the one for you as organizers invite you to dress up in neon, spandex, unitards and wigs for a colourful night of dancing.
This coming Saturday, A Curious Shop presents “For the Love of Winter”, a showcase featuring over 30 local crafters selling pottery, prints, jewelry, toys, clothing, housewares, soaps, tasty treats. The event, happening at the corner of Lisgar and Elgin, will also include plenty of fun Valentine’s Day activities for couples, families and friends. The first 30 guests in the door will get a free swag bag!
Local folk musician Craig Cardiff will be spending the weekend at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield to offer 3 special Valentine’s day performances to share material from his latest album Love is Louder (Than All This Noise). Cardiff will be giving an early show on Saturday afternoon followed by an evening set, and he will give a third performance the following day, on Sunday, February 15 at 4 pm.
This Saturday, the Mercury Lounge and the NAC present Wolf Gang Series Part 1, a night of music with a wild side where classical meets funk. The NAC is taking its orchestra out of their traditional space and putting a special spin on DJ Trevor Walker’s funk boogie set, all in one night. This promises to be a very special night of live music!
The Love Boat, a special Valentine’s Day show with cover band PleasureCraft, is happening this Saturday night at Irene’s Pub. The local band will be playing the best of ’75-’85 soft rock and AM radio gold while you groove all night to their smooth and sexy sounds.
Montreal, psych-punk band Ultrathin will be releasing their brand new s/t LP on Bruised Tongue and celebrating the launch with a live show happening at Gabba Hey! this Saturday night. For the occasion, the group will be joined by Montreal psychedelic band Birds of Paradise, Ottawa proto-punk superfreaks Chloroform and Toronto punk newcomers Plasmalab. This event is being presented as part of Ottawa Implosion vol. 2.
Quebec dance/rock band Midnight Romeo is making a return to the Outaouais this Saturday night and will be performing live at the Petit Chicago. As part of the event, the 5-piece will be sharing the stage with Wakefield-based electro/pop/rock band The Strain who’ll take care of opening the the show.
DJs Magnificent and Jas Nasty have teamed up to bring you Tainted Love, a night of strictly vinyl featuring the best love & scorned love songs from the 1950s-1970s. The event, happening this Saturday at the intimate Raw Sugar Cafe, is sure to make you move and groove.
Ottawa punk band Pregnancy Scares will be giving their last show ever this Sunday, February 15 as part of the Ottawa Implosion weekend. The matinee show, happening at Gabba Hey, will also feature sets by Montreal sewer rock band Subsistench, Ottawa punk project Sick Nurse and Ottawa garage newcomers Sailor Jupiter.
