If you want to kick off your week by taking a trip down memory lane, you can catch The Teat Party live at the Algonquin Commons Theatre. The Canadian rock (or “Moroccan roll”) band which was a huge hit in the 90s will be playing live in Ottawa alongside The Road Heavy as part of their 20 Years of Transmission reunion tour.
From March 1-11 at the Gladstone Theatre, you can catch Finishing The Suit, a play written by Lawrence Aronovitch that’s set in 1972, when being out of the closet can get you jailed. But inside a Jewish tailor’s shop, all secrets are on the measuring table, as the tailor puts the finishing touches on a morning suit. Eavesdrop as he remembers and mourns the two great loves of his life: a young, brash Irish actor and an enigmatic, battle-weary duke.
At Live on Elgin this Wednesday, March 1, you can start the new month in music with live performances by Ottawa’s Jumpin Joel Flash & The Magic Machine, multi-instrumentalist Jasen Colson and jazzy pop singer-songwriter Alanna Sterling.
The Ottawa Jazz Festival is swinging into spring with a live annual auction and benefit concert featuring Latin Grammy/Juno winner, singer-songwriter Alex Cuba at Library & Archives Canada this Thursday, March 2. The auction, hosted by auctioneer Alan Neal of the CBC, will be followed by a performance by latin sensation Alex Cuba, who will take the stage to present his latest release Healer.
If you’re up for a night of live local music this Thursday night, head over to House of Targ to catch Ottawa rock band Riishi Von Rex, soul/blues singer-songwriter Bella Cat and reggae outfit Nile Groove.
Red Bull Crashed Ice: there’s nothing quite like it! This intense high-energy event will be happening in Canada’s capital city this weekend and for the first time ever. The event will feature the World Junior Championship and Ice Cross Downhill World Series Season Finale, between the Bytown Museum, the Rideau Canal locks and the Chateau Laurier. This event is free and open to the public and presented as part of Canada 150.
Toronto punk rockers Billy Talent will be making a stop in Ottawa this Friday night as part of their Afraid of Heights Tour. This time around, the guys will be playing live at TD Place over at Lansdowne.
Ottawa post hardcore/experimental band Halfsleeper will be giving their first show of 2017 this Friday night at an undisclosed location (in other words it’s a house show) and they’ll be joined by Toronto post rock/instrumental group Vistas and Ottawa alt rock/grunge trio Elementals.
Sam Patch (made of up members of Arcade Fire) will be playing live at Zaphods this Friday night and for the occasion, the Montreal indie project will be sharing the stage with Montreal dream pop outfit Loon and Ottawa indie rock newcomers Baker (André M. Bluteau and members of Lost to the River).
This Friday night at Bar Robo, three of Ottawa’s saddest songwriters will croon softly to you about loves lost and opportunities missed with their own brands of folk/country musings.
Double Barrel, one of Ottawa’s most popular monthly dance parties, is going down inside its new home at Babylon this Friday night. Resident DJ Magnificent will be gracing the 1s and 2s with his new sidekick Trevor Walker and there will also be a live performance by Ottawa’s new funk outfit Slack Bridges. Detroit Soul Food will also be back to provide tasty eats. An all-vinyl funk, soul, Motown and vintage reggae dance party you don’t want to miss!
The Brass Monkey seems to increasingly be the place to go to check out quality rock, metal and hardcore shows and this Saturday is no different as the venue welcomes Buffalo hardcore/metal band Every Time I Die, Kentucky hardcore/nu-metal group Knocked Loose, Chicago hardcore outfit Harms Way, and Pittsburgh hardcore/metal project Eternal Sleep.
At the Minotaure in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Saturday night, Vile Productions presents a four-band bill featuring Gatineau rockers Eldorado, Gatineau rockers Colorsfade, Toronto project Polarity and Ottawa/Montreal rock outfit Règlement17.
The good folks at Venus Envy are turning 16 this year and they’re throwing their 4th annual fundraising group show of erotic/sensual/sexy work called the Filthy Dirty Art Show. The event will be held on Saturday, March 4 and will feature works by artists Mique Michelle, Twin Ravens, Alexandre Aimee, RJ Jones, Daniel Davidson and more and there will be live music by DJ del Pilar.
On Saturday night at the always-cool Record Centre, Ottawa Showbox, the OMIC and JUNOfest present Sight & Sound, an immersive audiovisual experience merging live music and video projections featuring Amos the Transparent, Trails and VJ LES666.
Over at the Petit Chicago this Saturday night, do yourself a favour and check out Montreal dance punks Duchess Says if you’re in the mood for a fun and rowdy show. The Bonsound signees are set to play live with Gatineau’s own FET.NAT and knowing these two bands, it’s bound to be an epic show that you won’t want to miss.
What’s cool about the Deep Therapy monthly is that it keeps happening at different locations. This Saturday, it’ll explore the potential of an all new venue, Ottawa’s Arts Court. 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.
Afropolitan is a 5-month series of events presented at the Mercury Lounge as part of Canada 150 that features DJs, percussionists and dancers showcasing the strong African, Caribbean, and Latin influences that have shaped today’s house music. The second edition happening this Saturday, March 4 will feature DJ Gabe Price of Montreal alongside the Tribal Threat DJs.
The Listening Party is a brand new monthly event happening at Makita Kitchen Bar that celebrates classic, new and local albums played in their entirety. We’re talking start to finish. Each month, organizers will select one record to be played based on their desires, your input and weather patterns. The inaugural event will feature the 1987 Grammy’s album of the year Graceland by Paul Simon. Love the concept, hope it’s as cool as it sounds.
Local DJ Jon Deck is bringing his We Good party back at the Elmdale this Saturday night and this latest edition will feature a live set by Redbull Thre3style Champion DJ COSMO of Montreal. The event will also include a pop-up shop that should be announced soon.
Ottawa’s own Chef Chico and Aunt Thelma’s are hosting the next Hip Hop Hangover Brunch of 2017 this Sunday, March 5. Happening at Kinki, the popular event will feature a finger-licking good thematic brunch menu paired with beats provided by Professor Mele and friends. One of the most solid brunches that you’ll ever try, trust me and my tummy.
The 2nd Annual Westfest “ALL STAR” Fundraiser, hosted by Councilor Jeff Lieper & local music icon Jim Bryson, is happening this Sunday afternoon at Orange Art Gallery. You can expect jam-packed live entertainment from the likes of Craig Cardiff, Mike Dubue (of Hilotrons), River City Junction, Jesse Dangerously and more as well as craft beer, wine & vodka, local fair-trade coffee, delicious food, and more.
If you want to end your weekend by checking out some live music, head over to Bar Robo this Sunday night to catch Vancouver indie rock/post punks Bad Pop, Ottawa indie garage band Empty Nesters and Ottawa garage rockers Holy Christopher.