The sun is shining, the snow is finally melting and everyone’s clearly rejoicing that Spring is here to stay. With that, there’s no lack of things happening this week in the National Capital to celebrate Mother Nature’s benevolence. Wether you’re looking for music shows, dance parties, a film projection, a foodie fest or a vintage fashion show, Eventful Capital’s got you covered. Check out this week’s picks below for a selection of noteworthy events happening around Ottawa-Gatineau in the days ahead.
The metal heads will be happy to know that there are lots of metal show happening in Ottawa this week. First off, Kitchener hardcore group Exalt will be performing live at Luneta Bistro this Monday, April 7. They’ll be joined by New Jersey hardcore band Old Wound, Ottawa hardcore group Contempt and Gatineau hardcore four-piece Spaz Out.
This Monday, April 7, One World Arts presents the Ottawa premiere of Defensora, an award-winning documentary by Canadian filmmaker Rachel Schmidt. The screening, taking place at the ByTowne Cinema as a fundraiser for the One World Film Festival, will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker, Actress & activist Tantoo Cardinal, Rachel Warden of KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives and Cory Wanless of Klippensteins, Barristers and Solicitors.
Indie City Madness presents Lounge Act…It’s a Nirvana Cover Act this Tuesday night at Avant Garde Bar. The night of music will feature live Nirvana-inspired performances by local groups Elementals, The Haig, Emmas Ringer and several others.
Australia deathcore/metal band Thy Art is Murder will be performing live at Mavericks this Thursday, April 10. The Distort/Nuclear Blast Records group will be joined on stage by Illinois metal/hardcore band Sworn In, Ottawa metal/hardcore formation Abraxas, and Ottawa metal groups The Thirteenth Floor and Sawed-Off Shogun.
The Radioactive music series is featuring indie rock group The Goodluck Assembly live in concert this Thursday night. Presented by Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. and the Mercury Lounge, the show will include an opening set by Kennedy Cult, a heartbreak pop four-piece that released one EP a month in 2013.
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of eats, beats and brews this Thursday night, head over to Babylon for Beer, Barley and Food, a fundraiser for Mary’s Meals. With live music by Lefty McRighty & The Sinister Six, the event will feature beers from Beaus, Kichesippi, Clock Tower and Ashton Brewing Company along with food by chefs Mike Radford of Whalesbone, Jarrah Reynolds of the Manx Pub, Steve Mitton of Murray Street and others.
This Thursday, April 10, the Arboretum organizers bring you ARB#14 featuring Montreal/Toronto group Phèdre live at Pressed. The psych pop band will be performing alongside musical guests Boyhood and Ken Park.
Over in the Hull sector of Gatineau at the Daïmôn Studio this Friday, April 11, Polish composer and musician Piotr Kurek will be giving a rare live performance. The Warsaw-based electronic music producer will be joined by local synth artist Sinequanon for the occasion.
Pecha Kucha Ottawa is back this Friday with a 10th edition happening at Club SAW. The night bringing together innovative and creative individuals alike will feature a DJ set by local art rock group Pony Girl and visuals courtesy of VJ Ina. Tickets to the presentations are *free* for those who register at http://pechakuchaottawa10.eventbrite.ca.
If you’re into indie experimental sounds, head over to Pressed Cafe this Friday, April 11 for a night of music with Montreal garage band Tang Soleil. The group will be joined by Ottawa indie six-piece Paterson Hall, Ottawa freakfolk/experimental project Pith and the Parenchymas and Ottawa synth/wave duo Jaguar Saint.
Over at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield, Claude Munson and the Storm Outside will be giving a live performance alongside special musical guest Jesse Mac Cormak from Montreal who’ll join the Ottawa-based folk rock group for the opening set.
Montreal-based artist Hua Li will be performing live at Overkill this Friday as part of La Petite Mort Gallery’s UP / DOWN / CHARM / STRANGE / TOP / BOTTOM | LA TRAMPA (MEXICO CITY) collective art show. She’ll be doing it up alongside resident DJ Balu for the occasion.
Good Problems, Kapacity and Flex have joined forced to bring you Toronto-based trio Keys N’ Krates. The hip-hop/electronic “trap band” affiliated to Dim Mak Records, will be accompanied by Ottawa-based artist NDMA and Trap/Moombahton/Electro DJ Tesbossterone. Keys N’ Krates always deliver a solid live performance so this promises to be a great night.
The good people behind Ottawa Explosion present Funhouse! this Friday night at Mugshots. The 11th edition of this well-attended punk and new wave dance party will feature live performances by Victoria, BC grunge-evoking group Babysitter and Sudbury-based punk band Geyser.
After a 6-year hiatus, SuicideGirls is bringing back the popular Blackheart Burlesque Tour and for the occasion they’ll be making a stop in Ottawa this Saturday, April 12. The 10pm show is sold out, but the organizers have added a second show at 7pm due to overwhelming demand. With stripteases and performances poking fun at Game of Thrones, The Big Lebowski, Planet of the Apes, and Star Wars, this is sure to be a very entertaining night. Foodies and pasta lovers will want to make their way over to Aylmer this Saturday to feast at the first ever Pasta Festival. Being held between 11:30 am and 3:00 pm, the event will allow you to taste a variety of pasta dishes from a number of local chefs.
Oshawa-based metal group Sleep When You’re Dead will be performing live at Club SAW on Saturday, April 12. They’ll be joined on stage by Ottawa Metal/Electronic group Greylights, Gatineau Progressive/Melodic Deathcore band Pear of Anguish, Progressive Metalcore project Of Burning Empires and Ottawa/Cornwall metal 5-piece Through Lucid Eyes. Over in Wakefield, Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume will be performing live at the Blacksheep Inn with a full band. The Ottawa-based roots folk musician will be accompanied by Sarah Smith who’ll be warming up the crowd with her opening set.
Toronto rock n’roll group Teenage Kicks will be performing live at Pressed Cafe this Saturday night. The Toronto-based duo will be giving the show with Ottawa punk/rock group New Elders.
More metal coming your way this Saturday, this time courtesy of Gatineau grind/metal band Fuck The Facts. The local 5-piece will be giving a live show at Mavericks alongside Ottawa thrash/party group World War 4 and Ottawa metal band Sombre. Metal heads, you’ve been served.
This Saturday night at Mugshots, Weird Canada & Debaser bring you Fryquency, a pay-what-you-can music series exhibiting emerging and experimental Canadian music. The April edition of Fryquency will feature live performances by Ottawa garage surf-punk group Tropical Dripps, Hamilton dreamy post-punk band Black Baron and Winnipeg noisy post-punk project Pop Crimes.
Hometown favorites A Tribe Called Red have won the JUNO Award for BreakthroughGroup of the Year and they are coming home to celebrate. Join them this Saturday night at Babylon for the Electric Pow Wow and be sure to congratulate the boys for their well-deserved award and for all the hard work they put in! Guaranteed dance party madness will ensue.
Fashionista Alert: Canada’s largest vintage clothing show is happening this Sunday, April 13 at the Ottawa Convention Centre. This bi-annual fashion sale gathers rare-one-of-a-kind pieces, jewelry, scarves, hats, purses, and cocktail dresses under one roof. There’s sure to be something for everyone at any price range.