It so happens that there are a bunch of dope events happening this week in and around the National Capital Region and it’s somewhat dizzying. Honestly, when I put the event picks together this week, I felt a little overwhelmed by the ridiculous amount of cool things being held in the next few days and frankly discouraged because it’s another one of those week’s where I’d like to split myself in four. But until that can be done, try to pack in as much as you can because it’s going to be, well, eventful in the capital.
Denver pop rock artist Tyler Ward will be making a stop in Ottawa this Tuesday night as part of his Yellow Boxes Tour. The show, happening at Ritual, will also feature an opening set by acoustic local singer-songwriter Amanda Lowe.
San Fransisco duo Dirty Ghosts will be performing live at the Dominion Taverns this Tuesday, October 13. For the occasion, the indie alternative rock band will be sharing the stage with Gatineau experimental punk duo H. de Heutz and Ottawa garage punk rock duo Crack Mansions.
The good people of Ottawa Showbox have been hard at work to bring you Ballads For Ballots: A Concert for Political Engagement. The non-partisan night of free live music will be held this Wednesday night at Babylon and will feature live performances by local folk singer-songwriter Jim Bryson, local hip-hop artist G.Grand, and local pop/jazz musician Malak. There will also be booths to help inform attendees with questions, guest speakers that will deliver short addresses between acts, as well as a bunch of awesome raffle prizes and deals on drinks. Do this, but most importantly, get out there and vote!
Over at House of Targ this Wednesday night, there’s going to be a live show featuring Ottawa psych/blues/rock band Big Moan, Ottawa psych/folk/rock group The Heavy Medicine Band, and Ottawa devotional psych/rock project Moon Destroyer.
New Jersey hardcore punks The Misfits are bringing their Static Age Revisited Tour to the Bronson Centre this Thursday, October 15. As part of the show, they’ll be performing live with Los Angeles rock band She Demons, Ottawa punk-rockers Brain Damage, and Ottawa drunk punks Shooting Blanx.
This Thursday night at Avant-Garde Bar, there’s going to be a live music show featuring some bilingual Canadian artists namely Justin Lacroix of Winnipeg, Gabriel Bouchard of Gatineau, and Kristine St-Pierre of Ottawa. It’ll be a mix of folk, pop, rock, soul, blues and roots music.
Almost a year to the day, Freddie Gibbs will be making his return to Ottawa, this time to perform live at Babylon on Thursday, October 15. If you’re into gangster rap and dope beats, trust me, you don’t want to miss this show because Gangsta Gibbs is by far one of the best rappers in the game right now. Get pumped cause this is going to be a sick show.
Enjoy ska, reggae and rocksteady? Then do yourself a favour and make your way over to House of Targ this Thursday night for Voice Of The People. The new monthly will feature music selections courtesy of DJs Magnificent, Longshot and Lord Snappy as well as a live performance by Ottawa ska band The Sentries.
Toronto funk/rock/hip hop band KC Roberts & The Live Revolution will be performing live at the Rainbow Bistro this Thursday night. For the occasion, the 8-piece group will be sharing the stage with Detroit deep funk and soul band Third Coast Kings and The Astrosymphonics, made up of 3 members from Freak Motif.
The 2015 Ottawa International Film Festival is being held from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 at various locations in the downtown core. This annual event now in its 6th year, which is the largest of its kind in North America, will feature a great lineup of screenings, workshops, presentations and a panel conference series for film buffs and art lovers alike. What’s more, the opening night will feature the one and only Maestro Fresh Wes and Ottawa’s own DJ So Nice.
After what seems like forever, Justice RF will be releasing his debut full-length album “Grace & Howl” this Friday, October 16. The event, being held at the Mercury Lounge, will also feature Ottawa electro folk group Bosveld, who’ll take care of opening the show with some new material from their forthcoming debut album “Velbrand”.
Ottawa soulful, pop, country, roots, singer/songwriter Julie Corrigan will be releasing her first full-length album “The Language” at the NAC’s 4th Stage this Friday, October 16. The evening of live music will also feature distinguished musicians Fred Guignon on guitar, Peter Von Althen on drums, Don Cummings on B-3 organ, and Dave Draves on Bass.
CHUO FM’s annual funding drive is kicking off October 19 and a series of shows is being organized to help raise funds for the local community radio station. One of these shows is happening this Friday night over at Pressed Cafe and will feature live sets by Montreal noise garage two-piece The Famines, Peterborough garage pop band Faux Cults and Ottawa newcomers Warp Lines (members of Big Dick, The Yips & Tropical Dripps playing their first show).
This Friday night at Ritual, there’s going to be a special edition of Bars & Breakbeats in collaboration with the Ottawa Chapter of Autism Ontario. Hosted by local alternative hip hop artist Alex Silas, the fundraising show will feature live performances by local hip hop artists KING, Lost Kids, Eddie Quotez, Bvstvrds, Spitten Image and wotts.
Fresh off of their performance at this year’s Osheaga Festival, XPrime have embarked on a Fall Tour that’ll be taking them to Ottawa this Friday night. The Niagara-based pop/rock band will be performing live at Cafe Dekcuf alongside Ottawa indie pop/soul group Harea Band and Ottawa rockers Metronome Jones.
This Friday night, DJs Zattar, Memetic, Jervy Jerv and Dae bring you Hortikulture, a special edition Timekode focused on music,dance and culture. This time around, the wildly popular funk and soul dance party will be held at the Horticulture building at Lansdowne Park and will feature visual projections by Driftnote and dance by the Flavor Factory.
The Freewheeling Curator is having a Makers Pop-Up Bazaar this Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm at Maker Space North. From tasty treats to beautiful handmade jewelry, DIY utilities, & independently-designed clothing and baby apparel, there will be over 40 vendors and something for everyone’s tastes. A lively marketplace for you to connect with creative entrepreneurs in the community!
This Saturday night, the Raw Sugar Cafe is hosting an intimate night of live music. The show will feature performances by Sudbury rock/pop group The Almighty Rhombus, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia rock/rock n’ rollers Rain Over St. Ambrose, and Ottawa pop punks Dead Weights.
Toronto indie-rock band Bond Girls will be making a stop at Ritual this Saturday night. For the occasion, the group, made up of members of The Love Machine, Old Crowns and The Balconies, will share the stage with Mississauga punk-rockers Bike Thiefs and Ottawa rockers Suki.
Winnipeg/Montreal soul/pop/r&b group Chic Gamine are embarking on a tour in support of their “Light A Match” Album Release. As part of this, they’ll be performing live at Zaphods alongside Ottawa soul/r&b/rock band Old Stereo.
This Saturday night at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield, there will be a live music show in support of CHUO FM’s annual funding drive. For the occasion, Ottawa/Wakefield experimental funk/post-punk band Hilotrons will be performing live alongside experimental garage punk band Bonnie Doon and dreamy lo-fi/experimental r&b artist Pipahauntas.
Kitchener/London twanged rock n’ rollers Run Coyote will be back in Ottawa this Saturday night to perform live at House of Targ as part of their Fall Tour. This time around, the trio be sharing the stage with Ottawa fuzz pop/rock band Saint Clare and Brockville/Ottawa indie rock group Ballad Fiasco.
Local brazilian band Florquestra is presenting a Forró party this Saturday night over at the Petit Chicago in the Hull sector of Gatineau. Forró is a traditional music and dance style originating from North-East Brazil and Florquestra’s take on the genre is sure to make for a fun nice of dancing.
Do you ever wish that you had the opportunity to rock your plaid shirts and accessories for everyone to see while riding your bike? Well, this is your chance to bring all your plaid out at Ottawa’s fourth annual Plaid Parade taking place this Sunday, October 18. Organizers encourage participants to bring their bikes and show-off their best plaid pieces. Find out everything you need to know just by clicking the poster below.