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.
All the way from The Netherlands, dream pop, synth wave, 80s nostalgia group MTT will be performing live at Pressed Cafe this Wednesday. The band, who’s kicking off a North American tour to promote its second album “Years From Now”, will be giving a live set with chamber folk/electro acoustic group Bosveld of Ottawa and DJ Gina Vinelli.
CKCU’s The Home Invasion Show and Little House Media bring you a night of of 1970s funk and old school hip hop this Wednesday, April 30. Happening at Babylon, the event will feature music selections courtesy of Ottawa’s own DJ 2creamz.
This Thursday, May 1st, Ottawa Explosion, Bruised Tongue and Gabba Hey! are joining forces to present The Ar-Kaics and Tropical Dripps live. The Ar-Kaics, a 60s garage punk rock band from Baltimore, will be performing alongside Ottawa garage punk group Tropical Dripps. The show is going down at 614 Gladstone Avenue.
This Thursday night, Guelph-based global fusion ensemble Eccodek will be performing live at the Mercury Lounge. The versatile group who’s been creating music for the past 15 years, will be giving a live set alongside Bhavantu Collective, a local collective of Yogi-musicians who chant in Sanskrit and in English, percuss and create beautiful soaring soundscapes. A real treat for the soul!
Ottawa’s first CapCity Showdown competition is being held this Thursday, May 1 at City Nightclub. Similar to Toronto’s Big Ticket event, this urban competition is bringing together some of Ottawa’s best hip-hop artists head to head to compete for amazing prizes. The competition will feature live performances by Armel, Young’n Restless, Max Villain, BC, Dopekiid, Dee Ghabrial, Yusso, Massiv Hitz, Kofee, Duke Buzzy and O’Neezy along with a special set by up and coming Toronto/Ottawa rapper Goliath Paw, who is currently on tour promoting his debut album “Canary In A Coal Mine”.
The hip-hop heads will definitely want to be at Ritual this Thursday, May 1 to catch Bizarre Ride Live (featuring Slimkid3 and Fatlip formerly of The Pharcyde) and Slum Village perform live. Slum Village was supposed to perform at Ritual this past July 1, but promoters cancelled the show at the last minute for unknown reasons. This time around, they’ll be in Ottawa as part of the Welcome to DILLAVille Tour: A tribute to the legendary J DILLA. Let’s hope they make it! UPDATE: The Welcome to DILLAville Tour has been postponed to Friday, July 18 due to unforeseen complications. If you have purchased tickets already, the organizers assure that they will be honoured for the new date. Such a disappointment…
The May edition of Hip Hop Karaoke is happening this Friday, May 2 at Ritual with hosts DJ So Nice and Atherton. If you want to perform and impersonate your favourite rapper by doing that track you spent hours memorizing in front of the mirror, or if you just want to support as a member of the audience, click below for everything you need to know.
If you enjoy comedy shows, be sure to make your way over to The Daily Grind Cafe this Friday night for GRINDR Comedy. Happening on the first Friday of every month, this comedy show organized by local comedian Greg Houston will feature sets by Tim Riel, Tavis Maplesden, Pilgrim Patrick, Peter Grunstra and headliner Kyle Brownrigg. If you’re looking for a good laugh this Friday night, that’s the place to be! 
Los Angeles electronic/experimental project Baths will be live at Ritual this Friday, May 2. Baths will be making a stop in Ottawa as part of his North American Spring Tour 2014. For the occasion, he’ll be joined on stage by Edinburgh hiphop/experimental trio Young Fathers and Los Angeles experimental artist P. Morris.
If you’re into dubstep and metal guitar solos, you may want to check out the release show for Markian’s debut EP “This is ShrEDM” happening at Mavericks this Friday, May 2. For the occasion, the Ottawa-based musician will be joined on stage by local progressive rock group The Dead Centuries and electronic artist Andrew Dillion-Walshe . 
Over in the Hull sector of Gatineau, there’s a new weekly called Buzz Out! happening at Le Troquet. This May 2, Ottawa’s own DJ Magnificent, the man behind Double Barrel, will be taking over the decks to provide you with the soundtrack to your Friday night.
The monthly edition of Frenzy is going down at Babylon this Friday, May 2. The last Frenzy instalments have been crazy fun dance parties featuring some of the best upcoming and established music producers out there. This time around will be no different as Straight Goods brings you Mad Decent producer Grandtheft of Toronto. As per usual, local DJs Iggy Smalls and Foster will be warming up the dancefloor with their sick music selections.
If you’re into hardcore, they you definitely don’t want to miss Heart Fest 8, one of the biggest Canadian DIY hardcore festivals being held from May 2 to May 4 over in Gatineau. The event, which raises funds for the Gite Ami, a shelter located in the Hull sector of Gatineau, will feature live performances by over 60 bands, and bring together labels, DIY companies and hardcore fans alike for the love of music.
This Saturday, May 3, Canadian pop noir sensation The PepTides will be releasing “Love Question Mark”. The new album, which will be available both on CD and online, will be performed live for the first time at St. Albans Church as part of its release show. For the occasion, The PepTides will be joined by special opening guest Gary Franks and the show will feature visuals by Hard Science.
Experimental psych avant-garde project WHOOP-Szo from London, Ontario will be performing live at Raw Sugar Cafe this Saturday night. For the occasion, WHOOP-Szo will be joined on stage by psych-electro project RAAS from Hull/Gatineau.
Ever heard of Hervana? The all-girl Nirvana cover band from Toronto will be in Ottawa this Saturday night to give a show at Pressed Cafe. The band will be joined on stage by Ottawa post-punk group Decathlete and Ottawa Ottawa indie/pop artist Elgin Skye.
This Saturday at the Lunenburg Pub, check out the live performance by Ottawa rock and roll group The Haig. The four-piece will be giving a show with local indie alternative rock group Elementals and female-fronted rock trio Tindervox. A solid lineup at a dirt-cheap entrance cover if you ask me! 
The best spot to find quality house music to dance to this Saturday night has got to be the Mercury Lounge hands down. This Saturday night, special guest DJ/Producer Fred Everything will be giving a live set filled with deep, soulful, electric & tech house. The San Francisco/Montreal producer will be joined by resident DJ Trevor Walker for this Life Boogie Special Edition. 
This Saturday night, Dark and Stormy and Babylon Nightclub present Stuff Your Face, a unique fundraiser with Antique Skate and Ottawa Skateboard Community Association’s #1squarefoot initiative to raise funds for the new McNabb Skatepark. The main event will feature an eating competition, a live performance by New Swears and tunes courtesy of DJ Lefty McRighty.
Over at Raw Sugar Cafe this Sunday night, local alternative folk musician Justice R.F. will be giving a live performance. He’ll be joined by folk blues band Lowlands and folk rock group Alanna Gurr and The Greatest State for an intimate show in one of Ottawa’s most charming venues.
Eventful Capital: Elly Reviews Around The City 