Summer is slowly slipping away so before it’s over, make sure you enjoy the rest of the outdoor festivals and events before they’re long gone. 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.
This Monday, August 17, North Carolina alternative rock n’ roll band He Is Legend will be performing live at Mavericks alongside rock n’ roll group Sleepwave, Ottawa melodic hardcore group Wkfld, Ottawa rock 4-piece Monsun, Ottawa metal duo Accretion and Ottawa progressive metal outfit The Aphelion. 
Also this Monday night, there’s going to be a small punk rock show at Raw Sugar Cafe featuring live sets by London punk rockers Heart Attack Kids, Vankleek Hill punk rock band Audio Visceral and Ottawa garage surf newcomers The Boreds.
For the fourth year, Ottawa will be home to the Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival celebrating Indigenous arts on Algonquin Territory. Following three successful years, the annual festival is back with a 2015 edition taking place from August 19 to 23 that promises to offer a rich and engaging programming emphasizing art works that examine Indigenous issues and topics. The festival will take place over four days and will feature film screenings and gallery exhibitions, some of which are being held outdoors. Click on the below poster for festival details and check out Eventful Capital’s special feature on Asinabka to find out more.
The Arboretum Music Festival returns with a bigger and better fourth edition that runs from August 19 to 22 and the event has new headquarters on Victoria Island while Arts Court is getting a facelift. For 2015, Ottawa’s festival of new music and best kept secrets is back in full force with an eclectic programming spread out over 4 days that includes live music by Austra, Braids, Hayden, The Sadies, New Swears, Scattered Clouds, Nightshades, Saxsyndrum and Fet.Nat. among several others. The lineup also includes art installations, interactive talks and warehouse after parties. Grab all the details by clicking below and support the local greatness that is Arboretum.
The metal fans will want to head over to House of Targ this Wednesday night to check out Vancouver-based old school thrash metal band Aggression perform live with Ottawa metal group Signs Of Chaos and Ottawa metal project Opium Winter.
This Thursday night, PBR Thursdays present a night of heavy metal tunes featuring local hard rock veteran badasses Gnarly Brownm Montreal thrash/groove metal power trio Venomenon and Ottawa classic heavy metal/speed metal four-piece Vyc Vypyr.
Toronto spacey post punk band Sparrows will be performing live at Mavericks this Thursday night and for the occasion the four-piece will be sharing the stage with Ottawa alternative rock group The Superlative, Ottawa indie artist Hamn (a member of local group Those Gulls) and Ottawa acoustic musician Cory Levesque.
This Thursday night at Babylon, check your pants at the door and dance the night away with DJs Smiles and Sarita at the Pantless Pride Party in celebration of Ottawa’s diverse queer and trans community. The event will include door prizes and is being held in support of HIV/AIDs education initiatives in Ottawa.
This Friday night, join Ottawa punk rockers The Valveenus for their Catalyst album release show. The event, being held at Mavericks, will also feature live performances by Burlington folk/punk/rock band The Penske File, Montreal punk rock group Lost Love and Ottawa alternative garage rock trio Elementals.
If you’re looking for an intimate night of live folk music to kick off your weekend, be sure to make your way over to Pressed Cafe this Friday to catch roots folk band Allison Brown & Uncle Dan, folk/grunge/pop musician Ali McCormick and indie alternative folk artist David DaCosta.
This Friday, August 21, join Ottawa rock trio Metronome Jones for their CD Release Party happening at Zaphods. The show will also include live performances by Ottawa alternative hip hop group Alex Silas and The Subterraneans and Ottawa quintet Lost To The River, a project that emerged from the ruins of Miss Polygamy.
This Friday night, Ottawa’s favourite doughnut joint is hosting an outdoor screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox. The bring-your-own-chair event will be held in the Suzy Q parking lot and will start at dusk, not to mention it’ll include amazing snacks.
Ottawa rock and rockk 4-piece HELLbros! will be giving a show at House of Targ this Friday, August 21 and for the occasion they will be rocking out with Quebec City party rock band Dance Laury Dance, Ottawa glam rock group In Heat and delta blues rock duo Bearshark. A guaranteed good time.
The August instalment of 90s or Bust is going down this Friday night at Babylon and this time around, it’s the Street Dancer Edition. The popular monthly, that features the best in 1990s and early 2000 hip-hop and r&b jams is the perfect event to attend if you’re looking for a old school vibe dance party.
This Saturday, August 22, Maker Space North will hold its official opening with a community showcase of makers, startups and an open house tour of the facilities. The all-ages free event will highlight the projects, interest groups, tech, tinkering and creative happenings that abound in the National Capital Region all under one roof at the new Maker Space North.
If you’re a fan of fibre, as in the kind that’s spun into yarn, then you’ll be happy to know that the Twist Festival is happening this weekend in St-André-Avellin, a municipality located about 45 minutes away from Ottawa-Gatineau. The two-day annual event serves as a showcase for the fibre world and is intended for the general public, fibre enthusiasts, producers, fleece animal breeders, transformers, artists, artisans, professionals and semi-professionals. It’ll feature dozens of workshops, activities, a textile art exhibit with a modern twist and over 80 exhibitors from all trades of the fibre industry.
Over at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefiled this Saturday night, there will be a night of live music featuring two charismatic francophone artists. The show will open with flamboyant Ottawa-based alternative indie pop/rock/folk artist Mehdi Cayenne Club and it will be followed by a set from Toronto-based indie western/surf/folk musician Melanie Brulée.
Those of you who are into grindcore shouldn’t miss Belgian grindcore band Agathocles who’ll be stopping in Ottawa to give a live show at House of Targ this Saturday, August 22. The group will be playing alongside Montreal grindcore formation Powercup and Ottawa grindcore project Annoize.
Saturday night at the Atomic Rooster, Grasshawk Local Toons and Music + Art Sessions present Dynamite Motel’s Green Lights Album Release Party. The local jazz/r&b/soul singer-songwriter will be joined on stage by Ottawa grunge/rock band Emmas Ringer, who’ll be giving an acoustic set, Baritone folk rock musician Jess Cole. The event will also feature live art by Ottawa visual artist Peter Purdy and music selections by DJ Billy.
This Sunday afternoon and evening, CKCU presents the Ottawa Rock Camp For Girls Summer Record Jam. Come hang out at Raw Sugar Cafe and learn how to spin vinyl, enjoy the breeze and listen up at the afternoon session featuring emerging DJs and seasoned vets. From 3-5pm, bring your own vinyl and from 5-8pm, listen to DJs Audrey Lourdes, Jas Nasty and more budding players spin some tunes. Proceeds from the event will go to support this year’s Ottawa Rock Camp for Girls.
