NYE 2017 in Ottawa-Gatineau: Eventful Capital’s Guide to Party in the City

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, so it’s time to start making plans to ring in 2017 if you haven’t done so already. If you’re attending a house party, you’re set (it’s usually the less-complicated option), but if you’re looking to go out to celebrate the arrival of the New Year, take a look at Eventful Capital’s Guide to NYE 2017 in Ottawa-Gatineau to help you pick the best event for you. Whatever you end up doing, Eventful Capital wishes you tons of fun surrounded by people you love. Enjoy the celebrations and be sure to make necessary arrangements to get home safely. Cheers!

Ring in the New Year with a dinner and beer pairing featuring local foods by Clover and brews from the Dominion City Brewing Co. Choose from a 3-course dinner, 5-course dinner or join in for the after party starting at 10:30.

Celebrating on a tight budget? On December 31st, Parliament Hill will be an action-packed must-attend venue to kick off festivities for Canada 150. The evening will start with a Peace Tower carillon concert, followed by a ceremony which will include the participation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes. At 8:17 p.m., fireworks will illuminate the sky and as of 9 p.m. Carly Rae Jepsen, Radio Radio and Brett Kissel will rock the stage until the countdown to midnight, followed by traditional fireworks to kick off 2017. So bundle up and join the outdoor party!

 

An all-you-can-eat poutine party anyone? That’s what the Minotaure has up its sleeve to ring in 2017. Start the night stuffing your face at the poutine buffet, then dance the carbs away with Funk-A-Tron 5000 and enjoy bubbly at midnight.

Join local bands Monday I Retire, Blast From The Sun & Harea Band for a New Year’s Eve extravaganza at the legendary Blacksheep Inn in picturesque Wakefield. Three of the hottest young bands in the capital region will bring their edgy, quirky and catchy tunes to the stage to rock your socks off as we transition from 2016 into 2017.

If you’re looking for a break from the cold weather, Island Fever, happening at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel, should satisfy your need for a summer-themed party. Back by popular demand, DJ RayRay will be in the building alongside DJ Mace to get the 1000+ party-goers dancing the night away and there will be a photo booth, party favours, Island-inspired hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a chance to win a Caribbean Cruise for 2. Dress code: lots of colour.

Ring in the New Year in style at Kinki with Jon Deck, Roc Steady and Selektah Shellz, three of Ottawa’s best DJs. If you just want to dance hassle-free to a variety of jams in an intimate setting, this is one of your best bets. Keep in mind it’s right in the heart of the market though, so plan your transportation accordingly.

If you’re into blues and want to celebrate the start of 2017 with one of Ottawa’s fave bluesman, the Rainbow Bistro is where you’ll want to be on December 31st. The Tony D Band will be throwing down a party like no other and it’s bound to sell-out so grab tickets in advance if you plan on going.

This New Year’s Eve, Babylon Nightclub is offering you to hop in the DeLorean and travel through time. DJs Atherton & Jervy Jerv will be at the wheel speeding through soundscapes a decade at a time – every hour on the hour. They’ll be playing the best each era has to offer, from the Beatles to Beyonce and everything in between. To add to the journey, there will be decade-specific drink specials each hour along with a champagne toast at midnight. So whether you’re rocking bell bottoms or belly tops and short shorts, embark on a memorable musical trip from 1970 to 2017.

Skank your way into 2017 at House of Targ with some live ska courtesy of The Sentries, the incredible Voice Of The People DJs spinning strictly 45s and unlimited arcade free-play action. If you plan on going, you’re encouraged to look snazzy and try to keep your outfit black & white.

The good people at Zaphods are bringing back their No Hassle NYE Party once again. Celebrate the end of 2016 there and enjoy champagne, party favors and more plus awesome music by resident DJs Floodzi and Emmett.

One of the most affordable NYE parties is going down at Avant-Garde Bar on December 31st and will feature a nice lineup of live music. Dubbed Doomsday Clock Party cause 2016 was so shitty, the event will include performances by four local alt-rock bands namely XiL, Lost at Sea, The Ebb & Flow and Electric Tree.

Peace out 2016….Hello 2017! Makita Kitchen Bar invites you to join them to ring in the new year. Then & Now will feature music selections by Davey Thee who’ll get the party started playing old school tunes and ringing the new year with all our fave jams from today and yesterday. Champagne bottle service will be available and the bar will serve dim sum until 2 a.m. if you need a late-night snack and alcoholic beverages until 3 a.m. to keep the party going til the wee hours.

Kitchen Party NYE edition is going down at Bar Robo on December 31 and it’s dubbed: 2017 is going to be OK. Let’s hope so. DJs Hobo & Sweet Cheeks will be on hand to help you dance your way into the new year and as always, they’ll be playing the best of funk, soul, disco, hip hop, electro, house, techno, and everything in between! Advance tickets are sold out but there will be a limited amount at the door. 

This year again, Mercury Lounge brings you a multi-level NYE celebration dubbed Paradise Garage Party. The event is an ode to the era where the club experience was a privilege shared by the most fierce and free where taboos and secrets were protected by the walls of the venue. On the top floor, house kings Lance Baptiste & Trevor Walker will be playing the best in disco, classic house, rare grooves and modern day electronic. They’ll be joined by visual master Matt Cameron. Down in the basement, you can party it up with DJs Dusty who’ll be throwing down sounds from the underground. Sounds like a party!

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From Amos The Transparent and Thugli to Little Suns and Hip Hop Hangover Brunch

Are you sticking around Ottawa-Gatineau over the next two weeks? If so, you most likely have some time off for the holidays and that’s a great occasion to enjoy the festive season by checking out some of the fun events being held in the National Capital Region. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below to see what’s happening between now and January 1st.

Local singer-songwriter and musician Kristine St-Pierre invites you to join her for a special holiday concert that she’s putting on with Ken Kanwisher and Vince Halfhide. The family-friendly show is happening this Tuesday, December 20 at Pressed Cafe and you can expect performances by a few special guests.

Local urban artist Maria-Rosa Szychowska is uniting her passion for art to international cooperation by undertaking a project that will take her in twelve different countries over the course of 12 months to create 12 distinct murals in collaboration with local community organizations. To help finance her project, the Minotaure is hosting a fundraiser this Tuesday, December 20 that will include a silent auction, live music, tasty bites and more.

This Wednesday starting at 5 p.m., House of Targ presents the Wizard Werks Holiday Craft Show featuring some of Ottawa’s craftiest vendors selling unique, handmade and repurposed items. It’s free to attend, it’s all-ages and it’s a great spot for last-minute gift shopping. Check it out and support local!

Toronto hip hop artist Top 5 will be giving an all-ages show at the Bourbon Room this Friday, December 23. The 16-year old Somali rapper, who’s picking up steam within the Canadian hip hop scene, will be performing live alongside special guests that haven’ts been announced.

Ottawa indie folk rock band Amos The Transparent is hosting its annual holiday concert at the Blacksheep Inn this Friday night. This year, the local 6-piece are making a shuttle bus service available for those who don’t have a ride up or who want to enjoy drinks stress free.

Over at the Minotaure on Friday, December 23, the one and only Pépé et sa guitare will be performing live to help raise non-perishable items for local charity Moisson Outaouais. The energetic and passionate musician is sure to deliver a memorable show, like he always does. A guaranteed good time!

On December 23, local bands Suits N’ Toques, Lou Dog, The Obsidians and Will and I are teaming up to play live at the Rainbow Bistro and proceeds raised from ticket sales will be donated to the Ottawa Food Bank.

This Friday night, December 23, The Deep End is back and this time it’s going down at Bar Robo. Once again, the crew is bringing you a mixed bag of techno beats all through the night while also bringing a unique experience; intersecting music, lighting and video projections. This is an excellent party to check out if you’re into techno, house, and electronic music. 

On December 25, the Mercury Lounge presents Soul Power, a tribute to James Brown with DJs Trevor Walker and Magnificent. Come celebrate the music of the godfather of funk on Christmas night, 10 years after his passing. Donation of non-perishable items are encouraged.

Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, and Zaphods wants you to join them for Trailer Park Christmas Bingo to make a big mess and party it up. It’s their annual Christmas Re-Gift too, so grab whatever thing you hate the most in your house, wrap it up, bring it to Zaphods on December 25 and pile it onstage so it finds a new home.

For the third year in a row, Monster Energy brings you its annual Holiday Fam Jam on December 26 at Babylon. This year, organizers are presenting a lineup of local legends and fan favourites from around the way, who bring quality music as the gift everywhere they go, including Montreal’s Tommy Kruise and Toronto/Ottawa’s Thugli.

Ottawa indie rock band Wolfie are reuniting for a final show when they take to Zaphods stage one last time on Thursday, December 29. Josh Charbot and The Wild Ones and Rooftop A will be joining them for the occasion to see them off proper.

After nearly a two-year hiatus from performing live, Montreal/Ottawa band Little Suns is back to share Zero, the long-awaited follow up to their 2013 album Normal Human Feelings. Recorded at an old farmhouse in the hills of Chesterville, Quebec the six song EP reflects the varying states of mind of the group and their stages of personal development and progress. Special guest Baker will be opening the show for the occasion. 

If you’re in the mood to catch some live music on December 29, there’s going to be an intimate show at Live on Elgin featuring performances by Ottawa lo-fi psy-folk duo Goodnight Boy, Ottawa indie rock band Iconoclast and Ottawa metal group Aenigma.

There’s a new monthly in Ottawa dubbed Strange People and it’s dedicated to happiness, good times and curiosity. Party people are invited to come as they are and enjoy the sounds of house, disco, techno and more. For the December edition, resident DJs Mat Thibault and Teknobrat will be joined by guests Teknostep and John Norman, and together they’ll take you on an eclectic musical journey that will stimulate your imagination and dance moves.

If you’re getting sick of the cold and need to warm up with a good dance session, know that the dance floor at Shameless always gets hot. The December edition of this monthly cheesy guilt-free dance party is going down on Friday, December 30 at Babylon and it should have you covered with nothing but cheap dance floor bangers courtesy of DJs Matty and Skid Vicious.

Ottawa’s own Chef Chico and Aunt Thelma’s are hosting the ultimate Hip Hop Hangover Brunch on January 1st to kick off 2017. 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. It’ll save your hungover ass. 

 

 

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From The Souljazz Orchestra and Like Pacific to BlakDenim and the Wakefield Christmas Market

This Monday night at Bar Robo, fulfill your rock star fantasies by singing along to Ottawa’s Special K Band. With hundreds of songs in their playbook from Adele and The Cure to Daft Punk and Bob Marley, Special K will make you sound like a superstar on the mic. 

On Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., Ravenswing presents Handmade Holiday happening at the Pour Boy on Somerset. It’s a great occasion to make some holiday crafts in a festive atmosphere. $15 will get you three holiday crafts and there will be holiday tunes & more.

Toronto pop-punk/rockers Like Pacific will be playing live at Zaphods this Wednesday night and for the occasion they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa pop/punks Bearings,Ottawa alt-rockers Fragile Figures and Ottawa emo-rock project Swim Team.

Winnipeg mod/post-punks Duo Tang are making a stop in Ottawa this Wednesday night to play live at House of Targ as part of their New Occupation Tour. Ottawa post-punks No Fuss will be supporting them as openers with others, who haven’t been announced yet.

Ottawa indie folk rock band Lost to the River will be performing live at Bar Robo this Thursday, December 8 alongside Toronto indie pop/folk group Midnight Vesta and Ottawa folk trio Artichoke Hearts. Perfect if you’re in the mood for an intimate show.

Toronto stoner psych/blues/hard rockers High Life will be performing live in Ottawa for the very first time this Thursday, December 8. They’ll be playing at House of Targ alongside Ottawa metal/rock band Thunderuncle, who don’t often give live shows, so it’s a good occasion to catch them.

Local hip hop/funk/rock band BlakDenim has been pretty quiet lately, so it’s nice to see that they’ll be hitting the stage again this Friday night at Bar Robo. The group, which used to be a seven-piece, but recently lost a lead vocalist, will be sharing the spotlight with DJ Dsound. Should be good!

If you’re into a mix of new disco, electro funk, hip hop, you might want to check out Kayko live at the Rainbow Bistro this Friday, December 9. The Toronto electro pop five-piece will be playing with Ottawa alt rock band Tribe Royal and Ottawa brassband The Bank Street Bonbons.

If you’re into synthpop, you’re gonna want to make your way over to House of Targ on Friday night to catch Toronto synthpop project Diana live, as well as Montreal synthpop artist Mozart’s Sister and Montreal experimental electronic artist Cabaal.

This Friday night, Kinki After Dark presents special guest JT Donaldson all the way from Dallas, Texas for the first time in Ottawa. The internationally renowned DJ/Producer from New Math, Josey, OM Records & APT, will be joined by DJs RayRay, Scott Morter and Brian Thomson.

What better place to complete your holiday shopping than at the old fashioned, European-style Christmas market taking place in the beautiful village of Wakefield this Saturday, December 10? In addition to the local vendors, you can expect music, bonfires, twinkle lights, delicious food, mulled wine, hot chocolate and more! 

This Saturday night, KingSackeyMgmt x Arboretum x Pressed present RADAR, a night featuring two Ottawa hip hop artists that should be on your radar before the year is over: rappers (BTG) Henchman and Morris Ogbowu.

Local indie folk rockers Winchester Warm have a bunch of new songs to share as does Toronto lo-fi/pop band Culture Reject, and they invite you to join them in the cozy confines of Bar Robo this Saturday, December 10 to hear all this new material.

Are you a fan of Talking Heads? If so, chances are you’ll want to make it over to the next “I Can’t Believe It’s Not: Talking Heads” happening this Saturday night at St. Albans Church. For this 6th edition, members of bands The Luyas, Fiver, Jon Hynes,  The Acorn and more will be performing some of the new wave pioneers’ most popular songs in front of a live audience.

Toronto-based filmmaker Shane Belcourt will be at Club SAW this Saturday night as part of a retrospective screening of short films from his repertoire. This event is free, there will be a cash bar and the screening will be followed by a Q&A period with Belcourt.

Quebec punk rockers Dance Laury Dance will be making a return to the National Capital Region this Saturday, December 10 and this time around they’re playing live at the Minotaure in the Vieux-Hull alongside local metal rockers Inire, Montreal skate punk band Code 40-11 and Quebec City stoner rockers GÄZ.

Hometown faves The Souljazz Orchestra are performing live at the Petit Chicago in the Vieu-Hull this Saturday, December 10 for their last home show of 2016. The Ottawa-based six-piece, known around the world for its contagious soul, jazz and afro-latin sounds, always deliver solid live performances. If you’ve never been to a Souljazz show, you’re in for a treat, but get there early as their shows tend to sell out.

Over at the Dom this Saturday, you can catch Montreal punks Boids, Ottawa punks Neck and Hamilton garage punk rockers Flesh Rag playing live. It’s bound to rock hard.

In the Christmas Market department, there’s still time to check one out happening this Sunday, December 11 at the Moussette Park Community Centre in the Hull sector of Gatineau. This 4th annual market organized by the Marché de l’Outaouais will feature a variety of local artisans, a choir, a craft corner for kids and even the possibility to buy a real Christmas tree.

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From House of PainT and Les Deuxluxes to LaVolley and the Ottawa Craft Beer Fest

So it’s basically the last week of August. I don’t know about you, but it feels as though summer has just gone by in a flash. That alone should be enough to get you out of the house and into some of the coolest events happening over the next few days in the National Capital Region. Here’s a selection of fun things to check out in Ottawa-Gatineau in the days ahead.

If you’re in the mood to start your week with some loud music, check out Brazilian metal band Hibria live at House of Targ this Tuesday night. The heavy metal group, who’s currently on a 20th Anniversary World Tour, will be performing live in Ottawa alongside local metal band Death Wish and local glam rock band Thruster.

Mi’kmaq hip hop artist Shift From Tha 902, from the We’koqma’q First Nation in Nova Scotia, will be performing live at the Rainbow Bistro this Wednesday night. For the occasion, the up and coming rapper, producer and DJ will be sharing the stage with L’Nu Joker, Devon Paul and Kloud n9.

Over at Avant-Garde Bar this Wednesday, dance the night away with Charlie The Kid, Balaclava, The Nighttime, Right Shitty, and Holy Christopher.

Not Normal, the new experimental music series launched this Spring, is going down this Thursday night at Pressed Cafe. For this latest instalment, there will be a live set by Intangerines as well as DJs Jason Skilz of Low Noise Productions and Pierre Richardson of Bruised Tongue Recs.

On Thursday, August 25, head out to Bar Robo for an intimate night of live music. Presented by the good folks at Ottawa Showbox, the show will feature sets by Ottawa synth pop collective Scary Bear Soundtrack, Regina electro pop band Moonriser and Kingston folk project Slow Man Tofu.

If you enjoy experimental sounds, be sure to make your way over to House of Targ on Thursday to catch Toronto dark industrial post gaze project Odonis Odonis, Ottawa bedroom r&b artist PIPPA and Ottawa analogue techno musician Ruth Grader. It’s bound to be different and perhaps a bit unsettling, all in a very good way of course.

When it comes to celebrating urban culture in the Nation’s Capital, no one does it better than House of PainT (HoP). The annual festival, which serves as a vehicle to elevate and celebrate urban arts and culture, has become instrumental in bringing forward the four elements of hip-hop to audiences who are curious about the culture and for those who simply want to be a part of the movement. For its 13^th edition dubbed “Decolonize”, HoP organizers invite everyone and anyone with a love of hip-hop and community to join together between August 25-28, and take in graffiti art, breakdancing, emceeing, slam poetry, deejaying and more under Dunbar bridge in Brewer Park as well as other venues across the city. Legendary hip hop duo EPMD will be headlining this year and we’ll be giving away a pair of VIP festival passes this week on Indie City Madness so be sure tune in to tomorrow’s show on CKCU 93.1 FM for your chance to win.

The 2016 Canadian DMC Battleground is presenting the Ottawa regional DJ competition in partnership with and as part of House of PainT this year. Going down at Brewer Park under Dunbar Bridge this Friday, the competition will see some of Ottawa’s top DJs battle it out for a chance to represent the Nation’s Capital in the next DMC rounds.

Beer lovers won’t want to miss the 5th Ottawa Craft Beer Festival taking place this weekend at the Aberdeen Pavillion at Lansdowne Park. The annual festival, which has grown into the largest craft beer festival in Ontario, allows you to discover the wide selection of craft brewed beers available across the National Capital Region. The programming also features culinary creations prepared by artisanal eateries, a speaker series focusing on craft beer and artisanal food, and live musical entertainment presenting regional talent.

Montreal garage rock/rock n’roll duo Les Deuxluxes will be making a return to the National Capital Region this Friday night and this time around they’ll be playing live at House of Targ. For the occasion, the power couple will be rocking the stage with Boston garage rock band Muck & The Mires and Ottawa folk punk solo artist Patrick Shanks. A guaranteed good time when Les Deuxluxes are on the bill!

The August edition of Hip Hop Karaoke is going down this Friday night at the Elmdale with your usual hosts DJ So Nice and Atherton. If you want to perform and impersonate Eve by rapping that track you spent hours memorizing in front of the mirror, now’s your chance to show the world Ottawa what you’re capable of.

An urban beach in the heart of downtown Gatineau? That’s essentially what LaVolley promises to deliver this weekend in the Vieux-Hull. The free annual event will feature outdoor sports like beach volleyball and dodgeball as well as games, contests, and DJs in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Check it out if you’re in the area!

This Saturday, August 27, Makerspace North is having an open house that’ll take the shape of a community showcase of makers. The all-ages free event will highlight the projects, interest groups, tech, tinkering and creative happenings that abound in the National Capital Region in an effort to celebrate the local community of makers, shakers, creators and innovators. Makerspace North is opening its doors and will also be launching a new Community Membership as well as announcing new programming.

Montreal/Ottawa Brazilian musician Rommel Ribeiro is back in the region following a year studying abroad and travelling and he’ll be performing live at the Mercury Lounge this Saturday night. The composer/singer-songwriter, who’ll be joined by a full band, will be presenting music from his latest album “Nada Direito” as well as other material from his repertoire. Phil Motion will be warming up the night with a special DJ set featuring rare Brazilian grooves.

Over at Pressed Cafe this Saturday night, there’s going to be a pretty sweet bill of live music presented by Debaser. You ca catch Victoria experimental electronic/ambient noise project Psychic Pollution play alongside Ottawa garage noise formation Slow Dawn, and Ottawa synthpop project Lovecraft.

Monday I Retire invites you to join them as they celebrate the release of their new EP this Saturday night. The Ottawa-based pop/blues/jazz/soul 5-piece will be playing new material live at the Rainbow Bistro and they’ll be sharing the stage with local pop/soul group Harea Band.

Kitchen Party is bringing the fun to a new location this month: Bar Robo. The monthly dance party presented by DJs Hobo & Sweet Cheeks will feature nothing but the best in funk, soul, disco, hip hop, electro, techno, house and everything in between. A little bit of this and a little bit of that for your dancing pleasure.

If you’re into electronic music, don’t miss the Outdoor Electronic Music Festival happening this weekend at the Parc des Portageurs in the Vieux-Hull sector of Gatineau. It’s a great occasion to check out free electronic music live. Friday will feature a vinyl DJ party, Saturday will be all about the dance party and Sunday is reserved for an experimental picnic.

Ottawa-based soul-infused pop duo leMeow will be performing live at the Blacksheep Inn in beautiful Wakefield this Sunday and they’ll be sharing the bill with local rockabilly surf/country band Dang Guilty. It’s an afternoon show and a great way to end the weekend.

Ottawa garage punk/psych/lo fi project Pet Defective will be live at Pressed this Sunday night and they’ll be playing alongside local alternative folk rock musician Claude Munson and Halifax synthpop/r&b/soul band Loveland. So what if you don’t know any of these bands, get out there and discover something new.

 

From the Art Battle Regional Finals and Canada Day Festivities to David Bazan and Seaway

June is already almost over, and it was a great month, so hopefully you were able make the most of it. July is now just around the corner, and if you’re around Ottawa-Gatineau these coming days and looking for some fun stuff to do, take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below for a variety of events that are worth checking out.

Those of you who enjoy visual arts should check out the Ottawa Art Battle Regional Finals this Tuesday evening at Arts Court. The unique event organized across Canadian cities, brings 12 local painters together for a live painting competition. The regional finals will crown the Ottawa champion who’ll go on to represent the Nation’s capital at the annual National Championship going down later this summer to crown the top Canadian painter of the year.

If you enjoy all sorts of music and want to support the local scene, head over to House of Targ this Wednesday to catch Ottawa emo rock band Safekeeping, Ottawa alternative group The Stringers, Ottawa indie project Lost At Sea, Ottawa alternative rockers Abstraction, Ottawa indie rock outfit Hugh Harrington Band a nd Ottawa pop/post-punks The Weak Attractions.

Mathieu Trudel, also known as Mawt Trood in the artistic community, tragically and suddenly left us in May. The VJ and urban illustrator, who was a passionate history buff, was known for illustrating mom and pop storefronts located in neighbourhoods he loved. To celebrate his body of work, Daimon Gallery is hosting “Where is Mawt Trood?” the first posthumous retrospective that explores the career of the beloved local artist. The vernissage happens this Thursday with a lineup of local DJs and VJs who were friends of Mawt and the exhibition runs until July 31.

There’s a new experimental music night dubbed Not Normal and its second edition is going down this Thursday night at Pressed Café. The latest instalment will feature a live set by ambient/noise/electronic duo Au Vol as well as DJs David Jackson and others that have yet to be announced.

Vancouver funk/latin/ska/rock band Five Alarm Funk will be making a returning to the national capital this Thursday as part of their “Live” In the Moment Tour 2016. The band, known for its energetic live shows, will be sharing the stage with local alternative hip hop artist Drae and DJ Acro.

Wanna party like it’s the 80s this Thursday night? Then be sure to make your way over to House of Targ for a dance party featuring an eclectic selection of songs and videos from the 80s,with maximum Can Con of course pre-Canada Day. The party will be hosted by Remi Royale with DJ KJMaxx in charge of the tunes.

At the Mercury Lounge this Thursday, June 30, there’s going to be a pre-Canada Day multi-level celebration. The annual 2-room party  will feature music by Return of the Jaded, Joe Juarez & Disko, Rick Laplante, Space Cadets, Ryan Dunlop, Plush, and more.

Looking for an affordable family-friendly thing to do on Canada Day? Look no further than the Canadian Museum of History. An official Canada Day site for the first time this year, the Museum is offering a free, fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities for everyone, including free access to CINE+ screenings. What’s more, the Museum grounds are the best place to catch the fireworks!

Feel like browsing through some vintage fashion and making tie-dye while eating BBQ this Friday? If that sounds like your type of Canada Day, make your way over to A Vintage Collective down in the Byward Market to join the fun. DJs Mes and Atherton will also be there to take care of the music.

This Friday at Arts Court, there’s going to be a Canada Day party dubbed Dominion Day brought to you by the Dominion City Brewing Co. You guessed it: there will be lots of beer (and local at that), ther will be plenty of tasty food, and there will be music by DJ Acro, Melodrama, The Adam Saikaley Quartet, Tapas featuring DJ 2Creamz & Jeepz and The String Masons. Sounds like a great time!

On Canada Day, enjoy a free family-friendly party at Petrie Island by day brought to you by the good folks at Bananas Beach Grill & Rum Shack and an adult-only dance party at Kinki Lounge by night with DJs Scratch, Mace, Eazy El Dee, Kane, Kam, Selekta Shellz and more. Love, family, friends, good music, good DJS, good times!

Over at House of Targ on July 1st, there will be a CanCon Canada Day Bash benefit for CHEO. For the occasion, some of Ottawa’s best musicians will be covering Canada’s best punk, metal and rock bands all night long.

This Friday, the Rainbow Bistro invites you to celebrate Canada Day with PleasureCraft at the smoothest party in the city. The dance floor will be grooving to the sounds of the best of ’75-’85 soft rock hits by the likes of Hall & Oates, Fleetwood Mac, Ace, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Toto, Lionel Richie, Phil Collins, Sade, and Elton John among others.

This Canada Day, Babylon brings you We The North Dance Party, an all-Canadian night featuring a live Raptors mural by Fall Down, Raports highlight reels all night, a free throw competition, a raffle and music by DJs Jimmy C and Adam Saikaley.

Looking for a night of dancehall and reggae this Canada Day? Look no further than Higher Level. DJs Magnificent and Select have got the perfect party for you at City Nightclub this Friday night. The two Ottawa friends are joining forces to bring you a solid dancehall/reggae/soca dance party mixed with a little bit of hip hop and r&b that’s sure to have a bumping dancefloor.

If you’re into pop punk you’re going to want to head to Ritual this Saturday, July 2 to catch Seaway. The Oakville pop punk band will be performing live in Ottawa as part of their 2016 Canadian Tour and for the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Oakwill pop punks Coldfront, Hamilton rockers Rarity, Ottawa pop punk band Bearings, Niagara emo group Heavy Hearts and Ottawa pop punk/post-hardcore project Remember The Arcadians.

At Bar Robo this Saturday night, Ottawa Showbox presents post punk/shoegaze project Traces live. The Montreal-base band will be releaseing their second EP “Imaginary Life” and for the occasion they’ll be playing with Ottawa lo-fi gaze project Doves.

Gatineau acoustic folk band Bitterly Healed will be back on stage at the Minotaure this Saturday night and this time around, they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa-based alternative folk rock band Jonathan Becker & The North Fields as well as Ontario acoustic folk musician Nick Sherman.

Fans of David Bazan will be happy to know that the Seattle indie folk musician will be giving an intimate live performance at Pressed Cafe this Sunday, July 3. The Barsuk Records signee will be sharing the stage with Oregon folk label-mate Laura Gibson.

Over at Black Squirrel Books this Sunday, you can check out some live music featuring Wyoming emo band Medicine Bow who’ll be playing alongside Ottawa alternative rock/grunge trio Elementals, Ottawa shoegaze project Wood Lake and Ottawa power pop/rock outfit Holy Christopher.

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From the Ottawa Jazz Festival and La P’tite St-Jean to the Dragonboat Fest and Tropikalo

Another week, another jam packed lineup of shows and events happening in and around the National Capital Region. Make the most of this busy time and catch some of the fun over the next seven days.

Over in Gatineau, Francophones will be celebrating the Saint-Jean Baptiste from June 23-26 with a series of activities, rides, fireworks and live shows at the Des Cèdres Park in Aylmer. This year’s lineup will feature headliners Jean-Pierre Ferland, Ariane Moffatt, Les Cowboys Fringants, Louis-Jean Cormier, and Dumas among others.

This Thursday starting at 5 p.m., House of Targ and CHUO present the Wizard Werks Craft Show featuring some of Ottawa’s craftiest vendors selling unique and handmade and repurposed items.

The popular Ottawa International Jazz Festival kicks off this Wednesday, June 22 and continues until July 3. One of Ottawa’s longest running festivals and a recognized household name that’s been around since 1980, Jazz Fest will present another eclectic lineup for festival-goers. This year’s bill includes headliners Sarah McLachlan, Brian Wilson, Michael Franti, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Trombone Shorty and the SFJAZZ Collective among others. Organizers have also included a handful of local acts to the programming namely LeMeow and The Mackenzie Rhythm Section. As per usual, all of the performances taking place on July 1 offer free admission. Check out Eventful Capital’s Top 10 must-sees here.

This year again, the Ottawa Jazz Fest has teamed up with the Mercury Lounge to bring you a series of nightclub shows including Toronto-based calypso/reggae-inspired band Kobo Town. The Juno Award and Polaris Prize nominees will be performing live at the club this Thursday, June 23 and you can expect nothing but feel-good tropical vibes.

This Thursday night marks the return of Open Air Social Club at 73 North Resto Lounge on Sparks Street. The summer outdoor dance party will feature musical selections from resident DJ Matt Tamblyn as well as DJs Foster and Laocapone.

The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is celebrating it’s 23rd edition at Moonie’s Bay Park from June 23 to 26. North America’s largest dragon boat festival will feature a children’s area filled with family-friendly entertainment, the classic dragon boat races and a free concert series. This year, festival-goers will have the chance to see local faves A Tribe Called Red along with headliners July Talk, Mother Mother, and Alvvays among others. This is such a treat, make sure you take advantage of all these amazing and accessible events!

Have you ever wondered what some of Ottawa’s most creative men can do with jewellery? Well this Friday, June 24 is your chance to see some of their original works. Hard Metals, happening at Heist Jewellery, is an art show of sorts exploring wedding ring designs and concepts by some of the 613’s favourite contemporary artists that will give centre stage to their completely unconventional rings. Sounds interesting!

Over in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Friday, there will be a small Saint-Jean Baptiste celebration to mark Quebec’s birthday. As of 8 p.m. on Laval Street, there will be live music featuring Funk-A-Tron 5000 as well as a headlining performance by Rap Queb supergroup Alaclair Ensemble. What’s more, it’s entirely free to attend!

Over at Zaphods this Friday, there’s going to be a fundraiser for Fort McMurray. The live music show will feature performances by local bands The Superlative, Metronome Jones and Missioner.

In beautiful Wakefield, at the Blacksheep Inn this Friday, you can catch Toronto/Kingston indie folk band Wild Rivers, who’s self-titled album came out earlier this Spring. For the occasion, the four-piece will be sharing the stage with Toronto/Kingston indie rock group Lost Cousins and Ottawa funk/pop/soul outfit Harea Band.

Ottawa duo leMeow invites you to join them for their York St debut album release party this Friday night at the Rainbow Bistro. For the occasion, the group will be performing two sets: one of original material found on the album and another one featuring a mixed bag of fun tunes. Check it out!

Tropikalo’s back baby! This super fun dancefloor affair, that had gone into hiatus, made a long-awaited return in January and good times are bound to roll once again this Friday night at Happy Goat Coffee. Tropikalo is the perfect dance party if you’re looking for afrolatin caribbean vibes. Just put on your dancing shoe and let DJs Zattar and Trevor Walker take care of the rest.

Double Barrel, one of Ottawa’s funnest monthly dance parties, is going down inside Mercury Lounge this Friday night. Resident DJ Magnificent will be gracing the 1s and 2s as he does best and this time around he’ll be joined by special guest DJ Ruby Jane. An all-vinyl funk, soul, Motown and vintage reggae dance party you won’t want to miss!

This Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25, Amnesia presents the 11th annual Rockfest in Montebello, Quebec, just 45 minutes away from downtown Ottawa. The festival promises performances by 150 groups including headliners Blink 182, Rise Against, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, NOFX, Billy Talent and many others. The organizers offer an on-site camping option for those who wish to attend both days and stay overnight.

The Ottawa Makers Market is back and this time around it’s happening this Saturday at the Rideau Curling Club. The modern craft fair will feature 75 local makers, artists and entrepreneurs. It’s not your nana’s craft fair, trust. Dare I say better? Yes way better!

The House of PainT festival is having a community jam at the Science and Technology Museum this Saturday. It’ll be fun-filled day of breakdancing, skateboarding, music, science, art and food to celebrate the completion of the largest joint mural ever painted in the nation’s capital.

This Saturday night, the Ottawa Jazz Festival and the Mercury Lounge present  NYC DJ Hector Romero live. The internationally-acclaimed DJ/Producer will be giving a set inside the club alongside guest DJs Trevor Walker and Luke McKeehan. On top of that, Matt Cameron will be there to take care of visual projections.

The Escapade Music Festival, dedicated to highlighting electronic dance music in its many shapes and forms, is being held on June 25 and 26 beside the Rideau Carleton Raceway. Now in its 6th year, this 2-day festival attracts electronic music enthusiasts from the National Capital Region and beyond. Headlining acts this year include Diplo, Martin Garrix, DVBBS, Dash Berlin, Bassjackers, Borgore and more.

Forest will be having their Flow EP release show at Live on Elgin this Sunday, June 26. To mark the launch of their project, the Ottawa-based experimental progressive rock band will be playing alongside special guests Nessie and Nighttime in Kansas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eventful Capital’s Weekly Picks: From Ottawa Explosion and the Fringe Festival to GlowFair and the Festival Franco-Ontarien

Festival season is in full swing and as a result the National Capital Region is buzzing with events. If you’re in our lively city this week, be sure to check out some of the great shows and festivals taking place in and around Ottawa-Gatineau. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below for a glimpse into some of the cool things that are scheduled.

Ottawa Explosion 2016 runs from June 15-19 at various locations across Ottawa-Gatineau including Club Saw, House of Targ, Ritual, Le Temporaire, and St. Albans. This niche music festival, which features underground punk, rock, garage, indie psych pop bands from the region and beyond will present over 75 groups, the majority of which you’ve probably never heard of, but that you should definitely discover and encourage if you’re into those genres. This is what Ottawa Explosion is all about: a really loud, really fun celebration of underground music.  

Ottawa’s largest theatre festival, the Fringe, is back for its 20th season from June 15 to June 286 at La Nouvelle Scène  among other downtown venues. The 2016 edition will feature over 400 performances, many of which are local-based productions. The Fringe is one of the city’s most accessible festivals with tickets for performances priced at a ridiculously affordable price. What’s more, 100% of ticket sales go directly to the performers, and that alone is seriously amazing and worth supporting. 

Ottawa prog rock/post hardcore newcomers Halfsleeper are having their EP release show at Babylon this Thursday, June 16. For the occasion, the four-piece will be sharing the stage with Ottawa post rock/shoegaze band No Mistakes in Space and Ottawa indie alternative rock band The Haig.

Toronto folk musician Justin Nozuka will be performing live at Zaphods this Thursday, June 16. The artist, known for his soothing minimalist style, will be playing alongside Ottawa folk singer-songwriter and guitar player Amanda Lowe.

The 41st edition of the Festival Franco-Ontarien kicks off this Thursday, June 16 and runs until Saturday, June 18. This year again, the family-friendly festival, which celebrates francophone music and culture, is being held at Major Hill Park and will present popular Francophone musicians and bands including legendary African artist Tiken Jah Fakoly, Montreal pop singer-songwriter Karim Ouellet, Acadian hip hop duo Radio Radio, and local indie rock trio Pandaleon among others.

The annual Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival & Powwow is being held from Friday, June 17 to Monday, June 20 at Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa. The family-friendly event, which offers free admission, will feature a variety of traditional powwow dance competitions along with live music shows, a drum contest, a family fun zone, workshops, artisans, crafts, a selection of traditional aboriginal foods and lots more. 

From Friday, June 17 to Sunday, June 19, the Ottawa Asian Festival presents the 2016 Ottawa Night Market at Lansdowne Park. This free admission outdoor event will feature the best in Asian cuisine and allow attendees to enjoy classic and creative cuisine from some of the best chefs from both Ottawa and Toronto. There will be over 60 vendors and hundreds of delicious dishes to choose from. Come hungry!

This Friday, Zaphods presents an evening of live metal with Vancouver speed metal/hardcore/punk thrash band The Golers as well as Beamsville party metal/thrash group Laid To Rest, Ottawa doom metal/hardcore/noise/sludge project Tongue Eating Louse and Ottawa classic hardcore/prog punk rockers Slim and Popular.

GlowFair is back for a third edition and building on last year’s success. The festival’s 2016 installment, once again free to attend, will feature art performances, vibrant music shows and state-of-the-art light projections, which will make a stretch of Bank Street come to life on June 17 and 18. Headliners include Keys N’ Krates, Dragonette, and Rich Aucoin among other great performers. Be part of the action and experience the core of Centretown like you’ve never seen it before!

This Saturday, June 18, the Freewheeling Curator and Makerspace North present the Urban Picnic Craft Pop-Up happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This one day pop-up will feature the best modern makers from the 613 & beyond as well as delicious picnic-inspired food and other fun surprises. Come hungry and support local!

Carivibe, the festival celebrating Caribbean culture in the Nation’s Capital, is back at Petrie Island on Saturday, June 18 and organizers invite you to reach the beach. This annual family-friendly beach party, which offers a diverse array of tropical rhythms, cuisine, carnival and culture, will celebrate the 2016 edition with headlining performances by reggae legend Sanchez, Hypasounds, The Bajan Soca Sensation and several others.

Ottawa based tech-death metal band Killitorous is celebrating 10 years of making music this Saturday, June 18th and to mark the occasion, the group, established in 2006, will begiving a live show at Mavericks and playing alongside tech-death group Teramobil, shred metal project Divine Realm, symphonic black metal formation Endemise and metal outfit Ending Tyranny.

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Ottawa rock n’roll band Ukrainia will be returning to House of Targ this Saturday, June 18 and this time around, the 4-piece will be playing alongside Ottawa rock/soul/blues/folk powerhouse duo Riishi Von Rex. Good times to be had when live music, pinball and perogies collide.

Fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd will want to make their way over to the Rainbow Bistro this Saturday night to check out Southbound,Ottawa’s best Southern rock and roll tribute band.

Mother Nature hasn’t been too cooperative lately, so let’s cross our fingers that the weather will get nicer moving forward because Pozativ Vibrationz By Da Beach, a family-friendly outdoor event happening every sunny Sunday, kicks off June 19 at Petrie Island after being postponed twice. What more could you want than a free jam by the beach featuring top notch DJs, tasty eats & refreshing beverages provided by Banana’s Beach Grill & Rum Shack. Positive vibes all around, guaranteed and here’s to hoping the sun shines bright this Sunday!