Another blog post, another week filled with music shows, art exhibitions, dance parties and events of all kinds taking place in and around Ottawa-Gatineau. As usual, there’s no shortage of fun things happening in our capital city so wether you’re into visual arts, live music, dance parties, or craft shows, there’s sure to be something to quench your event-going thirst. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below to help plan the days ahead.
If you feel like starting the week off with some indie punk rock, make your way over to House of Targ this Tuesday night to catch NYC indie rock band Dirty Dishes, Ottawa spooky beach punks Bonnie Doon and Connecticut indie rockers Stove. If you don’t work on Wednesday, even better right?
At the Ottawa Shaw Centre from November 11 to the 15, check out the Signatures Show featuring over 180 of Canada’s most talented artists, artisans, and designers. With an array of quality Canadian handcrafted products available, including fashion, home décor, natural body care, fine art, stunning jewellery, and specialty foods, it’s definitely worth attending and a perfect place to get some holiday shopping done.
Over at Cafe Dekcuf this Wednesday night, there’s going to be a live show featuring Saskatoon indie rock band Friends of Foes. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa indie folk pop duo Moonfruits, Ottawa witch folk project Cosette and Ottawa experimental folk musician Jarhead.
Montreal punk/rock/grunge duo Solids will be returning to House of Targ this Thursday night after their last performance in Ottawa which dates to December 2014. The guys will be sharing the stage with Montreal hardcore/punk band Wild Moth and Ottawa math-rock/post-punk project Heavy Traffic. Having seen Solids perform twice already, I can attest to the fact that these guys rock hard and give a solid set, no pun intended.
The Ottawa-Gatineau tattoo expo is back for the 7th year in a row and this year it’s being held from November 13 to the 15 at the Casino Lac-Leamy in the Hull sector of Gatineau. Dubbed “Clash Of The Titans”, this edition will feature a guest appearance by Hollywood actor Robert Lasardo, a live performance and novelty acts by Matt Gone, side show entertainment by Ses Carny, The Royals burlesque crew as well as a bunch of tattoo artists and vendors.
Ottawa metal band Antlion invites you to join them for their “The Prescient” album release party happening this Friday, November 13 at Cafe Dekcuf. For the occasion, they’ll be performing live alongside local metal bands From The Deep, Dissentient, and Fumigation.
Toronto-based alternative pop rock multi-instrumentalist Hawksley Workman, who was last here to perform at this past summer’s Bluesfest, will be making a return to Ottawa this Friday night as part of his Winter Bird Tour. This time around, he’ll be sharing the Bronson Centre stage with London folk-pop artist Fiona Bevan.
If you’re looking for something more intimate to kick off your weekend, Live on Elgin is a great place to hit up. This Friday night, there’s going to be some live performances by local acts namely melodic garage punk/rock trio Ornaments, acoustic punk/rock musician Ryan Fritz, indie, rock/americana/folk/blues artist Josh Charbot and Ottawa rock band Nebraska.
Victoria, BC indie roots/rock band Current Swell will be stopping in Ottawa this Friday night as part of their Canadian Tour 2015. For the occasion, they’ll be performing live alongside Toronto-based guitar prodigy Philip Sayce (previously Melissa Etheridge’s guitarist) and Ottawa high-octane rockers Autumns Cannon.
Also this Friday, November 13, Ottawa power pop rockers No Fly List return to the stage at Irene’s Pub to release the first half of their long-awaited double-EP entitled Both Sides. The Both Sides project represents the culmination of 4 years of recording and road-testing material across eastern Ontario. To mark the occasion, No Fly List will be joined by Ottawa indie rock band High Waters. This event is part of CKCU FM’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
The Grillz & Glam monthly party is celebrating 5 years of debauchery this Friday night over at Babylon. This special anniversary edition will feature special guest DJs Tom Wrecks and Tech Twelve of Toronto as well as local fave Illo on the 1s and 2s.
This Saturday, November 14, Cloud City will be releasing their self-titled debut album at the Mercury Lounge. Cloud City is an Ottawa-based instrumental band that combine elements of progressive funk/fusion, soul, groove, blues, indie rock, hip-hop, afro-beat, and electronica. Stick around after the show for some dancing to DJ Trevor Walker’s contagious sound selections.
Toronto-based experimental jazz/hip hop trio BADBADNOTGOOD will be giving a live show to support Centre 507 and the Artistic Expressions Studio this Saturday night at Centretown United Church. Having recently had more than 50% of their funding cut, this puts the centre in jeopardy and will force them to drastically scale back their programs, which have provided valuable drop-in services and a community for thousands of Ottawa’s homeless and disadvantaged for years. In addition to the show, there will be an art sale featuring the work of the Studio’s talented artists and Alan Neal of the CBC will be emceeing the event.
Local musician Vincent Bishop invites you to join him for the release of his debut album, “Out of the Dark” taking place this Saturday, November 14 at Cafe Dekcuf. Bishop, who’s style mixes elements of folk, reggae, rock, hip hop, celtic and pop, will be joined by the Harea Band for the occasion.
Ottawa stoner grunge band Mudpuppies will be performing live with Ottawa r&b/soul artist Shaz at Flapjack’s this Saturday night. Grab your friends and join them for a night of live music in support of the local scene.
The Lovely Haze will be back in Ottawa this Saturday night to launch their second album “Escape from the Dollhouse”. This time around, the Montreal garage punk/rock band will be performing live at Mavericks with Ottawa bands Muffler Crunch, Elementals, and Big Moan.
If you’re into hip hop, you should make your way over to Raw Sugar Cafe this Saturday night to check out a live show featuring some local talent. Ottawa soulful hip hop trio Just Poets, Ottawa experimental hip hop group wotts and Ottawa rapper Eddy P.
Hometown heroes The Souljazz Orchestra are performing live at the Petit Chicago this Saturday, November 14 as part of their Resistance International Album Release Tour. The Ottawa-based six-piece, known for its contagious soul, jazz and afro-latin sounds, will be joined by DJ Zattar on the wheels of steel. If you haven’t been to a Souljazz show before, you’re in for a treat, it’s always a guaranteed good time!