Another blog post, another week filled with music shows, art exhibitions, and events of all kinds taking place in and around Ottawa-Gatineau. Again, 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 to help plan the days ahead. White Cowbell Oklahoma will be making a stop in Ottawa this Thursday, December 4 as part of their 15th Anniversary Steamroll Tour. The legendary Canadian rockers, who give incredible live shows, will be returning to the National Capital to perform live at Mavericks alongside The Paceshifters and Sal Piamonte. This Thursday, December 4, Zaphods will be hosting an evening of great local modern folk pop and the forecast is calling for solid tunes, great people and an awesome time. For the occasion, Ottawa musician Adam Marshall will be performing live and sharing the stage with Emilie Scott and Connor & Aidan.
The fourth instalment of CapCity Showdown is happening this Thursday, December 4 at City Nightclub. This performance competition will bring a slew of local hip-hop artists on the same stage to compete head to head for cash and prizes. This edition will feature competitors Rita Carter, Soru, Swift Crew, and Cugini among others as well as a headlining performance by Chrissy Spratt.
Montreal indie/folk/pop trio Motel Raphaël will be returning to the capital city this Thursday night. The ladies will be sharing the stage with Ottawa indie-pop band Thrifty Kids and Ottawa indie-pop musician Sarah Bradley of the band Fevers.
La Coka Nostra’s own Slaine will be giving a show at Ritual this Thursday night as part of The King Of Everything Else Tour. The Boston-based rapper will be joined by special guests Charron, Aspects, Rob GF, and M.I.M.E.
If you’re a fan of dubstep, then chances are you’re familiar with Compa. The UK-based DJ and Producer affiliated to Deep Medi/Boka/Kokeshi/WX/WL will be giving a live set at Cafe Nostalgica this December 4 alongside local support from Disco-Nekt and Mr. TheCat.
Jigga what, jigga who? If you know a little about hip-hop, you’re probably familiar with these lyrics from Jay-Z, one of the biggest and most respected rappers in the game. The man was born on December 4, so for the occasion, Babylon will be hosting “Can’t Knock The Hustle”, a tribute to Shawn Carter, this Thursday night at the club. DJ Acro will be on the 1s and 2s taking care of the beats and playing an all-Jay-Z set.
When Art Attacks is a collaborative art show featuring a variety of different everyday items that have been “attacked” by art. The event, happening at Wicked Wanda’s this Friday night, will feature art works by Dems & Doll, Alexandre Aimée, Brittany Anne Mandel as well as live body art, a sexy/crazy photo booth, complimentary bites and funky beats.
The 7th annual Bizarre Love Triangle holiday art show is being held this Friday night at Cyclelogik. There will be lovely unique art for sale, of course, as well as a fun photo booth, treats courtesy of Essence Catering and beats provided by selector Greg Reain.
DJs Zattar, Memetic and Eric Roberts have reason to celebrate. This Friday, December 5, their popular monthly dance party Timekode turns 9 years old! That’s quite an accomplishment for a local monthly. 9 years strong of soul moving soles. To add to the festivities, they’ll be joined by long-time friends and collaborators DJs Magnificent and Trevor Walker. This special edition will be held at a fresh new spot called Maker Space North, conceived by John Criswick, owner of the Mercury Lounge.
Montreal punk/rock/grunge duo Solids will be performing live at House of Targ this Friday night. The guys will be sharing the stage with Montreal hardcore/punk band Hashed Out and ex-Shotmaker/Okara, Ottawa math-rock/post-punk project The Dark Plains. Having seen Solids perform live at the Petit Chicago this past October, I can attest to the fact that these guys rock hard and give a solid set no less.
Frenzy, one of the most popular dance parties in the city, is going down at Babylon this Friday night. The latest instalments of the monthly dance party have been off the hook and featuring some of the best upcoming and established music producers out there. This time around will be no different as Straight Goods welcomes the debut of Brooklyn-based producer Sweater Beats.
This Saturday, December 6, Bruised Tongue, Ottawa Explosion, & Gabba Hey! present the first-ever Gabba Hey! Holiday! Sale! Happening at 250 City Center, the craft sale will feature over 30 local vendors showcasing the best to eat, read, wear, admire and love forever.
This Saturday at Pressed Cafe, there will be a night of musical mastery and conversive discussion featuring The Way, Cat Hibou Blais, the true man show, Allan André and more. Activities will include live music, live art, dancing, theatre, eating, drinking and being merry.
If you’re looking for an intimate night of folk and rock’n’roll music this Saturday, be sure to head over to Raw Sugar Cafe to catch the show given by alternative folk singer-songwriter Justice R.F., rock n’ roll band Run Coyote and folk/rock trio Tall Trees.
Fryquency, the pay-what-you-can series that exhibits emerging and experimental Canadian music, is turning 1 year old. To celebrate, there will be a live show this Saturday, December 6 at Mugshots featuring sets by bands Fet.Nat, WTCHS, and Grime Kings. What’s more, the series is now all-ages.
If you enjoy thrash metal, do yourself a favour and make your way over to House of Targ this Saturday, December 6. Hamilton old school thrashers Varga will be headlining the show and playing alongside Ottawa melodic death metal band Signs Of Chaos, Ottawa thrash metal group A Darker Day and Ottawa death thrash project Outrage AD.
Over at the Bronson Centre this Saturday night, Hamilton rock n’ roll band Monster Truck will be giving a live show. For the occasion, the Dine Alone Records signees will be sharing the stage with Montreal rockers Eagle Tears who’ll be warming up the crowd with their opening set.
Fever, the only disco dance party of its kind in Ottawa, is happening at Babylon this Saturday, December 6. The now-monthly night promises all the glits and glam of the 70s & 80s and tons of disco hits provided by DJ Illo. The night will open with a fancy disco drag show performed by a couple of Ottawa’s queens, DeeDee Delite & Vaselina Champagneless. An awesome way to dance the night away!
The holiday edition of the Urban Craft Market is happening this Saturday, December 6 at the Glebe Community Centre. Urban Craft provides a great opportunity to browse through over 50 local vendors who’ll be selling their crafts at affordable prices. This is the ideal place to go to find special hand-crafted gifts and goodies for those on your Christmas list.