Another week, another exciting lineup of events happening in Ottawa-Gatineau in the days to come. Check out Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below for a glimpse into the number of events taking place in and around the National Capital Region in the next few days.
To kick it off with poetry, there’s a spoken word evening called “When The Flower Moon Falls” being held at The Daily Grind this Monday, May 19. There will be an open mic starting around 7pm followed by feature spoken word artists V, Brad Morden, Mary Pinkoski, and Nathanael Larochette.
There’s a punk rock show happening at Avant-Garde Bar this Monday night. Boston punk rock group Trophy Lungs will be performing live alongside Winnipeg punk rock band Elder Abuse (Ex Daggermouth), Ottawa/Gatineau hardcore project Spaz Out, and Ottawa hardcore punkers Sketchy Poutine.
This Wednesday, May 21, join Fet.Nat as the group celebrates the release of its debut full-lenght album Poule Mange Poule. The Hull-based project will be performing live at the new House of Targ and for the occasion the musicians will be joined by Grime Kings and Toronto Homicide Squad.
If you’re into metal, you may want to head over to Ritual this Thursday, May 22 to check out New York deathcore group Emmure live. The 5-piece will be performing alongside San Antonio metal band Upon A Burning Body, Calgary metal/hardcore group Fall City Fall, Ottawa metal/hardcore project Abraxas and Ottawa metalcore formation Greylights.
Carleton University’s community radio station CKCU FM presents a Vinyl Night this Thursday, May 22 at Raw Sugar Cafe. Show hosts Rocky LaLune of Debaser, Lefty McRighty of Friday Night Truck Stop, and Bill Guerrero of Crimes Against Music among others, will bring some of their favourite records for a night of diverse musical waxing. Starting at 7pm, a rotating roster will play some of their fave vinyls for the love of music and your listening pleasure.
East-Ontarian Francophone group Pandaléon will be releasing its EP “À chacun son gibier” this Thursday, May 22 at the Mercury Lounge. The album launch, presented by BRBR, will feature a live performance with new material from this rural industrial rock trio.
The Ottawa Rock Camp for Girls fundraising launch party is being held this Thursday night at the House of Targ. This annual three-day program where girls aged 13 to 17 get to learn and practice an instrument, form a band, and perform at a Showcase Concert is run entirely on support from the communitLiz McDermott y. The fundraising event will feature live music by Liz McDermott, Catriona Sturton, Keturah Johnson, DJs Gina Vinelli & Jas Nasty as well as a silent auction, guest speakers, and CBC host Jessa Runciman. And of course there’s also perogies and pinball.
Local hip-hop group Poetic Elements is releasing its first project The Diamond Life EP. To celebrate, their throwing a launch party at The Daily Grind this Thursday night featuring live performances by Hyf The GypsySun, Nakiem, Atherton and music selections courtesy of DJ2creamz.
As part of this year’s Ottawa Race Weekend, there will be a free concert series between May 23 and May 25 at the Ottawa City Hall Festival Plaza. On Friday night, the lineup includes Jim Bryson, Amos The Transparent and By The Lights. On Saturday, there will be live performances by Hawksley Workman, Furious Gord, Brant Pethick, Billy Love Band, and Farewell Davidson and on Sunday the concert will feature sets by Eric Eggleston, Fridays Deadline, Destiny, and Circus Delights. Gotta love all these free music shows!
The last Nature Nocturne of the season is happening this Friday night at the Museum of Nature. The theme of this edition being glow-in-the-dark, the event will feature Cityscape Sessions Live, stunning visuals and cutting-edge house music courtesy of Blake Sutherland and Return of the Jaded, the NYC blockbuster show Creatures of Light, programming under the stars with Bioni Samp and his unique fusion of live DJ music and recordings from his beehive, and a main dance floor under an illuminated jellyfish. Glow-in-the-dark clothing and accessories are encouraged.
This Friday, May 23, You’ve Changed Records is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a Revue Concert happening at St. Alban’s Church. The show, presented by Arboretum Festival, will feature live performances by Shotgun Jimmie, The Weather Station, Baby Eagle, Richard Laviolette and Marine Dreams. 
Over in Wakefield at the Blacksheep Inn this Friday, May 23, Ottawa-based musician Kalle Mattson will be performing live in an effort to promote his latest full-lenght album “Someday, The Moon Will Be Gold”. The artist will be joined by Wakefield’s own The Strain and Montreal acoustic folk rock project The Wind and the Wild.
Double Barrel is heading to Hintonburg this Friday night for a one-off party taking place at the popular Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern. For the occasion, resident DJ Magnificent will be joined by special guest DJs General Eclectic and Splattermonkey Y’all of Toronto’s Shindig! party, which is voted one of the best nights out dancing in that city. Both have been featured at Double Barrel before and they’ll be bringing classic 45s to keep the dancefloor bumping all night.
There’s a Space Jam in town, and it’s happening over at Ritual down in the lounge this Friday night. The first instalment of this new event, fittingly dubbed the Michael Jordan edition, will feature live graffiti art by Alien Iverson, music selections courtesy of DJs Max Zims and Jelani Lewis and the chance to win a NRML giftcard for a pair of Jordans of your choice. 
The Mercury Lounge presents the return of DJ Mari Rossi this Friday night, May 23. The internationally renowned Brazilian DJ will be giving a live set complete with jazzy drum and bass, nu jazz, broken beats and house music. What’s more, she’ll be celebrating 15 years on the road along with her birthday! 
The dancefloor affair that is Tropikalo is going down this Friday night, May 23. Now happening at Mugshots, it’s the perfect dance party if you’re looking for afro latin caribbean vibes. Just put your dancing shoes on and let DJs Zattar, Lance Baptiste and Trevor Walker take care of the rest.
Straight Goods, DNA Presents and Bydek have teamed up to bring you Motion, Ottawa’s newest monthly dedicated to featuring rising international DJs/Producers. The inaugural launch event will be happening this Friday night at Babylon with up and coming special guest DJ/Producer Stwo all the way from Paris, France. 
New Hampshire post-hardcore/metalcore group Our Last Night will be performing live at Ritual on May 24 as part of their Canadian Tour 2014. The 4-piece will be joined on stage by Ottawa pop-punk band Remember The Fire, Ottawa post-hardcore/metalcore project Obyrne and Ottawa hardcore/rockers Daisy who will be giving their debut show.
If you’re looking for a place to rock out this Saturday night, make your way over to Avant-Garde to see Insufficient Funds play live with guest bands Los Ninos Flamingos, Alex Robshaw, and Celery Troff.
Silk, the best R&B dance party in the capital city, is moving to Mugshots starting this Saturday, May 24. Resident DJs Matty McGovern, Matt Tamblyn and Eric Roberts are getting ready to play your favourite R&B hits and rare jams to keep you dancing all night. Weather-permitting, the party will be held outdoors in the courtyard.
For an intimate indie show this Sunday, May 25, hit up Pressed Cafe to see Vancouver slacker-pop trio The Courtneys perform live. The all-female group will be giving a show alongside Ottawa ouija rock favourites The Yips and Ottawa indie-rock project Dreamphone.
Here’s to hoping Mother Nature cooperates this coming Sunday, May 25 for the Ravenswing Art & Music Fair. The 8th edition of this annual DIY event which celebrates creativity in Centretown Ottawa, is taking place at Minto Park and will feature live music by Her Harbour, StillNative, Fire Antlers, Just Jamall the Poet, Gary Franks and Jas Nasty. On top of that, there will be free skill-sharing workshops on social media, leather earrings, stencil printing along with 80 local vendors selling all sorts of handmade goods. 
