Festival season is in full swing which means the National Capital Region is buzzing with events. If you’re in the area this week, be sure to check out some of the great shows and festivals taking place in and around Ottawa-Gatineau in the days ahead. Take a look at Eventful Capital’s weekly picks below for a glimpse into some of the noteworthy things that are scheduled to happen.
If you’re into experimental electronic music, be sure to hit up The Daily Grind this Monday night to check out Ottawa/Toronto electro industrial project Antigen Shift, Winnipeg synth pop duo Ghost Twin and Ottawa ambient electro project Reservoir.
Over in Gatineau, Francophones will be celebrating St-Jean Baptiste at Outaouais en fête happening from June 23 to June 27. This annual festival will once again feature a series of activities, rides, fireworks and live shows at the Des Cedres Park in Aylmer. This year’s lineup will feature headliners Lisa Leblanc, Radio Radio, Stefie Shock, and La Bottine Souriante among others.
For the metal heads, New Orleans sludge metal band Crowbar will be making a return to Ottawa this Wednesday, June 24 as part of their North American Tour. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Detroit thrash metal band Battlecross, Portland metal formation Lord Dying and Ottawa metal/hardcore 5-piece A Darker Day.
Over in the Hull sector of Gatineau this Wednesday, there will be a small St-Jean Baptiste celebration to mark Quebec’s birthday. As of 8pm on Laval Street, there will be live music featuring the Irish Bastards, Dylan Perron et Élixir de Gumbo as well as slam poetry. What’s more, it’s entirely free to attend!
Bars and Breakbeats is back for the summer with a special show happening this Thursday, June 25 at Cafe Dekcuf. This time around, the show will feature live performances by Ottawa singer-songwriter and guitar player Aaron Ray, Ottawa/Toronto rock band Stereoblastula, Brooklyn, NY rock group The Falling Birds, Gatineau rock newcomers gofargo and Ottawa experimental acid pop project Cosmo Doris.
The Northeast Telethon is making a stop in Ottawa this Thursday night for a live show happening at Ritual featuring performances by Brooklyn soulful hip hop duo Tanya Morgan, Victoria, BC rapper and producer Moka Only and beat maker/producer Fresh Kils. The headliners will be joined on stage by Ottawa hip hop group Poetic Elements, Eric Mirk and Alex Lost who’ll take care of the opening sets.
Another hip hop event going down this Thursday night is Fresh presented by CKCU’s The Mix. Happening at Babylon, the event will feature live performances by hip hop artists Junia-T, Yusso, Kool Krys and Missing Linx among others as well as a beat showcase by Bix and CircaBeatz and art by visual artists Mique Michelle, Robbie Lariviere, Vincent B and more!
The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is celebrating it’s 22nd edition at Moonie’s Bay Park from June 25 to 28. 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 acts The Acorn, Kalle Mattson, Craig Cardiff and Jim Bryson along with headliners Mounties, Tokyo Police Club, Hey Rosetta, and Dan Mangan & Blacksmith among others. This is such a treat it would be a shame not to take advantage of all these amazing and accessible events!
If you’re looking for something more intimate and indoors, check out the show happening at Pressed Cafe on Friday night. You’ll get to catch live sets by Toronto singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Kruchak, Calgary/Toronto country folk musician Emily Jill West and Ottawa alternative folk group Black Dogs.
Local groups Monday I Retire and Harea Band are performing live at the beautiful Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield this Friday night to welcome the long-awaited summer season. Summer attire is strongly encouraged and there will be prizes for best summer gear. $10 will get you in at the door, but $20 dollars will get you a bus ride to the venue and back as well as admission. To reserve your spot on the bus email to sayheytosummer@gmail.com.
The Escapade Music Festival, dedicated to highlighting electronic dance music in its many shapes and forms, is being held on June 27 and 28 beside the Rideau Carleton Raceway. Now in its fifth year, this 2-day festival attracts electronic music enthusiasts from the National Capital Region and beyond. Headlining acts this year include Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Knife Party, Laidback Luke, Markus Schulz and Mark Knight.
Another show to check out for the metal heads this week, this time happening at Cafe Dekcuf on Saturday, June 27. The show will kick off with Quebec death thrash beast Sans Amertume, followed by Gatineau’s own Greta Knights, Trois-Rivières metal trio Outlying, Toronto death metal band Blastomycosis, and Gatineau deathcore 5-piece Beyond Deviation.
Over at the new Live on Elgin this Saturday night, catch Ottawa roots/folk/rock band Silver Creek live alongside special guests The Pick Brothers Band, a group of rock n’ rollers from Toronto.
Did you love attending the Latin Sparks outdoor dance party last year? Well this summer, organizers are only presenting one edition of the popular event on Saturday, June 27 along Sparks Street. The latin-themed block party promises to offer a night of dancing under the stars with complimentary workshops, music, cuisine and live percussionists and entertainment. Again, there’s only one being held this year, so don’t miss out if this is your thing.
David Monks, of Tokyo Police Club, will be giving a live performance at House of Targ this Saturday night in an effort to promote his solo material. The Newmarket musician will be sharing the stage with Brooklyn indie group Fort Lean for the occasion. If you can’t catch Tokyo Police Club at the Dragon Boat Fest on Sunday, this is a nice opportunity to catch one of the band member’s solo project.
Yeezy enthusiasts are invited to join forces and get down to Babylon this Saturday night for Yeezus Night, an event entirely dedicated to the music of Kanye West and affiliates from G.O.O.D. Music, the ROC & more. DJs Matt Tamblyn and Laocapone will be taking care of the beats while the Yezzus army basks in the glory of their favourite rap artist. If this sounds like a party for you, be sure to get there early as it’ll probably reach capacity.
Right before the Yeezus Night at Babylon, there will be a hip hop trivia hosted by Bender of Flight Distance and Matt Tamblyn to test your knowledge of the genre. If you’re a rap fanatic, it’s time to show off your skills at Cap City’s first official hip-hop trivia night. Winner gets a pair of Bluesfest tickets to see Kanye West in July!
Oyster lovers rejoice: the 8th annual Bytowne Oyster Festival is being held this Sunday, June 28 at Whalesbone. The best darn Oyster Festival Ottawa has ever seen is back with live music, competitions, tasty snacks, kid-friendly activities and of course, oysters galore. Feast up!
All the way from France, black metal group Seth will be giving a show in the national capital this Sunday, June 28. For the occasion, they’ll be tearing up the Cafe Dekcuf stage alongside Montreal black metal band Hollow, as well as Ottawa black metal groups Endemise, Accursed Creation and Dissentient.