Well, October has come and gone and November’s here, which means craft sales and Christmas markets are going to start rolling in for the holiday season that’s fast-approaching. That aside, rest assured there’s all sorts of fun things happening in and around Ottawa-Gatineau this week, so check out a sample of cool events below and get out there!
Texas In July have embarked on their final tour across North America and they’ll be kicking it off in Ottawa on November 3. For the occasion, the Lancaster, PA metal/hardcore band will be sharing the Mavericks stage with Minnesota hardcore 4-piece Reflections, Seattle hardcore group To The Window, Texas metalcorers Invent Animate, Ottawa metal formation Vesuvius and Ottawa melodic hardcore project WKFLD.
Ottawa’s own Mehdi Hamdad, who goes by Mehdi Cayenne when he’s playing solo or Mehdi Cayenne Club with a band, is making a return to his home turf after a recent stop in Paris and a series of shows around the province of Quebec. He’ll be back to release his new album “Aube” with a live show happening this Wednesday, November 4 at the Mercury Lounge. Can’t wait to hear what he’s been working on for the past year!
This Wednesday night, November 4, Edmonton progressive rock group Revenge of the Trees will be performing live at House of Targ with Ottawa disco/funk/fusion/rock band The Ven Dreddies and Ottawa solo musician Beau Raccoon.
Hometown favourite Kalle Mattson will be performing live at the NAC’s Fourth Stage this Thursday, November 5 as part of the NAC Presents Series. The local indie folk singer-songwriter, who’s latest EP “Avalanche” will be taking him on a tour of Europe, will be joined by his band for the occasion.
The good people at Ottawa Showbox are presenting a live show this Thursday night at Pressed Cafe. The all ages event will feature sets by Montreal garage rock band No Aloha, Ottawa garage rockers Average Times and Montreal psych/shoegaze group Traces.
If you pay attention to local news, you most likely know that there was a big blaze on Somerset last week that burned down The Daily Grind, The Middle Eastern Bakery, A Dark Cloud and residents living above the businesses. Thankfully, the community reacted very quickly and joined forces to organize various fundraising initiatives to help out. One Big Benefit is a fundraiser for this cause happening Thursday night at Babylon and hosted by local comedian Greg Houston. There’s going to be music, raffle prizes, and people are even invited to bring clothing and donations, cause anything helps.
CKCU’s Indie City Madness has teamed up with Café Nostalgica to present a funding drive show that will benefit Carleton University’s community radio station. This year, the station is turning 40 years old, making it the oldest campus radio station in the country. Happening this Friday, November 6 starting at 9pm, the event will feature live performances by talented local artists namely alternative folk rock singer-songwriter Claude Munson, indie folk pop four-piece Chérie and alternative folk rock musician Cody Allen.
Chicago/San Fransisco DJ Mark Farina will be back in Ottawa this Friday, November 6 and this time around he’ll be giving a live set at Kinki Lounge Kitchen. The creator of mushroom jazz, who’s no stranger to the National Capital Region, will be joined by local DJs Balu, Paulo Cardoso and Lil Phil for the occasion.
Over at the Rainbow Bistro this Friday night, there’s going to be a double bill featuring Toronto jazz/funk/rock band Turbo Street Funk and American rock/rock n’roll 5-piece Low Cut Connie.
One of the most popular dance parties in the city, Frenzy is back at it this Friday night at Babylon. Some of the last Frenzy instalments have been sold out affairs featuring some of the best up and coming and established music producers out there. This time around will be no different as Straight Goods brings LA-based DJ/Producer Mija back to Ottawa after she gave a set at the Jack Ü Bluesfest afterparty this past summer.
Nashville garage-punk/rock band Diarrhea Planet will be making a stop in Ottawa this Friday, November 6 and for the occasion they’ll be performing live at House of Targ alongside Nashville rocknrollers Music Band and Ottawa garage surf rockers The Boreds
The Handmade Harvest Craft Show is making a return at the Almonte Old Town Hall this weekend. Featuring 50 different artisans over 2 days, this celebration of all things DIY is the perfect place to find unique crafted goods for the home and beyond and a great place to shop for holiday gifts.
The Ottawa Maker Faire is back this Saturday and Sunday at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. This two-day family-friendly event brings together enthusiasts across the spectrum of technology from robot makers, 3D printers, and engineers to aviation specialists, knitters, woodworkers and solderers to inspire, entertain and allow attendees to learn and experience the joy of creating. It’s basically the greatest show and tell in the world!
One of Ottawa’s most reputable nightclubs, the popular and beloved Mercury Lounge, will be celebrating its 19th birthday throughout November with an epic party happening Saturday night. For the occasion, the club is throwing its annual anniversary red party, where the dress code is (you guessed it) red and will feature live music by special guest DJ Mr. V of Sole Channel Music NYC and house king residents DJs Trevor Walker, Lance Baptiste & Jeff Lapratte who’ll take care of making you dance the night away.
Ottawa’s own Pony Girl invites you to celebrate the release of their second full-length album “Foreign Life” by attending their record release show happening this Saturday, November 7. Held at St. Albans, the event will feature a live performance by the Ottawa-based indie pop/art rock group as well as an opening set by Ottawa-based indi folk/baroque pop singer-songwriter Her Harbour.
Canada’s largest vintage clothing show is returning this Sunday, November 8 at the Ottawa Shaw Centre. This bi-annual fashion sale gathers rare-one-of-a-kind pieces, jewelry, scarves, hats, purses, shoes and cocktail dresses under one roof. There’s bound to be something for everyone and every budget and it’s a great opportunity to find some special things for the holidays.
This Sunday, November 8, bundle up and make your way over to Dundonald Park to show your support for the Somerset community at this all ages fundraising event from which all money raised will go to the local businesses and residents who were affected by the October 21st fire. The event, hosted by local hip hop artist Alex Silas, is going to feature live performances by Ottawa-based artists Amanda Lowe, King Kimbit, Shaun Sullivan, Ryan Fitz and more to be announced. It’ll also include a clothing drive, a bottle drive, a facepainting and balloon artist so be sure to bring some things to donate and don’t hesitate to bring kids along.
Gatineau hip hop artist and spoken word poet D-Track will be in the region this Sunday evening to launch his first book “Détroit/D-Track”, a multi-disciplinary compilation comprised of texts, photos, and URLs leading to videos and audio-recordings by the artist. The event, going down at the Brasseurs du Temps in the Hull sector of Gatineau, is sure to be a well-attended and vibrant happening so if you’d like to go, be sure to RSVP as space is limited.
