As pointed out last week, the bad news is, August is over and it’s back to school time. The good news is, there are still plenty of festivals happening in September to prolonge the summer vibes. Check out what’s happening around town this week and be sure to get out there and support our local cultural scene.
If you have an interest in Canadian music and the Polaris Music Prize, then you definitely want to head to the National Arts Centre’s 4th Stage this Tuesday, September 8 at to check out the Polaris Prize Panel with panelists Ryan Bresee of CKCU 93.1 FM, Alan Neal of CBC Radio One, Catherine Pogonot of Radio Canada, Julie Ledoux of Voir and moderator Steve Jordan of the Polaris Music Prize. To know more about this free event, just click below.
As part of the FOE, the Bistro CoqLicorne presents the exhibition 8 par 8 by visual artist Guillaume Perreault. The vernissage, which is being held this Wednesday evening, will feature 20 original works from the artist who conceived the visuals for this year’s festival. The art show is being presented until November 28, 2015.
The Cool Kids Craft Sale is back at Pressed Cafe this Wednesday night from 7 to 11 pm. This time around the sale will feature pottery, vintage clothing, prints, screen printing, pins, and tarot readings among other things.
When it comes to celebrating urban culture, no one does it better than House of PainT (HoP). The annual festival, which serves as a vehicle to elevate and celebrate urban arts and culture, has become instrumental in bringing forward the four elements of hip-hop to young and old from all walks of life who are curious about the culture or those who simply want to be a part of the movement. For its 12th edition dubbed “Pass The Mic”, HoP organizers invite everyone and anyone with a love of hip-hop and community to converge between September 9 and 13, and take in graffiti art, breakdancing, emceeing, slam poetry, a beat showcase, and deejaying under Dunbar bridge in Brewer Park as well as other venues.
This Thursday night at Cafe Dekcuf, French death metal band Eradikal Insane will be performing live as part of an Eastern Canadian tour. The group will be joined by Ottawa metal outfit A Scar For The Wicked, Montreal metal band Shape The Above, Ottawa progressive metal project The Aphelion and Gatineau death/thrash metal formation Deathrow Six.
University of Ottawa students are in luck this year: they get to attend a free back-to-school show on campus featuring Montreal-based indie folk pop group Half Moon Run and Quebec electro pop favourites Misteur Valaire. This inaugural edition will feature two acclaimed musical acts performing on an outdoor stage in front of the Social Sciences Building (FSS). It promises to be colourful, festive and dynamic!
The 26th annual One World Film Festival will be held from September 24-26, and in the lead up, festival organizers invite the public and members of the media to gather this September 10 at the ByTowne Cinema for the launch and a preview of the Canadian and international documentaries, panel discussions and workshops that will inspire you to make informed choices about Canada’s future. Attendees will have the opportunity to find out more about the programming featured at this year’s festival. The launch will be followed by the Ottawa premiere of the must-see documentary CHAMELEON by award-winning Canadian director Ryan Mullins.
The 2015 Festival de l’Outaouais Emergent, aka the FOÉ, kicks off this Thursday, September 10 and runs until Sunday, September 13 just across the river in the Hull sector of Gatineau. The 8th edition of this eclectic annual festival continues to celebrate local emerging artists and to feature a variety of artistic disciplines. On top of music, visual arts, and film, festival-goers will also have the opportunity to enjoy slam poetry. This year’s festivities will take place at many locations around the Vieux-Hull neighborhood and feature music headliners Milk & Bone, Timber Timbre, Koriass, Grimskunk, Dumas and many more. To get the full program, just click on the event poster below.
Scratch that: Spectrasonic, the show’s organizer and promoter, has just cancelled the show and the reason why is unclear, but it’s apparently not because of the bands…New Jersey skate-punk band Bigwig will be performing live at Ritual this Thursday, September 10. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa skate/tech-punks Sidelines and Ottawa punk group Benevenstanciano.
Los Angeles r&b-oriented singer Blackbear will be making his Ottawa debut this Friday, September 11 at Ritual. The artist, who co-wrote Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” hit single, will be performing live alongside Jutes and more to be announced.
Local indie garage pop rock band Elementals will be releasing their debut album “I’m Not Here, I’m Not Real” with a live show this Friday night at House of Targ. To celebrate, they’ll be performing live with electro/acid pop artist Cosmo Doris, indie rock band Tindervox and indie rock group The Haig.
The annual punkottawa.com flea market is back this Saturday, September 12 at Mac Hall inside the Bronson Centre. This is the place to go if you’re looking to buy and sell records, clothing, crafts, jewelry, toys, video games, trinkets and more handmade stuff with part of the proceeds going to animal welfare charities.
Handmade Harvest presents Food & Drink happening this weekend at the historic Almonte Agricultural Hall. Featuring a bunch of amazing food and drink artisans on Saturday, September 12, this celebration of all things DIY is the perfect place to find unique handmade treats and goodies.
Halifax indie rock band In-Flight Safety will be rocking Zaphods this Saturday, September 12. As part of the live show, they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa alternative rock group Moroccan Sun, previously known as Finding Chuck.
