It’s the sort-of long weekend folks. I expect most people will take a 4day weekend and roll straight from Friday through Canada Day on Tuesday and well done on you!
Event of the weekend!! Saturday Jazz fest only has the mind-blowing horn blowing Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
First up: there are FOUR more days of Ottawa Fringe Festival in the hood headquartered at Arts Court. The choice is expansive with many excellent shows selling out. I can’t recommend it more and am personally gutted to see the end in sight – but there is still time for more PHEW. I’ve had countless hours of entertainment this year and will miss the explosion of international and local talent as well as the free concerts and conviviality of the Waller Park beer tent when it wraps. If you do nothing else this weekend take a trip to the Fringe.
The Ottawa Jazz Festival continues their eclectic class act til 30June. Catch a show then take in the Late Night Jamming sessions at The Albion Rooms starting at 10:30PM.
Thursday evening: Sandy Hill Heritage Study from 6-8:30PM at the Sandy Hill Community Centre 250 Somerset St E. Free entrance 5-8 at the National Gallery & the Byward Night Market is open for all your fresh produce shopping needs til 9PM.
Thursday night: Claude Munson host the open mic at Cafe Nostalgica. Free concert 9PM at Waller Park in the Ottawa Fringe Beer tent including Crissi Cochrane & Three Little Birds. Over at Ottawa’s only Jail/Bar Mugshots 75 Nicholas St its all going off til 2AM withs Rehab Pizza Party w/ Cadence Weapon & Silkken Laumann.
Friday – still time for Fringe or check out the line up for great tunes alongside top brews with The Dirty Sheep, Sounds of Stories, Tales from the BackSeat and Novalatte all at the local Lunenburg Pub on Waller St.
Beautiful Saturday grab your bike and catch a brew and the sunset at 8LocksFlat on the Canal just off Colonel By side bike path. Best sunsets in Ottawa.
Saturday it’s the Arts Court favourite Art Battle Regional Ottawa Finals at the Ottawa Convention Centre (55 Colonel By Drive). Paint Brush at the ready, 20mins on the clock, you decide who wins! Starts at 7PM
Event of the weekend!! If you’ve never seen the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble then rush over to the Confederation Park for 10:30PM Saturday night to be properly enthralled. The 8-piece hailing from Chicago will not disappoint. It’s made up of the 8 sons of Jazz Trumpeter Phil Cochran and with only horns and a drum-set it will set your night on fire guaranteed. First time I saw these guys was an impromptu street gig on Portobello Market in 2009 – so word to the wise they frequently set up busker style (of course Ottawa City might fine them!) to get the vibe of the City.
Saturday night final chance to get your Fringe on and don’t miss the closing free night of concerts on the Downtown Rideau Stage in Waller Park featuring Ottawa favourite Silkken Laumann at 10PM.
For Sunday through Tuesday we recommend checking out OttawaStart for all the Canada Day festivities.
Sandy Hill Seen 