Broadway Nights continues to take over Red Bird Live on a monthly basis, giving Ottawa show tune lovers a chance to belt ’em out in front of a friendly crowd. Apt613 photographer Curtis Perry captured some great moments from December’s event ..read more

As December unfolds, the year draws to a close with a sense of reflection and anticipation for the holiday season, encapsulating the spirit of festivity and year-end sentiments. The music scene in Ottawa mirrors this celebratory mood, offering a diverse array of genres to suit every taste – rock, folk, electronic, rap, and more. Explore Ottawa’s December music calendar for a melodic journey through the year’s end. Experience the best tracks from talented artists, making this December a crescendo of musical delight, and a perfect way to cap off the year. December 9 — Pique Winter Edition ’23 a ..read more

The first-ever National Arts Centre Hip Hop Theatre Festival takes place from January 31–February 10, 2024. This new festival will celebrate and bring attention to the beautiful intersection that hip hop and theatre share. Apt613 sat down with the festival’s curators, Nina Lee Aquino (Artistic Director, English Theatre) and Rose-Ingrid Benjamin (Engagement Strategist, NAC), to talk about what bringing this festival to life means for hip hop and theatre communities. Tell our readers a little bit about yourselves and your connection to hip-hop. Aquino: I am the Artistic Director of English Theat ..read more

By Sadeen Mohsen The winter edition of Pique arrives on Dec. 9, pulling out all the stops with socio-political themes, raging beats and lively visuals. The festival will feature over 20 artists across 10 different stages and exhibitions, spotlighting underground music and unique, experimental artworks to “foster conscious social engagement,” according to organizers Debaser. This edition was guest-curated by Crip Rave and Kingsley Swim. The event is open to people of all ages and includes the Pique Art Market, featuring over 40 local artists, makers, and community groups. The market will take o ..read more

Giving Tuesday may have come and gone, but supporting local charities is always needed, and always feels great. And tonight, it also comes with a fantastic perk: a rock show! The Ottawa Independent Living Resource Centre (OILRC) is hosting a benefit concert tonight at Club SAW, featuring a lineup of four bands: Boy Vey, Fanclubwallet, F!TH, and Juno Award-nominated Bleeker. The OILRC is a local resource centre that helps persons with disabilities live independently through various programs that are all free to participants thanks to the support from the community through fundraisers like tonig ..read more

Full confession: I am crazy about the holiday season—especially the music. My collection at home includes classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio and A Swinging Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald. And every year, I make sure to attend at least one live holiday concert. This year, there are just so many choices, from big-name concerts in large halls to more intimate fare. Below are a few worth checking out. Kellylee Evans: Winter Song You can tell Kellylee is a big fan of Christmas. Every time I’ve attended one of her holiday concerts, she has channelled her love for the se ..read more

No holiday season is complete without Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet, the dazzling Nutcracker, but have you ever seen a gravy boat on stage? You read that right. Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s (RWB) production is Canadiana-themed, bringing a fantastical and local sense of whimsy to an otherwise technically complex and enchanting fairytale, playing at the NAC this week only. We spoke with Principal Dancer Alanna McAdie to see what viewers can expect. Alanna McAdie and Peter Lancksweerdt in the 2022 RWB production of The Nutcracker. Photo: Daniel Crump. “Our Nutcracker features a lot of Can ..read more

Gowan’s performance at the Bronson Centre Music Theatre on Sunday night showcased his longevity in music—high quality musicianship and a dynamic stage presence. Being the frontman of Styx since 1999 along with a solo career has brought Gowan all around the world. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Gowan and his band brought the energy as they effortlessly blended rock, pop, and progressive elements into a musical journey. Gowan’s vocals were powerful and emotive, accompanied by his spinning chrome keyboard. The interaction with the audience was a highlight, as he engaged the crowd with ..read more

By Alexa MacKie Through a myriad of musical sounds, Cree Métis singer-songwriter iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (short for waseskwan iskwew, meaning “blue sky woman”) embarks on a journey of emotion and heartbreak. Her goal as an artist is to share her journey with others. “Part of what I love about being on stage is inviting people into the world I live in,” she said. “It’s my goal to bring people into an environment where they feel comfortable and vulnerable.” On Nov. 29, iskwē is bringing her stories to an intimate musical performance at the NAC’s Azrieli Studio. “Truly, I just love performing,” she said ..read more

Montreal’s Half Moon Run made a triumphant return to the city this weekend with a pair of sold-out shows at Algonquin Commons Theatre on Saturday and Sunday. As the final destination for their 2023 world tour, which kicked off in England over two months ago, the fact this was frontman Devon Portielje’s homecoming show clearly made up for any wear the road might have had on the band. Algonquin Commons Theatre was filled with fans, family, and friends, so despite Portielje having never attended Algonquin (and admitting he attended Carleton “for a year and a quarter”), the atmosphere was akin to ..read more