concerts

Amanda Cottreau fundraiser for Multi-Venue Fundraiser

Written
by
Katie
on Tuesday, March 9, 2010
.

Ottawa, June 5-6, Lisa Charron has made the bold decision to register for this year’s edition of The Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers benefiting Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. She has set a personal fundraising goal of $2,000…but the sky’s the limit! On behalf of Lisa Charron and all women, local singer/songwriter, Amanda Cottreau has been inspired to organize a multi-venue fundraiser for the event. Details are as follows:

What
This mulit-venue acoustic extravaganza will feature a multitude of Ottawa’s finest local artists…there were so many people offering their time, we needed three venues to host them all! Amanda Cottreau and band STAIRWELL LEO will also be donating all proceeds from their grand finale show, to the cause.

When
Saturday April 24th, 2010. 3pm-6pm - All Ages shows at the three venues listed below. ***GRAND FINALE: 9pm-12am – 19+ at Daniel O’Connell’s venue only!

Where
1. Daniel O’Connell’s Pub – 1211 Richmond Road

2. The Carleton Tavern – 223 Armstrong Street

3. Irene’s Pub – 885 Bank Street

COST

PWYC pay what you can. All proceeds go to the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers.

CONTACT

Want to play at one of the venues or simply want to volunteer to help on that day, contact Amanda Cottreau. www.reverbnation.com/amandacottreau -or- amanda_cottreau@yahoo.ca

Should you be unable to attend this fundraiser, you can donate to Lisa Charron’s campaign online. Just visit www.endcancer.ca and click “donate.” Enter Lisa Charron and/or her participant ID # 640743-4 to make a donation.

This is the fifth annual Weekend to End Women’s Cancers walk in Ottawa. For more information or to register for 2010 visit www.endcancer.ca or call 613.722.7224.

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The Great Canadian Song-Along

Written
by
apartment613
on Tuesday, March 9, 2010
.
Photo courtesy of blurasis on Flickr

Photo courtesy of blurasis on Flickr

Written by Dan Arnott.

Most of us, whatever our relationship with music, have at some point in our lives heard a song and been struck by the genius of such lyrics as:

love is like a flame that burns you when it’s hot

or

pressed in love’s hot, fevered iron like a striped pair of pants.

That is to say, we thought we could write a better one.

What keeps us from doing so? There’s no shortage of things to write about (despite my examples, the topics of love and high temperatures have not yet been exhausted) but it can be difficult to narrow our focus down from this big, inspiring world to a couple of topics. Ottawa songwriting collective Writer’s Bloc wants to help.

Although the Olympics may have saturated our appetite for all things “great” and “Canadian”, the Great Canadian Song-Along is still definitely worth checking out for aspiring songwriters. The premise is dead simple:

1. Writer’s Bloc picks four topics in advance.

2. Local songwriters write a song about one or more of these topics.

3. The songwriters show up to the Elmdale House Tavern on Wednesday April 7 and Thursday April 8 to perform their songs from 7pm onwards for their fellow writers and the general public.

It’s a warm and inclusive celebration of the songwriting craft and the wide variety of interesting and crazy characters that practice it. Writer’s Bloc is partnering with the Spirit of Rasputin’s folk music organization to present this event.

Click to continue reading “The Great Canadian Song-Along”

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The 2nd Coming of the Fuzzy Bunny Slaughterhouse Easter Extravaganza!

Written
by
Katie
on Monday, March 8, 2010
.

Watch out for the Bunnies!

The Greatest Easter Show Since the Resurrection!

The inaugural Easter Sunday Extravaganza sent ripples throughout the Canadian Entertainment world… eventually causing a global economic breakdown… tanking markets, widespread job losses, and thousands of destitute families without a roof over their heads.

I know what you’re thinking: HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY TOP THAT?

Well, by god, we’re going to try. As the world finally squeezes itself out of the recession, Fuzzy Bunny Slaughterhouse is triumphantly returning to the Rainbow to reign down a Holy War against all the economies of the world. Join everyone’s favourite ballistic Bunnies as they take to the stage with the most Ferociously Funny, Wonderfully Wicked, and Overly Obscene show this town has ever seen.

MARVEL at their lack of impulse control!
BE CONFUSED by their pink clothes and sexually ambiguous behavior!
HORRIFY your friends with tales of their on stage bloody/half naked antics!
BE OFFENDED by the abundance of quasi-religious imagery mixed with suggestive adult themes!
ENJOY every single freaking SECOND of awesome!

This is something that will be talked about for years to come. Miss it, and you’ll likely die a lonely, tired, bitter old man. Even if you’re a chick.

With Special Guests: TEARS FROM A RAINBOW. This British Acoustic duo will warm up the crowd whether you want them to or not! Their soulful, whiny ballands will appeal to the hearts and groins of almost no one in attendance!

Also keep an eye out for other special guests throughout the evening! What kind of surprises could be in store? You’ll just have to show up and find out!

Keep checking this page for a pair of printable, cut-out bunny ears! Wear them at the door to get in for ½ price!

Be sure to show up early to buy a copy of our album and our limited edition merchandise!

Tunes: http://www.myspace.com/fuzzybunnyslaughterhouse
Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/scatpartytelevision

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Insensitivity Training presents the 2010 Ottawa Improv Festival

Written
by
Katie
on Monday, March 8, 2010
.

Insensitivity Training is proud to present the 2010 edition of the Ottawa Improv Festival (www.ottawaimprovfestival.ca) March 11th to the 14th. That’s this week! The Ottawa Improv scene is growing fast with over a dozen shows monthly and it’s time to celebrate this re-birth! Both in French and English, even in both, local troupes are seeing stages and making audience laugh all over the city.

The festival will be welcoming WDWMKR and Sex T-Rex from Toronto, Montreal Improv and Uncalled For… from Montreal and local troupes Crystal Basement, LIEU (Ligue d’improvisation étudiante universitaire), Insensitivity Training and NEW special guests: MSG.

Every night consists of performer showcases at 8pm where featured troupes take the stage to show you their stuff (and by stuff, we mean their rock collections) followed by specialty shows at 10pm like Danger-prov…which is exactly what it sounds like, watch improvisors tackle challenges like guessing between tabasco and ketchup in the middle of scene, or playing with other elements of danger. If you like laughing at people in unfortunate situations, this show is for you.

The festival kicks off Thursday March 11th , 8pm at University of Ottawas Agora with a FREE french hockey-rink style match. All other shows are held at Club Saw (67 Nicholas St.) ad Yuk Yuk’s Ottawa (292 Elgin St.), $5 cover.

For additional details visit the website www.ottawaimprovfestival.ca

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Best Open Mic Nights in Town

Written
by
apartment613
on Monday, March 8, 2010
.

Photo courtesy of PitsLamp Photography on Flickr.

Photo courtesy of PitsLamp Photography on Flickr.

By long-time Ottawan, Samantha Everts, who ended up out west for love but quickly came back to the city she loves.

A while back, my best friend decided to cut his teeth on the open mic scene of Ottawa. Having worked on his own stuff for a while he still wasn’t brave enough to go it alone, so I dutifully padded along. Disclaimer- this research has been conducted over the last few years.

The first place we hit up was the now closed Elephant and Castle in Rideau Centre. It was the most bizarre setting to consider original music was being heard every Thursday night with Ottawa songstress and now Big Money Shot signed Amanda Rheume hosting the thing. People masquerading as cowboys without horses, high school kids in their first band, and this one guy that without fail played the same song set every week. Tourists and alternative rock radio listeners made up the audience. The waitresses would constantly hassle the crowd to buy more drinks or get out. A good first time.

The Royal Oak on Bank Street’s open mic is a bit of a secret. A local musician doing covers of Sweet Home Alabama and Honky Town Blues encourages bar goers to drink more. The few open mic’ers that do go ahead in are for the most part are ignored. There’s a reason why know one knows about this one. Even the placard on the street’s chalk writing has been smeared, ‘open m’’ This Royal Oak is not to be confused with the Royal Oak in the Glebe that has a thriving open mic crowd.

Click to continue reading “Best Open Mic Nights in Town”

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Venus Envy and Agitate! collaborate for a fun evening of performances

Written
by
Francois
on Sunday, March 7, 2010
.

Sunday March 14, 2010 at 6PM at Venus Envy (320 Lisgar St.)

A lovely Sunday evening of fun and performances featuring d’bi.young.anitafrika and two other poets soon to be announced.

Everyone Welcome.

Suggested donation of $5-10 but no one will be turned away because of lack of funds…

Founded in 2004, Agitate! is a queer, Ottawa-based organization for indigenous people, mixed race people and people of colour. Although the governing board is open exclusively to indigenous people, mixed-race people and people of colour, allies from all communities and of all genders and sexual orientations are encouraged to get in touch with Agitate for information on how to volunteer.

Venus Envy Ottawa is an education-oriented sex shop located in downtown Ottawa. Knowledge is key to enjoying a satisfying, healthy, and erotic sex life, so we offer workshops on sex and relationships where people can ask questions and share their experiences in a safe, non-judgemental environment. Some of our workshops are for women only, but most are for everyone.

d’bi.young.anitafrika is a jamaican-canadian dub poet, actor, and playwright who believes in life. love. and revolushun. her first play yagayah, co-authored with naila belvett, was published in volume II of Testifyin’: Contemporary African Canadian Drama edited by djanet sears in 2003. her first book of poetry art on black was published by women’s press in 2006. blood.claat is the first play in the three faces of mudgu trilogy. the other two plays are androgyne and chronicles in dub.

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Snailhouse and Yellow Jacket Avenger at Raw Sugar

Written
by
Francois
on Sunday, March 7, 2010
.

Saturday, March 27 – 9PM - $10 A great night of music!

Snailhouse is a collection of songs by Mike Feuerstack, founding members of the Wooden Stars, and collaborator of artists such as Julie Doiron, members of Arcade Fire, Wintersleep, Bell Orchestre, and The Acorn. Feuerstack’s impeccable song-craft and tender lyrical prowess tugs at the heart strings – always.

Yellow Jacket Avenger is a project of one Geoffrey Pye. “Pye is a compelling presence — he stood unobtrusively to the side of the stage for most of the set, but his warm, world-weary tenor bled through the room like an elixir.” – Exclaim! show review

http://www.myspace.com/snailhouse
http://www.yjaonline.com/

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MIKE DUGUAY & THE BEAR TREE w/ THE STRUMBELLAS + CANDLE CAVE ENSEMBLE PART II at Raw Sugar

Written
by
Francois
on Sunday, March 7, 2010
.

Thursday, March 18 – 8PM - $TBD

Mike Duguay is a ubiquitous fixture of the Peterborough, Ontario’s music scene. He regularly performs solo, newly with the Bear Trees, and plays with the likes of The Burning Hell.

Toronto’s The Strumbellas mix alt-country harmonies, bluegrass instrumentation, and big pop hooks.

Fresh sounds of Peterborough’s Candle Cave Ensemble Part II will blow you away.

http://www.myspace.com/mikeduguay
http://www.myspace.com/thestrumbellas
http://www.myspace.com/candlecaveensemblepartii

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Boats, Flotilla and The Silver Birch Society at Raw Sugar

Written
by
Francois
on Sunday, March 7, 2010
.

Sunday, March 14 – 8PM - $6

Boats are a Winnipeg based five piece who are gearing up for the May 1st release of their new album “Cannonball, Cannonball”. They’ve been described as many things, but our favourite is “Arcade Fire without the drama”.

Montreal’s Flotilla makes for an unusual, genre-defying indie-rock outfit, with a classical harpist, an avant-garde composer, and a jazz-trained singer-songwriter on the roster.

Local duo The Silver Birch Society is rounding things off at go.

http://www.myspace.com/boatthemusicband
http://www.myspace.com/flotillamontreal
http://www.myspace.com/thesilverbirchsociety

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OWEN STEEL & DAVE NORRIS at Raw Sugar

Written
by
Francois
on Sunday, March 7, 2010
.

Tuesday, March 9 – 8PM – $5 Raw Sugar Cafe

Owen Steel is a Fredericton, NB-based singer-songwriter that is preparing the arrival of his first full length, self-titled album. Owen is stopping by Raw Sugar during his national tour that will see him play shows onboard VIA rail trains from Halifax to Vancouver.

Ottawa’s Dave Norris will be playing a solo set. Check’em out!

http://www.myspace.com/owensteel

http://www.myspace.com/davenorrislocalivan

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