music

Weekend round up

Written

on Thursday, March 11, 2010

Photo courtesy Po' Girl, who will be at the Blacksheep Inn Friday night.

With all of the budget talk going on around this city, let’s undertake a bit of financial analysis of this weekend’s events:

We’re pleased to announce that yes, indeed, there will be some free happenings going on around town. Whether you’d like to gaze at the stars, watch the green parade or participate in a rousing debate on a cohesive civil society, these priceless events will be the highlight of your work-free time.

If you’re willing to spend a bit of your hard-earned cash and need a laugh or two, it’s Ottawa’s Improv Festival this weekend. The Blacksheep Inn has several muscially talented folks coming in for their always-reasonably priced shows. And Raw Sugar, Umi Cafe, Zaphod’s - they’ve all got great shows lined up, too.

And for those willing to splurge, this weekend won’t disappoint. Shell out $100 for the fancy Inaugural Irish Literary Evening (there’s a free book in it for you!), which includes the reception and readings. The Showtunes Showdown, V-Day or Acoustic Waves events are also a little more pricey, but won’t break the bank.

So: the financial outlook for March 12-14, 2010? Sunny and affordable, with a little something for everyone. As always, check out that calendar to the right for everything else happening around town.

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New Teeth, the Cosmic Eye, and Hot Damn Rock Zaphod’s

Written

Katie

on Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Ottawa folk-funk-garage rock band New Teeth will be celebrating the one month anniversary of their EP release in February with their dear friends the Cosmic Eye (psychedelic rock from Toronto) and Hot Damn (a two-piece rock and roll machine from Ottawa). We’d love to see everyone out for a good time. The music starts atZaphod’s at 8.30 and goes until 11, cover is only $5. Tshirts and CDs will be available!

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Amanda Cottreau fundraiser for Multi-Venue Fundraiser

Written

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

apartment613

on Tuesday, March 9, 2010

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

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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Showtunes Showdown

Written

Karen

on Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Photo courtesy laverrue on Flickr.

When particularly thrilled with life, I’m wont to break into song at the drop of a hat. And for some reason (I’m blaming my 10th grade drama teacher for this), that song can often be the title track from “Hello Dolly!”, one of those all-time musical greats.

Musical tunes are great for inspiring happiness, evoking a tear or two and are, more often than not, familiar to even those with a strong distaste for musical theatre.

If you’re in the mood for a bit of showtune sunshine this weekend, you’re in luck, because Saturday night is Ottawa’s own Showtunes Showdown. It’s Canadian Idol meets Name that Tune meets Family Feud, featuring local choirs throwing down their best songs for a chance at the title of Showdown champion.

Featuring special guest judges, the evening will feature some of your favourite songs, musical trivia (that’s triva about musicals, not trivia performed musically) and more. It’s $22 in advance, $25 at the door, and will take place down at the Ottawa Little Theatre (400 King Edward Ave). The showdown will get underway at 8pm on Saturday, March 13th.

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

Written

Katie

on Monday, March 8, 2010

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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Best Open Mic Nights in Town

Written

apartment613

on Monday, March 8, 2010

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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Snailhouse and Yellow Jacket Avenger at Raw Sugar

Written

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

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

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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