For those raring for a live music experience before the summer’s out, the next few weekends have got you covered. The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) has announced City Sounds, a series of a whopping 24 musical performances held throughout the city, all free of charge.
OMIC is partnering with nine Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and business associations to showcase this trove of musical talent in public spaces all over Ottawa. City Sounds debuts Friday, Aug. 20, and will run for three consecutive weekends.
Kicking off the first weekend of City Sounds is duo Unsociably High and rock group The Powergoats. Photos courtesy of OMIC.
Jamie Kwong, executive director of OMIC, says in an email that they are excited to both highlight the city’s musical talent and encourage patronage to local businesses who have been hard-hit by the pandemic.
“We are excited to bring these performances across the city to draw in attendees and to encourage them to shop the neighbourhood after the performances in support of our local businesses. It is only through mutually supporting each other’s sectors that our city, as a whole, can thrive,” she says.
Mayor Jim Watson, who launched the task force that developed City Sounds, echoes Kwong’s sentiments. “The more we work together and support each other, the faster we will overcome the impacts the pandemic has had on our city,” says Watson in a written statement.
The series kicks off with performances in Chinatown from local soul fusion duo Unsociably High and rock group The Powergoats. After Friday, expect matinee and evening performances across the city—from Orleans to the Glebe, Manotick to ByWard Market—for the next three weekends.
The full schedule of City Sound performances can be found here:
Weekend One
Friday, Aug. 20
- 6 p.m. – Unsociably High, and The Powergoats
- Location: In Chinatown – City parking lot by Chinatown Royal Gateway
Saturday, Aug. 21
- 2 p.m. – Jessica Pearson and the East Wind, and Tara Shannon
- Location: In Westboro at Lion’s Park, 294 Elmgrove Ave
- 6 p.m. – Danielle Allard, and Jumpin’ Joel Flash
- Location: In the Glebe – Casino Lac Leamy Plaza, in Lansdowne Park
Sunday, Aug. 22
- 2 p.m. – Kmbrly Snstrm, and The Broken Bridges
- Location: In Chinatown – City parking lot by Chinatown Royal Gateway
Weekend Two
Friday, Aug. 27
- 6 p.m. – Raphael Weinroth-Browne, and Taming Sari
- Location: On Sparks St – Between O’Connor St and Bank St
Saturday, Aug. 28
- 2 p.m. – Derek McKinley, and Blake Alexander
- Location: On Sparks St – Between O’Connor St and Bank St
- 6 p.m. – John Ian, and Alanna Sterling & the Silvers
- Location: In Wellington West’s Parkdale Park, 366 Parkdale Ave
Sunday, Aug. 29
- 2 p.m. – Twelve07 and KAR33M, and Mad Gamma
- Location: In Westboro at Lion’s Park, 294 Elmgrove Ave
Weekend Three
Friday, Sept. 3
- 6 p.m. – Kristine St-Pierre & Raphael Weinroth-Browne and The Riot Police
- Location: The Byward Market’s George St. Plaza, on the corner of George St. and Byward Market Square.
Saturday, Sept. 4
- 2 p.m. – Terrence & The High Flyers, and Lucas Haneman Express
- Location: Manotick’s Mill St. Park
- 6 p.m. – Sophie D’Orléans, and Double Experience
- Location: Orléans Town Centre, Old City Hall location – 255 Centrum Boulevard
Sunday, Sept. 5
- 2 p.m. – Segue to Jazz, and Crystalena
- Location: In Elgin Street’s Boushey Square – 211-A Waverley St
