Amid the many festivals Ottawans get to enjoy, it’s easy to forget about the NAC. But that would be a mistake. Their summer line-up is exceptional, ranging from big-ticket events like Choir! Choir! Choir! to free indoor and outdoor events, many of which feature Latin or African vibes.
Gilsons
If you’re as much a fan of Brazilian music as I am, you will not want to miss the Gilsons. Of formidable pedigree, the band includes the son (José) and grandsons (Francisco and João) of the great Gilberto Gil. Expertly combining bossa nova, samba and tropicalia sounds with contemporary genres, the band’s debut album, Pra Gente Acordar, was nominated for the Latin GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Pop Album in Portuguese.
One option is to travel to see them at New York’s Lincoln Center or at the Miami Beach Bandshell – or you could simply buy a ticket for their show at the NAC. Then sit back, relax and imagine those ocean waves rolling in…
Gilsons perform Saturday, July 13 at 7:30 in NAC’s Babs Asper Theatre. Tickets start at $19 and can be found here.
Social Tango Project
If the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires is more your thing, strut on down to the NAC for the immersive, multimedia event that is the Social Tango Project. Combining music, dance, photography and film, it tells the story of a shy woman slowly drawn into her local tango community.
If you happen to be inspired to try a little tango yourself, the performance is followed by a real-life milonga, hosted by Siempre Tango Ottawa. Dancers of all levels are welcome, from complete beginners to more advanced folks.
Social Tango Project perform Wednesday, July 24 and Thursday, July 25 at 7:30 in NAC’s Babs Asper Theatre. Tickets start at $19 and can be found here.
BADBADNOTGOOD
For anyone in post-Jazz Fest withdrawal, no need to worry – BADBADNOTGOOD is back. Born out of Toronto’s Humber College music program, the four-man band is enjoying enormous popularity and critical success. Hailed for its futuristic, experimental, hip-hop-infused jazz, they have already won two GRAMMYs (Best Rap Album, Best Progressive R&B Album) and collaborated with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah and Snoop Dogg.
I’m especially fond of their work with Toronto’s Charlotte Day Wilson and Montreal’s Kaytranada. Fingers crossed they bring one or both along for their NAC gig.
BADBADNOTGOOD perform Thursday, August 15 at 8 pm in NAC’s Southam Hall. Tickets start at $45 and can be found here.
Jeremy Dutcher
I’ll put it this way. The first time I saw Jeremy Dutcher was in February 2020 at a fundraiser at the Wabano Centre, which probably seats about 100. It was mesmerizing. The classically trained opera singer performed songs from his debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, which went on to earn the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and the 2019 JUNO for Indigenous Music Album. Fast forward to 2023, and he played a sold-out show at the 800-seat NAC Theatre, performing songs from his sophomore album, Motewolonuwok. It gave me chills.
This year, he’s been invited to play at the enormous Southam Hall, backed by the NAC Orchestra. My prediction is that Dutcher’s soaring vocals combined with percussion, woodwinds, strings and brass will be epic.
Jeremy Dutcher performs Friday, September 13 at 8 pm. in NAC’s Southam Hall. Tickets start at $34 and can be found here.
Donovan Woods
Okay, so maybe October isn’t exactly summer, but with climate change and our crazy warm weather, I figured I could stretch it a bit. Plus, doesn’t Donovan Woods’ music just make you think of summer – driving past endless cornfields, reading a book under a tree or leaping from a tire swing into a hidden pond?
The Canadian singer-songwriter is not only an audience favourite, but is also highly regarded among his peers, writing for artists such as Tim McGraw, the Reklaws and the Barenaked Ladies. In 2019, his album Both Ways won the JUNO for Contemporary Roots Album, and his music has been featured on TV and film, including Degrassi and an ad for the Grey Cup.
Donovan Woods performs Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 pm at NAC’s Babs Asper Theatre. Tickets start at $45 and can be found here.
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