Summer is coming up and Ottawa is gearing up for an exciting arts-filled season. Most students will find themselves with some more free time, so here are some summer recommendations for things to check out from some of Ottawa’s biggest arts fans.
Rachel Gilmore, Carleton student, writer—Arboretum Festival
Arboretum is a really fun, neat festival. I haven’t gone myself (it was a conscious choice last year when they held it on unceded, controversial Algonquin territory), but most of my friends have. They showcase a lot of interesting local bands as well as some bigger names that I’m super excited about, like Junglepussy and Metz.
I just think it’s great that we have these up-and-coming indie festivals that give you a more community-based experience than, say, Bluesfest, although Arboretum has gotten pretty big. It’s also in August, which means it’ll be beautiful and warm.
One thing I’d tell people to avoid: Rockfest. It sucks; most of the bands playing are washed up and they’ve booked the Casualties, a highly controversial band with multiple sexual assault allegations against one of their members. Save your money and check out the cool Ottawa festivals instead.
Mitch Jackson, CKCU radio host—Ottawa Explosion Weekend
I think [Ottawa Explosion brings] the best bands out of any music festival in Canada—and you can see all of these great bands for dirt cheap. It’s also a more friendly festival; Bluesfest or Osheaga are kind of impersonal, corporate, and uncomfortable. If you’re active in the music scene in Ottawa, it’s almost like a family reunion. And I always come away from the festival having, like, five new favourite bands.
Sima Shakeri, arts reporter—Pressed Urban Gourmet Sandwich Bar
Pressed is definitely one of my favourite venues in the city. It’s small, very narrow, and compact, but that kind of adds to the intimate feeling of any show I’m seeing there. It’s a really nifty spot to catch a lot of smaller, up-and-coming performers, and the food’s really great too.
They have bands, they have comedy, there’s a lot of variety, which I love. And you can catch a good show for either no cover at all, or really cheap so it’s great for students. I’d caution people to get there early though, if they really want to see someone, because like I said, it’s very small, very low capacity, and it fills up fast.
Ben Silcox, Arts Editor of The Charlatan—Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Maybe this is a bit of a cop out, but I won’t be in town this summer, so I plan to listen to a lot of local bands on the internet. Everybody should check out Baberaham Lincoln, FET.NAT, boyhood, The Yips, and Amanda Lowe.
Jim Watson, mayor of Ottawa—City Hall
I am proud of the fantastic local art displayed throughout City Hall, and particularly of the Karsh-Masson Gallery, which hosts different exhibitions during the year. Residents, visitors, and tourists can complement their sightseeing or downtown strolls with free visits to the City Hall Art Gallery, open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
