Last time I checked, which was walking to the station a few minutes ago, it was still very much winter outside, though the sun remains higher in the sky from one day to the next. At this point of the year vitamin D depletion starts making us itch for warmer climes though many of us don’t have the means or the time to head south this year. So over the next 2 hours sounds that we hear and elements that we seek when heading south will be brought to you on this edition of Friday Drive. Waves, seagulls, praise for the sun, the warm rain, the joy of summer in the city and beyond, we’ll try to cover all the bases. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter, the canal has never been better and the Gatineau hills are a wonderland of snow and ice. But it’s been a long one this year and a musical injection of summer rays seems to be what has been calling me the past few days.
| South Nino Ferrer - Nino and Radiah |
| Springs Pete Jolly - Seasons |
| Let the Sun Shine In Milton Henry - Who Do You Think I Am? |
| In the Light Horace Andy - In the Light |
| Jamaica Beginning of the End - Beginning of the End |
| Everybody Loves the Sunshine RAMP - Come Into Knowledge |
| Summer Breeze Ther Main Ingredient - Euphrates River |
| Sun Goddess Ramsey Lewis - Sun Goddess |
| The Sun Burning Spear - Dry and Heavy |
| Ista Dub Barrett Brothers - The Sound of Macka Dub |
| California Dreaming Eddie Hazel - Games Dames and Guitar Thangs |
| Ain’t No Sunshine The Prohets of Soul - Gregory James Edition |
| Summertime Walter Bishop Jr. - Keeper of My Soul |
| Tanganica Luiz Carlos Vinhas - O Som De L.C.V. |
| Sunny Ray Fernandes - El Ray De La Salsa |
| Kuenda Jon Lucien - Rashida |
| I Need Your Love Skip Mahoaney and the Casuals - Your Funny Moods |
| Afterwhile Michael Orr - Spread Love |
| Rain All Night Don Carlos - Them Never Know Natty Dread |
| Mansion of the Almighty Tha Arabs - Crytuff Dub Encounter Chapter 1 |
| Peace Chant Sonny Greenwich - Sun Song |
| Let the Sun Shine In Sons and Daughters of Lite - Let the Sun Shine In |
| Summer In the City Quincy Jones - I Heard That |
| Summertime Frank Motley and the Bridge Crossings - Chip Dip |
| Estrelar Marcos Valle - Marcos Valle |
| Onda Cassiano - Cuban Soul |
| OMIC ARTIST SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR 2026
Call For Local and Touring Artists/Bands We want to showcase your talent in Ottawa and beyond! If you’re an artist or band (local or touring) looking to be considered for all 2026 OMIC performance opportunities, now’s the time to get on our radar. Submit your info through the 2026 OMIC Artist Submission Form. Submission link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1-VGjJxW-7wrLLgctJYFTwkQD2A1Icy14UIhHl3W4r3SmKQ/viewform EVERY MONDAY AT 10 PM - 2 AM Karaoke hosted by DJ LP @27 Club Ottawa 27 York St. Karaoke Mondays! Grab your pals, enjoy the drink specials, grab the mic & the stage is yours every Monday. EVERY TUESDAY AT 7 - 11 PM Open Mic Night hosted by Jess Cole & Ketura Johnson @Cassette Listening Bar 2557 Baseline Road Come jam! EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10 PM - CLOSE lifeboogie presents: [Why Not] w/ Trevor Walker @27 Club 27 York St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Zy6cc6XWv/ No Cover | 19+ Every Wednesday @27clubottawa everyone’s welcome to pass through for my weekly jam where I stretch out and drop a diverse open format soundtrack of solid vibes for Ottawa’s music lovers. You can expect all the favourite tunes you’ve never heard before. Always trying to keep if fresh with vinyl + digital sets ranging from Funk, Soul, Boogie, dance floor Jazz, Breaks, House, Hip Hop, Drum & Bass, Bruk, Afro, Latin, Brazilian, Reggae and whatever moves our souls selected for dancers. Always trying for a taste of what I didn't know we're all missing. Trust the DJ! Also been live streaming for the global fam and couch clubbers! twitch.tv/lifeboogie You can also find archived sets on my SoundCloud page: https://soundcloud.com/trevorlifeboogiewalker Vibes to get you past the midweek hump! Hope to see you out making moves. EVERY THURSDAY AT 10 PM - 2 AM Take Off Thursday w/ DJ Nauty Nice + Selekta Shells on weekly rotation @27 Club Ottawa 27 York St. No Cover | 19+ The gateway to your weekend! EVERY FRIDAY AT 7:30 - 10:30 PM Ten Toes Trivia hosted by Floydeeee @Ten Toes Coffee Co. 837 Somerset St. W. Join host Floydeeeee at Ten Toes Somerset every Friday to put your knowledge to the test. Three rounds, free to play with prizes galore. No reservations, first come first serve. EVERY 1st FRIDAY of the month, 2026 7:30 - 10:30 *Feb 6 The Ed Lister Group @The Night Oat 750 Gladstone Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/19U5Ym6w6g/ Tonight you can join us the The Ed Lister Group, a quintet featuring a revolving cast of the finest jazz messengers in Ottawa, Montreal and sometimes Toronto sets at 7:30pm and 9:30pm $15 cover FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026 AT 7 PM - CLOSE “lifeboogie” Saturdaze (on a Friday) @Cassette Lounge Bar 2557 Baseline Road Dropping an open format of vintage & contemporary Jazz Funk Soul Afro Latin Reggae Disco Boogie + stuff all on 100% vinyl with support from Zach Parker, normally the first Saturday of every month but rescheduled to the first Friday of February due to a gig conflict. Can’t wait to share some good music with you all in an intimate atmosphere where you’re free to dance, vibe, drink, eat and groove to a little taste of what we didn’t know we’ve been missing. Also streaming remotely to twitch.tv/lifeboogie on “lifeboogie Vision” Hope to see some fam out to enjoy the selections! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026 6 - 10 PM IGLOOFÊTE: Jas Nasty + Trevor Walker @Parc Jacques-Cartier (Snowflake Kingdom) 285 Laurier St., Gatineau SURPRISE! Igloofête is paying a visit to Winterlude as part of the Après-glisse evenings A free event for you and your family, because you’re never too old to dance like a true warrior of the cold! For more info, please visit the Winterlude website. INFOS FEB. 6 & FEB. 7 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday [Feb. 6] @lxmusicc & @djmkwa Saturday [Feb. 7] @lifeboogie & @jasnasty FREE FOR EVERYONE Domaine des flocons, Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026 AT 7 PM - CLOSE Kaminsky Selects @Ten Toes Coffee 873 Somerset St. W 100% vinyl: Afro & Latin - Voodoo Funk - Rockers Reggae - Early Dancehall - Ska - Forro - Samba Soul - Antillean - High Life - Caribbean - Congolese Rhumba - Son Cubano - Cumbia - Salsa - Hard Funk 45s SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2026 AT 2:45 - 4 PM Breaking for kids w/ Effect @Ottawa Dance Directive 2 Daly Ave. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ada8hpKNv/ Free Event: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/40452 Black History Month workshops with Moov Ottawa Dance Join Arnaldo “Effect” Betancourt Silva for a breaking workshop for kids aged 6 to 15. Breaking was created by young Black and Brown youth in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York, as a form of expression, resistance, and community. Known as the first hip-hop dance, breaking has since grown into a global movement seen on stages, in music videos, and at the Summer Olympics. Effect – Moov Ottawa Dance’s Artistic Director and co-founder – will guide kids of all levels through breaking foundations in a fun, supportive environment, with opportunities for more advanced participants to explore power moves. No prior dance experience is required. Presented by Moov Ottawa Dance, supported by the National Arts Centre. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026 AT 9 PM - 2 AM Brazilian CARNAVAL 2026 @27 Club Ottawa 27 York St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5CbAeqB/ Tickets: Tickets · Free - CA$27.96www.eventbrite.com/e/brazilian-carnaval-2026-tickets-1978205569109 Saravah presents: Brazilian C A R N I V A L Featuring the best in Brazilian culture: live music, DJ, food, drinks, costumes and dancing Friday, February 13 2026 Flávia Nascimento and Dj JolyB bringing you the best of Carnival! We have tickets available at a very special EARLY BIRD price, get yours!! Only $10 + taxes SOLD OUT The 27 Club (located at 27 York St, Ottawa) Doors at 9pm Tickets $25 We have a limited amount of FREE tickets for Brazilian NEWCOMERS - JOIN US! SOLD OUT !!! This event is 19+ **Tickets are non-refundable. We appreciate your support and understanding** SATURDAY, FEB. 14 - SUNDAY, FEB. 15, 2026 Musical Hopscotch @NAC (Rossy Pavilion) 1 Elgin St. Info: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/40316 What if the hopscotch playground became a dance floor? Come jump, move, and play alongside urban dancer and architect Tangent and DJ Rise Ashen. Well known for hosting the Capital Sessions community dance workshops at the NAC, this local duo exudes joyfully contagious energy! On the floor, a playful course created by Tangent invites you to explore movement step by step, jump by jump, in a groovy hopscotch game. Dive into this dance break and connect with the floor, other participants, and rhythms from around the world. With DJ Rise Ashen on the turntables, you can expect Afro-house, electro-cumbia, batucada electrónica, Indigenous American remixes, and fun global dance music for the whole family! Get ready to jump, groove, and have a blast! Saturday: DJ Rise Ashen with DJ Seiiizi and MELO-T Dancers: Miss Tangent, Eezy C and Abria Bonnar Sunday: DJ Rise Ashen with Queenyy and Trevor Walker Dancers: Miss Tangent with Ceeboy and Abria Bonnar Bilingual ● For all ● Free SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026 AT 5:30 - 8 PM Almonte Black History Month Celebration Family Dance Party & Youth Dance (8 - 10 PM) @Almonte Old Town Hall Tickets / Info: https://almonteblackhistory.ticketsplease.ca/almonte-black-history-dance-party/ Get ready! Our 7th Annual Almonte Black History Month Dance Party is back, and we’re turning up the rhythm, the joy, and the community spirit! Join us at the Almonte Old Town Hall for a weekend of music, movement, and celebration that honours Black culture through dance, connection, and pure fun. This year, we’re excited to add an Afrobeat dance demand class, bringing infectious energy, powerful rhythms, and interactive group lessons for all ages. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026 AT 10 PM - 2 AM Timekode w/ Seiiizi + Memetic + Trevor Walker @D’Afrique 349 Dalhousie St. The trio are back at D’Afrique for the monthly celebration of underground musical vibes for dancers looking for some proper musical curated specially for you! Looking forward to catching you all on the dance floor. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 Après Ski Disco - Themed Dance Party w/ DJ’s Trevor Walker, Diskodave, Beatscience and Dynaflex @Kaffé 1870 715 Chemin Riverside, Wakefield 100% House, Soul, Funk & Disco vinyl all night! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 AT 7 - 11 PM Almonte Black History Dance Party @Almonte Old Town Hall Tickets / Info: https://almonteblackhistory.ticketsplease.ca/almonte-black-history-dance-party/ Get ready! Our 7th Annual Almonte Black History Month Dance Party is back, and we’re turning up the rhythm, the joy, and the community spirit! Join us at the Almonte Old Town Hall for a weekend of music, movement, and celebration that honours Black culture through dance, connection, and pure fun. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 AT 8 PM Rewind X The Reunion - Canada’s Throwback & Old School Partaaay! @Exit Lounge 1101 Baxter Rd Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D7DrK6WKL/ Tickets: https://RewindXTheReunion.eventbrite.ca DANCE SKATE RAP SING CHILL REPEAT Soundtrack by: @stfdjs (Sweet Touch Foundation) - Chillin’ & Grillin’ @iamdjmace (Mace) - E&I / Rewind @realrichniques (Richniques) - The Mayor @kamgilani (Kam) - Smooth As Silk @djmajess (Majess) - The Day After @itsdjrudeboy (Rudeboy) - Jeep Beats @itsdavidmason (D-Train) - E&I Canada’s throwback & old school partaay. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026 AT 7 PM - MIDNIGHT Subterra: Trevor Walker DJ Set! @SonoLux Hotel 225 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, QC, H2Y 1M6 (Floor S, three down from the lobby) I will be providing a dinner / lounge style soundtrack at one of Montreal’s newest audio lounges within the SonoLux hotel in Old Montreal. Exploring an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary global grooves from Jazz, Funk, Soul, Afro, Latin and electronic sounds with whatever fits between. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026 AT 10:30 PM - 2:30 AM Respiration: I Can Feel The City Breathing w/ Skratch Bastid @27 Club 27 York St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D5PZ3Ab3L/ Tickets: Tickets · CA$30.61 - CA$43.93www.eventbrite.ca/e/respiration-i-can-feel-the-city-breathing-with-skratch-bastid-tickets-1980153651877 Live at the 27 Club – February 20, 2026 Canadian DJ Icon and DMC Hall of Famer Skratch Bastid returns to Ottawa on February 20, 2026, performing live at the 27 Club as headliner of Respiration, an event series curated by veteran promoter Mike Mikkelsen (kapacity_mikey). The event continues a creative partnership and friendship between Bastid and Mikkelsen spanning more than two decades. It is built on a shared love of hip hop and DJ culture, respect and unforgettable experiences. “Skratch Bastid is one of my favourite DJs of all time,” says Mikkelsen. “His selection, creativity, and technical skill truly put him in a class of his own. He’s the ultimate party rocker! Our collaborations go back over 20 years, and to witness his rise to global recognition firsthand makes me incredibly proud.” In 2025, Skratch Bastid continued to expand his global presence, touring internationally and growing his acclaimed Bastid’s BBQ party series in new cities with appearances from some of the most influential names in the culture. He also continued to evolve online, connecting fans worldwide through his engaging live streams, including the popular Tues Morning Coffee series. That same year, he was inducted into the DMC Hall of Fame at the World DMC Championships in Japan. Recent performances include venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Dante’s HiFi, further cementing his reputation as one of the world’s most respected and dynamic DJs. Held at Ottawa’s 27 Club, the February 20show will feature a two-hour extended set from Skratch Bastid and reflects the ethos at the heart of hip hop culture: peace, love, unity, and having fun. Full line up will be announced on January 15th. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026 Atlantis Jazz Ensemble Release Party @Minotaure 3 rue kent, Gatineau, QC Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G38L9Uk8B/ Pre order (vinyl LP / CD / digital): https://atlantisjazzensemble.bandcamp.com/ The long awaited new album from Ottawa’s very cherished Atlantis Jazz Ensemble is coming out February 27th in all formats and the band will be celebrating at Minotaure on February 28th. Don’t sleep! SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026 AT 8 PM FLAMINGOSIS + TREVOR WALKER + DJ LITTLE FEVER @The 27 Club 27 York St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ABa4wc3ER/ Tickets: Tickets · CA$31.27 - CA$37.08FLAMINGOSISOTT.eventbrite.ca Flamingosis splices together old school soul, wild funk, and D.I.Y. electronic with a radiant message meant for any moment. Generating 100 million streams, attracting 100K cumulative social media followers, and receiving acclaim from Pitchfork, MTV, ThisSongIsSick, and many more. Expect new music from the new album Sunlight Daydream and celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the album Bright Moments. Listen at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/75cW8FFekyCjj0mfZM1Gfb... with support from TREVOR WALKER https://www.instagram.com/lifeboogie/ DJ LITTLE FEVER https://www.instagram.com/djlittlefever/ March 29 at 27 Club 27 York St, 8pm, 19+ Tickets at : https://FLAMINGOSISOTT.eventbrite.ca Save a few bucks, get your physical tickets at Vertigo Records + The ODDs & SODs Shoppe. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026 AT 7 PM R&B Period. 2026 @Rogers Centre Ottawa 52 Colonel By Dr. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/15bJhaK1x9a/ Tickets: https://RANDBPERIOD2026.eventbrite.ca You and 1,500+ R&B lovers, dressed in all black, coming together for an unforgettable dance party, sing-along, and meet-up, carefully curated for Ottawa’s finest. EVENT: R&B PERIOD. DATE: Saturday April 25, 2026 VENUE: Rogers Centre - 85 Colonel By Dr. Ottawa, On, Canada TIME: 7PM - 12:30AM Hosted by Prosper & Mace MUSIC: DJs and guests to be announced. VIBE: An unforgettable dance party, sing-along and meet up, carefully curated for R&B music lovers. Featuring breathtaking panoramic views, overlooking the iconic Rideau Canal and historic Parliament Hill. DRESS CODE: All Black Attire. FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026 Cranium Conference & Showcase @NAC 1 Elgin St. Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYJlnAW1XDXsUpSkGRZXlgxabp5SRRJqdNVUADzJdnp-VaSw/viewform The 2026 Cranium Showcase is an opportunity to display your talents for and network with local, national and international music industry professionals. A Showcase is NOT a regular concert. Cranium Arts Project will be bringing dozens of music professionals (The National Arts Centre, Ottawa, May 8 and 9, 2026) to the event for showcasing artists to demonstrate their talent, meet in person and cultivate relationships to further your career. Showcasing artists are offered an honorarium for attending mandatory meetings and performing at the showcase. FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026 Atlantis Jazz Ensemble Release Party @Irene’s 885 Bank St Pre order (vinyl LP / CD / digital): https://atlantisjazzensemble.bandcamp.com/ The long awaited new album from Ottawa’s very cherished Atlantis Jazz Ensemble is coming out February 27th in all formats and the band will be celebrating with a release party at Irene’s in case you missed the first party at Minotaure. |
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Greetings Nick. I see some cool covers I am looking forward to hearing on the "Drive" today. Peace
1:51 PM, February 6th, 2026