Happy Friday to all the “Drive” family out there and welcome to this week’s show!
Here we go with another weekend warm up featuring some of the music that surfaced while getting my sets together for my weekend that I thought would be a nice soundtrack for your unwind from the week and wind up for whatever the weekend has in store.
On the menu this evening we have some Ottawa spiritual Jazz, old & new school Hip Hop / Trip Hop grooves, UK Afrobeat, UK Soul and Funk in the unwinding first hour of the show and in the winding up second hour we’ll be featuring some Nu-Disco, Classic Disco-Boogie Hip Hop and a little Bruk to wrap things up.
This week’s soundtrack is brought to you by Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, Visioneers, World’s Famous Supreme Team, Bonobo, The Flying Hats, Voilaaa, Up, Bustle & Out, Temu, No Go Stop, The CJP Band and more.
Hope you all enjoy this week’s offering and thank you for taking the time to tune in whenever and wherever you are.
Keep it locked!
| Damocles Atlantis Jazz Ensemble - Mystic Suite - Marlow Records 
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| Rollin For The Ride Visioneers - Runnin' / Rollin For The Ride Single - Omniverse Records |
| Hey DJ World’s Famous Supreme Team - Single - Charisma |
| Behind The Light Bonobo - Pick Up Single - Ninja Tune |
| Hot Cakes The Flying Hats - The Blender / Hot Cakes Single - ATA Records 
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| Mtae Rock Voilaaa - C'est Tout - Favorite Records |
| ...Poncho Café p, Bustle & Out feat. Martin Genge - One Colour Just Reflects Another - Ninja Tune |
| bottom of first broadcast hour 17h30 EDT |
| Rule The World Temu - Ready Or Not / Rule The World Single - Tugboat Editions |
| Born To Serve No Go Stop - Where We Are - Bristol Afrobeat Records |
| Howie Get A Life No Go Stop - Agbara Orin - Bristol Afrobeat Records |
| Shopping No Go Stop - Where We Are - Bristol Afrobeat Records |
| Moving Forward Bryony Jarman-Pinto - Below Dawn - Tru Thoughts |
| end of first broadcast hour 18h EDT |
| Dove Cymande - Cymande - Janus Records |
| World Gone Crazy The CJP Band - You’re A Star / World Gone Crazy Single - Supa Jams
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| Busride To The Zoo Fred Cherry - Fred Cherry – Busride To The Zoo / The Templates -Daylight Single - Hole In The Sky |
| Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll Vaughan Mason And Crew - Single - Brunswick |
| bottom of second broadcast hour 18h30 EDT |
| Turn The Music On Orlando Johnson And Trance - Single - W.A.A. Records |
| The Sound Of Music Dayton - Single - Capitol |
| West Coast Poplock Ronnie Hudson And The Hudson Street People - Single - Birdie |
| T.S.O.B. Master Jay And Michael Dee - Single - The Sound Of Brooklyn |
| Prá Manha (I.G. Culture Mix) Da Lata - Single - Palm Pictures |
| end of on air broadcast 19h EDT |
| on demand exclusive |
| Pick Up Bonobo - Pick Up Single - Ninja Tune |
| Extra Curriculars:
EVERY TUESDAY AT 7 - 11 PM Open Mic Night hosted by Blake Lavogi @Cassette Listening Bar 2557 Baseline Road Come jam! EVERY WEDNESDAY AT AT 7 PM - LATE Hip Hop Night curated by Vektrx @Cassette Lounge Bar 2557 Baseline Rd Cassette brings you old school hip hop weekly, with Vektrx and rotating guests. Special Dates: - August 26 Loop Sessions Special. - August 28 Hidden Crates vinyl set w/ Parleh EVERY THURSDAY AT 9 PM - LATE Concept Thursdays @Gridwirks / Annx 221 Rideau St. No cover | 19+ Every Thursday explore a different musical concept & vibe with two floors providing a different environment featuring a plethora of DJs on rotation bring the flavour on a weekly basis. EVERY FRIDAY AT 7 - 10 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 SATURDAY AT 7 - 11 PM DJ Night @Ten Toes Coffee 837 Somerset St. W. Different DJ’s on rotation providing the soundtrack! SUNDAYS,AUGUST, 2026 AT 6 - 10 PM Baked Goods Record Store Presents: Rooftop Sessions @Andaz Copper Spirits & Sights 325 Dalhousie St. We are extremely excited to announce our Baked Goods/Cassette collaborative crossover with Copper Spirits & Sights at Andaz! Starting July 19th, every Sunday from 6pm-10pm we will be curating some of the finest DJ’s and vinyl selectors from our roster of Cassette residents and friends for an eclectic mix of amazing tunes ranging from Disco/Boogie/Funk/Hip Hop/House and more! Expect incredible vibes at the best roof top bar in Ottawa, with a fantastic view overlooking the ByWard Market! Dance the night away or sit back and relax with a few drinks and a delicious bite to eat while listening to exquisite tunes and soaking in the sunset! Here is the July-August line up: August 23 - @coolcalthe3rd (*vinyl set) August 30 - @djadamlord EVERY SUNDAY AT 10 PM - LATE Plantains&Caviar @City Afterlight 129 Bank St. August 16th special Block Party at Snider Park, 140 Bank St., w/ Spexialkay b2b Pr!ncesspeach + Maz b2b Ttrills + Nycky Ghost + PC Every Sunday Princia hosts a night promoting connection, conversation, community & creativity with various local and international DJs on a weekly basis. An open format event series focused on the promotion of Pan-African electronic music and culture. As a title, Plantains & Caviar represents the plurality of the music I aim to promote. Blending different cultures, sounds, and identities in one space free of isms & phobias. Afrobeat, Dancehall, Amapiano, House, Gqom, Alté, Afro-fusion, Miami Bass, Batida, Baille Funk, Ghetto Tech, UKG, Jungle +++ AUGUST 10 - 31, 2026 MOOV Adult Classes Summer Schedule Register: www.moovottawa.com August 24 Zomi: Ladies First 6-7pm Beginner Hip Hop 7-8pm Intermediate Hip Hop 8-9pm August 31 Alicia Ladies First 6-7pm Beginner Hip Hop 7-8pm Intermediate Hip Hop 8-9pm FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 AT 5:30 - 9 PM Moov Ottawa: Th3rd Fridays “Latin Special” @ByWard Market 6 York St. (Ottawa Sign) OUR *FINAL* OUTDOORS 3RD FRIDAYS Th3rd Fridays is @moovottawa’s signature battle series (on the 3rd Friday of the month), bringing together dancers, DJs, and the community through street & club dance culture and music. Since 2018, it has grown from a grassroots jam into a touring event across Canada. ————— ✨ ALL STYLES BATTLE ✨ 🎶 STRICTLY LATIN MUSIC JUDGES Mellymel (Ott) All ages / Arnaldo “Effect” Batancourt Silva Kids u16 DJ John Arano(Ott) MC Bboy Effect (Ott/Mtl/Hav) What is an “All Styles” battle? We welcome dancers of all dance backgrounds to participate and showcase their own style. You do not need to specialize in Latin dance to enter - the DJ will be playing strictly Latin music all night. ————— ✨ WHAT’S NEW ▪️ FREE Salsa Lesson with JoseSanDance from 5:30–6:00PM. Come warm up, learn something new, and join the community before the battles begin. ————— DANCERS ▪️Registration is now open. ▪️Kids (U16) & All Ages categories. No waitlists. ▪️Sliding scale registration $10-$20 online / $20 onsite SPECTATORS ▪️Bring your friends, family, and good vibes. Donations are always appreciated. CASH PRIZES ▪️Kids: 🥇 $100 | 🥈 $50 ▪️All Ages: 🥇 $400 | 🥈 $100 ————— ⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES ▪️All Moov Ottawa Dance policies apply. ▪️Music may not be censored. ▪️Security will be on-site. ▪️This event will be photographed & filmed. ▪️Programming offered in English, French & Spanish. ▪️Wheelchair & stroller accessible (arrive early). ▪️Rain plan = Routhier Community Centre. FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 AT 6 - 9 PM J3M + KAVITA THOMAS + TREVOR WALKER @ByWard Market Square George St. J3M, Kavita Thomas & Trevor Walker will be joining forces for the first time for a free live interactive funky disco concert in the heart of the ByWard Market from 6 - 9 pm on Friday August 21st! Hope to see you out! FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 House of PainT Festival! @Multiple locations NAC | Dunbar Bridge | 27Club | FONO House of PainT Festival of Arts & Culture: Deconstructed on Aug. 21–23. Join us for three days of celebrating the elements of hip hop and Ottawa’s community. 🔘 Street Dance 🔘 Graffiti 🔘 Emcees 🔘 DJs 🔘 Spoken Word FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 AT 7 PM House of PainT OG500 Poetry Slam 2026 @NAC (Fourth Stage) 1 Elgin St. House of PainT kicks off “Deconstructed” with Ottawa’s biggest & most competitive poetry slam. Twelve poets, three rounds, one $500 prize with the audience judging the early rounds before our guest judges take over. House of PainT Main Day Throw Down is Saturday, August 22, 2026‼️ ☀️Graffiti, Dance Battles & MC Showcase under Dunbar Bridge (Brewer Park) 🔑Doors: 1:00pm (Dancer registration and warm up cyphers) ⏱️Show: 2:00-8:00pm 🎟️Tickets: Donation at the gate House of PainT is back with an old school jam under Dunbar Bridge. Afternoon programming will showcase 3 dance battles, a variety of selected artists painting the legal graffiti wall at Brewer Park and @craniumartsproject MC showcase. ‼️DANCE BATTLE INFO‼️ 🔺1v1 Hip Hop Battle ($400 Prize) JUDGE: Kosi @kce__ 🔺1v1 Popping Battle ($400 Prize) JUDGE: Funky Mystic 🔺2v2 Breaking Battle ($1000 Prize) JUDGES: @jbugzfelon @deepfriedtiff and @breakvicious 🎤MC: @bboycrazysmooth 🎵DJs: @badonemec and @jervyjervv FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 AT 8 - 11 PM Timekode + Music.Art.Ppl + CRE:8 | Boat Party @Marina De Hull - CYPC 160 rue Laurier (boarding at 8:30 pm) Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/14nEmfSzyJU/ Tickets: Ticketswww.tickettailor.com/events/memeticmedia/2097111 All aboard, freaks! TIMEKODE and Music.Art.Ppl are taking the party onto the Ottawa River for a night of music, movement, and maritime merriment while raising some money for CRE:8 and the work they're doing to support creative life in the heart of the city. You know how TIMEKODE does it: deep grooves, soulful selections, and musical connections across genres, geographies, and eras. And having recently celebrated 10 years in the business, Music.Art.Ppl brings their own mix of house, disco, funk, and techno with the visuals and creative energy to match. TIMEKODE x MUSIC.ART.PPL x CRE:8 OTTAWA RIVER BOAT PARTY W/ DJs Memetic + Seiiizi + DJ Nikoli + Pithra Boarding at 8:30PM Ottawa River Queen Marina de Hull | 160 Rue Laurier, Gatineau Tickets: $35 Early bird $40 General Admission (after August 9) $50 Last minute (after August 18 / at the door) This is a boat and it will leave without you! Please bring your punctual self. FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 AT 9 PM - LATE Boogaloo Jones @Cassette 2557 Baseline Rd. Boogaloo Jones will be providing the all vinyl soundtrack at Cassette this Friday with a mix of Hip Hop, R&B, House, Disco, UKG and Jungle. Known for bringing a dynamic energy to dance floors and listening spaces alike. A part of various collectives such as Jaguar, Fella’s Q-Tips, 140/160 and CURLS, hosting events in Montreal & spins regularly in various clubs and bars such as Sans Soleil, Barbossa, Datcha, Kabinet, Mal Nécessaire and Salon Badin. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 AT 10 AM Strathcona Art In The Park @Strathcona Park 25 Range Rd. Hosted by National Capital Artisans in support of the Mental Illness Caregivers Association (MICA). Featuring 80+ local artisans/artists, a canteen, entertainment and a silent auction with proceeds given to MICA for continued work in the community. Bring the family and make it an outing. Admission is FREE! We'll be coming together to raise awareness and funds for mental health. Please come out and be part of an inclusive and supportive community. Hope to see you there! SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 AT 12 - 1 PM Moov public performance @Place Laval Rue Laval, Gatineau, QC. "In dance performance, Moov Ottawa Dance was founded in 2018 by Alea "Didi" de Castro and Arnaldo "Effect" Betancourt Silva, is an urban dance company born in Ottawa. Known for its high-caliber performances and commitment to culture, Moov brings street dance to stages across Canada while creating meaningful connections through battles, workshops and community events. Specializing in Hip Hop, Waacking, House, Breaking ("break dance"), as well as other styles such as Popping and duo dances, the group is deeply rooted in Hip Hop culture. Moov continues to evolve the dance scene in Ottawa and Canada, and seeks to inspire dancers through training, education, and performance." SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 AT 5 - 9 PM Pride Night Market feat. DJ Del Pilar @Parkdale Park 366 Parkdale Ave. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 AT 7 - 11 PM The Social Distance @Broadway Bar & Grill 1896 Prince Of Whales Dr. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 AT 9 PM - 2 AM House Of Paint 2026 Deconstructed! After Party!!! @27 Club Ottawa 27 York St. $20 | 19+ Tickets: Link iconSat, Aug. 22: DJ Nu-Mark - HoP Afterpartywww.eventbrite.com/e/hop-after-party-tickets-1994697329408 The House Of Paint afterparty will take place August 22nd at The 27 Club featuring the legendary DJ Nu-Mark with support from YuJen + Ghettosocks + Nambi + DJ’s Karyen + Trevor Walker! Get ready to wind down and vibe out at the HoP After Party! Whether you came for the main event or just want to keep the night bumping, this is the spot to be. Bring your crew, grab a drink, and let's make some get down to some dope music, with our Headliner DJ Numark rounding out the evening. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 AT 10 PM - 4 AM White Rabbit: Brink’s B-Day w/ Brink b2b Anthony Cole + Tanner Castro + Yaan @City At Night 222 Slater St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EsCr25xvg/ Tickets: Ticketssairyo.live/event/4512/white-rabbit-brinks-bday-w-brink-b2b-anthony-cole-tanner-castro-yaan-zzbks5 Saturday August 22nd, we're warming you up for Capital Pride and celebrating Whtie Rabbit partner and resident DJ Brink's birthday! Featuring sets from: BRINK b2b ANTHONY COLE TANNER CASTRO YAAN SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 AT 11 AM Ottawa Vinyl & Book Fair + “This Island Earth” live broadcast. @SAW Courtyard 67 Nicholas St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LxKJDFJgk/ Join us at the Ottawa Vinyl and Book Fair to browse thousands of new and used vinyl records, DVDs and books. Enjoy a full day of activities including a live CKCU broadcast of This Island Earth, an artist spotlight on Indigenous filmmaker and musician Willie Dunn, open decks with local DJs, and an Almanac pop-up bakery in the SAW courtyard. Take part in a synth petting zoo, express screenprinting workshops, Risograph printing demos, an author conversation with the award-winning queer writer Conyer Clayton, and the launch of a special-edition Joi T. Arcand baseball cap and tote bag. More than 40 vendors from Ontario and Quebec, including Octopus Bookstore, Birdman Sound, Rough Draft, Love Lyla Books, Bruised Tongue, Second Spin Records, Arc Poetry Magazine and Compact Music. Parcourez des milliers de disques vinyles, DVD et livres neufs et d’occasion. Profitez d’une journée complète d’activités : une diffusion en direct de l’émission This Island Earth sur les ondes de CKCU, une célébration de l’œuvre du musicien et cinéaste autochtone Willie Dunn, des platines en libre accès avec des DJ de la région, et une boulangerie éphémère d’Almanac dans la cour extérieure de SAW. Participez à un zoo de synthétiseurs interactif, des ateliers express de sérigraphie, des démonstrations d’impression Risograph, une conversation avec l’auteur queer primé Conyer Clayton, et ainsi que le lancement d’une casquette de baseball et d’un sac en édition spéciale conçus par Joi T. Arcand. Plus de 40 exposant·e·s provenant de l’Ontario et du Québec, dont Librairie Louis-Fréchette, Le salon du livre afro-canadien, Octopus Bookstore, Birdman Sound, Rough Draft, Love Lyla Books, Bruised Tongue, Second Spin Records, Arc Poetry Magazine et Compact Music. Admission: $5 (includes workshops) / Entrée : 5 $ (ateliers inclus) Free admission for children, students and seniors / Gratuit pour les enfants, les étudiant·es et les aîné·es Drink specials all day, including $2 coffee, $5 SAW Lager and the launch of new beverages from Collective Arts Brewing / Des spéciaux sur les boissons toute la journée, notamment un café à 2 $, une lager de SAW à 5 $, ainsi que le lancement d’une sélection de nouvelles boissons de Collective Arts Brewing 100% of proceeds will be donated to Book Clubs for Inmates / 100 % des recettes seront versées à Book Clubs for Inmates. SCHEDULE / HORAIRE 11AM–5PM | De 11 h à 17 h Vinyl and Book Fair Vendors / Exposant·es de la foire du vinyle et du livre Locations / Lieux : SAW exhibition spaces, SAW courtyard and Arts Court / Salles d'exposition de SAW, cour extérieure de SAW et Cour des arts 11AM–5PM | De 11 h à 17 h Almanac Pop-Up Bakery / Boulangerie éphémère d’Almanac Location / Lieu : SAW courtyard / Cour extérieure de SAW 11AM–5PM | De 11 h à 17 h Open Decks / Platines à libre accès Location / Lieu : SAW courtyard / Cour extérieure de SAW 11AM–5PM | De 11 h à 17 h Synth Petting Zoo / Zoo de synthétiseurs interactif Presented by Cicada Sound / Présenté par Cicada Sound Location / Lieu : Artengine 11AM–5PM | De 11 h à 17 h The Ballad of Crowfoot – Willie Dunn Screening (on loop) / Projection (en boucle) 10 minutes • 1968 • Documentary / Documentaire Presented by the National Film Board of Canada and the Digital Arts Resource Centre / Présentée par l'Office national du film du Canada et le Digital Arts Resource Centre Location / Lieu : DARC Microcinema 11AM–12PM | De 11 h à 12 h Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology Listening Session / Séance d'écoute Location / Lieu : Club SAW 1PM–4PM | De 13 h à 16 h This Island Earth — Live Broadcast / Diffusion en direct Presented by CKCU / Présentée par CKCU Location / Lieu : Club SAW 4PM–5PM | De 16 h à 17 h Conyer Clayton: Author in Conversation with Ellen Chang-Richardson / Conyer Clayton : entretien avec Ellen Chang-Richardson Presented by the Riverbed Reading Series / Présenté par la série de lecture Riverbed Location / Lieu : Club SAW 12PM–4PM | De 12 h à 16 h Express Drop-in Screenprinting Workshops / Ateliers express de sérigraphie en accès libre Location / Lieu : SAW Nordic Lab / Labo nordique de SAW 4PM–5PM | De 16 h à 17 h Risograph printing demo with Chris Morin / Atelier d'impression Risograph avec Chris Morin Location / Lieu : SAW Nordic Lab / Labo nordique de SAW Presented by / Présentée par SAW x Collective Arts Brewing Official Media Partner / Partenaire média officiel CKCU SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 AT 3 - 10 PM Orléans Cookout! @255 Centrum Blvd., Ottawa Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JDprjoKC7/ Tickets: (Direct Eventbrite link) https://ORLEANSCOOKOUT.eventbrite.ca ORLÉANS COOKOUT BIG things are coming to Orléans in 2027… But we couldn’t let the summer pass us by without giving you a little taste. Join us for an afternoon and evening of good food, good music and really good neighbours. DAY PARTY | BLOCK PARTY | DANCE PARTY COOKOUT Presented by: @heartoforleansbia @soledaypartyott Sounds by: MACE @iamdjmace KAM @kamgilani PROSPER @djprosper22 & Friends Eats by: Smash Daddy @smashdaddy613 Meatings @meatings Spicy Mongoose @spicymongoose_268 With support from: Solé • OOH • R&B PERIOD. • JUST ME AND YOU • DANSE • Carivibe • Burgers & Beats GOOD FOOD. GOOD MUSIC. REALLY GOOD NEIGHBOURS. We’re having a little cookout in Orléans. Bring a friend or two. SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 AT 4 - 6 PM High Fidelity: All Vinyl Day Party! w/ DJ Nu-Mark @FONO 473 Bronson Ave. Tickets: www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-fidelity-special-edition-ft-dj-nu-mark-tickets-1993498854738?aff=oddtdtcreator This August, High Fidelity welcomes one of hip hop’s most respected DJs and producers to Ottawa for a special all-vinyl afternoon, in collaboration with House of PainT Festival. DJ Nu-Mark has spent decades shaping hip hop culture through turntablism, production and unforgettable DJ sets around the world. Now, he’ll be bringing his crates to High Fidelity for an exclusive vinyl set built for the way we love to experience music. Expect soul. Funk. Hip hop. Deep cuts. Party records. Two turntables. Nothing but vinyl. Whether you’ve followed Nu-Mark since the Jurassic 5 days or you’re discovering him for the first time, this is a rare opportunity to experience a world-class DJ in a setting you won’t find anywhere else: daylight, great sound, cocktails, dancing, and a beautiful room full of people who love records as much as you do. SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 AT 5 - 9 PM Bytown Soul Club @Pubwells On Sussex 431 Sussex Dr. Bytown Soul Club is back at Pubwells Sussex location, Sunday August 23 for another soulful Sunday afternoon session! Rain or shine, patio or indoors, the best sounds on vinyl from across the decades will be served up with your pints, pizzas and 'ppetizers (stretching it there...). Special guest DJ? Maybe! MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2026 AT 5 - 8 PM Grown-Ass Pizza Party @Beyond The Pale Brewery 250 City Centre Avenue, Unit 106 Grown-Ass Pizza Party are running it back for on last outdoor summer run! They’re taking it to Beyond The Pale outside the garage door and straight into the parking lot with the indoors open as well, giving you full indoor/ outdoor party vibes all evening long! On the decks they’ll be welcoming Ottawa DJ veteran Ray Ray with well over 20+ years of experience bringing the heat to the city and surrounding area to provide what promises to be pure fire alongside So Nice & Eazy El Dee. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026 AT 9 PM SoundScape Immersive Music and Arts Festival w/ OK Naledi + DJ Del Pilar @Plaze Bridge NAC / Rideau Canal OK Naledi is a high-energy Afro-Fusion project based on the unceded Algonquin Territory (Ottawa, Canada), led by Black, queer, non-binary Motswana Canadian artist Naledi. Blending traditional sub-Saharan guitar lines, warm bass grooves, and movement-driven rhythms, OK Naledi creates a genre-defying sound rooted in stories of love, heartbreak, queerness, family, and the experience of navigating a Western world while carrying southern African roots. Since emerging in 2022, the project has earned major festival appearances, award nominations, provincial arts funding, a selection at the Los Angeles Queer Film Festival for the music video do you feel, and a sold-out debut album release at the National Arts Centre. For this performance, OK Naledi appears as a dynamic three-piece featuring Kira Montfort on drums and vocals, DJ Del Pilar on the ones and twos, and Naledi on vocals and guitar. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026 AT 10 - CLOSE Chus & Ceballos @Gridwrks 221 Rideau St. Tickets: https://ticketscandy.com/e/chus-ceballos-at-gridwrks-19939 After a five-year hiatus, the legendary duo has reunited, and we're excited to welcome them back to Ottawa for the first time since their reunion—this time at GRIDWRKS on Friday, August 28—as part of this year's Official Capital Pride programming. SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026 AT 12 - 11 PM Tortaboyz Block Party Cook Out! @ADULT HIGH SCHOOL 301 Preston St. (Parking Lot) YOU THOUGHT WE FORGOT!?!? OTTAWA! IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW … IF YOU DONT WELL YOU ARE ABOUT TO FIND OUT ! The return of the BLOCK PARTY! Our little gesture of gratitude to the city that raised us and made us! SATURDAY AUGUST 29 12-11 PM ADULT HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT (301 Preston) FREE EVENT LICENSED EVENT KIDS ZONE MARKET VENDORS A CURATED list of some of the cities BEST food - both established and up and coming representing all corners of the world. The boyzz love to eat and cannot wait to share this food line up with you! No fluff just real passionate food pro’s sharing their craft ! With all this food you’re going to need something to digest! And what better way to spend a day eating and dancing with a sound line up curated by our hermano and MC @cheko7even … you know we had so much fun at Italian fest we had to bring back our hermanitos from @afroteo_ to shut it down … and some other VERY SPECIAL GUESTS! SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026 AT 7 PM - CLOSE Kaminsky Selects: THE BEST MUSIC YOU’VE NEVER HEARD! @Ten Toes Coffee 873 Somerset St. W 100% vinyl: Forty Five + Thiry Threes! 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 SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026 AT 7 - 11 PM Just Me And You w/ DJ Mace + Friends @Andaz Copper Spirit & Sights 325 Dalhousie St., 16th Floor Join DJ Mace for a special edition of “Just You And Me” for the launch of Saturdays at Andaz. Also celebrating Micheal Jackson’s birthday! SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026 AT 8 PM - MIDNIGHT Pride Listening Party w/ DJ Del Pilar @FONO 473 Bronson Ave. Free (save yourself a spot on the FONO website!) SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026 AT 8 PM - 2 AM School of Bass # 68.91 @Swizzles Bar and Grill 244 Queen St., Ottawa Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BktJFifMP/ Techno! Trance! UK Garage! Halftime 140! DNB! And more! Featuring: DJ Speaker Phreaker DJ Optional Hood Shit (Dj Numeric b2b Dj Sparkee Dubz) DJ DJRJ DJ Type-ZERO Art decos by Dems & Dolls! Bring your food can for the Ottawa Food Bank! Saturday August 29th 2026 Swizzles Bar and Grill - 246 Queen street (Basement) +19 event. Valid photo I.D. required. Pay what you can at the door! P.L.U.R R.O.A.R SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SCENE SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026 AT 1 PM Capital Pride Parade 2026 @Centretown 110 Laurier Ave W. Join over 200 groups, 11,000 participants, and over 150,000 attendees at Ottawa’s largest parade. Show your pride and celebrate on Sunday, August 30 at 1pm. More information including registration and route information, will be available throughout the spring and summer. Stay tuned for more details. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 AT 8 PM Funk Yo Self | Album release w/ Jermaine Holmes + Trevor Walker @SAW Centre 67 Nicholas St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FRwgsVv33/ Tickets: Ticketsfunk-yo-self.bloomtickets.ca/event/2243 FINALLY, the moment you've all been waiting for. FUNK YO SELF, the album! After all these years, Funk Yo Self will release their debut album. Come enjoy the fruits of our labour with a night of music, featuring Jermaine Holmes and his quartet, with Trevor Walker on the 1s and 2s. Join us for an epic celebration of love, juice, and funk. Jermaine Holmes: Jermaine Holmes is a 2x Grammy Award-winning Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & performer hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Coming from a family deeply rooted in church soul, Jermaine is a vocal powerhouse for the ages with an unparalled level of artistic versatility. Jermaine Holmes brings you into his world one song at a time with his introspective lyricism and production heavily inspired by the gospel quartet music tradition, carefully blending elements of old-school Hip-Hop and modern R&B together to bring his notable sound to life. As a member of D'Angelo & The Vanguard, Jermaine was part of the Grammy Award-winning album "Black Messiah" (2016), which took home the award for Best R&B Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. The album also won Best R&B Song for "Really Love." https://jermaineholmes.net/music/ Trevor Walker: Providing the world with top notch tunes from Afro, Latin, Jazz, Reggae, Disco, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop + Legendary Ottawa based DJ Trevor walker has been a staple of the scene for over 20 years. He will be gracing us with his legendary grooves to keep the party slamming. FUNK YO SELF Funk Yo Self is a high energy and sophisticated party-band sensation hailing from the Outaouais region. Funk Yo Self keeps fans reeling with their unique blend of psychedelic, funk and jazz fusion. Performing in clubs from Toronto to Montreal, in the Ottawa Jazz Fest, as well as different festivals across Ontario and Quebec, their superbly executed, unassailable grooves, and unstoppable energy keeps the dance floor FUNKIN' all Night-long! Their sound is influenced and reminiscent of James Brown, Jamiroquai, the late era Miles Davis, and Lettuce, making their live performance one of the most original, funkiest, and soulful musical experiences in the country. Come party with us! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 AT 7 PM The Social Distance @Roots RV Resort 120 Reids Lk Ln, Renfrew, ON. K7V 3Z7, Renfrew, Ontario Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/19AftDawDS/ See you all at the Root RV Resort in Renfrew! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 AT 1 - 4 PM Reverie Sundays: Daytime Rooftop Patio Party w/ MusicSpasms + House Of Wayne @Rabbit Hole Tiki Bar (Rooftop Patio) 208 Sparks St. Eventbrite: Link iconReverie Sundays Ticketsreveriesundaysott.eventbrite.com It's official, September 6th is Volume 2 of Reverie Sundays and we are so excited. RSVP your FREE tickets at ReverieSundaysOTT on Eventbrite. Link in Bio! NOTE: In the event of rain, we will be taking the party indoors. We learned from the last event that the weather is NOT always on our side, so we have you covered, rain or shine! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 AT 5 - 11 PM Star Disco Vinyl Disco Party @The Origin Arts & Community Centre 57 Lyndale Ave. Star Disco will be taking a Time Machine back to 1978 so grab your grooviest outfits and meet us at The Origin Arts & Community Centre Sunday, September 6th for and end of summer party to remember. DJ Seiiizi will be on deck providing the soundtrack featuring 70’s Disco, Funk, Highlife, Motown, Jungle and much more! FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026 Afrofestival Ottawa @Mooney’s Bay Park + Beach Mooney’s Bay Afrofestival Ottawa 2026 is Ottawa's biggest African celebrations and one of Canada’s leading African cultural festivals, celebrating the diversity, creativity, and vibrant spirit of African communities from across the continent and diaspora. Taking place at Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach in Ottawa since 2021, this FREE family-friendly festival features live music performances, DJs, dance showcases, African fashion, cultural exhibitions, food vendors, artisan markets, and interactive community experiences. Festival attendees can explore authentic African cuisine, discover local businesses and creators, and enjoy performances ranging from Afrobeats and Amapiano to traditional dance and contemporary African music. Afrofestival Ottawa welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to experience African culture through entertainment, art, storytelling, and community connection in one of Ottawa’s largest multicultural outdoor festivals. Event highlights include: • Live African music and dance performances • Food vendors and cultural cuisine • African fashion and artisan marketplace • Family-friendly activities • Cultural exhibitions and community engagement • Local and international performers FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 AT 8 PM Harea Band & Prehistoric w/ DJ Trevor Walker @Rainbow Bistro 76 Murray St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DkzmR6aFj/ Tickets: Ticketstherainbow.ca/event/6655108/771164375/harea-band-prehistoric-with-dj-trevor-walker Harea Band returns to the Rainbow for a night built around live funk, hip-hop, soul, and a packed dance floor. The Ottawa group is a 5-piece pop, soul, and R&B outfit, known for bringing a high-energy live show shaped by deep grooves, strong vocals, and tight musicianship. For this special show, Harea Band joins forces with Prehistoric, one of Ottawa’s long-running hip-hop MCs. Known to many as Papa Pre, he brings a technical and clever independent rap style that gives this collaboration a different edge. Keeping the room moving throughout the night is DJ Trevor Walker. A respected figure in Ottawa nightlife, Trevor collected and played records for decades and spent 21 years as a resident DJ at Mercury Lounge. Expect thoughtful selections, serious rhythm, and no dead space between sets. Come early, stay late, and catch three established Ottawa artists sharing one room for a proper night at the Rainbow. https://www.instagram.com/harea_band/ https://www.instagram.com/papapre613/ https://www.instagram.com/lifeboogie/ 8 pm doors 9 pm start SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AT 7 PM DYSTOH @Le Minotaure 3 rue kent, Gatineau Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ByydHNDM1/ Tickets: https://lpdv.co/827aa DYSTOH: www.dystoh.com DYSTOH is the duo formed by Ray Tabana and Phil Motion, founding members of the three-time Juno Award-nominated Souljazz Orchestra. Their music combines congas, baritone saxophone and vocal harmonies, drawing its energy from Afrobeat, Latin rhythms and reggae. Born during the pandemic, the duo made their debut at the Dakar Music Expo in 2022 before touring Colombia, Canada and Europe. Their debut album, Heat of the Times (2024), offers a raw and poetic reflection on the upheavals of today's world. With more than twenty years of experience on international stages, DYSTOH offers energetic performances, carried by hypnotic grooves and a remarkable stage presence. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 AT 10 AM - 5 PM Ottawa Anime-Fest @Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport 2400 Chemin Alert Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Rde5qtoWH/ Join us on Saturday September 19 2026 here in Ottawa, Ontario at the Hilton Garden Inn Airport Hotel from 10am to 5pm. It's fun for the whole family and kids enter FREE. Voice Actors, Vendors, Attractions and so much more. Plus Huge Cosplay Contest. For more info please visit https://linktr.ee/OttawaAnimeFest FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 AT 9 PM Bill Withers Tribute @Irene’s Pub 885 Bank St. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/18LhaTYq5Y/ Tickets: Ticketsirenespub.ca/events/mecca-of-stank-with-sg Mecca of Stank returns to pay tribute to Bill Withers, celebrating the soul, warmth, and timeless rhythm of a music legend. They'll perform a set of his most recognizable songs, followed by a set of Withers-inspired original music from one of Ottawa's premiere soul/funk bands. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 Pique @Arts Court 2 Daly Ave. Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/14qt1iunvGB/ Pique returns with its most ambitious edition yet—and for the first time ever, admission is FREE. Transforming Arts Court into a vibrant playground of adventurous music, immersive art, performance, and unexpected encounters, Pique #21 brings together boundary-pushing artists from across disciplines, genres, and geographies. Featuring artists from across Canada and beyond, this season's programming spans genre-defying electronics, contemporary Indigenous practices, ballroom cultures, futuristic experiments in sound, multimedia installation, unexpected creative interventions, and more. Presented as part of Nuit Blanche Ottawa and the Ottawa 200 anniversary celebrations, this landmark edition is free to attend for the first time, inviting audiences to experience one of the city's most eclectic cultural events. EXPLORE THE LINEUP https://thisispique.com/lineup-26-09 Across multiple floors of Arts Court, Pique #21 brings together an expansive mix of experimental music, contemporary club culture, live performance, immersive installation, and participatory art. The program spans electronic, noise, hip hop, hyperpop, ambient, contemporary classical, improvisation, and global club sounds, with artists drawing from Indigenous, Black, and queer cultural traditions. Audiences will encounter everything from live a/v, film, and multimedia production, to participatory performance, immersive installation and collective art-making. The program moves between intimate and ecstatic, analog and digital, traditional and futuristic—centering artists who use their practices to explore identity, land, technology, disability, memory, community, and new forms of cultural expression. QUEERTOPIA 3000 https://thisispique.com/queertopia-3000 One of Pique's signature annual celebrations also returns with the third annual Queertopia Kiki Ball 3000, presented by Legendary Overall Motha Maldita Siriano and Yéila Siriano. Celebrating ballroom culture through performance, fashion, creativity, and chosen family, Queertopia has become one of Ottawa's most joyful queer cultural events, welcoming both renowned legends and new audiences into the world of kiki ballroom culture. TOPIQUE https://thisispique.com/topique Running alongside the festival, Topique, Pique's artist-led symposium exploring equity, sustainability, and creative practice, returns on September 26 with a dedicated day of conversations, workshops, and knowledge exchange. This year's program will explore themes including community-led world building, music distribution in the age of platform capitalism, and the role of archives, memory, and cultural stewardship in shaping independent creative futures. Admission to Topique will once again be pay-what-you-can, ensuring accessibility for artists, cultural workers, and the public. The full symposium program will be announced in the coming weeks. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 AT 8 PM Atlantis Jazz Ensemble @Minotaure 3 rue kent, Gatineau Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/19K9txgvby/ Tickets: Ticketslepointdevente.com/billets/mti260930001 ATLANTIS JAZZ ENSEMBLE https://atlantisjazzensemble.bandcamp.com/ The Atlantis Jazz Ensemble back at Minotaure! Expect a memorable night of spiritual jazz mixed with just a hint of soul and tropical sounds. Personnel: Ed Lister - trompette et flugelhorn Zakari Frantz - saxophone alto et percussion Pierre Chrétien - piano électrique Fender Rhodes et percussion Chris Pond - contrebasse Mike Essoudry - batterie avec: Petr Cancura - saxophone ténor et percussion Marielle Rivard - percussion SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026 AT 10 AM - 4 PM Ottawa Record Fair VIII @Carleton-Dominion Chalmers Centre 355 Cooper St. OVER 30 vendors from Ontario and Quebec! Thousands of new and 2nd hand vinyl LPs, CDs and Cassettes. THIS IS NOT A YARD SALE ! Twice a year a mind blowing selection of recorded music (spanning the genres) is presented for your perusal. Loads of cheap parking available on site and free on the streets in surrounding area of the venue. Early admission is $ 10. at 10 a.m. General admission at 11 a.m. is $5. Mark it on the calendar Saturday, OCTOBER 17, 2026 ...76 days away...time flies! SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026 Hiltons perform “Bella Simone” @Gavan’s Hotel 1157 Rue de Clarendon, Quyon QC. Tickets: https://themanxist.com Info: https://festivalfantome.com Hiltons perform “Bella Simone” for a 20 year vinyl release party with their original 2006 band line-up. This night promises high energy electro punk along with grinding synths from The Retrospects Band and a solo noice-clown by Jesse Buck. Streaming, Archives & stuff! Catch me on twitch.tv/lifeboogie *when possible -Wednesday | 22h | “Why Wednesday” Remote Stream @27 Club Open format 100% vinyl or digital for dancing -open format pop ups & the occasional raid trains Socials / Archive: Instagram / Twitch: @lifeboogie Fecesbook: https://www.facebook.com/djtrevorwalker MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/trevor-walker4/ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/trevorlifeboogiewalker |
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