Feature Friday: Where to be on NYE (Part I)

Bytown Sound has over 70 music-related events in our calendar for New Year’s Eve! This is the first of a two-part post on what to do in Ottawa on NYE. There’s something for everyone happening in the city – get out and celebrate with Ottawa’s line-up of fantastic musicians!

Festivus for the Rest of Us at Two Six {Ate} featuring DJ GRUSM

Two Six {Ate} is hosting a “Festivus for the Rest of Us” party on NYE from 7 pm to 3 am. DJ Grusm, who spins at the gastropub for their weekly Sunday night “Beats ‘n Eats,” will be doing his thing all night. Enjoy a glass of prosecco (this is Little Italy, after all) and unlimited canapés (vegetarian and gluten free options available), and an extended special menu available all night, tickets are $51. If you’re looking to ring in the new year with some close friends in a fun and trendy spot, Two Six {Ate} has a great intimate atmosphere for talking and dancing, and fantastic food. Get your tickets here.

The Split at Irene’s Pub

Soul band The Split will be playing in the new year at Irene’s Pub starting at 10 pm, but get there early because this show will be packed. Brothers Curtis and Matt Chaffey lead this new soul ensemble with original songs and infuse the genre with fresh sounds, while at the same time tapping into traditional feels. Smoky vocals, energetic brass, and funk-laden guitar lines make for a nostalgic dance party you don’t want to miss if you’re looking for a truly musical start to your new year. Tickets are $30 in advance, Irene’s will be throwing in some party favours and midnight champagne, but the best part is the charm that this music venue offers and the super fun people it attracts.

Blast From the Sun//Monday I Retire//Harea Band at the Blacksheep Inn

The legendary Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield, QC has a fantastic line up for NYE. Three Ottawa-based powerhouse bands will be playing all night long: Blast From the Sun, Monday I Retire, and Harea Band. All these bands mix jazz/soul/blues/rock and are unbelievably danceable, with incredible musicianship (a lot of the members of all these bands are university trained musicians), and catchy songwriting. Blast from the Sun is a three-piece blues/funk/reggae fusion. Monday I Retire is a five-piece jazz/blues/pop band fronted by Mackenzie di Millo’s impressive vocals (recent declared a force in Ottawa’s music scene in 2016 by Metro Ottawa). The Harea Band is a pop/soul catch-you-in-a-groove ensemble led by Alex Harea, and is so so so much fun to see live. Worried about getting to Wakefield and back? The bands have organized a bus service running from Ottawa – bus departs from Museum of Nature at 8 pm and will bring you back to Rideau Centre around 1 am. Only $20 in advance! Reserve your seat here: [email protected].

Davina Pearl, Martin Courage, & Greg Horvath at Zola’s Restaurant

2016 wasn’t playing the rules, why not send it out with some improvised music? Zola’s Restaurant in the west end of Ottawa is featuring a night of jazz with saxophonist Davina Pearl, pianist/singer Martin Courage, and bassist Greg Horvath. Pearl, Courage, and Horvath are all very active in Ottawa’s jazz scene, and will bring their musicality and skill together for what we’re sure is going to be a night of exciting, unique interpretations on the standards (and maybe even some new compositions!). Zola’s offer a superb Italian menu, and is also a great supporter of jazz music and art in the Ottawa area, check out their Saturday night jazz series that’s continuing into the new year here.

Pan Galactic Gargleblasters at Zaphod’s

Feel like partying your face off and completely forgetting about 2016? Zaphod Beeblebrox is hosting a “No Hassle NYE,” an all night dance party with resident DJs Floodzi and Emmett. Champagne, party favors, plus pan galactic gargleblasters? Obviously this party is going to be out of this world. Zaphod’s hassle free NYE is also aptly the most affordable option on this list, tickets are only $13 in advance!