This city has so much talent to showcase on local stages and beyond! Note that outreach happens throughout the year and that you will be considered for more than the opportunities listed below.
Read the descriptions below to better understand the variety of performance opportunities coordinated by OMIC.
Recurring Performance Opportunities
CITY SOUNDS LIVE
- Description: City Sounds Live is a travelling music festival presented in partnership with BIAs and co-curators in various neighbourhoods around the city of Ottawa. Created in 2021, thanks to funding from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Department, City Sounds Live brings music to outdoor spaces in communities, driving foot traffic and the local economy.
- Details: Outdoor performances take place under a 10x15 tent. PA, microphones, and a professional sound technician are provided. There are no greenrooms and no risers. Artists are required to bring their own instruments and cables. A host will introduce bands. Some shows include a panel or fireside chat between artists. Accommodations can be made for wheelchair and mobility device users.
- Artist specifications: For local emerging to established artists. Suitable for solo to full band instrumentation. All music genres are considered. Original music preferred.
Learn more about the 2024 City Sounds Live edition here!
KINAXIS IN CONCERT
- Description: Kinaxis in Concert takes place at the Kinaxis headquarters in Kanata. This tech company directly supports the Ottawa music industry and welcomes many artists in their multi-use space with an indoor stage known as The Hive. These are private, monthly daytime shows. These concerts are for Kinaxis staff only, so they don't compete with radius clauses. We encourage touring artists to book a public show at an Ottawa venue around their Kinaxis date, as the stipend may subsidize the stress of selling tickets and allow artists to discover the city.
- Details: An indoor stage, greenroom, catering, a professional sound technician, a stagehand, and a PA are provided. Original music is preferred. The set is 45 minutes with a 15-minute interview. Accommodations are provided for touring artists. The building and stage are wheelchair accessible.
- Artist specifications: Touring and local emerging to established artists. Suitable for solo to full band instrumentation.
Learn more about Kinaxis’ commitment to music here!
SONGS FROM THE SHED
- Description: Songs from the Shed is a lunchtime concert series every Tuesday and Thursday from June through October in a high-traffic area on Sparks Street. This program is presented in partnership between OMIC and the Sparks Street BIA. This opportunity accommodates solo/duo configurations and bands performing solo-acoustic versions of their songs.
- Details: A small shed, PA (no sub), mixer, and coordinator/host are provided. There are no greenrooms in the context of this outdoor performance opportunity. Please note that technical equipment and the stage size are limited at The Shed. Sparks Street is wheelchair accessible but the stage isn’t. Accommodations can be made for wheelchair and mobility device users.
- Artist specifications: Local and touring developing to emerging artists. Original music preferred. Suitable for solo to duo instrumentation. No full bands.
- Contact: Jessy Lindsay, she/her, Project Coordinator, jessy@ottawamic.com
View a Rogers TV filmed performance featuring Danielle Allard at The Shed here!
LIVE FROM THE BOOTH
- Description: Live from the Booth is a new pop-up DJ and electronic music series that will take place in a small booth on Sparks Street in partnership with the Sparks Street BIA all summer long. The concert series will take place every Saturday from 6pm-8pm.
- Details: Sheltered booth, coordinator, host, PA (with sub), decks, and mixer are provided. No green room. Sparks Street is wheelchair accessible but The Booth is not. Ways to accommodate wheelchair users will be explored.
- Artist specifications: Local and touring developing to emerging DJs and electronic artists.
“With Live from the Booth, DJs and Electronic artists will have the opportunity to perform in public on Sparks Street during the Saturday dinner service. Grounding these performances in such a setting harkens back to the roots of DJing, and the project will look to provide the local public with an insight into the often underground but so incredibly vibrant musical nightlife the city has to offer. It's important for us to be able to provide DJs and artists with access to industry-standard gear and to ensure the lineup for Live from the Booth's inaugural season accurately represents the incredibly diverse scene that calls the National Capital Region home.”
- Fabien Pleur, Program Coordinator of Live from the Booth
BMDA CINQ À SEPT
- Description: Cinq à sept is a Byward Concert Series taking place every Thursday from 5 PM - 7 PM in the George St Plaza from June 6th through to Oct 10th. This program is presented in partnership between OMIC and the Byward Mall District Authority (BMDA). This opportunity accommodates duo to full band configurations.
- Details: Outdoor performances take place in George St Plaza on a 12x12 stage (with risers). PA, microphones, and a professional sound technician are provided. Artists are required to bring their own instruments and cables. A host will introduce bands. Some shows include a panel or fireside chat between artists. Accommodations can be made for wheelchair and mobility device users.
- Artist specifications: For local emerging to established artists. Suitable for duo to full band instrumentation. All music genres are considered. Original music preferred.
“Music plays a crucial role in enhancing the visitor experience and fostering a sense of community well-being in any public space. At the ByWard Market District Authority, we are deeply committed to supporting the arts and creating vibrant, inclusive environments for everyone. Partnering with OMIC, we are thrilled to offer Cinq à Sept: A ByWard Concert Series—a series of free musical performances designed to bring joy and connection to all visitors and residents of our historic district.”
- Melanie Anderson, BMDA General Manager
