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.
- Performance Specs:
- 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 selection:
- For local developing, emerging, and export-ready artists.
- Suitable for solo to full band instrumentation.
- All music genres are considered.
- Original music preferred.
Find events near you and learn more about City Sounds Live here!
SONGS FROM THE SHED
- Description: Songs from the Shed is a lunchtime concert series every Tuesday and Thursday during the summer months in a high-traffic area on Sparks Street. This program is presented in partnership between OMIC and the Downtown BIA. This opportunity accommodates solo/duo configurations and bands performing solo-acoustic versions of their songs.
- Performance Specs:
- 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, emerging, and export-ready artists.
- Original music preferred.
- Suitable for solo to duo instrumentation (maximum).
- No full bands (sorry).
- 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 evening from 7pm-9pm.
- Performance Specs:
- 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 can be explored.
- Artist specifications: Local and touring emerging and export-ready DJ's and electronic artists.
- Contact: David Leclerc, she/her, Project Coordinator, david@ottawamic.com
“OMIC is thrilled to expand our partnership with Downtown BIA to focus on highlighting Ottawa’s established and up-and-coming electronic artists and DJs in The Booth. These performance opportunities allow artists of all levels to get hands-on experience and share their craft with the Sparks Street community. Programming Saturday evening shows will help support the city’s mission of developing the downtown nightlife economy. Join us on Sparks to enjoy the variety of free musical performances “Songs from the Shed” and “Live from the Booth” have to offer all summer long!”
- Melanie Brulée, Executive Director, OMIC
Byward Concert Series
- Description: Cinq à sept is a Byward Concert Series taking place every Thursday from 5PM - 9PM in the George St Plaza from July to Sept, 2025. This program is presented in partnership between OMIC and the Byward Mall District Authority (BMDA). This opportunity accommodates duo to full band configurations.
- Performance Specs:
- Outdoor performances take place in George St Plaza on a 12x12 stage (with riser). PA, microphones, and a professional sound technician are provided.
- Public restroom access inside 55 George St.
- Artists are required to bring their own instruments and cables.
- A host will introduce bands.
- Accommodations can be made for wheelchair and mobility device users.
- Artist specifications:
- For local and touring emerging, export-ready, and established artists.
- Suitable for duo to full band instrumentation.
- All music genres are considered.
- Original music preferred.
- Contact: Sam Timmins, she/her, Project Coordinator, sam@ottawamic.com
“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
