Friday Sessions
July 10 – Sep 18
Friday Sessions bring live R&B, urban sounds, and indie pop-rock nights to ByWard Square, spotlighting Ottawa’s emerging talent every week in the heart of the Market. With a rotating lineup of local artists, each Friday offers a different sound, a new reason to gather.
It’s free. It’s full of energy. And it’s the perfect way to kick off your weekend!
Just Wôan is a Cameroon-born, Montreal-based singer-songwriter blending jazz, soul, and Central African rhythms. Known for his powerful vocals and tapping guitar, he performs in Bafia, a rare Cameroonian language.
JULY 10 | 6 PM – 9 PMJust Wôan Trio
Founded in 2018 by Alea “Didi” de Castro and Arnaldo “Effect” Betancourt Silva, Moov is an Ottawa-based, bilingual dance company rooted in Hip Hop and Street Dance culture.
July 17 | 5 pM – 9 PMMoov Ottawa
DYSTOH is a high-energy duo from Ray Tabana and Phil Motion, founding members of the three-time Juno-nominated Souljazz Orchestra. Blending congas, baritone sax, harmonies, and hypnotic grooves, their sound pulls from Afrobeat, Latin, and reggae, bringing serious rhythm and live-performance fire to the stage.
JULY 24 | 6 PM – 9 PMDYSTOH
NITROTURTLE is a funk band out of Ottawa that flexes between R&B, hip-hop, jazz and soul vibes. Led by Deniz Lim-Sersan (drums), the group has a rotating cast of some of the finest musicians in the city.
JULY 31 | 6 PM – 9 PMNITROTURTLE
OMIC Lineup
SEPTEMBER 4 | 6 PM – 9 pmMore details coming soon.
AUGUST 7 | 6 pm – 9 pm OMIC Lineup
Presented by OMIC, this special showcase features Capital Music Awards nominees J3M, whose sound blends pop, disco and R&B; Nicole Arrage, who brings a soulful mix of pop, R&B and Middle Eastern influences; and Vicki Brittle, an acclaimed folk-rock singer-songwriter. Join us for an evening celebrating some of Ottawa's most exciting emerging musical talent.
BANGGZ is a Canadian-Nigerian rapper and producer whose signature Afro-rap sound blends West African influences with contemporary hip-hop and R&B. Known for his introspective lyrics and dynamic live performances, he has appeared at major festivals including Ottawa Bluesfest, Sled Island and POP Montreal.
AUGUST 14 | 6 pm – 9 pm BANGGZ
August 21 | 6 PM – 9 pmMoov Ottawa
Founded in 2018 by Alea “Didi” de Castro and Arnaldo “Effect” Betancourt Silva, Moov is an Ottawa-based, bilingual dance company rooted in Hip Hop and Street Dance culture.
Pride Set & Drag Perform.
AUGUST 28 | 6 PM – 9 pmDJ Tanner Castro and drag performer Sunshine Glitterchild team up for a vibrant evening of music, movement and glamour. Blending genre-defying house music with dazzling drag performances, this dynamic duo creates an atmosphere of celebration, self-expression and connection that will keep the dance floor alive all night long.
Smelloship is a six-piece funk force from Ottawa and Gatineau, blending 70s funk, soul, southern rock, and second-line swagger into a high-energy live show. With vintage tones, greasy grooves, and a reputation for standout collaborations, Smelloship brings big rhythm, bold personality, and serious interstellar funk to the stage.
SEPTEMBER 11 | 6 PM – 9 pmSmelloship
Katie C., Olivia R. & GÄELLE
september 18 | 6 PM – 9 pmKatie Clarke, Olivia Ridgely and GÄELLE come together for an evening of emerging talent spanning indie folk, Americana, pop and R&B. From Olivia Ridgely's warm, timeless songwriting and Katie Clarke's captivating performances to GÄELLE's bold, emotionally charged pop/R&B, this showcase celebrates three distinctive voices shaping Canada's next generation of artists.