This not-for-profit webpage provides links to primarily Ottawa Valley, and Irish Traditional Music (ITM), activities in, or within a few hours of the Ottawa / National Capital Region of Canada. Share with me so I can keep this webpage relevant and up to date. My contact info is at the bottom of the page. Thanks for dropping in!
This Irish Music Ottawa webpage contains information that is fairly steady over time.
For more information on concerts, workshops, theatre, and other upcoming events
check out our various social media:
For more information on concerts, workshops, theatre, and other upcoming events
check out our various social media:
Visit the Irish Music Ottawa blog story on the Sept 21 Daniel O'Donnell concert in Montreal. Congratulations to Maureen Maher on correctly answering the question on the name of his new album "Back Home Again" making her eligible for the 4 Sept draw (approximate prize value for two tickets is $200). Thank you to all that entered!
The 10 Commandments of Jamming (session etiquette)
Please support the session pubs with some of your business.
Please support the session pubs with some of your business.
Monday
Carp Celtic Jam
7:00-9:30 PM, weekly, Masonic Lodge. Beginner supportive. Sheet music abounds. Fee $1 to $2 to cover hall expenses, Facebook Page. (Carp location). Tuesday
Wednesday
Oh So Good
7-10:30 PM, Celtic Folk Night, hosted by Kevin Dooley at the cafe. This event is a ‘Kitchen Style Party’ of tunes on acoustic instruments, songs, recitations from the Celtic culture and heritage. 261 Richmond Road, Westboro, Ottawa. Café link. The Swan On The Rideau Pub
8PM, Town of Osgoode (at the junction of River Road and Roger Stevens Drive), open Irish/Celtic session; first Wednesday of every month. Friendly, relaxed session. Generally no sheet music. Free, and guests are welcome. Contact John Henderson at 613-489-0773, (Ottawa South location). Naismith Sports Pub
7:30 PM, weekly, 411 Ottawa St, Almonte, ph: 613-256-6336 (location). For more info contact Charlie Dunlap at: cdunlap at xplornet dot com. Thursday
Ottawa Celtic Slow Jam
7-9 PM, weekly, fee $2. Sheet music welcome, beginners welcome, Glebe Community Centre (Glebe location). Some history and photos. Many people can trace their beginnings to this jam. Daniel O'Connell's Pub
8 -12 PM, weekly, primarily experienced musicians, singers in English and Irish, guests welcome, free. No sheet music, (Hintonburg location). You never know what will happen, or who will show up, at this one. One free pint to musicians that participate (but don't forget to tip!). Always a great time. Friday
St. Brigid's Well
A new open session in the new pub in the basement of St. Brigid's, 310 St. Patrick St., on the edge of the Byward Market, downtown Ottawa. on the last Friday of every month. Musicians can arrive and play early, but the session kicks off about 7:30 pm, and continue on from there. See the pub Facebook page or the pub webpage. Saturday
See the Events page for Comhaltas céilís, Old Sod Folk Society Contra Dancing, Irish stage pays, concerts, etc. Also refer to the IMO blog.
Here is a link to "How to Start and Run and Irish Slow Session (session dynamics)" by Chris Smith, very good observations are made, which not just apply to slow sessions. See Also "The 10 Commandments of Jamming." Sunday
Ottawa Irish Arts - Irish Session
2-5 PM on the 2nd Sunday of the month (Sept-April), Brigid's Well Pub, Cumberland St, Ottawa (near the Byward Market). Generally no sheet music. From 2-3 PM it is a Slow Session. Players should be comfortable with their instrument and able to play at slow to moderate speed. From 3-5 PM it is a regular session. All music in this session is Irish (not 'Celtic') played in the traditional form. Check the Ottawa Irish Arts webpage or Facebook group for current details/enquiries. Slow session tune playlist HERE. Folk at the Oak
2-4 PM on the second Sunday of the month, at the Royal Oak pub near the Pretoria Bridge, Ottawa. Exercise your vocal chords with folk songs ranging from a variety of countries and styles. Relaxed atmosphere. Hosted by Neville Miller. Facebook page. Cape Breton Session
2-5 PM, First and third Sundays of every month. Primarily Cape Breton fiddle music (very few Irish tunes). Check the session site for present location, set lists, and the dots. Ottawa Celtic Kitchen Party
Usually 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at the Kat and Kraken on Elgin St. Showcases live Celtic music from many Celtic influenced regions of Canada. The primary focus is to give talented musicians and singers, joined by high level accompaniment, a chance to showcase their music. The events mainly feature a variety of instrumentalists, including fiddle, guitar, bagpipes, banjo, tin whistle, bodhran, flute, uilleann pipes and piano, with the occasional vocal tune thrown in for good measure. Facebook page. Jam Trad Outaouais / French Canadian Session
A recently formed session at the Troquet, 41 Rue Laval, Gatineau. Occurs every second or third Sunday of the month. Check the Facebook page for confirmation of the date. |
- Kingston Comhaltas Branch Slow Session - beginners, every Tuesday 5:30-7 PM.
- Kingston Session - advanced players, Every Tuesday Evening, 8:30 - 11:00pm,
Sir John's Public House 343 King Street East (near Market Square). - Kingston Irish Folk Club, The Kingston Irish Folk Club is a community based organization -promoting - celtic music - irish dance - irish canadian history. More information can call Tony O'Loughlin at 613-389-0754.
- Walsh's Snug, Celtic session, 28 King Ave. E., Newcastle, ON, Every Sunday from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, contact: Alanna Jenish, (905) 441-8112, amj@jenish.ca
- Irish Sessions, every Sunday from 4-8PM, Pinestone Resort, Highlanders Bar, 4252 Country Road #21, Haliburton, (705) 457-1800 or 1-800-461-0357, Host: Phil McMahon.
- Check Gerry Mitchells' (715-799-5008) Facebook group for the Kwartha Lakes region. Mostly folks/roots, though some Celtic. www.facebook.com/kitchenpartymusicjams
Contact the scribe, Craig, at (no link):