Home Art and culture 11 must-see shows coming to Ottawa and beyond

11 must-see shows coming to Ottawa and beyond

by Laura Byrne Paquet
2.2K views

As we slowly and cautiously get back to the world of live events, more and more concerts and shows are being announced in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and Montreal. If you’re ready to go out to a live performance or sporting event, here are the dates for some big-name performers and hot-ticket shows to keep in mind. Unless otherwise indicated, tickets are on sale now.

Be aware that show dates may change if government pandemic rules change; check the linked websites for the latest information. Also, please respect all related vaccination and social distancing requirements (I know you will!).

Feist, National Arts Centre, October 14 to 17, 2021

Feist’s latest show, Multitudes, was developed during the pandemic and is described as an intimate, in-the-round production featuring all new material from the Canadian singer-songwriter. It will be at the NAC in Ottawa for multiple dates in October.

Same Time Next Year, Domino Theatre, October 21 to November 6, 2021

Domino Theatre in Kingston is set to reopen on October 21 with this production of Same Time Next Year, the ever-popular Bernard Slade comedy about two people who carry on a once-a-year affair for 25 years. Tickets are available now.

Pembroke Symphony Orchestra, Festival Hall Centre for the Performing Arts, October 29, 2021

The Pembroke Symphony Orchestra returns to live performances on Friday, October 29, with a program entitled “Halloween and Beethoven.” A highlight will be Frederic Lacroix performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

Alan Doyle, multiple venues, November 2021

The famous front man for Great Big Sea is playing an extensive series of solo shows throughout Eastern Canada, including stops in Ottawa (November 16), Montreal (November 18), Kingston (November 24) and Belleville (November 25).

Steven Page, Shenkman Arts Centre, November 16, 2021

Photo of Steven Page by JD Scarcliff

Barenaked Ladies co-founder Steven Page is playing a solo show at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Tuesday, November 16. A public pre-sale starts on September 27 and tickets will go on full sale to the general public on September 30.

The Legendary Downchild Blues Band, multiple venues, November 2021

Six men in dark suits walking toward the camera
Photo courtesy of the Legendary Downchild Blues Band

The Juno Award-winning group that inspired the Blues Brothers is on a 50th anniversary tour this year, which will pull into both Pembroke (November 25) and Belleville (November 27) this fall.

Tomson Highway, National Arts Centre, December 11, 2021

Tomson Highway: Kisaageetin*(I love you/Je t’aime) is a one-night gala tribute to the iconic Cree playwright to celebrate his 70th birthday. Packed full of guests and featuring Highway on piano, this is a production of the NAC’s Indigenous Theatre program. The video above gives you a little taste of his shows, although the NAC show will be different! Tickets go on sale on October 28.

Hamilton, National Arts Centre, January 4 to 23, 2022

So perhaps you’ve heard about this little musical about America’s founding fathers (and a few mothers)? Hamilton has been taking the theatre world by storm for years, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creation was set to hit the stage at the NAC in Ottawa in May 2020 as part of the Broadway Across Canada series. (I’m acutely aware of the date because I had tickets!) It has been rescheduled to January 4 to 23, 2022.

Pat Metheny, Place des Arts, January 30, 2022

As far as I can tell, the only Canadian stop on jazz giant Pat Metheny’s current Side-Eye tour is this single show at Montreal’s Place des Arts.

JoJo Siwa, Canadian Tire Centre, February 18, 2022

Did I have to look up who JoJo Siwa was? Oh, yes I did. (I am old.) But if you have pre-teens in your house or circle, they can probably tell you more than you ever need to know about the singing and dancing teenager who rose to fame on Nickelodeon, YouTube and Dancing With the Stars. Nickelodeon’s JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. The Tour comes to Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre on February 18, 2022.

Meghan Patrick, Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, April 9, 2022

Sure, this date is a long time in the future, but tickets are already on sale for Canadian country star Meghan Patrick’s show in Ottawa next spring.

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond? Please subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or pick up a copy of my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100km Getaway Guide.

Related Articles

Leave a Comment