RAW Returns
RAW Natural Born Artists will be holding their second arts party in Ottawa on Thursday, May 29 — this time at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts. What is RAW you ask? No, it’s not a dietary movement. Based in L.A., but with satellites in various cities throughout North America, including Ottawa, the company selects local artists, fashion designers, performers, musicians, DJs, models — even hair stylists, and showcases them and their work in the spirit of fun and promotion. It’s cocktails and cocktail attire. $15 in advance, doors open at 7:30 p.m. Visit here for the full lineup.
Saint Brigid’s is at 310 Patrick St.

Roller Derby Salvation
Rumor has it that members from Ottawa’s roller derby leagues are looking for fresh meat to recruit for their bloodsport — and you could be that meat! These terrors of the track will be at a one-day-only showing of a roller derby-themed Fringe play entitled, Roller Derby Saved My Soul. The play is about a girl who, with her sister’s help, is coaxed from her comic book geek cocoon to reemerge as a more confident person — all thanks to roller derby. As mentioned, roller girls will be in attendance, not only on the hunt, but also to give demonstrations of the sport. Food and booze can be had… and even enjoyed during the show! It’s all happening on Friday, May 30 at Arts Court Theatre. Admission — from $25. Show/event is from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Arts Court Theatre is at 2 Daly Ave.

Parklife
It’s a nirvana of sorts for area beer lovers — Festibiere is an annual three-day event where barley and hops aficionados can sling back tasty regional brews in a park setting with tens of thousands of like-minded connoisseurs. Workshops, cooking demonstrations, food, artists, musicians, and family-entertainment are also big draws. The third annual Gatineau Beer Festival takes place from Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 1 at Jacques-Cartier Park, just across the river from Ottawa. Admission is $30 for three days or $15 per day. Hours: Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday, noon until 5 p.m. Children ages 17 or under are free.
XX
Twenty years ago — in the same year that Kurt Cobain of Nirvana died — Kelp Records was born; an indie record label founded by Fredericton, New Brunswick native, Jon Bartlett, which has been massively influential in driving Ottawa’s music scene. Over the course of 20 years, the label has produced a swath of great albums by such homegrown artists as The Acorn, Andy Swan, and Jim Bryson, among others. In celebration of this milestone, the label is throwing a party on Saturday, May 31 at St. Alban’s Church. The lineup of performers includes label stalwarts: Bryson, Acorn, Andrew Vincent, Swan, The Recoilers, and others. Tickets are $15 in advance. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Also, check out the label’s site for special anniversary releases, including Swan’s classic Ottawa record — 100 copies, only, are being pressed for sale on Friday, May 30.
St. Alban’s Church is at 454 King Edward Ave.

Bonne Fête Shenkman (FREE!)
More anniversary celebrations this Saturday, May 31 — Shenkman Arts Centre in the east end celebrates five years, with a packed day of music, activities, food, exhibitions, and performances of all kinds. This is definitely a family-event, with a plethora of fun for kids and adults, which are being offered in English and some in French. Highlights include: Juno nominee Amanda Rheaume (3:30 – 4:30 p.m.), a selection of short animation films for kids presented by Ottawa International Animation Festival (all day), an artisan market (all day), St. Joseph Iron Chef Competition (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), cupcakes, craft demonstrations and activity workshops, a beer garden, food trucks, art exhibitions… need I write more? Doors open at 9 a.m., anniversary runs all day until 5 p.m. Best part — it’s free!
Shenkman Arts Centre is at 245 Centrum Boulevard, Orleans

Minnesoter
Music for the masses, but still keeping it on the indie side of things — that’s Atmosphere’s m.o. The renowned, well respected, and hardworking Minnesota hip hop duo has been producing albums for the past 17 years — including their latest, Southsiders, released this May on artist-owned record label, Rhymesayers, which is home to labelmates MF Doom and Aesop Rock. On tour in support of the album, Anthony “Ant” Davis brings live instrumentation to accompany “Slug” Daley’s honest, weighty, but at times whimsical lyrics, which speak to the rapper’s mortality, his identity as post-family man, and what he’s been doing for almost two decades — all delivered with a sense of vibrancy. Atmosphere headlines a show at Ritual on Sunday, June 1. Opening will be Prof, and Dem Atlas. Tickets $25. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Ritual’s at 137 Besserer St.