What to do in Ottawa this week: Rock with Taming Sari and more

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ROCK

The searing vocals and riffing guitars of Taming Sari are in the spotlight at the Overflow Brewing Company, 2477 Kaladar Ave., on Saturday, May 27 as the Ottawa rockers celebrate the release of their second album, My Heart, My Love. The fast-rising band’s latest single, The Flood, finds singer/frontman Warren Meredith reflecting on how people can come together to survive, but also have a tendency to gang up to create destruction and mayhem. Saturday’s show starts at 8 p.m. with two more hot Ottawa bands, the modern metal outfit Resist the Throne and soulful rockers The Lionyls. Tickets are $20, available at overflowbeer.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.

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FAMILY

When you think of the Bank of Canada, you probably think of interest rates. Not anything fun. But for the next three weekends, fun is the name of the game at the Bank of Canada Museum. Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 27 and May 28 (and also June 3-4 and June 10-11), you and the kids can embark on a scavenger hunt to achieve your financial goals, explore career choices in four play zones, see the curious artifacts that were once used as currency or make a craft. The museum is located at 30 Bank St., at the corner of Wellington Street, and admission is free. More information is at bankofcanadamuseum.ca.

GALA

Jazz-pop chanteuse Molly Johnson and country-singer-turned-crooner k.d. lang are among the laureates named this year to the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards in recognition of their artistic achievements. Along with playwright Michel Marc Bouchard, dance artist James Kudelka, soprano Rosemarie Landry, conductor John Kim Bell and actor-comedian Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, they will be feted during a formal gala at the National Arts Centre on May 27, an event that’s always a highlight of the season. Tickets start at $75, plus taxes and fees, and include a pre-show reception with complimentary wine and canapes, red-carpet viewing and the tribute performance. They’re on sale at ticketmaster.ca. 

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JAZZ

Toronto bassist and bandleader Mark Godfrey kicks off a five-destination tour on Thursday, May 25, when his quintet plays the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage. Joining Godfrey before the band hits Montreal, Wolfe Island, Toronto and Waterloo will be saxophonists Allison Au and Matt Woroshyl, pianist Chris Pruden and drummer Nick Fraser. Just before the pandemic began, the group released its engrossing first album, Square Peg, which covered much stylistic and emotional ground, pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz in multiple directions. The music starts at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $25 at nac-cna.ca.

CLASSICAL

For the past seven years, Ottawa-raised classical guitarist Zak Pleet has made his home in Spain. The first Canadian graduate of the prestigious classical guitar program at the University of Alicante returns to give a hometown concert Saturday, May 27, at 4 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank St. Works by Bach, Rodrigo, Smaili and others are on the program. Admission is by freewill offering.

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