by Aman Bhat
Reading week is a time of rest and relaxation for some, for others it is a time for catching up on overdue assignments or grabbing some extra shifts at work. That was not the case for me. These past few years I have been doing nothing but work and then I got into college. That meant more work along with studying. Reading week was the first time in a long time that I had a genuine break, and I had no idea what to do. I had no real plans, so I asked my friends and family for suggestions. Some suggested I go hiking at the various parks nearby. A friend said that I could go check out the movies at the Landmark Cinemas in Kanata. It was a suggestion from my sister that really got my attention. She recommended House of TARG.
What is the House of TARG? The House of TARG is part arcade, part live music venue and part bar that happens to sell a variety of perogies (that was what my sister’s recommendation was based on). Intrigued, I decided to look up the establishment’s website. Besides finding out it was located on Bank Street, I learned that the place was open most days of the week, granted only during certain hours. I also learned that each day had a theme or special, with certain days reserved for dedicated events such as the two I experienced. There was a monthly pinball tournament that I went to with my friend. We both got crushed by some regulars, but it was still fun. Then there was the live music event happening on Friday night.
It was hard to find any parking that night due to the show, alongside the Redblacks game happening. I had to park in someone’s driveway, with their permission of course. On the House of TARG website there was a poster for the three bands that would be playing for the night. They were TAXI GIRLS, Sugarbomb! and Sourpussy. All three were a blast to listen to and experience in person. Sugarbomb! A local Ottawa power-pop band was the opening act to warm up the crowd, and they did not disappoint. They were loud, energetic, and passionate. In between songs they would crack corny jokes and throw candy at the audience. Next was Sourpussy, an Ottawa Emo/Indie band. They are self-described as “Ottawa’s biggest crybabies.” While partially hindered by some technical issues, this trio delivered a fun and quirky experience. I was impressed by the vocal range of both singers and the excellent drumming from them. Last to perform was TAXI GIRLS, a Punk and Roll band hailing from Montreal. They were the main event, and they lived up to all the praise I had been hearing that night. This lovely quartet of ladies gave a head banging and crowd-pleasing performance. It was truly clear to me that TAXI GIRLS had an infectious punk rock spirit that could not be contained. They were fantastic to listen to and I look forward to hearing more from them in the future.
If you are looking for some fun experiences and memories, I highly recommend visiting House of Targ. If you just want to relax, eat perogies and play pinball, then House of Targ is also the place for you. I would once again highly recommend you check out TAXI GIRLS, Sourpussy and Sugarbomb! I enjoyed all three bands, and I think you will too!
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