El español sigue al texto en inglés
Enjoy a free, music-filled midday break in the O'Brien Atrium. Bring your meal, grab a spot, and experience incredible live performances by talented artists—it's the perfect way to recharge over a lunch break!
Formed in 2017 through late-night jam sessions and rogue rooftop gigs, Empanadas Ilegales is a psychedelic tropical music collective made up of musicians with roots in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Canada. Their music is both homage and invention: cumbia meets surf rock, salsa runs through Persian melodies, and folklore collides with free jazz.
With performances at major events including Sled Island, Montreal Jazz Festival, Calgary Folk Fest, SunFest, Mixto Fest and JUNOFest, the band continues to expand their reach bridging cultures, sounds, and generations through rhythm-forward, dance-driven musical storytelling. Their music is a call and response connecting hemispheres and igniting dance floors across cultures.
Formado en el 2017, en sesiones de jam nocturnos y toques improvisados en azoteas, Empanadas Ilegales es un colectivo de música tropical psicodélica integrado por músicos con raíces en Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina y Canadá. Su música es a la vez homenaje y reinvención: la cumbia se encuentra con el surf rock, la salsa se entrelaza con melodías persas y el folclor choca con el free jazz.
Con presentaciones en grandes eventos como el Sled Island, el Festival Internacional de Jazz de Montréal, el Calgary Folk Fest, SunFest, Mixto Fest y JUNOFest, la banda sigue expandiendo su alcance, tendiendo puentes entre culturas, sonidos y generaciones a través de historias musicales llenas de ritmo, hechas para bailar. Su música es un llamado y respuesta que conecta hemisferios y enciende pistas de baile a través de culturas.
Information may change. If you spot anything outdated or incorrect, let us know.
I run 613today on my own and I'm not affiliated with this event or its organizer. Event info may not be perfectly up to date. Please double-check with the official website before heading out, or contact the organizer directly for any questions about the event. 613today doesn't sell tickets or process payments — always buy through the organizer's official channels and verify before paying. I'm not responsible for transactions with event organizers. If you spot anything wrong on this page, let me know.
Event Details
National Arts Centre
Canada's bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts, featuring four performance venues, the NAC Orchestra, and the 1 Elgin restaurant with Rideau Canal views. A National Historic Site with Brutalist architecture and a striking 2017 glass addition by Diamond Schmitt Architects.
Upcoming Events
musicAug 12Turkwaz: The Feeling of Free
National Arts Centre — Atrium O’Brien
Enjoy a free, music-filled midday break in the O'Brien Atrium. Bring your meal, grab a spot, and experience incredible live performances by talented artists—it's the perfect way to refuel your ener...
musicAug 4Miguel de Armas: The Feeling of Free
National Arts Centre — Atrium O’Brien
El español sigue al texto en inglés Enjoy a free, music-filled midday break in the O'Brien Atrium. Bring your meal, grab a spot, and experience incredible live performances by talented artists. Joi...
musicAug 13Medusa Quartet: The Feeling of Free
National Arts Centre — Atrium O’Brien
Enjoy a free, music-filled midday break in the O'Brien Atrium. Bring your meal, grab a spot, and experience incredible live performances by talented artists—it's the perfect way to refuel your ener...
musicAug 19La Famille Leblanc: The Feeling of Free
National Arts Centre — Atrium O’Brien
Enjoy a free, music-filled midday break in the O'Brien Atrium. Bring your meal, grab a spot, and experience incredible live performances by talented artists—it's the perfect way to refuel your ener...
musicAug 26Aviva Chernick and La Serena Quartet: The Feeling of Free
National Arts Centre — Atrium O’Brien
Enjoy a free, music-filled midday break in the O'Brien Atrium. Bring your meal, grab a spot, and experience incredible live performances by talented artists—it's the perfect way to recharge for the...
musicAug 4Empanadas Ilegales: The Feeling of Free
National Arts Centre — Wood Terrace
El español sigue al texto en inglés Spend your night with us under the stars! Access our terrace directly from Elgin Street, the canal, or the Mackenzie King Bridge and take in the best free beats ...
Want to add your event to 613today? It’s free!
Contact Us→