This Wednesday, CKCU DJs Jas Nasty and Lamb Fatale take over the turntables at Tooth and Nail Brewery from 6–9 p.m. for an evening of expertly curated vinyl selections and great community vibes.

Both seasoned selectors and beloved members of Ottawa’s music scene, Jas and Zoë (Lamb Fatale) bring a deep love of music and a knack for taking listeners on unexpected journeys.

Jas Nasty will be spinning an eclectic mix of new wave, synthpop, disco, funk, cumbia, and trip hop. You can also catch her every Saturday at 8 p.m. as one of the hosts of Heavy Friends on CKCU.

Lamb Fatale (Zoë), host of First Crush on CKCU, will share selections spanning new wave, synthpop, disco, hip hop, post-punk, and more. A sonic wayfinder driven by music’s power to bring people together, her sets are always full of discovery.

Come by for local craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages, tasty eats, friendly faces, and an unforgettable soundtrack as part of CKCU x Tooth and Nail Vinyl Night.

See you there!

Tooth and Nail Brewing Company
3 Irving Ave
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 1Z9

June’s Live Off The Floor session brought VASTE and Raphael Weinroth-Browne to the CKCU studio to for some dark, mysterious, and emotive sounds.

VASTE is an atmospheric sludge and post-metal band hailing from Ottawa and Gatineau. They craft raw gloomy soundscapes through crushing heaviness and emotional intensity. Their live performances are immersive, visceral, and sonically overwhelming, and felt through one’s body by the weight of their sound. Drawing from both their francophone and anglophone backgrounds, VASTE seamlessly blends French and English throughout their music.

Known for his emotionally charged performances and boundary pushing vision, Raphael Weinroth-Browne has become one of the most innovative cellists of his generation. His cello work can be heard on over 200 studio albums, including Woods of Ypres’ Juno Award-winning W5: Grey Skies & Electric Light and in major film and TV soundtracks. Weinroth-Browne’s latest full-length release Lifeblood (2025) stands as a defining chapter in his uncompromising artistic path, an album that distills passion, pain, discipline and defiance into a sound that feels both timeless and urgent, intellectually rich yet emotionally visceral.

As Reggae in the Fields celebrates 50 years on the air, host and producer Junior Smith has been honoured with the Canadian Ethnic Media Association’s 2026 Award for Excellence in Radio.

“I do not see diversity as a challenge to be managed, but as a series of positive outcomes that enrich every single person in Canada and around the world,” says Junior.  â€œI am incredibly proud of how this mission has manifested itself over the years on Reggae in the Fields.”

Smith launched the program on CKCU in 1976 after noticing there was little space for reggae music on local radio. What began as a 30-minute show has grown into Canada’s longest-running reggae radio program, introducing generations of listeners to Jamaican music while creating space for conversations about culture, community and social justice.

The award recognizes Smith’s five decades of dedication to community broadcasting. Through Reggae in the Fields, he has helped shape Ottawa’s reggae scene, amplified voices often overlooked by mainstream media and built lasting connections with listeners at home and around the world.

Want to check out Reggae in the Fields?

* Tune in on Saturdays from 3 pm – 5:30 pm or listen back on CKCU’s website!

National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day are opportunities to honour the histories, cultures, languages, knowledge, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Indigenous programming has long been part of CKCU. Through programs such as Indigenous CKCU, Kitchisipimi Pivalliajut, and Uqallagvik, Indigenous hosts, producers, and community members share music, stories, languages, and perspectives that are core to our station and our community.

Throughout the year, CKCU’s programming includes Indigenous stories, music, languages, and perspectives shared by the hosts, producers, and community members who help make our station what it is.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the individuals and communities whose contributions continue to strengthen CKCU and enrich life across Ottawa-Gatineau. Find these programs and more on CKCU’s Program Guide.

There’s a reason therapy dogs are so popular. On the June 19th edition of the Friday Special Blend, we’ll find out why as we speak with Asif Hameed and Aristotle from Carleton University’s Therapy Dog Program.

The program provides mental health and wellness support through visits with therapy dogs handled by Carleton staff and faculty members. During our conversation, we’ll learn more about how the program works, what it’s like to be a handler, and the role therapy dogs can play in creating welcoming and supportive environments.

We’ll also get to know Aristotle, a corgi-Labrador-Shiba Inu mix who joined the program in 2023. Originally from Turkey, Aristotle still understands some Turkish commands and is known for his calm temperament and friendly personality.

If you’re interested, listen back to this episode of Friday’s Special Blend on CKCU online.

James “Jim” Reilly was a longtime volunteer and vibrant presence at CKCU-FM throughout the 1980s and 1990s. As an on-air announcer, Funding Drive coordinator, and editor of TransFM, Jim helped shape the station’s creative spirit and community voice during a formative era.

Beyond CKCU, Jim was deeply connected to Ottawa-Gatineau’s arts and music communities. A beloved DJ, designer, and promoter, he brought energy and warmth to countless events and venues across the region. Jim was known for his humour, generosity, and ability to bring people together through music and conversation.

You can listen back to CKCU’s special tribute programs celebrating Jim’s life, music, and contributions to the station and community: 

• The Wavelength – March 30
• Friday Drive – April 3
• The Wavelength – April 6

Say Goodbye to Jim 

Friends, family, and community members are invited to a Celebration of Life on July 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Kelly Funeral Home on Somerset Street.

To offer condolences and share photos of Jim’s life, visit a site on digital joy.

CKCU collaborated with Axé WorldFest for May’s Live Off The Floor session.

Axé WorldFest present music, artistic events, shows, concert series, and conferences to provide unparalleled experiences of new music in our homebase of Ottawa, Ontario, and around the world. With a pioneering vision, alchemy, and cultivation of community, we work to support emerging artists here and abroad.

QUEENYY is a multi-faceted artist, known for guiding her audience through global underground electronic deep cuts. She weaves a rich tapestry of root-driven, tribal, groove-heavy house rhythms with bouncy, hypnotic breaks and liquid basslines. QUEENYY’s boundary-pushing signature sound has ignited dance floors from Ottawa to London, UK, Brazil, and beyond.

DJ del Pilar, also known as Tasha Coldevin — is a queer, Black and Latina DJ, vocalist, event producer, and a true force in Ottawa’s music and arts scene. A longtime performer and co-founder of Ottawa’s longest-running queer dance party, Homo Phono, DJ del Pilar has been creating inclusive, accessible dance floors for queer and trans communities for nearly a decade. From underground raves to major stages like the NAC, House of Paint, and Bluesfest, her sets blend old-school hip hop, funk, disco, and house with a fresh, irresistible groove.

Ottawa-area high school students are gaining hands-on experience in the music industry through Off The Shelf Sessions, a growing youth music recording initiative created by students, for students.

Originally conceived and developed by students at Brookfield High School, the program was designed to create more opportunities for young musicians to access professional recording experiences and industry exposure. What began as a student-led idea has since expanded to include bands and artists from high schools across Ottawa.

With support from a CKCU audio and video production crew, student musicians perform live while their sessions are professionally recorded and produced using industry-standard equipment. Along the way, students gain firsthand exposure to the recording process, audio production, and the creative work that goes into producing professional media.

Participants receive professionally produced recordings and raw files for demos, applications, social media, and future creative projects.

For many students, it is their first opportunity to work with a professional audio and video production team and experience the process behind a live recording session. Beyond creating music, Off The Shelf Sessions is helping young artists build confidence, develop skills, and discover new possibilities for their future.

Want to know more?

Listen to the Brookfield Variety Hour to get all the details and hear the recording!

Come say hello to CKCU at the Great Glebe Garage and Sidewalk Sale this Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm! We’ll be broadcasting live from Bank Street and Fourth Avenue under the tents at Fourth Avenue Baptist Church as part of one of Ottawa’s biggest community events.

Stop by to meet some of your favourite CKCU hosts, shop all your favourite CKCU merch, make a donation, and enjoy live broadcasts of Canadian Spaces, Back 40, and The Groove throughout the day. Whether you’re hunting for garage sale treasures or just soaking up the atmosphere, we’d love to see you there.

The Great Glebe Garage and Sidewalk Sale is a beloved Ottawa tradition, and CKCU is excited to once again be part of the action with a full day of music, community, and live radio.

Can‘t make it in person?

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/AXDHo8qGR5I

You can still support community radio anytime by donating online to CKCU.