v Old Chestnuts - Last month and next - Jack Cole
November's clothing theme actually turned out quite well! Over 30 people joined in for a very good Old Chestnut night. Yes, that's a short report - matches my memory. Better next time!
It's been hard getting through the December music drought, but we're almost there. The next circle is on Saturday, January 27th. No theme this month.
v Two Concerts at Folk Night - Jack Cole
It seems like it's an inevitable thing. I organize a concert, and then a couple of weeks beforehand I'm whining about how many tickets are still remaining. Well, there are many tickets still available for these concerts, and I hope that you can tell your friends what a great thing they'll be doing if they support live music at the Registry Theatre. Let's fill the place!
CONCERT:Eve Goldberg with Victor Bateman & Ken Whiteley
Opening: Bob MacLean
Friday, January 26th 8pm.
Registry Theatre $12 Adv/$14 at the door
A compelling writer and interpreter, Eve's watercolour voice and solid guitar style has made her a favourite with audiences across Canada and the US. Her performances are intimate and relaxed, moving effortlessly from folk classics to original gems. Since 1990, she has performed her trademark mixture of folk, blues, country, bluegrass, old time, and jazz in venues across Canada and the U.S. ranging from small house concerts to the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Eve's new album, her third, is fantastic and features some great song-writing and very fine playing in styles from folk to blues to old time to jazz.
Eve has been a great friend to us over the years, playing several benefit house concerts and Chequegnat 6. Please come out and support this very fine musician (and sing along)! Eve will be joined by veteran Toronto musicians Ken Whiteley and Victor Bateman.
Bob MacLean will be opening for Eve. Another good friend and Chequegnat 'regular', Bob sings and plays celtic guitar with an energy that you won't forget.
CONCERT: Midnight Clear
Glen Soulis
Norman Liota
Friday, February 2nd 8pm
Registry Theatre $15 Adv/$17 at the door
On February 2nd three local acts are featured, all of whom have been part of various Chequegnat Festivals and Old Chestnuts song circles! Midnight Clear has been performing together for over 10 years and recently released their first CD, "Splice of Life". This harmony quartet creates fun with many different styles of music, including folk, pop, jazz, and classical. Glen Soulis is well known as one half of the Beirdo Brothers. Glen is an unforgettable performer and a virtuoso on many instruments (including violin and flute), and has recently released 2 CDs of songs on the penny whistle. Norman Liota was trained as a classical guitarist but cut his teeth on virtually every idiom. His nimble fingers cover an expanse of open tunings, cascading harmonics, stunning techniques, and rhythmic intensity. Acclaimed as "one of the best acoustic guitarists ever", "Liota's skills as a composer and vocalist are as formidable as his guitar virtuosity".
These three acts will be performing separately and together, and will be joined by percussionist Andy Macpherson.
Tickets for both concerts (plus the final two Folk Night concerts) are available from me, from Twelfth Night Music, and from the Centre In The Square.
Closing Notes - jc
# Rise Up Singing. I have ordered another case of large print RUS's and they will be in sometime in the next month to month and a half. There are 3 or 4 unspoken for, so if you would like to speak for one please do so! The cost will be about $25 each, which is a large savings over the bookstore price.
# Hardscrabble Road, James Gordon's folk opera featuring Ken Brown and Nonie Crete, happens at the Registry Theatre this Friday, January 19. I've yet to experience the show but I've heard it's a must see. So I hope some of you can make it out. That turns out to be a busy night with the Brantford and Black Walnut Folk Clubs both in action, and Eve Goldberg and myself live on CKWR. A grand night for cloning.
# Winter Songfest. The annual weekend of singing and jamming just outside of Paris (Ontario) happens on the last weekend of March. This is a weekend of great musical times, good friends, singing, dancing, playing, walking and not much sleeping. Space is limited so if you would like to go, contact me and I'll put you in touch with the right people. I also have registration forms, available at song circle.
# Sing! At Eaglewood. For those who like a more structured singing experience, think about April 13 and 14 and the annual Sing! At Eaglewood weekend. This always sounds like a terrific time, and how could it NOT be with Tom Leighton on staff? rothalma@yahoo.ca for more information.
About this newsletter..... It's on the Web at http://www.mgl.ca/~jhcole and available at Circles. Call 578- 6298 or write jhcole@mgl.ca for more information. Sorry for the poor excuse of a newsletter. Impossibly, once again things have expanded to fill all of my time. This time blame UG! :-)