The Thursday Update – Oct. 12 to 16, 2017
Two new open stages are starting up in our area this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Amanda Dorey will be hosting an open stage at the Riverside Community Centre, and at Bridges Tavern in Thornbury, Josh Fletcher will be hosting an open stage on Friday starting at 8 pm. These additions mean that aspiring performers and fans of the surprising grab bag that an open stage can be now have the opportunity to enjoy one every night of the week except Saturday and Monday.
In chronological order, the open stages nearby are The Barn Coop on Sunday at noon; Heartwood’s bi-monthly open mic Tuesday at 8; The granddaddy of all open jams at Ted’s Range Road Diner, and Bruce Wine Bar with Drew McIvor both on Wednesdays at 8; Chris Scerri at The Leeky Canoe Thursdays at nine; also on Thursdays, Dave Russell at The Corner Café and Craig Smith at CROW; Friday afternoon, at the Bleeding Carrot, Kelly Babcock hosts the open stage, and now on Friday evening there is Josh at Bridges and on Saturday afternoon Amanda at Riverside. That adds up to a lot of free entertainment that mixes the best musicians in the area with undiscovered talents.
Meaford Hall will be busy this weekend with a sold out show on Sunday with Jann Arden and a special Northbound journey in stories and songs with David Newland on Friday night. On Saturday night in Meaford, you can catch Drew Wright at The Leeky Canoe.
CROW Variety, along with showcasing local talent, is bringing some great undiscovered talent to our area. Toronto’s Jerry Leger has been building a respectable career as a singer-songwriter over the past dozen years, with the help and support of artists like Ron Sexsmith, Josh Findlayson and Serena Rider. His first release in 2005 was followed by seven more acclaimed albums, working with producers like Don Kerr, Michael Timmins and Tim Bovaconti. Kerry Doole at Exclaim! wrote, “It remains something of a mystery why roots troubadour Jerry Leger hasn’t made more of a mark. He regularly releases albums of a high quality, he’s an engaging performer and he has earned major peer respect.” He’ll be at CROW on Friday night.
Heartwood Concert Hall has Winnipeg’s Sweet Alibi tonight. A trio with sweet vocal harmonies and some folk instrumentation, pushes this little band toward a folk-pop category but with the soulful vocals of Jess Rae Ayre, the pure country voice of Amber Rose and vocal harmony, banjo and guitar from Michelle Anderson they take their music across all genres.
Beautiful harmonies carry soulful songs.
Another trio of female singers, Dirty Dishes, is playing a matinee at The Simcoe Street Theatre on Sunday. Their music tends more toward good time comedy with a country twang. Band members Lisa Olafson, Alison Porter and Suzy Wilde play three part harmonies with ukelele, fiddle, guitar and washboard accompaniment. This show is part of the theatre’s Sunday series. Stay after the afternoon concert for the Sohayla Smith Band in concert in the early evening.
Two little venues that should always be on the top of your list when they offer a show, Massie Hall in Chatsworth and Desboro Music Hall in Desboro, have competing shows this Saturday, both featuring local artists. These are concerts, not bars, and they are both curated by music lovers.
In Desboro, it’s The Honey Brothers, an exceptional blending of the talents of Drew McIvor and Jayden Grahlman. Opening for them will be Benjamin Dakota Rogers, the fiddle and guitar player whose songs have a driving edge, accompanied by Chris Rait.
Massie Hall is going more in a jazz direction with a group of local players that includes singer-songwriter Deanne Hallman on vocals and guitar, Paul Danard on bass, Don Buchanan on sax and and keys, and Steve Wood on drums.
The Wave of Light Benefit on Saturday night at the Owen Sound Legion brings together some great local talents to raise funds for The PAIL Network, a non-profit organization based in Ontario that offers free services to families who have suffered through pregnancy loss. A portion of the funds raised will be used to start a group in Owen Sound and the remainder will be allocated to PAIL’s patient support initiative. The lineup on Saturday includes a rare performance by vocalist Steve Dickinson as well as his brother Larry Dickinson, songwriter/poet Larry Jensen, the duo Deep Blue Honey which melds the poetry of Richard-Yves Sitoski with the music of Mary Little, along with many more.
Is there not still an Open Mic in Nottawa on Sunday afternoons? Maybe not.