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NEW YEAR’S EVE BLUES
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New Year’s Eve with Trevor Finlay
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Wednesday, December 31 @ 9:15 pm; tickets $35
Recently relocated to Nashville, Trevor returns to bring in the New Year! His demand as a performer and songwriter has enabled him to work with some of the top recording artists and songwriters in North America. Tickets are going FAST; for reservations, call 613-738-7596 and be ready to rock in the New Year with Trevor and his band!
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New Year’s Eve
With MonkeyJunk
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Wednesday, December 31
Canada’s newest blues and roots band is taking the Canadian blues scene by storm. Formed in late March 2008 in Ottawa, they have played the Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival, Mont Tremblant Blues Festival and completed a successful 2-week tour of Eastern Canada in September 2008. In early October 2008, MonkeyJunk won a local contest to represent Ottawa at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in February 2009. Also of note, MonkeyJunk has been nominated for a 2008 Maple Blues award as “New Artist of the Year”. MonkeyJunk is currently promoting a 4-song EP in anticipation of their winter 2009 debut release entitled “Tiger in Your Tank”.
Playing their original style of swamp boogie R&B, bedroom funk and love songs that will break your heart, MonkeyJunk is Tony D on guitar, slide guitar and vocals; Steve Marriner on vocals, guitar, baritone guitar and harmonica and Matt Sobb on drums, cymbals, percussion and background vocals. These 3 musicians apply a combined 56 years of experience in the music business to entertain in a raw and captivating manner you will not soon forget … catch their show back where it all began in the spring – at Irene’s.
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Celebrate New Year’s Eve
With Ian Tamblyn & friends
NAC 4th Stage, 53 Elgin Street
Wednesday, December 31 @ 9 pm; tickets $60
With special guests Margaret Feuerstack and Dave Johnstone.
Champagne & cake at midnight.
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New Year’s Eve Party with the Hammerheads
Rainbow, 76 Murray Street
Wednesday, December 31 @ 9 pm; tickets $25
Tickets include party favours, snacks and champagne at midnight.
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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
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Annual Customer Appreciation Weekend
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Friday & Saturday, January 2-3 @ 9:15 pm; no cover charge
Our Annual Customer Appreciation Weekend will feature Wicked Grin as the house band, with performances by The Mud Boys, Sweet & The Back Beat, Trevor Finlay, Ricky Paquette, Lee Bowie, Quicksand, Double Double, Elyssa Mahoney & Lucas Haneman and Tucson's Webmaster/Saxman Terry Owen. Plus more Special Guest appearances!!!
You'll be surprised by who might show up to jam! Our annual Customer Appreciation Weekend is a mini music festival! Past Years have seen capacity crowds for the performances by some of Ottawa's best musicians, with a few international guest appearances as well.
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BACK TO CLASS IN JANUARY 2009
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Vocal Improv Course
Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:00, January 6, 2009 to March 31 (no class March 17)
Prerequisite: a basic level of music reading ability
Instructor: jazz vocalist and music educator Elise Letourneau
Registration Fee: $254 (includes textbook, "Scat" by Bob Stoloff)
Register: Alcorn Music Studios, 903 Carling Ave., 613-729-0693, info@alcornmusicstudios.com
Singers - replace the fear of improvising with fun. By listening to recorded examples, singing jazz exercises together, and working on standard repertoire, you will learn the basic tools and vocabulary of scat singing. We will explore vocal improvisation via rhythm, melody, syllables, articulation, phrasing, recurring chord patterns, and standard music forms. For more info on this 12-week course, please visit www.alcornmusicstudios.com
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS EVERY WEEK
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Irene’s Blues Jam
Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street
Thursdays, 9 pm – 1 am
The Stellar Cast Blues Jam is a bonafide grass roots event that has grown out of the very floorboards of Irene’s Pub and has become a real crowd pleaser for musicians and music lovers alike. The Stellar Cast features Mike Ktenas (bass) and Corky Kealey (drums) as the foundation, and is filled out by a host of great local players who rotate according to availability. Each week the cast is topped up with a guest host who steers the song selections in whatever way they're inspired and the jamming begins. It's a great concept and the proof is in the popularity the night has garnered over the years.
http://bacton.smugmug.com/share/cFoCZfrollzaE
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Sunday Blues, 5-8 pm
Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street (at MacLaren)
November 9 & December 21, 2008; February 1, 2009
Zydeco Loco www.zydecoloco.ca
December 7, 2008; January 18th & March 1, 2009
Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo www.mumbojumbo.ca
Other bands & dates to be confirmed; check out their new website
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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS ONCE A MONTH
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Ball and Chain and the Wreckers
Honky Tonk Saturday Night
Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street
Saturday, January 3, 2009; $6 at the door
Honky Tonk Saturday Night is a monthly event happening the first Saturday of every month. Fred Guignon will be the featured guest this time. Fred plays great guitar; it'll be a ball.
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BLUES IN KINGSTON
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Kingston Blues Society Monthly Jam
With host band Mojo Shooter
RCHA Club, 193 Ontario St. (big blue door), Kingston ON
From 3rd Saturday of month
Come out and see Mojo Shooter (one of Kingston’s best bands) rev it up. Then watch and dance as Mojo Shooter and some of Kingston’s best musicians get together and jam the night away.
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Weekly events
Georgette Fry
Brandees, 178A Ontario Street, Kingston
Every Thursday night at 8:30 pm (new start time)
The Ones
Monte’s in the Prince George Hotel, 200 Ontario Street, Kingston
Every Thursday night at 9 pm
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For more, please contact Kingston Blues Society
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OTTAWA CISCO BLUESFEST’s ‘BE IN THE BAND’
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The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest is launching their new 'Be in the Band' initiative in January of 2009. This three-month program puts young musicians who want to be in a band together with other potential band-mates. The Ottawa Bluesfest organization has recruited a number of professional local musicians for mentoring the aspiring future stars and will provide all the necessary tech support and equipment for the kids to truly enjoy a high-quality ensemble experience.
“The idea is to offer this program to students who currently sing or play an instrument and have an interest in working with others to create music,” says Bluesfest’s executive director, Mark Monahan. “The ultimate goal is a possible performance for families, friends, and future fans on-stage at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest.”
Bluesfest, in partnership with the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, has created a band room and rehearsal space at the Tennis Club adjacent to the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue. The room includes a drum kit, a keyboard, guitar amps and a sound system.
When: (WITH INSTUCTORS) Tuesdays or Thursdays after school from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. or Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. The Tennis Club will also be made available with supervision for participants to rehearse on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (same times as above).
How: Go to www.gnag.ca and click on REGISTRATION; or visit the Glebe Community Centre and register in person; or phone 613-564-1058 or 613-233-8713 (business hours Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays may vary, please call first)
Price is only $85 (Visa or MasterCard accepted) for weekly sessions from January ’09 through the end of March, 2009. Backline equipment will be provided, along with professional music instructors.
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SPECIAL EVENTS IN JANUARY
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Elyssa Mahoney & Lucas Haneman
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Saturday, January 10 @ 9:15 pm
Award winning singer, songwriter Elyssa Mahoney and national award winning guitarist Lucas Haneman have been collaborating since 2006. First performing at many local venues and events, building a reputation and following, as their success grew they realized that not only did they enjoy performing together but they also liked creating their own original songs together. Elyssa writing the Lyrics while Lucas composed the music, their originals have been striking a chord with audiences everywhere. Recently, they've both been honoured with the Best Blues Award at the 2008 Ontario Independent Music Awards. Elyssa’s roots in blues/rock and Lucas's in jazz & rock, combines to create music which covers a wide range of genres from pop to rock to blues & Jazz. Their CD "Pull Me In" was released earlier this year.
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Blues on Tues
With Terry Gillespie
The Atlantic, Alexandria ON
Tuesday, January 13, 7-10 pm
Put on your wheels and dance!
Glide across the floor!
The band will cry for more!
We don’t have another regular gig booked at the Atlantic after January!
So come on out and help us celebrate one full year of live dancing music in Alexandria.
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Robert Farrell Band
Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street
Thursday, January 15 @ 9 pm; $5 at the door
Cool blues and hot new tracks from Robert, Andrew and Steve!
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Jack de Keyzer
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Friday, January 16 @ 9:15 pm
Blues, jazz, funky R&B and swing are all part of the palette that colour Jack de Keyzer’s musical portraits. The much acclaimed guitarist, singer and song writer has worked with artists as varied as King Biscuit Boy, Etta James, Blue Rodeo, Robert Gordon, Otis Rush and the Bop Cats. His guitar playing has been featured on hundreds of recordings; as a song writer he has been covered by Prairie Oyster on their hit album ‘Everyone Knows’ ; and as a singer he once sang a duet with kd lang. (Alright... it was a Budweiser commercial...) He performs internationally over 150 shows per year, and is a multiple Maple Blues Award nominee & winner (currently nominated for Electric Act of the Year), 2003 Juno winner and 2008 Juno nominee. Jack de Keyzer is a masterful, jazz infused electric blues guitarist, soulful singer and eclectic song writer of the first order.
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Ricky Paquette
Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street
Saturday, January 31 @ 9:15 pm
Though only 18 years old, Ricky Paquette has been playing guitar for half of his life. His style combines his love of blues with classic rock, though he has studied classical guitar as well. His most recent CD is a live recording of his 2006 appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
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BLUES ON THE RIDEAU – 2008/2009
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This popular Dinner & Show Fundraiser Series – now in its 4th year – continues to gain momentum this season. Shows are now starting to sell out in advance again and Saturday night Shows are being added – subject to artist availability – when ticket demand warrants it. This has already been the case with Roxanne Potvin – Friday, January 16 is Sold Out and Saturday January 17 has been added. Those who have booked for the Friday night Show but would prefer Saturday night can call The Cove and let them know you want to change nights. That should open up seats for both nights. And please – when you are booking for new Shows tell us if you would prefer the Saturday night if it is added and we will contact you to offer you first choice of seats.
Remaining 2008/09 Schedule for Blues on the Rideau @ The Cove:
January 16 – ROXANNE POTVIN BLUES BAND
Due to high advance ticket demand – the Friday, January 16 Show is sold out and a second Show Saturday, January 17 has been added.
Proceeds to Westport Area Food Bank & Lions Club Mobility Van
February 20 – FATHEAD
Proceeds to Friends of Foley Mountain & Rideau District Museum
March 20 – RICK FINES & SUZIE VINNICK w. BAND
Proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes Association of Ontario & Gilda’s Club for Cancer Families
April 17 – PAUL REDDICK & THE SIDEMEN
Proceeds to Rideau Waterway Land Trust & Westport in Bloom
May 15 – DANNY BROOKS & THE MEMPHIS BROTHERS
Proceeds to Compassion Canada Sponsor a Child & Habitat for Humanity
June 19 – STEPHEN BARRY BAND with
Special Guest MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE
Proceeds to Lucy Drysdale Memorial Scholarship & Westport Library
Accommodation at The Cove and nearby B&Bs is available at very reasonable rates. If you live out of town this is a great way to enjoy BOTR – no driving home after a few drinks, you can relax and enjoy and as an added bonus – you get to meet and talk with the artists the next day at breakfast! It’s a perfect mini-getaway. Book well in advance though – rooms fill up fast. Call The Cove and they will make the arrangements for you.
Artists may change - check the web site or call The Cove for updates.
Visit www.bluesontherideau.ca for more information
See you at The Cove!
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BLUES ON THE RADIO
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On CKCU-FM 93.1
The Mighty 93.1
Community Radio serving the Ottawa Carleton Region
Sundays: 9-11 pm
Black and Blues
with John Tackaberry
The show features a heavy dose of electric blues and rhythm and blues, with the occasional selection of sixties soul. The first hour is dedicated to artist profiles and reviews of recordings on particular labels. In the second hour there is a blues calendar, a rundown of events in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and interviews with “new and reissued blues and rhythm and blues tracks on wax” alternating with “live blues and R&B for a Sunday night” in the last half hour of the show. On the last Sunday of every month, the show goes “down in the delta” for a selection of acoustic blues tracks in the final half hour of the program.
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Wednesdays: 3:30-4:30 pm
Iron Maidens
with Diane Wells (D.D. Rocker)
Where female musicians of steely determination dare to challenge their male peers in the wide, wonderful world of music. From roots to heavy metal, she’ll cover it all. To the women of the world, let your voices and instruments be heard!
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Wednesdays: 9-11 pm
In A Mellow Tone
with Ron Sweetman
Jazz from every era & every style – from 1917 to 2008. Each program features an artist, group, instrument, event, city or record label. Check out Ron’s website www.inamellowtone.com for info on upcoming shows and playlists (current show is posted several days in advance and past shows are archived). Ron is always happy to hear from listeners at ronsweetman@kalixo.com
This week, December 31 – Best of 2008: Ron’s favourite jazz and blues recordings issued/reissued in 2008: Will include Bik Bent Braam, Don Cherry, Art Farmer, Francois Houle, Chris McGregor’s Blue Notes, Roscoe Mitchell, Sandy Mosse, Sonny Rollins, George Russell, Cy Touff, Little Walter and Way Out West.
Next week, January 7 – Listen Before You Buy: Ron reviews recent releases by Beegie Adair, Michael Boggioni, Lea DeLaria, Free World, Marcus Goldharber, Danny Green, Francisco Mela, MOPDTK, Paul Reddick, McCoy Tyner and Mort Weiss.
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Monthly, every 4th Saturday, 9-9:30 am:
Honky Tonk Saturday Morning
with Ball and Chain
This 12-part series features Michael Ball and Jody Benjamin performing live on radio. Each month will have a different theme like classic country, bluegrass, old time, drinking, cheating and yodelling.
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On CBC Radio One 91.5 FM
Saturdays: 10 pm – midnight
Saturday Night Blues
Host Holger Petersen has been a broadcaster, record producer, album collector, and serious blues fan for over 30 years. His collection of blues records numbers in the thousands. On Saturday Night Blues each week you’ll hear a mix of classic blues from the ‘Petersen Vaults’, concerts, interviews, artist features, new releases, plus anything that boogies, jumps, or swings, plus your requests from the Bluesline.
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On CHEZ106 FM
Sundays: 6-7 pm
House of Blues Hour
The House of Blues Radio hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues, features an hour of rockin’ blues from a wide variety of performers ranging from traditional to contemporary. The show is the most widely syndicated radio program dedicated to the blues in North America, and has been running on stations across the continent for over ten years.
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WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE SMALL SCREEN
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ALWAYS check local listings to confirm.
On BRAVO – www.bravo.ca
Tuesday, December 30 @ 7 am – Talkin’ Blues
Brownes With A Feeling (2003): Series exploring the world of contemporary blues music. This episode features a look at blues great Mel Brown recording his new album, and a profile of Newfoundland musician Darren "Boobie" Browne.
Tuesday, December 30 @ 7:30 am – Rhythm, Roots and Soul
Keep on Believing/Lou Pride (2007): This series profiles R&B, soul, gospel and roots musicians through their words and their music. Mako Funasaka documents a moment in time of these wonderful musicians from many different musical genres. This episode features Chicago R&B soul musician, Lou Pride.
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WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY MONTH
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Wednesdays: Dr Dave Revue @ the Rainbow, 5-8 pm
Wednesdays: Brian Downey @ The Avant-Garde Bar, 8:30 pm
Wednesdays: Acoustic music with Jeff Rogers @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm
Wednesdays: Open Jam @ the New Bayou, 9 pm
Thursdays: Acoustic blues with Al Tambay & friends @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm
Thursdays: Mike Ktenas hosts the Blues Jam @ Irene’s, 9 pm to closing
Saturday afternoons: Guy del Villano @ Royal Oak, 318 Bank Street, 2-6 pm
Sunday afternoons: Blues jam @ the Rainbow, 3-7 pm
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LOCALS LOOK AHEAD
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Thursday, January 15
Robert Farrell @ the Elmdale House Tavern @ 9 pm
Friday, January 23
JW-Jones @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm
Friday, January 30
Paul Fenton’s Rattle Snakin’ Daddy @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm
Saturday, January 31
Terry Gillespie @ Elmdale House Tavern
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