2009_05_03 Pretty Talented at the Blue Chair

Sunday morning brunch at the Blue Chair is generally time for jazz, or classical music. How about a 'Pretty Talented' brother and sister duo, who create their own music on stacked keyboards, vocals and an electric drum kit?

Harold had warned me in advance - these two are worth a listen. Jim Findlay, who often hosts Sunday morning jazz at the Blue Chair, is looking over his shoulder - these kids are coming up fast.

Luke and Tess Pretty live in Edmonton and have played at the Strathcona Farmer's Market, the Carrot Cafe - and now the Blue Chair. What's next?

Luke plays keyboards and sings, Tess on drums (although they to switch over for some tunes). During the break - Luke is outside on the skateboard.

The music was well chosen, suited to the venue and the time of day. The crowd attentive, and the musicians professional. I am looking forward to watching, and hearing - Luke and Tess grow musically as they hit thier teens.

Luke and Tess Pretty
Photos Slideshow
Blue Chair Cafe

2009_04_30 Craig Korth and Friends at CKUA

CKUA, the best radio station in the known, and unknown universes, is currently running their spring fundraising campaign - and you truly never know what might happen next. Last night, Craig Korth brought a bunch of bluegrass buddies into a studio for some live-to-air music and (of course) pun-ishment.

Having visited the studio many times, I was having a hard time visualizing where they were all standing as I drove in to get some photos. And you can see why in the pictures. There is no space. Five musicians standing around a large mike in a studio/CD Library, Lionel Rault at the controls counting down, and let's GO!

David Ward took the bus up from Calgary to provide the vocals. Craig and Lionel exchanged plain (or was it plane) and fancy puns, and let loose with real 'live music' on the radio. The phone room was crowded with volunteers, staff, friends and family giving a listen. The musicians, all solid provided a 'professional' performance, 'off the cuff'. I head David musing earlier in the afternoon that he needed to learn the words to a new song, because they were performing it in the evening.

Have you made your donation to CKUA yet? CKUA is real radio, music provided by real music people, actually get to choose what they play. Radio worth paying for.

Call 1-800-494-2582 to donate, or go to thier website

www.ckua.com

Photos

2009_04_19 Donna Durand at Second Cup 124 St

Donna Durand, from Red Deer, paired up with Tony Mellor on bass to present some of her own songs, and a few covers on a relaxing Sunday afternoon at the Second Cup on 124th St.

Second Cup cafes in Edmonton seem to be presenting music more often - and it's great to see local and not so local artists have another place to present their music and meet & greet the public.

Donna has a quiet presence, on and off stage. Like listening to someone in your living room. Tony provided excellent non-intrusive rhythm support. Donna's songwriting shows her rural roots, with that familiar 'at home' feeling. I had a very busy Sunday, having just arrived back in Edmonton - and her music helped me to slow down and chill out for a few minutes.

Photos Slideshow

Donna Durand

2009_04_15 Rubberband Wednesdays at Hulberts

Wednesdays... Midweek.... Evening comes and you are 'over the hump'. Time to PARTY! Why wait for the weekend, do it now!

Rubberband, Wednesdays at Hulberts is a party. Fun and games, singing, dancing, karaoke, trivia.. I arrived late, but the party was still going strong after 10:00 pm. Somehow, Rubberband stretched the closing time at Hulberts.

When is an open stage more than an open stage? When everyone gets into the act. Hulbert's owners were both hatted up and in full spirits - and I even caught one of them singing.

Wednesdays keep coming, and again, and again... check it out. You'll come away smiling.

Photos Slideshow
Hulberts
Rubberband

2009_04_23 Poetry Festival

Edmonton Poetry Festival's "POFEST" is well underway after a delightful literary pre-evening last night. Six authors read from their newly published works at Talonbooks.

The readings included drama - Kevin Kerr's 'Studies in Motion', to music - "I love you Osama' by Adeena Karasick, to ?what was that? sound musicproesetry by bill bissett and dialogue from 2088 (if memory serves me correctly, I didn't drink too much wine), by Garry Thomas Morse as well as, of course, poetry as well, from rob mclennan.

The readings were enthusiastic and colourful, the setting was warm and intimate. It was a great opportunity to meet some new artists, and greet some old friends.

Today, and the rest of this week, you can catch more poetry at Poetry Central, 11:30 to 1:30 at the Stanley Milner Library in Sir Winston Churchill Square. I dropped in for a few minutes this afternoon to catch a bit of the buzz, pick up the schedule and of course get some photos.

Check out the festival schedule at the Poetry Festival Site, there's soemthing for everyone.

Talonbooks Launch Slideshow
Poetry Central Slideshow

Emma Cook, Kalsey Kulyk and Chloe Albert at the Blue Chair Cafe

Wednesday nights at the Blue Chair.. Harold serves up a mix of music and musicians. Relax, listen, meet friends and of course the food is great. Even if I do usually have rice and beans. Over time, I've sampled everything on the menu. On Wednesday the feature was rack of lamb... yummmy. And spicy carrot soup, and.... mulligatawny... but it's hard to have two favourite soups before dinner.

Emma Cook, Kalsey Kulyk and Chloe Albert - three young singer-songwriters, three cities and three unique sounds.

Chloe Albert (Edmonton) mixed it up with Honey Bee - trading the guitar for a drum accompaniment on Honey Bee. Chloe is one of those unfortunate artists affected by the 'local talent' syndrome. An artist has to work so much harder to be recognized in her home town. Chloe has a beautiful voice and interesting songs.

Newcomer Kalsey Kulyk (Beaumont) entertained us with songs and stories from her life and family. Kalsey is one of Rhea March's U22 singers - and Rhea has a way of finding, and supporting our emerging talents. Kalsey has a powerful voice and interesting lyrics.

Emma Cook (Ontario) had many of us discussing her voice and her songs - jazzy, with a hint of a young Joni Mitchell. Her voice leaps up and down the scales, from sultry to sailing. Emma is a singer I want to follow as her 'voice' grows and changes.

The Blue Chair is one of those places where you can meet the musicians, listen to their music and talk to them again in the break. My kind of place.

Photos Slideshow

Blue Chair Cafe
Chloe Albert
Emma Cook
Kalsey Kulyk

Rhea's Birthday at Little Flower Open Stage - Fiddler's Roost

I had heard via Facebook that many would be celebrating Rhea March's birthday at the Little Flower's Wednesday night open stage. Wednesday was my first night back in town after almost a year of travelling around the province, country and continent, from Lethbridge and Saskatoon to Buenos Airies and Ottawa.. I made a point of dropping by - although I didn't stay too late -- still on Ottawa's time zone.

I was please to see many new faces, and lots of familiar old faces at Fiddler's Roost. Bernie has re-arranged some of the furniture since I was last there, creating some nice private spaces on one side, and a more open arrangement near the door. It also appears that the stage lighting is improved, making for nicer photos.

The music was eclectic, as always at Little Flower events. Blues, folk, vocals and instrumental. The evening moved slowly - people were visiting friends, exchanging hugs and gifts with Rhea. A very pleasent Wednesday evening, and only two bucks!

Photos Slideshow

Little Flower Open Stage
Fiddler's Roost