2008/03/28 Three Viewings at the Varscona

Shadow Theatre's 'Three Viewings' by Jeffrey Hatcher was an unexpected pleasure. I knew something of the theme before going in. And I'm quite familiar with the Varscona stage, and anyone who catches more than a few plays in Edmonton knows of Davina Stewart.

Dave Clarke played Emil, a funeral mortician, falling in love with one of the 'regular vultures' in attendance. With a strange, almost macabre result. Emil hovers and whispers 'I love you'. His quiet 'unobtrusive' hovering pervades the interludes between pieces. Mac (Davina) was a quirky, bisexual, hard driving rationalizing pre-grave robber. In and out, quick and clean - no missing fingers here. In the end she shows us that she does have a heart. Davina is so versatile - and this time I actually 'forgot' she was Davina during the play. Patricia Casey as Virginia, the helpless housewife, who is given a hand from beyond the grave. The last story lifted us back to life and the living.

I found the one-two-three format, with no intermission, a bit long. I suspect having an intermission creates logistical problems and Shadow Theatre decided on the longer format to simplify the organizing.

The Varscona Theater is a busy place. It is difficult to keep track of how many theatre groups use the Varscona, plus an occasional CD release, or other private event. And then there's the fundraisers, and of course The Fringe. I spend a lot of time at the Varscona. A friendly, volunteer run place.

Terry Morrison and John Gorham at Hulbert's

I need to hear more Terry Morrison. I caught a few tunes at Hulberts, and hearing the 'herbaceous ballad of coriander mandrake' again, I immediatly bought her CD. I put it on in my car, and started at 9. The ballad. Drove home and went to bed.

Next day, out to the hardware store in the afternoon, and thinking: "That's a really nice singer, I'll wait for CKUA to tell me who it is. Strange, doesn't sound like blues...". Then I realize it's Terry, doing 'Big Trouble". Into the hardware store, out, and off to groceries, and I hear the 'thinking song'. It happens again. I stop in the Safeway lot, wait to the end, and when 'no announcer' appears,

I pull out the CD cover and have a look. Terry Morrison again (still).

What is it about her voice? I have had people who study music 'correct' my impressions about who is a better musician. But, I know what I like. Frankly, I like music that transmits an emotion (and I like photos that have emotional content as well). And I like Terry Morrison. There is something about her voice that can be pensive, or laughing, or crying with joy. You hear it, and you feel it.

I arrived late at Hulbert's, and there was still a substantial crowd listening to Terry and John -- I'm not the only one who likes her stuff. Next time, I'll have to plan better and arrive earlier. I'll probably need to reserve to get a table.

Photos SLIDESHOW

Prairie Pilgrims at Hulbert's

When I saw Prairie Pilgrims listed for Hulbert's, I wondered who that was? When I met them on the stairway (sort of Hulbert's 'green room') I found I knew them all. Logan Sarchfield, Hannah Goa, Sue Decker and Ron Mercer, put them together and you have Prairie Pilgrims.

The music, arrangemnts and instrumentation was varied. Hannah and Sue on multiple instruments, vocals. Logan singing 'Moondance', with Hannah doing a bit of a solo on violin. Sue moving to the drum set. An 'instrument exchange' with appreciative the audience -the place was packed. Hannah and Sue join in harmony for Blue Stone Mountain. Unfortunately, I had to run. This is the kind of music I love to hear when I can lean back, listen, and slowly sip my Hoegaarden.

Photos SLIDESHOW

Tim Hus and Spider Bishop at the Blue Chair

'Pick-up trucks, rodeos and dust', the hurt'n albert'n picks up a hitch-hiker and pens a tune.

It's clear that Tim lives in the country -- in the west. Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the northwestern states. Simple tunes, country styles and a guitar that sounds like a freight train.

Spider Bishop put on his red shirt to match the Canadian flag hung at the back of the stage. The crowd soaked up music, and 'canadian'.

Tim Hus. An 'original country' night at the Blue Chair Cafe.

Photos SLIDESHOW

Jonny Mac Attack at the Castle Rock

I had heard about the Jazz jams at the Rock a few weeks before, and having moved to St Albert, I made my way over last week. I immediatly discovered that althought most of the patrons, and the owner did not know me -- a lot of the musicians did. Enrique introduced me to the owner, I met others, Jonny introduced me to more -- and I was happy to meet an old friend, Ralph Pretz - who I had not seen since his performance at the Yardbird Suite in 1995.

Jonny and the guys were honking up a jazz storm, so I picked up a Stella from a newby bartender and took a listen. The crowd was friendly, sociable, and attentive. I was surprised at the quality of the music - and then I talked to Enrique. "I moved here a few years ago" he said. "I walked into the Castle Rock and discovered many fantastic musicians - that I had never met before. And I have been around". So it goes. Living in Edmonton, we often assume nothing is happening in the 'burbs'. Well, it's happening at The Rock. I see they have Slow Burn in this weekend, and if I remember correctly, it's Hank Leonhard - with his Tacoy Ride friends no doubt, next weekend. And music throughout the week as well.

It was announced that in April, Mark Amar will be hosting is 200th jam session. Once I shed my day job, I might be spending a lot more time over here.

Photos SLIDESHOW

Castle Rock gallery

Madly, Gloriously, Deeply in Love - Story Slam at Blue Chair

Story Slam at the Blue Chair. Sign up at 7, stories start at 8. No story -- good, we need people to be judges. Make your donation, winner takes all. No second place here. The third Wednesday of every month storytellers take over at the Blue Chair. many of the competitors are accomplished, or working writers. There are always new faces.

Roxanne Felix won, finally, last month. I guess that's how Susan talked her into hosting. She even managed to keep Lisa at bay. Well done. Of course this gave Susan Hagan, one of the organizers - a chance to tell her tale of giving up smoking, and blaming everyone else. Then JP gave us a tale of a poet, a scientist, musician, silent observer, statistician, trapped in time. Because I'm taking pictures, I often find JP's items difficult to follow. This time he worked in enough repition to keep me in synch. Renee was up next. New to Story Slam I think. An intereting tale with a twisted sense of time and place. I talked to her afterwards, and she was experimenting with different ways to tell a tale.

A break - usually after 5 stories, but today we did not have a full slate. Very unusual, the winnings almost always top $300, bringing out lots of competitors. After the break, and old hand and previous winner Mark Nixon took the lead with his 'new boss', explaining why nobody gives a damn about the work, as long as you make it look good. Unseen, unread, ignored and wasted. Then Terrance Harding, another newcomer, told us about his failed love and his bittersweet (or was it just bitter) wishes for her success. Taking final marks, and all the money. See you next month.

Photos SLIDESHOW

Breezy and Friends at Little Flower - Fiddler's Roost

Little Flower Open Stage moved to Fiddler's Roost some time ago due to renovations, and then to avoid a rent hike. I think of it as a step up, even if it is downstairs.

For those of my age, Fiddler's Roost is the 'old media club'. I remember hearing Garnet Rogers there many, many years ago. Bernie runs the place now, and has many different open stages and music circles throughout the week. Located on 99th street and 86 ave - you'll see the sign outside when there is music. Down the stairs, pay your two bucks - and make yourself at home. You can find a cool beer, some chips, and sometimes even a full meal if there is a special event happening.

Little Flower Open Stage happens on Wednesdays. Breezy Brian Gregg is almost always in attendance (although Pascal recently covered when Brian was checking out the politics in Cuba). When I came in, John Peterson was making music with Scot Morgan on bass and Pat Flanders on drums. Then Alin Rogoz gave us some soft bass solos. I think it was the first time Alin visited - always nice to see someone new, do something different. Then Dr John joined up with Breezy while Pascal noodled on the piano. It was late (for me, on a weeknight) - but as I left Maurice Jones came down the stairs. Sorry I missed him - but at least I had a chance to say hello. I asked, but he has sold all of his CDs and needs to make some more!

Photos SLIDESHOW

Fiddler's Roost website