Kits on 16th in Calgary

I was down in Calgary to photograph the CKUA Blues Bash, and had a bit of time to visit Kit's on 16th. It was my first visit, having seen quite a bit on Facebook and other media. Saturday afternoon, Kit's hosts a Blues Jam. Be warned. This jam is not for the meek. It's more for 'those who drank too much on Friday night, and need to waste away a Saturday afternoon, getting ready to drink to much on Saturday night'. It is loud. The quality was good, once I got my earplugs in place. Conversation was at a minimum - even during breaks, because the place is noisy and the background music was, well, not background music.

So if you are looking for blues on a Saturday afternoon - this is exactly the place for you! Bill Dowey looks after the jam, starts around 3:00 if I remember correctly, and goes until later. It was crowded when I arrived, but I was told it got busy later.

The weather was fantastic, so there were lots of smokers out front enjoying the music and the sunshine. A steady flow in and out.

I ran into Cindy Mcleod at the CKUA Blues Dance party in Bowness - and she told me that the Jazz Jam on Thursdays is downstairs -- I have to get down to Calgary in mid-week to catch that show. Maybe next month.

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2008_04_11 Morgan Davis at the Blue Chair

I only managed to catch a few tunes from Morgan Davis on this visit. Having seen his performance from almost exactly a year before - I knew what to expect. His extensive discography, and a few samples can be found on his web pages at Morgan Davis website.

Intelligent, hot and cool blues. Morgan Davis is one of those performers who can captivate an entire audience, all by himself.

Morgan Davis at the Blue Chair in 2007
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The Edmonton Recorder Orchestra at St. Andrew's United Church

Churches are always wonderful places to listen to music. When Monica Chattaway said the Edmonton Recorder Orchestra was performing The Cries of London: Music from the Time of Shakespeare, I knew I had to be there to hear, and to see. When you put the a recorder orchestra in a church, in costumes from the 1600s, you step back in time.

The entire Recorder Orchestra dressed the part, in costumes of the period. A well lit church, with sunlight streaming in from the outside - transported us back in time.

The performance started with readings from Shakespeare by Edmonton's Poet Laureate, E. D. Blodgett. Then music by the recorder orchestra, including a short series of dances. It ended with 'Cries of London'. The orchestra playing, while members called out sounds of the streets and markets of London.

I was transported back in time. The music was beautiful and the performance flawless. I always enjoy hearing and seeing reminders that the past, even hundreds of years ago, is still with us today. Real people, real music, and a minimum of modern technology (my digital camera excluded).

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2008_04_05 Strathcona Farmer's Market Musicians

Even though we've move to St Albert, we still find ourselves drifting back to the Strathcona Market on Saturday - Marcia for the fresh, organic foods - and me for the music.

The Strathcona Farmer's Market runs all year, although fresh foods can be a bit scarce in mid-winter. There's always music, and often other performance crafts - face painting, balloon making, etc.

Spring and winter have been having a tug-of-war in Edmonton over the past 6 weeks or so. As I drove by the market yesterday, I saw the bagpiper was enjoying the spring weather. When I visited on April 5, he was standing in snow. Chad, who was inside the market with his accordian, was enjoying the sunshine near the doorway.

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more Strathcona Farmer's Market Photos

2008_04_21 Christmas with the Searchers at Festival Place

Marcia bought me tickets to the Searchers for Christmas - little did I know it would be a 'White Christmas' show. Passed several 'car accident leftovers' on the drive there, skidded past two turns in the snow. But we arrived, and home, safely. I didn't take my camera inside, so no photos. Sometimes, I like to just listen to the music.

I'd say the Searchers have been performing together for a while, although the 'new guy' drummer is only with the band for the past 10 years. Excellent stage show. Classic music. And a lot of music history.

Any history of music comes with a viewpoint - in this case, the viewpoint was the stories of the Searchers as they came to be a group, made some hits, and continue to make music today. There were lots of great tunes, including Ian Tyson's 'Four Strong Winds', which they recorded 'decades ago'. Lots of audience participation, in many ways, from singing, to waving to 'take as many flash pictures as you like -- makes us feel good'.

Of course the did Love Potion Number Nine, Sugar and Spice, Sweets for my Sweet and Needles and Pins. But also did tunes by Roy Orbison, Del Shannon and others. Old songs and new.

We bought tickets to a number of shows at Festival Place before moving to St Albert last fall - and it is still worth the drive. Friendly theatre - you can take your drinks to your seat. Sweets on sale if you rushed away from dinner to arrive at a 7:30 show.

Summer is coming - check out their patio series. I attended a few last summer and learned to get tickets early. Apparently a lot of people like to listen to music outside by the lake, while having a barbeque. It's on Wednesdays, so you can arrive early and check out the Farmer's market before the show starts.

Festival Place photos
Festival Place website

2008_04_04 Peña de Bomba! returns to Blue Chair

On Friday, I talked to a co-worker about Peña de Bomba! at Blue Chair. She expressed interest in seeing the show - I advised her that it was probably sold out and she should phone ahead. Sold out? Sold mid-week. There were 30 people on the 'wait list' when I arrived for dinner. I booked several days in advance, and as I ate my dinner a constant stream of people tried to get a table at the Blue Chair - to no avail.

At the first Peña de Bomba! we had a small group of musicians. Tonight? Six band members from Edmonton an Calgary. Harold's stage only holds 5 - even that is tight. Chris Andrew, who was recently awarded the CBC Galaxy Rising Star award, had to perform on the side of the stage.

Pena is described by Mario as a 'party', 'gathering', with music. This was the second Peña de Bomba! at the Blue Chair -- and the word is out. Harold announced that the 'silence' signs were hidden away for this show, and everyone was encouraged to have a good time. We all had a good time, and great music.

Bomba! heads off on a European tour. April 22 at the 100 Club in London. Next Pena Bomba at the Blue Chair is May 31. Call now!

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2008_03_30 Hulbert's Rocks

Rhea borrowed Robin Hunter's guitar to open with homemade apple pie - a la mode. Robin Hunter, featured artist, accompanied by John (Woody) Woroschuk, were up next with a beautiful woman and a drunk limo, and took us all the way to Route 66.

Rhea had advised me that a Armediate (a gift from God) would be rocking Hulbert's Open Stage on March 30th. Dallas 'God' Robinson, on guitar, hair and vocals, Byron Mayer on drums and Aaron Storr on guitar and vocals -- add up the ages of all three, still younger than me. But a lot more musical than I am. The place was rocking. Lots of friends and family were along to see their debut. They definitely have an energy, and a musically unique sound.

Then followed a long list of well known local musicians, and some new faces. Ariane Lemire gave us a French and English preview of her upcoming show. And promised to do something in Spanish soon. We had two ukulele performers in a row - Beth Portman gave us some scat - longing for your lovin. Jill'ah up next with her Gorill'ah (Jill Pollock- woke up Monday morning with the devil in her bed). Jaybird gave us all an Orange Balloon - "I love you orange balloon". Ariane Lemire gave us the sultry tune about liquorice and ashes. Newcomers: Mike searching for his mind - says he enjoyed losing it -- his second visit I think. Then Carla Guenette - her first performance at Hulbert's - gave us an her cappella tune about the best part of a relationship. The part 'before' you know each other. A beautiful tune, reminiscent of some Broadway show tunes. I love hearing new voices. Ray Johnston, hmmm.. another first time performer. Lots of energy. Tunes about change, and destiny. Then Rob Heath cooled us down and closed out the evening with ‘every silver lining has a cloud’. What a night.

I had to slip out for a few minutes - and missed hearing several performers. Rhea's stage is sooo busy, blink and you missed something. Hulbert's is the best place to be on Sunday night. Starts about 7:30, and finishes promptly at 10:00 pm. You will wonder where the time went.

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Hulbert's website