Just a quick note to let you all know that the Coffee House scheduled for this Saturday (june 26th) at Under The willow in Dawson Creek has been cancelled. Due to a serious lack of performers and organizers (there’s just so much going on in people’s lives right now!) we’re going to have to let this one slide by…..
Here’s what’s going to be happening in the area over the next 5 weeks for musical events!
Saturday, January 16
The first Chetwynd Public Library Coffee House of the New Year runs from 6:00 to 10:00 – once again, I’m hosting the evening but it’ll be the last time I do so due to other commitments (this is a hint that we’re looking for one or more folks to step up to the microphone and let the audience know what’s going on thru the evening – it’s an easy gig ’cause everyone tells you what you should be doing!). This event is getting bigger all the time – non-stop music for 4 hours, lots of treats and eats from Books’N'Bytes, great company as well as lots of fun for all.
Friday, January 22
Joanne at JoJo Bean’s Coffee and Cream (downtown Chetwynd) is opening her doors every second Friday night for an open-mic evening. Again, lots of good food and tea/coffees will be available for your snacking pleasure (I do urge you to buy goodies at the events you attend because it makes it possible for these folks to provide us the space for the music to happen.). Thanks go out to Joanne for taking the big step that allows us to play. For those who haven’t been there yet, the cafe is smaller than the Library so it has a more intimate feel; this also makes it a bit less intimidating for some musicians that are still a bit nervous when they’re performing.
Saturday, January 30
There is a coffee house at the Saulteau First Nations this evening. They’ll be featuring Niska Napoleon (this is definitely worth taking in!) as well as being an open mic event. I’ll send out more details regarding this event when I know more.
Saturday, January 30 (a busy evening!)
Under the Willow in Dawson Creek (beside the health food store downtown) is hosting another end-of-the-month afternoon/evening musical event. The Peace Region Songwriters Association will be holding their regular meeting at 4:30 and that will be followed by a Coffee House at 6:00 (I believe). This month’s show is featuring NightCap (Linda Connell Studley and Ian Smith – hey, that’s me!) for a set of music followed by an open mic for the rest of the show. There is a $5 cover charge for the evening and this money will be going to cover expenses such as PA rental, etc. I know that at least one of my DC guitar students is planning on performing and there’s no shortage of talent in Dawson Creek so you’re sure to hear good music that night
.Friday, February 5
JoJo Bean’s Coffee and Cream is having another open mic night.
Saturday, February 6
I just was notified today of a coffeehouse in Hudson’s Hope that evening. More details will be sent out when I know more myself!
Tuesday, February 9
The Home Routes concert series is beginning the New Year after the mid-winter break and we’re beginning with James Gordon (formerly of Tamarack, as well as an accomplished solo performer and songwriter). Once again, the Round House at The 40 Acre Farm will be the venue for the show and (free) popcorn will be available at intermission. Admission is $15 for the evening with all proceeds going to the musician – great music at a great price. Check out his website – www.jamesgordon.ca – for a better idea of who he is and what he does. Other performers in the series this spring are Ken Whiteley (March 10) and Annabelle Chvostek (April 15) so stay tuned for more news as those dates get closer.
Thursday, February 11
I just found out today that Barbara Adler is returning to Chetwynd with her accordian and her poetry and her performances…..more details to follow (I know, you just don’t think of poetry and accordians together, do you?). Start thinking about it………
Friday, February 12
Another Coffee House at Saulteau First Nations – apparently Niska Napoleon will be doing some travelling shortly after this show so it could be our last chance to see and hear her live for a while.
Saturday, February 13
The Chetwynd Public Library’s February Coffee House is happening this date (and just beforeValentine’s Day, too…….hmmm).
If you want to join our email list just send us a note at chetwyndcoffeehouse@yahoo.ca and ask to be put on the list.
stay tuned , Ian
This is just a quick note to say “Thanks!” to everyone who came out on Saturday night (Dec. 5) to the Library for the last Coffee House of 2009.
We had 4 solid hours of music ranging from re-worked Christmas tunes to original songs, cover versions, solo piano pieces (including an Oscar Peterson tune and a piece by a German folk group; both of them blew me away), metal guitar, pop tunes, sort-of karaoke as well as a lot of talent showing up from the high school courtesy of the students and Mr. Joyce…..I know I’m missing some stuff but the night was filled with music of all sorts!
A big Thank You to those folks that arrived early to help set up and those that stayed later to help put the Library back into shape for the next day (some of the fellows did both!) as well as everyone that dropped money into the donation tin – it helps us keep this all going!
Once again, another big round of applause to all those musicians (and listeners) who travelled from “away” to be here and share their music with us – the roads are never great at this time of the year and many stayed until near the end of the night before facing the long drive home.
I’ll send out an email soon with dates for the New Year’s series of shows – in the meantime, there may be another (smaller) venue developing for local talent that may happen on a weekly basis so I’ll let you know what’s happening with that, as well. As Dori Brown reminded us on Saturday, we have a pretty incredible bunch of talent and people here and we also have opportunities to hear and see them, too.
Stay Tuned, Ian