Latest blurb to my contact list (& hoping it's okay to add it here)

Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2001 3:00 AM
Subject: The weekend is simply awash with possibilities . . .

Greetings to all you lovely people,

Be warned: I feel like blithering again. And so, without further ado . . .

High point for me last weekend was Paul Langille's gig at the Readers' Cafe in Dunnville. Excellent evening, with a strong guest set by Alfie Smith. Coming up on the 30th is a return appearance by Mike Daley, which I will recommend to you. One thing about location, though: the new location for the cafe is 144 Queen, but the move hasn't yet been completed and might not be 'til the beginning of July. No worries, however, the old location is just a couple of doors down, at 132. Either way, the food - mostly dessert stuff - is superb, and the people that run it are really friendly and nice. Heck, this last time they didn't even try to kick me out!

There's a bunch of stuff happening this weekend. Friday has me traveling to Jordan to the Zooma Zooma Coffee Lounge. Never been there before, but I'm told it's real nice. Katherine Wheatley is appearing there and with her is David Woodhead, whom I believe to be one of the finest bass players on the planet (go ahead, look at your collection of Canadian folk CDs - you'll be amazed at how many of the best Woodhead has graced). I know there some of you on this list from around that end of the map - St. Kitts, Fort Erie and the like. Please consider supporting these smaller venues that are making serious efforts at providing serious quality entertainment. And being a smaller venue, do make sure there's seating available. Z-Z's phone number is 905 562-6280 and email is: tintern@niagara.com

In Brantford, Friday & Saturday has Nonie Crete and Eugene Rea appearing at Purdy's Irish Pub. Purdy's is relatively new - it's a nice place and the food is quite good. With luck, I'll be able to get there late Saturday to enjoy the music.

Day-wise, if you're in the mood for something just a wee bit different, Saturday in Victoria Park (just off Market Street) will be the site of a chili cookoff and bluegrass festival. Starts at 11 am, with the tasting starting at 1 pm. I'm sorta assuming the bluegrass is goin' all the time.

Which brings me to the sad subject of Sunday. Sad, because I can only do one thing, and there's two (among many) to choose from. Drat!

The one I am attending, because I'm playing bass, is the Fieldcote Concert Series in Ancaster at 7 pm. Scott Cameron Smith is performing this evening, with the very able assistance of Ariel Rogers, David Rogers and percussionist extraordinaire Rob Davidson. Me? Sort of a bassist ordinaire, but I'll do my damndest to keep up. Gonna be fun. And the next day, Scott, Ariel & David are off to the Songwriters' Festival in Canso and an east coast mini-tour.

Quick sidenote on this Fieldcote thing: in my last missive I referred to this series as happening at the gazebo on the main drag (Wilson Street) in Ancaster. Not quite: it's actually on the Fieldcote Museum grounds, which is just around the corner from the gazebo on Sulphur Springs Road and has what amounts to a natural amphitheatre. In the event of rain, back to the gazebo grounds and the old community hall (which is such a lovely old building, I'm almost wishing for rain!)

The other thing on Sunday is the season ender (hurts to miss it, but Jeez, I got a gig) for the White Oak Folk Club in Oakville. Continuing the tradition, this one will be a sing-along theme evening. All open stage participants are encouraged to do audience participation stuff. And again following the newly established tradition, Bill Crawford will be doing hosting duties for this special night - which means you get Bill's bad jokes, as opposed to Paul's bad jokes. And anything further I add to that can only get me in trouble, one way or t'other!

One last word on the White Oak. There's been a lot of fine music gone through this place. I've formed musical relationships and made friends that I might otherwise have never encountered. And it simply wouldn't exist without the drive and determination of one person, and that, of course, is Paul Young. So I offer my respect and thanks.

Well, I intended to try to keep this as short as possible. Again, I have failed. *sigh*

A demain, mes cheres . . .

And, an addendum . . .

Hi again,

This be going out to as many of you list folk as I think may be in a position to take advantage of the info.

I don't intend to "ramble" too often, fearing wearing out mycyber-welcome; but I've been given one more recommendation to make, and since it's from Ariel Rogers, I tend to give it considerable attention. Sounds as well that it's a natural extension of an evening after the Hamilton Folk Club which is having its season closer this very Tuesday.

And, as Ariel said:

"Thanks for the epistle...Can you, in your next ramblings, put in a word for The Waifs - Australian folk-rock-blues band who will be at Raven (on John St S/corner of Augusta in Hamilton) next Tuesday. This will be one of the last times they'll be in the area for a while and shouldn't be missed. They are GREAT! They probably won't be on "til around 11pm, but they're worth the wait. - Ariel"

Now ya know . . .