Goodbye Delainey’s…
… Hello Creperie!
A successful transition to new digs for the Tuesday night jam, thanks to our wonderful host, Jacques, and to all the enthusiastic musicians who turned out.
[Creperie Café, 40 West Mill Street, Elora, every Tuesday 8 – 11 pm]
Less than 10 minutes away from the neon and kitsch of Niagara Falls tourist section you’ll find a place full of music and authentic folks. Last Friday I visited the Friday night open mic at the News Café. Vince made me feel welcome right away as I settled in with a hot bowl of soup and waited for the music to start. I don’t know what it is like from week to week, but once the music was in full swing the place was full.
There was a great mix of styles and experience levels in attendance that night so no shortage of entertainment and yet no need to feel intimidated. The sign up board is propped up at the front door and since there is no MC to run the show performers are expected to keep track of who is on next – I have to say this is a little more challenging when you are not a local and don’t know people’s names (so you don’t know who you follow). But I managed to figure it out by counting down the list and counting the number of musicians before me.
One advantage of this being an “all ages” venue (no alcohol served) was being able to hear musicians like Kikki and Gabbi – youth with talent! I really enjoyed their original songs and blended vocals. (here’s a youtube recording of an early morning, lakeside song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC8hw2ivyEs)
(Thanks to Jacobus for the CD – great to listen to on my long drive home.)
[News Café, 3463 Portage Road, Niagara Falls ON, Friday nights 7 – 10 pm]
The Fergus Tuesday night jam is on the move. After nine years at the Old Copper Kettle (see interview with Nonie Crete, August 2010) and three years at Delainey’s (see July 7, 2010 post), the Tuesday night jam will have its final night in Fergus on November 15th. As of November 22nd, the Tuesday night jam has a new home at the Creperie in Elora. Thanks to Delainey for opening up her establishment to the Tuesday night musicians and listeners – and thanks to Jacques for providing a place to keep the music happening.
This week’s adventure was a mix of something old and something new. I had never been to the Thursday night open stage at O’Brien’s, hosted by Adam Shaw, although lots of friends have visited. O’Brien’s is the current incarnation (a few management baton passes later) of The Old Copper Kettle, the first public jam I ever attended. Not having been in the building since our Tuesday night jam there ended I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. Slightly nostalgic about the many hours spent there playing music with friends I found that O’Brien’s retained some of the warmth and relaxed ambiance that I remember.
All kinds of music welcome (originals, covers, rock out or be mellow) – just let Adam know you want to play when you arrive.
[O’Brien’s, 216 St. Andrew St, Fergus, Thursday nights 8 pm til ?]
My Mission:
The goal of this website is:
1) to explore open musical spaces (jams, open stages, song circles) and what draws us to them; and
2) to promote and celebrate these events and venues where people come together to share music.
I would like to forge and strengthen connections between the various musical communities and promote grassroots folk music.
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