Tag: microbrewery

Venue: Acoustic Jam at TWB, Kitchener ON

I’m posting this just in time for you to make plans for this evening!

The local microbrewery scene is well intertwined with live music, the Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewery (aka TWB) a case in point. In addition to hosting  live music performances every Sunday afternoon, since the fall TWB has been a gathering spot on a Thursday night for an acoustic jam.

 

I don’t know if it is like this every Thursday, but on my first visit there was an impressive amount of talent and so much energy!

Dave Pike hosts an early event (6-9 pm) which makes it possible to participate even if Friday is a work day for you, or if it is just the kick-off to the rest of your evening. The jam has a friendly, boisterous feel to it, leaning slightly towards old time and bluegrass, but open to anything someone can lead. In the back, amongst the beer-making vats everyone is unplugged (except the keyboard) and there is quite a variety of musical instruments (often being passed around amongst musicians). There is a whiteboard where you can post a chord progression to help the group follow – especially if they can’t hear your instrument once the jam gets rolling.

 

Oh yes, and bring a DD so you can sample the array of brews on tap.

 

[TWB 300 Mill Street, Unit 1, Kitchener; Thursdays 6-9 pm; no cover, licensed]

Venue: Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin, Florida

IMG_5938Take a stroll around Dunedin, Florida and you would assume the town is mostly made up of baseball fans and retired folks. Visit the Dunedin Brewery (just a block off the Pinellas Trail) on a Wednesday night and you’ll come away with a very different impression. Billed as “Florida’s oldest microbrewery”, the Dunedin Brewery has live music Tuesday through Saturday. Wednesday night is the open mic, hosted by Ben, and is a showcase for all kinds of talent. IMG_5941

I visited during March break, accompanied by fellow adventurer Molly Malone (yes, that’s her real name!). The place was full and bustling and the beer was delicious (I had the Biere de Café and Molly had the Peach Apricot Ale). The talent was varied (solo singer-songwriter to bluegrass ensemble to prog rock covers) and exceptional – I didn’t catch all the names but the Galbraith Trio (siblings Ashley, Taylor & Josh) was particularly memorable with their tight instrumental renditions of Beatles and Rush.

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What a great way to spend my last night in Florida! Thanks to Ben and the friendly folks we met.

 [Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, Florida; Wednesday 8 pm til closing, no cover; find them on FB]