Steve's Blog
Monday March 19, 2012

Hi everyone

The Vernal Equinox is almost upon us, so that means cherry blossoms, allergy season, something approaching warm weather perhaps, and, of course, more and more fabulous music at The Rogue!

1. Caladh Nua, Tuesday March 20th, 8pm, St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

It's a big week, and it kicks off with a brilliant Irish band, Caladh Nua, on Tuesday night. After a week of the Celtic Fest we thought it would be good to bring a band from Ireland to remind everyone of the roots of this compellingly popular music genre. Stunning musicianship on fiddles, accordion, banjo, guitar, and wonderful vocals in Gaelic and English are the trademarks of this young quintet from Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford, who make their Vancouver debut this night. They have two great CDs and were a big hit at the Mission Folk Festival last July. www.caladhnua.com

2. Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, Thursday March 22nd, 8pm, St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

Then we bring you one of Louisiana's very best Zydeco band, Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys for a show that was rescheduled when their January concert had to be cancelled. (They were stranded en route in Denver due to a snowstorm at their destination airport in Seattle. Let's hope for better weather this time!) Jeffery is a brilliant band leader, and a wonderful accordion and fiddle player, steeped in the traditions of Zydeco and soulful R&B from deepest Louisiana. His band delivers some of the most exhilarating, real, down-home Creole Zydeco music on the planet. Bring your dancing shoes! www.jefferybroussard.com

3. Maria Dunn, Friday March 23rd, 8pm, St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

We finish the week with one of Alberta's finest songwriters, Maria Dunn, whose Scottish roots and love of traditional music influence her contemporary songs of the struggles and triumphs of ordinary working folk. She will be accompanied by the brilliant fiddler Shannon Johnson (of The McDades) to present songs and tunes in the Celtic tradition; songs that celebrate Canada's working people and our rich multicultural roots. www.mariadunn.com

4. New Country Rehab, Sunday March 25th, 8pm, St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

Two days later we bring you a very exciting band from Toronto, New Country Rehab, whose music infuses the songs of Hank Williams and the like with a powerful new sprit, led by one of the country's very best fiddle players - John Showman (Foggy Hogtown Boys.) Check out their cover of Springsteen's State Trooper or Hank Williams' Ramblin' Man and Mind Your Own Business, then marvel at Showman's fiddle prowess on the swinging instrumental Train 45! www.newcountryrehab.com

All these shows are at St. James Hall, and full details - as well as advance tickets - can be obtained on our website www.roguefolk.bc.ca Tickets will also be available at the door for all shows. Doors open at 7, show time is 8pm prompt, and the shows are over by 10:30.

We don't expect you to come to all these shows, but would love it if you could make it to at least one this week. This is our 25th year, and we are bringing in some incredible musicians to help us celebrate one of Canada's busiest and most successful non-profit arts presenting organizations. We appreciate all your support down the years and hope you'll continue to help us spread the word and keep on bringing in such fabulous music. We need you, and your reward is the great feeling you get from sharing live music with friends and new acquaintances in the uniquely cosy confines of St. James Hall, with its great acoustics, and the dedication of our amazing volunteers who make your evening possible!

The latest edition of our newsletter, Rogue Folk Review, is also to be found on our website. You can view it there in all its 12 page glory, with colour photos. Some of you will receive the print edition, 8 pages in black & white, in the mail today.

Hope to see you at The Rogue, but if you can't make it to any of these shows, please consider renewing your membership or making a donation to help us keep going!

Thanks a million!
Steve