Steve's Blog
A Celebration of Bowie! A Benefit Dance! A Multimedia Extravaganza!
Thursday February 2, 2017

1. Anna & Elizabeth, Friday February 3rd 8pm, St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

Old Time fiddle music and song may not be everyone's first choice for a Friday night listening experience, but I urge any and all fans of traditional music and storytelling (heck, even puppetry, dance, and multimedia of the late 19th century!) to come down to The Rogue House to see Anna Gevalt-Roberts and Elizabeth Laprelle - two exceptional young musicians and musicologists from the heart of Appalachia in concert. Here's a shining example of the mesmeric nature of their performance style. It was filmed in a small, brightly lit, radio station studio. Imagine how much richer will be the experience in the warm and beautiful surroundings of St. James Hall!

For more details and to buy tickets click here. Tickets will also be available at the door from 7pm until showtime.

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2. Benefit Contra Dance, Saturday February 4th 8pm, St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

The Sybaritic Stringband will donate all the admission money from this monthly Contra Dance to the St. James Hall Renovation Fund. The bonus is you get to dance to live fiddle - and saxophone - music, share some tasty food, and celebrate good times with some very friendly folks. [Yes, there ARE good times still to be had at The Rogue! Even now. ;-) ]

Admission is $15 at the door. $10 for unwaged. Extra donations to the cause are welcome. Tax receipts will be issued upon request for all donations of $20 or more. Help keep this wonderful dance venue happening - and help us raise money for a sprung dance floor, new wooden floorboards, and ventilation!!
 

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3. Starman, Sunday February 5th 8pm, St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

This is a very special concert of Acoustic Versions of Songs from the incredible repertoire of rock legend David Bowie, who left this earth last year. Doug Cox, artistic director of Island Musicfest in Courtenay, and a brilliant slide player in his own right, has assembled a fabulous cast of BC musicians to reimagine Bowie songs in a more intimate style. Joining Doug will be Linda McRae, Steve Dawson, Helen Austin, Sam Hurrie, Rick May and Robin Layne. Many of Bowie's songs are now considered anthemic standards in popular music. Come and hear them performed like never before, rekindle old memories, awake to new possibilities, and celebrate the rich musical community of BC - and beyond. (Sort of a Rogue Folk ethos, right there, eh?)

Click here for tickets and more info. (Who needs the Super Bowl anyway? Besides, it should be done and dusted by show time. Hope so!!)\
 

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4. A Very Big Weekend Coming Up At The Rogue!

Next weekend we have a Cajun Dance (with Cajun Country Revival, a band from Louisiana and Portland / Quebec. Friday February 10th ), a celebratory immersion in Scottish fiddle music (with Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas on Sunday February 12th, presenting a workshop at 2pm, a moviepremiere at 6pm, and a concert at 8pm), and an evening of progressive gypsy jazz (with Gonzalo Bergara and his fabulous Quartet from Argentina (On Family Day, Monday February 13th.) 



This year marks the Rogue's 30th anniversary, and we have a series of special events planned throughout the year; none more spectacular - perhaps - than this coming weekend, with everything from dancing, to instructional workshops, movies, and a mix of eclectic style of roots music - featuring some of the most celebrated players on the planet! Got music? Go Rogue!!

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5. Some Other Musical Events You Might Like

Tonight, Thursday February 2nd, at 8pm, CBC TV is showing "Mavis", the wonderful documentary about gospel / soul superstar Mavis Staples, which won the Peoples Choice Award at the Film Festival a while back. 


We went to see Cavalia the other night. What a show! It's under the big top just east of the Cambie Bridge on the south shore of False Creek. Over 60 horses, dozens of acrobats and stunt riders, a superb live band (flamenco and jazz guitar, fiddle, bass, drums, and kora and djembe as well.) They have just extended the run for an extra two weeks to March 5th. Strongly recommended.


Bluebird North takes place on Tuesday February 7th at The Roundhouse. This songwriter exchange is a very enjoyable showcase of Canadian songsmiths, hosted by Shari Ulrich (above). This one also features Sarah Jane Scouten, Tom Taylor, and Jonas Shandel. Tickets are $18 at the door ($15 for Songwriters Association of Canada members).
 

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6. Radio Waves

Don't forget to tune in to The Saturday Edge On Folk on CiTR fm 101.9 and www.citr.ca this Saturday from 8am to noon with yours truly at the helm. I'll have some music from upcoming Rogues and new releases and old favourites and maybe (hopefully) some new favourites for your delectation! 

Radio Rogue broadcasts 24/7 from our Granville Island office, with a shuffling playlist of over 1,200 songs from Rogue performers past, present & future, plus some of my favourite cuts from 31 years of broadcasting and over 50 years as a music fanatic!