Steve's Blog
Wednesday January 21, 2009

Hi everyone

Rogue Folk Review

The latest issue of the Rogue Folk Review is now available for download.

It will be mailed out tomorrow for those of you who prefer to receive it on paper.

Radio Rogue is still going strong with a host of new songs from the upcoming releases by Stephen Fearing and Colin Linden, a few classic tracks from Dave Alvin, and plenty of songs and tunes from the wide world of the very best in Roots Music. You'll hear lots of music from upcoming Rogue Folk performers, and some very fine new releases like Rokia Traore's latest CD Tchamantche.

Gypsy Guitars, anyone?

On Thursday January 22nd you might like to catch the very excellent Toronto gypsy swing guitar band Sultans Of String at the Cellar Jazz Bar on Broadway at Dunbar.

The third edition of our April In Paris Django festival will take place on the weekend of April 24-26 this year. Watch for details in next month's Review.

Guy Clark Exclusive Offer!

The legendary Texas songwriter makes a rare appearance in town at The Vogue on Easter Saturday April 11th. Keystone Music, who have brought you Los Lobos, Marianne Faithful, Lyle Lovett, and many more over the past few years, have made some specially-priced tickets available to Rogue Folks. You need to act fast, as the tickets go on general sale - at a higher price - on Friday. Until then you can buy them at a discount. Here is the link.

Don McGlashan concert, Sunday January 25 at Capilano Performing Arts Theatre

The New Zealand songwriter, former leader of The Mutton Birds, makes his Vancouver solo debut at Cap this Sunday. His solo work is pretty impressive from what little I've heard so far. Worth checking out, methinks. See you there! Tickets available on 604-990-7810.

Rogue Folk Concerts in the next two weeks

If you're getting fed up with cabin fever, snow, fog, and the long dull nights of winter, we have the perfect cure!

We are delighted to bring back Colin Linden, Canada's Blues guitar renaissance man, along with Texas Bluesman Whitey Johnson, at St. James Hall (3214 W.10th Ave.) on Friday January 30th at 8pm. Concert details...

The following night, Saturday January 31st at 8pm, it's the return of the wonderful songwriting duo Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart, also at St. James Hall. Concert details...

Two days later, on Monday February 2nd at 8pm, Welsh songwriter Martyn Joseph comes to St. James Hall [concert details], and on Thursday February 5th at 8pm the finest Irish fiddler of our time, Martin Hayes, makes a welcome return to St. James Hall with his guitar toting accomplice Dennis Cahill. Concert details...

Full details are on our website, (where you can also purchase tickets online, if you wish.) Tickets are also on sale at Highlife Records on Commercial Drive, and Rufus' Guitar Shop at 10th & Alma.

The Edge On Folk this Saturday

My show was pre-empted last week. It left me feeling quite disoriented and empty. On the upside, it gave me time to assemble some especially fine music for this week's edition, which airs on CiTR fm 101.9 from 8am to noon on Saturday. You can also tune in live on the internet at www.citr.ca or download podcasts of the show later that day from the same site (or by automatic download subscription via the very wonderful iTunes Music Store.) Please join me for four hours of the best in Roots, World and Folk music. I can't wait to get back in the saddle!

Looking Ahead

In March we have two excellent festivals in prospect in the Lower Mainland.

Festival du Bois takes place on Saturday & Sunday March 7th and 8th at Mackin Park in historic Maillardville. The Saturday evening concert features La Bottine Souriante, and there are daytime shows both days from 11am to 4pm with some excellent performers from across Canada. Full details are on www.festivaldubois.ca and 604-936-0039.

The Edgewater Casino Vancouver Celtic Festival takes place March 11-15 with more than 60 events at ten popular venues and two outdoor stages in downtown Vancouver. Headliners this year hail from across Canada and Ireland and include Ashley MacIsaac, Lúnasa (Ireland), the Duhks, Daniel Lapp, and The Paperboys together with Puro Son in a ground-breaking Celtic-Cuban show called CelticSalsa: Celts and Cubans United! CelticFest Vancouver is proud to continue to offer two-thirds of its events completely free of charge. Tickets to all other events go on sale February 4 at www.celticfestvancouver.com and through Tickets Tonight at 604.684.2787. Tickets for The BIG St. Pat's Night Out! (Vogue Theatre) with Ashley MacIsaac and Lúnasa are available through Ticketmaster at 604.280.4444 as well as at www.celticfestvancouver.com. Festival Program Guides will be available at most 7-Eleven outlets throughout the Lower Mainland after February 7.

Thanks for reading this far! See you soon!
Steve