Steve's Blog
Thursday February 11, 2010

Hi everyone

There are heaps of shows coming up in the next couple of weeks. None of them are at The Rogue, of course, but how could we possibly compete with all the free - and ticketed - events during the Cultural Olympiad?

I can't believe how hard it is to find a comprehensive event listing, and it's equally tricky to find listings for the individual venues. I've unravelled some of the mysteries for you.

Here are a few shows we think you might like:

Friday February 12th - House Concert with Lisa Ornstein, Andre Marchand & Normand Miron

At 1624 Salsbury Drive, just north of 1st Ave and 1 block east of Commercial Drive, after the Opening Ceremonies at BC Place (not sure of the time, possibly around 9-10pm). This Quebecois trio features two founding members of La Bottine Souriante, and two current members of Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer, plus the most influential Quebecois-style fiddle player. Period. They play amazing, crooked tunes and sing traditional songs, and put on a great show. Call Tony Montague for tickets on 604-254-2066 or email tonymontague at telus dot net

Friday February 12th - Contra Dance at St. James Hall

With Riff Raff from Olympia, WA and caller Maureen Collier. 8pm $12.

Friday February 12th - Buffy Sainte-Marie in the Aboriginal Pavilion

On the Plaza of the QE Theatre, after the Opening Ceremonies in BC Place

Saturday & Sunday, February 13th & 14th - Festival du Bois in Mackin Park, Maillardville, Coquitlam

With the aforementioned trio (officially known as Le Bruit Court Dans La Ville, or The Buzz Around Town), Jou Tou, Blackthorn, Les Bucherons, Vazzy, North Shore Celtic Ensemble. These artists will perform both days. On Saturday night the Grand Spectacle features Alpha Yaya Diallo and the Franco-Ontarian combo Swing. Admission is $12 during the day and $25 for Saturday night. This event usually takes place on the first weekend in March. Not this year. More info can be found on www.festivaldubois.ca

Place de la Francophonie runs on three stages on Granville Island from tonight February 11 to Sunday February 28th.

All events are free. But there are also some similar events at Performance Works which DO require advance tickets. So check the Program details on www.placefranco2010.ca

Artists I recommend, who are appearing for Free, include:

Mes Aieux (Feb 13)
Angelique Kidjo (Feb 14)
La Volee d'Castors (Feb 15)
Vishten (Feb 18)
Plastic Bertrand (Feb 18)
Lennie Gallant (Feb 18)
Mary Barry & Mimosa (Feb 20)
Les Cowboys Fringants (Feb 21)
Edith Butler (Feb 22)
Zachary Richard (Feb 22)
Andrea Lindsay (Feb 24)
Mighty Popo (Feb 24 & Feb 25)

and heaps more. I'm sorry, but you'll have to visit the website for dates and venues. There's way too much to list here.

Atlantic House at the Arts Club on Granville Island runs from Feb 13 to 28

Performances are free, and the performers include:

Ashley MacIsaac (Feb 13)
Lennie Gallant, Bruce Guthro, Amelia Curran (Feb 16)
Vishten & Lennie Gallant (Feb 17)
Jimmy Rankin (Feb 18)
Dave Gunning (Feb 20)
Matt Andersen, Rawlins Cross (Feb 22)
Jill Barber, Catherine MacLellan, Ron Hines (Feb 24)
Shanneyganock, Rose Cousins, Kevin Fox (Feb 25)
Shanneyganock, Fergus O'Byrne & Jim Payne (Feb 26)
Richard Wood, Blou (Feb 27)

City Live in David Lam Park runs from Feb 13 to 28

artists include:

Wilco (Feb 13)
Silk Road (Feb 14)
Alpha Yaya Diallo, Corb Lund (Feb 17)
Dustin & Barney Bentall, Jill Barber, Colin James (Feb 22)
Chic Gamine, Blue Rodeo (Feb 27)
Jim Byrnes, Steve Dawson & The Sojourners (Feb 28)

www.livecityvancouver.ca

The Roundhouse also hosts shows from Feb 13 to 28

including:

Romi Mayes, Dan Mangan (Feb 16)
Jimmy Rankin, John Wort Hannam, Gordie Tentrees (Feb 17)
Umalali (Feb 20)

Sunday February 14, Romi Mayes Valentine Day Party (Railway Club, 579 Dunsmuir)

Tuesday, February 16th - David Francey at The Stanley Theatre.

David recently closed CBC TV's Hockey Day In Canada with his song Skating Rink. Now millions should know how good he is!

Thursday, February 25th - Tinariwen open for K'naan at the Orpheum.

My advice? Buy a ticket. See Tinariwen, the great desert blues band from Mali, and then scalp your ticket to a young person with questionable taste outside so that you don't have to listen to K'naan and someone who actually likes that stuff can have a good time. (I'm sorry. I tried. But his appalling singing on the Haiti CD has put me right off.)

Friday, February 26 - Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys at Performance Works.

A ticketed event. Best Cajun / Zydeco band on the planet! Tickets are $20 ($26.50 after donating to the paupers at Ticketmaster)

Rogue Shows

Visit the Concert Calendar for details of our upcoming shows. They are being added daily. You can also buy tickets - and memberships - online.

Radio Waves

Tune in to The Edge On Folk this Saturday from 8am to 12 noon to hear lots of music from many of the above performers (except K'naan!) and previews of Rogue shows, new releases, a few Mardi Gras tunes (yes, it's Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day / Carnaval / Mardi Gras) one or two songs for Valentine's Day, and maybe something for Chinese New Year. And some Memphis songs, too. I hope you can join me for four hours of the best in Roots, Folk & World Music on CiTR fm 101.9 streamed live and podcast on www.citr.ca

Margaret & I are off to Memphis for Folk Alliance - by train! Jim Burnett will host The Edge On Folk next week.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Steve