Steve's Blog
Two Special Concerts and AGM reminder
Tuesday November 26, 2024

This past few weeks we have witnessed some truly amazing concerts at The Rogue, featuring several bands I've wanted to present here for a few years. We may not have made any money on these shows, in fact we lost money on most of them, but the music was stellar and we are still afloat! Just about. I hope you've enjoyed November's performances by Skye Consort & Emma Bjorling, Cecilia, Grace Petrie, Sophie Lukacs, Tony Furtado, Don Ross & Jule Malischke, Lonesome Ace Stringband, The Henry Girls, and Fraser & Haas. What a great month it's been at The Rogue! If you missed any of these shows, or would like to see them again, please get in touch. Hubcast Mediarecorded them for live viewing and these broadcasts are still available online. We have two more great shows this week as well.

Where do I find all these great bands, you may well ask? Well, for starters, I try to make it to the annual conference at Folk Alliance International. I was at the very first one in Malibu in 1989 and have only missed 3 since then. I go to renew acquaintances with musicians, presenters, folk DJs, agents and friends - and to discover new music. Last year (Kansas City in February) I was honoured with a Spirit of Folk award and saw brilliant performers like The Henry Girls, Rum Ragged, Terra Spencer, Karan Casey, The Faux Paws, and Sophie Lukacs - who have all performed at The Rogue since then. There were others we are still trying to bring in, including Northern Resonance, Quote The Raven, Bruce Molsky, Clare Sands, Gordie MacKeeman, and Steve Poltz to name a few. This past February I witnessed a number of truly memorable showcases by the likes of Justin Adams & Mauro Volante, Musique a Bouches, Inn Echo, Okan (duo), Northern Resonanceagain. Oh, and Italian trio Ensemble Sangineto. I kept hearing about this band from fellow DJs and presenters, and I managed to catch their final showcase. Wow! They are exceptional! Such beautiful harmonies, woven around Celtic harp and acoustic guitar - and bowed psaltery! We are so pleased to be able to bring them to The Rogue this week!

1. Ensemble Sangineto, Thursday November 28th, 8pm,Mel Lehan Hall at St. James (3214 West 10th Avenue)

“Ensemble were awesome, and the crowd loved them!” - 

Abby Altman, Club Passim, MA

“A wonderful window into the culture and passion behind their Italian roots in music - the crowd loved it!” - 

Laura Hawk, New Spire Arts, MD

The title of this trio's latest CD is Grand Tour Vol 1, and it is a direct reference to the journeys around Europe made by the scions of British and North European aristocratic families in the 18th century. The tour was considered to be essential in completing the political - and above all cultural and artistic - education of members of the elites. Italy was at the heart of the Grand Tour, in particular the cities of Rome, Naples, Florence and Venice, where it was possible to come into contact with the impressive vestiges of the Classical era. The music in these two volumes will take the listener on a Grand Tour of the entire "Belpacse" - ie all 20 regions of Italy - exploring their cultural, linguistic and musical richness.

Twin siblings Caterina (lead vocals, bowed psaltery) and Adriano Sangineto (Celtic harp, vocals) are steeped in musical history. Their father, Michele Sangineto, is a renowned maker of harps and other instruments - some of which are shown here. How exotic they are!! Caterina's partner is also the trio's guitarist - Jacopo Ventura. Their three-part harmonies are exquisite, and the interplay of the strings is totally compelling. The songs are all along common themes in traditional music everywhere: love in full bloom, loves lost, widowhood, murder, a father's authoritarian protection of his daughter, a tenant's resentment of his landlord, and there's even an ancient Christmas carol. Vol 2should be out soon, and is intended to complete the Grand Tour of Italy's 20 diverse and richly cultural regions. 

Caterina's sublime voice and expressive mannerisms convey the meaning of each song so succinctly that language - even the more obscure local dialects and regional variations - is no barrier to the understanding and enjoyment of the songs. And the scintillating, rippling rhythms and flowing notes of the harp and guitar make for a totally compelling and enjoyable accompaniment.

We have experienced some wonderful music at The Rogue down the years, and even in the past few weeks. I reckon this concert might even top the lot! Come down to the hall and see for yourselves, and if you cannot possibly make it, please do try to Watch Online. Tickets are available right here.

2. Doug Cox & Linda McRae, Friday November 29th, 8pm, Mel Lehan Hall at St. James (3214 West 10th Avenue)

For well over two decades Doug Cox has been producing one of Canada's most eclectic and enjoyable festivals - Island Musicfest in Courtenay. Before that he ran Rootsfest in and around Victoria. Before that he apprenticed as a festival producer at the Edmonton Folk Festival. He is also a master musician, and one of Canada's most accomplished and versatile dobro players. Not only that, he is a prolific songwriter, an imaginative interpreter of others' songs, and a consummate producer of great albums for a wide variety of artists from across Canada and America. 

Linda McRae (guitar, banjo) was raised in Victoria, and has released many fine albums down the years. She was a member of Spirit of the West for many years as well. She now makes her home in Nashville, and continues to make fine records - mostly original songs with profoundly topical lyrics, and occasional playfulness, too. 

Together these musicians weave their voices and strings to put their unique stamp on blues and pop classics, original songs, and country / folk standards. 

You can also witness them this Tuesday night at Songbird North at The Roundhouse with Shari Ulrich and Helen Austin. That should whet your appetite for a full helping of their wonderfully laid-back sound. Click here for tickets and more information.

If you are a Rogue Folk Club member and attend the Annual General Meeting before the concert (doors open at 6pm for the AGM) you will not only have first dibs on the best seats in the house, you will also gain free admission to the concert (but please do buy tickets for the CD draw and our 50/50 Raffle, which has a week to go, and currently the winner stands to take home well over $3,500. Let's make this The Rogue's best 5050 raffle yet! The sky may not be the limit, but how would $10,000 sound to you? It would certainly sit well with your local folk club, that's for darn sure! 

We really appreciate - and need - your support!