Ottawa Bluesfest - From Twitter

Here's all the Ottawa Bluesfest information that could be gleaned off of Twitter and the #Bluesfest hashtag.

• This year's theme is branded "Electrofied"
• The Hard Rock stage is being re-branded to the "Electrofied Stage"
• Electrofied Stage will feature lots of video and lighting gear (no specs)
• New security feature this year - RFID Bracelets like Bonnaroo and other major festivals (may be used for not just ticketing but for paying for beer, and other possible purchases)
• No "day off" like previous years
• There will be a theme night - Nostalgia night

The Current Bluesfest Lineup

•  
• 10cc
• Adam K
• Akron
• Alan Doyle
• Alice Cooper
• Amalgamation
• Amanda Bon
• Ariyan
• Arkells
• Arty
• A-Trak
• A Tribe Called Red
• Rich Aucoin
• AWOLNATION
• The Balconies
• Beirut
• Big Wreck
• Billy Bragg
• Blitzen Trapper
• Blue Rodeo
• Andre M. Bluteau
• Amanda Bon
• Autumn's Canon
• The Bright Light Social Hour
• The Bush Pilots
• Building 429
• Charles Bradley and the Extraordinaires
• Chromeo
• City and Colour
• The City Harmonic

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You put the U in uRockaoke - May 18 at Elmdale Tavern, Ottawa

Jambands.ca and the Elmdale Tavern are coming together once again to put on one of the most memorable musical experiences to have ever taken place in Hintonburg.  This neighbourhood has become a hub for foodies, artists and MUSIC.  On May 18, live music collides with karoake.  Hosted by Montreal's uRockaoke, a night of live music featuring the live backing band with talented members from Land Of Talk, Stars, The Dears, Socalled, Melissa Auf Der Maur, and more.

They bring the instruments, the song backlog, and the musical talent that spans genres like jazz, rock, reggae, bluegrass, country and pop.  You bring the U and put it into uRockaoke!  You are the rock star, and this is your band.  Pick your song and become a member of uRockaoke while they play their guitars, bass, drums, and anything else the arrangement requires while supplying you with full backup harmonies and lyrics.  

Be part of this and you can say that you played at the Elmdale Tavern in Ottawa, live, on-stage!  It's a perfect night to come out and enjoy the talent of your friends or even share your own deepest secret on-stage talents.  You never know, you just might be the next rock star!

I took 1/2 hour flight to Montreal in order to ask Mike Felber, band member and manager of uRockaoke 5 important questions, and promptly flew back after roughly 20 cocktails, some scotch, cigars, smoked meat and poutine.

Who's in the band?

Chris McCarron (Stars, The Dears, Land of Talk)
Michael Felber
Jordey Tucker
Lisa Iwanycki (Creature)

How do you cover horn sections, strings etc?

Guitar player used a Roland synth guitar pedal. He can get all them sounds. 

Are there any interesting guest spots, or gigs in the past? If so...toss us a quick "great moment"

Things can get very spontaneous with live band karaoke. Example; Death metal version of sunglasses at night.
Also, have you ever heard of girls showing their boobies for an admirable karaoke performance? That was cool.

How many sets do you typically play?

We tend to enjoy marathon sets. We have done 5 hours without a break on numerous occasions. The demand from participants is high so we like to get everyone a chance to do their thing.

Have people sung the exact same song in one night?

Depends. Most often, we like to avoid doubling because we want to play to the crowd. The host (sign-up person) plays the evening as if she is a DJ. By doing this, she tries to help participants chose a song that she thinks would work best for that particular moment of the night. Comprendes?

Anything else you think is worth sharing?

We rock at making people look good so don't be shy. Come early to sign up. Check out the song menu online and practice your song, it will help youRock. Costumes recommended. Keep in mind, we are live band and most often, can change the style and/or key of your song. we love you.

Jump into our forums for more info and discussion about this event.

The Sadies - Ottawa NAC Studio on March 24, 2012

Review: David Barrett
Photos: Mike Bouchard

The Sadies in Ottawa at the NAC Studio - March 24, 2012
More photos on Flickr by Mike Bouchard

Man we are spoiled. Every time I see the Sadies I think that and last night at the NAC Studio drove home the point. Considering how often they've played Ottawa, I'm sure it's easy to lose sight of this fact (Bluesfest, Winterlude, Tulipfest, many bars throughout town come to mind). However there's something about seeing a band in the close confines of the smaller stages at the NAC that reveals a different side to a band; their essence shines through and there's no hiding behind a big sound (by that I mean a sound that's adjusted for a larger audience and a larger room), an elevated stage and a wall of booze-sodden music enthusiasts. On Saturday the Sadies took the stage with confidence and ingenuity and blew those in attendance away.

Being so close to the music underscores the drive behind the Sadies' raging crescendos (that normally lead to packed dance floors, a swath of mass rhythmic swells and high fives) and genuine appreciation for the gentler honkytonk barroom tunes. An eagerly appreciative audience lapped up the music from the start, and the enthusiasm never waned through to the end of the "9 song encore". While I wish that appreciation for their songwriting, incredible chops and talent would (justifiably!) grow, part of me hopes to be able to see them again often in such a close, intimate setting.

Maybe I'm just acting spoiled though.

Peter Elkas Live Review - 03-16-2012 - Ottawa, NAC 4th Stage

Review by David Barrett
Photos by Mike Bouchard 

Peter Elkas in Ottawa at the NAC - Mar. 16, 2010
More photos by Mike Bouchard on Flickr

The Fourth Stage at the NAC is a unique venue in Ottawa- at once intimate and spartan, the stage is barely raised from the floor, placing the artist on an almost equal footing as the audience. To many of the acts that play there, this lends an opportunity to converse fairly freely with the audience and this was obvious from the start on this night, with Peter Elkas working the room well with his disarming smile, perfect teeth and natural, spontaneous stage banter. We learned, for instance, before the show got going how he was born in Montréal and had played in many venues in Ottawa over the years; in fact he listed off each venue, one by one (tally being around 14, for those interested). The series of bands playing at the 4th Stage has been impressive, with someone giving careful consideration to those artists that would take maximum advantage of the room's qualities and this was no exception.

“I tune because I care” was something of an ongoing joke and the band even strayed from the setlist to accommodate one or two requests

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Mayfair Theatre Hosts New Brunswick Films to Save Theatre in Saint John

Save The Paramount from Hemmings House on Vimeo.

A growing number of Ottawa residents are working to help prevent a movie theatre in Saint John, New Brunswick from being torn down. There is a growing effort in Saint John to try and find ways to transform the Paramount Theatre into a multi-use performance arts centre. Thousands are adding their voice to save what many say could invigorate downtown Saint John and increase an already growing cultural vibrancy.

Those efforts include a fundraiser at the Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa to be held on March 3rd. Former residents of Saint John are raising money by screening a selection of recent New Brunswick films including Sistema Revolution, Holdfast and Magnifier, among others.  Former residents of Saint John are raising money for a fund established by the Uptown Saint John business development group.

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Maneater covered by Nero one New Years Eve 2011

Nero - Maneater - Cafe Dekcuf, Ottawa Ont - 12-31-2011

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers Hooray!

by Todd Snelgrove

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers

The first sound you'll hear on the the new Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers cd is a bombastic percussive oomph before launching immediately into a gleeful melee of twisted klezmer that tromps through time signatures like they weren't even there.

It's a fitting opening to an incessantly fun album rife with tight playing and intricate arrangements. Hooray! is the second offering from the Mash Potato Mashers, a small army of Ottawa's finest players at the helm of musical mad scientist Mike Essoudry.

One of the capital's finest and most prolific jazz drummers, Essoudry devised MEMPM in 2010 as an eclectic all-original marching band and immediately set to writing music. Armed with an unnatural sense of harmony and a talented group of players he quickly released their self-titled debut album and started booking the nonet into festivals far and wide.

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Serena Jean coming to Elmdale Tavern

Serena Jean

Following on the heels of a group of drinking buddies known as the Honkey Tonk Happy Hour performing country classics, Serena Jean was inspired to produce her first solo album. Town and Country offers glimpses of a 1970’s style of country music while also remaining relevant by today’s standards. Now living in New York City, Serena will be performing a few dates in her country of origin. Catch her during one of 5 upcoming shows. Dust off those cowboy boots because no shortage of original songs will help keep you captivated throughout the evening as she strums her vintage Martin. A second album entitled Primrose Path is scheduled to be released in 2012 so be sure to have your ear out for some of these early renditions of songs.

 

25/10/11--Montreal--Divan Orange

26/10/11--Ottawa--Elmdale Tavern

27/10/11--Kingston--The Tavern

28/10/11--Toronto--Dakota Tavern

29/10/11--Kimberley--Kimberley Hall

www.serenajean.com

www.myspace.com/serenajeanmusic

www.facebook.com/serenajean

Why Not To Miss Bruce Hornsby At The Ottawa Folkfest

For almost 30 years, Bruce Hornsby has been actively performing his unique blend of jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass - and just about any other genre you can think of. In 1987, he won a Grammy for Best New Artist thanks to the breakout success of The Way It Is, his multi-platinum debut album released the previous summer. He joined the Grateful Dead as a part-time permanent member in 1990 following the death of keyboardist Brent Mydland, quickly winning over the hearts of that iconic band’s rabid fan base thanks to his deeply imaginative and intelligent playing, as well as an emotive singing-voice. No shortage of improvisational abilities - or unwillingness to pander to less demanding audiences - “20 Fingers Bruce” will leave you wanting more at this year’s Folkfest when his set comes to an end.

Bruce performing at the Tribute for Jerry Garcia On September 24, 2005:

Impromptu John Butler Guerilla Busking Session in Confederation Park

Yesterday afternoon, John Butler posted the following on his facebook wall directed at Ottawa fans who missed out on his set due to a severe storm that closed down the final night of bluesfest.  The captured video shows the wonderful intimacy of the busking performance enjoyed by a lucky few.

Hey all you Ottawa crew that missed out on the JBT gig yesterday cause of gnarly weather/cancellation. I'm gonna do a short Guerilla Busk at Confederation park at 7 pm tonight . Its across from Lord Elgin Hotel on the corner of Elgin and Slater st. Tell your friends and see you there if you can make it! we'll be somewhere near the fountain. Love, JB