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All events are ticketed unless otherwise indicated. Please contact the cafe for pricing. Absolutely no holds due to limited availability. Tickets can be purchased either at the Cafe or over the phone.
Saturday May 10th
Bob Snider
a national treasure, a folk hero and one of Canada's best songwriters
"Who is Bob Snider?" I asked him. He didn't know. "Regarding music, or the words part of songwriting", he says. "I seem to have a twist in my brain that associates words. In rhyming and in other ways. I know this goes way back so I guess you could call it a knack. If I can take any credit for it, it's just that I've always enjoyed playing with this knack If one can take credit for enjoying something."
"When Bob Snider picks up his classical guitar and starts to sing, it's a pure and powerful expression"
-Mike Beggs/EYE Magazine
Saturday May 24th
Don Ross w/
Antoine DuFour
One of today's true innovators of guitar composition and technique, Don Ross has emerged as one of the most respected musicians in Canada and one of the top guitarists in the world.
Ross is a self-taught guitarist whose music borrows from rock, jazz, folk and classical music creating a style that he describes as "heavy wood". In the liner notes to Ross' 2003 album Robot Monster, Bruce Cockburn writes "Nobody does what Don Ross does with an acoustic guitar. He takes the corners so fast you think he's going to roll, but he never loses control."
Antoine Dufour is emerging as one of Canadas young stars of acoustic, fingerstyle guitar. His third CD of complete original material was released to critical acclaim, along with appearances and awards at major festivals, Antoine is building a national reputation for innovation and creativity.
Saturday May 31st
Charlie Sohmer
grand prize winner in the
2007 OCFF "Songs From the Heart" Awards
Charlie Sohmer’s music is quirky, thoughtful, and warm-hearted or, as Charlie’s website puts it, “Honest and touching.” In other words, quintessential Canadian folk music (albeit with plenty of country, gospel, Cajun, and bluegrass influences).
Variety in style is also the key here as Charlie Sohmer doesn't get stuck in a creative rut, as he injects a touch of Cajun, Reggae, some Blues, and even a hint of Bluegrass into his works as a songwriter.
Saturday June 7th
Bill Colgate with Cam Macinnes
- 2nd Grand Prize Overall - 2002 USA Songwriting Competition
- 5th Prize Gospel/Inspirational Category at the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting Contest
- Finalist, 2003 Mountain Stage New Song Festival
"Toronto songwriter and actor Bill Colgate is a proud survivor of 1970s roots rock, the gospel-tinged and rhythm 'n' blues kind practised by Bob Seger and John Mellencamp in their prime."
Greg Quill - The Toronto Star
Saturday June 21st
Alun Piggins
and the
Dogeaters Skiffle Group
... Alun Piggins is a local singer/songwriter - and a damn'good one - who has managed to keep his musical career going for years without ever really joining the business...
- Toronto Sun
... Piggins seems to have listened to all the great pop/rock tunes over the years and has somehow managed to distill the magic ingredients into just the right blend...
- Blues on Stage
Saturday July 12th
Madviolet
Nominated for Best Folk Album of the Year
East Coast Music Awards
Both women are steeped in acoustic, folk and country traditions. For Lisa it’s a matter of genetics. She began playing fiddle at Cape Breton kitchen parties as a child and turned professional in her mid-teens, wracking up mileage on Celtic roadshows with her brother Ashley, Bruce Guthro and Gordie Sampson, among others.
“We’re developing our sound. We’re building audiences in different countries on different continents. We’re excited to see where things go next.”
Friday September 26th
The Good Right Arm Stringband
Kick-Ass Old-Time
and
Honky Tonk Music
All four members of The Good Right Arm are veterans of the Canadian roots music scene. The Good Right Arm Stringband formed in 2006 as a happy result of Tony Allen’s first solo recording “Steam”. While working on that project, it became apparent that there was a shared sensibility towards playing old-time country music the way they figure it should be played.