October 13th, 2008
Dear friends,
Hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I have a lot to be grateful for these days – here’s one thing: Thanks to everyone who helped us make Canada’s first bicycle-powered concert a reality (scroll down to see who made it happen). Also, it’s a tough go to make a living as an independent artist so, on behalf of the band, I want to thank you for all your support. Some of you have been there for us from the very beginning and – five years later – you are still coming out to our shows! We couldn’t do what we love without you.
Which is more than I can say for Stephen Harper. His inexplicable disdain for artists seems like something of a psychoanalyst’s dream. Perhaps he has unfulfilled creative urges. Perhaps we’d all be better off had he been encouraged to pursue his secret dream of becoming a country crooner. On second thought, perhaps not. If you haven’t already read it, check out Margaret Atwood’s eloquent and entertaining response to Harper’s attack on artists here
In this newsletter you’ll find news of upcoming shows, including our annual Halloween costume party extravaganza, along with other band-related events and a success story. Yes, a story that defies Read the rest of this entry »
October 7th, 2008
Our drummer Larry received a $3000 grant from The Canada Council for the Arts to bring Ghanaian master drummer Francis Kofi Akotuah to Canada for a month of performances and workshops in schools and universities in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. Francis is also scheduled to be the featured guest artist at our Halloween show at Lula Lounge in Toronto. In spite of being married with two small children, Francis has been denied entry as Canadian immigration officials concluded he was at risk to stay here, claiming that he didn’t have strong enough ties to Ghana. You can read more about this frustrating situation in today’s Toronto Star.
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September 29th, 2008
This Thursday, Oct 2, I’ll be on a bill with Janine Stoll, Miss Emily Brown and James Lamb for what promises to be a truly magical evening of live music by some of Canada’s finest songwriters.
The Cameron House
10pm.
more info here
September 29th, 2008
Tonight, I’ll have the honour of hosting my friend Eden’s CD Release Party for her debut album ‘Come Fall’ at The Gladstone Hotel. Eden has a lovely presence, the sweetest voice and a killer band, featuring some of Toronto’s finest players, backing her up. Oh, and there will be an appearance by “Joe” – that alone is reason to come out. Trust me.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom
Doors at 7:30. Show at 8pm.
Cover $12.
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The band:
Brian MacMillan
Maury Lafoy
Lyle Molzan
Layah Jane
Oli Johnson
Scott Galloway
Opening set by the lovely Trish Robb
Special appearance by Joe.
September 29th, 2008
Roncesvalles’ own literary neighbourhood cabaret is entering its fourth season of showcasing the prose, poetry, spoken word, comedy, storytelling and songwriting of Parkdale-High Park based writers and performers.
The fall season premiere on Tuesday, September 23 features poet Paul Vermeersch, music and culture critic Robert Everett-Green* and performance poet Erin Robinsong. Songwriter of the month is rootsy soul sister Treasa Levasseur. As usual, FREE SPEECH is hosted and curated by Johan Hultqvist.
Tuesday, September 23
7pm. Show at 7:30pm sharp. PWYC.
Tinto (89 Roncesvalles)
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September 25th, 2008
Photo: Miles Storey/Torontoist
We thought it would be appropriate to organize Canada’s first bicycle powered dance parties in conjunction with International Car Free Day. On this day, the wonderfully creative folks from grassroots organization Streets Are For People encourage their fellow Torontonians to take over a parking spot (at $2/hour) and throw a “Parking Meter Party”. So we set up our pedal powered sound system right on Queen Street in Toronto on September 21, and hopefully it gave people some ideas about what Toronto could become if the city finally came to its senses and created a pedestrian zone. Here is some video coverage of the day by NOW Magazine’s ‘Ecoholic’ columnist Adria Vasil.
Photo: HiMY SYeD / photopia
September 18th, 2008
Do you like cycling? Do you like music? Want to make history? Come power Canada’s first Pedal-Powered Dance Party! Join us as we celebrate International Car Free Day by presenting Canada’s first pedal-powered dance party at the Evergreen Brick Works in the Don Valley on Saturday, September 20. Bring your dancing shoes and your bike, come pedal away to power the sound system for a song or two. Then get your friends to do the same so that you can bust a move.
“Serious” cyclists interested in doing 20 minutes or more of non-stop sustained cycling are most welcome but might want to register in advance by contacting Johan Hultqvist at itsjohan[at]gmail.com / 416-533-8663 ext1
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July 14th, 2008
On September 20, we will be organizing Canada’s first bike powered dance party at the beautiful Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto’s Don Valley.
We will be building “generating stations” that you can hook your bike to. Then all you have to do is pedal away to make sure the music doesn’t stop. This free, environmentally and kid-friendly, pedal powered party happens in conjunction with a Sustainability Fair at The Brick Works and, since it’s a Saturday, the weekly Farmer’s Market will be loaded with local goodies. In other words, it’s going to be a lot of fun, but we do need help as it’s a big production that will require a lot of work and money.
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June 25th, 2008
We’re back on the road! The first leg of the Mr. Something Something summer tour kicks off in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on June 18 (click here to see the rest of the tour dates). We look forward to seeing you on the dancefloor.
June 25th, 2008
This dance show features new works by choreographers Marc Boivin (Montreal) and Mr. Something Something’s own Jennifer Dallas (Toronto) and a short film with unique footage from recent KemiCollective work in Lagos, Nigeria. With music by members of Mr. Something Something.
May 22-24, 8pm. $15-$20
The Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester Street, Toronto) www.danceworks.ca
