Fall BobCat begins with Jon Brooks!

Hello BobCatters:

Hope you’ve enjoyed a summer full of music -- but of course, it’s not over! The Ottawa Folk Festival (disclosure: I’m proud to serve on the board) takes place this weekend. Pray for good weather, please! We’ll take care of the music.

But the music will go on after the festival season, and we’re proud to announce our first two concerts of the 2011 fall season.

Jon Brooks performed at last year’s Ottawa Folk Festival. If you missed him there, you missed something. To my mind, there’s nobody in Canada doing what Jon Brooks does -- writing and performing songs that take on deep and important questions in strong and simple language. If you’re a fan of the social issue and protest songs of the early 1960s folk movement, Jon Brooks is your guy -- a flag-carrier and a modern interpreter of that tradition.

If, on the other hand, you’re getting a rash thinking of someone who can’t sing and barely play croaking tunes about injustice, take a step back. Jon Brooks sings with a powerful and tough voice, and plays with an inventive style that will keep you glued to the guitar.

• Who: Jon Brooks
• When: September 17, 2011, mingling after 7, show at 8.
• Where: Chez BobCat, 214 Northwestern
  
• What: Suggested donation $20. Bring food to share if you like; bring your own potent potables or have a soft drink on us; if you’re so inclined bring a non-perishable food item for the Ottawa Food Bank.

After Jon Brooks, a “return home” for a Friend of BobCat with a musical friend.

David Ross MacDonald IS a friend of BobCat, as well as of Bob and Cat. He’s back for an unprecedented THIRD appearance here following the release of his latest record “Thorns to Sleep.” This time, David is bringing along someone new to us.

Where David’s songs are thoughtful, introspective, and carried along by his amazing guitar playing, Ann Vriend’s are theatrical, soulful, and a unique blend of soul, gospel, and country. It’s like she’s the house band at the Cowboy Cabaret Cathedral. And she is a masterful piano player.

• Who: David Ross MacDonald and Ann Vriend
• When: October 8, 2011, mingling after 7, show at 8.

• Where: Chez BobCat, 214 Northwestern
• What: Suggested donation $25. Bring food to share if you like; bring your own potent potables or have a soft drink on us; if you’re so inclined bring a non-perishable food item for the Ottawa Food Bank.

We like to get payment in advance for our concerts. Why? Because we often fill up, and by paying in advance, you ensure that your seat will be full and we won’t turn away others. And if you weren’t aware, ALL BobCat proceeds go to the artist. You experience amazing music; they get important support. Win-win! You can use PayPal or Interac Money Transfers, or contact us to drop off payment.

Janine Stoll & Emma-Lee run hot & cool March 12

Janine Stoll and Emma-Lee are friends, share the ability to do many things well (Janine does great web design; Emma takes amazing photographs), but first and foremost are musicians, and their March 12 show here promises to be memorable.

We first heard Janine as part of the Babes for Breasts show we did that featured her, Rhonda Stakich, and Ottawa fave humans Ana Miura and Amanda Rheaume, and we were enchanted. Janine Stoll's solo work is poignant and passionate, movingly melancholy. She delivers songs that are precise in their imagery and their structure with an alto voice that iscontrolled but strong, sensual but self-possessed.

Where Janine is reason-over-passion, Emma-Lee is wide open. WhereJanine's songs have something of the arms-crossed-in-observation-and-self-protection to them, Emma-Lee's are expansive and soaring and delivered with a voice that feels as big as the sky. We caught Emma-Lee at a Stewart Park after-hours gig a couple of years ago, and fell in love with her voice -- and her choice in hats.

If you are a fan of musicians who craft songs with unexpected chords and words and deliver them with voices that are confident, expressive, and moving, you really need to get to this show.

• Emma-Lee and Janine Stoll
• 12 March 2010, mingling at 7:00, music at 8:00
• BYOB; options include bringing a donation for the Ottawa Food Bank and a snackable treat to share with other concertgoers
• Suggested donation $20, in advance please. You can use PayPal or Interac e-transfers with Bob's e-mail.

Missy Burgess with Keith Glass, February 12

There is absolutely no doubt that Missy Burgess is a good soul. Conveniently, she also happens to be a very talented singer and songwriter, which means that she will be a wonderful guest here at BobCat on February 12.

A lifetime of music, from her dad's beloved jazz to her brother's choral singing, has found its way into her head and heart and left her that rarest of creatures -- someone who raised children, had a successful non-musical career, and now, in retirement, is tackling a musical life with passion, good humour, and the help of some equally talented friends.

Missy released her second CD "Lemon Pie" in 2008, and is currently working on her third.

At BobCat, she'll be joined by her friend Keith Glass, a founding member of Prairie Oyster and a superb guitarist and singer in his own right.

WHO: Missy Burgess with Keith Glass

WHEN: February 12, 2011. Mingle from 7:00-8:00 pm; show at 8:00

WHERE: BobCat Missytery Mansion, 214 Northwestern Avenue

WHAT: if you can, bring along a dessert or snack to share, as well as a non-perishable food donation for the Ottawa Food Bank. If you are a lover of the alcohol, please bring your own.

Suggested donation: $20.00.

Please email me to reserve your place, and prepay, either by cheque or cash at the house or by Interac Transfer or Paypal to bob.ledrew@gmail.com.

Amanda Rheaume and Tara Holloway, May 15

May at BobCat brings a two-for-one show of powerhouse Ottawa women.

Amanda Rheaume is a veteran of the bar scene, the Big Money Shot, and even of Christmas CDs. She has an amazing ability to write catchy songs but still hit deep emotions. Her voice is able to deliver power-pop and soulful ballad with equal skill and emotion. Add in to that a beautiful hand-built acoustic that she can make sing, and you've got an irresistible package.

And it even gets better when Tara Holloway tags along for a duo show. Tara Holloway brings a raw passion and energy to the stage that is unmatched by anyone I've seen in Ottawa. Her voice makes me think of Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, and Janis Joplin; her songs are windows into a funnysad world filled with broken hearts that keep on beating.

So come and watch the roof lift off the sunroom.

I can't guarantee QUITE this much volume. But here's a video of Amanda and Tara playing at last year's Bluesfest:



And here's Tara playing on TV with Creed (from the office?!) as part of SXSW:




Amanda Rheaume and Tara Holloway, with ace guitarist Jeff Logan
May 15, 2010, 7:00 mingle, 8:00 show
Suggested donation $20
Please feel free to bring a donation for the Ottawa Food Bank and/or some food to share.

We like pre-payment of your suggested donation so that others don't get shut out of the show. Please use paypal or Interac Money Transfer if you like; otherwise contact me and arrange to drop off a cheque or cash.

Peter Elkas plays "Will power"

For those of you who missed out on Peter's house-concert first-time, here's a little snippet. Thanks to Peter Elkas for allowing us to record and post this, and for being such a great performer.

Your feedback is important to BobCat . Seriously.

Take our first-ever (and quite possibly only) survey! We'll listen to what you say, do what we like, and ignore the rest! Just like governments and corporations!

Peter Elkas, Emily Chen, and a peace bond: A valentine's day tale

This is the kind of decadence and depravity that happens when people like Peter Elkas get stalked by people like Emily Chen.

I am so ashamed.

PS: If you don't know, Em did the now-famous BobCat logo, and even used it to explain the difference between raster and vector graphics in this post.

February gets romantic with... Peter Elkas!

Our February concert is one we've been working on for a while and I figured since the artist let the cat out of the bag I better tell you about it!

We are really excited to offer a romantic Valentine's Day concert with the amazing Peter Elkas on Saturday, February 14.

Ron Sexsmith says Peter Elkas "has a wonderfully soulful voice and a great sense of melody that makes me want to write and sing better and try harder.” And who are we to disagree?

After more than a decade with Montreal band the Local Rabbits, Elkas struck out on his own in the early 2000s and hasn't looked back. With two albums, 2004's "Party of One" and 2007's "Wall of Fire", he's found a niche as a performer with stage presence equal to his songwriting, and a great show.

And we think that Peter's soulful vocals and songs will make for a Valentine's Day that nobody will forget anytime soon.

If you don't believe me, check out these videos:







The details:

WHO: An intimate evening with Peter Elkas
WHEN: February 14, 2009. Mingle at 7, show at 8
WHERE: The PlayBob Catsion
214 Northwestern Avenue, Ottawa, K1Y 0M3
HOW MUCH: suggested donation $25; as always, pre-payment by cheque, PayPal or Interac Money Transfer (e-mail bob.ledrew@gmail.com) is appreciated.

For newbies, we also appreciate a donation of non-perishable food for the Ottawa Food Bank. Since this is a house concert, we encourage you to bring something to share foodwise and our concerts are strictly BYOB. Soft drinks are always available.

PS: Don't forget about our January 24 Babes for Breasts show featuring Ana Miura, Amanda Rheaume, Rhonda Stakich and Janine Stoll singing their hearts out and raising funds for Breast Cancer Action Ottawa. We'll have a full basket of CDs and clothing from BobCat performers, a wine dinner for eight with sommelier service, and original art for silent auction as well. Help us raise money to fight a nasty, shitty disease.

m on the side » The Graphic Details — raster vs. vector images (Basic)

The logo for BobCat was designed by the lovely and talented -- and music loving -- Emily Chen(at left, demonstrating one of her many talents). And now, she's used it on her brand new m on the side blog to explain the difference between raster and vector graphics.

In the world of house concerts we're a little on the over-organized side, what with logos and chairs and the like. Lots of presenters just toss cushions on the floor and let things happen as they will. But when Em agreed to do our logo for FREE!! because she loves music and because she's a great person, how can you say no?

If you have graphic design or illustration needs please think of Emily. If she does work this good for free, imagine what she'll do when she's PAID.

Ciao,
Bob.

A BobCat first: Babes For Breasts Fundraiser January 24

Hi folks, and happy new year to all:

Cath and I have been doing normal non-house concert things since our last show. But we've been thinking about 2009's house concert offerings too.

And we wanted to start 2009 with something unique, so here we are: We are hosting a Babes for Breasts fundraising concert on January 24, 2009. Babes for Breasts (BFB) is, according to its creator Ana Miura, a "collective of female singer/songwriters taking on the human side of breast cancer one song at a time."


Since 2003, Ana and her pals have done dozens of shows together. Most recently, a gang of Babes did 20 shows in 26 days, taking them from Saint John, NB to Duncan, BC. And that list of babes has included some of Canada's best singer-songwriters, like BobCat pals Amy Campbell and Meredith Luce as well as women including: NLX: Natasha Alexandra, Emily Fennell, Caridad Cruz, Leela Gilday, Ann Vriend, Tara Holloway, Kay Pettigrew, Sarah Loucks, Jessica Rhaye, Jess Clemons, Jeanette Arsenault, Natasha Pasternak, Jane Lui, Sarah Craig, Shannon Moan, and Q the Romantic Revolutionary.

And the talent for our show is a match for any of those names.

Of course, Ana Miura will be the head babe, as is only fitting. But joining her on stage will be local favorite performer Amanda Rheaume and Toronto's Rhonda Stakich.

For those who don't know these extremely talented women, let me sum them up briefly:

Ana Miura (L) is an award-winning singer-songwriter who has a fluid and impressive guitar style and a wonderful voice. Her writing and her performing benefit from classical training in childhood, and her songs reflect someone who's a keen observer of life and relationships. Her newest CD Mercury Rising is an EP that is a teaser / sampler for her full-length disc due out later this year. Her previous EP Tenacious Heart is in regular rotation in our CD player. Ana performed with Meredith Luce at BobCat in October 2007.


Amanda Rheaume (R) is energy personified. Recently a runner-up in Live 88.5's "Big Money Shot" competition, and the opening act for Finger Eleven at the New Year's Eve celebration on the Rideau Canal, Amanda has become a star here, and seems destined to hit the big time. Her songs are as dynamic as her performances, whether on her own or with her band. And we've had more than one request for Amanda at BobCat!

Rhonda Stakich (L) is a new discovery for us, thanks to BFB and Ana. She describes herself as "an Alberta born, Toronto based singer and songwriter influenced and inspired by dance, drama and old-fashioned ideals. Stakich arrived in the spring of 2001 to Toronto with two guitars and a suitcase full of songs. She immediately teamed up with producer/engineer Nathan Handy to record There Were Years (2002) and Mary Mary (2005) while slowly, steadily winning her way into the hearts and ears of Toronto's live music community."

And we're expecting one more Babe for the show. Stay tuned.

But there's going to be even more than amazing performances to enjoy. This is a FUNDRAISER, after all, and we need your help in making this a great night for Breast Cancer Action Ottawa.

So we've leaned on our friends to provide some great silent auction items for you to check out and bid on over the evening.

First, our musical friends have contributed their CDs to the "BobCat Basket" -- a basket of signed CDs by EVERYONE who's played at BobCat. By the 24th, I expect over 20 CDs to be in the basket.

Our friend Sue Rochon has donated an original oil painting for the show. I'll be posting an image soon.

And our pal François Rochon is donating...himself! François is not only a passionate music lover, but a trained sommelier, instructor at Algonquin College, and a specialist in the art of wine and food matching. So the high bidder will get François's services as sommelier at a wine dinner. You make up a party of eight people, and then François will help you choose a menu. Once the menu's chosen, you make dinner, then François arrives with a selection of wines for everyone and will act as waiter and sommelier for the evening, making for a filling, laughter-filled, and educational dinner experience.

We're doing this for a number of reasons. Like all concerts, we want to bring our friends great music in an intimate environment. But this one is special. Like most people, we've been touched by cancer (I had a case of bladder cancer in 2006), and by breast cancer. My Aunt Florence is a 30-year survivor. And our friend Kim, Francois's wife, passed away from metastatic breast cancer in 2007. If we can do something to help others deal with this miserable disease, and to help stop it from taking people away from us.

So come. Enjoy. And bring your chequebook so that we can send a MAJOR donation to Breast Cancer Action Ottawa.

WHAT: Babes for Breasts show at BobCat
WHO: Ana Miura, Amanda Rheaume, Rhonda Stakich, and another performer to come
WHEN: January 24, 2009, mingle anytime after 6:30, show at 8:00.
SUGGESTED DONATION: This time only, it's a minimum of $30.

See you on the 24th.

BobCat

David Ross MacDonald October 18

Just a reminder:

Australian David Ross MacDonald is our next show, on October 18.

If you need convincing as to why you should see him live, look no further than this:




Now e-mail us to reserve.

A little bit of Eric John

Sweeet, sweet Coco.

Every concert we host, there's always something new to do, see, or experience. And last night -- well, last night was something special.

The first first: First time that at 6:45, I'm taking the headliner out for a bike ride up to Westboro Beach and a bit of a spinning session (in part to help her work out some caffiene-inspired jitters).

The second first: a full department store size rack of shirts getting rolled into the house.

The third first: being able to see our new back yard through the windows!

The fourth first: having enough Alcorns in the house to start growing oak trees. Okay, that's a crap pun, but I'm tired.

The fifth first: having an Ottawa-based fair-trade success story bring us FREE CHOCOLATE in liquid and solid form. Yum.

Coco Love Alcorn finished up her spring swing through her newly-adopted home province (she's just moved from Vancouver to Toronto) at our house last night, and the music was SUBLIME.

We'd never seen Coco perform live, and had a suspicion she'd be great from what we'd heard on record, but ...

She's got the whole package. She can do a rap song abut "Intellectual boys", a sultry ode to her bicycle that would leave your saddle steaming, and scat her way through Route 66 with a combination of full-throated vocal pyrotechnics and a kitten-purr worthy of Blossom Dearie.

Her parlour guitar, sometimes joined by her uncle Mark Alcorn's, was sweet, and her vocals, combined with her cousin Lindsay Alcorn singing backup, are simply awesome. Coco knows how to use what is a formidable instrument.

And her songs are amazing. From quirky little numbers like "Where do robots go when they die?" to intensely sensual like "For just one night" to romantic like "Sugar", Coco's creativity is remarkable for its diversity and its accomplishment.

(And the shirts? Coco and her husband rescue shirts from Frenchy's, a regionally famous chain of secondhand clothing stores in Atlantic Canada, and add on their own silkscreened designs. Very cool.)

And the folks from La Siembra, the worker-owned fair-trade chocolate co-operative that makes the Cocoa Camino brand of chocolate, came by (one of whom did so on her birthday!) and shared their story and their product. Nice to eat something that makes you feel decadent and virtuous in equal measure.

Pictures: Mark and Coco digging in; Mark, Coco, and Lindsay Alcorn; Melanie and Colin from La Siembra, Some guy in a great shirt massacring a Garnet Rogers song, and Coco and Lindsay.

See y'all in the fall!

If you can't make Coco...

I know it's kinda silly to blog about an event that's happening the same night as one of our concerts, but it's a pal, so...

If you're in Ottawa and for some reason aren't coming to our May 17 show with Coco Love Alcorn, perhaps you should think about going to Rasputin's Folk Café on Bronson, to see our pal Sarah Johnston with Kenny Voita.

Guelph native Sarah (at left, during the earth hour portion of the concert) has opened for us a couple of times now, and she is just bursting with potential and talent. I'm told that Kenny Voita is quite good as well, but I don't know his stuff.

Rasputin's is a wonderful place, and if you can't come see Coco, this show -- as well as lots of other ones they put on -- would be an excellent substitute.

In fact, on May 25th, we're hoping to get to Amy Campbell, (right) who blew so many people away opening up for the flu-challenged Penny Lang in March. Amy is playing with Melissa Larkin. On May 31, Frida's Brow will be performing. Those will undoubtedly be GREAT shows.

Aren't we lucky to live in a town with such great live music options?

BobCat

We bring Coco... and Cocoa... on May 17.

Coco Love Alcorn is a BC singer-songwriter who's got a style that we haven't had here yet. Her sound is funky, sultry, laid-back, and intense. She's got a great voice, she plays well, and yes, that is her real name. Ottawa Xpress calls Coco "A bright burst of colour amidst the many shades of indie gray." She's been part of Lilith Fair, she's toured with Ani diFranco, she's toured and recorded for years with 54.40, and now you have a chance to hear her in our sunroom!

Her sweet sounds are most recently captured on her CD "Sugar", produced by Steve Dawson, and on her special edition CD "Coco Love Solo" only available at house concerts.

If all of that doesn't get you interested, check this YouTube of Coco out.



Which brings me back to the "two sweet treats." The great folks at the La Siembra co-op bring fairly traded chocolate to Ottawa under the Cocoa Camino brand.

As you likely know (especially if you had some cake at the Penny/Amy show), we at BobCat are big fans of the sweet stuff, and the Cocoa Camino chocolate is REALLY good. So we're looking forward to giving the La Siembra folks a few minutes to talk about what they do, and give everyone a taste of what they do.

So if you have a sweet tooth or a sweet ear, you have to get here. Surely between Coco, and cocoa, a great evening will unfold.

WHAT: Coco Love Alcorn at BobCat
WHERE: 214 Northwestern Ave
WHEN: May 17, mingle after 7, show at 8

Suggested donation: $20

As always, all proceeds go to the artist; please reserve and we like payment in advance; you're welcome to bring something desserty or snacky to share, as well as a donation for the BobCat Basket for the Ottawa Food Bank, and it's BYOB if you're into the potent potables.

See you on the 17th!

Penny Lang comes through.

We hit bottom around 9:30 Saturday morning, when someone who claimed to be Penny Lang called. But this person sounded, to put not too fine a point on it, like Mercedes McCambridge practicing for her role in The Exorcist.

"I've got this throat thing, and I don't know if I'm going to be able to perform."

Indeed she did have a throat thing. And we had a bunch of people coming for our first anniversary house concert. We'd ordered a cake. Argh.

But we had a couple of things in our favor. Thanks to our pal Ana Miura, we had a singer-songwriter named Amy Campbell coming to open. They had been doing dates together and had finished up their mini-tour, and Amy was coming to do a couple of tunes to get things started.

We also had our pal Sarah Johnston coming to help set up the house, and she plays, as those who saw her at our Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite show know VERY well.

And heavy doses of slippery elm andVicks Vapo-rub infused steam later, we had a fine time of it. Penny didn't do full sets, and her voice was far from Penny's best. But Amy helped out (and impressed the hell out of us), and Sarah went from house-setter-upper to opening act. As you can also see, the show was held on the occasion of Earth Hour, and we did the first hour by candlelight. It was quite lovely -- more lovely than the pictures reflect.

Sarah rocked, Amy impressed, and Penny moved. And the cake was delicious. Then we collapsed in relief.

February 10: Sunday afternoon swamp romp with Tony D, Andy J. Forest, and Steve Dunn.

BobCat House Concerts is heading south in February. Unfortunately, it’s only a metaphor, and we will be our pasty white selves for the foreseeable future… but even so, there’s a treat to be had.

We in Ottawa are lucky to have guitarist Tony D as one of our own. For years, he’s played with anyone and everyone and become a linchpin of Ottawa’s blues scene. And Tony is bringing his endless creativity to BobCat, along with a couple of great friends of his.

Even though Andy J. Forest was born in Washington State, his soul found him in Louisiana, where he has become a tremendously acclaimed singer, writer, harmonica player, and artist. With a lucky 13 albums to his credit (including a live CD recorded with Tony D and the band at the Rainbow), Andy is a frequent visitor to Ottawa.

Tony and Andy are bringing along veteran percussionist Steve Lund, who’s played with them before, as well as the Drew Nelson band, blues legend Dutch Mason, and many others.

Just the facts:

• Andy J. Forest, Tony D and Steve Lund
• Sunday, February 10, 1:00 mingling, 2:00 show
• Suggested donation $20
• As always, we provide non-alcoholic beverages; please feel free to bring beverages of your choice, some appetizer-ish food to share, and a donation of non-perishable food or cash for the Ottawa Food Bank.
• Reserve your seat via e-mail (bob.ledrew@gmail.com); we request prepayment -- please don’t short-change the artists!

Chris & Diana full up

I think we're going to have to get a bigger house. Chris & Diana's January 19 show is totally full. So if you haven't yet been in touch, you're going to have to go on our waiting list (or take me to Marinoni to buy me a new bike, in which case you might get VIP admission...)

Best of luck to all the nominees in the Canadian Folk Music Awards, which take place tonight at the Museum of Civilization. I'm wishing particular good luck to some of the nominees who may well pop up at a house concert in 2008, like this person, or this one, or this one. There are others, but I'm too scared to say who they might be for fear they'll evaporate. Stay tuned ... it's going to be a great year.

2008 kicks off with Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite

BobCat is starting the year 2008 off with a unique take on some classic blues with Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite.

We got Chris and Diana's CD "Morning Sun" last spring from our friend and BobCat devotee François, and it immediately became a favourite. And when they played the Ottawa Folk Festival in August 2007, we were totally sold on them.

This duo -- more than talented enough as individuals -- have applied their creativity to writing an album of blues songs that are tributes to blues styles of the 30s and 40s, but bring wonderful energy, spirit, and maybe a little naughty innuendo that will make even the most rhythmically-illiterate tap a toe and snap a finger.

Chris Whiteley, part of the famous Whiteley family of musicians (Ken, Jenni, etc etc), has been playing profesisonal for more than 30 years. He's played with everyone from Leon Redbone and John Hammond Jr. to country stars Prairie Oyster and Stompin' Tom Connors. His own recordings have been recognized with a Jazz Report Blues Album of the Year, six Juno Award nominations, Maple Blues Awards and a SOCAN Songwriter of the Year nod. Chris's songs have been recorded by Prairie Oyster, Amos Garret, Cindy Church, Penny Lang, Quartette and Juno-winning blues band Fathead. He has also written for radio, television and film.

Dubbed as “Canada’s National Treasure” by Blues FM Radio Show Host Danny Marks, Diana Braithwaite is unquestionably one of the most authentic blues singers of today.

Born into a musical family in Canada, Diana's descendants on her mother’s side arrived in the country from the southern United States via the Underground Railroad where they were given an acreage of rocky land to farm in the Glenallen area. Diana’s career as a solo singer-songwriter emerged as a teenager and she has played with everyone from Albert Collins to Buddy Guy to Jeff Healey to Robert Cray to Pinetop Perkins. Sarah Mclachlan chose Diana as one from 400 singer/songwriters to open the 1999 Lilith Fair at the Molson Amphitheatre.

A recipient of the African-American Women in the Arts Award in Chicago, Diana's songs Bad Luck Man and Blame it on the Bourbon were on the soundtrack for the Gemini Award-winning film, GRACIE, and won a Yorkton Golden Sheaf Award for Best Musical Score.

Diana says: "I am the real thing because I am who I am. Keeping the blues alive. Making my own path and carrying on."

Together, their sound harks back to the Chicago's Bluebird Records, with performers like Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, and Lonnie Johnson.

Their show is warm, funny, and their skills as singers and musicians are formidable. And if you don't believe me, get samples of their sound at Amazon.ca.

Diana and Chris are coming to BobCat Saturday, January 19 for an evening concert. As always, mingling and munching at 7, a show at 8, and a break to snap up snacks (and CDs) in the middle. And as always, you are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Ottawa Food Bank or, if you don't have any rice or pasta floating about, a dollar or two for the Food Bank jug.

E-mail for a seat, and do it quickly -- if our last show is any indication, we'll fill up fast.

The details again:

• Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite @ BobCat House Concerts
• January 19, 7:00 pm mingling, 8:00 pm 'curtain'
• Suggested donation $25.00
• Reserve via e-mail, prepayment by arrangement or by using PayPal (please add $1 per payment for the PayPal service charge -- not $1 per person, but if you're paying for four, $101 instead of $100.)
  

See you in the New Year!

SA-TUR-DAY, HEY! Rick and Suzie rock.

In the unlikely event that we ever get discouraged about house concerts, memories of November 17, 2007 will serve to put us back in a good mood.

Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick put on not one, but TWO fabulous shows for us, with over 60 people getting to hear some absolutely wonderful musicianship and songs.

Those who were at the evening show got an extra treat when their musical pals Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley, in town for the Healing Garden benefit concert today (November 18), dropped by and ended up getting up to play and sing with Suzie and Rick.

Here's some of what it looked like. If only you could have heard it!

We also have a big box of food for the Ottawa Food Bank, lots of new Rick & Suzie fans, and our first show of 2008 to announce (in a separate post). Enjoy the pics.