The Kelowna Folk Club presents Steven Fearing with Dave Gunning Friday,
February 20th at the Okanagan Mission Community Hall, 4409 Lakeshore
Road, Kelowna.

Doors open at 7:00 PM and the music begins at 8:00 PM. Tickets are
$20.00 each and are available from Beadiful Arts, 510 West Avenue;
Rosie’s Grape Stop, 325A Gray Road; Bering Music Centre, 1294 Elis
Street; and the Tickle Trunk, #106-1835 Dilworth Drive. For more
information, call 250-212-2090.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009 – CBC Radio 3 has just announced the Top 50 clubs in its Searchlight competition, which is looking for The Best Live Music Club in Canada.

Some of the best known venues in the country, including Toronto’s Mod Club, The Rivoli and Lee’s Palace didn’t make the cut, while smaller venues such as George’s Fabulous Roadhouse in Sackville, The Almonte Town Hall in Almonte, Ontario and The Habitat in Kelowna all stayed in the race.

“I gotta say that I’m shocked that some of the bigger Toronto venues have been knocked off, whereas many smaller Toronto clubs remain, such as the Dakota Tavern and the legendary Horseshoe – although no surprise there,” says host Grant Lawrence, who announced the Top 50 today at http://www.cbcradio3.com. “There is also a real battle shaping up in Winnipeg, and all the clubs in Montreal were knocked off, yet small venues in the Maritimes and B.C. remain. This might say something to big city apathy versus small scene passion.”

Legendary clubs including Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom and The Marquee Club in Halifax also survived the first round of voting, which cut the list from over 100 nominees to 50 quarter finalists. (For complete list, see below.)

Now it’s up to voters to decide who will win the top title. The second round of voting has begun at www.cbcradio3.com, and runs until next Tuesday, February 10 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. People are allowed to vote once per day.

Important dates are as follows:

• Tuesday, February 3: Top 50 announced

• Wednesday, February 11: Top 20 will be announced

• Wednesday, February 18: Top 10 will be announced

• Wednesday, February 25: Final winner will be announced

In addition to serious bragging rights, the top club will win a live concert presented by CBC Radio 3, a Sirius satellite radio with subscription, CBC Radio 3 clothes for the owners and staff (coveted R3 scarves included) and a winning plaque and trophy.

“Music lovers know that the very best way to experience their favourite bands, or to discover a favourite artist, is to see the act live – and most of us see them within the darkened walls of a Canadian club,” says Lawrence. “We want to reward the clubs for their dedication to the Canadian music scene. And we want to find the very best one.”

CBC Radio 3’s inaugural Searchlight competition was held last spring, and looked for the best record store in Canada. Underdog Meow Records in Prince George took the top prize, and won an in-store CBC Radio 3 broadcast, with live music by singer-songwriter Chad VanGaalen. The contest also garnered extensive local, national and international media attention.

After a great performance on Dec. 18th, The Malarkays bring their Celtic mash-up back to the Minstrel Cafe on February 5th.

The Malarkeys are a Celtic rock band from Kelowna, B.C. This dynamic four-piece specializes in traditional and contemporary Celtic music, done with an original flair. They can be seen and heard playing around the sunny Okanagan in pubs and at special events.

All the band members have years of experience performing, writing, and arranging music. Their combined backgrounds have travelled through delta blues to Scottish ballads, with a detour or two through British pop and Canadian rock.

Ryan Campbell plays drums and bodhran, and adds creative graphics and experience in audio technology–not to mention a wicked sense of humour–to the mix. Lisa Grekul plays keyboards and sings lead and harmony vocals, adding some class on top of her talent to the whole affair. Karl Hourigan plays electric and acoustic guitar and penny whistle, and sings lead and harmony vocals. Karl was born in Ireland, so he brings an authentic Celtic musical flavour to the music. Gail Hourigan plays bass, sings lead vocals, and lends her voice to the Malarkeys’ three-part harmonies; she can’t wait for their next show.

As well as years of experience performing in Alberta and British Columbia, the band writes original music that they like to describe as “Celtic mash-ups” or “pop goes the Celtic”!

The Kelowna Folk Club presents a “Songwriter’s Circle.” Performers include Andrew Smith, Ari Neufeld, Kim McMechan, Dean Clark, Scott Gamble and Norm Strauss.

The doors open at 7:00 PM and the music starts at 8:00 PM.
Unitarian Hall at 1310 Bertram Street, Kelowna

Tickets are $20.00 and available at Bering Music, Beadiful Arts, Rosie’s Grape Stomp and tne Tickle Trunk.

For more information call 250-212-2090.

Andrew Smith is an accomplished instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who has been busy playing folk clubs, festivals and house concerts – both as a solo performer and with the popular folk/roots trio Smith Funk & Strauss. In 2004 he opened for some of his musical heroes such as Bruce Cockburn, Ruthie Foster, Gordie Sampson, Martyn Joseph, Pierce Pettis and David Wilcox. Andrew Smith joined the likes of Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle by winning the prestigious 2006 Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition on the strength of his songs “Rite of Passage” and “Hole in the Night Sky”. Andrew’s CD. “Escape Velocity” won him the 2005 Okanagan Musicians’ Awards’ “Instrumentalist of the Year”.

Kim McMechan received some notable success a few years back when 12 of her songs were included in a series of 5 compilation albums through Vineyard Music Group. The records went on to collectively sell over 75,000 copies worldwide, and garnered Kim radio play on stations across North America & Australia and fan mail from around the world. She writes beautifully wrought tunes, often described by critics as “haunting” and “open-hearted”, which have gone on to receive high praise. Her voice too, has wowed audiences, teetering somewhere between gritty and lonesome, & full of folk-like purity. In 1999, a reviewer from Toronto hailed Kim and her songwriting as “Canada’s best-kept secret.” Two of her songs have won in the songwriting category at the Shuswap International Writers’ Festival (June of 2005).

Ari Neufeld is young and old all at once. His organic approach to making music turns not only his emotion, but his physicality into song. He breathes beats and croons out multi-octave melodies over textured acoustic guitar and percussion performed by his feet, through an amplified wooden box. His lyrics have the depth of a gritted traveler. His charisma is infectious and his excitement in creating a truly unique and moving environment makes the energy of the experience super fun!

The Kelowna Folk Club presents a “Songwriter’s Circle.” Performers include Andrew Smith, Ari Neufeld, Kim McMechan, Dean Clark, Scott Gamble and Norm Strauss.

The doors open at 7:00 PM and the music starts at 8:00 PM.
Unitarian Hall at 1310 Bertram Street, Kelowna

Tickets are $20.00 and available at Bering Music, Beadiful Arts, Rosie’s Grape Stomp and tne Tickle Trunk.

For more information call 250-212-2090.

Andrew Smith is an accomplished instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who has been busy playing folk clubs, festivals and house concerts – both as a solo performer and with the popular folk/roots trio Smith Funk & Strauss. In 2004 he opened for some of his musical heroes such as Bruce Cockburn, Ruthie Foster, Gordie Sampson, Martyn Joseph, Pierce Pettis and David Wilcox. Andrew Smith joined the likes of Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle by winning the prestigious 2006 Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition on the strength of his songs “Rite of Passage” and “Hole in the Night Sky”. Andrew’s CD. “Escape Velocity” won him the 2005 Okanagan Musicians’ Awards’ “Instrumentalist of the Year”.

Kim McMechan received some notable success a few years back when 12 of her songs were included in a series of 5 compilation albums through Vineyard Music Group. The records went on to collectively sell over 75,000 copies worldwide, and garnered Kim radio play on stations across North America & Australia and fan mail from around the world. She writes beautifully wrought tunes, often described by critics as “haunting” and “open-hearted”, which have gone on to receive high praise. Her voice too, has wowed audiences, teetering somewhere between gritty and lonesome, & full of folk-like purity. In 1999, a reviewer from Toronto hailed Kim and her songwriting as “Canada’s best-kept secret.” Two of her songs have won in the songwriting category at the Shuswap International Writers’ Festival (June of 2005).

Ari Neufeld is young and old all at once. His organic approach to making music turns not only his emotion, but his physicality into song. He breathes beats and croons out multi-octave melodies over textured acoustic guitar and percussion performed by his feet, through an amplified wooden box. His lyrics have the depth of a gritted traveler. His charisma is infectious and his excitement in creating a truly unique and moving environment makes the energy of the experience super fun!

Saturday, 31 Jan 2009 Kings Without
Tuesday, 3 Feb 2009 Luna Riot
Saturday, 7 Feb 2009 Nixie with Arctic
Sunday, 15 Feb 2009 Acres of Lions with Malibu Knights
Monday, 19 Feb 2009 Rah Rah Band with Sylvie
Saturday, 28 Feb 2009 Carpenter with Malibu Knights
Saturday, 7 Mar 2009 Tripmeter with guests
Sunday, 15 Mar 2009 Portal
Thursday, 19 Mar 2009 God Made Me Funky
Saturday, 28 Mar 2009 Bluesmith
Saturday, 7 Apr 2009 Vitamins 4 You
Sunday, 12 Apr 2009 The Ripperz

Jim Byrnes with the Sojourners
Saturday, January 31st, 2009 at 8:00pm

“… a modern twist on the blues tradition… backed by a killer band, dominated by soulful vocals…”
-Naird Newsletter

Over his 40 year career, Jim Byrnes has appeared with blues legends such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal and Robery Cray. Winner of two Juno Awards, Jim will be performing with the Sojourners, whose members include: Will Sanders, Ron Small and Marcus Mosely. The Sojourners have years of experience on stage, film and television, and recently worked with Jim Byrnes on his Juno Award winning CD, House of Refuge.

Munch ‘n’ Music Preshow:
Blue City at 7:00pm

Venue: Mary Irwin Theatre, RCA
Price: $30 Adult / $10 Student

Tickets:
Call the RCA Box Office (250) 717-5304

Check out one of the great local bands, Psaphonic at O’Flanigans on Jan 22nd and 23rd.

Check out one of the great local bands, Psaphonic at O’Flanigans on Jan 22nd and 23rd.

Friday, January 16, 2009

The Habitat will be holding a party to celebrate its official launch of Music BC’s new interior office on January 16, 2009. There will be live music provided by local talent as well as a very exciting silent auction; one of the items being a Gibson Les Paul guitar signed by the Canadian music pioneer himself, Neil Young! The proceeds from all the silent auction items will help the Music BC Charitable Foundation purchase guitars for Kelowna’s Spring Valley Middle School music program.

The office, which is located on the upper level of the Habitat building, will provide services to the interior music community such as education, resources, advocacy, opportunities for funding, networking and establishing a format of communication.