I know! This time of year is really busy with lots to do in preparation for the holiday season which is fast approaching. But I’d like to suggest that it is also really important to spend some quality time with your friends. So take a break from the hustle & bustle and get your friend(s) out to experience some live music this week!

Here are just a few things for your consideration:

Thursday night at the Capital Complex you can catch July Talk with special guests Sam Cash & The Romantic Dogs. There was a good write up on July Talk in the latest HERE magazine and got a good review from Bob Mersereau.

“Despite their relatively young union, the primary pair behind July Talk has already established its own sonancy: a sound rooted in roots and Americana with the dual-voice charm of Johnny and June, the creepy quirkiness of Tom Waits, and the hooks of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero.”

Friday night will see Shaun Leblanc playing at Roxstone Café between 7:30-9:30pm. Shaun is a singer-songwriter from Moncton and winner of the Galaxie Rising Star and 2 Music New Brunswick Awards. He will be serving up an evening of songs with admission by donation at the door. “With a solid piano background from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and a voice that blends the smoothness of John Mayer with the versatility of Justin Timberlake, Shaun demonstrates a natural ability for pop songwriting that is decidedly his own.”

Also happening on Friday the 13th, SUGARBOMB is playing Wilser’s Room starting at 9:00pm. I have only seen these guys once before but they were totally fun! They had the sound down and dressed the part and had everyone groovin’! I suggest you check it out for yourself.

“This 6-piece musical party has come together with a purpose to bring about the joyful revival of what is felt as the dynamo sound that impacted nearly everything during a Golden age of popular music – Motown & Soul.”

That’s just a few options so remember to check the running calendar for a more complete list of what’s happening for live music in Fredericton this week.

Hi all!

There has been, and continues to be, lots of music happening in the city this month! As a starting point you can check out my last post on the Fredericton Tourism site by clicking here.

Last Friday night I was blown away by one of the best shows I’ve experienced at the Fredericton Playhouse . The legendary, Grammy award winning group, The Mavericks provided a perfect night of music & entertainment. These 9 very sharp dressed and amazingly talented musicians played a solid 2 hours giving it all they had to give regardless of a smaller crowd then they must be used to. Its was awesome to see everyone up and dancing!

This week I’m taking my parents to the David Francey show at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre on Friday night. I have seen David before (like 4 times!) and I am always impressed with his modesty and authenticity. His songs are observant of the simple things in life and about things we all can relate to. I like his Scottish accent and he tells some funny stories 🙂 I’m very happy that he will be playing in my town this week!

Now if I could be in 2 places at once, I’d get myself to the iRock on Friday night too because I don’t like to miss a chance to see Les Hay Babies . These 3 girls are from the Moncton area and people are really taking note of their music as they are travelling the world these days! Check them out!

Come Saturday night, I will be hitting up Wilser’s Room to spend time with the fantastic Sissy & the Hobos ! They’re playing an early show starting at 8 and as always I look forward to their sweet harmonies and hoping for a few sing-alongs too! And quite honestly – getting a little more banjo in my weekend is just the very right thing to do!

Another show happening on Saturday night – too many overlaps this week! – is the Duane Andrews and Craig Young show at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. These 2 guitar aficionados hailing from Newfoundland are touring in support of their debut LP, Charlie’s Boogie. “Duane Andrews and Craig Young will showcase their eclectic genre comprised of gypsy jazz, bluegrass and traditional Newfoundland tunes. The refreshing live performance will leave audiences fascinated from start to finish.” I have no doubt it will be an amazing night of music! Preview a few tracks at http://www.charliesboogie.com/

So there you have just a small sampling of the live music happening in Fredericton this weekend – and I only touched on Friday and Saturday! Check out the running calendar on the blog, decide where you are going to let the music move you and then drop me a line to let me know where you went. Share the fun!

Those of you who know me at all are aware that this second week in September is my most favourite time of the year! The tents are up, the music notes have appeared on the sidewalks, people are all a buzz about where they will be meeting up and great discussion is being had around what we are most looking forward to. Its simply fantastic to have so much energy in the city and all revolving around LIVE MUSIC! How could it get any better than this?!

One of the best things about the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival is the fact that there is absolutely something for everyone, whether you have tickets or not! Click here to check out my latest post on the Fredericton Tourism site for more detail on FREE shows happening downtown starting tomorrow! And be sure to consult the full schedule released by Harvest today by clicking here.

This guy – JW Jones – will be playing for the crowds on Sunday afternoon in Officers’ Square – for FREE!

If interested, take a look at a couple other posts I previously submitted regarding Harvest by clicking here and here!

I know its a lot of clicking but I know you’ll be happy you did!

Be sure to get out and enjoy our city at its finest! People will literally be dancing in the streets and I hope you will be part of all the fun!

Please share your “Harvest Moments” with me if you get a chance. I’d love to hear how your experience goes.

HAPPY HARVEST!!!

I’m still vibrating from all the great music I enjoyed last weekend but already I’ve got my sights set on another live music event. This weekend (August 16-18) I’m hitting the road to experience my first Hullabaloo in Perth-Andover. This is the 6th year for the Larlee Creek Hullabaloo festival and it boosts “An eclectic mix of the finest in East Coast musicans!” I’ve heard so many good things about the collaboration of the musicians and the super friendly setting. A good friend of mine, who follows the music scene pretty close, has said “They program top-notch East Coast talent and have a knack for picking  East Coast Music Award winning acts a year or two before they’re nominated” I’m happy I fit this into my summer plans this year. Have you been there before? Are you going this year? The line up is impressive. See for yourself!

Friday provides us a rare opportunity to catch Fredericton’s own Sleepy Driver

Saturday is full of great talent including The Backyard Devils who are just back from France and will no doubt still be flying high from their success. And its been way too long since I got me a fix of Matt Andersen’s monster playing.

And yet another super talented band hailing from Fredericton, Olympic Symphonium will ease us into Sunday with their “bittersweet melodies, soaring harmonies, and an awful lot of passion“

Be sure to look me up if you make it to Perth too. It will surely be a great time!