Chrysalis 2012

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What: Chrysalis with host Missy Burgess
When: 8pm Saturday, May 26
Where: Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron
Admission: FREE (pass-the-hat)

The chrysalis symbolizes rebirth–often moving from an “ugly” state to rebirth in a beautiful form. (“ugly” would refer to the cocoon state)

I like to refer to the “rebirth” of a song (thus, the name Chrysalis) when someone other than the writer performs it. For 9 years now many Ottawa singer/songwriters have been getting together once a year to perform each others’ works in and amidst the work of others from the Ottawa valley.

There is no better way to promote talent from the Ottawa pool than to cover each others’ songs.

So, once again, you are asked to learn 2 songs from any musician from the Ottawa valley (alive or dead) and be prepared to perform them on Saturday, May 26th at The Masonic Hall in Westboro (430 Churchill Ave. at Byron Ave). The show begins at 8 p.m.

Please contact me at missyburgess.com (http://missyburgess NULL.com/contact-me/) to identify the song(s) you will be performing along with the author(s) by May 13th. It’s going to be another great night. Be sure and sign up as early as possible as the number of performers has a limit of 15 people.

Invite friends to come and enjoy an evening of surprising twists to songs you have heard from local artists. The show is free and I will be passing the hat to raise money for future musical events, workshops etc.

It will be a most enjoyable evening.

Looking forward to seeing you.

As always
Missy Burgess

Rasputin’s Beard…Bully for You!

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Wasn’t that a great evening!?! Yesssss!
THANK YOU to ALL the bands and to all the fans for your financial and artistic contribution, for sharing your wonderful talents with our community, and for contributing generously to a worthy cause. We collected over $600 for Maria Hawkins’ “Stop the Bullying!” program for elementary schools.
And we all had loads of FUN doing it! Spread the word…. there are more charity BEARDS to come.

AGM 2012: Strategic Decisions Made

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At the Annual General Meeting on March 18, which included much lively and thoughtful discussion, two strategic resolutions were passed. The first resolution enables the board of directors to examine the impact of becoming a charitable organization and, if deemed appropriate, to apply for charitable status for The Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society. A second resolution was passed to establish a fund for the potential establishment of a permanent venue. These two resolutions together constitute a move toward a financially stronger, more secure future for Spirit’s activities and will have a strategic influence on its role in the Ottawa folk community. The AGM also established a new “Family Membership” to encourage the participation of families with children. The complete wording of all the resolutions will be available when the minutes of the AGM are posted.

The members concluded the AGM by re-establishing the board of directors at five members following the expiry of three one-year terms. By acclamation, Pat Moore was welcomed back for a second term along with new board members Carol Noel and Alrick Huebener. They join continuing board members Hollis Morgan and Mark Evenchick who are mid-way through their two-year terms.

Lynne Hanson’s “Genuine and Warm” Performance with her New Red Gretsch Guitar

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Lynne Hanson
Lynne Hanson’s performance, enhanced by Ottawa’s finest mandolin player, Gilles Leclerc and bass player Jonathan Ferrabee, was warm, inviting and highly entertaining for all.
Gilles Leclerc, Lynne Hanson and Johathan Ferrabee
Her easy, Texas red dirt delivery with many toe tapping rhythms interlaced well with her humorous anecdotes.  Many audience members commented on her “genuine” and “easy” style on stage.
Gilles Leclerc, Lynne Hanson
Lynne was a true performer as she had to strum her guitar with a finger that just lost a nail.. ouch.  Thanks Lynne for a fine show!

Claytones Video (Anders Drerup, Kelly Prescott and Adam Puddington)

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If you missed this concert here is a taste of the evening.

Santa’s Beard Raises $1,222 for The Snowsuit Fund

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Congratulations to all the musicians, patrons and volunteers for making Santa’s Beard such a success. Here’s the link to the review in the Ottawa Citizen (http://blogs NULL.ottawacitizen NULL.com/2011/12/18/spirit-of-rasputins-showcase-of-ottawa-bands/ ).

Amanda Bon

Amanda Bon

The Ottawa Valley Special, The Elementals, The Amanda Bon Band and The Gerry Griffin Band provided a stellar evening of music. And thanks to the volunteers who make this event happen: Carol Noel, Elaine Gibson, Isabel Bouchard, Katherine Gunn, Heather Evenchick, Sharon Letovsky, Kate Morgan,  
Mark Evenchick and Hollis Morgan.

And thank you, audience, for making the show a sold out success and for being so generous with your donations.

Here is Kate Morgan’s Gallery of photographs:

 

Missy’s New CD a Sweet Success

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Review by Lynn Stevenson

Missy Burgess wrapped a highly supportive crowd at the Westboro Masonic Hall in a warmth as special as her famous blue sweater to launch her new CD, Play Me Sweet on Saturday.  The evening was a lovefest for Missy with the audience singing along to many of her better known tunes as well as old standards. Fans gave her a standing ovation and left happy and humming into the November night.

Keith Glass, Alrick Huebener and Missy BurgessMissy’s guitar work stumbled in spots, but that hardly mattered as it is her unique voice and larger than life personality that folks were there to see – and they were rewarded with beautiful servings of both.  Down to earth and funny as hell, Missy Burgess is a joy to watch.

Alrick HuebenerWith the talented Alrick Huebener on upright bass and simply outstanding Keith Glass on guitar and electric guitar, there could be no doubt the evening would be a success.  “It could go one of two ways from here,” quipped Glass at the start of the show; it definitely went in the right one. Continue reading →