Monthly Archives: April 2011

Spirited Music is in the Air

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Newsletter Subscribers: 408 Thank you for subscribing!

Spirit of Rasputin’s Members: 57 Thank you for joining!

On-line membership application form.

Before our summer hiatus, Spirit of Rasputin’s has four more events planned at the Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron…a map is here. (http://maps NULL.google NULL.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=430+Churchill+St,+Ottawa,+ON&sll=45 NULL.427958,-75 NULL.689353&sspn=0 NULL.006114,0 NULL.013937&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=430+Churchill+Ave+N,+Ottawa,+Ottawa+Division,+Ontario&t=h&ll=45 NULL.390792,-75 NULL.753174&spn=0 NULL.048944,0 NULL.111494&z=14) The hall has great acoustics and lots of parking.

May Day Songbooks Are Printed

The 2nd annual Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope (a.k.a. “Gil’s Hootenanny”) will be celebrated this Sunday, May 1st, at the Westboro Masonic Hall. As is now the tradition, everyone in attendance gets a souvenir songbook in exchange for their $10 admission. Most of the songs are old favourites we all love to sing, but some have a few twists on familiar themes. The entire evening will be recorded for CUPE’s and the Spirit of Rasputin’s archives. I can’t think of a better way to prepare my soul for election day! Doors open at 7. We lift our voices to the first song at 7:30. Cash bar, free inspiration.

Gil’s Hootenanny is presented in cooperation with the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Levine Family. See you there! The old Hall is going to echo with over a hundred voices.
More info here…

Speaking of Echos…
Bring Your Dancing Shoes on May 14th

I frequently describe The Echo Hunters as a cross between Neil Young and The Grateful Dead during their bluegrass phase. A few years ago they played at Rasputin’s Folk Cafe and we are all excited about their debut at Spirit of Rasputin’s. The setup for this event will be a little different…a few tables for a more cabaret feel and an area left open for dancing. You will want to dance so come prepared!! Tickets ($20) are available on-line at our e-Store, at Ottawa Folklore Centre and at Collected Works Bookstore.

More info (and audio clips) here…

Chrysalis

On May 28th, Missy Burgess hosts this year’s Chrysalis where songs by Ottawa song writers receive new life in the hands of others. If you want to perform, simply learn a song written by someone from the Ottawa Valley (not yourself!!) and contact Missy. There is no cover charge for Chrysalis, but the Spirit “top hat” will be passed to defray expenses.
More info here…

6th Rasputin’s Beard on June 25th

We are capping off this amazing season with another Rasputin’s Beard on June 25th. The fast-paced Beard (no cover charge) showcases four bands in quick 30 minute sets. Hosted and organized by Carol Noel, this will be the sixth Beard since we launched the concept 13 months ago. Carol has three bands already lined up so there is still space for one more band to register. If you want to showcase your band, the guidelines and registration information are on the Rasputin’s Beard web page.

Don’t forget our weekly events

  • Rasputin’s Open Stage every Monday at 7pm at Whispers Pub, 249 Richmond Road, and
  • Rasputin’s Folk-along Jam every Tuesday 7pm at the Georgetown, 1159 Bank St

Cheers,

Hollis Morgan

President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts society

Fearing and White – a Mixed but Splendid Brew

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by Lynn Stevenson

Stephen Fearing with Andy WhiteStephen Fearing fans hoping for a taste of the heaven and heartache he is known for were destined for disappointment, as Fearing, together with long-time friend and fellow singer-songwriter Andy White, delivered a distinctly different brew to a sold-out crowd at the Westboro Masonic Hall in Ottawa. The two insisted on a bass heavy sound that, in this reviewer’s opinion, did not do justice to the gorgeous guitar and rich vocals Fearing in particular is known for.

On this Fearing was unapologetic, stressing that the job of the artist is to grow and change even if your audience has not moved with you. He adds, “As Elvis Costello says, if you are not pissing somebody off, you are not doing it right.”  Continue reading →

Board to Meet on April 20, 2011

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The board of directors will meet Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Any Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society member may attend to observe. Since space is limited, please advise Mark Evenchick ( 613-521-3097 mheven@sympatico.ca ) in advance if you plan to attend. The minutes of decisions will be posted to the website following their approval. The following agenda was distributed to the board members (Mark Evenchick, Pat Moore, Hollis Morgan, Edgar Schmidt and Chris White):

When: 7:30pm – 10pm Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Where: 2177 Braeside Ave, Ottawa (Mark’s house)

Agenda
1. Welcome, and connect with Chris via speaker-phone
2. Approval of minutes from March 18 meeting
3. Motion “Process for Making Decisions” tabled by Chris (see below)
4. Information items
– from Kate: status update: 2011/2012 Concert bookings
– from John: status of Folkcast (John Lloyd)
– winners for volunteers/members ticket lotteries
– follow-up on solicitation for “Volunteer Coordinator”
– Communications Team Leader
– WMH requesting consideration for our afternoon setup time.
5. Business arising
– inductees for Honourary Lifetime Memberships
– policy for partnership events
6. Not-for-profit networks
– reasonable budget for such memberships
– reasonable budget for workshops and conferances
– OCFF Small Not-for-profit membership is $100 + HST. (3 votes and 3 member rates for events).
– Ottawa Festivals Network (over 50 not-for-profit festivals, special events, and fairs )
– Volunteer Ottawa
7. Ottawa Folk Festival “partnership memorandum” proposal
8. Spending authorities for officers and event organizers
9. Invitation list for Volunteer Party Sunday June 12
10. Next meeting time/place

Motion: “Process for making decisions” tabled by Chris White

“Being mindful of the trust placed in us by the membership, and acknowledging that our decision-making practices set a precedent, not just for the current board but for future boards…

* We will consciously strive to model exemplary board procedures and decision-making practices.
* We will avoid being happy simply with “quorum”, and instead attempt to involve all board members in decisions.
* Looking down the road to perhaps a very different group of board members, we will model the behaviour we hope to see later in others.”

Cheers,
Hollis Morgan, President

The Great Canadian Song-Along – April 17 & 19, 2011

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The Great Canadian Song Along is Ottawa’s annual songwriting and performance event, now in its 19th year. The event is organized by Writers’ Bloc and presented by the Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society.  Here’s how it works. Songwriters are invited to write a new song inspired by one of these four topics:
* cold feet,
* it’s a … day,
* let it go,  or
* meet me tonight.

Continue reading →