Monthly Archives: May 2011

CHRYSALIS May 28, 2011

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Chrysalis 2011What: Chrysalis with host Missy Burgess
When: 8pm Saturday, May 28
Where: Westboro Masonic Hall
430 Churchill at Byron
Admission: FREE

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 8 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 28th at The Masonic Hall in Westboro (430 Churchill at Wellington). The show begins at 8 p.m.

Please contact me at missyburgess.com (http://missyburgess NULL.com/contact NULL.php) to identify the song(s) you will be performing along with the author(s) by May 15th.

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

Chrysalis Strikes Gold Again

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What: Chrysalis 2011, with host Missy Burgess
When: This Saturday, May 28 (doors open at 7:30pm, show starts 8pm)
Where: Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron.
Cover charge: NONE!
Performers’ contact Missy to signup: burgesm@algonquincollege.com (burgesm null@null algonquincollege NULL.com)

This is a pass-the-hat event sponsored by the members of Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society.

A chrysalis (Latin chrysallis, from Greek χρυσαλλίς = chrysallís, pl: chrysalides) or nympha is the pupal stage of butterflies. The term is derived from the metallic gold-colouration found in the pupae of many butterflies, referred to by the Greek term χρυσός (chrysós) for gold.

In true form, Missy has struck gold again this year with a line-up of 17 local musicians (at last count) who will each perform one or two songs by another local songwriter. This concept of singer-songwriters performing works not of their own pen is not only fun for the musicians, it is highly entertaining for the audience as well. You just don’t know who is going to sing what song written by whom.

In fact, the list of performers remains a mystery…those of you who signed up only know about yourselves. So just like a true golden chrysalis, there is suspense and mystery right up to the emergence and unfolding of the new wings these songs will spread.

Here’s a teaser: I’ll be there singing a song all of you know…you’ll get to sing along, but I bet it takes you a momment to recognize the song…and I bet many of you will not have known it was written by an Ottawan.

If you just want to have some fun, come join the audience this Saturday.

More info here:
The promo on the website.
The poster designed by Kate Morgan

Cheers,

Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

The Echo Hunters with Ball and Chain

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Review by Serena Williamson

What a delight to be introduced, by the Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society, to The Echo Hunters. These five men from Montreal brought their unique, smooth, folk/rock/blues sound to the Ottawa stage and wowed us all!

The Echo Hunters feature the collective writing and performing talent of longtime friends Larry Cassini (lead guitar, vocals, harmonica), Gordie Fleming (lead vocals, 12-string guitar, harmonica)–who jokes about being Larry’s brother) and Rob Couture (drums, percussion). Carl Rufh (vocals, bass), and Sylvain Dancausse (violin) complete the group. The band has played concerts, festivals, clubs and showcases across Canada, the United States and the UK.

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My, My, May

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Members: 66

The complete members list is here (logon required)

Notice of Board of Director’s Meeting

Members are reminded of their right to attend and observe board meetings. Minutes of past board meetings are posted on the website here. (logon required)

Date: Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time: 7:00pm Board (in camera)
7:30pm Board (open meeting)

Place: 2177 Braeside Ave (off Kilborn just east of Alta Vista)
– the home of Heather and Mark Evenchick

Invited: The volunteer team leaders: Sylvia Bogusis, Heather Evenchick, Sjef Frenken, Elaine Gibson, Katherine Gunn, John Lloyd, Rick McGrath, Kate Morgan, Carol Noel, Paul Slater, Tony Turner

Following some general administrative items, the main purpose of this meeting is to introduce our new Volunteer Coordinator to the Team Leaders; to have a good discussion about how our teams are doing; and, to discuss how we may best organize ourselves to hit the ground running for our next big season.

Agenda
1. (In camera) Consideration of members with delinquent dues
(Remainder of meeting open to observers)
2. Reiteration of the rules for observers during board meetings
3. Treasurer’s report including specific outcomes from Gil’s Hootenanny
4. Gil’s Hootenanny Recording – What do we do with it?
5. Alternate or larger venue considerations
6. FolkFest negotiations
7. Finalize date/format/notification deadlines for volunteer’s party
8. Introduction and welcome of Elaine Gibson as Volunteer Coordinator
9. Team Leaders round-robin: what we do, who helps with what.

Introducing Elaine Gibson, SoR Volunteer Coordinator

Spirit member Elaine Gibson has accepted the board’s appointment as our Volunteer Coordinator. You may have seen Elaine assisting on the hospitality team for the past few events. Her LinkedIn profile describes her specialty skills as conflict management, event management, government relations, management training, marketing, computer skills, policy analysis, communications, research, workshops – planning and facilitation. I have worked with Elaine on a couple of Earth Day events and on other events and I know she is a strong addition to our talent pool. If you Google “Elaine Gibson, Ottawa” the first three pages are entirely about Elaine and her various activities. We are all truly grateful she has agreed to assume this vital role.

Tour of Centrepoint Studio Theatre

Board members Pat Moore, Chris White, myself, and hospitality volunteer Sylvia Bogusis attended the information session and tour of the brand new Centrepoint Studio Theatre last Monday May 9th. This is a very modern and versatile space that may suit certain of our largest events very well. During this past concert season, two of our events were clearly too large for our current concert hall. Where attendance and budget permit, a larger venue is something we need to consider. The Centrepoint Studio seats between 165 and 247 depending on the configuration chosen. The amenities are first class, and they have a welcoming attitude toward not-for-profit organizations with a strong community focus such as Spirit of Rasputin’s. No dates have been booked yet, but negotiations on rental and other costing factors have begun.

The Echo Hunters with Ball and Chain

I hope many of you can come to this Saturday’s concert (8pm Westboro Masons Hall). We are hoping for a good crowd but advance ticket sales have been modest. So consider this an appeal if you were considering coming but had not yet made up your mind. We are going to set the room up differently this time…some cafe tables from the basement and space for dancing as well. We are learning that this wonderful Hall works best when it is not too crowded. This is a good opportunity to try out a small cafe style area.

Lottery Winners

Congratulations to the following members/volunteers who were selected at random to receive complimentary tickets to The Echo Hunters show:

Chris White, Janette Hamilton-Silcoff, Sylvia Bogusis, Linda Hume-Sastre, John Lloyd, and Lynn Stevenson.

That’s it for now. Keep up the Spirit.

Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

Dance Alert!! Ball and Chain to open for The Echo Hunters

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Spirit of Rasputin’s is pleased to announce the addition of Ball and Chain to the concert lineup for Saturday May 14th featuring The Echo Hunters from Montreal. Doors open at 7:30 pm for this event at the Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron.

Ball and Chain, a.k.a. Jody Benjamin and Michael Ball, understand the beauty of a simple style, where melody and groove can carry the music all the way to your soul. When Michael gets going on the Cajun tunes with Jody on the triangle, you can almost taste the jambalaya. They were instrumental in bringing the first outdoor dance floor to the Ottawa Folk Festival. They have held a series of Cajun dance workshops that have introduced two-stepping joy to a whole lot of Ottawans.

For this concert the Hall will be setup a little differently. In addition to the concert seating, a space for dancing will be set-off by a few cafe tables. A southern dirt floor jook joint we ain’t…but we’re gonna have a hoot anyway.

Check out the promo piece on the website. The Echo Hunters are a great band that don’t play Ottawa very often. This is a rare opportunity not to be missed. The new Rasputin’s Video Flash Mob will be setup to record one of their songs during the concert as well. This is a chance to get your applause and your hoots and hollers on YouTube!

Keep Ottawa Songs Alive

Chrysalis is back on May 28th and Missy Burgess asked me to remind you that IT’S FREE. (Did that sound like Missy? -:) We will pass the hat to defer expenses, but this is a great opportunity to see some great performers singing the songs of other Ottawa songwriters. More information along with with how to signup to perform is over here on the website…

That’s it for now.
Cheers,

Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

The Echo Hunters – May 14
with Ball and Chain

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Who: The Echo Hunters
Opening Act: Ball and Chain!!
Where: Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill Ave at Byron
When: 8pm, May 14, 2011

Tickets available  at
The Ottawa Folklore Centre, 1111 Bank St,
Collected Works Bookstore, 1242 Wellington West,
On-line at the e-Store

“[The Echo Hunter's] shows have become the stuff of legend… Like the best southern barbecue, the best music often benefits from long, slow cooking (…) Cabin Fever, a collection of masterful folk-countryblues originals… has already scored major rave reviews and lots of airplay …” Greg Quill, Toronto Star
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Gil’s Hootenanny: Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope

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Review by Serena Williamson
May 1st, 2011

“Workers of the world unite” rang through the packed hall as folk music lovers, many wearing orange or red to reflect their political perspective, gathered to celebrate May Day, a time when working people everywhere get together to speak up and sing out. Red diaper babies now in their fifties and sixties, socialists in their twenties and people who may be neither communist nor socialist but just enjoy a good sing-along, filled the Hall in Ottawa to have a good time. Continue reading →