For June 2013 at Spirit of Rasputin’s the answer is 27. In numerology 27 symbolizes “light in darkness” since the lunar sidereal month is 27 days. And 27 (is this a coincidence??) is the number of musicians taking the stage this month at three enlightening SoR events.

Saturday June 8, 7:30p
6th Annual Amnesty International Ottawa Opry
St. Martin’s Church, 2120 Prince Charles Road (Google map… (https://maps NULL.google NULL.com/maps?ll=45 NULL.380626,-75 NULL.768469&z=14&t=m&hl=en-US))
Tickets $20 in advance online here (http://www NULL.patmoore NULL.net/ottawa-opry NULL.html) or $22 at the door

Joining Pat Moore and the Vinyl Frontier on stage are: Keith Glass who has just released a new CD, and is taking time from his launch tour to join us!; Amanda Bon, Ottawa’s sweetheart of the folk-country scene, and just releasing her second CD; Kate & Hollis, well known for their Appalachian style harmonies; and Maple Hill, a popular award winning bluegrass band. (That’s 12 musicians…)

Thanks to Platinum Sponsor Tracy Arnett Realty, the Ottawa Opry has donated close to $10K to Amnesty. More info…

Saturday June 15, 7:30p
Rasputin’s Beard
Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron
Pass-the-hat in support of in support of the Ottawa Food Bank
Featuring Salton Sea, J.P. Ranger Band, and Lost Colt (three great quartets)
Our June “Beard” always focuses on families in need and the vital work the Ottawa Food Bank performs. Donations always drop off in the summer season but the need for food doesn’t change. So we try to provide as much of the one thing the Food Bank needs to fill any gap: money. All the musicians donate their time and talent. So please join us for an excellent and diverse evening of music and help us to give a little back to the community. More info…

Sunday June 23, 3p
Cabaret Matinee
Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron
Featuring Call Me Katie
Tickets $7 at the door (kids 14 and under are free)
Featuring the dynamic voice of Sarah Hill, a veteran of bands in Ontario and the Maritimes, Call Me Katie swings from sweet ballads to driving up-tempo pieces. Hill contributes fiddle as well, while award-winning poet Monty Reid sings and plays guitar and mandolin. Mike Rivoche, with groups such as the Howlin C’s and the Black Donnellys in his twangy past, holds everything together with rock-solid bass lines and chips in with harmony vocals. More info…
(if you’re keeping score, that’s 27!)

Spirit of Rasputin’s Open Stage (7p Mondays at Whispers) and Folk-along Jam (Tuesdays 7p at the Georgetown) continue weekly all summer. All our concert series resume in September with a Beard, October with Rick Fines, and November with…wait for it…Valdy!!

Cheers
Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

Canadians celebrate the Queen’s Official Birthday on the first Monday before May 25 because the weather is better. Really…that’s the official reason. So, since good weather is sufficient for a celebration, let’s celebrate Brock Zeman’s fabulous music this Saturday night. The forecast is promising:

• nine albums in his 32 years on the planet…and his own record label (Mud Records)
• performed with Steve Earle, Lynn Miles, Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Rodeo, Corb Lund, Toby Keith, Prairie Oyster, the Rodeo Kings…and others
• we have beer and wine…and cookies
• there’s a portrait of Her Majesty on the east wall at Westboro Masonic Hall

It’s not really Her birthday (real birthday: April 21), so we invited Her Majesty to join us on Saturday for a song or two with Brock before She dashes off to other Commonwealth celebrations later in the weekend. Unfortunately we learned she will be away at Her cottage planting tomatoes.

Nevertheless, please join us and the Queen’s portrait for an evening with Brock Zeman, a rising star from Carleton Place. You may already have heard Brock around town in some noisy bar. But this guy writes songs. Good songs with great lyrics. This is a unique chance to enjoy Brock Zeman in the “Spirit of Rasputin’s Listening Environment” with the fabulous acoustics at Westboro Masonic Hall.

What: Brock Zeman in Concert (more info…)
When: Saturday, May 18, 8:00pm
Where: Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron (Google map… (https://maps NULL.google NULL.ca/maps?q=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,+430+Churchill+Avenue+North,+Ottawa,+ON&hl=en&sll=56,-96&sspn=66 NULL.457424,214 NULL.277344&oq=West&hq=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,&hnear=430+Churchill+Ave+N,+Ottawa,+Ontario+K1Z+5C9&t=m&z=16))
Tickets: $20 at the door or online here… (https://www NULL.paypal NULL.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=R5TMU6CMMGZME)

See you there,

Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

Starting this Friday Apr 12th and continuing right up to Wednesday May 1st, many Spirit of Rasputin’s volunteers are working flat out to put on several events in a row. As well as organizing three events of our own, many of us are also volunteering at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival organized by SoR member Bob Nesbitt. April always seems to be our busiest month. It’s a Canadian thing. Having finished chipping away the last of the winter ice, it’s time to go out and celebrate! And what a choice we have in the next few weeks! There’s something for everyone: song writers, entire families, old song buffs, and graduates of the protest generation. Here’s the lineup:

The Great Canadian Song-a-Long

Friday Apr 12 & Saturday Apr 13
NOTE: Start time 7:00pm both nights
Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron (Map… (https://maps NULL.google NULL.ca/maps?q=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,+430+Churchill+Avenue+North,+Ottawa,+ON&hl=en&sll=49 NULL.891235,-97 NULL.15369&sspn=45 NULL.618131,114 NULL.169922&oq=Westboro&hq=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,&hnear=430+Churchill+Ave+N,+Ottawa,+Ontario+K1Z+5C9&t=m&z=16))
No advance tickets: Pass-the-hat to pay the rent.
Songwriters are invited to compose a song to one of several predefined set of topics. This year’s topics are: a good finish, nice try, fences, crooked line, a nonsense song. More info…

Finest Kind

Saturday Apr 20, 8:00pm
Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron (Map… (https://maps NULL.google NULL.ca/maps?q=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,+430+Churchill+Avenue+North,+Ottawa,+ON&hl=en&sll=49 NULL.891235,-97 NULL.15369&sspn=45 NULL.618131,114 NULL.169922&oq=Westboro&hq=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,&hnear=430+Churchill+Ave+N,+Ottawa,+Ontario+K1Z+5C9&t=m&z=16))
Tickets: $25 online here (https://www NULL.paypal NULL.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L55PH5RC435YW) and at the Ottawa Folklore Centre.
Finest Kind is the remarkable folk trio from Ottawa whose exquisite harmony singing and brilliant vocal arrangements are bringing a fresh sense of excitement and discovery to the performance of old songs. This show is selling very well in advance and may sell out so get your tickets now.

The Ottawa Grassroots Festival

Saturday Apr 27 & Sunday Apr 28
Rideau Curling Club, 715 Cooper St, corner of Percy. (Map…) (https://maps NULL.google NULL.ca/maps?q=Rideau+Curling+Club,+715+Cooper+Street,+Ottawa,+ON&hl=en&ll=45 NULL.412943,-75 NULL.704663&spn=0 NULL.01205,0 NULL.027874&sll=45 NULL.402078,-75 NULL.691413&sspn=0 NULL.012053,0 NULL.027874&oq=Rideau+Curling+Club,+715+Cooper+St&hq=Rideau+Curling+Club,&hnear=715+Cooper+St,+Ottawa,+Ontario+K1R+5J5&t=m&z=16)
An annual family oriented celebration of folk music, dance, and spoken word. See www.ottawagrassrootsfestival.com/ (http://ottawagrassrootsfestival NULL.com/) for the complete schedule (daytime and nighttime events) and to purchase tickets in advance. The daytime is free. Performers for the evening concerts include headliners Wendell Ferguson and Suzie Vinnick on Saturday and Big Soul Project Community Gospel Choir and Band on Sunday.

Gil’s Hootenanny: songs of protest, songs of hope

Wednesday May 1st
NOTE: Start time is 7:30pm.
Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue (Map…) (https://maps NULL.google NULL.ca/maps?q=Glebe+Community+Centre,+175+Third+Avenue,+Ottawa,+ON&hl=en&sll=45 NULL.390793,-75 NULL.753219&sspn=0 NULL.012055,0 NULL.027874&oq=Glebe+Community+Centre&hq=Glebe+Community+Centre,&hnear=175+Third+Ave,+Ottawa,+Ontario+K1S+2K2&t=m&z=16)
Tickets $10 online here (https://www NULL.paypal NULL.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3DHMAHWMKWKNE), at the Ottawa Folklore Centre, and at the door.
Gil’s Hootenanny is a community sing-along event that takes place each year on May 1st, May Day, the international workers’ holiday. Musicians from a range of backgrounds take turns leading the audience to sing songs of protest and songs of hope. Sponsored by CUPE The Canadian Union of Public Employees and PSAC The Public Service Alliance of Canada. A co-production by Spirit of Rasputin’s and the Gil’s Hootenanny Organizing Committee.

I’ll be at the sound board for all these events. Stop by and say howdy.

Cheers,
Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

I’ve been waiting for this show for a long time. Normally, whenever I get a chance to see The Pat Moore Trio it is in some giant hall as part of a major extravaganza such as The Ottawa Opry or a major festival. Finally I get to be up close in an intimate environment with fabulous acoustics. Click here to buy your tickets (https://www NULL.paypal NULL.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RZJ6XBYGMHZ84) for this Saturday’s Featured Artist Concert featuring Pat with her sidekicks Ann Downey and Pat McLaughlin.

When: Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Where: Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill at Byron Here’s a map… (http://goo NULL.gl/maps/aMy4b)

Pat Moore’s voice has a warm and expressive quality, as perfectly suited to a rich ballad, as it is to an up-tempo power song. She moves easily from the storytelling of the singer/songwriter genre, to jazz, and to the lonesome sound of traditional country and bluegrass. Whether performing for large audiences or small, Pat creates an intimacy that draws the listener in. This feeling translates to her recordings: “The Time’s Never Been Better” and “Take it to Heart“. Both have received praise from far and wide – Holland, Italy, Australia, the U.S. and across Canada.

The Pat Moore trio enjoys the fine musicianship of Ann Downey on bass and vocals (Finest Kind) and Pat McLaughlin on guitar, mandolin, and vocals (Grievous Angel The Legend of Gram Parsons).

Check out the poster and a longer write-up on Rasputins.ca.

Other Spirit of Rasputin’s News

Announcing Rasputin’s Matinees!!

Le Michel-ange Cafe has moved from 35 Laurel Street into the foyer of the GCTC Theatre. This has disrupted our schedule of events originally planned for the old location. So The Cabaret Concert Series and The Next Stage series will be at Westboro Masonic Hall on Sunday afternoons. Kate, our artistic director, and all the musicians and hosts involved have done a lot of planning to setup the new schedule. Thanks to all.

Please check rasputins.ca for all the changes to dates. Matinees will all run from 3pm to 5pm. This will be a lot of fun and as well as more family friendly. Children 12 and under are free. The kitchen will be serving coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice, cookies and popcorn. Our first matinee is March 3rd for The Next Stage with Ron Mills and Cornflower Blue.

Spirit’s 3rd Annual AGM

Spirit of Rasputin’s Annnual General Meeting of Members will be held on February 17 at 2pm at Whispers Pub and Eatery. This is for members only, but you can buy your membership at the meeting and your vote will still count. If you want more information, please contact me directly at hmorgan@hollismorgan.com.

Thanks for reading,
Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

with Kathryn Briggs and Ken Workman

When: 8:00 PM Sat Jan 19, 2013

Where: Westboro Masonic Hall, 430 Churchill Ave. Google Map… (https://maps NULL.google NULL.ca/maps?q=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,+450+Churchill+Ave,+Ottawa,+ON&hl=en&sll=56,-96&sspn=66 NULL.457424,214 NULL.277344&hq=Westboro+Masonic+Hall,&hnear=450+Churchill+Ave+N,+Ottawa,+Ottawa+Division,+Ontario+K1Z+5C9&t=m&z=16)

Tickets: $20. Buy online now… (https://www NULL.paypal NULL.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N3QW73QDRNXSJ)

Terry Tufts is a finger-style guitarist who has been playing music for enjoyment since 1963 and as a professional since 1974.

His father’s job with the Canadian Government moved the family to Denver, Colorado in the U.S. in the 1960′s at a time when the folk and rock music genres were influencing opinion everywhere. In 1974 he moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick, to begin pursuing his own musical career as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, as well as working as a session musician and sideman for a variety of artists including: Tom Paxton, Kathryn Briggs, David Francey, Colleen Peterson, Laura Smith, Laura Bird, Ian Tamblyn, Bill Garrett & Sue Lothrop, Charlie Sohmer, The Arrogant Worms, Wayne Rostad, Susan Aglukark, Tracey Brown, and George Fox.

He has 7 albums to his credit.

Performing with Kathryn Briggs and Ken Workman, Terry will be putting on an amazing show not to be missed!. Doors open at 7:30pm.

See you there!

Hollis Morgan
President, Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society