PAST Shows
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Random Artist Link SONGWRITERS UNITE!: AN OCFF STORY from Jason Romolo on Vimeo. The film provides a glimpse into the
performances and sense of community that you will experience while walking the halls at The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals annual
conference. It is a story of artists of all ages coming together to play, sing, and collaborate in an environment of total acceptance. 
Imagine being conceived after a Tom Jones concert in Toronto in 1974.Imagine being born on the same ...(more) |
Saturday May the 28th
Graffiti's 170 Baldwin Street in the heart of Kensington Market in Toronto.
Each of our wonderfully talented songwriters will be performing four original songs on
Saturday May the 28th at 9pm. PWYC.
This Month we will be featuring:
SUE and DWIGHT
ED WINACOTT
D'ARCY WICKHAM with SUZANNE JARVIE
PATRICK PERKINS
COLLETTE SAVARD with JOHN ZYTARUK
MARIA KASSTAN
PETER J SLACK
with host RUSSELL LEON
http://www.rleonband.com
Saturday April the 30th
The last Saturday of the Month is just around the corner and Songwriters Unite
is hosting another music extravaganza at Graffiti's 170 Baldwin Street in the
heart of Kensington Market in Toronto. Each of our wonderfully talented songwriters
will be performing four original songs on Saturday April the 30th at 9pm. PWYC.
Please come to this funky little bar with the tasty brew and join us.
This Month we will be featuring:
ERIKA WERRY
GUY STEFAN
STACY RICKER
LISA MARIE KRUCHACK
LENORE ELAINE
HANNAH O'REILLY
with host RUSSELL LEON
http://www.rleonband.com
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Saturday March 26, 2011
The last Saturday of the Month is this coming Saturday, that's when Songwriters Unite hosts another music extravaganza at Graffiti's 170 Baldwin Street in the heart of Kensington Market in Toronto. Each of our wonderfully talented songwriters will be performing four original songs on Saturday March 26th at 9pm. PWYC. Please come to our funky little bar with the tasty brew and join us. Graffiti's is located at 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto. This Month we will be featuring: SHOBHA ELLEN CAROL COLLEEN COSTELLO BRIAN GLADSTONE CHRISTOPHER MULLEN
Saturday February 26, 2011
The next Songwriters Unite monthly show will be on Saturday February the 26th at Graffiti's in the heart of Kensington Market in Toronto (170 Baldwin Street). The show starts around 9pm and features a number of amazing musicians each performing 4 original songs. pwyc, suggested $5 donation. This month will feature: Melanie Peterson Anne Walker Chris Stapley James Gadon Jeff Williams Rick Howland John Paul Allen with host RUSSELL LEON http://www.rleonband.com
Saturday January 29, 2011
at 9pm. PWYC. Graffiti's , 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto. pwyc,suggested $5 donation. This month will feature: Howard Gladstone Michael Lake Joanne Crabtree Lis Soderberg Shawna Caspi Ben Veneer Bruce Madole with host RUSSELL LEON http://www.rleonband.com /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
November 27, 2010
Graffiti's , 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto. The last Saturday of the Month is just around the corner and Songwriters Unite is hosting another music extravaganza at Graffiti's 170 Baldwin Street in the heart of Kensington Market in Toronto. Each of our wonderfully talented songwriters will be performing four original songs on Saturday November the 27th at 9pm. PWYC. Please come to this funky little bar with the tasty brew and join us, there will be no December showcase, we will resume in the new year. So you must come to the November show. This Month we will be featurin$ GLEN HORNBLAST http://www.myspace.com/glenhornblast JEFF WILLIAMS http://www.myspace.com/jeffreylwilliams JAMES BRAND http://www.jamesbrand.ca/ LOU PINTO GARTH DOUGLAS and TAIVI LOBU http://www.myspace.com/wyeriverband JEANINE NOYES http://www.jeaninenoyes.com/ JEN LANE http://www.jenlane.com/ with host RUSSELL LEON http://www.rleonband.com
October 30, 2010
Hello to all fine folks, On the last Saturday of the month Songwriters Unite hosts a talented bunch of songwriters showcasing at Graffiti's, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market, Toronto. Saturday, October the 30th @ 9:00 pm we will feature: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ROMAN TOME http://www.romantome.com/ HEATHER CHAPPELL with Vince Peets http://www.myspace.com/heatherchappellmusic D'ARCY WICKHAM http://www.darcywickham.com/ JAMES CLARK http://clarkinstitute.com/ MICHAEL GRIFFIN http://www.myspace.com/ojmichaelgriffin with host RUSSELL LEON http://www.rleonband.com/
OCFF Conference 2010
Songwriters Unite! is pleased to announce this year's OCFF Conference Showcase lineup: Friday October 15th ------------------- Set One: 11:00pm . 12:00am JOANNE CRABTREE ED WINNACOTT ALFIE SMITH JAMES BRAND Set Two: 12:00am . 1:00am CAROL TEAL and DAVID JOYCE ANNE WALKER BRIAN GLADSTONE MARK WEINSTOCK Set Three: 1:00am . 2:00am PETER J SLACK MARY MILNE ARTHUR RENWICK Set Four: 2:00am . 3:00am LEAH MORISE LINDA McRAE KIRSTEN JONES Saturday October 16th --------------------- Set One: 11:00pm . 12:00am ANIA ZIEMIRSKA CHRISTOPHE ELIE JACK CONNOLLY ANDREW SMITH Set Two: 12:00am . 1:00am RUSSELL LEON TANNIS SLIMMON SCOTT COOK SUE AND DWIGHT Set Three: 1:00am . 2:00am DAVE CARMICHAEL ALISE MARLANE ASHLEY CONDON Set Four: 2:00am - 3:00am KATE REID SAMANTHA MARTIN EMMA COOK _________________________________ http://songwritersunite.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Songwriters-Unite/20547550716 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2314512633 http://www.myspace.com/songwritersunite http://twitter.com/songwritersu - 30 -
Saturday, August 7th,2010
Be the Artist
and
Songwriters Unite!
presents:
o o o o o ~
><(((('> .. THE 2010 FRESH WATER JAMBOREE .. ><(((('>
o o o o
o o
~~ o
WHERE: ><((((o>o
/\ Riverside Park Bandshell, 24
/\ Marilyn Dr., Guelph Ontario
/\ (or the 60 Woodlawn Rd E entrance)
~~ o
WHEN: ><(((('>*
/\ August 7th, 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
~~ o
HOW MUCH: ><(((('>o
/\ FREE ,bring your family for a picnic
~~
WHAT: ><(((('>
/\
A celebration of FRESH WATER !!!!
Rain or shine, the following artists are
participating to help raise awareness of the
state of our precious water resources:
Nick and Jerry . Carmella . Taivi Lobu
Sam Turton . Peter Boyer . Stella Rose
Joanne Crabtree . Dennis Gaumond
The Mike Sharp Band . Duane Rutter
Lynn Harrison . Peter Verity
Peter J Slack . Michael Griffin . Jake Willis
-- and more to be announced ---
for more information please contact:
Event Coordinators
Chris Williams or Paul Van Dyk -
freshwaterjamboree@gmail.com
___________________________________
http://betheartist.ca/fwj
- 30 -
Saturday May the 29th,2010
WOW! The last Saturday in May is quickly approaching, this means the SONGWRITERS UNITE monthly showcase at Graffiti's 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market will be on Saturday May the 29th. The show starts around 9pm. PWYC. This months featured artists are: MONIQUE BARRY/MARC NADJIWAN http://www.myspace.com/moniquebarry KIM KOREN http://www.myspace.com/kimkoren ANIA SOUL http://www.myspace.com/aniasoul TAMARA MILLER http://www.myspace.com/tamaramiller PETER J SLACK http://wwww.myspace.com/peterjslack PATRICK PERKINS http://www.myspace.com/patrickperkinsspace with host RUSSELL LEON __________________________________________ Songwriters Unite! Facebook Page Songwriters Unite! Facebook Group Songwriters Unite! on Myspace Songwriters Unite! on Twitter -30-
Saturday March the 27th,2010
Hello to all fine folks, We are pleased to extend the warm glow of spring to present our spring showcase, and that is the Songwriters Unite monthly show at Graffiti's, Saturday March the 27th 9pm (170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market, Toronto).PWYC suggested $5 This month Songwriters Unite presents.... REHAN DALAL http://www.myspace.com/rehandalal GLENNA GARRAMONE http://www.myspace.com/glennathestar DIANA ZITMANIS http://www.myspace.com/deezerchick TRES DE LA COMTE http://myspace.com/tresdelacomte MARK CASSIDY http://www.myspace.com/markcassidy NOAH ZACHARIN http://www.myspace.com/noahzacharin with host RUSSELL LEON Please come out and hear these great songwriters in a cozy little bar in the market. __________________________________________ Songwriters Unite! Facebook Page Songwriters Unite! Facebook Group Songwriters Unite! on Myspace Songwriters Unite! on Twitter -30-
Saturday, February 27th, 9:00 pm
The Songwriters Unite monthly showcase (the last Saturday of very month) will be on Saturday February the 27th at Graffiti's. 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market, Toronto. The show starts at 9pm and features these wonderful singer songwriters: JAMES CLARK http://clarkinstitute.com/ CHRIS MACLEAN http://www.chrismaclean.com/ LIS SODERBERG http://www.lissoderberg.com/ KAVAN CLEARY http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kavan-Cleary/32496545656 JOEL MORELLI http://www.joelmorelli.com/ JENNIFER SCHAFFER http://www.jenschaffer.ca/ STACY RICKER http://www.myspace.com/stacyricker with host RUSSELL LEON Each performer will play four original songs. This event is paywhatucan. The suggested donation is $5. Please come down and support some great songwriters in a super funky bar in a cool part of town. Drinks and music galore! ___________________________________________________ Songwriters Unite! Facebook Page Songwriters Unite! Facebook Group Songwriters Unite! on Myspace Songwriters Unite! on Twitter
Saturday, February 13th, 1:00 pm
SONGWRITERS UNITE! is hosting a Winterfolk Festival showcase on 2nd floor of the Black Swan, Admission is free! This year we are pleased to present:Set 1 JAKE WILLIS http://www.jakewillismusic.com/ STEPHANIE MARTIN http://stephaniemartin.ca/ KEITH SHINER http://www.keithshiner.com/ Set 2 MONIQUE BARRY http://www.moniquebarry.com/ BLAIR PACKHAM http://www.blairpackham.com/ LARRA SKYE http://larraskye.com/ Set 3 LAYAH JANE http://www.layahjane.com/ MATTY POWEL http://www.mattypowell.com/ KARYN ELLIS http://www.karynellis.com/ with host RUSSELL LEON Winterfolk will be featuring 100 Artists on 6 Stages Presenting 4 Days of Roots and Blues Music. Winterfolk is a Free Family Festival,all ages are welcomed. For more information: http://www.winterfolk.com/ Thank you and please come out to this wonderful festival. VIVA WINTERFOLK!!!!VIVA SONGWRITERS UNITE!!!!!
Saturday January 30th 2010, 9:00pm
WHERE: Graffiti's Bar and Grill 170 Baldwin Street Toronto, ON N2J 2Y7 HOW MUCH: $5.00 Songwriters Unite! presents: NICOLE CHRISTIAN SEAN PEEVER DONNA CREIGHTON ED WINACOTT WASHBOARD HANK ANIA SOUL ON A ROPE With host Russell Leon
Sunday January 17th, 7:00pm
Happy New Year!! We would like to extend best wishes to you all, may you experience prosperity and good health in the new year and beyond. We are pleased to announce the first Songwriters Unite! showcase for 2010 and launch the continuing celebration of songwriters into a new decade. WHERE: Maxwell's Music House http://www.maxwellsmusichouse.ca 220 King Street North Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y7 (519) 498-5705 HOW MUCH: $7.00 (19+) Songwriters Unite! presents: Barry James Payne and Stringbone Rich Burnett Peter Judd Collette Savard John Zytaruk Ken Brown With host Peter J Slack
Saturday, November 28th
Dear Friends, All of us at Songwriters Unite would like to express our deep sadness regarding the loss of Taylor Mitchell. She was a wonderful person and gifted songwriter and will be dearly missed. Taylor graced our showcase stages several times over the last 2 years and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to provide a welcoming stop along her musical path. November is turning out to be a difficult month all around, what we have to do is carry on, do things we like to do that are fulfilling; hang out with friends and family, eat yummy food, drink, read good books, listen/play music.... To continue our celebration of life and music together, please come out to Graffiti's, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market in Toronto on Saturday November the 28th for the SONGWRITERS UNITE monthly showcase. The show starts at 9pm. PWYC, suggested donation $5. Songwriters Unite! is pleased to present: LINDSAY FERGUSON http://www.myspace.com/lindsaylive TAIVI LOBU http://ca.myspace.com/wyeriverband MATTY POWELL http://www.mattypowell.com/ ELLEN CAROL http://www.myspace.com/ellencarolsomeoftheparts NOAH ZACHARIN http://www.myspace.com/noahzacharin DUANE RUTTER http://www.myspace.com/duaneruttersolo ANNE WALKER http://www.annewalker.ca/ JENNIFER SCHAFFER http://www.jenschaffer.ca/ with host RUSSELL LEON
Saturday October 31st, 9:00 pm
WHERE: Graffiti's Bar and Grill 170 Baldwin St. Toronto, ON WHAT: Russell Leon and his band are joined by Michael Lake from Newfoundland and Born, a unique band straight from the streets of Paris, France. Costumes are encouraged and will be judged.... Come in disguise to win exciting door prizes!
Saturday the October 24th, 9:00 pm
WHERE: at the Cameron House, 408 Queen Street West in Toronto
COVER: $5 cover.
WHAT:
We will feature 9 artists in total performing in
sets of 3 artists in the round each hour.
Set 1/
Joanne Crabtree
James Brand
Allison Brown
Set 2/
Larra Skye
Ken Workman
Ellie Avishai
Set 3/
Cora Lojoie
Electricutie
Stacy Ricker
With Host:
Russell Leon
Please come out and enjoy these wonderful artists
and the Cameron House where artists and art lovers
are welcomed.
Peace and Love,
Friday October 16th - Sunday October 18th
ROOM 1716 Crowne Plaza Hotel 101 Lyon Street North Ottawa, ON K1R 5T9 (877) 270-1412 If you are in Ottawa between Oct 15th and 17th, consider dropping by the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the 23rd annual OCFF conference ( http://ocff.ca ) to check out whats happening in the folk music scene. Be sure to drop by ROOM 1716 for the Songwriters Unite! private showcase where we will present: Friday Oct 16th 11:30 PM set CHOIR GIRLZ ED WINACOTT ANIA ZIEMIRSKA ANNE WALKER 12:30 AM set LAYAH JANE ARLENE BISHOP CHRISTOPHE ELIE PETER J SLACK 1:30 AM set BRIAN GLADSTONE STACY BURKE SCOTT COOK EVALYN PARRY 2:30 AM set BLUE VENUS ALAN RHODY SARAH CALVERT KARLA ADOLPHE Saturday Oct 17th 11:30 PM set MARK WEINSTOCK SUE AND DWIGHT KEN WORKMAN MELANIE PETERSON 12:30 AM set JORY NASH LINDSAY FERGUSON RICH BURNETT MONIQUE BARRY 1:30 AM set GREG KLYMA JENNIFER SCHAFFER KARYN ELLIS RUSSELL LEON With your hosts RUSSELL LEON and PETER J SLACK By the way, this is only one of 37 hotel rooms that will be ransacked and hosting artists in private showcases. This is an extreme music party and if you have a funny bone for music, make sure you go to Ottawa for the weekend and buy tickets for the conference. http://ocff.ca/services/showcasing.html
Sunday October 4th
7pm at Maxwell's Music House, 220 King Street North, Waterloo Ontario, Songwriters Unite presents: Jacob Moon Noah Zacharin Laura Fernandez blueVenus Jon Brooks Jake Willis with host Peter J Slack Admission: $7.00
Saturday September 26th,2009
ARTWALK 2009 Wychwood Heights, Toronto, BIA Mainstage Wychwood Barns Park surrounds a series of former TTC streetcar repair barns transformed by Artscape, a not-for-profit urban development organization that revitalizes buildings, neighbourhoods and cities through the arts. ARTWALK 2009 Wychwood Heights BIA Main Stage is located on the grass in Wychwood Barns Park (2 blocks South of St. Clair/just East of Christie). Saturday, September 26 Heather Chappell 11am - 12pm Highland Brothers 12pm - 1pm Andrew Boniwell Quartet with Richard Underhill on sax 1pm - 2pm Songwriters Unite! with Sara Kamin, Oliver Pigott and Russell Leon 2pm - 3pm Yiddish Swingtet 3pm - 4pm
Saturday Sept. 26th
9pm at Graffiti's, 170 Baldwin Street 9pm, Songwriters Unite presents: SARA KAMIN LEAH MORISE STACY BURKE SCOTT COOK GARTH DOUGLAS LINDA M LILY CHENG PATRICK LAWTON and host RUSSELL LEON PWYC suggested donation $5
Saturday May 30th, 2009
Graffiti's monthly showcase, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market and will begin at 9 p.m. SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents:with host RUSSELL LEON
Saturday April 25th, 2009
Graffiti's Bar and Grill 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto (in Kensington Market) SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Two-Twenty-Two http://www.myspace.com/twotwentytwotunes Matthew Hailstone Shawn Sage http://www.myspace.com/shawnsage Stacy Burke http://httpwww.myspace.com/stacyb Glen Hornblast http://www.myspace.com/glenhornblast Laura Fernandez http://www.laurafernandezmusic.com Dave Joseph http://www.myspace.com/davejosephmusic Michael Baird with host Peter J. Slack /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
April 21,2009
Engineers Without Borders ( http://www.ewb.ca )
responds to the needs of people in developing
communities to help gain access to technologies
that will improve their lives; technology that,
when appropriately incorporated into each
community's social, cultural, economic and
political context, can drive extraordinary change.
Come join us to ring in Earth Day , make a small
donation to EWB and enjoy some great music with
friends.
When
April 21,2009 9:00pm
Where
THE CAMERON HOUSE
408 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario
416-703-0811
http://www.thecameron.com
How Much
$10 minimum donation to EWB
Featuring Performances from
o 9:00pm - 9:10pm Penn Kemp (Spoken Word / Master of Ceremonies)
+ http://www.mytown.ca/pennletters
+ http://www.myspace.com/pennkemp
+ http://www.mytown.ca/pendas
+ http://mytown.ca/poemforpeace
o 9:10 - 9:30 Prince Bamidele Bajowa with ODAU DE
+ http://www.bamidelebajowa.zoomshare.com
+ http://www.osooroproject.wordpress.com
o 9:35 - 9:55 Rich Burnett
+ http://www.groundvinyl.com
o 10:00 - 10:20 Layah Jane with Oliver Johnson
+ http://www.layahjane.com
o 10:25 - 10:45 Evalyn Parry
+ http://www.evalynparry.com
o 10:50 - 11:10 Noah Zacharin
+ http://www.noahsong.com
o 11:15 - 11:35 Laura Fernandez
+ http://www.laurafernandezmusic.com
o 11:40 - 12:05 Russell Leon
+ http://www.rleonband.com
o 12:10 - 12:30 Peter J Slack with Jen Gillmor
+ http://www.pjslack.com
+ http://www.svdesign.ca
o 12:30 - 1:00 Open Stage
Our Kind Sponsors
o The Cameron House
o Songwiters Unite!
o The Toronto Arts Council through The League of Canadian Poets
o Sound and Vision Design
o DigitalBird Studios
Website: http://www.lovecasting.net/
Saturday March 28th, 2009
Graffiti's Bar and Grill 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto (in Kensington Market) This is a paywhatyoucan gig...suggested $5 SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ KAT GOLDMAN TRISH KERR PETER BOYER ELLIE AVISHAI JENNIFER SCHAFFER ALLISTER BRADLEY FRANK PATRICK with your host RUSSELL LEON /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Saturday February 28th, 2009
Graffiti's Bar and Grill 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto (in Kensington Market) This is a paywhatyoucan gig...suggested $5 SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Noah Zacharin Blair Packham D'Arcy Wickham Heather Chappell James Clark Bri-Anne Swan Ellie Avishai Sarah Calvert /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Sunday February 15th,2009
We are very honored and pleased to present a showcase as part of WINTERFOLK VII.
at the Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave, Toronto, top floor.
Admission is free to this festival.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/
SONGWRITERS UNITE! Presents:
Scott B Sympathy ( http://www.myspace.com/scottbsympathy )
Rob Szabo ( http://www.robszabo.com/ )
Lindsay Ferguson ( http://www.lindsayferguson.com/ )
Frank Prather
Collette Savard ( http://www.collettesavard.com/ )
with John Zytaruk
Laura Bird ( http://www.laurabird.com/ )
Trish Kerr ( http://trishkerr.com/ )
Sam Turton ( http://www.samturton.com/ )
Peter J Slack ( http://www.pjslack.com )
with Jen Gillmor
with host Russell Leon
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Check out the WINTERFOLK VII lineup thus far:
http://www.abetterworld.ca/Pages/WFVIIArtists.htm
Saturday January 31st,2009
Our Graffiti's showcase keeps getting better and better, so much so that we are pleased to have moved to a Saturday night monthly spot at Graffiti's this year. I'm very pleased to help celebrate kicking off the new year and announcing fabulous lineups of songwriters for January and February. SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents: at GRAFFITI'S, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market. PWYC (suggested donation $5) Saturday January 31st, 9pm The lineup includes: Gayle Ackroyd Jill Jambor James Brand Jay Linden Yawn Temiseva Sara Kamin Tim Elms Mathew Hailstone
Friday December 5th,2008
SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents the first Friday of the month showcase. December 5th : /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Jude Haines The Flyboys Jaded Annie Marleau Neil Conway Sam Turton Ellie Avishai Peter J Slack with Jen Gillmor and, of course, your host Russell Leon with special guest Marcus Walker. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Friday November 7th,2008
Yes it's that time again SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents the first Friday of the month showcase. Russell Leon will be there to host, entertain and amaze you with: Lily Cheng Stacy Ricker Shawna Caspi Ed Winacott Stacy Burke Melanie Peterson Jeff Oussoren Terry Hart And Special Guests
October 24th, 25th 2008
Last minute adjustments to the Songwriters Unite! Private Showcase lineup: SONGWRITERS UNITE PRESENTS: SONGWRITERS UNITE GUERILLA SHOWCASE at the OCFF in room #(to be announced on Friday at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Ottawa) HOSTED BY RUSSELL LEON and PJ SLACK -------Friday Oct. 24th Set One: 11:30 - 12:30 DEBBIE FLEMING JODIE ANKER LINDSAY FERGUSON DANIEL SKY Set Two: 12:30 - 1:30 SHAWNA CASPI SEAN PEEVER DANNY BAKAN JAY LINDEN Set Three: 1:30 - 2:30 COURT LAJOIE LAYAH JANE IAN REID Set Four: 2:30 - 3:30 TAYLOR MITCHELL ANIA ZIEMISKA CAREY WEST JAKE WILLIS 3:30-4:30 FREE FOR ALL JAM -------Saturday Oct. 25th Set One: 11:30 - 12:30 ED WINACOTT DAVID HEIN SUE AND DWIGHT MARIANNE GIRARD Set Two: 12:30 - 1:30 RUSSELL LEON AMY CAMPBELL COLETTE SAVARD SAHRA FEATHERSTONE W Jason Fowler Set Three: 1:30 - 2:30 MICHAEL LADEROUTE PETER VERITY MARY MILNE PETER J SLACK Set Four: 2:30 - 3:30 STACY RICKER MARK WEINSTOCK ELLIE AVISHAI 3:30-4:30 FREE FOR ALL JAM
October 3, 2008
SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents: the first Friday of the month Graffiti's showcase this Friday, Oct. the 3rd, 9pm at GRAFFITI'S, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market. PWYC (suggested donation $5) The lineup includes: Host Russell Leon (w/ special guest Marcus Walker) welcomes singer/songwriters EDDY PLANT KEITH MCDONALD MARY MILNE ROBERT DAVIS MICHAEL ANGELO and LENORE
October 4th, 2008
What better way to spend a Saturday night than to hit a swingin' venue for some kickin' live music?! THE RUSSELL LEON BAND ARTHUR RENWICK NEIL COTTON and DAVE HUBERT. October 4th Mitzi's Sister, 1554 Queen ST W Doors open at 9 pm Cover is ONLY $6!
Thursday September 4th, 2008
SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents: songwriters' evening at the Cameron House Thursday Sept. 4th 408 Queen Street West Toronto. The doors open at 8:30, $5 suggested donation, back room. Set 1 NOAN ZACHARIN JAKE WILLIS w/ Ken Brown and Peter J Slack JAMES GORDON Set 2 JOANNE CRABTREE MARK WEINSTOCK BRI-ANNE SWAN Set 3 ANIA ZIEMIRSKA SCOTT MAYNARD MICHAEL LAKE
September 5th, 2008
SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents: the first Friday of the month Graffiti's showcase this Friday, Sept. the 5th, 9pm at GRAFFITI'S, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market.pwyc. The lineup includes: TAMARA MILLER COLLETTE SAVARD ERIKA WERRY ISABEL FRYZBERG w/ SCOTT ROGERS LAURA RANIERI DAVID HEIN SEAN PEEVER SCOTT COOK RUSSELL LEON w/ MARCUS WALKER
August 1st, 2008
SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents the first Friday of
the month Graffiti's showcase this Friday, August
the 1st, 9pm at GRAFFITI'S, 170 Baldwin Street in
Kensington Market.pwyc.
The lineup includes:
LINDA M
IAN REID
LISA MARIE KRUCHAK
SARA KAMIN
LIS SODERBERG
KIM AND FRANK
with host RUSSELL LEON
July 4th, 2008
SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents the first Friday of the month Graffiti's showcase this Friday, July the 4th, 9pm at GRAFFITI'S, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market.pwyc. The lineup includes: JUDE HAINES HEATHER CHAPPELL MARNI LEVITT MARION PARSONS DAVID MACKENZIE STACY RICKER JOE HASH with host RUSSELL LEON
June 6th, 2008
SONGWRITERS UNITE! presents the first Friday of the month Graffiti's showcase next Friday, June the 6th, 9pm at GRAFFITI'S, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market.pwyc. The lineup includes: DAVE BORINS JODY ANKER GREG CAIRNS MAKEDA TAYLOR SIMPLE JOY MARDI YAYDE MICHAEL LADEROUTE BRIAN GLADSTONE with host RUSSELL LEON
May 31st , 2008
Come out to Graffiti's this Saturday May 31st at 9pm...$6. and check out fellow SONGWRITERS UNITE! artists BLUE VENUS ARTHUR RENWICK RUSSELL LEON TRIO featuring ANSGAR SCHROER and MARCUS WALKER.
May 2nd, 2008
On Friday May 2nd Songwriters Unite! presents: Jess Graham Domenico deLuca Adlai Waxman Douglas Cameron Sean McDonald Donna Creighton and Shawna Caspi Hosted by: Russell Leon
April 22, 2008
I am writing to you today, first, to let you know
about a special annual music event taking place
April 22 (Earth Day) at the Gladstone Ballroom in
Toronto to support Engineers Without Borders.
Secondly, I am asking for your support to help
promote this event by spreading the word within
your own networks to help make this a success for
this amazing organization. The event listing
follows.
Come join us to celebrate earth day and help raise
funds for Engineers Without Borders. This evening
featuring the music of: The Sultans of String, Jon
Brooks, Noah Zacharin, Russell Leon, Peter J Slack
with Jen Gillmor, and Stacy Ricker. Don't miss
this special music event!
Date: April 22, 2008
Time Start/End: 8:00 pm / 1:00 am
Venue: The Gladstone Ballroom
http://www.gladstonehotel.com/
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1J6
(416) 531-4635
Cover:$20 Advanced / $22 Door
(Tickets can be purchased online)
Website: http://www.lovecasting.net/
Contact Info:
Peter J Slack
1-519-217-4935
pslack@pjslack.com
Engineers Without Borders
( http://www.ewb.ca ) responds to the needs of
people in developing communities to help gain
access to technologies that will improve their
lives; technology that, when appropriately
incorporated into each community's social,
cultural, economic and political context, can
drive extraordinary change.
Don't miss out, this LOVECASTING happens only once
a year on Earth Day and this year, Songwriters
Unite and Lovecasting.net have assembled an
amazing line up of artists to help celebrate
including:
The Sultans of String
http://www.sultansofstring.com/
Jon Brooks
http://www.jonbrooks.ca/
Noah Zacharin
http://www.noahsong.com/
Russel Leon
http://rleonband.com/
Peter J Slack with Jen Gillmor
http://www.pjslack.com/
http://www.svdesign.ca/
Stacy Ricker
http://www.myspace.com/stacyricker
With host: Laura Fernandez
http://www.laurafernandezmusic.com/
Thanks to our kind Sponsors for supporting this
event. Please visit our website for further
information and to purchase your tickets.
http://www.lovecasting.net/
There is a facebook event posted here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12798109198
Friday April 4th, 2008
Songwriters Unite! Graffiti's monthly showcase,
170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market,
Toronto Ontario,
9 pm, pwyc.
This month featuring original songs from:
LINDSAY FERGUSON
ROMAN TOME
ASHLEY CONDON
TAYLOR MITCHELL
ROLO
MICHAEL LAKE
hosted by Russell Leon
Saturday March 29th, 2008
Songwriters Unite! is excited to present its first ever ensemble line-up at one of Toronto's most venerable music establishments the Cameron House. It takes place Saturday March 29th and the doors open at 9 p.m. The Cameron House is at 408 Queen Street west (just west of Spadina on the north side of the street). We'll start the night with Collette Savard accompanied by multi-instrumentalist John Zytaruk. Between the two of them they strum guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and lap steel. Collette has just finished a new recording; if you'd like more information, check out her website at http://www.collettesavard.com/. Next up, The Sam Turton Band with Sam on lead vocals and slide guitars accompanied by Jessie Turton on bass as well as Jane Lewis and Heather MacRae on harmony vocals. You can check out music and more from Sam and his cohorts at one of these sites: http://www.myspace.com/samturtonmusic http://www.sonicbids.com/SamTurton http://www.samturton.com The final ensemble for the night is the Trish Kerr Band (http://www.myspace.com/trishkerr) with Trish on piano, acoustic guitar and vocals joined by Gord Fox on bass, Trevor Bond on electric guitar, and Byran Dennis on drums. The event will be hosted, Russell Leon http://rleonband.com The cover is ONLY FIVE DOLLARS!!! So come on out for some great music...
Friday March 7th, 2008
Songwriters Unite! Graffiti's monthly showcase, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market, Toronto Ontario, 9 pm, pwyc. This month featuring original songs from: Shawn Sage, Brandon Jones, Stacy Ricker, Monique Barry, Sam Turton, Liz Soderberg, Andy Carey, Ed Winacott
FEBRUARY 9th, 2008
part of the WINTERFOLK FESTIVAL @ the Willow 2-4 pm Songwriters Unite! Showcase featuring: Jess Graham, Tanya Philopovitch, Lucas Spagg, Adlai Waxman, Peter J. Slack and Jen Gillmor, Sara Kamin, hosted by Russell Leon http://www.songwritersunite.com/ http://www.thewillow.ca 193 Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON, Canada (416) 469-5315 For details and ticket information: http://www.abetterworld.ca/WinterfolkV.htm
Friday February 1st, 2008
Songwriters Unite!
Graffiti's monthly showcase, 170 Baldwin Street in
Kensington Market, 9 pm, pwyc. Get there early to
avoid standing room only.
This month featuring:
SAM TURTON,
ASHLEY CONDON,
ED WINACOTT,
NANCY DUTRA,
STACY RICKER,
LAUGHING CHAD,
DAVID FERARD
hosted by Russell Leon
http://www.songwritersunite.com/
http://www.myspace.com/songwritersunite
On Facebook look for the group Songwriters Unite
and request membership ...
Friday January 4th, 2008
Songwriters Unite! Graffiti's
monthly showcase, 170 Baldwin Street in Kensington
Market, 9 pm, pwyc.
Our inaugural 2008 show Featuring:
Sara Kamin
Jason Cliche
Howard Gladstone
Justin McDonald
Ellen Carol
Colleen Costello
Douglas John Cameron
hosted by Russell Leon
November 17th, 2007
WHERE: Holy Trinity Anglican Church
10 Trinity Square, Toronto
(between the Eaton Center and City Hall)
WHEN: TONIGHT, November 17th, 2007 6:00 pm
HOW MUCH: Donation of 10$ to Artscan Circle
WHAT:
Lovecasting Celebration for the benefit of
THE ARTSCAN CIRCLE
http://www.artscancircle.ca/
PROGRAMME 8:00 pm opening Ceremonies
TRACEE SMITH - MASTER OF CEREMONIES
http://www.traceesmith.com/
Tracee is a member of Missanabie Cree First Nation
in Northern Ontario. She was recently named one of
Canada's 50 celebrated artists by the Canada
Council for the Arts 50th Anniversary, and was the
first dancer to ever perform at Rideau Hall for
the Governor General.
She has trained in all forms of dance including
tap, jazz, ballet, and modern, but concentrates on
performing hip hop/urban dance. She has also
recently graduated with an Honours BA in Dance,
and now pursuing an MBA in First Nations Community
Economic Development. She recently performed at
the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in
Edmonton, and has been commissioned as
choreographer with Christine O'Leary-Friday of the
2008 15th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement
Awards at the Sony Centre. She has danced
professionally in NYC, Toronto and LA, working
with the top choreographers in the world of
concerts and music videos.
While in NYC she performed at the Best of Broadway
Dance Center, and enrolled at the William Esper
Studio for Acting. She has choreographed for up
and coming recording artists, and has taught hip
hop workshops in U.S., Canada and Europe. Ms.
Smith is the recipient of numerous scholarships
including the National Aboriginal Achievement
Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario
Arts Council, The Foundation for the Advancement
of Aboriginal Youth, and The Dream Catcher Fund.
When not acting as the National Manager of
Aboriginal Affairs for T.E. Investment Counsel,
she spends her free time offering dance workshops
to First Nations reserves across the country, and
travels to NYC and LA to train and perform.
8:05 - 8:15 PETER J SLACK ACCOMPANIED BY JEN GILLMOR
http://www.pjslack.com/
http://www.svdesign.ca/
Peter is an independent Canadian
singer-songwriter, musician, aspiring music
producer, mechanical engineer, philosopher,
philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Peter formed a
music production and recording company, Digital
Bird Studios in 1998. Peter produced several
albums for young independent artists and continues
to experiment with his own recording and writing
styles. Peter has recently released his first
official CD called "The Cat Continuum"
Jen has toured nationally and internationally with
numerous projects, recorded around a dozen albums,
appeared in nationally broadcast music videos and
on various local and national television shows.
Jen has either recorded, performed and/or toured
with: Roach Motel, Amer Diab, Evalyn Parry, The
Wetspots, Tucker Finn, duo with Lyndell
Montgomery, Dropdeadbeats, The Matriphiles, Random
Order, Women Ah Run Tings, Tamara Williamson, The
Kitchen Sink Project, Meryn Cadell, Snowdogs, The
Nancy Sinatras.
8:20 - 8:40 MICHAEL GRIFFIN
http://www.myspace.com/ojmichaelgriffin
Michael's songs come from his deep Canadian Irish
roots and blend his love of truth with his love of
a well turned phrase. Michael has been writing and
performing songs for more than 30 years. Michael's
song Maria was featured by the Pomelo's in their
successful tour of Ontario last spring.
Michael's song "Pax Americana" featured on the
anti-war compilation CD Afghanistan On Guard for
Thee along with songs contributed by many other
talented artists and songwriters.
8:45 - 9:05 SAHRA FEATHERSTONE
http://www.sahrafeatherstone.com/
Sahra is a talented multi-instrumentalist,
performer, recording artist, studio-musician,
teacher and visual artist. She performs on
traditional harp, violin, flute, and whistles.
Sahra has performed across Canada and throughout
Ontario at venues such as the Molson Amphitheatre
and Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, the North York
Performing Arts Centre, and the National Arts
Centre in Ottawa. She has also performed in
Chicago and Nashville. Her debut album receives
airplay on CBC radio and other stations. She has
shared the stage with numerous artists and bands
including Don Ross, David Essig, Fig for a Kiss,
Lori Cullen, Aengus Finnan, Tim Harrison to name a
few
10 minutes ARTSCAN SLIDE PRESENTATION
Magoo and Carol Teal Presenting
http://www.artscancirle.ca/
9:15 -9:35 RUSSELL SCOTT
http://www.truesourceseminars.com/
With a vocal style similar to Gordon Lightfoot and
excellent finger style guitar drawn from the
influence of Bruce Cockburn, Russell is a
performer of a very special sort. It is as if he
is in each moment singing and playing from
somewhere deep within the words and the tunes of
the songs he so generously shares. And the
resonances thus created flow out and equally
enliven those who have joined with him as an
audience. He.s no folk singer; he.s someone who
lives deep within his spirit . deep within life .
his songs are poignant, they will touch you
deeply, you can.t help but be moved.
9:40 -10:00 RUSSELL LEON
http://www.rleonband.com/
Russel is this years recipient of the Coleen
Peterson, Songs from the heart award, for best
children's song for his song "Troubadour"
Russell Leon is a unique songwriter and
captivating performer who has been building a
reputation on the Toronto music scene. After
releasing his first acoustic CD, Russell expanded
on his folk roots and cranked up his electric
guitar to form the Russell Leon Band in 2001.
Russell is the fearless leader of Songwriters
Unite! and has recently released an album called
"if Red were Green."
10:05 - 10:25 DAVID GILLIS
http://www.davidgillis.com/
David is an award winning guitar finger stylist
and recipient of the Coleen Peterson songs from
the heart award. Originally from Hamilton Ontario
David comes from a rich historical lineage of
musicians. His mother is an award-winning
vocalist and his crippled uncle was a champion
fiddler. David is also a graphic designer, father
of three, David has his hands full yet still
manages to live up to his reputation as a virtuoso
guitarist and stellar singer/songwriter.
10:30 - 11:30
THE HOUSEPLANTS
http://www.myspace.com/thehouseplantsca
The Houseplants, a singer/songwriter vocal duo
with roots in pop, folk and jazz Featuring Perry
Joseph on vocals and acoustic guitar and Gordon
Shawcross on vocals and piano. Perry and Gordon
have recently released the debut album
"Living room". Tonight's line-up will feature
Michael Herring on upright bass, Nichol S.
Robertson on banjo and guitar, Meredith Grant on
accordion and producer/engineer James Paul, of the
rogue studio, mixing the sound.
Warm thanks to our sponsors and supporters
Russell Scott, The Ecology Retreat Center
Amy Fritz, Belmont Music Supervision Services
Jen Gillmor, Sound and Vision Design
John Slack, AMP Inc.
Peter Slack, Digital Bird Studios
Now Magazine
Russell Leon, Songrwriters Unite!
October 13, 14, 2007
Songwriters Unite is a proud partner with the Jai Dee Children's Fund to announce The 2nd Annual Toronto Songwriters' Festival on October 13 - 14 at the Hugh's Room. Last year, Songwriters Unite! collaborated with the Jai Dee Children's Fund and managed to raise almost $6000; enough money to build a kindergarten classroom in Laos Cambodia. This year we look forward to another successful event with your support! Come on out to Toronto's two-day annual acoustic festival, where you get to groove to the original compositions of some of our top homegrown talent. The best part? All proceeds go toward helping to educate poor children in Laos and India--proving that you can have fun and make a difference at the same time! CityTV did a segment on our show last year and the local paper also wrote about us. The quality of the music is phenomenal and it's great to know you are making a difference in the lives of poor children. You can even shop at our silent auction for exotic things like handwoven silk scarves from Laos. Door prizes too! Please join us! Sat Oct 13 is for adult music lovers, featuring: Joshua Bartholomew, Kat Goldman, MEA Stars, Andy Carey, Tucker Finn and Peter Verity. Sun Oct 14 (11-3) is for young music aficionados and their family and friends (you'll be amazed at the talent of these young songwriters!). For more info drop by our festival website: http://www.torontosongwritersfestival.com http://www.songwritersunite.com Ticket Information: Saturday October 13th, 8pm to 12am: $25.00 advance, $27.00 at the door. Sunday October 14th, 11am to 3pm: $10.00 advance, $12.00 at the door. Contact Hugh's Room for tickets and dinner reservations. Phone: (416) 531-6604 or Fax: (416)531-9545
Saturday, September 15th, 2007
When: Saturday, September 15th, 9:00 pm Where: The Cameron House, 408 Queen St. West How Much: $5.00 What: Four songwriters from the Songwriters Unite! collective along with the Russell Leon Band will be performing. Featured artists: Michael Laderoute http://www.myspace.com/laderoute Sara Kamin http://www.myspace.com/sarakamin Jeff Straker http://www.jeffstraker.com/ Frank Prather Then the Russell Leon Band will perform with a seven piece band...a great night of talent! http://www.rleonband.com/
Friday September 7,2007
WHEN: Friday September 7,2007 ,9:00 pm
WHERE: Graffiti's Bar and Grill
170 Baldwin Street
(in Kensington Market)
Toronto
COST: $PayWhatYouCan
SONGWRITERS UNITE! September showcase at
Graffiti's will feature...
Michael Laderoute http://www.myspace.com/laderoute
Nancy Dutra http://www.myspace.com/nancydutramusic
Sara Kamin http://www.myspace.com/sarakamin
Peter J Slack http://www.myspace.com/peterjslack
Stacy Ricker http://www.myspace.com/racysticker
Friday June 1, 2007
WHEN: Friday June 1 ,9:00 pm
WHERE: Graffiti's Bar and Grill
170 Baldwin Street
(in Kensington Market)
Toronto
COST: $PayWhatYouCan
SONGWRITERS UNITE! June showcase at
Graffiti's will feature...
---------->
----------------->
ADLAI WAXMAN
http://www.myspace.com/adlaiwaxman
JEFF STRAKER
http://www.myspace.com/jeffstraker
CHAD NUTTALL
http://www.myspace.com/chadlaughing
JESSICA GRAHAM
http://www.myspace.com/jessgrahamsings
ROSEMARY PHELAN
http://www.myspace.com/rosemaryphelan
<----------------
<------------
and RUSSELL LEON will host.
May 4, 2007
WHEN: May 4, 2007 : 9:00 pm
WHERE:
Graffiti's bar and grill
170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market
Toronto, Ontario
http://www.graffitisbarandgrill.com/
$$: $p.w.c.
WHAT:
SONGWRITERS UNITE! PRESENTS:
GAYLE ACKROYD http://www.gayleackroyd.com/
MARION ARTHUR
GRANT TILLY http://www.granttilly.com/
THE FUTZ http://www.myspace.com/th3futz
TANYA PHILOPOVITCH http://www.tanyarock.com
TERRY GOLLETZ http://www.myspace.com/terrygolletz
and
Hosted by RUSSELL LEON
Sun Apr 22, 2007
A LOVECASTING FOR ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS When: Sun Apr 22, 2007 Time: 8pm Where: Gladstone Ballroom Cover: $20/$25 door Website: http://lovecasting.net/ For the 800 million people who go hungry each day and the one billion who lack access to clean water, poverty is an absence of opportunity. Engineers Without Borders responds to this need, helping people in developing communities gain access to technologies that will improve their lives. Simple technology, when appropriately incorporated into each community's social, cultural, economic and political context, drives extraordinary change. To show our support and solidarity for this organization and its benevolent mission, we have put together a music festival to raise money and awareness for Engineers Without Borders. We have assembled a sample of the best songwriters and performers that Toronto has to offer including a feature performance by the LARRA SKYE QUINTET, simply the most sizzling jazz act that is taking the North American jazz scene by storm from coast to coast. Also, there will be two songwriters sets featuring the most intense and entertaining songwriters and performers in the world including: NOAH ZACHARIN, EVALYN PARRY, KARYN ELLIS, PETER J SLACK, JEN GILLMOR, and RUSSELL LEON. For more information visit the festival website: http://lovecasting.net Get your tickets before they are gone!!!! Many thanks to our kind sponsors: Songwriters Unite!, Now Magazine, Penguin Eggs Magazine, The Gladstone Hotel, Sound and Vision Design, DigitalBird Studios, Agricultural Mineral Prospectors With warmest regards to all mapleposters, Peter J Slack, P.Eng. http://www.myspace.com/peterjslack ------------------------------------- PS)What is Lovecasting? It's far more effective than broadcasting,as ubiquitous worldwide as Podcasting, Come and find out for yourself what it is.
April 6, 2007
The first Friday of every month is the SONGWRITERS
UNITE! showcase series at Graffiti's in the heart
of Kensington market.
WHEN: April 6, 2007 : 9:00 pm
WHERE:
Graffiti's bar and grill
170 Baldwin Street in Kensington Market
Toronto, Ontario
http://www.graffitisbarandgrill.com/
$p.w.c.
WHAT:
SONGWRITERS UNITE! PRESENTS:
NICOLE DUECK http://www.myspace.com/nicoledueckband
HOWARD GLADSTONE http://www.myspace.com/howardgladstonemusic
HEATHER MORGAN http://www.myspace.com/heathermorganandthecompanyofmen
LENORE http://www.myspace.com/lenorecanada
PETER BOYD
MATT HUMPHREYS http://www.myspace.com/matthumphreys
JAMIE LUBNER
AND RUSSELL LEON will host the evening.
Friday March the 2nd,2007
WHEN: Friday March the 2nd at 9pm
WHERE: Graffiti's, 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto
$$: PWC
WHAT:
Songwriters Unite! presents the monthly showcase
series, the first friday of every month at
Graffiti's with host RUSSELL LEON. This month
featuring:
NEEMA http://www.neema.ca
COLLEEN COSTELLO
GAYLE ACKROYD http://www.gayleackroyd.com
VANESSA MARSHAK
February 10, 2007
WHERE: The Black Swan, Second Floor
154 Danforth Ave, Toronto
416 469-0537
WHEN: February 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
HOW MUCH: FREE!!!
WHAT: SONGWRITERS UNITE! @ WINTERFOLK
http://www.myspace.com/songwritersunite
------------------------------
*WINTERFOLK* is pleased to present the Songwriters
Unite! set hosted by Russell Leon:
Amy Campbell http://www.myspace.com/amycampbellsongs
Blue Venus http://www.myspace.com/bluevenusmusic
Clare O' Mahony http://www.myspace.com/clareomahony
Kat Goldman http://www.myspace.com/katgoldman
Peter J Slack http://www.myspace.com/peterjslack
Ronley Teper http://www.myspace.com/ronleyteper
Russell Leon http://www.myspace.com/rleonband
Tanya Philipovich http://www.tanyarock.com/
------------------------------
For the official Winterfolk schedule go here:
http://www.abetterworld.ca/Schedule.htm
Friday, February 2nd, 2007
WHEN: Friday, February 2nd, 2007 at 9pm
WHERE: Graffiti's, 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto
HOW MUCH: PWC
WHAT: SONGWRITERS UNITE!
PRESENTS:
MICHAEL GRIFFIN http://www.myspace.com/ojmichaelgriffin
DOUG ALCOCK http://www.dougalcock.com/
TREVOR BURT
STEVIE G
RICK HOWLAND
JERZY SMOKEY DYMNY
with hosts:
RUSSELL LEON http://www.myspace.com/rleonband
Friday January the 5th, 2007
Here's a little gig for the songwriters to get together and share their musical stories and bounce musical notions off one another: SONGWRITERS UNITE PRESENTS: Sara Kamin -- http://www.myspace.com/sarakamin Erika Werry -- http://www.myspace.com/erikawerry Peter J Slack -- http://www.myspace.com/peterjslack Grant Tilly -- http://www.granttilly.com/ Ellen Carol -- http://www.ellencarol.ca/ Jeff Williams -- http://www.songwritersunite.com/view.php?pid=499 Clare O'Mahony http://www.clareomahony.com/ With Host RUSSELL LEON It all happens this Friday January the 5th at 9pm at Graffiti's 170 Baldwin Street in the heart of Kensington Market. PWYC.
Monday November 20th. 2006
1ST ANNUAL EMANCIPATION MUSIC FESTIVAL AND CD RELEASE PRESENTED AND PRODUCED BY: -THE INTERNATIONAL EMANCIPATION CHILDREN'S FUND -DIGITAL BIRD STUDIOS -SONGWRITER'S UNITE WHEN: Monday November 20th. 2006, 6:00 pm doors open WHERE: THE HUGH'S ROOM WHY: All procedes to raise money for The International Emancipation Children's Fund directly benefiting the children of South Africa HOW MUCH: 27$ Advanced / $ 30 at the door SEATING IS LIMITED DETAILS: http://www.pjslack.com/festival.html We are very excited and pleased to bring together musical communities who foster a deep respect for one another's beliefs and differences and whose language of music is the cement in the foundation that brings and holds everyone's spirits together. It is this deep respect for one another that can be considered the primary catalyst of emancipation, and on November 20th, we come together at the Hugh's room to continue the celebration of freedom through artistic expression. The CD release of "The Cat Continuum" is a musical document of Peter J Slack's journey that was inspired by the many influences and opportunities presented by Russell Leon of Songwriter's Unite (www.songwritersunite.com), and the Emancipation Picnic organizers Dennis and Lisa Scott (www.emancipation.ca). The theme of the CD is about healing and giving through music and, with respect to this theme, both the proceeds and primary purpose of this event are to benefit the children of South Africa through the International Emancipation Children's Fund. We are also pleased to release the 2005 emancipation picnic CD. JOINING US IN THIS CAUSE ARE A MIX OF SOME OF THE BEST SINGER-SONGWRITERS ALONGSIDE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWN WORLD ARTISTS: BLACKBURN Four Brothers (Robert, Brooke, Duane and Cory) and close friend Mark Ayee, renowned in the Toronto area performing at such venues as the old BAMBOO, Canadian Blues Festival, and currently at Jo Mama, Nawlin's and other Toronto venues; Artic Record recording artists producing 2 CD's "Soul Searching" and Livin'; producers of the video "Africa" (#6 on E ENERGY108/MuchMusic National Video). Promoters of family, roots and culture "Messages of Positivity". Blackburn has volunteered their musicianship to the Emancipation Celebration Picnic for as long as can be remembered. Not only are they descendants of slaves who traveled the Underground Railroad to its most Northerly terminus, Owen Sound, their music reflects community, roots, culture and family through soulful heartfelt lyrics and pulsing rhythms. JOAQUIN NUNEZ HIDALGO http://www.myspace.com/joaquinrumberos world-renowned Afro Cuban percussionist, musical director and instructor, participant in the Barbados Jazz Festival, the International Montreal Jazz Festival and the Distillery Jazz Festival among leading the Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble "Havana Rumba" and the traditional Cuban music trio "Cubanos". ERICA THOMAS Erica Thomas' prose resonates with her personal identity, 'black' identity and self-recognitions and confidence building. Her spoken word and CD, "Poetry of Emotions", emanates hope, life's complexities, love, rhythm and harmony and speaks to our souls. LARRA SKYE In December 2005, Larra released her debut album 'The World Disappears' at the famed Montreal Bistro in Toronto to a sold-out crowd. Since then, her original compositions have been receiving airplay from national campus stations, jazz stations and the CBC (including Jurgen Gothe's DiscDrive). In June, HMV took 'The World Disappears' nationwide and within a month, it was on their bestseller charts for jazz. The album is also being sold through Indigo and Chapters stores across the country. At 23, Larra has performed with some of the best in Toronto's jazz music scene - including Dave Restivo, Jim Vivian, Perry White, Anthony Michelli, Barry Romberg and Rich Brown. She continues to write music and is currently studying privately with Lisa Martinelli. DAVID GILLIS "Makes you think of Jackson Brown, the way he sings. But of course it's David Gillis with his own perspective on depth, and an award-winning guitar style. He comes of his reputation honestly, with a strong musical tradition in his family. The quality of performance of his supporting musicians is a further testament to the level of respect David receives from his peers. He is known as a .musician.s musician.. His recent cd, When You.ve Got A Dream accentuates his profound talent". --Mariposa Folk Festival RUSSELL LEON Russell Leon is a unique songwriter and captivating performer who has been building an impressive reputation on the Toronto music scene. With an acoustic CD under his belt, Leon expanded on his folk roots and cranked up his electric guitar to form the Russell Leon Band in 2001. Propelled by the dynamic drumming of Larry Kline and a stellar cast of supporting musicians, the band began to create music as diverse as the city it calls home. Regular performances around Toronto found them playing to a growing number of enthusiastic fans in settings ranging from wild rock concerts to intimate acoustic shows. In 2005, the Russell Leon Band completed a full-length CD and welcomed Marcus Walker aboard on bass (photos to be updated soon). The band plays many of the city's top live music venues, including the Cameron House, the Rivoli, the Reverb, Rancho Relaxo, Clinton's, Holy Joe's, and Graffiti's. Recent RLB gigs of note include Canadian Music Week, North by Northeast, and opening slots for music legends Ike Turner and Leon Russell(!). All of the members of the Russell Leon Band are experienced players with a flair for shifting stylistic gears. These world travellers are all over the musical map, making it difficult to define their overall sound. But the music is grounded in Russell Leon's compelling lyrics and spirited vocal performances. His eclectic storytelling and social commentary go straight to the heart, while the band's irrepressible energy brings people to their feet. Raising consciousness and raising the roof, the Russell Leon Band demands to be heard. Now it's time for everyone to discover a true jewel of the independent music world. PETER J SLACK Peter J. Slack is an independent Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, aspiring music producer, mechanical engineer, and entrepreneur. Although Peter loves all musical styles, he is most comfortable exploring the folk, jazz, blues and ambient/improvisational genres. Peter has had a lifetime of musical training and involvement. In his teens, Peter studied jazz guitar at Eli Kasner's guitar academy for 5 years under the guidance of Bruce Jones with whom he has recently finished a second Brazilian jazz album playing lead guitar. Peter turned momentarily from the musical path in 1984 and spent the next decade first obtaining an Engineering degree at the University of Western, and then practicing engineering, raising a family, and running a family owned mining business and organic farming venture. It wasn't until 1996 that the music bug took hold again and Peter branched out to begin producing music forming a music production and recording company, Digital Bird Studios. It was then he began exploring the realm of independent, desktop computer based music publishing, and he produced several albums for young independent artists including Jennalyn Flesch and Dave Misener (Convertible Robots, Sir Jerry). Peter has since continued to produce music on the ever-increasing capabilities of the computer desktop and home studio as well as experimenting and blazing trail using the Internet as a free and open musical distribution mechanism. In 2004, Peter was inducted into the Toronto area collective of songwriters currently known as Songwriter's Unite!. After several years writing songs and gaining inspirations through performances with and among other amazing artists in this collective, Peter has launched a folk musical style and has just released his first official CD: "The Cat Continuum", a folk-pop album. Peter is also working on the production of the 2006 Emancipation Picnic Festival blues and soul recordings.
Friday Oct 6th,2006
===WHAT: On the first Friday of every month, SONGWRITERS UNITE! ( http://www.songwritersunite.com/ ) presents a great lineup of singer/songwriters performing original songs. ===WHO: THIS MONTH SONGWRITERS UNITE! features artists: ED ROMAN, ARTHUR RENWICK, SCOTT REYNOLDS, PETER J SLACK, NICK SPENCE, CINDY ARCHER, LOVELY ROSINA and the host of SONGWRITERS UNITE! RUSSELL LEON. ===WHEN: This Friday Oct 6th. 9pm ===WHERE: Graffiti's in Kensington Market. 170 Baldwin Street, Toronto ( http://www.graffitisbarandgrill.com/ ) ===$$$ pwyc.
September 24th, 2006
Announcing the first annual Toronto Songwriter's Festival brought to you by Songwriter's Unite and the Jai Dee (Good Heart) Children's Fund. http://www.jaideechildrensfund.org/featureActs2006-09-24.html Date: September 24th Time: 6:30 Location: The Hugh's Room (http://www.hughsroom.com) Tickets: 40$ Jai Dee (Good Heart) Children's Fund, a new Toronto charity, has teamed up with Songwriters' Unite! to launch this festival to support local talent and to raise money for a kindergarten school in Laos. CityTV's Jojo Chintoh will cut the ribbon. The evening features award- winning blues singer Suzie Vinnick, and other notable performers, Royal Wood, Noah Zacharin, Kat Goldman, Layah Jane, blueVenus, Peter J Slack, The Undesirables and the Russell Leon Band. Comedian Alex Nussbaum will make a spot appearance. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and plenty of finger food. Proceeds will help improve a kindergarten school in Laos, which needs everything from outhouses to books and crayons. www.jaideechildrensfund.org. Alex Nussbaum was nominated for the 2004 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Stand Up. His absurdist, observational and visual comedy is sure to get you laughing. blueVenus Devrim Eldelekli and Andrea de Boer are blueVenus. The music of blueVenus is artful rock that incorporate elements of jazz, blues, latin and pop music. Kat Goldman has performed at NXNE, Taste of the Danforth and Canadian Music Week. She has also opened for The Waifs, Blue Rodeo's Bob Egan, Sarah Slean, Dar Williams and Martin Sexton. Kat is an eloquent storyteller with a powerful on stage persona. Layah Jane Twenty-three year old singer-songwriter Layah Jane is a hearty young musician with a mission. With soulful vocals and a poetic, articulate tongue, Layah's sound recalls Joni Mitchell, Ricki Lee Jones and Ani Difranco, with a resonance all her own. Noah Zacharin Noah Zacharin was born, weaned, and raised in Montreal. Inspired to ask for a guitar by a camp counselor who played ukulele; grateful he didn't ask for one of those. Learned to play at the feet of his parents' hi-fi speakers, listening to, among others, Mississippi John Hurt, Dave Van Ronk, Reverend Gary Davis, David Bromberg, Bob Dylan, and Patrick Sky. Peter J. Slack Peter J. Slack is a Canadian Independent Singer-Songwriter, a mechanical engineer, computer geek, and entreprenuer. Royal Wood Royal started playing piano at age four. He has toured with Sarah Harmer, played at many music festivals including Canadian Music Week, and had his music featured on several TV and movie soundtracks. To the delight of his many fans, he'll soon be releasing his latest CD, A Good Enough Day (nationally distributed through Universal Music). Suzie Vinnick Suzie Vinnick is an award-winning singer, songwriter and musician. She recently won 1st place in the Blues Category of the International Songwriting Contest. She was awarded the 2003 Canadian Maple Blues Female Vocalist of the Year, and was nominated again as the 2004 Canadian Maple Blues Female Vocalist of the Year. The Russell Leon Band All of the members of the Russell Leon Band are experienced players with a flair for shifting stylistic gears. These world travellers are all over the musical map, making it difficult to define their overall sound. But the music is grounded in Russell Leon's compelling lyrics and spirited vocal performances. The Undesirables The Undesirables are a refreshing and infectious songwriting duo who kick out heat like an old woodstove. Guitarist/harmonist Sean Cotton and lyricist/singer Corin Raymond deliver a brand new vibe with roots clout.
April 19, 2006
HUGH'S ROOM Heroes and Villains Timothy Cameron Laura Fernandez Bernie German Layah Jane Andrew Lang Alise Marlane Michael Reinhart Ronley Tepper Noah Zacharin
March 22,2006
HUGH'S ROOM Out in the Country Brian Gladstone Ellen Carol Bill Colgate Keith Thompson Rich Burnett Pat Kelly Co-presented by the National Campus Radio Association
February 15, 2006
HUGH'S ROOM My Favourite Book. Su Alexanian Clancy David Leask Harry Lewis Bruce Madole Evalyn Parry Marion Parsons Carol Teal Noah Vachon Thanks to The CBC for their support on this show!
January 18, 2006
HUGH'S ROOM Globalization Dorothy Cooley Joshua Engel Howard Gladstone Eve Goldberg Harry Lewis Alise Marlane Asetha Power Russell Scott Peter J. Slack
November 23,2005
HUGH'S ROOM Colours Laura Bird Herb Dale Brian Gladstone Greg Klyma Harry Lewis David Newland Steven Rauchman Peter J. Slack Noah Zacharin
October 19,2005
HUGH'S ROOM Sex!! Ronley Teper Gregg Lawless Peter Boyd Peter J Slack Dennis O'Toole Matt Masters Lynn Harrison Neil Conway Trevor Mills With the following amazing players in the house band: Brian Katz (piano & guitar), Scott Maynard (bass) and Ilios Steryannis (drums)
September 21,2005
HUGH'S ROOM Toronto Mike Freedman Terry Golletz Greg Hobbs Gregg Lawless Alise Marlane Tanya Philipovich Peter Verity Ed Winacott Terry Young With the AMAZING House band The Magic Stuff (Robbie Grunwald leads the band on keys. These guys are the regular pit band for the Sunday Night Live Improv Show at the Poor Alex Theatre)
May 18th, 2004
HUGH'S ROOM (35 performers, one magical night of music and community) 7:00 - 8:00 First Timers Ellie Avishai playing Rick Keating randaLL J. Fox playing Kat Goldman Natalie Hughes playing Lisa Winn Nana Jokura playing Reid Jamieson City Folk playing Michael Daley Sara Kamin playing Arlene Bishop Kirsten Sandwich playing Trevor Mills Markus playing Royal Wood Jeff Oussoren playing Lori Cullen Linda Saslove playing Ian North 8:00 - 8:15 Speech!! (read it) Producer Trevor Mills will speak about what's ahead for Songwriters Unite! and plans for taking it to the next level. He'll also introduce the new producer of the show who will take the reins next year after he moves to Winnipeg. 8:15 - 9:00 Cover Swaps (I'll show you yours if you show me mine!) Lynn Harrison and Karen Leslie Hall David Newland and Aengus Finnan Norman Liota and Sam Turton 9:00 - 11:00 Special Guests & Past Favourites (Folks who travelled from afar and some favourites from Songwriters Unite! Shows past) Ben Sures (from Alberta) ChoirGirlz playing Gregg Lawless Eve Goldberg playing Evalyn Parry Jory Nash playing Brian MacMillan Kim Beggs playing Anne Louise Genest Anne Louise Genest playing Kim Beggs Laura Fernandez playing Noah Zacharin Michelle Rumball playing Justin Rutledge Rich Burnett playing Karyn Ellis 11:00 - 12:00 Acoustic Song Circles (Off stage, off mic, one by the bar, one by the stage. Two acoustic song circles. Stand by, sit in, sing along and enjoy) Circle #1 (by the stage) Corin Raymond playing Evalyn Parry Treasa Levasseur playing Corin Raymond Mary Anne Epp playing Nonie Crete Brenda McMorrow playing Ian Gifford Allison Brown playing Jennifer Noxon Circle #2 (by the bar) Bill Candy playing Wendell Ferguson David Gillis playing Wendell Ferguson Evalyn Parry playing Tucker Doherty Nancy Dutra playing Justin Rutledge Alfie Smith playing Allison Brown 12:00 - ??? After Party (Stay, hang out, sing more songs, pine for the past, dream for the future, raise toasts, etc...) Everyone and everyone!
April 20, 2004
HUGH'S ROOM Jingles (Songwriters are invited to write a 'jingle' for The Monthly Show or Hugh's Room or anything else to do with the music industry) Dan D'Agostino Danny Bakan Clancy Bill Colgate Reverend Ken Vanessa Marshak Sarah Metzner Ian Sherwood Sam Turton House Band: The Magic Stuff* - Robbie Grunwald (organ) - Adam Balsam (drums) - Steve Perzow (bass) * - The Magic Stuff are the pit band for the popular sketch comedy show Sunday Night Live, every Sunday at The Poor Alex Theatre
March 16, 2004
HUGH'S ROOM The CBC CĂ©sar Alvarez Choirgirlz Heather Dale Tom Howell Claire Jenkins Gregg Lawless George Meanwell Dennis O'Toole Guy Stefan House Band: Galitcha (a very cool East Indian/Jazz/World music group from Ottawa, ON. The show is going to have a GREAT flavour!!)
February 16, 2004
HUGH'S ROOM Animals (In anticipation of The Furry Folk Festival on March 25 at Hugh's Room supporting the Ontario SPCA) Laura Bird Eliana Cuevas Robert Davis Tucker Doherty John Dorsey Matt Masters Evalyn Parry Trevor Strong Mark Weinstock House Band: - Jason Fowler - Tom Leighton - David Woodhead
January 20, 2004
HUGH'S ROOM Peter Boyd Allison Brown Nicole Dueck Nancy Dutra Wendell Ferguson Laura Fernandez Rob Lutes Tony Turner Caroline Wiles House Band: Suzie Vinnick (bass) Troy McLaggan (guitar) Dave Pontello (drums)
December 16, 2003
HUGH'S ROOM 'W' Words Rich Burnett Bill Candy Pat Kelly Norman Liota Alise Marlane Brenda McMorrow Kevin Quain Corin Raymond Michelle Rumball House Band: Dan Whiteley (mandolin, electric guitar) Burke Carroll (dobro, pedal steel) (Again, the house band includes some stellar players. Dan can be heard on Wednesdays at the Silver Dollar playing bluegrass with Crazy Strings and Burke is simply one of the most respected session players around!)
November 18, 2003
HUGH'S ROOM Read a Review Forecast Songwriters: Karyn Ellis Ian Gifford David Gillis Karen Leslie Hall Carrie Horachek Molly McClure David Newland The Undesirables D'Arcy Wickham House Band: Maury Lafoy (bass) Dave Matheson (piano) Mark Mariash (drums & percussion) (These are simply some of the finest players from around town whose playing credits include The Supers, Ron Sexsmith, Sarah Harmer, Moxy FrĂĽvous, Sarah Slean & Kurt Swinghammer)
October 21, 2003
HUGH'S ROOM Read a Review Blackout Songwriters: Beth Cahill Layah Jane rob lamothe Manitoba Hal Trevor Mills Justin Rutledge Trevor Strong Royal Wood Terry Young House Band: The Anne Lindsay Band - Anne Lindsay - David Woodhead - Jason Fowler
September 23, 2003
HUGH'S ROOM With a Twist Songwriters: Joanne Crabtree Neil Cotton Tucker Doherty Terry Golletz Darren Kraemer Gregg Lawless Andrew Masse Carol Teal Peter Wildman House Band: Sahra Featherstone Joe Phillips Curly Boy Stubbs