Winnipeg’s most notorious arts house
CURRENT EVENTS
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February 4, 2010
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Ann Vriend & Last Ditch on the Left
in concert @ The CYRK (254 Young Street)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Door 8 Show 9
$7-10 suggested donation (all donations go to the artists)
BYOB (we don't sell alcohol)
No presale or reservations
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About ANN VRIEND
http://www.myspace.com/annvriend
“With her soaring vocals, impressive song-writing ability, and instrumental
prowess, Vriend is truly an all-in-one package." --Obscure Sound
Ann Vriend (pronounced Vreend) was born in Vancouver, BC. When her
parents discovered their 3-year-old could play nursery songs on a Fisher Price
xylophone, they encouraged her musical development by enrolling her in violin
lessons. At the age of nine, when Vriend sought to accompany herself as a
songwriter, she took piano lessons from an elderly woman down the street who
charged $5 per visit. In high school, Vriend reluctantly performed 3 of her
compositions (meant to be sung by friend instead of her) at a talent show.
Accolades from her fellow students evolved into various projects with older
students in bands, and eventually into praise from critics, the media, and fans
around the world.
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About LAST DITCH ON THE LEFT
http://www.myspace.com/kerriwoelke
Born from an urgency, mingling equal parts controversy & good ol' prairie gumption,
Last Ditch On The Left was a necessary consequence from the determined bent of
Kerri Woelke & Brent Warren. Still addled from their 2009 Sketch-Wolseley
New Roots Duo of the Year nomination, wheels are set to roll upon a New Year
of records, gigs and rows. What exploits lay in the road for this young pard'nership,
recently described by troubadour Matt Epp as, “Killer!”, will be deterred only by
law and couth.
“You're in a cool band.”
overheard, Brian James (Jicah) to Kerri Woelke
“I can't feel my pants!”
Alex Sannie (The Lytics)
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January 29, 2010
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Lovers of Lake Winnipeg are called to attend …
A night of film, poetry, photography, paintings, drawings, science, and discussion on the beauty and devastation of Lake Winnipeg …
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January 15, 2010
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The GREENROOM in concert
Pre EP Release Party
@ The CYRK (254 Young Street)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Door 8 Show 9
$10 suggested donation
BYOB (we don't sell alcohol)
No presale or reservations
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Greenroom/172892053428
vocals - Chris Cooper-Morrison
guitar - Jorel Minuk
bass - Esteban Berman
drums - Tom Hannaback
keys - Matt "funk man" Leibl
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December 5, 2009
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Here’s some blue-grass with a twist from an amazing Victoria band ...
Fish & Bird
in concert
@ the CYRK (254 Young Street)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Door 8 Show 9
$10 suggested donation
BYOB (we don't sell alcohol)
No presale or reservations
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December 4, 2009
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You’d guys all agree that a night is bound to happen when the spectacular Scott Nolan takes the stage. And nobody will argue with me that Jason Nowicki of the Perpetrators is one sexy and mad act. What do you think will happen if we combine these two acts into once show?
And, oh yes, come meet Kim, a new illustrious member of the CYRK community!
Scott Nolan & Jason Nowicki (of the Perpetrators)
in a double bill concert
@ the CYRK (254 Young Street)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Door 8 Show 9
$10 suggested donation
BYOB (we don't sell alcohol)
No presale or reservations
http://www.myspace.com/wpgperpetrators
http://www.myspace.com/thescottnolanband
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NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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HAVE WE BECOME A NATION OF CHEATS
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OCTOBER 1, 2009
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This sounds very good ... Jesse will also be playing at Park Theatre on Friday ...
Candor Promotions & The CYRK Presents...
Jesse DeNatale
Thursday, October 1, 2009
@ The CYRK
Door 7pm
Show 8pm
$12 suggested donation
BYOB (we don't sell alcohol)
Candor Promotions is thrilled to announce that Jesse DeNatale is coming back to Winnipeg. Jesses' appearance in
Winnipeg is not part of a tour - which is rare for most performers. It's not often you hear of an established
Singer/Songwriter who resides on the coast of California making a direct trip to the middle of the Canadian Prairies for
a concert. His upcoming appearance will be his only Canadian visit this year.
Many of you will remember seeing Jesse for the first time on the stage at the 2005 Folk Festival. In the winter of 2007
Jesse responded to a cold call from Candor (Books & Music)...and we mean cold! (it was a request to perform on
February 10th - at our Grand Opening). That same visit he also headlined the West End Cultural Centre. Each time he
has performed here, Jesses' fanbase has grown more passionate and his musical relationships with local artists has
expanded.
What people are saying about Jesse...
"Now it seems that all of the best ones have been driven underground. If there is a leak in the boiler room, it is the
music of Jesse DeNatale, a unique and original American voice."
- Tom Waits
(Grammy Award winning American Singer/Songwriter - Mule Variations, Bone Machine)
"He's Good, He's really good"
— Nick Hornby, (Author and Essayist)
"A gorgeous collection. The voice echoes Van the Man, Jagger and Dylan at their soulful, musical best. But Jesse
DeNatale somehow remains his own man, with his own memories, stories, and visions. They're not only well worth
hearing, they're well worth hearing again and again."
- Ben Fong-Torres (former Rolling Stone senior editor)
"Coming across the musical inner workings of Jesse DeNatale was the single most soul satisfying surprise of my year."
-Eliza Gilkyson (Texas based Folk Singer/Songwriter, Keynote speaker at the 20th Annual Folk Alliance)
To say that Jesse is a storyteller is a bit of an understatement. Perhaps it's the raspy grit in his voice that lifts his
stories off the page and makes me believe there's something behind each tale. What more can a listener really ask for
than to be persuaded that an artist's heart is being poured into every line?
- Rachel Algood, (reporter,SF Deli)
"Beautifully produced, and orchestrated, and stocked with inventive and compelling songs, Soul Parade reminds us
that Jesse DeNatale is one of the most distinctive singers and creative lyricists of his generation and the generations
that flank him."
- Billy Collins (U.S. Poet Laureate 2001-2003)
"A rough and tender voice, intricate lyrics, and wise new songs. Soul Parade is half dance and half street confessional.
All from the heart."
-Michael Ondaatje (Poet and Academy Award winning Author of the English Patient)
Jesse Denatales' last album, Soul Parade, was an instant favourite with the customers at Candor and with international
music critics as well. If you have yet to see Jesse perform live - now you have two chances. Jesse will be performing
an intimate Cyrk show on Thursday and a full scale band show on Friday at the Park Theatre.
For more info about Jesse DeNatale, please visit: http://www.jessedenatale.org
Please call 415.8305 or email: candorpromo@gmail.com
to inquire about special ticket rates for groups/organizations.
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
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SEPTEMBER 18 & 19, 2009
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Join us for two days of poetry, song, dance, film, video, and drinking
at Winnipeg’s two finest intimate live music venues, Times Change(d) and The CYRK
for an unprecedented celebration of this planet's most ...
BEAUTIFUL LOSER: L. Cohen 75 Birthday Bash Festival
September 18 & 19, 2009 (Friday and Saturday in both venues)
Times Change(d) & The CYRK (254 Young)
$20 nightly fee allows admission to both venues (space permitted)
No reservations or pre-sale (come early)
BYOB to the CYRK (we don’t sell alcohol)
______________________________________________________________________________
Friday, September 18
_____________________________________________________________________
The CYRK Times Change(d)
_____________________________________________________________________
Door - 9 pm Door - 9 pm
Show - 10 pm Show - 10 pm
Host Music
Terry McLeod Keri Latimer
Michael Peters
Poets & Tweeners CR Avery
Arne MacPherson Fish & Bird
Kurt James Tittlemie Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers
Short Play
‘Leotard Cohen, the Forgotten Sister’
- short play by Donna Lewis
Short Burlesue
‘Dance me to the end of Love’
- short burleque by Miss La Muse
Music
Patrick Keenan
Matt Allen Band
Ann Vriend
F-Holes
______________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, September 19
______________________________________________________________________________
The CYRK Times Change(d)
_____________________________________________________________________
Door - 7 pm Door - 9 pm
Pre-show - 8 pm Show - 10 pm
Film Music
'Ladies and Gentlemen ... Mr Leonard Cohen' Patrick Keenan
- (1965) Canada Film Board documentary Matt Allen Band
Ann Vriend
Show - 9:30 pm F-Holes
Gilles Fournier & Dominque Reynolds
Host
Jeff Robson
Poets & Teeners
Bonnie Holms
Leif Norman
Andrea von Wichert
Music
Drek Daa, Skye Rousseau, Stephanie Plaitin & PC Miller with dancer Nicole Briones
Keri Latimer
Michael Peters
CR Avery
Fish & Bird
Post-show - after midnight
Dance
L Cohen Dance Party with DJ Coda
Pucona MC and Drek Daa
________________________________________________________________________________
... If you are oppressed by figures of beauty, come dressed in rags of light ...
Thank you to our generous sponsors ...
Constance Menzies
Bozena Rzeszowska
Wojtek Rzeszowski
Karen Clements
Malgosia Friesen
Marcel Balfour
Gloria Rathwell
Mark Etkin
Cheri Rohloff
Karen O’Brian
Lenore Kersey
Amy Karlinski
and others ...
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AUGUST 6 & 7, 2009
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Hey good people,
Come give our awesome guest from Australia a good Winnipeg welcome (This Thursday) ... Datails below.
Also, on Friday (August 7), join us for another film night, as Big Smash! Productions presents Nick Lowe + Dave Edmunds in: ‘BORN FIGHTERS.’ See details below.
________________________________
DAVID ROSS
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
Thursday, August 6 @ 9:30 PM (door 8:30 PM)
Suggested donation $10
And of course BYOB.
_______________________________
ABOUT DAVID ROSS
“[David Ross Macdonald] is one of those few songwriters like Nick Drake, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), and Josh Ritter that can captivate his listeners armed only with a voice and guitar.”
American Songwriter Magazine
“David Ross MacDonald's vocals, lyrics, and intricate fingerstyle guitar playing bring to mind a collaboration between Nick Drake and a mid-1970s Bruce Cockburn... “
Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"...deft guitar playing ... polished songwriting ... pristine, thoughtful folk rock..."
Penguin Eggs Magazine
The glowing review excerpts above won't surprise anyone who has heard David Ross MacDonald's three CDs or seen him perform at international festivals including Australia's Woodford, Port Fairy, Apollo Bay and National as well as Canadian events including the Mariposa, Edmonton, Stan Rogers, Stewart Park, Live from Red Rock and Ness Creek Festivals.
SHORT BIO - David Ross Macdonald - Australia- folk/roots/americana
Acoustic Guitar Magazine likened MacDonald's vocals, lyrics, and intricate fingerstyle guitar style to "a collaboration between Nick Drake and amid-1970s Bruce Cockburn".
Ross deals in subtlety, intimacy and nuance with a tunesmiths hand that coins songs and music with a haunting and poignant quality.
Born of a jazz musician father he returned to his musical roots after some years underground as a geologist and now plies his trade not only as an internationally touring songwriter but also as a jazz turned folk-roots drummer for the acclaimed Australian group The Waifs.
Having played with and opened for such luminaries including John Renbourne, Tony McMannus, Kelly Jo Phelps and Chris Smither, Macdonald constantly tours internationally armed with his 1935 Gibson guitar and a carpet bag of songs that he illuminates in his own inimitably reserved yet intense, poetic style.
LIVE YOUTUBE :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9wgAbmqgto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3JgBY9-8rc
TRIVIA:
Hung out with Leonard Cohen in Melbourne Australia this year while Leonard enjoyed a cheese burger ... then guested to his show ... true story.
Is the guy who is the co-conspirator for The Undesirables acting as their agent, drummer and go-to-guy for the two times the "Undies" have toured Australia.
Played drums with Bob Dylan while on tour with Bob drumming with The Waifs ... Bob bought me a country shirt as my stage gear was a bit shabby by Dylan's standards ... we jammed together during a sound check ... most nerve wracking onstage experience to date.
Swapped guitar instrumentals with Bruce Cockburn backstage at the Newport Folk Festival.
CURRENTLY:
Touring Canada and USA performing at the Vancouver Island MusicFest, Salmon Arm Blues and Roots festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Trout Forest Music Festival to name a few.
Doesn't have a home ... been touring since 1998 ... since mid 2008 gave up all material attachments and home bases to follow the musical life in it's complete and random entirety.
_________________________________
Big Smash! Productions presents
Nick Lowe + Dave Edmunds in:
BORN FIGHTERS
plus: mystery 'STIFF' film!
w. DJ Stu Reid
Friday Aug 7th, 2009
at THE CYRK - 254 Young St.
Doors: 7:00pm / Show: 7:30pm
Admission $7
To mark the anniversary of the very first Stiff Records single ever released - Nick Lowe's 'Heart of the City' - we're celebrating with a rare double-bill of Nick Lowe-related movies: the first is the 1979 BBC special BORN FIGHTERS (45min.), depicting Nick Lowe / Dave Edmunds' band Rockpile in the studio, recording songs that made it onto the albums 'Labour of Lust' and 'Seconds of Pleasure'. This is a very rare look behind the scenes of one of the 70s great songwriting/producing partnerships. (Thanks to Clint Enns for helping me clean up the sound)
Next up is the mystery 'STIFF' movie - this film was never released in North America!
Stu Reid from CKUW is a big Nick Lowe fan, so I asked him to come out and spin Nick Lowe songs before and after the screening! There'll be door prizes and more - see you there!
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JULY 30, 2009
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More good news from the CYRK ...
Please pass this on to anyone who would like to share their version of L Cohen with us ...
Performers: Please prepare one or two L Cohen covers (songs, poems, brief pieces of prose) or (for the brave at
heart) an original piece inspired by or about Our Man to share ...
Then we can dance to L Cohen infused beats by DJ Coda & Pucona MC (best dancing in town!!!)...
You are cordially invited to ...
_____________________________________________
L COHEN OPEN MIKE & DANCE PARTY:
Warm-up to & Fundraiser for ...
BEAUTIFUL LOSER: L. Cohen 75 Birthday Bash Festival (September)
Hosted by Daevid Langdon
Thursday, July 30
@ the CYRK (254 Young Street)
Door/Signup @ 7:30
Open Mike Show @ 8:30 (Open to anyone)
DJ Coda with Pucona MC @ 11:00
Donations to the festival welcome (all donations will go to the artists)
Of course BYOB (we do not sell alcohol)
Here's a rough draft of the spiel for the upcoming festival ...
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The CYRK and Times Change(d) presents ...
Three days of poetry, song, dance, film, video, and drinking by and maybe with the best songwriter of all times ...
Where his mouth has a thousand reviews by Canada's best musicians dressed in rags of light and oppressed by figures
of beauty ...
An unprecedented celebration of this planet's most ...
BEAUTIFUL LOSER: L. Cohen 75 Birthday Bash Festival
September 18, 19, 20
The CYRK & The Times Change(d)
FEATURING
(tentative line up - not confirmed)
CR Avery
Fish & Bird
F-Holes
Ann Vriend
Keri Latimer
Dan Frechette
Gilles Fournier
Scott Nolan
Michael Peters
Drek Daa
Matt Allen
Winnipeg Slam Poetry Team
L Cohen Tribute Video Installation by Drek Daa & Jerry Hebert
Screening of 'Ladies and Gentlemen ... Mr Leonard Cohen' (1965)
Open Mike
DJ Coda's L Cohen Dance Party every night @ the CYRK ... with Pucona MC
And more …
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JULY 3, 2009
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All right Good People ... We got our soulful Twilight Hotel back for a full show after their recent brief and spectacular
CYRK appearance ... Please spread this good news ... And of course come indulge your senses ...
Twilight Hotel
Friday, July 3 @ 9:00 PM (door 8 PM)
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
Suggested donation $5-10
BYOB
No reservations
_________________________________________________
About TWILIGHT HOTEL
Twilight Hotel is the musical partnership of Brandy Zdan & Dave Quanbury. In 2008, Twilight Hotel teamed up with
Colin Linden to produce Highway Prayer (WCMA Outstanding Roots Album Duo/Group), which continue’s the duo’s
provocative love story showcasing their characteristic dark twang and noir cabaret all the while centered around their
rich harmonies. Recorded in Nashville, TN, Highway Prayer features prolific guest musicians including the late Richard
Bell (Janis Joplin, The Band), Stephen Hodges (Tom Waits), and Dave Roe (Johnny Cash).
The 12 original songs run the gamut from the opening rockabilly jump manifesto, Viva la Vinyl, the street busker feel
of Shadow of a Man, to the heartbreaking confessional closer Sand in you Eyes.
Hailing from the fertile music community of Winnipeg, MB, Zdan & Quanbury met in 2002 at a folk festival and
realized the power of combining their talents. Constant touring in North America & Europe continue to bolster the
duo’s profile. In 2007/2008 they played over 250 North American/Europe tour dates.
Highway Prayer has received critical praise both nationally & internationally including a debut at #2 on the Euro
Americana Chart in June 2008. Performance highlights for 2008 include Trafalger Square in London, England for the
Canada Day Celebrations, mainstage at the infamous Kerville Folk Festival in Kerville, TX, and the Bremenale Festival in
Bremen, Germany.
.................. twilighthotel.ca those who live by the sea start to rust those on the highway fill up with dus
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JUNE 19, 2009
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Prairie Jewel Concert
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
Friday, June 19 @ 9 PM (door 8 PM)
Suggested donation $10
BYOB
Since opening for Doc Walker, Prairie Jewel has grafted an edgy, urban cynicism into the best of Canadian folk
music’s storytelling tradition.
With voices that play like evening sun on dappled wheat fields, Sarah Hatherly, Katherine Johnson and Julia Kasdorf’s
crystal tones and rich harmonies hypnotize audiences. The trio’s playbook swings from hymn-like acoustics in The
Parting Glass, to a sharp-tongued, street/folk hybrid in their original Orange Girl, and spanning over political
awareness in tunes like Northern Girl.
With strong musical backgrounds, Prairie Jewel writes, sings and plays as only true blue prairie gals can.
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MAY 31, 2009
***************
Hey guys
Last minute show - tonight at the CYRK
This actually sounds good - check it out
_____________________________________
Emily Brown
Sara Ciantar
Ingrid Gatin
James Lamb
TONIGHT
Sunday, May 31
Door @ 7:30
Show @ 8:30
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
BYOB
$5-10 donation for musicians
No reservations
___________________
About tonight's performers
Emily Brown:
Miss Emily Brown is devotedly dragging old instruments out of junk stores and back onto the stage. Her debut album,
Part of You Pours Out of Me (April 2008) is a latticework of autoharp, vintage keys, strings, music boxes,
accompanying her unmistakable voice. Recently featured on CBC Canada Live and CBC Canada NEXT, Miss Brown is
already working on her next album, a collection of songs based on her grandmother’s journal from WWII, with
support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
www.myspace.com/missemilybrown
Sara Ciantar:
Sara Ciantar is ecstatic to be launching her latest album, "Lines for Keeping." Featuring guest musicians James Lamb,
Richard St. Onge, Karly Warkentin and Ari Neufeld, "Lines for Keeping" ranges in styles from the biblically inspired
folk
ballad "St. Christopher" to the pop-flavoured "Wreck Beach" inspired by her West Coast home. Sara's music is drawn
from her myriad of influences: from learning classical piano while living on a hippie farm and listening to her parents'
70’s folk records; to studying world music at UBC where she learned to play the accordion, the pipe organ, a Chinese
lap-harp, Balinese xylophone, and even sang a little jazz; to being lulled to sleep by the sound of Mexican wedding
music in the slums of Tijuana; to the beauty of church and choral traditions; to her humble guitar's yearnings while
living in her camper van for her formative years. In the end she's got a story to tell with her ever-changing mood and
voice.
www.myspace.com/saraciantarmusic
Ingrid Gatin:
Strong, soulful and sultry, Ingrid's voice shines. Inspired by: gyspy violin, 60's soul, and trashcan percussion, Ingrid
has a sound at once eclectic and classic. Playing on the piano and the accordion with some of her other favourite
instruments such as: the ukelele, the mandolin, the tambourine, violin, handclaps, foot stomps, and snaps, Ingrid will
stir your emotions, and move your body.
James Lamb:
Recently featured on CBC Canada Live, James Lamb comes from a large family of folk musicians in the Kootenay
Mountains of British Columbia. While his songwriting reflects his traditional roots, his unconventional compositions
and lyrics explore the most contemporary issues in our Canadian culture. Lamb has toured extensively both as a solo
performer, and as a support musician on acoustic guitar, slide guitar, mandolin.
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MAY 30, 2009
*******************
Oh you know, I usually don't feel like celebrating my birthday,
and certainly have not been in the mood to perform during the recent couple of years.
But the current wave of exuberance in my life
has given me a place among things
and has made me think that maybe
I am as worth celebrating as anything else in this world.
Hey, why not.
So I am getting a special show ready for you.
And the show is all about love.
I am working with amazing musicians, and I am very excited to see what's going to happen.
Then we can drink and dance and figure it all out of course ...
Darek
DAA CABARET presents 'LOVE'
featuring poetry and songs by Drek Daa
with ...
Drek Daa
Ingrid Gatin
Christopher Dunn &
DJ Coda
Followed by DJ Coda and lots of fun
Saturday, May 30
Door @ 8
Show @ 9
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
I will provide some little eats
BYOB
Your donation towards musicians will be much appreciated
No reservations
___________________
About Drek Daa (who me? weird!)
As a poet and songwriter performed in cafes, clubs, soup kitchens, parks, high-schools, universities,
libraries, and concert halls
2004 & 2005 & 2007 Winnipeg International New Music Festival
2007 Brandon Folk Festival
2007 Trout Forest Music Festival
2005 Vancouver West Coast Poetry Festival
2005 Kingston Red School House Poetry Primer Festival
2005 Durham Words Aloud Spoken Word Festival
2005 Vancouver Canadian Festival of Spoken Word
2004 & 2007 Winnipeg International Writers’ Festival
2004 Regina Folk Festival
The Poet of Honour @ the 2007 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Halifax
Canadian Individual Performance Poetry Champion @ the 2004 Ottawa Canadian Spoken Wordlympics
Festival
Manitoba winner of the 2003 CBC Poetry Face-Off.
Placed second among the leading Canadian, US, and European poets @ the International Poetry Slam
@ the 2003
Toronto Urban Music Festival.
Ranked as one of the top Canadian poets @ the 2003 National Poetry Slam in Chicago, world’s largest
spoken word
competition
Represented Canadian Poetry during the 2004 Wordlympians European Tour
Wrote and directed the Wordlympians, a performance poetry showcase featuring some of Canada’s
leading
performance poets @ the 2004 Winnipeg Writers’ Festival (opening night and provincial tour).
Co-produced a spoken word DVD Poets From the Drive
Invited to present his collaborative work with a visual artist Zbyszek Sokalski @ the Visual Poetry exhibit
at the
Winnipeg Centennial Hall
Production grants from Canada Council for the Arts and Winnipeg Arts Council. Released poetry/song
CD Just Jittering
in 2007
Subject of a 2004 full-length CBC documentary
Full-page feature in the Winnipeg free press (2007)
From 2005 to 2007, weekly columnist for the CBC Radio One as 'Drek Daa: That Polish Guy'
Wrote a full-feature film script ‘Paper Heart’ (supported by the Winnipeg Arts Council, 2008)
Member of the League of Canadian Poets since 2007
Founder of the Winnipeg Poetry Slam (2002)
Founder of the SpoCan and the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word - Canada's largest annual celebration
of spoken
word (2004)
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MAY 22, 2009
*******************
All right good people,
It is certainly May. Even though the weather does not show it, one can sense the exuberance in the air.
For those who haven't heard Ridley Bent, well it's just about time. The rest of you need no convincing. It's going to
be an awesome show. See you then.
Darek
PS. Book the evening of Saturday May 30 off ...
_____________________________________________
RIDLEY BENT
with CHRIS DUNN
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
Friday, May 22 @ 9:00 PM (door 8:00 PM)
Suggested donation $10
Of course BYOB
No reservations
_______________________________
ABOUT RIDLEY BENT
Ridley Bent serves up tall tales, sweet rhymes and love songs, with a dash of mayhem and murder on the side.
Populated by a cast of modern day desperadoes, lovesick drifters, and small town heroes, his latest album, Buckles
and Boots, is full to the brim with stories you just can't take your ears off of.
Ridley was recently featured on CBC Radio 3's Country Music Podcast, along with Corb Lund and Kathleen Edwards.
His song “Nine Inch Nails” won best song at the Independent Music Awards this year.
"funny, incisive, witty and an exceptionally literate lyricist, and he knows how to rock out... There's not a wasted
track" - Greg Quill, The Toronto Star
"A beat-poet cowboy that can sing a broken hearted country song [that will] make you want to cry" - Lynn Saxberg,
The Ottawa Citizen
Listen online:www.ridleybent.ca
******************
MAY 14, 2009
******************
Big Smash! Productions presents
in association with CKUW 95.9FM and Into the Music
NEW WAVE THEATRE!
_WITH JOSH FRANK, CO-AUTHOR OF “IN HEAVEN EVERYTHING IS FINE: THE
UNSOLVED LIFE OF PETER IVERS AND THE LOST HISTORY OF NEW WAVE THEATRE”
LIVE IN PERSON TO READ FROM HIS BOOK AND PRESENT RARE, RESTORED EPISODES OF
NEW WAVE THEATRE - PRECEDED BY A LIVE PERFORMANCE BY SLATTERN!_
THURSDAY MAY 14TH AT THE CYRK
254 Young St., Winnipeg, Canada
Doors: 7:00pm | Slattern 7:30pm | Intro and screening 8:00pm
info: mailto:bigsmashproductions@gmail.com
Admission $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Includes one free drink and a
LIMITED edition event poster by legendary punk/underground artist GARY
PANTER (_designer of The Screamers logo and the production designer for Pee
Wee’s Playhouse_)!
Advance tickets available at Into The Music (B-245 McDermot in the
Exchange)
_About the Show and the Book:_
On March 3, 1983, Peter Ivers was found bludgeoned to death in his loft in
downtown Los Angeles, ending a short-lived but essential pop cultural
moment that has been all but lost to history. For the two years leading up
to his murder, Ivers had hosted the underground but increasingly popular
LA-based music and sketch-comedy cable show New Wave Theatre.
The late ‘70s through early ‘80s was an explosive time for pop
culture: Saturday Night Live and National Lampoon were leading a comedy
renaissance, while punk rock and new wave were turning the music world on
its head. New Wave Theatre brought together for the first time
comedians-turned-Hollywood players like John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and
Harold Ramis with West Coast punks Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys, Fear, and
others, thus transforming music and comedy forever. The show was a
jubilant, chaotic punk-experimental-comedy cabaret, and Ivers was its
charismatic leader and muse. He was, in fact, the only person with the
vision, the generosity of spirit, and the myriad of talented friends to
bring together these two very different but equally influential worlds, and
with his death the improbable and electric union of punk and comedy came to
an end.
The magnetic, impishly brilliant Ivers was a respected musician and
composer (in addition to several albums, he wrote the music for the
centerpiece song of David Lynch’s cult classic Eraserhead) whose sublime
and bizarre creativity was evident in everything he did. He was surrounded
by people who loved him, many of them luminaries: his best friend from his
Harvard days was Doug Kenney, founder of National Lampoon; he was also
close to Harold Ramis and John Belushi. Upon his death, Ivers was just
beginning to get mainstream recognition.
In Heaven Everything Is Fine is the first book to explore both the
fertile, gritty scene that began and ended with New Wave Theatre and the
life and death of its guiding spirit. Josh Frank, author of Fool the World:
The Oral History of a Band Called Pixies, interviewed hundreds of people
from Ivers’s circle, including Jello Biafra, Stockard Channing, and David
Lynch, and we hear in their own words about Ivers and the marvelous world
he inhabited. He also spoke with the Los Angeles Police Department about
Ivers’s still-unsolved murder, and, as a result of his research, the Cold
Case Unit has reopened the investigation. In Heaven Everything Is Fine is a
riveting account of a gifted artist, his tragic death, and a little-known
yet crucial chapter in American pop history.
*************
APRIL 24, 2009
*************
First THE CYRK NEWS ...
* FRIDAY EVENT
I am very excited to invite you to a tre spectacular night at the CYRK ... A treat indeed ... The great Scott Nola hardly
needs an introduction ... The 2008 Winnipeg Slam Poetry Team houses some of this country's leading spoken word
artists ... And Twilight Hotel, well Twilight Hotel, let me tell you. I was stunned that some of my friends have not
heard Twilight Hotel yet. If you are in the same category, it is time now to correct this grave error. Twilight Hotel is
super good, and this is their first CYRK appearance!
This night of poetry and song is to celebrate our great friend, poet, and arts organizer Andrea von Wichert, who has
recently suffered a great loss. But since Andrea does not want any attention, I would also like to dedicate this night
to Mr. L. Cohen. So who knows, maybe our performers will treat us with some L. Cohen covers to foreshadow his
upcoming Winnipeg appearance. ... SEE THE SHOW DETAIL LATER IN THIS EMAIL.
* SEPTEMBER LEONARD COHEN FESTIVAL
On a related note, I would like to let you guys know that John Scoles (Times Change) and I (the CYRK) will be
organizing a 3 day long Leonard Cohen festival to celebrate his 75th birthday in September this year (18, 19, 20th).
The man is turning 75, wow! It will be good to honor what he has meant to this country. You might want to know
that L. Cohen was huge in Poland when I was growing up there, so my attachment to him predates my attachment to
this great country. L Cohen has always been my greatest songwriting hero (I consider him to be the greatest English-
language song lyricist of all time - please argue with me), so organizing this festival is like organizing a spiritual
retreat. Hey, maybe even starting a new religion. I always wanted to start a new religion (They say that's the only way
you can make a difference) ... OK enough ...
* L COHEN @ THE CYRK CAMPAIGN
On a related note, some of you have been asking if Leonard has replied to my recent invitation. First of all thank you
so much to those of you who took time to lobby on behalf of Winnipeg poets, and to try to find ways to get the
invitation to him. Thanks to your effort, the invitation has indeed reached him. He is not coming to the CYRK, but
hey!
For those of you who have not heard the invitation you can find it @
http://rcpt.yousendit.com/675276714/1ab442642d55273512615196a4cc2f34
I think it will be there till Tuesday ...
Here are two responses I would like to share with you (I have not edited those responses) ...
1) From Cohen's manager Robert Kory (sent by my friend Trinda) ...
Trinda:
Brilliant invitation, and I have forwarded to Leonard to enjoy. That said, we must decline the invitation, as we have
organized this tour as a closed tour, which means that Leonard is not meeting friends, family, fans, celebrities, other
poets, or press while on tour. His show is three and one half hours, and he is performing four nights a week. In
between, he travels and rests. We make no exceptions, as there is no principled way to do so. One exception, and the
whole edifice of protection collapses.
Thank you in advance for understanding our approach,
Kind regards,
Robert
2) From L. Cohen himself (sent by L. Cohen's friend who asked to remain anonymous) ...
Darek Draa's audio file is brilliant, funny and stunningly skillful.
I was greatly entertained and impressed.
Please thank him. He's really good.
Sad as it is, we're not in a position to celebrate with the Winnipeg poets.
This tour runs on solitude and sleep.
_______________________________________________________________
On solitude and sleep ... how poetic ... gotta love this man ... Now to the upcoming show ...
Twilight Hotel
Scott Nolan &
The 2008 Winnipeg Slam Poetry Team
Andrea von Wichert
Paul Friesen
Leif Norman
Bonnie Holms &
T'ai Pu
Friday, April 24 @ 9:00 PM (door 8 PM)
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
Suggested donation $10 (all donations go to the artists)
BYOB
No reservations
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About TWILIGHT HOTEL
Twilight Hotel is the musical partnership of Brandy Zdan & Dave Quanbury. In 2008, Twilight Hotel teamed up with
Colin Linden to produce Highway Prayer (WCMA Outstanding Roots Album Duo/Group), which continue’s the duo’s
provocative love story showcasing their characteristic dark twang and noir cabaret all the while centered around their
rich harmonies. Recorded in Nashville, TN, Highway Prayer features prolific guest musicians including the late Richard
Bell (Janis Joplin, The Band), Stephen Hodges (Tom Waits), and Dave Roe (Johnny Cash).
The 12 original songs run the gamut from the opening rockabilly jump manifesto, Viva la Vinyl, the street busker feel
of Shadow of a Man, to the heartbreaking confessional closer Sand in you Eyes.
Hailing from the fertile music community of Winnipeg, MB, Zdan & Quanbury met in 2002 at a folk festival and
realized the power of combining their talents. Constant touring in North America & Europe continue to bolster the
duo’s profile. In 2007/2008 they played over 250 North American/Europe tour dates.
Highway Prayer has received critical praise both nationally & internationally including a debut at #2 on the Euro
Americana Chart in June 2008. Performance highlights for 2008 include Trafalger Square in London, England for the
Canada Day Celebrations, mainstage at the infamous Kerville Folk Festival in Kerville, TX, and the Bremenale Festival in
Bremen, Germany.
.................. twilighthotel.ca those who live by the sea start to rust those on the highway fill up with dust
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About SCOTT NOLAN
Nearly a decade ago scott nolan penned the tune "famous in texas" in 2008 texas troubadour Hayes Carll recorded
and released as a single Nolan's "bad liver/ broken heart for his lost highway debut. Texas cult hero Adam Carroll
enlisted Nolan to produce his "old town rock and roll" record and his music lives in jukeboxes across the great state.
He is currently considering a follow up titled "famous in the bahamas".
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APRIL 1, 2009
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Big Smash! Productions presents
Ronnie Lane’s Birthday!
THE PASSING SHOW: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF RONNIE LANE
Dir. James Mackie 2006 UK
Wednesday April 1 at THE CYRK (254 Young St)
Doors: 7:00 / Film 7:30
Admission $7.00 - includes cake and a free beer/wine!
DJ Mod Marty spinning an all-60s mod set before and after the screening!
INTO THE MUSIC WILL BE ON HAND WITH THE FIRST-EVER NORTH AMERICAN RELEASE
OF RONNIE LANE’S SOLO MATERIAL ON CD, COMING FROM THE LANE ESTATE’S OWN
NEW LABEL, LANE SIGNATURE SOUNDS. IT’S ENTITLED JUST FOR A MOMENT, AND IS
A 20-TRACK RETROSPECTIVE OF LANE’S SOLO CAREER, 1972-1980. IT IS BLOODY
ESSENTIAL, I’M TELLING YOU. GET ‘EM WHILE THEY LAST.
The Small Faces are my favourite band of all time, so whenever I get a
chance to give a nod to one of the boys, I do. In this case, it’s the
late Ronnie Lane’s birthday, so come join me for this brilliant musical
documentary that tells the story of Ronnie Lane from his heyday with first
the Small Faces and then the Faces, through the sixties and seventies, his
experiments with a rural life and the touring musical circus that he dubbed
‘The Passing Show’. Finally it charts his latter days once he developed
Multiple Sclerosis and moved to the US. Featuring numerous musical clips
and interviews with family, friends and colleagues including Eric Clapton,
Pete Townshend, Ian McLagan, Kenney Jones, Glyn Johns, Henry McCullough,
Joe Ely and many more.
Includes clips from: April Fool, Debris, Whatcha Gonna Do About It?, Tin
Soldier, Lazy Sunday, Itchycoo Park, Stay With Me, How Come, The Poacher,
Tell Everyone, Annie, Kushty Rye, Ooh La La and many more…
_Special Thanks to James Mackie, Kent Benjamin and Eagle Rock
Entertainment for permission to screen the film._
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MARCH 21, 2009
**************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ben Sures & Keri Latimer
in a double bill @ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
Saturday, March 21 @ 9:30 PM (door 8:30 PM)
Suggested donation $7-10 (all donations go to the artists)
And of course BYOB.
__________________________________________
KERI LATIMER
Keri Latimer is a housewife and mother in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She is also a songwriter and frontwoman for the Juno Award winning band Nathan.
While her children are asleep, she sneaks into the cold basement, turns on the electric heater, and writes.
This will be the first time that some of these songs are performed live. Be kind.
Solo performances are rare, but they offer the listener a raw glimpse at the songs,
and a chance to hear the subtleties of her voice.
__________________________________________
BEN SURES
2005 Winner in The John Lennon songwriting contest, folk category.
2006 Winner International Songwriting competition, AAA category.
http://www.sonicbids.com/bensures
http://www.myspace.com/bensures
http://ilike.com/artist/Ben+Sures
http://www.last.fm/music/Ben+Sures
http://soundclick.com/BenSures
Anyone who has heard Ben Sures perform will tell you that big talent comes in small packages. A veteran of the roots
music scene, Ben has long fought for the recognition he deserves in the Canadian music industry. His 2005 award in
the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Competition, and 2006 in the International songwriting competition for his
song Any Precious Girl, is evidence of his genius, his originality, and his tenacious ability to flawlessly pick his way to
the top of the guitar heap while telling an absorbing story in words that only the craftiest of lyricists could pen.
Raised in Western Canada, Ben began playing guitar in high school, and has been writing and performing ever since,
touring festivals, small venues and living rooms across the nation. Often featured on CBC, Ben’s performances are
energetic and humourous, and whatever the venue, he manages to connect with his audiences with a seldom
duplicated sense of intimacy that draws the listener inextricably into the folds of his melodic story telling.
Ben has four cds available through Cdbaby.com, Spirit River distribution and on his website at www.bensures.com . A
well respected guitarist within the industry, he also plays on several albums by other artists and appears on numerous
compilations. If you have the opportunity to experience this unique performer, take it. And, if you’re unable to get out
and see him, you’ll be astounded to know that he also makes house calls. If you ask Ben to play in your living room,
he will deliver an unforgettable and intimate evening of story and song - and you don’t even have to change out of
your pyjamas.
Sonya McAdam
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FEBRUARY 27, 2009
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Word has it, Petr Cancura's PeopleMusic are collecting accolades on their Canadian tour so far. I hope you can join us to make them welcome at their only Winnipeg appearance and their second last tour show.
_______________________________________________
Petr Cancura’s PeopleMusic
@ The CYRK (254 Young St.)
Friday, February 27 @ 9:30 PM (door 8:30 PM)
Suggested donation $15 (all donations go to the band)
Limited seating. No reservations.
And of course BYOB.
________________________________________________
Petr Cancura’s PeopleMusic Press Release
West Coast Tour Feb 21-28, 2009
February 21st to February 28th of 2009, Petr Cancura’s acclaimed PeopleMusic will be coming to the west coast, featuring four musicians from Canada and NewYork. PeopleMusic is on tour to promote their new self-titled album, of which you can hear samples on our website or cdbaby.
PeopleMusic came about to capture the fun, sadness and hope of life through music. A celebration of Brazil, Africa, the Balkans, played with the fearless adventure of new music. The program will include original compositions mostly from the album. These songs draw on rhythms of Brazil and Africa, melodies of the Balkans and Bluegrass and the exploration of jazz.
Czech-born, Ottawa-raised, New York-based saxophonist Petr Cancura - already a veteran sideman with Danilo Perez, Bob Moses, Joe Morris, Kathleen Edwards. Drummer Richie Barshay (Herbie Hancock Quartet, Chic Corea Trio, Kenny Werner Trio, Fred Hersch) lends his uplifting sense of rhythm. Kelowna native Garth Stevenson (George Garzone, David Tronzo, Jason Marsalis) plays bass and guitarist/violinist Chris Bartos (Sarah Harmer, Ennis Sisters) rounds out the group with his haunting melodies and evocative feel. With the intent to express the emotions of life through music, the group's positive energy shines with every note.
The tour will include the following destinations:
Feb 21st, Yardbird Suite, Edmonton, AB
Feb 22nd, Winterruprion Festival, Vancouver, BC
Feb 24th, St. Michael's Cathedral, Kelowna, BC
Feb 25th, Hermann's Jazz Club, Victoria, BC
Feb 27th, CYRK, Winnipeg, MB
Feb 28th, The Beatniq Jazz Club, Calgary, AB
For more information:
http://www.myspace.com/garthstevenson
For more information and interviews:
Petr Cancura 617-447-7409 petr@petrcancura.com
Garth Stevenson 617-536-6592 garthstevenson@gmail.com
Richie Barshay 617-721-9736 richie@richiebarshay.com
Chris Bartos 514-629-7217 cbartos@rogers.com
Musician Biographies:
Multi-instrumentalist Petr Cancura was Born in Czech Republic, moved to Ottawa, Canada when he was ten and is currently residing in New York City. Petr studied at Carleton University in Ottawa and at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Petr has established himself as a true original voice having played and recorded with Danilo Perez Big Band, Joe Morris, Bob Moses, Kenny Wollesen, Kathleen Edwards and Mighty Popo among others. He maintains a rigorous international touring schedule with many groups in varied musical situations. Having recorded on over thirty CD’s, PeopleMusic has just recorded Petr’s debut album as a leader, in which he explores his outlook on music and life.
Originally from Kelowna, BC, Garth Stevenson is one of the foremost young jazz bassists on the New York Scene Today. After receiving a full scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Garth has gone on to play with such jazz greats as George Garzone, Joe Lovano, Bob Moses, David Tronzo, Ben Monder, Jason Marsalis, Bob Gullotti, John Lockwood, Mick Goodrick, Hal Crook, Jon Faddis among others.After moving to New York City, he began playing with Sonya Kitchell, with whom he recorded for the Starbucks music label, Hear Music, and performed on David Letterman, Craig Fergusson, The CBS morning show and recorded live on Sirius and XM radio. Stevenson regularly tours throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan.
Chris Bartos was born in Ottawa where he learned to play the violin, piano and guitar. A graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music, he was awarded the Stephen D Holland Scholarship, and was the featured guitarist in a special ceremony honoring and awarding gauitarist Pat Metheny with his honorary doctorate. Over the years Bartos has recorded and performed with Lynn Miles, The Ennis Sisters, John Geggie, Jeff Healey, Dan Whitely, Chris Whitely, Crazy Strings, La Grande Bouche Swingtette, Sarah Harmer as well as Ottawa jazz project, The Resurrection Quartet. He has been a featured artist on CBC's Bandwidth and has toured across North America and Europe. When not exploring "new ways of writing about love and loss" in his Toronto home, Chris Bartos leads The Cross Tuned Experience, an old time American string band heavily influenced by bluegrass and Quebecois fiddle
Percussionist Richie Barshay, most noted as a member of the Herbie Hancock Quartet since 2003, has established himself as a prominent musical voice of his generation. Regarded as "a player to watch" by JazzTimes magazine, he maintains a busy international touring schedule with some of today's top artists including Hancock, the Klezmatics, the Kenny Werner Trio, and Chic Corea and Fred Hersch. In September of 2004 he was named an American Musical Envoy by the U.S. State Department, along with the renowned Latin-Jazz ensemble Insight. Now based in New York City after 5 years on the Boston music scene, Richie began playing Jazz and Afro-Latin music during his youth and has expanded his focus to Indian rhythmic concepts and tabla, inspiring his 2005 recording debut "Homework" and the launching of his new band, The Richie Barshay Project. http://www.richiebarshay.com
More about the music:
PeopleMusic is music inspired by world folk music, combined with the freedom and energy of jazz improvising.
Within the group there is a lot of experience in the music of Africa (Rwanda and Ghana), the Balkans (Bulgarian, Romanian and Czech), Bluegrass, Klezmer, and jazz and improvised music. These are all a part of us.
One of the most inspiring qualities in music the ability to convey clear, raw emotions: songs for dance, celebration, and funerals; songs conveying joy or sadness... it is music you can feel in your heart and in your bones. Two years ago Petr, along with Mighty Popo, spent a month with nine members of the Batwa; the forest people from Rwanda. For them music is truly a way of life. They play and sing to tell stories and pass on history, for they have no other means of doing this. Music for the Batwa is part of life and education. They use their instruments as voices, and create images through rhythms and melodies. A lot of our melodies and intent is inspired by this concept. Cancura grew up in Czech Republic, drawing on his roots for inspiration as well. The folk songs of Czech have their own qualities: there is a deep relation between speech, language and the phrasing of Moravian gypsy music - how to make an instrument cry. This cultural experience is also a large part of our music.
Despite all this, the group has a jazz background which offers many, many, many possibilities. Two of the members studied jazz and improvising at Boston's Berkley College of Music and the other two members studied at Boston's New England Conservatory: two of the leading schools in jazz education. Jazz provides a way to develop ideas rhythmically, harmonically and melodically – to take the heart of a song in new and exciting directions. The combination of all these musical concepts is the project PeopleMusic.
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FEBRUARY 12, 2009
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Here's the first of a new exciting film series at the CYRK ...
Big Smash! Music Scene presents
the Exclusive Winnipeg Premiere of
SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN
Dir. Stephen Kijak | Starring Scott Walker, David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker, Brian Eno, Johnny Marr and more!
Thursday Feb. 12th - 7:30pm at THE CYRK - 254 Young St.
$10.00 ticket (includes a glass of wine!)
A handsome youngster with a powerful vibrato voice, Scott Walker (nee Engel) had pop stardom thrust upon him in the 1960s as frontman for the American trio The Walker Brothers, who were based in the UK and had smash hits with songs like "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" and countless others. Ever the reluctant teen idol, Scott dumped the band for a solo career at the height of their fame - but his solo recordings left many of the older fans baffled. The kitchen-sink dramas that had informed Scott's self-penned Walker Brothers B-sides were now transformed into epics about death, delusion, war and love - all sung with the raised fists and confidence of a megalomaniac. Scott became the anti-star - cloaked in scarves and dark glasses, creating ambitious vistas with his increasingly impressive songwriting. The popular conception of 'Scott as myth' is set up from the opening frame of this long-anticipated documentary, but thankfully it goes much deeper than that, creating a historical overview of Scott's work, culminating in the release of his experimental 2006 album, The Drift. (Kier-La Janisse)
See the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBMJ79ly3B4
Doors: 7:30pm
Film: 8:00pm
Admission $10 at the door
With free wine and Damien Ferland playing Scott Walker and Walker-related tunes before the show!
Also, Into the Music will be on hand with Scott Walker LP and CD reissues, as well as copies of The Drift for sale!
TO INTERVIEW DIRECTOR STEPHEN KIJAK, contact him at:
PLEASE NOTE: The Cyrk is a small venue, so capacity is very limited! It is an old house with the main floor converted into a venue.
More Info
Kier-La Janisse
BIG SMASH! Productions
Cel: (204) 998-5578
STREETS OF FIRE FOREVER!
