TP Entertainment and Productions: Live Music

Showing posts with label Live Music. Show all posts

TPE Summer Live Entertainment Highlights

Well September finally came it seems, but, alas, summer was a mixed bag this year from a live entertainment and band events stand point with some notables having to be cancelled due to extreme weather. Fortunately, enough of a summer emerged to host an array of outdoor activities in and around the G.T.A. and Ontario and if you looked hard enough, you could also find some great talent.

For me I'd been hoping to see some of the old time / town faves before they / we get to old to appreciate or play anymore. Talent like Montreal born David Wilcox, always a favorite of mine, but who I hadn't seen play live in Eons. Yes that's correct Eons.

At any rate, I caught D.W., Harlequin, Glenn Marais among some over the summer, so here's a sampling of what TPE didn't miss in the summer of 2017.

Catch more TPE highlights on FB and tpeproductions.com

Thursday Nights Joe Delima hosts a rock jam at Scarborough Ontario's The Birchmount Bar & Grill

David Wilcox rockin in Aurora, Ontario

Harlequin hits the stage in Aurora, Ontario

Glenn Marrais Band hits stage at Newmarket Music Festival

Chrismakah @ Musideum w Terry Watkinson

Live @ Chrismakah w Terry Watkinson and Bevy of Toronto Talent

Lawrie Ingles, left, with performers Tristan Avakian and Stephen Snitman

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend an evening featuring outstanding Toronto area based talent at the Musideum, a unique small studio-like hall with a stage big enough to hold a (baby?) grand piano and live shows. The space, which also doubles as a sales location for the various musical instruments that adorn the walls, had a good acoustical ambiance as well, offering little in echo, all contained within an intimate setting.

Bob Wegner

Truly, the unique place was so small, it would be very likely many of the umpteen remarkable performers lined up for the night made up its bulk so you were lucky to just get in! In fact, as each performer did get up, they offered up about how humbled they seem to feel to be included in the group, as Host Lawrie Ingles, also a multi instrumentalist and singer, along with Donald Quan, had pulled no punches, or strings rather, on this night. Everyone had unique, but superb talents and styles, differing enough to keep the audience always interested. Having the legendary Songwriter / Performer Terry Watkinson formerly of Max Webster fame there that night performing was all icing on the cake.

The after chat, see full line-up here

The loose, fun theme of " Xmas songs, religious and hockey songs", which Chrismakah was advertised as a celebration of, was really likely just a fun way of saying, we want to have a party, open to every belief, that plays some great original and fun music and which may or may not be about the holidays. Of course, the crafted event likely avoids that nasty H word on purpose, which just added to the unspoken light mood set before you came in and carried on from there. Definitely right up my alley having released my own mock album of classics - sans the Xmas parts.

Jeremy Wright - Beatles specialist

What started out as a 3 hour night turned into 4 and a half before you knew it, with a jam-like atmosphere gripping the stage by the end. Max Webster, Rush, Queen all got a tribute, with Host Ingles using his knowledge of everyone's talents, as well as his own, to great use. Ingles kind of reminds me of a sort of Columbo up there...minus the rain coat, but in style, kind of moving through things in his own relaxed pace even through silences. It added character in a low key kind of way, helping preserve a sort of raw, jammy, anything- could- happen type of appeal. Ingles' talents did not go unnoticed either, jumping from keyboards to bass to even percussion at times, to lead or back up vocals & with Terry Watkinson no less! Bob, if you could play bass, uhhhh!...Ok, he didn't speak like him. Lol.

Oh Chrismakah tree, Oh Chrismakah tree!

But you know special things are happening when such talented performers such as Bob Wegner are willing to play bass, while multi-talented Ingles drums and while usual lead guitar Sam B rythyms to give way to the legendary Terry Watkinson's lead on piano. Anyway, as a connoisseur of talents and a craver of original and different, as well as having a love of the music from the past, this was a night to remember! Watch for the TPE videos of some of the other amazing music artists I was able to catch...

and Stay tuned for any more upcoming shows put together by these guys...

Happy Chrismakah Everyone! Click here for Terry's full set

Until next time! TP out!

Sing for Their Supper - International Day Open Stage

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, York Region

Winter shelters closed now. Men in Y.R. use 26 beds in a pop of 1,000,000

Oct 17 is International Day for The Eradication of Poverty. Join us for York Region's representative 2014 event at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons, 200 Duncan St. outside The Lions Hall, simultaneously being held alongside events around the world to draw attention to those in poverty at home and abroad.

The Newmarket Day will feature an
"Open Mic", offering opportunities to those with performance messages about poverty to share them. The first part of the 7-10 pm running evening, will include some personal stories from lived experience or those who have witnessed it, with some focus also on world poverty.

Speakers and performance artists wishing to participate can contact us here and join the event on Facebook.

Fri Oct 17 support an end to poverty - Award winning one minute video

David L Rogers at a spot he once sat homeless

In addition to Open Stage performers who come out, sound and Hip Hop performances will be enhanced at the event by JUST FLOW and the AJM FAM while Reggae-country- rock sensations, The Yappers, are slated in as well. With a number of politicians and concerned residents attending, it should make for an eclectic, stimulating, yet rockin' evening, with time in between for a mix and exchange of knowledge, information and ideas related to poverty issues and maybe create some new music or productions.

Booked in is Poet, David Rogers, who will be available for signings / sales of his book of poems, "The Dark Road", which acts as a type of therapy for those fighting addictions / mental health issues, including depression. David's true to life experiences are replicated through his poetry, resonating and cutting through to many so afflicted. Signed Books are $15. 50% sales to PACC. For the future, David would like to see his poems transferred to the stage or screen, in order to reach out more.

Also for 2014, in memory of a PACC member, community volunteer and community worker with C.M.H.A., Annette Brown, who died unexpectedly recently, we will be giving out pumpkins at the event - courtesy of The Newmarket Food Pantry to keep her spirit alive and make sure all kids get a pumpkin! Take one for yourself or someone in need!

The Int Day has been marked in Newmarket over 12 years now, and was originally designed 23 years ago, when launched in Paris France in front of the U.N. building, by a man of cloth who came from poverty and who wanted to make a difference, culminating with millions standing at once setting a world record for doing so in 2011! He has made a difference. You can too!

AFTER PARTY - after 10 pm event attendees enjoy free entry to nearby Tequila 185 Nightclub, downstairs @Made In Mexico Restaurant!

Come out and lend an ear or voice or talent on Oct 17 2014!

Rock, Reggae & Roll - Rock Pile Nightclub Gig

Aug 2 featured Classic Rock, Reggae, & Laughs!

Free Parking @ Rock Pile West Nightclub

Recently, I discovered a new rock and live entertainment venue - well new to me anyway. I'd heard of The Rock Pile before and knew they had two locations, one in the east end one one the west end of Toronto. But I hadn't attended a show yet and was now glad I had.

The stage size is nice for bands to start with, and the set-up leads to an intimate setting, but it was more than that, the place reeks of fun from the minute you pull up, with its prison themed paraphernalia keeping you howling all night long. I near buckled over when I saw the wall of shame, but the electric chair coming complete with switch told me this was not only a rock house, but a fun house too!

It's hard to leave this place once you're here!

I tried my hand at 'selfies' at the mugshot wall with mixed results as myself and members of the band The Yappers who were to be appearing that night, took turns snapping each others photos. It felt like a Beatles movie with us laughing like school kids at the C.N.E., and, come to think of it, had a similar feeling to it! It brought a fun, playful spirit out in everyone it seemed and as I later relayed this to band leader / composer Ray Yap he replied that every show they've done there has been a blast! I don't know about you but to me that makes a diff - great entertainment helps too of course - but in between smiling doesn't hurt!

Call me

The same guy who owned Toronto's infamous Big Bop, which was located downtown on Toronto's Queen St., also owns the Rock Pile locations and kudos to him for not only keeping two great stages open for performers but for being so theme oriented! I love themes and this place is just great! Barb-wire on the patio!? Ha. Death row..and on. Even as we walked the perimeter on the outside it was detailed. Really cool.

Fun stuff aside, without good live entertainment to round out your night the themes a wasted but not on this night as The Yappers and guests rocked the place and the house sound man was

spot on. Quiet in his set up and an older guy, he certainly knew his stuff adding some magic to the performers on the night as well. I don't think The Rock Pile guarantees him every show but it sure helps!

Yappers Ray and Stew warm up

The Yappers et al must have made an impression on the place because they were invited to put together a show featuring not only them and their unique brand of reggae country rock, but also other classic rock and reggae connected acts from their club colleagues, and introducing a new all ages sensation in a show that crossed generations for sure! X, Y AND Z!

Also on the bill H TO Oh - Undefeated - Carl Braund and The Shallow Seas

I myself, Tom Pearson, agreed to come add some colour to the show through Emceeing the evening and had promised to keep it clean..er..well...relatively so..Ha!

Carl Braund

APPERS - A new online band lol! Use you Y Phone!

The show started off with Myself going through a bit of a walk down memory lane to warn the kids - we had an all ages band in the house, Undefeated,to stay away from drugs by pointing out that while our parents may have sacrificed through wars, Vietnam, The Beatles and all the good drugs, people in our generation were sacrificing our brain cells! We lived through paraquat for God sakes. Rat poison was used in the making of acid If it wasn't for the sacrifices our generation made for them they wouldn't be apparently curing cancer now..." Ha, Okay I didn't go that far but I did introduce the first act afterward that being Carl Braund a singer/composer who played mostly original Genesis-like numbers and a couple of covers including a stirring elton johns My Song rendition, and was a good warm up to an evening of energy yet to come.

Following Carl Braund, I had originally scheduled in to announce the next act on the slate H TO OH, but hadn't been informed they'd arrived so...What else, we had an air guitar contest! Ha. With help from a couple of younger audience members who, as it turned out, had never seen air guitar before, but who gave it their "all" against me! Wow..swear to you know who, I barely got through it..frickin' longer than I'd imagined it..of course who knew the new generation didn't know air guitar and I'd have to carry the entire song almost!? What have we done!!? Ha.

Next up was Undefeated who are an amazing group of young talent with alternating lead singers and instrumentalists, and drumming that would make Ed Sullivan roll over in his grave. Like the Osmonds, only they play too. And maybe not the dancing.Lol. I look forward to trying to have them looked at by the new ( re - release) show Tiny Talent Time! Anyone remember that show as a kid? If you do don't admit it! Lol.

After that It was The Yappers who have come a long way since I first heard them a few years back now. I told Ray Yap after the show how far they've come, and that I could really feel it from them - which is important. Anyone can play, but there has to be fun and feel, or it's not rock n roll..or reggae..or country...The Yappers' hard work is paying off - now into the semi-finals of a North America wide talent search for a concert in China - with winners performing for 800,000,000 people! Holy Chow!

Before announcing The Shallow Seas, mistakenly as the last band, a member of the Ska-ish band asked if I could announce them as THE Shallow Seas, not Shallow Seas, and I took note, literally, on my hand by writing it. Ha. I didn't trust myself and thought better safe than sorry but never did need it. Ha. Their first song seemed a little tentative but their mini throng of followers told me there might be something more to them and I wasn't wrong! These guys could rock! The lead singer after getting into a groove was showing the mic a bit of love whilst the others and lead guitar especially also got their energy levels whipped into a frenzy at times. The Beatles cover was o.k. but doing The Guess Who was absolute killer, while the original material was outstanding. Not sure how the Fox fits the theme, but the guys say someone brought

H TO OH

along to a gig one day and it just stuck. I told the crowd afterward I'd been worried with all the hip hop loving new generation avbout the future of rock but with bands like these guys coming down the pipes - and all the bands to that point - I could rest easy. Great job lads!

Quickly after they were done I made sure to let the crowd no that H TO OH was still to come, and, as the last band it is always tough, so as some bands were unloading and some followers streaming outside to chat and smoke, I felt for that final band. But hey, I was almost spent! Lol.

Still in I went determined to rock on, which I did, and they did, all classic rock, playing the whole gamut and good old Canadian stuff too with everything from Bryan Adams, to Neil Young with a memorable performance with the vocalist / Drummer and his son accompanying them. The good ol boys showed em all they could still rock and made for a classic ( rock) ending!

House Sound man Jake was again phenomenal, even playing along with my air guitar game without complaint. Lol....and somehow I avoided being thrown in the hole or face the firing squad!

Great venue, great (place to do) time! TP OUT!