When trouble is brewing in the local music scene, the community steps up to lend their hands and their ears.
The big news this week is the closure of the Tongue N Groove. This surprise announcement shocked everybody including the staff who found out about it through Facebook, Aug. 15, not the least of which is the bands booked to play there this week.
Fortunately, people stepped up and held out their helping hands.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge was packed last night for the first of the affected shows — an incredibly upbeat performance by Montreal based string band Lake of Stew. They were scheduled to play the Tongue N Groove, but instead tore up the Owl with a beautifully boiling stew of guitar, mandolin, accordion and a home made muck-bucket bass and home made washboard, which had dozens dancing up a storm in front of the stage.
Tonight, ( Aug. 16) a show by Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, who were scheduled to play the Tongue n Groove tonight, has been moved to the Slice at 8 p.m. The Slice’s Tuesday open mic will follow the show. Admission will be by donation.
Guerrista, who rocked the Slice a couple weeks ago with some soulful blues rock, will bring their show to the Owl on Wednesday, Aug. 17 instead of the Tongue N Groove where is was originally booked.
It’s going to be a good week. Also on Wednesday, one of my favourites, Maria In the Shower will be back at the Slice with an energetic show full of wild costumes upbeat jazz/ rockabilly style music and plenty of crazy outfits.
If your tastes lean more towards classical music influenced metal, check out Vancouver based black metal group Scythia who are more than a group and guys and girls singing about elvish folklore — they also dress the part.
You’ll be able to see for yourself when the make their first “siege” on Lethbridge, at Finnegan’s Pub, Aug. 17 with Enceladus and Datura.
The show begins at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation.
And Fort Macleod pop-punk band Sophomore Jakes return to the Slice, Aug. 19.
It is also roots rock night at the Slice on Saturday with Treeline and Whiskey Face performing, Aug. 20.
They also have a free blues show on Sunday, Aug. 21 with Cecile Doo- Kingue.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge features local talent with Herky Cutler releasing his new CD on Friday, Aug. 19 and local jazz/pop band Dalliance Elixir featuring the beautiful vocals of Jolene Draper.
For people who like ’90s style rock, Double Jack will be at the Sound Garden. Aug. 19.
For something a little more mellow, classical guitarist Dale Ketcheson will be at the Mocha Cabana, Aug. 19 as well. And Karen Romanchuk will be bringing her original country/ folk to the Mocha Cabana, Aug. 20.
