Artword Artbar

Thursday June 16, at 8 pm, pwyc. Alt Music Night with host Tom Dusome. M.R. (former dead sweeties) features Mike Long (guitar) and Rebecca (drums) playing exciting fast paced guitar based punk rock. lets dance dance dance! White Byson is a phenomenal duo playing incendiary beats and expressive riffs.. look out! And playing with Tom Dusome will be a full band: Scott Thorn (bass, guitar, vocals) Drop D (drums) and Jessah Higgins (mandolin and vocals)

Friday June 10, during the James North Art Crawl, all evening from 8 pm, tip jar. The wonderful country Americana singer  Tia McGraff, is back at Artword Artbar, with her band Radical Road unplugged. Hew recent CD release “Diversity” received the Hamilton Music Award for best Country Recording). Tia McGraff (lead vocals/guitar), Tommy Parham (acoustic guitar/background vocals). http://tiamcgraff.com/

Thurs June 9 at 8 pm, $5. A concert by Artword Artbar mainstays Ken Steffler (vocals, guitar) and Ron Weihs (fiddle, guitar, vocals).

Saturday June 4 at 8 pm, $12. Joni NehRita and her band (Joni NehRita vocals and keys, Adam Bowman drums,  Matthew Lima bass, Ryan Boisselle guitar). A CD Release Concert for her album, The Bare Truth. “The music blends the time-honored qualities of classic soul with a modern sensibility that flirts heavily with jazz and pop. On The Bare Truth, NehRita readily offers up her own imperfections, hopes and fears and assert that change and personal revolution are healthy, necessary even. It was completed with generous help from The Ontario Arts Council.”   http://www.joninehrita.com/
The 1st single, “Are You Ready” is being played on Wave 94.7, The CBC, and is #17 on The UK Soul Chart. It was also performed live on Canada AM on Valentine’s Day.

Thursday May 26 at 8 pm, $15 at the door. The fabulous Micah Barnes, in concert at Artword Artbar, back to his cabaret piano-driven roots. He’s touring with his new CD “Domesticated”. Micah will be performing the songs from hisr latest disc “Domesticated” as well as choice covers by Smokey Robinson, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye and… of course The Nylons! Daniel Barnes (drums and vocals) and Jon Maharaj (bass)with special guest Gavin Bradley (who produced the recordings) on glockenspiel. The deep pleasures of falling in love and settling down are all a part of the story on Domesticated, the new release from Micah Barnes, powerhouse vocalist and former member of The Nylons. http://www.micahbarnes.com/  Continue reading →

Saturday May 14 at 8 pm, $10: Concert by singer-songwriter Matthew de Zoete and his band. Combining pop, rock, and folk music, Matthew de Zoete writes songs built on strong melodies and honest lyrics. Matthew is working on a new album with producer Les Cooper, for mid-2011. Matthew’s band includes Erik Jenson on bass, Ian Venema on drums, Syd Hielema on piano, Mark Volkov on sax, fiddle, and flute, and Johan de Zoete on harmonies.  www.matthewdezoete.com

Plus a guest appearance by The Woodshed Orchestra, an improv pop/soul big band from Toronto, featuring Dave Clark (Gord Downie, Happiness Project, Rheostatics, the WoodChoppers Association). Here’s the Woodshed Orchestra line-up for May 14: Dave Clark-drums -vox, Michael Herring-bass-vox, Jason Kenemy-piano-vox, Joe Lapinski-guitar-vox, Julia Hambleton-clarinet-vox, Karen Ng-sax-vox, Nick Buligan-trumpet-vox. Continue reading →

Tuesday May 10 at 8 pm $15 reg, $10 students/seniors. A special double bill — Ann Vriend and Lauren Best, singing their songs and playing our piano!
Singer/songwriter/piano player Ann Vriend is on a cross-Canada tour with her new CD. “Love & Other Messes” ( retro soul/Americana). She’s making a special Hamilton stop.   http://www.annvriend.com/ and www.myspace.com/annvriend  Also playing on May 10 is Lauren Best, who writes and sings lyrical alt-pop, accompanying herself on piano. http://www.laurenbest.com/  Continue reading →

Saturday April 23 at 8 pm, only $7 at the door. Artword Artbar rocks again with the great folk ‘n roll rock band The Plain Steel with Ross Lizotte ( guitar, lead vocal), Caroline Olsen (viola, vocal), Jay Lees (bass, vocal), Vince Waters (drums). Guest appearance by singer Karen Corinth and her new band Code Blue. Plus some spoken word from Wordman Z.  http://www.myspace.com/theplainsteelband

Saturday, April 16, 8:00 pm at Artword Artbar, $10. The Acoustics are back for their third visit! The Acoustics are a Canadian instrumental world/roots musical ensemble from the Hamilton, Ontario area. For the past ten years, they have been cultivating their own unique world/roots music, with a lively upbeat Mediterranean sound.
Alfonso Spoto accordion; Enzo Spoto, lead and rhythm guitar; Brian Ropcean, percussion; Bonnie Krenciglowa, violin; Andrew Eckart, bass. http://www.theacoustics.ca Continue reading →

Friday April 15, at 8:30 pm $5 at door, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tiny Bill Cody‘s Spring Special Concert, with special guests Jeff Griffiths on drums and Fehn Foss. An evening of Cover Songs, Originals, Spoken Word.
Eclectic Songwriter Tiny Bill Cody re-vamps songs which have haunted him since his youth, tells the odd tale of his private and public failings, and test drives a few new original tunes.  www.tinybillcody.com www.myspace.com/tinybillcody www.torlukasikfoss.com Continue reading →

Saturday April 9 at 8 pm, $10. “Bow Tie” (Steven Winnall and Allison Smith) launch their new EP “Sequins”, acoustic/folk new songs. http://www.myspace.com/wearebowtie  Opening for them are singer-songwriters Marie Avery and Amber Edgar, see “More”

Continue reading →

Friday April 1 at 8 pm, $10. Singer-songwriter Rob Szabo plays a solo concert (guitar and vocals) at Artword Artbar to celebrate the release of his self-titled 5th album. This concert is part of his cross Canada spring CD release tour which has him playing over 30 shows coast to coast. Opening for Rob are guests Danny Buzanko (vocals, guitar and harmonica) and Jimmie Diamond (guitar) of The Overplayers.
http://www.robszabo.com/

Saturday March 26 at 8 pm, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street. Tickets $15. An evening of dynamite bluegrass music with mandolinist and vocalist Randal Hill. On guitar and vocals, the rock-steady Johnny Frame. John McNaughton will provide the deep foundation, acoustic bass and vocals. On banjo, one of the finest blue grass banjoists on the planet, Charlie Street.

Saturday March 19 at 8 pm, $10. Ashley Condon and Ria Mae, two wonderful singer-songwriters from Halifax on tour.  Ashley tours in support of her debut album Come In From The Cold, which is nominated for a 2011 ECMA for Country Recording of The Year and Ria will showcase her 2010 Music Nova Scotia Award nominated EP Between The Bad.
http://www.ashleycondon.com/
http://www.myspace.com/riamaemusic Continue reading →

Friday March 18 at 8 pm $5. At last, a formal concert by Artword Artbar stalwarts Ken Steffler, the “Busted Busker” (guitar, vocals),  and Ronald Weihs, aka “Ron the Fiddler” (guitar, fiddle, vocals). Photo left by Alex Zafer from last spring’s Busker Crawl.

Saturday March 12 at 8 pm, $10. Concert by singer-songwriter Monique Barry and her band — Marc Meriläinen on guitar, James McEleney on bass and Ambrose Pottie on drums. Special guest: Hamilton’s own wonderful singer-songwriter Kim Koren, rounding out the evening!
Well known around Toronto’s music scene, Monique Barry has performed as part of Fresh Wednesdays at Nathan Phillips Square and the Toronto Jazz Festival. Classically trained singer-songwriter Monique has a dynamic must-hear vocal range. http://www.myspace.com/moniquebarry Continue reading →

Saturday March 5 at 8 pm, $5: Stringbenders band (John Kneeland guitar, Owen Mahoney bass, Gary Mahoney drums) anchor an evening of Beatles songs “Sergeant Revolver“, featuring songs from Sgt Pepper and Revolver albums not often played. On March 5 1967, the Beatles had just released Revolver, and were in the studio working on Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Stringbenders will also support a set of “open mic” if you have a Beatles song to sing.

Thursday, March 3 at 8 pm, no cover. Ken Steffler, guitarist/singer and Ron Weihs, fiddler, host a country jam, Ken & Ron’s Kitchen Party, old-time, country, folk, and vintage singer-songwriter. All welcome.

Friday February 25 at 10 pm (following Klyde Broox’s PoeMagic), live music by Doug Murphy and his band Coda.

Saturday February 19 at 8 pm, $10 advance, $15 door. The Tribal Gallery presents a special concert of East Indian music, with Neeraj Prem on sitar and vocals, and a tabla player. Musically the evening will be mystical and supernatural through the sounds of Indian Sitar, mostly Indian classical music with the elements of folk and gazhals. Tickets in advance at The Tribal Gallery, 174 James Street North, 905-385-1829.

Friday Feb 18 at 8 pm $10.  The Dharlings from Port Dover (Duane Rutter, Cindy Dell, Amy Wark and LeeAnne Wesseling). A dynamite line-up of multi-instrumentalists (guitar, bass, piano, percussion, fiddle) playing originals, select folky covers and lots of harmonies.  Brennaugh Burns will open the evening and also perform with them.  http://www.myspace.com/thedharlings

Saturday February 5, 8 pm, $10, at Artword Artbar. A night of folk, roots, and pop music, featuring three diverse but complementary acts: Kori Pop, Matthew de Zoete, and The Key Frames.  KORI POP is a “little bit Joni Mitchell, and a little bit Mary Poppins”. www.koripop.com
Combining pop, rock, and folk music, MATTHEW DE ZOETE writes songs built on strong melodies and honest lyrics. Ranging from simple ballads to joyful pop revelries, his music favours beauty over bravado. Extensive touring throughout North America and Europe has earned him a reputation for smart songwriting and dynamic performances, as well as comparisons to Nick Drake and Elliott Smith. www.matthewdezoete.com
THE KEY FRAMES are a Toronto roots rock quintet that have been playing locally and around Ontario since 2007. With a strong emphasis on songwriting craft and peerless vocal arrangement, the band has won the hearts of many a hardened Toronto audience with its simple and appealing blend of rock, folk, blues, country and soul. Continue reading →

Friday February 4, 2011, in concert at Artword Artbar 15 Colbourne St. Hamilton– Random Recipe, a dynamic hiphop-folk-minimalist band from Montreal on tour with their new CD “Fold It! Mold It!” The band: Frannie Holder (vocalist, chiquita guitarra), Fab (Fabrizia Difruscia) (rapper, beat-box), Vincent Legault (guitar, keys, bass) and Liu-Kong Ha (percussion, keys). http://www.myspace.com/randomrecipe “Two women led the four-piece with incredible talent, ranging in vocal styles from singing to rapping to beat boxing. Random Recipe was simply a thrill to watch. MeetYouAtTheShow.com, January 2010″.

LATE BREAKING NEWS: Sunday January 30 at 3:30 pm $10. The wild and wonderful Russian gypsy sound of Krasnogorsk with Jacques Mindreau on violin and vocals and Corey Hinchey on baritone ukulele, on tour from the Maritimes. We’ll have a gypsy party and push back the tables for dancing.

Thursday January 20, 2011, at 8 pm Ken and Ron’s Kitchen Party, a country music jam. Featuring Ken and Silvano on guitar. No cover.

Saturday January 15, 2011 at 8 pm, $9, at Artword Artbar. A concert by Peter Tigchelaar, and friends. Peter, on guitars, mandolin and uke, will be performing songs from his new album “Gracious Window ” along with some new material and favourite covers. Peter Tigchelaar is a local Hamilton/Dundas based singer-songwriter. His album “Gracious Window won a Hamilton Music Award Nov 2010  http://www.petertigchelaar.com

NEW this fall! World-beat Music jam sessions & open mic,  second Wednesday of the month: Dec 8 at 8 pm, no cover. Hosted  by Emma Rush and  Rawle Skeete. Call 905-543-8512 for more information.

Saturday December 4 at 8 pm, $10. JP Riemens – singer songwriter  in concert (guitars / vocals). Accomplished songsmith JP Riemens performs songs from his newest release -“Dirty Sunset” and favorites from his previous 8 CD’s.
JP Riemens and the Artword folks collaborated on their theatre production “Tobacco Troubadour” in 2009, based on JP’s songs about growing up in tobacco country.
“J.P. (Paul) Riemens is a singer/songwriter. He tends to lean towards roots/rock and country and calls his particular style “ACID COUNTRY”. J.P. is at home in an intimate acoustic environment as well as the Concert Hall and has played in venues across the country with a host of noteable acts.” http://www.jpriemens.com/

Friday December 3, at 8:30 pm $5 at door, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tiny Bill Cody brings you “Ttiny Bill’s Holiday Special” — another night of irreverent cover tunes, off colour stories, and bemusedly original songs from hamilton’s tallest troubadour. With no more than three holiday related moments. Guaranteed!
www.tinybillcody.com www.myspace.com/tinybillcody www.torlukasikfoss.com Continue reading →

Saturday November 27 at 9:30 pm (after the play “Hamilton Bus Stop”), cover $5. Country duo Stan Simpson and Ken Hammond (vocals and guitars) bring you some good ol’ country harmony. They’ve been playing together for the past 15 years. One regular gig is the opening of the CNE Horse Palace every year.

Saturday November 20 at 9:30 pm, at Artword Artbar, no cover. Slight change of plans. We promised you the cast reunion concert of the music (composer Chris Cracknell, performed by the Science Ninja Big Ten band) — from Village Theatre Waterdown production of “Trafford Tanzi” . However this is being postponed until the new year. Instead the Science Ninja Big Ten band: Monica Knott (bass/vocals), Peter Lloyd (guitar/vocals), Dave Heaton (drums), Chris Cracknell (keyboard/vocals), will kick up all the fun. http://www.ghastlycomic.com/snb10/snb10.html

Saturday November 13 at 8 pm, $10. A concert with three solo singer/songwriters:
Melissa Bel (“Melissa Bel€™s voice is rich, smoky, impassioned and powerful, a rarity in the present-day pop world. When the 20-year-old sings of young love and heartbreak, you feel it. The girl gives it all she got.”)
Brydan Smith (acoustic guitar and vocals)
Rob Szabo (“The soul of a poet … a voice of tremendous power and whimsy €¦ one beautiful talent…€)
http://www.melissa-bel.com/
www.myspace.com/melissabelmusic
http://www.myspace.com/brydansmith
http://www.myspace.com/robszabo

Saturday November 6 at 8 pm, $10, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. A concert with roots Americana songstress from Port Dover, Tia McGraff, on tour with her new CD release “Diversity” which just received a Hamilton Music Awards nomination for best Country Recording). Tia McGraff (lead vocals/guitar), Tommy Parham (acoustic guitar/background vocals), with Kevin Murphy (electric guitar),  Brian Fettes (bass guitar), Jon DeBathe (drums).
McGraff explains the new release€™s title: €œMy musical style has always been a potpourri of lyrical and musical influences, and the songs on this album represent my range. I have reached deep inside my soul on this album and stepped out of my comfort zone. The lyrics speak of my political point of view, hurt and disappointment, healing, intimacy, and … not really giving a damn what anyone thinks of me. I’ve found my voice and am free to be me.€ http://tiamcgraff.com/   http://www.myspace.com/tiamcgraff 

Continue reading →

The Petit Fours are pleased as punch to announce a very retro Devils Night concert Saturday October 30 at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street in Hamilton. Doors open early, concert starts at 9:30 pm, and will feature a colossal amount of retro-fitted classics as well as some of your favourite P4 originals. Vocalist Hot Tea and pianist / composer Archibald will be joined by bassist Jeff and drummer Bartek for this power packed Devils Night show. Tickets are $10 ($7 for those in costume)

Friday October 29, at 10 pm, $8. A special late concert by two wonderful blues guitarists/songwriters, Nicole Christian and Alfie Smith, with solo sets and a combined one. Part of a tour in SW Ontario. Nicole is launching a new CD “Run Rabbit Run”.
http://www.myspace.com/torontonicole  http://www.myspace.com/alfiejohnsmith

Saturday October 23 at 8 pm, $8, a rare Hamilton concert by The Book of Gnomes. The group is electroacoustic collaboration between Nick Zubeck (guitars, lapsteel, FX — Barzin, Polmo Polpo, Great Lake Swimmers), James Castle (bass, loops — Elkton Hills, Phil Stabile, Cable, R., Cable, W.), Robbie Grunwald (keys — Jill Barber, Everything All the Time, Barzin, Matza Ball Gumbo), and Ben Bowen (horns, metallophone, keys — Great Aunt Ida, A Northern Chorus, Ronley Teper). Guest percussionist Tim Shia is joining in this evening. The music, presented in the form of long-form post-fusion suites, combines elements of rock and pop with improvisation. http://www.myspace.com/thebookofgnomes  Continue reading →

Friday October 22 at 8 pm, tickets $10, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street. A special concert by Fish & Bird, one of the most exciting folk bands — from Victoria BC, on tour in Ontario — virtuosic multi-instrumentalist Adam Iredale-Gray and highly literate singer/songwriter Taylor Ashton, guitar wizard/sea captain Ryan Boeur, upright bassist/Humber graduate Zoe Guigueno, and drummer/fishmonger Ben Kelly. 
http://www.fishandbird.ca/     http://www.myspace.com/fishandbirdmusic
“The music of Fish & Bird is rooted in an authentic love for folk music, but it€™s a tough love that doesn’t stop them from showing the genre a little abuse. They have been compared to an €œold timey Radiohead€ €“ the kind of thing that might have resulted if a lost tribe of art-school rockers discovered a crate full of banjos, fiddles and old records washed up on the shore. Continue reading →

Saturday October 16 at 8 pm, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street. Tickets $15. An evening of dynamite bluegrass music with mandolinist and vocalist Randal Hill. On guitar and vocals, the rock-steady Johnny Frame. John McNaughton will provide the deep foundation, acoustic bass and vocals. On banjo, one of the finest blue grass banjoists on the planet, Charlie Street. Stepping in for Suzie Sweetman (who can’t be here) is Rocky Hill, guitar and vocals, and the other half of the renowned Hill Brothers. Continue reading →

Saturday October 9 at 8 pm, $10.  Hotcha!  Beverly Kreller and Howard Druckman. Dust Bowl Roots: Songs for the New Depression. Beverly Kreller: vocals, bodhran, accordion, guitar, kazoo, mouth trumpet, spoons; Howard Druckman: vocals, guitar, slide, harmonica.  “HOTCHA! does a really fine job of evoking the music of the Great Depression by combining period pieces like Louis Armstrong€™s €œOl€™ Man Mose€ with very cool in-the-tradition originals like ‘Mines Went Down€™.€  “…genuine enthusiasm and infectious energy…”  http://www.myspace.com/HOTCHA7

Also playing: Matthew De Zoete (guitar/vocals), a Hamilton-based singer-songwriter.  “Matthew De Zoete’s second album, “Bottom of the World”, not only speaks of fresh, conceptual pop-rock, but contains the talent of a singer-songwriter wise beyond his years. The melodies are absorbing, the instrumentation is fluid, and the lyrics are moving. De Zoete’s album is an expression of rare authenticity.” Soundproof Magazine.  http://www.myspace.com/matthewdezoete

Most Thursdays at Artword Artbar Ken & Ron’s kitchen party, from 7:30 pm  to 11 or so. Pickin’ and singin’ with Ken Steffler, guitar and vocals and Ron Weihs, fiddle, guitar. Come on down and bring your ax. No cover.
Thur Oct 7, & 28 at 7:30
Thur October 14 is a special jazz concert with Ruthie Pytka-Jones
Thur October 21 is an evening of music from Latin America with Ruben Parra and Lil Acevedo
Thur Nov 4 at 7:30 pm
Thur Dec 2 at 7:30, featuring “Egos at the Door” — Ken, Silvano, Simon, Ritchie

Saturday October 2 at 8 pm, $5 at Artword Artbar. A concert by Marcelo Puente and Heather Chetwynd, of acoustic Latin music€“ Latin folk, Cuban boleros and South American New Song (Nueva Canción) €“ with a few English tunes. Very listenable, moving and upbeat! Their recent CD — Vida/Life — includes a cross section of songs selected from their years of collaboration. 
http://www.amazon.com/Vida-Life/dp/B000QZR1J2/ref=dm_ap_alb1 
Heather Chetwynd and Marcelo Puente first performed together in the Chilean band, Grupo Lallantú. From 1977 to 1985, Marcelo and Heather performed both together and apart in a variety of musical configurations. A 2-year stint as a duo resulted in their double-cassette recording Así habremos de vivir. During this period, Heather participated as Canada€™s representative in the international Chilean Festival of Viña Del Mar and Marcelo founded and directed the extremely successful Greek-Chilean group, Compañeros. Continue reading →

Friday October 1, at 8:30 pm $5 at door, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tiny Bill Cody presents an evening of — Cover Songs, Originals, Spoken Word.
Eclectic Songwriter Tiny Bill Cody re-vamps songs which have haunted him since his youth, tells the odd tale of his private and public failings, and test drives a few new original tunes.  www.tinybillcody.com www.myspace.com/tinybillcody www.torlukasikfoss.com Continue reading →

Thursday September 30, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., at 8 pm, $10. A special concert by acclaimed touring roots-Delta-bluesman Doc MacLean with his National Steel guitar. http://darkerwaysbluestour.blogspot.com/  http://www.docmaclean.com/
National Steel Darker Ways Blues Tour: 5th Annual Blues Event will be 100 Solo Shows. Darker Ways. Roads less travelled. Blue highways. Places found in the crease of the map. Encounters with strangers on strange days. A money candle in a broken window. It’s Doc MacLean, watching the tail light reflections tracking in the rear view mirror. Doc, drinking bourbon by the roadside. Doc with his battered 1929 National steel guitar. Continue reading →

Saturday, September 25, 8:00 pm at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tickets $10. The Acoustics are back at Artword Artbar! A lively five-piece instrumental ensemble playing world/roots music with a  Mediterranean and Latin sound. Alfonso Spoto accordion; Enzo Spoto, lead and rhythm guitar; Brian Ropcean, percussion; Bonnie Krenciglowa, violin; Andrew Eckart, double bass.
The Acoustics’ recent CD Forever and a Day came in second place for World Album of the year at the 2009, JPF Music Awards, in Nashville TN. They also had two major category nominations for the 2009 Hamilton Music Awards, Folk/Traditional Recording of the year and Instrumental Recording of the year.
http://www.theacoustics.ca/
 http://www.myspace.com/theacousticsband

Friday September 17 at 8 pm $5. A concert with Trio Arjento at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street.  Marcy Hull vocals, Jennifer Lockman piano, Tom Shea guitar, playing their own songs plus some jazz and blues, with guest Dan Beausoleil.  One of our favourite groups. Continue reading →

Saturday July 3 at 8 pm, $10, a rare concert appearance by Choir Deets — a.k.a Mike Trebilcock (acoustic guitar, ukulele, harmonica, kazoo, bootboard) and Jay Burr (tuba), celebrating Mississippi John Hurt’s birthday! Choir Deets is the old-timey alter-ego of Mike Trebilcock, formerly of the Canadian power-pop trio The Killjoys. As a duo with Jay Burr on tuba, Mike has been playing pancake breakfasts, outdoor festivals, and gumbo restaurants, treating audiences to music by our under-appreciated musical ancestors. In it’s dusty groove lies the precursors to modern jazz, pop, rock, soul and folk. http://www.reverbnation.com/choirdeets

Sunday September 12 at 2 pm. $5.  Concert by Yitka and The Elements, with Yitka Karlik (vocals and guitar), Ramondo Ray Poirier (bass), Sandi Stirling (keyboards), playing original songs with a Mediterranean folk feel, and some covers.  Sandi Stirling also plays her “songs without words” and some classical pieces on our piano. http://www.myspace.com/yitkakarlik

Howdy folks! Grab your cowboy hat and mosey on down to Artword Artbar Friday July 2 at 8 pm for an evening with Riders of the Western Stage — Bud Wilkinson “Shorty Bud” (guitar and vocals), Ken Hammond “Kowboy Ken” (guitar and vocals), Pete Sisk “Too-Tall Pete” (upright bass and vocals). All your favourite cowboy and western music — Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Sons Of The Pioneers, Riders In The Sky, plus some originals written in the same style. $5 cover.

Saturday September 4 at 8 pm $5. Four solo acoustic singer/songwriters together on stage:  Joe Boudreau,  Teal Booth, Adam Carter, and special guest Rachel Nolan (harpist), organized by Joe. “The plan would be for us all to perform acoustically, playing our very different styles of music, but because of the format, all of it fitting very nicely together.”
http://www.myspace.com/tealbooth
http://www.myspace.com/thehumanracemusic

Friday September 3 at 8 pm, $9. A concert by Peter Tigchelaar, with a trio of friends including Brielle Goheen on violin and Andrew Tigchelaar on bass. Peter, on guitars, mandolin and uke, will be performing songs from his new album “Gracious Window ” along with some new material and favourite covers. Peter Tigchelaar is a local Hamilton/Dundas based singer-songwriter. He has recently released a CD “Gracious Window”, and did a CD launch in April at the Corktown.  http://www.petertigchelaar.com

Most Thursdays at Artword Artbar Ken & Ron’s kitchen party, from 7:30 pm  to 11 or so. Pickin’ and singin’ with Ken Steffler, guitar and Ron Weihs, fiddle. Come on down and bring your ax. No cover.
Thur Sept 2, 9, 16, 23 at 7:30
Thur Sept 30 SPECIAL CONCERT at 8 pm — Doc MacLean’s National Steel Tour

Saturday August 28 at 8 pm, $5. The Plain Steel  — rocker Ross Lizotte teams up with Caroline Olsen on viola and Shawn MacDonald on drums to create a new sound — folk music on overdrive. We’re delighted to have them back at Artword Artbar. Ross Lizotte – guitars, vocals; Caroline Olsen – viola, vocals; Shawn MacDonald – drums, percussion. It’s also a farewell party for cellist Geoff Ball,  whose other band, Euphonic, will also be on the bill. Euphonic is fine instrumental acoustic combo (guitar/cello/drums).  Opening feature is The Plain Steel’s friend Keith Monte warming up the night.  http://www.myspace.com/theplainsteelband

Saturday July 17 at 8 pm, at Artword Artbar, $10. Kori Pop is back at Artword, with her new cd and guests Hobson’s Choice . Kori has been working for the past while on her new CD €œFrom the Outskirts€. http://www.koripop.com/

Hobson’s Choice is a Toronto-based band: Michael Davidson- vibraphone and marimba, Rebecca Hennessy- trumpet and voice, Felicity Williams- voice and guitar, Harley Card- guitar and voice). Their music falls somewhere between alt-folk and chamber-jazz. [PS from Artword Artbar: Hobson’s Choice gave a beautiful concert. They are wonderfully gifted and innovative, with their own blend of jazz-based songwriting. We hope to have them back to Artword Artbar this fall. And Kori too, of course.] Continue reading →

Thursday July 15 at 8 pm, $10, back at Artword Artbar again —  Hamilton’s own Klezmer band A Touch of Klez, bringing you the high-energy sound of Eastern European Jewish and gypsy music. “Jordy Abraham – accordion; Bubbles Price – violin; Cookie Black – saxophone; Moishe McFarland – double bass; Leo Kosotski – drums.” Call 905-543-8512 to reserve

Thursday July 8 at 8 pm, $5, the Ladiest of Ladies sing again at Artword Artbar, in an evening of experimental song (watch out!). Sarah Good and Annie Shaw (pictured right in southernsouls video), try strange new beautiful things. www.myspace.com/secretannieshawsongs 
Joining in:  
Slowly Slowly , a rotating cast of characters playing sweet and strange minimalistic compositions by Melinda Richter (from Toronto!) www.myspace.com/slowlyslowly 
Olga “chaos is the score upon which reality is written” Kirgidis will be spinning waves of intensity for the purpose of atmospheric transport.
Guaranteed to bend your ear and your mind. It will be the loveliest of evenings.

Saturday June 5 at 4 pm and 9:30 pm. Big Rude Jake is back, and you have two chances to catch this sell-out musician. Tickets $10. Reserve 905-543-8512.
Big Rude Jake has a new album and a whole new look on life.  Big Rude Jake’s new release, Quicksand, explores contemporary twists on popular music forms from decades ago. Listeners will note a dramatic shift away from the ‘neo-swing’ style that has characterized previous Big Rude Jake recordings in favour of a more general roots-oriented singer/song-writer approach. The overall sound of Quicksand is relaxed and contemplative.  http://www.bigrudejake.ca/ Below is video from the concert by Hamilton Blues Lovers site.
Continue reading →

Friday June 4 at 8 pm. The Plain Steel, a wonderful “folk n’ roll” band, “blending an eclectic mix of influences from Folk and Blues to Jazz and Classical”. Ross Lizotte – guitars, vocals; Caroline Olsen – viola, vocals; Shawn MacDonald – drums, percussion; and guest Mike Pratt on upright bass. WORDMAN Z opens.  (Caroline, Shawn, Ross pictured right at April 23 Busker Crawl on James St. North, photo Reg Beaudry). http://www.myspace.com/theplainsteelband

Thursdays Ken & Ron’s kitchen party, from 7:00 pm or so, to 11 or so. Pickin’ and singin’ with Ken Steffler and Ron Weihs, guitar and fiddle. Come on down and bring your ax. Sometimes before and after special events on Thursdays. No cover. June 3, 10, 17 and 24…
Special Thurs June 10  Ron & Ken from 7 to 8:45 pm, then ticketed concert by Jay Aymar at 9:00

Thursday August 19 at 8 pm, $5 cover. A concert by Michael Mucci on acoustic guitar, with Jonathan Cass on drums, plus special guests Sarah Good (guitar, vocals) and Gasoline Gathers Hands, Gathers Friends (jag – guitar, piano & drums; scott cloud – vocals, tape manipulation and horns; david richard mater – guitar, organ).
Mucci is known for his solo steel string guitar compositions — slow motion abstractions. His newest release (June 2010) is Time Lost, a vinyl LP from Tall House in Guelph. (“Time Lost provides the listener with experimental steel stringed compositions of the highest calibre”.  Fluid Radio UK)  www.mmucci.com and  www.myspace.com/mmucci and www.tallhouserecordingco.com

http://www.myspace.com/friendsofgasoline  http://www.myspace.com/sarahgoodmusic

Continue reading →

Ken & Ron’s kitchen party, almost every Thursday in August from 7:30 pm or so, to 11 or so. Pickin’ and singin’ with Ken Steffler, guitar and Ron Weihs, fiddle. Come on down and bring your ax. No cover.  August 5, 12, 26
Thurs Aug 19 is the Michael Mucci concert at 8 pm $5

Saturday June 26 at 8 pm $10. The Nonie Crete Band in concert — eclectic folk that comprises elements of blues, celtic and jazz. Nonie Crete (vocals, guitar, Eugene Rea (vocals, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo, bouzouki, whistles), Gary Kreller (accordion, keyboards).
Nonie Crete is a musical and storytelling force to be reckoned with. From heady blues, Irish balladry, to Cajun and French Canadian hues, Nonie seamlessly traverses genre with an execution only matched by her uncanny ability to explore equally diverse lyrical themes. Whether upbeat, sorrowful, poignant or whimsical, Nonie’s songs reach into the landscape of the heart – family, community, memory, discovery, love and loss – woven together by her stunningly beautiful voice. As a singer-songwriter, she has released 7 albums to date and has 2 in the works with multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, Eugene Rea.  www.nonie.ca www.myspace.com/noniecrete

Continue reading →

Saturday June 19 $5 at door, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tiny Bill Cody presents The Precious Eighties — Cover Songs, Originals, Spoken Word.
Eclectic Songwriter Tiny Bill Cody re-vamps songs which have haunted him since his youth, tells the odd tale of his private and public failings, and test drives a few new original tunes.  www.tinybillcody.com www.myspace.com/tinybillcody www.torlukasikfoss.com Continue reading →

Thursday June 17 at 8 pm, $5, concert by The Gunter Ott Blues Band:  Jim Chambers on keyboards, Brent Gelhar on bass, Andrew Tin on harmonica, Günter Ott on guitar and vocals. The Günter Ott Band is based in Hamilton and plays vintage Blues, Rockabilly and Roots music primarily from the 1940s, €˜50s and €˜60s.

Sunday June 13, at 2 pm, $10, Emma Rush, an afternoon with the classical guitar with a program of new music for concert guitar featuring South American music. Emma is a classical guitarist and founder and artistic director of the Guitar Hamilton concert series.  Continue reading →

Saturday June 12 at 8 pm, $10, at Artword Artbar. Singer-songwriter Lianne Cranfield. Lianne performed at a recent Wednesday Artshare and we look forward to a full evening of her music before she leaves for her regular summer of music in Tobermory.

Thursday June 10 at 9 pm. $10 cover. Jay Aymar — back again by popular demand at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. Jay was here in February and again in March — he’s becoming one of our regulars.  Jay Aymar is a fine singer-songwriter who mixes elements of country and folk with introspective, humorous and straight-forward lyrics. Jay’s latest album ‘Halfway Home’ is his best work yet and features the standout track “My Cherry Coloured Rose” which has recently been covered by the legendary Ian Tyson.  http://www.myspace.com/jayaymar Continue reading →

Tuesday May 25, 8 pm, $5: Singer-songwriters coincide with movie night! A smattering of the town’s nicest singer-songwriters come together to watch famous short films and play their swinging guitars! Joel Elliot!  Phil Juen!  
and! welcome from Montrealtown: David Simard ! (photo above) with Erin Lang! (click on more to see more below)
opening set from: Annie Shaw plays the blues!
come down and join in the exclaiming! blow your heart and melt your mind! 

http://www.erinlang.com 
http://www.myspace.com/davidsimardmusic 
www.myspace.com/joelelliott
www.myspace.com/lakeriser (special solo set!)
www.myspace.com/secretannieshawsongs  Continue reading →

Saturday May 22 at 8 pm. A wonderful band from Guelph: Modern Field Recordings — Christopher (singer, guitar), Bob (double bass), Taylor (guitar),  Jes (singer, keys), Jen (bassoon). Here’s their story: “Started at the beginning of 2009, Modern Field Recordings was a way to validate the many break ups had and love letters written. a chance for the three of us to be honest with those around us and maybe help people that might be going through the same thing. noble? perhaps. emotional? a little. it was never our intent to wear our hearts on our sleeves that’s just where we happened to find them.” http://www.myspace.com/modernfieldrecordings (Kori Pop recommended them to us, and we love her musical taste, so come out and here them!)

Saturday May 15 at 8 pm, tickets $10. A special concert presented by The Tribal Gallery: Two Men from Earth — John Dickie (mandolin, harmonica, vocals) and Steve Hunter (piano, vocals) — an indigo rich blend of boogie, stride, country blues, and poignant ballads €“ all drawn from the southern U.S. blues experience with a marked €˜N€™awlins€™ vibe. Their new cd Walkin€™ To New Orleans — 13 songs, arranged and played as you€™ve never heard them before €“ Walkin€™ down a ragged road, really feelin€™ the blues.  https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/TwoMenFromEarth Continue reading →

Our Mother’s Day concert for Sunday May 9 at 2 pm, originally planned to feature AJ Croce, has suddenly changed. AJ was turned back at the Canadian border, and will not be able to carry out his tour. We have a substitute performance for you by Ariana Gillis, an award-winning young folksinger/songwriter with David Gillis on guitar-banjo and Rob McBride  on bass, 2 pm, Sunday May 9, $10.
http://www.myspace.com/arianagillis

Continue reading →

Saturday May 8 at 8 pm, pwyc. Cedalou Torma (guitar/vocals) brings together an evening of indie experimental music artists especially for Artword Artbar. With guests Annie Shaw, Sarah Good, Weakgenes and Slowly, Slowly (Melinda Richter, right).
http://www.myspace.com/littlesilvertabby 
Weakgenes – http://www.myspace.com/weakgenes
Sarah Good – http://www.myspace.com/sarahgoodmusic
Annie Shaw – http://www.myspace.com/secretannieshawsongs
Slowly Slowly – http://www.myspace.com/slowlyslowly
PS: Check out the wonderful videos by Mitch Fillion of Annie Shaw and Sarah Good at http://www.southernsouls.ca/

Friday May 7 at 8 pm, $5: Mark McNeil teams up with Dan Medakovic for an evening of country and roots-based songs with a story. Two of our favourite singer-songwriters and guitarists. Both have played recently at Artword — this is the first time together on our stage.

Sunday March 7, and Sunday May 2 at 2:00 pm: “Artword Composers Soirée”, Hamilton, a new series of New Music workshops, curated and coordinated by composer/guitarist Wade Whittaker, hosted monthly at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street, Hamilton.

Sunday May 2:
Wade Whittaker plays his compositions for solo guitar.
Christian Ledroit presents two pieces: Trade Winds (Concerto for Tabla) and Wandering the Threshold of Delirium (for Violin and optional Electronic Accompaniment). We will listen to recordings of these works. Christien will discuss, and then we’ll have a Q&A session.

Continue reading →

POSTPONED (due to TBC’s cold/flu) from Saturday May 1 at 8:30 pm to a Saturday June 19 $5 at door, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tiny Bill Cody presents The Precious Eighties — Cover Songs, Originals, Spoken Word.
Eclectic Songwriter Tiny Bill Cody re-vamps songs which have haunted him since his youth, tells the odd tale of his private and public failings, and test drives a few new original tunes.  www.tinybillcody.com www.myspace.com/tinybillcody www.torlukasikfoss.com Continue reading →

Friday April 30 at 8:00 pm at Artword Artbar 15 Colbourne Street. Tickets $10. Lionel Lodge, a singer-songwriter originally from Port Dover has been hanging out in Vienna for over ten years. He’s back around these parts and will be playing with John Loucks on mandolin, and others. That pesky volcanic ash has kept Lionel’s band members Peter Beinhofer (accordion) and Gernot Feldner (guitar/harmonica/piano) back in Vienna, Austria (originally scheduled to visit and play).
Lionel writes “My first time playing in Hamilton in a very long time. Should be a very nice eve in a special venue.” http://www.myspace.com/lionellodgemusic   Quotes about Lionel’s CD: “Lionel’s “It’s Not My Fault” CD is a gem.”
“…a stunning blend of country, rock, rhythm’n’blues and something else too.”

Saturday, April 24, 8:00 pm at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tickets $10. The Acoustics are a lively six-piece instrumental ensemble playing world/roots music with a  Mediterranean and Latin sound. Alfonso Spoto accordion; Enzo Spoto, lead guitar; Sam Spoto rhythm guitar; Brian Ropcean, percussion; Bonnie Krenciglowa, violin; Andrew Eckart, double bass.
with special guest set by flamenco-classical guitarist Gary Santucci.  Continue reading →

Saturday, April 17 at 8 pm, $10. Concert by Dan Medakovic, one of Hamilton’s premier singer-songwriters, and a very fine guitarist. He’s bringing Matt Coleman on fiddle and Jeff Griffith on drums. Dan’s wonderful songs range from folk and folk/rock to storytelling and social commentary. Dan comes regularly to Wednesday Artshare evenings, and we are looking forward to a full evening of his music.

Friday April 16, 8 pm, $5: concert by Peter Sisk, singer-songwriter-guitarist-bass-player. Pete’s influences are country and roots, with some bluegrass. (He has just returned from his tour in Europe playing upright bass with bluegrass legends The Good Brothers.) At Artword, he will be accompanied by Ron Weihs on fiddle.

Saturday April 10 at 8 pm, tickets $10. Singer-songwriter Kori Pop in concert with her special guests Bill Majoros of The Foreign Films and  artist/musician extraordinaire Dave Hind. Kori will be playing our baby grand piano. Kori has been working for the past while on her new CD “From the Outskirts”, soon to be released. http://www.koripop.com/   http://www.theforeignfilms.com/ 
http://www.davehind.com/  Click more for Kori’s “trailer” Continue reading →

Thursdays Ken & Ron’s kitchen party, from 7:00 pm or so, to 11 or so. Pickin’ and singin’ with Ken Steffler and Ron Weihs, guitar and fiddle. Come on down and bring your ax. Sometimes before and after special events on Thursdays. No cover.

Sunday March 28 at 7:30 pm at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Tickets $12. Mandolin virtuoso Randal Hill  (mandolin, guitar, vocals) brings his high-energy bluegrass-tinged acoustic sound to Artword Artbar, for a special concert. Accompanying Randal onstage are: Singer/songwriter Suzie Sweetman, always in demand back-up vocalist, and as you will see, an all-around “sparkplug”;
Johnny Frame, on rock-solid guitar and vocals, a long time member of the bluegrass and gospel music circuit; and John McNaughton, veteran bluegrass acoustic bassist (and fine vocalist) rounds out the group. Continue reading →

Saturday March 27 at 8 pm, $5 cover, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Hamilton. Jack Harlan, troubadour, in a solo concert. His music “can best be described as folk noir, experimental roots with songs of social uprising. Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen in a blender.” Lyrical firestorms, a percussive acoustic guitar style and foot stomping, complete Jack Harlan’s one man band no-nonsense folk vision. http://www.jackharlan.com/  Continue reading →

Saturday March 20 at 9:30 pm. $10 cover. Jay Aymar — back by popular demand at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. Jay was here in February with a warm and delightful performance, so here’s another chance to hear him before he takes off on a European tour.  Jay Aymar is a singer-songwriter who mixes elements of country and folk with introspective, humorous and straight-forward lyrics. Jay’s latest album ‘Halfway Home’ is his best work yet and features the standout track “My Cherry Coloured Rose” which has recently been covered by the legendary Ian Tyson.  http://www.myspace.com/jayaymar Continue reading →

Jazz standards — Jennifer Lockman on piano and Tom Shea on guitar. Part of our regular Thursday Ken & Ron’s Kitchen Party, with a twist, starting at 9 pm. Ron & Ken play from 7 to 9. no cover

Thursday April 15, Jennifer Lockman piano and Tom Shea guitar play jazz as special guests during  Ken & Ron’s kitchen party, from 7:00 pm or so, to 11 or so. Pickin’ and singin’ with Ken Steffler and Ron Weihs, guitar and fiddle. Come on down and bring your ax. Sometimes before and after special events on Thursdays. No cover.

Saturday March 6 at 8 pm, $10 cover, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. Hamilton. Big Rude Jake is back with a new album and a whole new look on life.  Big Rude Jake’s new release, Quicksand, explores contemporary twists on popular music forms from decades ago. Listeners will note a dramatic shift away from the “neo-swing” style that has characterized previous Big Rude Jake recordings in favour of a more general roots-oriented singer/song-writer approach. The overall sound of Quicksand is relaxed and contemplative.  http://www.bigrudejake.ca/ Continue reading →

Friday Mar 5 at 8 pm, $10 cover: It’s the St. Catharines Invasion! Singer-songwriter Randy Shook on guitar and Kevin €œSpiderfingers€ Ducette on keyboards.
With special guest wandering minstrel and guitarist Jack Harlan.
“Neo- Traditional Folksinger-songwriter” Randy and €œcreative keyboardist€ Kevin are enjoying their 21st year of musical collaboration and live performing.  Their thought-provoking songs are woven together with stories and insights about the inspirations behind the music, with creative keyboard parts that add an emotional psychedelic element. Join us for the €œcelebration€€¦  http://www.randyshook.com  Continue reading →

Thursday Feb 25 at 9 pm, $5 / pwyc, at Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St. The Ladiest of Ladies rule tonight, with four plus one solo singer-songwriters to expand your mind.
** Willow Rutherford from toronto. “Willow plays accordion and writes beautiful sweet songs.”  http://www.myspace.com/willowrutherford
** Annie Shaw, songs and piano  http://www.myspace.com/secretannieshawsongs
** Sarah Good, songs and guitar  http://www.myspace.com/sarahgoodmusic
** Jessica Carey, songs and guitar
** Terra Lightfoot, songs and guitar
http://www.myspace.com/terralightfoot