mark tonin

RIP Richie ... timouse, thanks for posting Shauna's bittersweet message ...

Just down the street ... I hope I can squeeze (at least part of) this one in ... it will depend on when I get back from the airport after picking up my daughter. Peace, Mark

Here's a copy of the poster for the Labour Day weekend festival:

After pissing off a significant number of people who had an "it is our right to sit in a chair and watch this free show without anybody dancing in front of me or near me attitude", Liana and I eventually found a good spot to dance and enjoy Dr. John. We really enjoyed him and his band and he can still sing and play, that's for sure! We also caught a few songs by JJ Grey & Mofro ... it was good but rockier/bluesier than I expected. After Dr. John we went to The Boathouse to hear Debbie Davies. She can certainly sing and play the blues! Very impressive! Made our way back to the main stage after that to check out Johnny Lang, but by then it was packed downtown so we didn't stay for too long and after taking a stroll through the downtown and Victoria Park we decided to make the bike ride back home. All in all a very enjoyable night! Peace, Mark

This year's lineup is looking good for the Labour Day weekend! For those of you on here that haven't seen it, here is the last Facebook message sent out by Mark Wilson re: the Labour Day weekend festival being held at Frontier Ghost Town:

Thanks for the heads up ... will make a point of catching the second half of Dr. John's set if we start with JJ Grey & Mofro. Cheers, Mark

Going to head back tonight to check out either Dr. John or JJ Grey & Mofro ... not sure which one yet but leaning toward Dr. John ... Peace, Mark

After last night, I agree! This is a solid band, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Raven play his tube-electrified acoustic guitar. He's got some serious chops and a cool sound! And he's a good singer ... I enjoyed the vocal mix between him and the female vocalist ShoShona Kish. I caught part of their set at the Victoria Park stage under the tent, and some of their energy was lost because it was a small seated crowd in a big venue. I managed to see them again later on last night in the Boathouse, and their energy came through in a big way in that small, packed venue. Nice to see you Schwa and Gator. I'm guessing that you decided not to head back to the Boathouse, or you did and you couldn't get in. We got in just before it got really busy - there seemed to be a lineup to get in most of the night. Peace, Mark

Very cool ... nice work briguy! Peace, Mark

Very cool ... nice work briguy! Peace, Mark

See you there Schwa. Liana and I plan on biking over to Victoria Park to check it out. Peace, Mark

Hopefully this pairing happens again at some point! Peace, Mark

Happy birthday Mike ... wishing you all the best for the upcoming year! Thanks for all that you do for this community! Peace, Mark

Very tempting my friend! Any idea when the Fatties are playing on Saturday? I'm wondering if I can make it to both events ...

This year's bash looks good ... I wish it wasn't on the same night as the Kitchener Bluesfest! Does anybody have an inkling what the set times are for the Shakedown bash? I'm wondering if I can make it to both the Bluesfest and the Shakedown party ... Peace, Mark

I'm definitely going to check out at least some of the acts at the Kitchener Bluesfest this year. I'm curious to hear Digging Roots, playing on Friday starting at 5:35 pm at the Victoria Park clock tower stage. And JJ Grey & Mofro are also playing on the Friday night (August 6) at The Starlight in Waterloo. That should be a hot show! The Saturday night is a tough choice! JJ Grey & Mofro and Dr. John are playing at the same time at the Bluesfest, with the Shakedown Freak Fest party on the same night. I'll likely opt for the just down the street choice (i.e. Bluesfest) unless I can manage to make it to both. Any other recommendations from people for other acts I should see at the Bluesfest? Peace, Mark

It was going to be a big stretch for me to make it to Toronto for this, and then when I read that Cornmeal wouldn't be there, I took it as an omen to avoid the possibility of hurting myself with the stretch. Kudos to Jaydawg for trying to (re)build the scene and I hope that TLG makes the journey this way again as I still haven't seen them. Cornmeal kicks ass. At least they have the two times I've seen them. I hope they make it back this way again, and I hope to get to see them again at a festival south of the border. Peace, Mark

Confirmed ... Cornmeal kicked ass at the All Good Music Festival!!! Peace, Mark

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I'm feeling great these days, I just wish that there were more hours in the day and more days in the week so that I could take more of life in! Peace, Mark

Very cool Blurry ... those interviews sound like they would be a dream come true for you! I look forward to reading your review when it is posted. Diesel Dog at the Ledges would be sweeeeeeeettt!!! I know that your question was directed at edger, but I'll jump in with an answer: Freakin' Awesome!!! I hope to post more about my All Good experience at some point soon ... Peace, Mark

Thanks for above post edger! You saved me some typing! I really enjoyed this show and am so glad that I made a last minute decision to head to this show before making the journey to West Virginia for All Good. I got tickets for this show when they first went on sale, got rid of them when I thought I wouldn't be going. Thank you Myles for hanging onto your extra for me. There didn't seem to be many extras floating around at the venue. I haven't been to ArtPark in close to 30 years. A cool venue and a neat looking little community. I hope it's not another 30 years before I return ... I hope to get back there again this summer for one of the free concerts that happens there. This version of Furthur turns my crank in a big way! I hope they keep it together and continue touring. In the Ottawa Furthur thread, there a quote from a review was posted which read: "Up front, although it was a little disconcerting to see the youngsters playing the classics, each brought their own flair to the songs. What was missed was the extra percussion work that came with the Dead’s original members, if only because it would have broken up the long stretches of noodling that made fans restless. Many drifted away to other stages." I disagree with the above quote. Personally, I love that this version of the band is willing and able to stretch things out and experiment musically. They nail the songs but mess with them enough at times to keep things interesting and fresh-sounding, and they explore. It reminds of that band called the Grateful Dead. Started on the lawn, made it inside the pavilion part way through the first set, and ended up with friends in the centre near the sound board for the second set. I was in that happy zone at the start of the show and then things really took off for me at Bird Song. So glad I hit up this show before heading to All Good! Peace, Mark

Really enjoyed these guys at All Good!!! Peace, Mark

Ahem! Tonin maybe we need to remedy this crime. All Good prelude? Twist my arm! Check your email when you get the chance ... I'm heading into summer holidays and am feeling as flexible as Gumby ... so feel free to twist right back.

Happy belated birthday c-towns! I'm happy things worked out well for you with this show and party ... sorry to have missed it. Peace, Mark

Exciting news! Congratulations to both of you. I won't be making the journey to Gratefulfest this year, but hope to make it back at some point in the future ... it is an awesome venue! And those pics definitely bring back some fond memories! Wishing everybody who attends a wonderful time! Peace, Mark