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Local Artists 2009

Local Artists and Performers 2009

Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Series with featured guests, Sunday, March 29, 2009 @ Hugh’s Room

Chris Whiteley, Diana Braithwaite, Jacob & Lily, and Ben Whiteley ...and a very special surprise guest!

SUNDAY! March 29 @ Hugh’s Room, Toronto 2PM Matinee Concert

Ken Whiteley's popular Sunday afternoon gospel series at Hugh's Room has been running for over five years and in that time has featured an amazing selection of both local and international artists. The March 29th matinee concert promises to be an accessible and exciting blend of blues, gospel and folk styles. Whether you are coming for the spiritual experience, or for the terrific music, this Gospel series is not to be missed! Warning: this concert is appropriate for music lovers of all ages!

CHRIS WHITELEY is an award winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Highly respected and revered for his expertise on the trumpet, Chris is equally at home on instruments as diverse as guitar, pedal steel, coronet and harmonica. He has been showered with numerous accolades, including 6 Juno Award nominations and 4 Maple Blues Awards as Horn Player of the Year and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Chris often performs on the award winning CBC radio show The Vinyl Café with Stuart McLean and his most recent recording collaboration is with Diana Braithwaite. Coincidentally, Chris is Ken Whiteley's favourite brother. http://www.chriswhiteley.com

DIANA BRAITHWAITE is an internationally acclaimed blues singer-songwriter, who has captivated audiences around the world with Delta blues standards and deep, spiritual blues. Her performance highlights include opening for blues legends John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Jeff Healey and Sarah McLauchlan’s groundbreaking Lilith Fair festival in Toronto. Unquestionably one of the most authentic blues singers of today, Diana was honoured with the prestigious African-American Women in the Arts Award in Chicago, Illinois. Her most recent recording collaboration is with Chris Whiteley. http://www.dianabraithwaite.com

On the heals of their most recent recording collaboration, Diana and Chris were nominated for the Maple Blues Awards' Best Blues Acoustic Act (2007). Morning Sun is an affectionate tribute to the classic blues sounds of the 1930's and 40's. http://www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com, http://www.myspace.com/dianachrisblues

JACOB AND LILY's organic handcrafted roots music has made them a favourite of CBC Radio listeners and one of our country's newest must-see acts. Incorporating the cajon beat box, world percussion instruments and a partial drum kit, Jacob (Caleb Friesen) is the perfect compliment to Lily’s (Karla Adolphe’s) powerful voice and award winning songwriting. They are co-winners of the 2008 Mountain Stage Newsong Songwriting Competition and their debut recording The Cathedral was nominated for the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Best New/Emerging Artist. They are excited to be releasing their second album later this year! http://www.jacobandlily.com

BEN WHITELEY is an accomplished bass player, on both upright and electric and has performed with many different artists, performing many different styles. Currently attending University of Toronto's prestigious music faculty, Ben may be found around the city playing with Suzy Wilde, in the group Flashlight Radio. Their sound combines Ben's instrumental talents on standup bass and guitar with Suzy's captivating voice and lyrics. Childhood friends, both have been involved in performing, recording and songwriting since they were very young and have received a first hand education from their respective parents, Ken Whiteley and Nancy White. Together Ben and Suzy have created a brand of roots music that is very much their own. http://www.myspace.com/flashlightradio

KEN WHITELEY's musical journey has taken him from jug band, folk and swing to blues, gospel and children's music. Recognized as a gifted guitarist and mandolinist, Ken's musical cohorts often refer to him as a "playing encyclopedia" for his vast repertoire, depth and range of playing styles, and his prodigious ability on over 20 instruments.. His recording studio walls are adorned with multiple gold and platinum records and he has been honoured with the Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award, Mariposa Folk Festival’s Hall of Fame Award, Canadian Folk Music Award, Parent's Choice Award and Gemini Award for Best Song in a Canadian Film. Ken’s recording Gospel Music Makes Me Feel Alright! continues to be a hot seller at the gospel concerts and online. http://www.kenwhiteley.com, http://www.myspace/kenwhiteley, http://www.borealisrecords.com

Concert Details:\\ Sunday, March 29, 2009 @ Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas Street West, 1/2 block south of Bloor Street, Toronto) Doors open at 1pm for a delicious lunch with the Gospel show beginning at 2pm

Ticket Details: $17. in advance / $20. at the door Lunch reservations & concert tickets available by calling Hugh’s Room at 416-531-6604 or online at http://www.hughsroom.com

Hope to see you there! For additional information contact: Shari Campbell, The Wonderful World of Whiteley Email: ken@kenwhiteley.com

Ken Whiteley's Gospel concert

with Mighty Popo, Rebecca Campbell, Kevin Head & Ben Whiteley

Ken Whiteley's popular Sunday afternoon gospel series at Hugh's Room has been running for over five years and in that time has featured an amazing selection of both local and international gospel artists. Whether you are coming for the spiritual experience, or for the terrific music, this year's Gospel series is not to be missed! The February 15th afternoon program promises to be an accessible and exciting blend of styles and appropriate for music lovers of all ages.

MIGHTY POPO is a Rwandan/Burundian refugee/survivor whose music is steeped in African tradition but also reflects his lifelong connection with rock 'n roll, blues, jazz, R&B, reggae and folk traditions. His music reflects his immersion in a world culture which he navigates with grace, sensitivity and fun. In 2007 Popo received the Canadian Folk Music Award for Best World Artist for his CD entitled "Muhazi". Other career highlights include his 2004 Juno Award winning work with the African Guitar Summit, his featured performance at Bob Geldof’s international Live 8 concerts and the CBC Radio’s Maple Leaf Mojo Meets New Orleans Gumbo benefit concert. http://www.mightypopo.ca

Singer/songwriter REBECCA CAMPBELL is applauded for her stellar vocals with The Porkbelly Futures, Justin Hayes, Three Sheets to the Wind, Fat Man Waving and Jane Siberry. She cut her teeth singing R&B then travelled into swing, followed by bluegrass gospel and then traditional jazz. During her musical journey she has sung alongside such luminaries as Emmylou Harris, Ian Tamblyn, Richard Thompson, Alanis Morrisette, Shari Ulrich, Sylvia Tyson plus she's shared the stage with kd lang and Bruce Cockburn, to name only a few. Her voice is emotionally rooted, honest, lyrical, joyful, poetic, and full of surprises. Rebecca is a member of Ken Whiteley's touring gospel troupe and her heavenly vocals have graced many of Ken's recordings. http://www.rebeccacampbell.com

Kingston's KEVIN HEAD is an accomplished singer, songwriter, musical director and actor. He has performed on shows with Valdy, Charlie Major, The Rankins, Gowan and the musical tribute to the late Denny Doherty at Hugh's Room, to name a few. Currently performing and teaching in the Kingston music scene, Kevin still cherishes his Maritime roots. In 1978 he recorded his first CD in Halifax with co-producer Ken Pearson (Janis Joplin, Bruce Cockburn) and opened a national tour for Chris deBurgh. Kevin's most recent CD entitled "Hear Them Calling" features all original songs with superb musical contributions from many including the late Willie P. Bennett.

Accompanying everyone on bass will be Ken’s son, Ben Whiteley. Currently attending University of Toronto's prestigious music faculty, Ben can also be found around town playing in the group Flashlight Radio, with Suzy Wilde. Their sound combines Ben's instrumental talents on standup bass and guitar with Suzie's captivating voice and lyrics. Childhood friends, both have been involved in performing, recording and songwriting since they were very young and have received a first hand education from their respective parents, Ken Whiteley and Nancy White. Together Ben and Suzie have created a brand of roots music that is very much their own. http://www.myspace.com/flashlightradio ''' Ken Whiteley is a prolific songwriter, a gifted and versatile guitarist and mandolinist, and a powerful singer! His musical cohorts refer to him as a "playing encyclopedia" for his depth and range of styles, covering everything from folk to blues to gospel and children's music. This past November 2008, Whiteley was inducted into the Mariposa Folk Festival's Hall of Fame and was recently nominated for another Canadian Folk Music Award and Maple Blues Award. His recording "Gospel Music Makes Me Feel Alright!"''' continues to be a best-seller. http://www.kenwhiteley.com, http://www.myspace/kenwhiteley, http://www.borealisrecords.com

Concert Details:
Sunday, February 15, 2009 @ Hugh’s Room
(2261 Dundas Street West, 1/2 block south of Bloor Street, Toronto) Doors open at 1pm for a delicious lunch with the Gospel show beginning at 2pm.

Ticket Details: $17. in advance / $20. at the door Lunch reservations & concert tickets available by calling Hugh’s Room at 416-531-6604 or online at http://www.hughsroom.com

Hope to see you there! For additional information contact:
Shari Campbell, Ken Whiteley's Personal Assistant Email: ken@kenwhiteley.com

Script Writing

Script Superheroes: The Writing Adventure Begins...

Saturday afternoons January 24 - February 28, 2009

2:30 - 3:45 PM

At the Comedy Bar- 945 Bloor Street West (Between Ossington and Dovercourt)

Ages 8-11

$100/child

Oh to be a Script Superhero! To deal with drama! To cope with conflict! To tighten tension!

And to resolve it all quickly? Done! Over the six weeks you'll learn about what a script is, and how to pack it full of power to entertain your audience! Bring your ideas and we'll show you how to turn them into a play that will have the crowds on the edge of their seats!

New to Script Superheroes or already a Script Superhero pro? No problem! We'll be splitting up into small groups to cater to your needs as a writer! The six-week program wraps up with a performance on Saturday, February 28th at 3pm with a play reading of the plays created during the workshop by professional actors!

To sign up, e-mail us at scriptsuperheroes@gmail.com or call Alison at 416-804-1612

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