Jazz Festival Additions for 2014

Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, Brad Mehldau solo, The Chieftains & Ry Cooder, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Stacey Kent, Marcus Miller, Mike Stern and Bill Evans Band Featuring Tom Kennedy and Steve Smith, Kenny Garrett Quintet, Buika, Newport Jazz Festival Now 60 with Randy Brecker, Anat Cohen, Larry Grenadier,           Karrin Allyson, Mark Whitfield, Clarence Penn and Peter Martin, L’orchestre d’hommes-orchestres and the 6th edition of the Battle of … Continue reading Jazz Festival Additions for 2014

December Events at The Rialto Theater

Dec. 4 – MARGARET ATWOOD: in conversation with Sheila Heti to celebrate Atwood’s latest novel Maddaddam. Hosted by Librairie Drawn & Quarterly and the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada. Discounts on books at event. 7:30pm. $10 in advance & at the door. Call 514-279-2224 or visit www.drawnandquarterly.com Dec. 10 – FREE FILM EVENT: Everyone’s holiday fave – Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. Free popcorn for kids 12 years and under. 7:30pm. Video Dec. 11 – SPEED DATING & WINE TASTING: … Continue reading December Events at The Rialto Theater

Peter Angrove and Ross Griffiths; Feeding the Needy at Christmas with Bands for Baskets

The West Island is rich right …? No problems in this Utopian society. No sir …! No crime, no gangs, no drugs, no weapons, no domestic violence and certainly no hungry families. For years – real estate developers and public officials hid these regular life problems from everyone. Thankfully, as the world evolves and things are more and more being placed on the top shelf … Continue reading Peter Angrove and Ross Griffiths; Feeding the Needy at Christmas with Bands for Baskets

Top Ten Musical Reasons to be Thankful

Where would we be without music? Even the Monkees give pleasure to thousands globally through real and imagined tunes. Here now are the Top Ten Musical Reasons to be Thankful! 10. All the Blues and Country artists who set the foundation for popular music today. Rock, R and B, Soul, Disco, Rap, Hip Hop – practically all genres owe gratitude to the men and women … Continue reading Top Ten Musical Reasons to be Thankful

Peter Murray – From Down Under; Courtesy of The Tragically Hip

Peter Murray is not a household name in Canada. Yet … The native Australian is just starting to make waves in North America after selling close to two million records in the land of Kangaroos and Koalas. An astonishing number of discs. Astonishing he has not been heard around these parts. Astonishing ( for the ladies ) he has not been seen in these parts. … Continue reading Peter Murray – From Down Under; Courtesy of The Tragically Hip

Melissa Bel – A Voice To Be Reckoned with …

Melissa Bel is an up and coming artist who loves playing in Quebec! A Toronto native, the young ‘starlet’ has musical roots based in musical  soul. She will be performing at The Rialto Theater on Nov. 23rd. Her night will contain all original music with maybe one cover thrown in … Which one and who is her favorite performer of all time? No – it … Continue reading Melissa Bel – A Voice To Be Reckoned with …

Styx; Making It Look Easy …

Remember the days when a Rock n Roll show was a Rock n Roll show? In Montreal, ‘back in the day’, the anticipation could be felt hours before the show in Atwater Park. A green-space dotted with empty beer bottles, tossed – away ‘clips’ of joints and concert goers in various stages of sobriety.The only thing ‘straight’? The white line dividing East and West bound … Continue reading Styx; Making It Look Easy …

Bonnie Raitt; A Flower in the Mud

Imagine laying by the ocean on a warm summer day. The mist – soothing the aches caused by the immense heat of the sun … Think of a child appearing with a toothless grin amid the staunchest boors at a dinner party from Hell. Place the pair of scenarios together like two wine glasses connecting in front of a fire on a cold winter’s eve. This … Continue reading Bonnie Raitt; A Flower in the Mud

Hanson; REAL or Imagined?

The kids … er … adults … are all right. Sorta … The authors of the huge hit; MMMbop – are grown up ( fathers in their own right) and have elevated their game (and height) to a different level. What level? Is anyones guess. For the large contingent of females in attendance who are in the same age bracket or a little younger than … Continue reading Hanson; REAL or Imagined?

Angel Forrest; Reborn and Lovin’ It!

Angel Forrest has been singing around Montreal and abroad for many years. Days and nights spent on the road – honing a voice which balances between Jazz, Blues and almost anything else … She has just recently released an album which, surprisingly – is her first Blues one with all original material in English.  It has been a long time coming and for once – … Continue reading Angel Forrest; Reborn and Lovin’ It!

Top Ten Signs Gino Vannelli Rocked!

Former Montrealer Gino Vannelli came home on the weekend. Too bad is was not for good … Performing two sold – out shows at The Rialto was a shame. A man with a voice like his, should be atop Mont Royal – a town cryer if you will. Letting locals and tourists alike know; he is one of ours. Gino started his musical career as … Continue reading Top Ten Signs Gino Vannelli Rocked!