January 28: Jim Bryson, the Piano, and Friends - theHumm January 2023

January 28: Jim Bryson, the Piano, and Friends - theHumm January 2023

By — Sandy Irvin is the Artistic Director of the Folkus Concert Series

We’re opening our 2023 Folkus Concert season with a real treat. January 28 will feature Jim Bryson, the piano, and friends. Jim Bryson jimbryson.org is a songwriter’s songwriter, producer and player, who has worked with Kathleen Edwards, The Tragically Hip and the Weakerthans, among others. Recently, a number of CFMA-nominated albums have come out of his studio down the road in Stittsville, including Ken Yates, The Skydiggers, Suzie Ungerlieder, Caroline Brooks (Good Lovelies), and recent Folkus player Evangeline Gentle.

Why all the fuss about the piano?

Jim will be taking a rare turn on the piano — yes, the Old Town Hall’s beautiful piano — as well as offering a set with some musical friends. Why are we so chuffed about this? Jim is a lifelong piano player1, but he doesn’t usually play the piano in public2. This piano is a very special Steinway Grand, chosen at the Steinway factory in New York City by renowned classical pianist Jamie Parker. There’s even a little plaque to that effect. The piano is owned by Almonte in Concert3, and we are always immensely grateful that they make it available to us and to the local community. In short, this will be a one-of-a-kind experience.

Who are these friends, anyway?

Jim’s backing band for this show includes long-time bandmates Peter Von Althen, Philippe Charboneau and Jon Chandler (perhaps a couple of guest singers too).

There’s something special about seeing long-time friends settle into a musical groove together — the relaxed naturalness of the playing, the ease of communication, the vibe. Now imagine all that loveliness hanging in the air in the auditorium at the Almonte Old Town Hall. Maybe you’re there with a special friend and a glass of something cold and local and interesting… it’s going to be quite a night.

Who is opening?

Opening for Jim Bryson will be The Broken Bridges thebrokenbridges.ca , a local fiddle trio with a 2021 CFMA nomination in the young performer category. Fern and Willow Marwood (ages 18 and 14) were a fiddle/banjo duo that turned into a trio by adding Graham Lindsey (considerably older) on guitar. They began by recording three tracks that became “The Porch Sessions” last year, and have played virtual summer festivals as well as “Hogman-eh!”, the Scottish Society of Ottawa’s Hogmanay celebration, on New Year’s Eve.

Our shows are still held at the Almonte Old Town Hall, third floor, in the Ron Caron Auditorium. There’s an accessible elevator you can reach from the side entrance. Doors open at 7:30, showtime is at 8pm. There will be t-shirts and music at the merch table, and beverages and cookies at the bar. We should have a Square for payment, but cash is never a bad idea.

Season’s Passes are still available through our ticketing partner Tickets Please (online at ticketsplease.ca or by calling 485–6434), and single tickets will be available as of January 1.

Please check our website folkusalmonte.com for any last-minute updates! We are looking forward to seeing you at our shows.

Footnotes…

1- The AD’s mother-in-law still ask how Jimmy’s piano playing is coming along because she has such fond memories of his recitals.

2- He did, famously, play keys on tour for The Hip in 2009, but this is not that kind of show.

3- Almonte in Concert fundraised for years, and it’s worth more than my house!

 

Carolyne Buchanan — Every Day’s a Dog Day - theHumm January 2023

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

And that’s a good thing at Hounds of The Hood Studio at Carolyne Buchanan’s art-festooned home in Carleton Place. This multitalented artist has a mission — to popularize “dog art” to the status of “real art.” On Carolyne’s canvasses, it definitely is.

Why do we tend to dismiss dog portraits as less “real” than portraits of people? For many wo/men, their dog is easily their best friend. Over time their pets’ expressions communicate as effectively as words, and they are never as hur......

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Welcome Back the Birds - theHumm January 2023

By Glenda Jones

The holidays are behind us, and it’s time to start working on your entry for the Backyard Beauties 2023 Auction! If the snow shovel has lost its appeal, birdhouse builders and artists can turn their attention to the return of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust birdhouse auction, slated for May 2023.

Coordinators Barbara Carroll and Glenda Jones have listened to previous entrants and are broadening the scope this year to include all things “bird” — houses, bird baths, feeders and ga......

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January 28: Jim Bryson, the Piano, and Friends - theHumm January 2023

By — Sandy Irvin is the Artistic Director of the Folkus Concert Series

We’re opening our 2023 Folkus Concert season with a real treat. January 28 will feature Jim Bryson, the piano, and friends. Jim Bryson jimbryson.org is a songwriter’s songwriter, producer and player, who has worked with Kathleen Edwards, The Tragically Hip and the Weakerthans, among others. Recently, a number of CFMA-nominated albums have come out of his studio down the road in Stittsville, including Ken Yates, The Skydiggers, Suzie Ungerlieder,......

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Karen & Co.
A Celebration of Art at the Textile Museum
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When Dr. Karen Dover likes an artist’s work, she doesn’t just say so — she puts her financial support, time, and considerable talents into promoting it. Cosmetic and laser physician by day, both artist and art patroness in her “spare” time, Karen draws inspiration from synergies and symbioses. Her own abstract art results from a fearless fusion of influences and life experiences, and she strives to connect diverse people and ideas.

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MERA PresentsWonderful Winter Activities - theHumm January 2023

This winter, MERA (McDonalds Corners/Elphin Recreation & Arts) has plenty of fun activities for all ages. Join us at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A in McDonalds Corners to stay connected to your community.

To welcome the new year, join us for a Lantern Walk and Twelfth Night party. On January 6, meet at 6:30pm at the Highlands Country Store in McDonalds Corners and walk up to MERA. Those who do not wish to walk can meet at the Schoolhouse at 7pm for a sing-along, snacks and games. King’s......

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The Time In-Between - theHumm January 2023

By Susie Osler

There once was a planet that was inhabited by caterpillars. It was a dazzling planet of jade and emerald greens, and sapphire and turquoise blues. Leafy, textured and abundant. In their short creeping lives the caterpillars ate, and ate, and then ate some more. Periodically their expanding bodies needed more room and they’d trade their old skins for new skins that could accommodate their expansion. This happened five times throughout the course of each of their lives. And one day, finally sa......

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Jeff Mills — A Visionary and a Doer - theHumm January 2023

By — Carebridge is one of Lanark County’s largest, most established nonprofit agencies in the health care and social services sector and the region’s largest affordable housing provider.

Jeff Mills says that when you see inequities, it’s hard to walk on by. And he never does. Last month, Jeff retired after a long career in community development and 16 years at Carebridge Community Support. But of course, we all know that this isn’t really farewell. Jeff will never stop supporting our community through his caring nature and good work. And we are all thankful for that!

Jeff’s community roots are deep. His father and mentor Stan Mills was a founding member of the Almonte Communit......

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Men’s Shed Unveils Memorial Plaque - theHumm January 2023

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Being desirous of showing respect fo......

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Excellent Start, Lanark County!
First in Canada to Declare Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic
- theHumm January 2023

In a historic move, Lanark County Council became the first county in Ontario to declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an epidemic in accordance with the Culleton, Kuzyk and Warmerdam Inquest’s jury recommendations. The resolution was formally passed at the County Council meeting on December 14.

The five-person jury presented 86 recommendations as a result of the inquest, which took place in June of this year. The first recommendation is for the province t......

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Men’s Role in Stopping Violence — For All - theHumm January 2023

By Fern Martin

The prevalence and persistence of femicide is a disturbing reality of Canadian society. Who can forget the country’s harshest awakening to its presence on December 6, 1989, when a man murdered 14 women at Montreal’s École Polytechnique? Decades later and much closer to home, on September 22, 2015, a man murdered three women — Carol Culleton, Nathalie Warmerdam and Anastasia Kuzyk — in our neighbouring Renfrew County, a brutal reminder that the danger continues and that ending it will require massi......

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Shall We Talk?
Learning Again in Almonte Offers Two Courses
- theHumm January 2023

Learning Again In Almonte offers two courses that explore the power of communication in unique ways.

Every aspect of our lives is impacted by our interpretation of the communication we receive and the effectiveness of the communication we deliver. This winter, Learning Again in Almonte is offering two very different courses that will open your eyes to what lies behind successful conversations.

Over the holidays, did political chats with your opinionated uncle get a little testy? Are ......

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A New Year, a Fresh Start to a New You - theHumm January 2023

By Submitted the Carleton Place Toastmasters Club

Take a step in your lifelong learning journey and check out the Carleton Place Toastmasters Club. Our next Open House is scheduled for Thursday, January 26 at 7pm on Zoom. For more information, contact carletonplacetoastmasters@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.

The Christmas parties are over and you stumbled through a toast to a co-worker; you thought you could have done better. It’s a new year now — a fresh sta......

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Garden Dreamin’ - theHumm January 2023

By David Hinks

Thick glossy catalogues from the purveyors of “garden porn” fuel fantasies of the most amazingly productive vegetable garden imaginable. But rather than being seduced by the seed catalogue descriptions of the merits of different varieties, it is time to get practical. Am I going to have a successful tomato crop with the best-tasting heritage tomato variety, or should I pick the new hybrid variety with all kinds of disease resistance? Perhaps compromise and grow some of each!

Why go to all the ef......

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Another OneCome and Gone - theHumm January 2023

By Glenda Jones

So there I sat in December trying to write scintillating messages in Christmas cards (yes, I still do that, but not the fifty or so I did at one time), and it all sounded pretty trite. Except for the chainsaw course, still a highlight, all I had to add was that I took up basket weaving in the summer. Lordy, that caused so much excitement you should all sit down and have tea. “Basket weaving? Really??” I’m sure my far-off friends will think I’ve tipped over the edge.

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Thinking Globally: Acting Locally
Climate Network Lanark Plans for 2023
- theHumm January 2023

By Chandler Swain

In Lanark County, Climate Network Lanark is working to provide leadership on the various issues that we can control to look after our precious land, water and air to ensure this place we love will support us and our grandkids, and theirs. Literally millions of folks all over the planet are doing the same. Citizens are working hard to keep the focus on how little time we have to stop runaway climate chaos, where there will be no turning back from the fires, droughts and floods we are now beginning to......

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Bibliophiles, Rejoice!
New Year Promises Outstanding New Reads
- theHumm January 2023

By John Pigeau

While visiting my parents over the holidays, I was bundled-up and reading in the garage next to a fair-sized stack of books I’d just picked up at a library used book sale. Dad, who doesn’t like clutter on his work bench, said to me, “What are you doing with all those books?

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He crinkled his brows. “Don’t you think you have enough books?” “No,” I said. “Never.”

I might have added that come the new year I’ll be adding many more to my collection......

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Anne of Green Gables in Perth - theHumm January 2023

Perth Community Choir is thrilled that their fall 2022 production is finally going it hit the stage — if a little later than expected! The cast and orchestra have been working since September, and unfortunately had to reschedule due to circumstances beyond their control.

Anne of Green Gables, The Musical is a retelling of the classic Lucy Maude Mongomery novel of the same name. The story centres on orphan Anne (with an “e”) who ends up placed with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert......

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Sivarulrasa Gallery
Looking Forward to an Exciting 2023!
- theHumm January 2023

By Sanjeev Sivarulrasa

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MM Youth Centre is Back in Action! - theHumm January 2023

By Maybe McInnis

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“Did You See Who Shot Him?”
Murder Mystery Raises Funds for Homeless Youth
- theHumm January 2023

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Directed by award-winning Canadian actress Shannon Lawson, this theatrical event is a fundraiser for Operation Come Home’s Homeless Youth Hot Breakfast program and has partnered with the Kanata Legion to raise money for local......

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Jack deKeyzer Plays The Cove - theHumm January 2023

Acclaimed guitarist, singer, songwriter, band leader and producer Jack de Keyzer rarely sits still. With 12 records, 1 DVD, 2 Junos and 7 Maple Blues Awards, de Keyzer delivers the goods wherever and whenever he performs. He usually plays over 100 shows a year, and his music is steeped in Chicago blues, London England blues rock, Detroit Motown, Muscle Shoals deep soul, Memphis rock and roll, and Philadelphia’s funky soul jazz. For 46 years — or roughly a couple million miles — de Keyzer has be......

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