About: Dale Sinclair

From an extended sound check earlier in the day to a motivated performance, Sven Gali did a smashing job and beat my expectations with a hammer.

A founding member of two chart topping bands, CBC radio host, five decades of touring and experiencing some of the most fascinating times in Rock ‘n Roll, Randy Bachman is a master story teller and a renowned musical talent. There are few people in Canada, if not North America and much of the world that have not heard the likes of Taking Care of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive and American Woman by The Guess Who.

James Keelaghan is a Canadian songwriter of the finest caliber.

My first experience listening to James was celtic styled folk tune, “Henry’s Downfall”. I positively expected he was from Canada’s East coast, but as it turns out, he originally hails from Calgary, Alberta.

Completed in an autobiographical format, Sass Jordan recounts her history through song and an interesting account of her personal experiences in the music industry. It was a great way to spend an evening.

Lee Aaron rocked the Monkey on October 27th and was fully the Lee Aaron I remember from the ’80s. She seems to have ditched the pop-diva thing she was trying to pull off in the mid to late ’90s and moved back to her roots. It was great to see.

Beautifully blended soulful blues, rhythmic R&B, modern rock riffs and rootsy folk make the Toronto based, Julian Taylor Band (JTB) experience something worth putting your busy life on hold for; even if it is just for a few moments.

This has got to be the best way to start a new Autumn season. Thirty degrees (Celcius), sunny skies and Bruce Cockburn Bone on Bone tour with opener Terra Lightfoot at Ottawa’s National Art’s Centre.

Folk on the Rocks is an incredible music festival that takes place in gorgeous Yellowknife. It has an amazing schedule spanning two full days and five stages. It is an incredible opportunity to discover new music and to visit another part of Canada’s beautiful landscape.

In it’s 35th year, the Ottawa Dragon Boat festival is an attraction for outdoor music revellers, beach enthusiasts and competitive dragonboat racers. The best part – it’s free. So, for anybody that may have missed it this year, put it on your calendar for next year as a must see event!

For many of us the May long weekend signifies the unofficial beginning of summer. Summer – with its warm days and long nights, gathering with family and friends to enjoy good eats, fine weather and the great outdoors.