Local Entertainment!
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AMIQUÉBEC – ALLIES IN MENTAL HEALTH Various workshops and programs for families and friends of people living with mental health conditions. Contact: 514-486-1448 / www.amiquebec.org ARUNDEL JAM SESSIONS Arundel Legion Next dates: Thurs, Dec 19, Jan 9 & Jan 23 Casual, no agenda: a musician’s night to practice and exchange ideas. Free… Enjoy the music and support local venues and musicians. VIKING SKI CLUB – SKI LOPPET – 53rd ANNIVERSARY Date: Sun, Feb 25. Offering the usual course distances of 5, 10 and 20 kms, plus a challenging 30 km course. More details and access to registration can be found at: www.skiloppet.com Take advantage of the Early Bird registrations up until Sunday, February 9. 2025. L’ART DES FÊTES CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE Centre D’art d’Argenteuil 585 rue Principale, Lachute Amazing creations produced by local artisans at affordable prices. Ceramics, textiles, paintings, jewelry and so much more. Perfect gift selections for someone special. 450-562-9090 / info@centredartargenteuil.com ________________________________________ UPCOMING CHURCH SERVICES ST. SIMEON’S ANGLICAN CHURCH (445, rue Principale, Lachute) Sunday morning services at 10 am GRACE ANGLICAN CHURCH (7 Chemin Church, Arundel) Sun services at 11 am – children’s programming on 2nd & 4th Sundays TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH 12 rue Préfontaine O., Ste-Agathe-des-Monts Sun services at 10 am – children’s programming on the 1st & 3rd Sundays |
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On With the Show
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Someone in the crowd came up to me saying they really loved my style of playing. I never know what to say in such situations besides thank you, but that doesn’t convey the gratitude I feel. The energy of the audience and a full band playing together to rally up the room is an awesome feeling. I’ve also had the opposite told to me by an accomplished musician who once said, “please put that thing away.” Ouch! What I didn’t realize at the time was it was the best thing that could ever have happened to me. It taught me to listen to what other musicians had to say.
Before I go any further, I’d like to mention why I’m writing about my own experience. The person who came up to me, also mentioned that Main Street should do an article on me! I was horrified and confused. Why would I write an article on myself? That’s like changing in public, so I decided to walk into the New Year naked. In High School, I really wanted to play the sax, but was told I was tone deaf. The following year, at the age of 16, I hitchhiked across Canada with a harmonica in my pocket and I learned how to play by the side of the road. I survived by doing odd jobs like washing dishes, picking fruit, and busking. Two summers later I ended up hitch hiking to California, then up the coast to Vancouver. By the time I was ready to head home it was already late fall, so I decide to take a train back to Quebec. |
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During that train ride I met a musician and we had so much fun playing together that he invited me to play with his band. At the time I didn’t feel I was good enough to play professionally. I was listening to harmonica masters like Sonny Terry, who certainly influenced my Whoopin’ style of acoustic Blues. Little Walter from the 1940’s (out of Chicago) was one of the first to ‘mic’ a harmonica with “My Babe.” He also backed our Blues legend, Muddy Waters. Lee Oskar, who played with War, was the major influence on the style I play today.
My experience is very different from other musicians, as I know very little about music. I play instinctively, but lately I’ve been asked to play specific musical pieces so it’s time to start practicing this winter. Hopefully we’ll see you all next summer.
Happy holidays and may you be blessed with the best of music in the New Year…
My experience is very different from other musicians, as I know very little about music. I play instinctively, but lately I’ve been asked to play specific musical pieces so it’s time to start practicing this winter. Hopefully we’ll see you all next summer.
Happy holidays and may you be blessed with the best of music in the New Year…
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