Susan Crowe » concerts

Raylene in iTunes

Susan — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:11:22 +0000

Hard to believe that, up until now, Raylene Rankin recordings were not available online anywhere. But that’s changed. You can now download ”All the Diamonds” from iTunes and CD Baby. You can still get them from me, from my music store, in hard copy, but for you folks who like to go directly to portable device, the time has come. Also a great way to preview the songs.

Look for Raylene to release this CD in Halifax in September, and further afield later in the fall. I’ll keep you posted.

John Reischman & The Jaybirds

Susan — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:22:27 +0000

Here’s the great thing about John Reischman and The Jaybirds: they’re coming to Halifax on March 27th and playing at the Carleton.

Truth be told, there are many great things about John and his band, but for me it’s especially good to know he’s coming to town. John and I go back to my first CD, many long years ago. I saw him in concert with Kathy Kallick (the great Kathy Kallick), and thought “If I ever start playing again this is the guy I want”. And somehow it happened. I don’t know how I started playing again (well, maybe I do, but it’s such a long and boring story) but I’m really not sure how John ended up on the CD. I do know this: we’ve been great friends ever since. See? Another great thing about John.

John, the musician, is easily one of the most musical guys I’ve ever met. It’s said that he’s in the top five players in the world, I lean toward believing that. His tone on the mandolin is rich and deep – none of the plinky-plink that one hears from some players. John, the friend, is the most generous musician I’ve ever met. At folk festivals, where there can sometimes be a cast of dozens all on stage at once, he listens to the other players, adds a very subtle but beautiful back up to whoever happens to be playing at the time, all the time being completely unobtrusive.

Well…you get the gist. If you live in Halifax or close to it, you’re planning to get out of the house and have a hankering for good food, good drink and very good music, go to the Carleton on March 27th. The band is dazzling. Fingers will fly and fretboards will burn.

Here’s how to get tickets online: http://www.thecarleton.ca/upcoming-performances?task=view_event&event_id=92

Where am I?

Susan — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:47:47 +0000

Sorry for the late post, sorry for the brevity, sorry for the pared down writing. I’m in the Halifax airport on my way to Rome, wondering how the last days of our tour slipped by so quickly.

After Virden, we forged on to Pinawa, and then to Manitou. in Pinawa, we stayed in the comfortable, clean, welcoming Pinetree Lodge. Actually, it’s closer to Seven Sisters Falls, on Dorothy Lake. Pinawa lost its hotel to a fire last year.

Manitou has the great fortune of having a population that worked to save the old Opera House, and what a worthwhile venture. Beautiful.

We were blessed with good weather throughout our tour and even found a few good meals. I like those western provinces – very much.

Big thanks to James Logan for being such a boon companion to us. Good player, good man.

Back in two weeks, when I’ll post some photos. Stay healthy.

Where was I?

Susan — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:41:41 +0000

I’ve missed updating on a few shows because of time limitations and this almighty cold. This morning, I’m in Virden, Manitoba – Jays Inn, precisely- having a coffee in a styrofoam cup.

Sunday took us to Medicine Hat for a show at the Medalta Clayworks Museum. More on that later. For now, let me tell you that it was a very cool place and I encourage you to look it up. Medalta is a chunk of Canadian history. When I find the link (and am not typing on an iPad) I’ll send it along.

Next day we drove back to Calgary, flew to Winnipeg, rented a van and drove to Forget, Saskatchewan. Stopped in Brandon for a crazy meal, the highlight of which was ordering off of the senior menu (55 Plus Super Saver). We all ordered the pickerel, I paid $5.00 less for a slightly smaller portion. None of us could really eat it. So I threw away less on my meal than the others. Talk about being self satisfied in my meal dissatisfaction. I was pretty smug all the way to the van, I can tell you.

And then there was Forget. There is no place on earth as welcoming, no people as interesting and interested. There is nothing that compares. Shannon and Don Shakotko have created a world of art, food, music, books, bees, honey, good sleep….all earthly comfort for the body, intangibles for the soul. There is nothing -nothing- that causes a minute of discomfort. Hank and Gyda Nickels, Shannon’s folks, have the liveliest open hearts and minds I’ve encountered. The Inn of the Seven Sisters, The Happy Nun, St. Ambrose Apiaries – the heart of Forget. Go there. We were lucky in that we got to spend two nights there…well needed comfort in the middle of our tour.

Last night, Virden, Manitoba. Beautiful little theatre with a full house. Good sound, good audience….now if only I could shake the cold. Thank god Raylene and Cindy can sing.

Off to Pinawa at 11:00…five hour drive, but no show tonight. I see a nice long dinner in our future(s).

Thanks for checking in. By the way, our guitarist, James Logan, has been stellar.

Sherwood Park

Susan — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:29:12 +0000

Thanks to the folks of Festival Place for the welcome they gave us. These Alberta folks are the finest kind. A few East Coasters there, too. Another fine kind.

Back to Calgary tonight for the Bow Valley Folk Club show. Should be another beautiful drive.

Oh, I watched a great TED talk this morning. Gem of truth? Over-sharing is not to be mistaken for honesty.

Ain’t that the truth?

Olds, Alberta

Susan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:51:29 +0000

Had a great time in Olds Alberta last night at the lovely arts and media centre. Wow…nice theatre. The gals shone and the audience was really lovely. Best part was seeing someone’s companion dog sitting right in front of the first row…right in front of us, really. Nice dog…nice people.

Oh, and James Logan, our guitarist…great job.

Sold out in Edmonton tonight, and Calgary tomorrow. Always good to know that going in.

Now I’m here in the Best Western having a cup of “coffee”. Don’t you love a good styrofoam cup?

Happy Birthday Boxing Day to dear friend Katherine Wheatley….50 and phab.

The West

Susan — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:48:50 +0000

Off we go. Olds, Edmonton, Bow Valley, Medicine Hat, Forget, Virden, Manitou…back in about ten days. Good news that Raylene’s new CD will be going with us.

See ya.

Connie

Susan — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 01:52:32 +0000

I saw Connie Kaldor last night at the Carlton.

Legend. With a capital L.

Facebook

Susan — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:49:01 +0000

Somehow, I managed to turn off the automatic forwarding system of Facebook. I didn’t intend to do this, but it’s happened. In order to make any changes, pick up messages (with the recent exception of the talented Jill Barber, whose messages find their way to my real email – this is a mystery) or hear about about events, I have to go to the page and login.

This works well, to my mind. I like hearing from people via this site. It reassures me that someone’s reading. Other than some of my family.

Today, on my page, I posted an upcoming event at the Carleton. Rankin, Church and Crowe will be performing there on October 19th. While posting it, I remembered the event invitation I sent before my show at the Carleton on March 14th. I think I had about 30 responses from folks who checked the “will be attending” box. A few “maybe attending”. the night came, and I was very happy with the capacity turnout. But, in thinking about it later, I realized not one “will be attending” or “maybe attending” person attended. Odd. Just sayin’.

I see where Rose Cousins is playing The Company House on September 3rd and 4th. Go see her…she’s good. Very good. Here’s the scoop on the venue:

The Company House
2202 Gottingen Street
Halifax, NS B3K 3B4

Phone: (902) 404-3050

An invitation

Susan — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:41:54 +0000

I did an afternoon “afternoon with” for the Writer’s Federation last summer. I was invited by a young Toronto (by way of Nova Scotia) songwriter, Alex Hickey. Lovely gal, and she can really play, sing and whistle.

It went well, and we’ve been invited to do more of a concert type performance, so here is the invitation that the organizers sent along:

Dear Friends,

Last August, we hosted a house concert with two fabulous singer/songwriters: Susan Crowe and Alex Hickey. It stood out as one of the highlights of our summer. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we’ve invited Susan and Alex to come back and perform for us again. Since we last saw them, it’s been a big year for both of these talented women: Susan was pronounced 2009′s Best Songwriter by the Canadian Folk Music Awards and Alex has been in the studio recording her second cd, The Day the Money Run Out. (Please see the artists’ biographies below for more details.)
The concert will be held at Cynthia and Les’ lovely home in Newburne, about 15 minutes from the 4-way stop in Blockhouse. Space is limited and available on a first-come/first-served basis: please RSVP by e-mail to alex@alexsings.ca

Here’s the Who, What, When, Where and Why:
Who: *you* are invited!

What: a cozy, acoustic house concert with songwriters Susan Crowe & Alex Hickey
When: Saturday, September 11, 2010 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Cynthia and Les’ lovely home in Newburne, NS (about 15 minutes from the Blockhouse 4-way stop; we’ll send you a map and directions when you RSVP)

Why: because enjoying original, fully-alive music in the company of warm-hearted, friendly people is a joyful night out!

Cost: $15 ($12 for students/seniors/unwaged) Ticket price includes delectable finger-foods and beverages during the break.

Remember, space is limited; if you would like to join us for this special concert, you must RSVP to: alex@alexsings.ca. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with directions and a map.

Hope you can make it. It’ll be fun. And, there’s food. Value added. Mmmm.