FIRST BOX OFFICE OF 2017

Posted on April 14, 2017April 14, 2017 by desboromh

It’s here! It’s here! The first box office of the year! Why are we so excited about this? Because it means our first concert is in A WEEK! We’ve been working hard over the winter: fixing things, making things better and finding our amazing acts. We think we’ve improved the Hall. (See if you can figure out what we’ve done.) We also think we’ve found ourselves some world class musicians.

We are very proud of our opening show, consisting of My Sweet Patootie, a local band and Alicia Toner, from the East Coast. Both feature fiddle players but with different styles. Come on out for the first concert of the Season to check out My Sweet Patootie and Alicia Toner on Sat April 22, 2107.

See you at our first Box Office on Sat Apr 15, 10am – 12pm. Then we’ll see you at our first show in A WEEK! In the meanwhile, here’s a little more about our acts to get a taste of what you’ll hear on Opening Night.

My Sweet Patootie is made up of Sandra Swannell on fiddle, Terry Young on guitar and Paul Clifford on drums. Their style can vary from traditional Irish reel to contemporary ragtime swing. “Swing, folk, country and nostalgia collide head-on in a most pleasing fashion”, Maverick Magazine gives My Sweet Patootie 4 out of 4 stars! The band is heavily influenced by the likes of Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau, Les Paul & Mary Ford and the Andrews Sisters. Throw in a penchant for light-hearted satire and their love of artists like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams and you get a sound that Young likes to call “Green Acres for the New Millennium”. “MSP released their Latest album “Pandemonium” in August 2016. The CD was produced, arranged, engineered and mastered by Young & Swannell at their own Nowheresville Studio located in an historic one-room school house near Meaford, Ontario. “Pandemonium” is their most ambitious project to date and features each member’s skills as multi-instrumentalists, yet still remains true to their live sound as a trio.” No matter what music they’re playing, you know you’re in for a fun time.

Opening for them is Alicia Toner who is also a master of everything she tries. “A critically acclaimed singer, fiddler, actor, musician, Alicia Toner has been wowing audiences with her diverse skill set for years. An East Coaster at heart, Alicia felt the pull of the Maritimes and, in 2014, made Charlottetown her home. Since then, she has shifted her attention to her first love; music. In June of 2015, Alicia went into the studio with Stuart Cameron, Peter Fusco and Blake Manning to record her first four track EP. The following Spring, with the help of FACTOR Canada, she completed her full-length debut album “I Learned the Hard Way” to be released this September, 2017.”

It’s going to be a great start to our Season.

July: Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian

Posted on June 13, 2016June 3, 2016 by desboromh

With the hotter weather, we thought July is the perfect month for a little blues and maybe a little sing-a-long. So on July 2, we have Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian treating us to their gutsy vocals and guitar playing. Joining them as the opener is Gathering Sparks who love a good sing-a-long and create beautiful harmonies.

If you can believe it, Goodman Guitars has named a guitar model after Alfie. If anyone is a guitar connoisseur, it seems to be Alfie. So if you enjoy a good guitar riff and some resophonic guitar, this is your night. Add in Nicole, who specializes in flute, piano and her own slide guitar, and you have a talented duo, you don’t want to miss. They have been playing solo and together for years and just made their first record together a couple years ago called, Come On In My Kitchen. Check our their music and come see them play live.

“Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian are old-style slide guitarists, multi-instrumentalists and a blues duo not to be missed. Featuring Alfie’s belting baritone vocals mixed with Nicole’s sass and jazz flute, they bring you blues, roots and originals in a way you have never seen before. Come on into their kitchen, and you won’t be disappointed.”
-from their website

Our opener is Gathering Sparks who consist of Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis. Again, these are two talented solo artists who came together to create something different because of a mutual love of harmonies and songwriting. Their style varies and can include influences of folk, blues and gospel. They love a good sing-a-long and incorporate that element into their shows. Their shows are always fun and a good time is had by all. Check them out.

“What a delight! Great songs, great singing and lovely harmonies.
I’m singing along as if I’ve known these songs forever.”
— Sharon Hampson of Sharon, Lois & Bram

So come on out on July 2, 2016
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
All Ages

If you want to read their bios and hear some songs, go to their Events Page

Tickets available:
Buy Tickets online
Box office hours (Saturday: June 25, July 2: 9am – 12pm)
Phone/text Joe Klages (519) 377-2358
At the Door (if there are any left) the day of the concert

June: Ashley Condon and Paul J McInnis

Posted on May 25, 2016May 26, 2016 by desboromh

June sees the ushering in of beautiful weather which allows for lazy walks outside and barbecuing. We’re bringing you the ideal music for a summer evening with Ashley Condon and Paul J McInnis.

Although you might not have heard of Ashley Condon yet, you will. She’s got some catchy, thought-provoking, heartfelt songs. One of our all-time favourite musicians, David Francey produced her latest record, The Great Compromise. And that in itself, speaks highly of her. There’s a pureness and freshness in her music that evokes the East Coast. In fact, she hails from P.E.I. You will fall in love with her music as we have. She’s a great storyteller. Check her out. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a summer evening.

“The finest writer and performer I have heard in many years. There is not a song on this record that I wouldn’t gladly claim as my own.”
– David Francey, singer-songwriter

A perfect complement to Ashley Condon is Paul J McInnis, a local artist from Goderich. Here is another great storyteller. He draws you into his songs. His latest, Broken Down Waltz is pure, gritty and honest folk music. His music is heartwarming and uplifting but at the same time doesn’t shy away from darker, more regretful subject matters. Check him out.

“Love lost. Coming to terms with regret. Finding the right words to say to a forlorn friend when the words are far away. …Troubadour Paul J. McInnis mines these universal subjects with an observant eye.
A warm voice invites you to listen long, and listen well.”
– Penguin Eggs Magazine, Winter 2014

This is a show not to miss. Get your tickets soon and join us for the June show of our Music Concert Series.

June 4, 2016
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
All Ages

If you want to read their bios and hear some songs, go to their Events Page

Tickets available:
Buy Tickets online
Box office hours (Saturdays May 28 and June 4: 9am – 12pm)
Phone/text Joe Klages (519) 377-2358
At the Door (if there are any left) the day of the concert

Videos

Posted on May 22, 2016May 26, 2016 by desboromh

Here are videos from the last couple of shows.

The first one is a clip of Larry Jensen and Pete Devlin from April 30, 2016, the Grand Opening of Desboro Music Hall:

This next one is from Our Shotgun Wedding, Dylan McMullin and Lauren Jewell, the opener on May 14, 2016 singing “Makes Me Think of You” and “The Bad Son”:

This is a clip of Oh Susanna from May 14, 2016 singing “Cottonseed” by Keri Latimer:

May: Oh Susanna and Our Shotgun Wedding

Posted on May 4, 2016 by desboromh

May is going to be a great month. The weather is warming up as spring arrives. And in only two more weeks, we have Oh Susanna and Our Shotgun Wedding stopping by to share their music with us.

If you haven’t heard Oh Susanna before, check her out. Oh Susanna draws you in with her lyrics and her voice. She has previously released 7 records. Her latest, Namedropper, was delayed as Suzie spent a year fighting breast cancer. This gives the record an energy and a joy that is precious and special. It is built on a great premise: other singer-songwriters wrote songs for her to sing. It’s the kind of collaboration that makes music great. You can hear the essence of the song-writer, who happen to be some of Canada’s great musicians like Joel Plaskett, Ron Sexsmith, Amelia Curran and the Good Lovelies, to name just a couple. Mix that with the magic of Oh Susanna’s voice and you want to listen to the songs over and over.

“This project is about friendship. Through music we want to express our admiration, gratitude and respect for our fellow Canadian songwriters. They kick us in the ass. They break our hearts. They inspire.”

Opening for Oh Susanna is Our Shotgun Wedding. They are from Owen Sound and have those irresistible catchy tunes that you can’t help tapping your feet or bopping your head along with. Listening to them just makes you feel happy. They’ve got a pretty interesting story, too. They met at Summerfolk (right in Owen Sound) on the dance floor and have been making beautiful music since. [I know…that was cheesy but I just couldn’t resist!] They’ve even played the Desboro Fall Fair! Check them out.

“Our Shotgun Wedding a duo with an infectious energy, clever, well-written songs and a ton of charisma. On festival workshops they are a great spark-plug who can kick start an onstage jam and make everybody feel welcome.”
-James Keelaghan, Artistic Director, Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival

Saturday May 14, 2016
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
All Ages

Get your tickets and come support us in the May show in our Desboro Music Concert Series.

If you want to read their bios and hear some songs, go to their Events Page

Tickets available:
Buy Tickets online
Box office hours (Saturdays 9am – 12pm)
Phone/text Joe Klages (519) 377-2358
At the Door (if there are any left) the day of the concert

April: Rob Elder and Friends

Posted on April 25, 2016 by desboromh

We have known Rob Elder since he was young as he grew up next door in Chesley and he used to perform at the Ag Society Talent Show in the old Community Centre. As soon as we decided to start the Desboro Music Hall, we knew we wanted Rob to open for us. We asked him to bring along some friends for a great local show and so we have an amazing lineup with Drew McIvor and Larry Jensen. Although we don’t know Drew or Larry personally, their music speaks to us. Drew’s engaging music is catchy and fun. Larry is a poet in music.

All three of these guys have been very active in the music scene in Owen Sound and they’re all very talented. If you didn’t know, Rob can play the guitar but also the drums, bass and keyboard and who knows what else. Drew is involved in so many bands, it’s hard to keep track but can still shine as a solo artist. Larry has released 14 albums over the years and was named Owen Sound Poet Laureate 2015-2017. Yes, that’s right, the talent that will be appearing in Desboro is astounding.

Sometimes we can’t believe that the Music Hall is actually becoming a reality and these three are going to open our Hall for us! We can’t wait to show off the acoustics and the intimacy of the space.

But the day is nearly here! There’s only five more days! Get your tickets soon and come on out to Desboro on April 30th to celebrate our Grand Opening with us. Joining us are Rob Elder, Drew McIvor and Larry Jensen. As a bonus, Larry is also bringing Peter Devlin. (Another awesome guitarist and musician!)

Desboro Music Hall is located in the heart of Desboro at 136215 Grey Road 40, beside the baseball diamonds and in front of the Arena

Tickets are $25 (including H.S.T.)
Tickets are available at:
– Online on their Event Page
– Phone Joe Klages at (519) 377-2358
– Box Office on Saturdays 9am – 12pm
– At the door (if there are any left) on the day of the concert

Line-up Release

Posted on March 31, 2016March 31, 2016 by desboromh

our 2016 Concert Series Line-up

We are very excited to reveal the rest of our season line-up. We are very proud of the musicians we are bringing to Desboro and have a variety of music coming your way. Most shows will open with a local musician as we also want to support our local artists.

Our Season Opener on April 30th will be a showcase of three local talents, Rob Elder, Drew McIvor and Larry Jensen. In May, we bring you the beautiful voice of Oh Susanna with the local favourite, Our Shotgun Wedding. June sees a night of storytelling through song with Ashley Condon, all the way from P.E.I., bringing her fresh voice and Paul J McInnis with his engaging music. July we rock out with the blues with Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian and our opener, Gathering Sparks‘ catchy tunes. In August, we get to hear “Canadian history in harmony” with Trent Severn and the talented Leah Mathies. September sees us switching gears with The Schotts, a husband and wife bluegrass duo and Zakary Miller with his “Canadiana swing” opening for them. Finally, our Closing Show is with the high energy Mark Reeves, his guitar and his harmonica. It’s going to be a great season.

Please come out and join us in our inaugural year. Tickets are available at our box office hours or online. See our blog post on “How to buy a ticket?” for more details.

Box Office Hours at Desboro Music Hall for April:
Saturdays: 9am – 12pm

Read more about each artist on their events page or on our facebook page. Click on their picture or on their name below to go to their events page.