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Meet Piper Hayes

Meet Piper Hayes

Posted on by desboromh

Only 5 more days until our Sat July 21 concert.  So time to get to know our next artist.

If you are looking for someone genuine and willing to share their life stories then Piper Hayes is that person.  She and her partner, Carson Ritcey-Thorpe are the kind of people that share their love of life through the music.  Yet they don’t shy away from the hard times and express themselves in such an honest way, the audience feels like they really get to know them through their music.  Piper is a strong advocate for mental health hoping to dispel the stigma around it.   Piper has formerly released 3 other EPs that have more of a pop feel to them.  This newest release, “Piper & Carson” is a reflection of where Piper and Carson are as a couple in life and song-writing.  It has more of a folk feel.  Check out their latest video, “Big Red”.  This is what Piper calls Carson and she wrote this song about him.

Come out on Sat July 21.

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Sat July 21, 2018
Doors Open 7pm
Music Starts 7:30pm
All Ages

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Meet Jessica Pearson and the East Wind

Meet Jessica Pearson and the East Wind

Posted on by desboromh

We have a week to go until our Sat July 21 concert.  So we’ll talk a little bit more about our artists.  We’ll go in a different order this time to change it up.  So first up will be Jessica Pearson and the East Wind.

Jessica Pearson on guitar, Maddy O’Regan on fiddle and Pat Bigelow on stand-up bass with all of them on vocals are “Jessica Pearson and the East Wind”.  They are an up-and-coming band who live in the Ottawa area.  They blend folk, roots and Celtic and their own magic to produce their sound.  Their debut EP, “Grave and Garden Songs” was released in 2017 and they are now working towards another album release for 2019.  Their shows are lively and fun; everyone has a good time.  And we know everyone loves harmonies (especially Desboro) so you’ll all be happy to know we’ll get to hear some beautiful harmonies.  Check out their latest video below “Cleaning up My Mess”.

If there is one thing all our bands have in common, it is their love of storytelling.  JPEW will entertain you with their stories and get your toes tapping with their music.  So come on out on Sat July 21 for a night of storytelling and music.

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Sat July 21, 2018
Door Open 7pm
Music at 7:30pm
All Ages

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Meet Doris Folkens

Meet Doris Folkens

Posted on by desboromh

This was the very first show we fully scheduled for 2018 because as soon as Over the Moon said yes, we knew who would be the perfect opener for them, Doris Folkens.  Her music is filled with nostalgia and a sweetness and playfulness that perfectly complements Over the Moon’s songs which are also filled with stories and a feeling of nostalgia.  Her songs each tell a story, many from her own history.  They reflect where she comes from and were told to her by her mom who were told the stories from her mother.  Setting the stories to songs is Doris’ way of preserving them.  She won Folk Music Ontario’s “Songs from the Heart – Humorous” in 2017 for her song, “Lonesome in the Grave”, which is actually based on a story from a friend.  There is a story behind each and every one one of her songs.  Her first album, self titled, comes out, right on our concert date, June 1 so you’ll be one of the first to get your hands on it.  Check out the video and then come see her live on Friday June 1.

Friday June 1, 2018
All Ages
Doors Open 7pm
Music starts at 7:30pm

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Meet Over the Moon

Meet Over the Moon

Posted on by desboromh

It’s a funny story how we got Over the Moon.  We saw them somewhere….maybe on Facebook and really liked their music but then found out they lived in Alberta.  So we got in contact asking if they ever came out to play in Ontario and if they did, would they like to come to Desboro Music Hall.  Craig got back to me and said in fact they’re planning a little tour of Ontario.  Then he hits me with the fact that he used to live in Desboro!  What are the chances that we contact a band in Alberta and it ends up being someone from Desboro…the tiny little community of Desboro?!  I love it.  It means they were meant to come play for us and I’m glad we found each other.

Over the Moon is made up of Suzanne Levesque and Craig Bignell.  They have a wonderful story of how they met, fell in love and started playing together.  Craig was trying to play a song in front of a group and was nervous and stumbling a little when Suzanne came in with her bass and voice and they created magic.  From that moment on, they sang and played together and eventually even got married!  And their music has the same flavour as their story; part beauty and part magic.  There’s wonderful harmonies, various instruments, a little bit of country, a little bit of swing and a little bit of folk all mixed in to create magic. Check out their cover of “Love Hurts”

Don’t miss out.  Catch them on Friday June 1, 2018 at the Hall.
All Ages
Opener: Doris Folkens
Doors open 7pm
Music starts at 7:30pm

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Meet The Kelly Song Collective

Meet The Kelly Song Collective

Posted on by desboromh

The Kelly Song Collective is made up of brothers, Joe and John Kelly.  They were born in Toronto.  They got into music later in life and then John moved up near Sudbury for a job.  So how did they become a band?  One of them suggested they do a “Song-a-Week” where they took turns putting up a video of a song they wrote and eventually they formed a band.  Then they created an album, “Unless and Until” with assorted friends playing on it including Chris Coole on banjo (who will be here with The Lonesome Ace Stringband in September for a show).  They both wrote the songs.  As a side note, John was the winner of the Canadian Songwriting Competition 2018 Lyrics Category for his song, “Four Colours”.

But how do they arrange to play together when one is in Sudbury and one is in Toronto?  It’s a delicate act of balancing family time with jobs and gigs.  A challenge we understand well.   Desboro Music Hall is our little venture to share our passion for music with our home community and at times it’s been like juggling: trying to balance our day jobs, our kids, our social occasions, the hall and the commute (Phil and Josephine living 2 1/2 hours away).  As a side note, it’s a wonderful experience and a pleasure to be contributing to Desboro and the music community in this way.  We are so thankful for the support of our ticket holders and those encouraging us forward.  I imagine the Kelly Song Collective runs up against many of these same problems but their passion for their music and their desire to share their musical talent spurs them on.  It will be our treat to hear them and encourage them on in their venture.

Here is the song that John won his Canadian Songwriting Competition Award.

Saturday May 12, 2018
Doors Open at 7pm, Music at 7:30pm
All Ages

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Meet Zachary Lucky

Meet Zachary Lucky

Posted on by desboromh

If you like reflective, good ole country music sung with a smooth baritone, Zachary Lucky’s music will be perfect you.  It’s the kind of music that is ideal for sitting around a campfire at the end of a long week, the kind of music to unwind and relax to.  Zach’s deep voice captures you within his storytelling, keeping you mesmerized.  It will be a night of “unapologetically old school country” music.  In 2017, he was nominated for Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and we’re lucky he’s come to Desboro.  Originally from Saskatoon, country music is deep in his bloodlines as his grandfather and grandmother were Smilin’ Johnnie Lucky and Eleanor Dahl, Canadian country legends.  Don’t miss your chance to catch him.  It’s a great weekend show.

 

Saturday May 12, 2018
Doors open 7pm
Music starts at 7:30pm
Opener: The Kelly Song Collective
All Ages


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Meet Madison Galloway

Meet Madison Galloway

Posted on by desboromh

Our opener, Madison may be young but she has been on dozens of stages and has already shared the stage with such names as 54-40 and The Sadies.  She’s always been musical and quite talented.  Self-taught on harmonica, ukulele and banjo, she can also play the guitar and piano.  But don’t forget her voice…she can rock out like Janis Joplin or draw you in like Joni Mitchell with her versatile voice.  This is what makes her concerts such fun.  This is one girl to watch out for!  Check out her two videos below and see how different they can be from each other. Then come join us on Friday April 20 to see this all live!

Get your tickets for a great night of music with Madison and The O’Pears.
Friday April 20, 2018
All Ages
Doors open 7pm, Music starts at 7:30pm

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Meet The O'Pears

Meet The O’Pears

Posted on by desboromh

A new season at Desboro Music Hall is about to begin on Friday April 20th.  We’re also very proud to present an all-female line-up for our Season Opener with The O’Pears and Madison Galloway.

We are so excited to hear the O’Pears in our Hall.  Our Hall was made for 3-part harmony and acapella.  If you’ve never been to our Hall, picture an arched wood ceiling with wood wainscotting and imagine how the sound and harmonies will echo and surround you where you sit.  The O’Pears music will be the perfect complement to our Hall, creating a warm, intimate show that will draw people in.  It’s going to be an exquisite night of music.  Listen to them talk about their album below.  Then come out to the Hall to experience it live as there’s nothing like it.

Don’t miss out.  It’s going to be a beautiful concert.  Get your tickets now.

Friday April 20, 2018
Doors open 7:00pm, Music starts 7:30pm
Opener: Madison Galloway
All Ages

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Updates

Updates

Posted on by desboromh

We’ve updated the website a little:

  1. We’ve added a “Videos” page.  This page has videos of past performances.  So you can check out an old favourite or find some new music to like.  And if you do like it, come out to a live concert.  Watching a video is just not the same as experiencing the music live and the moments that can happen between musician and audience. You’ll find the link to the Videos page in the top right hand menu or use this link: https://desboromusichall.com/videos/.  Enjoy!
  2. We’ve made it easier to find tickets on our website.  It is its own link in the top right hand menu.
  3. We’ve added a ticket button on the right side footer.  SO you can buy tickets from any page.  At this moment, you can get Season Passes or gift certificates.

Please let us know what else we can do to make navigating through our website easier.  Thanks!

Interro Quartet

Interro Quartet

Posted on by desboromh

We have been wanting to have a string quartet in our Hall for a while now (especially after hearing the beautiful sound of violin and cello with James Hill and Anne Janelle).  We threw around the idea of having “Classical Sundays” as we thought the acoustics would complement the sound completely.  But we’ve been too busy during the year with our regular concert series and balancing life.  Now that our concert series is finished, we finally found the time to organize this.

So Desboro Music Hall is very excited to offer a Winter Chamber Music Concert: Interro Quartet featuring Adam Despinic and Steve Koh on violin, Maxime Despax on viola, and Sebastian Ostertag on cello.

Interro Quartet will present an afternoon of music to bring warmth into the holiday season.  Performing beloved works by Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, as well as excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s beloved “Nutcracker Ballet” arranged for string quartet.

Interro Quartet combines passionate performances with a curiosity to explore new sounds and venues in chamber music. The group’s repertoire includes works of classical music giants, as well as new compositions by emerging and established Canadian composers. Featuring award-winning graduates of University of Toronto, the Interro Quartet includes violinists Adam Despinic and Steve Koh, violist Maxime Despax, and cellist Sebastian Ostertag.

The mission of the Interro Quartet is not only to make quartet music accessible to those who seek it but also to broaden the spectrum of audiences through diverse programming. To complement this mission, members of the Interro Quartet are also avid educators and clinicians, dedicated to supporting education programs that encourage new ways for artists and listeners to share, experience, and incorporate chamber music into their daily lives.

Please come out and support (hopefully the first of many) Sunday Afternoon Concerts.

Sunday December 3, 2017 at 2:00pm.

Tickets available:

Advance: $20 (including HST) *
Regular/At Door: $25 (including HST)
*Advance tickets available only until Sat Dec 2, midnight.  Advance tickets cannot be held at the door, only Regular tickets can be held at the door

Get your tickets:

Phone: (519) 377-2358
Box Office: Sat Nov 25: 10am – 12pm, Sun Dec 3: 1:30 – 2:00pm