Preview
IRONWOOD BIRTHDAY BASH
Featuring Los Tres Hombres, Souls in Rhythm, Mike Stack, Tariq, Tom Phillips, The Tones, SONAL and others
May 5 and 6
Ironwood Stage
It was a smoky, rundown rubbie-magnet before it was leased amidst rumours and controversy. Its birth was a joyous communal effort, as promoters, managers, musicians and fans alike rubbed elbows while painting, wiring and readying the room. It closed abruptly 14 months after the first whisky passed over the gleaming new river-rock bar as live music throbbed from the stage.
But a lawsuit, which symbolically culminated during last year’s Calgary Folk Music Festival, led to the venue’s re-opening last August and, as of the end of April, the Ironwood Stage has survived a two-year run.
Along the way there’s been joy, regret, bitterness and redemption as some of Calgary’s key musical minds battled for control of the space. And in one of the drama’s sadder moments, Joel Shortt, the litigator who won the venue’s right to life during the court case last July, died suddenly in December. But Shortt, founder of Calgary’s Ruby Moon Records, would have been the first to belly up to the bar to lift a glass to the fact that, court battle or not, the endangered species of live music still has this refuge in which to thrive.
And thrive it does, as evidenced by the venue’s upcoming all-day, all-weekend, second-birthday bash. On each of the two days, the doors will open at noon when the music starts, and the last note will not finish ringing until 2 a.m. Best of all, the whole shebang is free to any who care to show up and can squeeze out a place to sit. And while many wave-makers in Alberta’s talent pool will be making a splash at Alberta Scene in Ottawa, those left behind will have a great opportunity to gander at the likes of Oscar Lopez (as part of Los Tres Hombres with Mike Stack and Tom Phillips), Amy Bishop, and SONAL. Brian McAreavey, who was often seen hoisting hammer and paintbrush at the venue before it opened and has been the host of open stage night every Wednesday that the joint’s been open, will perform as well.
Scott Henderson, founder of The Earthtones (now called The Tones) also appears in a soul-funk outfit called Souls in Rhythm. Henderson says there are many reasons musicians love playing at Ironwood. "They’re non-smoking, all-ages, the room is set up in a great way to see the stage, they have excellent sound and always hire competent techs, they advertise every show, and allow the artists much freedom. And, the Ironwood feeds its headliners. And the food is damn good!"
Souls in Rhythm are currently enjoying airplay of their single "Still Running" in anticipation of the forthcoming release of their debut album, Can’t Fake the Funk. They first played at the Ironwood last Halloween. "Although our acquaintance with the Ironwood hasn't been long, we've quickly become regulars. We are not their usual crew – we don't fit the singer-songwriter-folk-alt-country theme that is their most common. However, the Ironwood doesn't shy away from much in the way of genres, and we've really come to appreciate the venue, performing there almost on a monthly basis." He picks as his funniest Ironwood moment the Tones getting everyone to sing along to "Sesame Street."
Songwriter Tariq, who will also appear at the bash, started playing at the Ironwood within months of its opening, and says his funniest memory of the Inglewood venue involves a bit of bubblegum – the kind that sticks in your ears, not in your teeth. He remembers hearing the song "Sugar, Sugar" live at Bluebird North. "(I put) a face and name to a song that I've heard a million times, but never knew who sang it (Andy Kim)." Tariq will use the birthday weekend to warm up for his gig at the North By Northeast music festival, where he will promote his upcoming album.
It’s fitting that Mike Stack will celebrate the birthday by playing in Los Tres Hombres as he was one of the people who performed there on opening night. His favourite Ironwood memory is when the musical community came together to raise funds for Billy Cowsill’s medical expenses, and he says the gig with Kevin Welsh and Keiran Kane was the most outstanding thing he’s seen there. But his pick for the funniest occasion is a night many a patron will never forget. "Tom (Phillips’) lights and sound going out during his High Flyer CD release, and all the self-appointed roadies shining their penlights on him while he sang unpowered."
Other artists are being added to the lineup daily, so call ahead for the schedule. |
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