Second night of music from 7 Strong & friends, June 13

Last night (June 12), a lucky audience was treated to the music of Kick Off The Covers (Toby Orr, Dana Cittadino, Dave Blatt, Peter Graham, Patty Wygant, Rob Laurie) and 7 Strong (Adam Orr, Toby Orr, Angus Barlow, Garret Thomson, Peter Chapman, Stuart Constable, Carianne Hathaway).

 

How to categorize? Well, both bands play cover songs (although 7 Strong’s set included an original, “Memories Now” by bassist Stuart Constable). You could say that the genre of both bands is rockin’ folk/country with a twist of irony. In addition to the usual instruments, slide guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele and harmonica are featured! And their covers are sometimes covers within covers of covers – witness 7 Strong’s version of Dylan’s “This Wheel’s on Fire” (also known as the Ab Fab theme song – a trivia question for the audience!) – covered by The Byrds, covered by Serena Ryder.

7 Strong performing at Alumnae Theatre, June 12, 2014.

You like James Taylor? Tom Waits? Bowie? Mumford & Sons? How about satirical American singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulton (a longtime favourite of 7 Strong’s precursor ATAG)? You’ll hear them all, but probably not the songs you’re most familiar with! Even Leonard Cohen – a gorgeous version of “Famous Blue Raincoat” with vocalist Adam Orr reaching into his lower register and deploying an effect to digitize his voice.

Big thanks to Yves St-Cyr for manning the mixing board – he came up to the stage to perform Jean Leloup’s “I Lost My Baby” in a mixture of French and English; and to Chris Humphreys for the light show.

And if you’re really good, tonight you might hear “Carrot Juice Is Murder”, originally by The Arrogant Worms. Vegetarians, take note!  7:30 start, $10 at the door.  Also on the bill tonight: pop/electronica band Ileen.  https://www.facebook.com/events/306586349495028/

 

Don’t forget there’s comedy on Saturday night (8pm, $10 at the door)! Michael Graham opens with his songs about “Edward Snowden, the FBI, and poopy diapers”. No kidding.   Check him out at http://themichaelgraham.com/

The main event is Ted & Lisa’s improv show “Complications in Corktown”. https://www.facebook.com/events/605434352882467/

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Music & comedy from 7 Strong & Friends, June 12-14

Well, the season is over at Alumnae Theatre Company, and the building will shortly be undergoing Phase II of a major renovation to make the front entrance accessible to people with disabilities. We’ve always had an accessible side entrance, and last summer’s Phase I reno added an accessible washroom and punched a door in the wall from the auditorium into the lower lobby.

Toronto-based band 7 Strong features Adam & Toby Orr, Angus Barlow, Garret Thomson, Peter Chapman, Stuart Constable, Carianne Hathaway.

But before the sledgehammers start swinging for Phase II, one last event: the band 7 Strong (formerly known as ATAG – aka Angus Barlow & The Orrs – see post about a gig in 2011: https://alumnaetheatre.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/angus-and-the-orrs-the-alumnae-studio/) host three evenings on Alumnae’s Main Stage in June. The first two (Thu June 12 and Fri June 13) will be musical: the band performs excellent covers of songs – some familiar and some not. The opening act is Kick Off The Covers; special guest on Day One (June 12) is Yves Saint-Cyr.

Wine, beer and snacks will be available. Tickets are $10 at the door; show starts at 7:30 pm. Proceeds go to Alumnae Theatre.

See Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/728254517214461/ for Thursday details.
Can’t make it on Thursday? 7 Strong is also playing on Friday 13^th ! Kick Off The Covers opens; special guests are Yves Saint-Cyr and acoustic/alternative singer Ileen (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ileen/62472003614) . 7:30 show. https://www.facebook.com/events/306586349495028/

And on Saturday June 14 at 8pm, 7 Strong presents an evening of improv comedy with Ted & Lisa.

On the fly, Ted Hallett and Lisa Merchant create a multi-character one-act improvised “disturbingly funny” play which they’re calling “Complications in Corktown”!   Special guest: Michael Graham.

https://www.facebook.com/events/605434352882467/

So come on out for the music on June 12 or 13 at 7:30, and/or comedy on June 14 at 8pm. Tickets $10 per night.