Classical & Broadway does La Vielle France

Allen Baekeland (from the Rembetika Hipsters) and I discovered his funky photo software on his laptop.
NOpe, this isn't about pop art and/or Andy Warhol's mass production of pop culture's icons, nor does the title alude to anything like "Debbie does Dallas" or "Rocko does Prague". (Jeez, what's up with my sense of humour today...)
This is more about pop classics, Broadway hits thus segwaying into my next show at La Vielle France on November 5th. The lineup includes tenor Yoland Sirois, baritone Janusz Wolny, Pianist Magdalena Wolny and the now ever so famous violinist, Brigitte Dajczer.

Some of you may shake your heads at the thought of me shifting away from Eastern European music and playing more North American romantic stuff, but I think it's about time I do so. As one of my violin coaches, Stephane Allard, put it: "You've got to venture into many styles, not just one and its subgenres". O.K. so I'm paraphrasing, this is so not, like, verbatum or anything. Hmmmmmmmmm, come to think of it...maybe he never said anything like that at all. Who knows...but sounds like a good quote to me, no matter where it came from.

Not to worry, I will be throwing a couple solos true to what you know me as: One Csardas, One Gypsy Romance by Boulanger, and a tune that I will never grow tired of (only because I never had the chance to overplay it): Meditations from Thais, J.Massenet.

Capitol Theatre in Moncton, New Brunswick

Last night we played the Capitol Theatre in Moncton, New Brunswick. Upon entering the theatre for sound check, I was star struck. What a beautiful space! It was built circa 1922 as a movie house, and seats approximately 850 people. A fire in 1926 destroyed the theatre, and it was rebuilt in 1929.

The acoustics were remarkably good so they also produced live theatre shows there. In 1990, the city of Moncton bought it and renovated it. All sorts of shows have come and gone, from Opera to Vaudeville, to today’s never ending flow of artists. The green room walls are riddled with photos of stars that have passed through.

We were honoured to be part of this stage, a stage that has graced Mr.Dress Up, Holly Cole, Nathalie McMaster, to the Unknown comic as well! Our crowd was small but ever so mighty. The tech support was warm and friendly, and by the end of the evening we had unplugged ourselves and were wandering around the theatre serenading our audience, the ushers and the technicians. People were dancing in the aisles, we sounded as good unplugged as on stage, and the evening was a divine experience for all.

Here I am with our Road Manager (road mistress according to bouzouki player Nick Diochnos), Diana Watamaniuk. Please note that it was Nick’s brilliant idea to superimpose faces (look up to the first image) onto the Marquee!

(Guest blogging from Methodius Valtiotis: Salut, tout le monde qui lisent la blague de labrigitte! Brigitte’s solo during Melina’s Bath Part Two was a jaw-dropping mofo. That is all.)

Rembetika Hipsters @ Halifax Pop Explosion

Beginning of the evening...

O.K….I’m in the rental van with The Rembetika Hipsters. We’re on our way to Moncton, New Brunswick after having played a rippin’ and roarrin’ night at The Sea Horse Tavern as part of the Halifax Pop Explosion. I’m not sure how “pop”-ish Greek Rembetika music is (also known as the Greek blues) but hey, we got the crowd dancing on the floor and on the tables, as well as slobbering drunk and dancing all over each other. Victor, the owner of this fine establishment was buying us drinks by the end of the night in a vain attempt to not let us stop playing. Mission Accomplished!

The Halifax Pop Explosion, one of Canada’s most respected emerging music, art and media festival, is now in its 14th year. Besides bringing out the Rembetika Hipsters, Jazz East is also presenting Juan de Marcos’ Afro Cuban All Starts. Mix in pop explosion acts like Hotchiwitchi (Halifax), Joel Plasket, K-OS (Toronto), and many more artists, you’ve got yourself a flavour sensation weekend.

It’s my first time in Halifax, and I must say that I’m touched by the warm reception we’ve received, the fresh and positive energy exuding from its inhabitants, as well as their reckless abandon in the art of partying. Rock on my friends. I’ll be back on Saturday night to play with the infamous Whiskey Rabbi and his band, Geoff Berner.

October News

Up to now, October has been a wholwind of events! Lots of gigs and lots of news as well.

First off, our trumpet player (and all round multi-instrumentalist) Miron Rafajlovic (aka Mima) was in town and played with us in Chicoutimi, and has created a new myspace account for Les Gitans de Sarajevo @ myspace.com/lesgitansdesarajevo (Check to the right and click on Les Gitans de Sarajevo!). Mima also found out that he'll be part of a whole new musical journey that involves touring and playing many instruments. Congratulations Mima! We are proud of you ;)


Secondly, I will be replacing my violin mentor, Carmen Piculeata, this friday October 13th at a benefit concert for La Fondation Humanitaire de Laval, which will take place in the concert hall André-Mathieu (La Maison des Arts de Laval). I have the honor of playing with the virtuoso pianist Magdalena Wolny, baritone singer Janusz Wolny and coloratura soprano Raphaelle Paquette.This is bound to be an exciting evening...with a repertoire of 24 songs, 3 violin solo pieces and 10 days for me to learn this all new repertoire.

O.k...that's it for now...more later!