Rhythm and Blues, Texas Style - theHumm June 2023
Rhythm and Blues, Texas Style - theHumm June 2023
By Rob Riendeau
On July 11, the John Levi Community Centre in Almonte is going to be transformed into a Texas roadhouse when the formidable Texas Horns from Austin come to town right after their appearance at this year’s RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa. The Texas Horns have backed up countless American roots and blues legends, and individually they have played with some of the most important North American musical icons including Albert Collins, Doug Sahm and Freddy Fender, Colin James and many others. They currently perform with Jimmie Vaughan, and recently opened for Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall. John Mills (the baritone sax man in the group) even played in Rodney Dangerfield’s act! Their new album Everybody Let’s Roll has been a huge success on the American roots and blues charts.
Last year, local musician and promoter Matt Chaffey convinced the Horns to play a couple of pre-Bluesfest shows in the Ottawa Valley. That experience was such a success that Matt is bringing the group back to town for a repeat performance. theHumm had a chance to connect with Matt to find out more this dynamic musical group and what they might have in store for Ottawa Valley audiences.
theHumm: People who caught the show last year know what a talented and entertaining group they are, but can you describe The Texas Horns concert experience for those who weren’t there?
Matt Chaffey: The Texas Horns — Kaz Kazanoff, John Mills and Al Gomez, hailing from Austin, Texas — have a powerful sound. They play rhythm and blues Texas-style on tenor saxophone, trumpet and baritone saxophone. When you hear them live you get to hear a group of musicians who have played together for 25 years and who have backed up many legends of the American roots and blues tradition. They bring all of their experience and dedication to their performances and the sound they make together is truly joyous. Last year’s show was a big success, and we are very much looking forward to bringing it back to Almonte. You can hear some of the material from their new album Everybody Let’s Roll on Blue Heart records at thetexashorns.com .
What is your history with The Texas Horns? Where did you first meet and how have you collaborated over the years?
I met them while performing at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest many years ago. We have played together on many shows at that festival with many fantastic artists including WC Clark, Lavelle White, Billy Gibson, David Maxwell, Red Young and MonkeyJunk. I’ve also played with them as part of their own show, and they have joined me on many of my own projects. In late February of 2020 I was fortunate to make a record with them in Austin, Texas, with Kaz Kazanoff producing. That will see the light of day in 2024.
Who will be joining the Horns on stage?
This concert features me on guitar and vocals, Maple Blues award winner Laura Greenberg on bass, Stephen Adubofuor on drums and Leighton Rodney on keyboards. This is a great group backing the horns this year. And as a bonus there will be a special guest.
For folks who are heading to Bluesfest this year, when and where can they catch you?
This year I will be performing my new album Unknown Legend in its entirety with a 9-piece band behind me! I’ll be on the Sirius XM stage at 9pm on Saturday, July 8. The Texas Horns will be performing that same day at 6:30pm on the River Stage. Both the Texas Horns and I will be appearing in each other’s shows.
The Texas Horns are performing at John Levi Community Centre in Almonte on July 11 at 7pm. There will be a cash bar. Tickets are $40 plus applicable fees from Tickets Please (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434)
Elise Abrams-Ogg — The Art of Living Reverently - theHumm June 2023
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
The unifying theme of this young Perth artist’s ambition is her unequivocal determination to treat the world she inhabits with respect and appreciation. Elise Abrams-Ogg creates her artwork “largely as an act of devotion, to both the subject and to the materials, cultivating reverence for both of those things with the time and attention it takes to create.”
At the moment she has put her classically inspired watercolour paintings and graphite drawings on hold, to co......
Almonte House and Garden Tour Returns - theHumm June 2023
It’s June! Time to get outside and see what’s happening in the area — and what better way to do that than to take a tour of some of the fabulous houses and gardens around Almonte? The Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation (AGH-FVM) and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM), with the generous support of several community businesses, have put together a tour featuring seven houses and three outstanding gardens.
This is Mississippi Mills’ Bicentennial year, so the Tour hig......
Comedy Nights with DeAnne Smith - theHumm June 2023
By Kris Riendeau
DeAnne Smith is a Canadian Comedy Award winner who now lives in New York. They have performed at Just for Laughs, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Iceland Comedy Festival (to name just a few), and they’ve been on TV all over the world. You can watch their half-hour special Gentleman Elf on Netflix, but — better yet — you can come and see them live at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum when they come to Almonte for two show......
Music Fills the Air! Three Free Summer Concerts in Carleton Place - theHumm June 2023
The Carleton Place and District Community Band (CPDCB) is a local community-based band that performs primarily in Carleton Place and the surrounding area. The band was formed over 25 years ago by 13 enthusiastic musicians and has grown to its present complement of 40 musicians. Musicians range in age and experience from having played for a couple of years to those retiring from a career of performing music professionally. The concert band consists of woodwinds, brass and percussion instrumen......
Celebrate Pride Month with Rainbow Storytime! - theHumm June 2023
In celebration of Pride Month, Rainbow Storytime returns for its third consecutive year at the Perth Library. Rainbow Storytime is a wonderful way to meet members of the community while sharing inclusive picture books and stories. Inclusive programming and celebrations in the library offer families a safe space to celebrate diversity and self-expression. Each week of Rainbow Storytime will feature a new guest reader, theme, and letter sound. Special guests from Queer Connectio......
“Courage to Be Me” Pride Month in Mississippi Mills - theHumm June 2023
By Submitted Pride in Mississippi Mills
June is upon us, and with it comes the vibrant celebration of Pride Month in Mississippi Mills! This year, we gather under the theme “Courage to Be Me”, honouring the strength and resilience of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Once again, Pride in Mississippi Mills is collaborating with Lanark County Wide Pride — a coalition of local Pride committees. Together, we have a fantastic line-up of events and activities that will make this year’s Pride Month truly memorable. These events cater to various inte......
Music in the Glen - theHumm June 2023
On Thursday, July 6, Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to present Music in the Glen, a traditional Irish Trio featuring Brendan Mulholland (flute), Conor Lamb (uilleann pipes, whistles) and Deirdre Galway (guitar). This enchanting evening of music will include a mix of traditional and newly composed Irish music on pipes, flute, whistles and guitar.
Doors open at 7:15pm and the event runs from 7:30–9pm. A dessert reception with the artists will follow the performance. Tickets are $44 plus HS......
Lady Windermere’s Fan Iconic Play by Oscar Wilde Opens in Smiths Falls - theHumm June 2023
By Submitted The Station Theatre
Just when we thought we had safely made our way out of the pandemic, Covid hit our show with a vengeance, but in the true spirit of theatre we decided the show must go on — albeit not when it was originally scheduled! The cast and crew have continued to work diligently to bring this play to our audience, especially for those who originally bought tickets and were disappointed to not be able to see it in April. We are so hoping you are able to come in June!
What to do when you......
UnputdownableAn Interview with C.C. Humphreys, One of Canada’s Finest Writers of Historical Fiction - theHumm June 2023
By John Pigeau
Someday I’ll Find You is the novel C.C. Humphreys had to write. It is, he says, “the book of my heart.”
The novel, Chris’s twenty-second, is a dazzling adventure story about a spy and a pilot who fall in love but are wrenched apart during World War II. It’s inspired by his parents’ true story. Chris’s father Peter Humphreys was a fighter pilot with the RAF, and his mother Ingegerd Holter was a Norwegian spy. They fell in love and married in London in 1944. How could he possibly not wr......
Gone But Not Forgotten A Community Benefit Concert in Perth - theHumm June 2023
On June 11 at 3pm, Musical Matters will present a concert entitled “Gone But Not Forgotten” at St. Andrew’s Church. It features music from the ’60s as a tribute to artists or members of groups who have passed, while their music lives on. Songs by Buffalo Springfield, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Everly Brothers, Wilson Pickett, The Drifters, Marvin Gaye and more will be performed.
The performance takes place in the beautiful sanctuary of St Andrews Presbyterian Church at 1 Drummond Street. Admission is $10 at the door, and elevator access is available at the rear of the church just ......
Almonte Celtfest Brings Big Energy for 27th Event - theHumm June 2023
Mark your calendars, make some plans, and tell your friends: Almonte Celtfest will be back in Gemmill Park for a fine weekend of family-friendly entertainment from July 7-9!
The one-and-only Barra MacNeils kick off the festival with a ticketed event on Friday, July 7, that also features honey-voiced troubadour Lynn Miles.
Thanks to the generosity of festival sponsors, entrance to Saturday and Sunday’s programming is by donation at the gate. Those two days also promise plenty......
A New Plant & Pottery Sale in the Valley! - theHumm June 2023
Natives & Clay, a new plants and pottery sale, will feature nursery-propagated native plants suitable for Ottawa Valley gardens from Beaux Arbres Native Plants, as well as garden-themed stoneware pottery by Pine Ridge Studio.
Beaux Arbres beauxarbres.ca is a native plants nursery based in Bristol, Quebec. Owner Trish Murphy explains that all her plants are nursery propagated from locally-sourced wild plants and seeds. She......
Nurse Goes to Newfoundland, and Stays Studio Theatre Perth Presents Tempting Providence - theHumm June 2023
By Ben Bennett
Opening at Studio Theatre Perth on Thursday, June 15, Tempting Providence tells the story of “Nurse Bennett’” — a part of Newfoundland history.
Just over 100 years ago, an English nurse arrived at a small outport in the north-west part of the island. She had committed to staying for two years. She stayed for almost 70.
Myra Bennett (née Grimsley) was to become a legend on the island, delivering hundreds of babies, extracting thousands of teeth, performing some incredible surgeries and e......
Red Trillium Studio Tour, June 3 & 4 - theHumm June 2023
It’s a sign of spring — the Red Trillium Studio Tour is back! The 2023 spring tour will take place on June 3 and 4, from 10am to 4pm each day in beautiful rural West Ottawa.
The Red Trillium Studio Tour has been running semi-annually for more than 24 years. While there have been some changes over the years, the talent and creativity of the artists and the warm welcome that you will receive at every studio remains the same.
There are 11 studio stops with 25 artists, juried by the ......
MMYC Youth Camp - theHumm June 2023
By — Maybe McInnis is the Program Coordinator at Mississippi Mills Youth Centre
Youth in Mississippi Mills are gearing up for another AWESOME summer with Mississippi Mills Youth Centre (MMYC). We are offering nine themed summer camps for youth ages 10–18. To browse our camps online and to register, please visit mmyc.ca/shop .Mississippi Mills Youth Centre is a non-profit located at 134 Main Street East in Almonte. Known for our low-cost day camps and free after-school programs, MMYC creates opportunities for youth t......
Brighter Days Toronto’s Univox Choir at St. Paul’s Perth - theHumm June 2023
St Paul’s United Church in Perth is happy to be hosting the youthful Univox Choir from Toronto on Friday, June 23 at 8pm. The reputation of Perth as a place to find appreciative audiences prompted them to include St. Paul’s on their tour of Eastern Ontario. Conducted by Malcolm Cody MacFarlane, Univox is a mixed-voice community choir for young adults based in Toronto. The non-profit music organization carries the core principles of musical excellence, social responsibility and relationship buildi......
Diversity Summer Camp in Almonte - theHumm June 2023
Hi, I’m Renée Kokonya Sullivan. I’m a mom of three, wife, entrepreneur, and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultant. This summer, I will be running a diversity summer camp for children aged 8-12 years at Stonecroft Barn in Almonte.
Almonte Diversity camp will offer a safe space for kids to ask questions without judgment, bring their full selves and learn tools and techniques that equip them to be more inclusive in their community.
As Canada continues to become more div......
Art Works! Perth - theHumm June 2023
Art Works! Perth encourages all art lovers to pay a visit to their fifth annual Art Tour from Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25, from 11am to 5pm each day. Eighteen artists in ten locations in and around Perth will be showing new works of art in their studios and homes, and in businesses in the downtown core. Come and enjoy the work of local and established artists and take advantage of the many delightful stores, restaurants and sights of this small town at the same time.
More information, inc......
Arts, Tarts, and Crafts Around the Valley - theHumm June 2023
By Miss Cellaneous
Perth Photographic Society Exhibit
Until the end of July, drop into the Perth Library to view works by the Perth Photographic Society. This group of like-minded photographers from in and around Perth came together in 2021. Members come from different backgrounds and life experiences with photography, and share a passion for creating wonderful images.
This shared objective is achieved through a combination of in-camera shooting, studio setups......
Puppets Up! PuppetCon Will Bring People to the Puppets - theHumm June 2023
It didn’t take long after the last curtain fell on Puppets Up! 2022 for the organizing brain trust to sense there was an opportunity to expand the Almonte puppetverse and do something new and special with the festival brand.
“Our goal with Puppets Up! 2022 was to bring a bit of joy to town after a few long years of pandemic life. We felt like we succeeded, but we always had that voice in the back of our heads saying ‘where do we go from here?’,” explains Jane Torrance, the chair of the P......
TRiPOD in the Garden - theHumm June 2023
By Lucy Carleton
Dust off your lawn chairs and celebrate the dads in your life on Sunday, June 18 with music in the garden of the Mississippi Mills Public Library, Almonte branch. Join the Friends of the Library for an afternoon concert featuring the talented sounds of TRiPOD. Hailing from Elphin, Ontario, TRiPOD is not unfamiliar to Almonte audiences, having first appeared at Canada Day celebrations in 2018. Settle down among the peonies and irises to enjoy original and cover tunes from this talented trio.
TRiPOD’......
Perth Band’s Summer & Fall Pops Concerts - theHumm June 2023
The Perth Citizens’ Band, Canada’s oldest continuing town band, is preparing for the 2023 season of its annual Summer/Fall Pops concert series. These concerts in the downtown core have been a longstanding tradition of the band for well over 100 years. They feature a variety of music ranging from classical, Broadway and movie themes to jazz, blues and other popular forms — a bit of music for all tastes and ages. In addition, conductor Brian Tackaberry includes heritage pieces fro......
Curds and Cooks Festival at Back Forty Artisan Cheese - theHumm June 2023
Back Forty is excited to announce the details for their 6th annual summer food festival, taking place on July 1 from 11am to 6pm. What began in 2016 as a small celebration to mark the opening of their newly renovated cheese factory has since grown into a leading destination for lovers of artisan cheese, food, craft beverages and music.
Back Forty is a small family business, run by Jenna and Jeff Fenwick, that has become known for its fantastic selection of delicious raw sheep milk che......
Save the Date(s)For the Blues! - theHumm June 2023
If you’re a fan of truly great blues music, you won’t have to wait until the fall to get your Blues on the Rideau (BOTR) fix at The Cove Inn in Westport. BOTR and The Cove are delighted to announce a brand-new Summer Outdoor Blues Series, featuring the same great dinner, show and dancing combo that has made their winter series so popular. We’ll bring you all the details in our July issue, but we thought the keeners might want to book early and save the following dates…
On July 13, the JUNO......
Start Them When They Are Young! - theHumm June 2023
By David Hinks
As one who struggled to learn French as an adult, I am amazed at the ease with which young children pick up new languages. I believe that similar forces are at play in how we connect with nature and with nurturing growing things. I attribute much of my interest and success in gardening to working alongside my paternal grandmother at a very young age. I have to admit that I am not nearly the perfectionist that she was — I can still see her spacing bean seeds exactly two inches apart with the scar......
Rideau Lakes Studio Tour - theHumm June 2023
The Rideau Lakes Studio Tour is back for its 25th anniversary, and it promises to be a spectacular showcase of the region’s finest artists. Taking place on Canada Day weekend, July 1 and 2, the event will feature more than 18 artists opening their studios to the public, allowing visitors to see how these talented creators work their magic.
To celebrate, they are offering studio visitors a chance to win a $250 gift certificate which can be redeemed with any of the participating artists! Chec......
Run for Women’s Health For Darrell Graham, There Are No Limits! - theHumm June 2023
By Chris Cavan
Darrell Graham has raised the outstanding amount of $12,000 so far for the June 10 AGH run! He used his business name, Darrell Thomas Textiles, to create a fundraising page for the Almonte General Hospital Run for Women’s Health, and he’s determined to keep adding to this incredible support for women’s health equipment. I met him as he paced his route recently, and he’s not setting any limits on how much he can raise if enough people get behind him. Darrell is very passionate about this fundrai......
Carleton Place Tattoo - theHumm June 2023
The sights and sounds of the Pipes and Drums and Highland Dancing are returning to Carleton Place after a 13-year hiatus. There were plans in the making just prior to the pandemic to re-introduce an annual Carleton Place Community Tattoo, but those plans, like many others, unfortunately had to be cancelled.
However, by popular demand, a Town of Carleton Place Tattoo is once again being planned and will be held on Sunday, June 25 beginning at noon on the grounds of the local Capt......
Union Hall Gears Up for a Busy Year - theHumm June 2023
By Linda Camponi
Union Hall is a Registered Charity owned and maintained by the community, and is mainly self-sufficient, with financial support from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills as well as the Hub/Rebound. Concentrated efforts throughout the pandemic period, and still ongoing, have resulted in significant improvements to the facility, thanks to support from local businesses and private donations. The hall is a busy place these days, with yoga twice a week and lots of birthday parties and other family events taking place.
Last year at this time we put out a plea for more volunteers, and this ......
Rhythm and Blues, Texas Style - theHumm June 2023
By Rob Riendeau
On July 11, the John Levi Community Centre in Almonte is going to be transformed into a Texas roadhouse when the formidable Texas Horns from Austin come to town right after their appearance at this year’s RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa. The Texas Horns have backed up countless American roots and blues legends, and individually they have played with some of the most important North American musical icons including Albert Collins, Doug Sahm and Freddy Fender, Colin James and many others......
Relay for Life at ADHS - theHumm June 2023
By — Jack Lockhart is a student at Almonte and District High School
On Monday, June 12, students are back at it again for Almonte and District High School’s fifth annual Relay for Life event. After having great success at the event last year with the students raising over $47,000 for cancer research, they are ecstatic about this year’s event and are well on their way to reaching this year’s goal of $20,000, with over $12,000 raised so far.
Relay for Life is an event where a community, organization or school comes together to raise money for cancer rese......
The Science Behind Soil - theHumm June 2023
On June 20, come to Appleseed Farm in White Lake for a compost learning adventure. Ground-breaking research into the soil food web will be presented by instructors Keisha and Casey Ernst. Go deeper into understanding the life of soil and learn practical hands-on techniques useful for a wide range of composting methods, from backyard to large scale. Plus, discover how microscopes improve your understanding of our complex soil ecology. This course will give you all the new tools to improve soil health.
From small garden to large scale — this program suits municipal waste, farmers and co......
Greetings from Augusta Park! - theHumm June 2023
By Allan Brown
July is just around the corner, folks, and with it comes the 10th year of music in Augusta Park at 5 Wednesdays in July (although there are only 4 this month). We are brimming with talent this year and are focussing on more diverse talent when we can.
The first concert on July 5 will be a variety show called Dr. Brown’s Uptown Travelling Medicine Show, with each artist having 15 minutes to entertain our family-friendly audience. Generally the concerts go from 6–8pm, but......
Fair is Fair… - theHumm June 2023
By Oona Woods
… but this may just be the fairest of them all. The Killaloe Community Craft Fair is a Brigadoon-like festival that springs up on 100 acres along the backroads of Killaloe once a year. For three days the spirit of a ’70s flashback combines with timeless vibes to release a wave of positive energy and good grooves. Along with eclectic live music and late night DJs under the stars, there are also drumming circles, yoga, nature walks, a kids’ parade, food vend......
Bloom Where You’re Planted - theHumm June 2023
By Glenda Jones
I’m so done with being on my hands and knees, digging in shovelfuls of mushroom compost and slotting canna lilies in every vacant little space I can find. I began with a proper plan: five here, three there, and two standing proudly in the planters, and now I know that when/IF they grow, they’re going to be coming up in every imaginable place, mostly not where I thought. Confession: several may come up in the compost heap, because I just couldn’t find another hole to bury them in.
My sister has li......
Cold Climate Heat Pumps A Big Piece of the “Getting to ZERO by 2030” Puzzle! - theHumm June 2023
By Chandler Swain
As an interested observer of how the Climate Crisis is being discussed in the mainstream media, it’s encouraging to hear of so much action being taken in every facet of how we live our energy-intensive lives — from homes to cars and products of every kind, the change to low-carbon alternatives is truly inspiring. I’ve seen small windmills that look like beautiful little tree sculptures with whirling leaves, roadways made of recycled materials that become solar collectors, and every auto manufacturer ......
Don’t Judge a Character by its Book - theHumm June 2023
Self-published children’s book author Natasha Peterson is excited to present her latest book, Don’t Judge a Character by its Book. Like her previous stories, this latest has lessons for the reader presented in rhyme with beautiful illustrations. This newest book is about the harm that can come when we judge someone or something too quickly.
Have you ever wondered what happened to some of your favourite fairy tale characters after their story finished? Was there justice for th......
1000 Islands Blues Cruise A Fundraiser for the Kingston Food Bank - theHumm June 2023
Choose The Blues Productions is pleased to announce the first ever 1000 Islands Blues Cruise — a 3-hour evening cruise through the magnificent 1000 Islands combined with a deluxe buffet dinner and show featuring boogie-woogie piano legend Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and his band. Proceeds go to support the Kingston Food Bank kingstonfoodbank.ca .
The event takes place on the Island Queen, the unique 3-decker Mississippi-style riverb......
Blues in the Afternoon Ottawa Chamberfest Presents Angelique Francis at Farmgate Cider - theHumm June 2023
On Saturday, June 10 at 3pm, Ottawa Chamberfest is pleased to present Angelique Francis and her band in the most gorgeous setting ever — the Farmgate Cider heritage barn! You can make a day trip to the farmers’ market, drop in for the show, sip on a cool cider, listen to a little music and still get home for dinner.
One of Canada’s finest emerging blues artists, Angelique’s soulful smoky vocals and instrumental techniques are rooted in tradition, but with a unique and modern sensibilit......
Aug 31 Amanda Keeley Quartet
Aug 31 Merrickville Antique Artisans Show
Aug 31 - Sep 2 Sundance Artisan Show
Sep 7 - 8 Fibrefest
Sep 7 - 8 Natives & Clay
Sep 8 Music at Mera: Nathan Sloniowski
Sep 11 Community Open House
Sep 12 Opening Celebration of the new Art Hub
Sep 13 Jason Kent
Sep 14 Art in the Yard
- Wendo Van Essen — Nothing Felt Better
- Be a Wild Child — Roar Against Climate Change!
- MUSICwestport Festival A Fun, Free Event in Beautiful Downtown Westport!
- Misi Zibi Mamidosewin (The Gathering Place)
- 40 ArtistsAlong a Riverbank Outdoor Show on Labour Day Weekend
- Paint the Summer Returns to Westport
- Stone Fence’s Miss Pringle’s Mini-Skirt
- Blueberry Teaat Union Hall
- Come to the North Lanark Highland Games!
- Almonte Potters Guild Open House