Rockin’ in The Pews - theHumm December 2024

Knowing how busy the month of December is for everyone, The Pews in Merrickville has very carefully chosen two stellar performances that are sure to wow audiences, without overloading the calendar.

First up, The Pews is thrilled to present the Keith Glass Band on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm. This is a must-see for anyone who enjoys excellence in a rock performance.

“The best description of our music that anyone has ever come up with is roots/rock, and I think that’s pretty accurate,” says Glass. “We are, at heart, a rock and roll band, but that term covers so much musical territory, from country to blues to straight-up rock — basically all our collective influences, so expect a pretty varied repertoire.”

A high energy quartet, the band consists of Keith Glass (founding member of Prairie Oyster) on vocals and lead guitar, with fellow Prairie Oyster alum Alistair Dennett on drums, Steve Trecarten on organ and saxophone, and Mike Turenne on bass. All four are seasoned musicians in their own right.

“I look at any show we do as an opportunity not simply to showcase our music, but hopefully also to move people to dance,” adds Glass. “I love seeing people move to our music. There is no more obvious indication that you’re getting through to the audience than that.”

So what better venue than The Pews, where audience members can enjoy a glass of wine or beer to whet their whistle between kicking up their heels on the invitingly spacious dance floor?

Just one week later, The Pews is delighted to host The Barrel Boys for their Christmas Concert. If you missed their show this past August, you’ll really want to catch them on Saturday, December 14.

This bluegrass powerhouse features rich vocal harmonies, killer picking, and a fun, down-to-earth stage presence. The Barrel Boys are a unique staple of Canadian roots music. Members of this five-piece bluegrass band all play acoustic instruments including, fiddle, banjo, dobro guitar and upright bass, and take turns singing lead vocals and joining in on big vocal harmonies.

“This time we are playing our bluegrass Christmas show which we call ‘Carols from the Barrel’,” says band leader Nathan Smith. “We play a mix of some very well-known traditional carols like Joy to the World and Silent Night, and a few songs off the beaten path — winter songs that might be new to some folks.”

According to Nathan, this show will be another high energy performance featuring a lot of familiar Christmas carols played in a bluegrass style.

“Typically when we play, it’s all original content. The Christmas Concert is less original music written by us, but it is adapted by us. It will be a lot of songs that are familiar to people, but they’ve never heard them in quite this way,” says Smith.

Both the Keith Glass Band and The Barrel Boys tickets are $30 at TicketsPlease (TicketsPlease.ca, 485–6434) and $35 at the door, but it’s best to gets yours soon so you don’t miss out.

Last but not least, The Pews will open its doors during Christmas in Merrickville on December 7 during the day.

“We are hosting reindeer in the parking lot and indoor yard games in the basement, plus serving hot beverages starting at 10:30am,” says Anne Barr, chair of The Pews Cooperative.

Then at 2pm, come into Newans Hall and enjoy some free, light musical entertainment from the newly formed Merrickville Community Choir.

“It’s a sing-along event and a début for this new choir. We have about 25 to 30 members in the choir,” says Anya Perry, choir leader and music instructor.

The choir is made up largely of residents who have been practicing for this concert since September, and the performance will feature at least a couple of solos. “We have four songs that are full choral arrangements, and the rest we are all singing in unison to encourage the audience to sing along,” adds Perry.

Check out thepews.ca , and don’t forget to book your tickets for Keith Glass and The Barrel Boys early.

A Concert of Strumming, Singing & Fluting
A Musical Adventure for Children - theHumm December 2024

Attention families and music lovers! Get ready for a musical adventure that will have children wiggling, clapping, and discovering the magical world of flutes, guitars and songs at the second Friends of the Mississippi Mills Public Library annual Live! @ the Library family concert.

On Sunday, December 1 at 2:30pm, the Almonte Branch of the Mississippi Mills Public Library will transform into a vibrant musical playground. Renowned flutist and singer Gertrude Létourneau will be joined by Otta......

Rockin’ in The Pews - theHumm December 2024