Friday, May 10, 2019

Message from The Side Door Coffee House

Where does the time go? Here we are, almost two decades later, at the proverbial fork in the road. When we started this, our kids were still kids, and now some of us are grandparents! But time marches on, and all good things must inevitably come to an end. On behalf of Plain Folk and The Side Door Coffee House, it has been an honour and a privilege – not to mention a lot of fun – to bring music to you over the years, ranging from first-time performers to seasoned professionals, some of whom have gone on to forge successful careers and garner critical acclaim. One thing that has been a constant is the appreciation for original music that you, the best audience in the world, have always shown our performers. Time and time again they have commented on how special it was to play to such an attentive and appreciative audience. So once again, a big thank you for your ongoing support. And while we are at a turning point, it is not quite the end of the road. We do plan on bringing more music to you as opportunities arise, just not on such a regular basis. So we will keep in touch, and we hope that you do the same.
And now, on with the show!

Isabelle, Mick & Val.

 

Glenna McConnell’s musical tastes and style can be traced to growing up with her friends and family’s love of folk, country, pop and rock music. Her love of poetry and singing in choirs led her to write songs and plays. Her passion for singing and signing began when she interpreted for her deaf grandmother and while teaching her deaf students. Glenna performed solo and in the band Folkus, becoming a regular at The Yellow Door, The Side Door Coffee House and Rasputin’s in Ottawa. She has had many opportunities to perform her original music with full bands from Quebec to California.

 

Plain Folk, the Side Door’s ‘house band’, made up of Isabelle Delage, Mick Perreaux, Val Teodori – and possibly bolstered by Leigh Redding, flood waters permitting – is back to close the season and eager to take to the stage for this final show with its special brand of relaxed entertainment. They combine the versatility of vocal harmonies and a host of string and other instruments, and generally just have a great time on stage. They will be bringing you some of their favourite tunes from over the years, partnering on a few numbers with their other musical guests which, all in all, should make for a very memorable evening!

 

The Paddingtons have been regular guests of the Side Door almost since the beginning, and there’s a good reason for that: they give a darn good show! We are thrilled that they have agreed to join us for the last show of our final season. The Paddingtons have been performing Celtic and Canadian folk music in and around Montreal and Ottawa since 1995. They have played in a wide variety of settings, from pubs and restaurants to concert halls, festival stages, coffee houses and house concerts.  They even feature prominently on the Assassin’s Creed series of games by Ubisoft. The Paddingtons are Seán Dagher on cittern and voice and Nelson Carter, originally from New Brunswick, on fiddle and voice, and they keep the whole room dancing.