Hamilton Guitar Association: October 2013

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Beverlie Robertson, This Mon Oct 28

Mon. Oct.28 , at the Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton

7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00

This week, the HGA is proud to present long time friend and Canadian folk music adept, Beverlie Robertson ,

singer, musician and author . She sings traditional & composed folk music, playing 6 & 12-string guitars, dulcimer & autoharp.

As long as I've been a member of The Hamilton Guitar Club, I've always made sure to see Beverlie's feature night (which has become an anticipated annual event). Her music strikes me as genuine and distinctly Canadian, folk music and brings feelings of nostalgia and hope. She brings a connection to those traditions that many of us at the HGA emulate in our own music at each meeting. In performance, her press quotes put it best. "... She charms the audience.." with a lovely voice, guitar playing and stories.

Check out Plains of Waterloo , and the other tunes and photos at this link, you'll see what I mean.

See you on Monday,

Mark

Saturday, October 12, 2013

The Curtin Opens for 2013-14

The First Meeting Of 2013-14, this Monday Oct.14, at the Pheasant Plucker , 20 Augusta St. Hamilton, sign in at 7:30, show starts at 8:00

Hello HGA,

I hope you had a great summer of festivals and back yard barbecue jam sessions. It is time to take back that pile of empties, put away the shorts ( unless of course you are Alfie or Mike McGuire) and come out to guitar club for the First meeting and Social gathering. We are booked every other Monday right on to Christmas and will have an excellent feature performance each meeting following the premier, beginning with Beverlie Robertson at the end of this month , Oct.28.

In other news, the residents of Blackadar have demanded our prompt return forthwith. They want us back, ...like.... now. So please let me know if you are interested in playing 6:45 to 7:45 at Blackadar Palliative care centre in Dundas this Thursday.

S.O.F.G.A.

Southern Ontario Fingerstyle Guitar Association

Some five years ago, I typed finger style guitar into a search engine because that was the type of playing I wanted to explore. Mostly because I was tired of replacing all my lost guitar picks. What I found was the SOFGA, a club dedicated to this guitar style and encourageing new people to learn by providing a non competative performance environment. They met right here in Hamilton, I knew that this was something I had to check out.

What I found was a community of people enjoying each other's music, company and friendship. And the amazing music! Cutting edge acoustic, celtic, old blues , entire bands seems to leap from guitars held by one person. No fake effects or back tape. Each meeting, one great player after the next would play. Then, one of them would take some time to show you thier style.

This is where I found my guitar teacher and mentors and some realley good friends. Though I was just a beginner, these people seemed to have a genuine desire to hear my music. This encouragement was pivital, at a time when the rest of the world just wanted me to forget the whole guitar thing .

Some five years later, when it comes to music, I still don't have it all together most of the time, but I've come a long way, mostly thanks to SOFGA.

Now , it's called the Hamilton Guitar Association but the goal and spirit are the same. That's why I'm happy to slug all the gear up the stairs at the Pheasent Plucker every other week, set up the mics and board, then, watch it all unfold.

Mark V