Me and my husband were talking about it the other day. What would be the best city for tunes in Cananda? And don't say St. John's - its too close to the relatives
We are thinking of maybe moving there....but a big factor would be where the good tunes are. And if there are any links of sessions etc that would be appreciated too.
what are the sessions like in montreal? How many a week? Got any links for me to look at? PS - I cant speak a word of French - I spent the first month in Newfoundland thinking that 'Jambone' was my favourite *brand* of Ham........how mortifiying.
Hey Jonsey,
We're threatening to fill up a mini bus with tradheads and go on a trip to Montreal !! As a great NZ prime minister once quipped regarding Kiwi emigration to Oz, "It's a good thing, it raises the IQ of both countries."
ho ho very funny Pat. Please dont hold the aussie thing against me - I'm sure by the time i reach canada I'll have a fully fledged NZ accent - seeing as there are more Kiwi's in sydney than aussies
bb
If you move to Southern Ontario, stop by London, Wed nights at Chaucers. We are also within 1-1.5 hours to Toronto, Windsor/Detroit, Goderich(Earth Air Fire Water Celtic College),Stratford, Elora, and Waterloo sessions.
Well from your profile you don't seem to care for cold winters, so you might as well move to Vancouver and play with our little session on Bowen Island! We don't have enough fiddlers, and only the very occasional box player. We're lousy with flute and whistle players around here for some reason.
Mike
It may just be a matter of getting used to the cold weather - I think Vancouver sounds cold as well - anything under 18 degs celcius I find cold. I dont like the heat either and I've managed my whole life in sydney - it was 38.5 degs here on wed. ugh.
Vancouver is actually in the best spot of Canada, for those who shun cold winters (or have trouble with French). BC is for you! And in addition to Vancouver itself, there are friendly musicians in the nearby Victoria (check the Bent Mast session).
There are sessions most nights of the week in Montreal but probably only a couple you'd want to go to regularly. Very nice mainly Irish session on Mondays and a very good Quebecois one on Tuesdays. There are the plastic Paddy pub sessions at the weekend which I tend to avoid.
We have a good house session scene going though, usually a couple of opportunities for good tunes every week.
There is a big handful of seriously good flute players in town, some excellent fiddlers but we need more. But there's only one box player, coming along not too bad, but in serious need of reinforcement
If you can pick up Irish music you can pick up French, no worries! Montreal is a pretty bilingual city. Not having French would only be an issue for work prospects, depending on the field.
Montreal is a very lively city in general and has much to recommend it. The winter is long and cold (not so cold as 20 years ago!) but the sun shines in a blue sky through most of it.
Tried sending you an e-mail through the site, in case you want answers to specific questions.
And Pat - we're waiting for you! You can even come in ones and twos, no need to be afraid...
Sorry to put it all to you but the best sessions in Canada are in the outports of Newfoundland on the southern shore and on the Irish loop. Small kitchen sessions pop up on an impromptu basis and are as warm and friendly as the people of the Island are. God this link is making me homesick.
In Ottawa there are sessions 5 nights a week. Mostly Irish sessions and one Newfoundland type session which usually has lots of singing and accordion tunes. There are regular Ceili's with good bands although they generally are not open bands. There is a local Comhaltas branch which gives music lessons and lots of private teachers for most instruments.
Hi Buck, Hows it going over there? Just been going through the pics we took of last winter - and have to say - it looks pretty inviting as it has gotten over 38 degs cels this year already.
I know that St.John's is the best - But I'm thinking of getting work etc- I know how tough it is there.
Anyhow - the boys both say hi.
Steve - this is really just a thought at the moment - my husband is in love with Sydney and I fear I might have to really fight to get him out of the country
I spent a month in Canada in September doing the Rockies trail and only came across one session which was in Vancouver. It was really a gig, nice music but not open to joining in and I nearly died of shock when the musicians packed up their instruments and went home at 11 pm. In Ireland we would be just starting at that time. They told us they had to work the next day. "So what" I said to myself . Imagine letting work interfere with playing music!!! strange country.
been thinking about you and the family many a time. drunken sunday evenings are still fun but not the same.. the sesh scene here is the craic - you know what it's like here.
i don't believe this inlaw argument - do you realise how awesome it will be to drop off peep at inlaws for the weekend and just have a grand old weekend time?
and...i am lover of little peeps and will be happy to babysit when you don't want to ask the inlaws another favour! (except that i will want to be out with you as well).
love to you and your family!! hope to see you soon, k.
(ps. i finally signed on to the session thing just to write you!)
Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Me and my husband were talking about it the other day. What would be the best city for tunes in Cananda? And don't say St. John's - its too close to the relatives
We are thinking of maybe moving there....but a big factor would be where the good tunes are. And if there are any links of sessions etc that would be appreciated too.
Thanks.
# Posted on November 23rd 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Woohoo! Come to Montreal! Don't listen to Pat K. We have more fun at our sessions than they do in Toronto.
# Posted on November 23rd 2006 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Hey Steve,
what are the sessions like in montreal? How many a week? Got any links for me to look at? PS - I cant speak a word of French - I spent the first month in Newfoundland thinking that 'Jambone' was my favourite *brand* of Ham........how mortifiying.
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Hey Jonsey,
We're threatening to fill up a mini bus with tradheads and go on a trip to Montreal !! As a great NZ prime minister once quipped regarding Kiwi emigration to Oz, "It's a good thing, it raises the IQ of both countries."
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by Patkiwi
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
ho ho very funny Pat. Please dont hold the aussie thing against me - I'm sure by the time i reach canada I'll have a fully fledged NZ accent - seeing as there are more Kiwi's in sydney than aussies
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
bb
If you move to Southern Ontario, stop by London, Wed nights at Chaucers. We are also within 1-1.5 hours to Toronto, Windsor/Detroit, Goderich(Earth Air Fire Water Celtic College),Stratford, Elora, and Waterloo sessions.
Rob
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by mellow_bellows
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
I won't let you go.
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by Dow
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Well from your profile you don't seem to care for cold winters, so you might as well move to Vancouver and play with our little session on Bowen Island! We don't have enough fiddlers, and only the very occasional box player. We're lousy with flute and whistle players around here for some reason.
Mike
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by MikeDucayen
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
It may just be a matter of getting used to the cold weather - I think Vancouver sounds cold as well - anything under 18 degs celcius I find cold. I dont like the heat either and I've managed my whole life in sydney - it was 38.5 degs here on wed. ugh.
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Vancouver
Vancouver is actually in the best spot of Canada, for those who shun cold winters (or have trouble with French). BC is for you! And in addition to Vancouver itself, there are friendly musicians in the nearby Victoria (check the Bent Mast session).
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by sixholes
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
You should definitely move to Victoria. They have great sessions and the musicians are very friendly. (teehee)
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by sneetch
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Hi Beebs
There are sessions most nights of the week in Montreal but probably only a couple you'd want to go to regularly. Very nice mainly Irish session on Mondays and a very good Quebecois one on Tuesdays. There are the plastic Paddy pub sessions at the weekend which I tend to avoid.
We have a good house session scene going though, usually a couple of opportunities for good tunes every week.
There is a big handful of seriously good flute players in town, some excellent fiddlers but we need more. But there's only one box player, coming along not too bad, but in serious need of reinforcement
If you can pick up Irish music you can pick up French, no worries! Montreal is a pretty bilingual city. Not having French would only be an issue for work prospects, depending on the field.
Montreal is a very lively city in general and has much to recommend it. The winter is long and cold (not so cold as 20 years ago!) but the sun shines in a blue sky through most of it.
Tried sending you an e-mail through the site, in case you want answers to specific questions.
And Pat - we're waiting for you! You can even come in ones and twos, no need to be afraid...
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Sorry to put it all to you but the best sessions in Canada are in the outports of Newfoundland on the southern shore and on the Irish loop. Small kitchen sessions pop up on an impromptu basis and are as warm and friendly as the people of the Island are. God this link is making me homesick.
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by newfie percussionist
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
newfie - cant be newfoundland - to close to the mother in law!!
Hey Steve, do you know Karen Iny? I met her in Newfoundland last year...she's a fiddle player from Montreal.
# Posted on November 25th 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
I most certainly do, beebs - good buddy and erstwhile bandmate of mine.
# Posted on November 25th 2006 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Say hi to her from me and Cory.
# Posted on November 25th 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Spend your winters in Florida and summers in Winnipeg, like a real Canadian!
# Posted on November 25th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Sorry Steve,
It's "en masse" or not at all. I fancy making it back to T.O. in one piece.
# Posted on November 25th 2006 by Patkiwi
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Florida is too hot
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
bb, did you know that Karen is now living in Nfld? As it happens she's in Mtl for a few days so I'll be able to pass on your greetings tomorrow.
So when are you moving here? I'm betting you'll be here before Kiwi Pat.
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Hey bb,
Hope things are well. Say hello to your boys for me. As for your inquiry, you cant beat St Johns. Mother in law or not.
# Posted on November 28th 2006 by Buck
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
If I can jump in, I'd say Edmonton, Alberta.
# Posted on November 28th 2006 by starting over
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
In Ottawa there are sessions 5 nights a week. Mostly Irish sessions and one Newfoundland type session which usually has lots of singing and accordion tunes. There are regular Ceili's with good bands although they generally are not open bands. There is a local Comhaltas branch which gives music lessons and lots of private teachers for most instruments.
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by garyd
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
Hi Buck, Hows it going over there? Just been going through the pics we took of last winter - and have to say - it looks pretty inviting as it has gotten over 38 degs cels this year already.
I know that St.John's is the best - But I'm thinking of getting work etc- I know how tough it is there.
Anyhow - the boys both say hi.
Steve - this is really just a thought at the moment - my husband is in love with Sydney and I fear I might have to really fight to get him out of the country
# Posted on December 2nd 2006 by bb Cruella de vil
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
I spent a month in Canada in September doing the Rockies trail and only came across one session which was in Vancouver. It was really a gig, nice music but not open to joining in and I nearly died of shock when the musicians packed up their instruments and went home at 11 pm. In Ireland we would be just starting at that time. They told us they had to work the next day. "So what" I said to myself . Imagine letting work interfere with playing music!!! strange country.
# Posted on December 4th 2006 by MollyB
Re: Where are the best sessions in Canada?
hiya bb,
been thinking about you and the family many a time. drunken sunday evenings are still fun but not the same.. the sesh scene here is the craic - you know what it's like here.
i don't believe this inlaw argument - do you realise how awesome it will be to drop off peep at inlaws for the weekend and just have a grand old weekend time?
and...i am lover of little peeps and will be happy to babysit when you don't want to ask the inlaws another favour! (except that i will want to be out with you as well).
love to you and your family!! hope to see you soon, k.
(ps. i finally signed on to the session thing just to write you!)
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by kiny