Posts Tagged ‘Manitoba’

CC CHRONiCLES: Five Easy Pieces open for The Abramson Singers; Ukrainian Orthodox Church / Flin Flon Manitoba 2013

Published by cctadmin on May 20th, 2013

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Just two evenings ago FiVE EASY PiECES opened for Vancouver-based band THE ABRAMSON SiNGERS @ Flin Flon’s very own Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

A small, quaint, charming space – St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church was by far one of the best settings I’ve had the honour of playing in before.  Being Ukrainian myself, the sights & scents inside took me back to the many little churches like this that I have visited in my lifetime, having seen them because of my beloved Grandpa & Grandma Stan & Mary Demchinsky, who passed away in 2009.  In fact the church they are both resting outside of, which is located in vast & open landscape of Saskatchewan is a lot like this one in many respects, with all  the beautiful details.  I couldn’t help but think of them as we arrived & began stage set up; ironically I was born & raised here in Flin Flon yet I had never entered this church though I had passed it countless times though out my lifetime.

Needless to say this church set the stage for the night of music & fun that lay ahead; giving the perfect atmosphere as well as sound.  It was a treat to open for THE ABRAMSON SiNGERS, a fine band – & without doubt we were happy to play for a crowd of just under 100 people, all very warm & enthusiastic.

Thank you to Luc & Katie (of ‘BABA’S HOUSE’, respectively) & THE ABRAMSON SiNGERS for the invitation to get up & do our thing; it was a honour & pleasure to sing amongst such talented musicians.  I enjoyed meeting you & had there been more time I sure would have loved hearing more about your travels. I wish you the best on the remainder of your tour – & keep on inspiring folks with your music.

As a side-note, we of FiVE EASY PiECES were one easy piece down, as Derek Kemp was ill & unfortunately couldn’t make it at the last minute, so he was sorely missed to say the least.  Below are some images taken during set up – & one of THE ABRAMSON SiNGERS in action.  Enjoy!

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CC CHRONiCLES: CC featured in Ottawa’s Xtra! / Issue #255 May 9-June 5, 2013 / ‘Praire Rebirth’

Published by cctadmin on May 15th, 2013

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Last December I was contacted by an old pal of mine named Kaj Hasselriis, whom I’d met at the age of 17 when I first moved to Winnipeg.  Kaj is a fantastic person & our friendship is unique and greatly valued.  Not only is he a friend but a very talented and adventurous free-lance writer, who although is right now living in Paris, was at the time residing in Toronto.  At the time he was writing for the publication Xtra! & he wanted to know if I’d be interested in doing a possible feature.

Though I’d done some previous media before with regards to projects I’ve worked on, I was particularly interested in taking him up on his proposal because, for one, I love and value Kaj, but two, because I appreciated the opportunity to share a little bit about my story.  Kaj’s interest was primarily in asking me about my experiences in growing up queer in a small town, only to leave & return again almost 15 years later, in my case, for professional development.  Something about timing of this year and all that I have experienced personally, professionally and creatively made the opportunity seem not only fitting but somehow serendipitous.

It was a lot of fun, as well as enlightening for me to consider his questions about my background & for that I’m really pleased.  Also, while he made no promises that the article would even see the light of day, I felt a sense of accomplishment in having a platform to share but a piece of my life with a friend.

Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised to eventually learn that the feature made it into the Ottawa publications.  Thank you Kaj, for sharing the opportunity with me, as well to Darren Holmes for providing the photograph.

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CC CHRONiCLES: “Anybody that misses this group should wonder, because they are awesome” / Five Easy Pieces featured in the Reminder (Monday, April. 29, 2013)

Published by cctadmin on May 1st, 2013

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GREAT MUSIC HELPS A GREAT CAUSE: Jonathon Naylor

Having lost family members to the disease, Leona Kemp knows all too well the pain caused  by cancer.

But rather than dwell on the sense of loss, she is doing her part to finally eradicate the dreaded c-word.

Kemp was a driving force behind a recent coffee house mini concert in support of the Relay for Life cancer-fighting fundraiser.

“Coffee houses are getting more and more popular,” she notes.

“It’s just a fun atmosphere to be in – relaxing and fun.”

About 110 people – a sellout – gathered at the Lutheran Church hall for the coffee house on Saturday, April 20, with local band Five Easy Pieces performing.

Formed last fall, the talented band consists Ann Ross, Doug McGregor, Chad Pabianek, Derek Kemp and CC Trubiak.

“…we blend several sounds together, including blues, folk and country, ” says Trubiak.

Trubiak called it “amazing” to be a part of the evening.

“I have never felt this welcomed or involved with a community before in my life, ” he says.

From the opening song, it was clear the audience was enamoured by this new musical act.

“Anybody that misses this group should wonder, because they are awesome,” said Leona Kemp, whose son Derek is one of the members.

“There’s so many different styles of music that they play, and they’re just perfect – their voices, their music, their instruments.”

Leona was impressed when band members declined a small honorarium for their performance, donating the funds back to the cause at hand.

Through a modest admission fee, dainty sales and donations, the coffee house brought in about $1400.

That will be part the contribution that Leona’s Relay for Life team, Northern Rainbow’s Chicks, will make at the relay this September.

Other than Leona, the Chicks include Dorothy Quaal; Linda Skipper; Sandra Barr; Alvera Koop; Karen Chaisson; Carrie Stinton; Crystal Peever; Nicole Reykdal; Jana Kozeka; Amber Hay; Rella Dubie; Corrine Kerfont; Linda Lowe; Valerie Wasyliew; and Trish Thompson.

They consist of past and present employees of Leona’s store, Northern Rainbow’s End, as well as friends.

The Chicks are hoping to have another coffee house, this time at the Rotary Wheel, but no final date has been set.

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CC CHRONiCLES: Five Easy Pieces featured in the Reminder / Friday April 26, 2013

Published by cctadmin on April 27th, 2013

This past week I answered a couple of questions for Flin Flon’s local paper the Reminder for a short feature they expressed interest in doing on last weeks Relay for Life Fundraiser, in which Five Easy Pieces provided entertainment.  As such today’s paper had this clip, teasing next weeks feature, which will also share some insights from one of the fundraisers leading ladies, Leona Kemp (of Northern RainbowsEnd).  Leona & several other incredibly dedicated team members (who called themselves Northern Rainbows Chicks) put on a great event so I was happy to contribute in any way, including the interview.  Stay tuned for more.

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CC CHRONiCLES: Five Easy Pieces to Open for Abramson Singers / May 18th 2013 / Flin Flon Manitoba

Published by cctadmin on April 27th, 2013

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Five Easy Pieces are gearing up for a May 18th show @ the Saint George Ukrainian Orthodox Church (83 Church St), in which they’ll be opening for Vancouver-based indie band Abramson Singers.  Tickets are available at Orange Toad on Main St ($15).

Abramson Singers have a beautiful sound; I spent hours just checking them out on youtube.  Listen ‘How To Love A Drowning Man’ below & fall in love yourself.

 Check out the poster below for details; for further information on Abramson Singers please go to www.leahabramson.com .

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CC CHRONiCLES : FiVE EASY PiECES @ NRE Fundraiser/Relay For Life

Published by cctadmin on April 21st, 2013

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Northern RainbowsEnd threw a fundraiser coffee house for Relay For Life, which took place last night at the Lutheran Church.  The team of ladies raising funds for cancer invited Five Easy Pieces to be the musical act & what a night it turned out to be.

Fresh off my ‘Chicago’ stint I was pretty exhausted physically speaking; at the same time I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on the opportunity to play amongst my FEP gang because they are just so darn inspiring & fun.  I popped my Sudafed & drank my ginger tea for three days leading up to the show & was well enough to go come showtime.

Needless to say we got our groove despite not having played together in over a month & a half; which is a testament to how ‘easy’ we really are.  Thanks to Northern RainbowsEnd for the invitation – & all the ladies efforts to put on a great night of food & cheer; as well big thanks to the audience for their enthusiasm & appreciation.  I have to say that what I’m most thankful for is when I see the familiar faces of friends, family or local people who follow our shows & support us.  I think specifically of the handful of friends who regularly make an effort to listen; that’s the kind of support that just can’t be bought or sold.  These friends know who they are.

Stay tuned for more as Five Easy Pieces are lining up more local shows this and next month.

Coming up on May 18th we’ll be opening for folk singer Abramson Singers (www.leahabramson.com) & for several other cancer fundraiser events, so stay tuned for more details.  Check out some images below that were snapped last night by the crowd.

 

 

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CC CHRONiCLES : FLiN FLON DOES ‘CHiCAGO’ 2013

Published by cctadmin on April 11th, 2013

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If I’ve been a little more off the grid these days I have good reason; in addition to my day job, fundraising gigs with band Five Easy Pieces, & wrapping up production on ‘Tiny Army: The D. Holmes Sessions’ I have been taking on the fun task of dancing (yes, dancing!) in the Flin Flon Community Choir’s local production of Broadway musical ‘Chicago’.

Flin Flon is real lucky to be able to have this production; we are even more fortunate to have director Crystal Kolt & the plethora of other talented people on & off-stage making this all come together. ‘Chicago’ is a huge dance piece; with 15 dance numbers, most fronted by the amazing Miranda Bowman & Samantha Moore & supported by a cross section of talents including a stellar orchestra band, a couple of fine Winnipeg dancers, sound & light experts, a choreographer & a lot of locals who generously devote time to act, sing in the choir, prepare costumes & manage everything & everyone backstage. It’s fantastic & inspiring!

Those familiar with ‘Chicago’ know its set in the 1920’s & that it weaves the tale of two murderesses Velma Kelly (Moore) & Roxie Hart (Bowman) as they embark on a love-hate relationship & a quest for fame. Even more interesting to me are the stories-within-the-story; all of the shenanigans & fodder that take place amongst the locals involved in this ensemble. Flin Flon has a lot of larger-than-life characters; there are moments I think of the classic novel ‘Peyton Place’ or the old country song ‘Harper Valley PTA’.  To clarify I say this with the most affection; It’s these characters within this ensemble that have made the hours spent so much more colorful & memorable to me. A person really could write a book, sitcom or episode of ‘Murder She Wrote’ with this stuff! I certainly have no shortage of material!

As we gear up for the big reveal (this Friday, Saturday & Sunday) I think back to how the experiences all unfolded; my initial doubts & attempts learn choreography, developing bonds with new & old faces, & just embracing a new experience that has been a special part of this already unique chapter of my life. I’m so appreciative of these moments & the opportunity to connect with a variety of folks. Below are some photographs I snapped which are but a glimpse at what some of these times & characters looked like through my eyes. Thank you to everyone for this once in a lifetime experience. (Dbl click on the images in the gallery)

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CC CHRONiCLES: FIVE EASY PiECES @ JOHNNY’S SOCiAL CLUB / SUNRISE BENEFIT FOR DAVID FORT

Published by cctadmin on April 1st, 2013

I’m a bit behind in my updates, but I had been meaning to post these images, taken by John Scott – at the Sunrise Benefit for David Fort, held March 2nd @ Johnny’s Social Club.  It was a great night – a fantastic event with many people to thank for their contributions both in money and donations to the cause.  Locals artists like Karen Clark, Monique Rainville donated beautiful pieces; Crystal Kolt of Flin Flon Arts Council donated a FREE ticket to ‘CHiCAGO’, coming up in April; Northern Rainbows End & Pharmasave donated store prizes & everyone who came out generously contributed to the cause, weather in money or food.  I remain thankful to everyone – & esp to John for coming up from Brandon support his son in this way – as well as us in our effort to come together in music for him.

FiVE EASY PiECES are gearing up for a handful of live shows in the next couple of months – & for me its great because when I think back to when I first arrived  here in Flin Flon, I had no idea I would find this opportunity to sing and play amongst such talented people – much less for a crowd of appreciative folks.  I tried to tally up all the live shows I’ve been able to do here and I’m losing track!  It’s somewhere between 12-15, with more to come!  I’m amazed & thankful for the experiences.  (Photos below come courtesy of John Scott.)

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COMING SOON: “TiNY ARMY: THE D. HOLMES SESSiONS”

Published by cctadmin on January 22nd, 2013

There is a light at the end of the tunnel as DARREN HOLMES & I begin to wrap up a lot of the recordings for our project ‘TiNY ARMY: THE D. HOLMES SESSiONS’.   Just only a few weeks ago he & I celebrated one year anniversary of this inspired collaboration; as those who have been following can attest, its been a steady process.

I’m most thankful to D for the countless hours he continues to put into these special recordings of ours.  It’s a labour of our mutual love for music, expression & the various talents of the ‘tiny army’ of folks who are involved, in whatever capacity; be it as songwriters, singers, musicians, creative go-to’s – the contributions are amazing & I could’t be more thrilled to see what we have been able to accomplish in a years time.  A lot of fond memories, a lot of coffee.  :-)

While we are nearing the end of a particular chapter in this work, next up we finesse what we have & begin thinking about what we do with this collection, how we go about introducing the world to it & in what fashion.  It will continue to involve our creativity & commitment, but this is something we are inspired to see through, so while I can’t confirm when ‘TiNY ARMY‘ will see the light of day, I do know its coming.  Stay tuned…. & thank you all for your continued support.

Much love, CC

xoxo

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CC CHRONiCLES: CC POSES @ NORVA CENTRE / FLiN FLON JAN. 4 2013

Published by cctadmin on January 5th, 2013

My very good friend – & most talented artist CATHERiNE asked me to sit in as a model for NORVA’s artists for a night of sketching.  Was a lot of fun, & I had the easiest job: sit still!  Thanks for the inclusion – & below are some images of some artists work.  For more information on NORVA CENTRE (Northern Visual Arts Centre) please visit www.ffnrc.ca/norva-center.html.

Stop by & check out the beautiful works by local Flin Flon artists – there is always something interesting & creative happening within these walls.

 

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