Friday 2 December 2016

Fabulous Gang Of Singalongers!

As the title of this post says, we had a fabulous gang of singalongers out for the November show. It was an amazing evening. This comment from one young woman summed it up perfectly...

"I thought the last show I attended was great but this was even better. I wonder if it's because we all really needed it after all the negative US politics of the last week?"

This gal had stumbled upon the show a few months ago and this time, brought her parents. It was so cool seeing both generations really getting into the music.

Since then, we've been busily preparing for the upcoming New Years show. We want to make it extra special. Judy, owner of the Free Times Cafe, has promised to "make this buffet amazing!" And we know she will.

Reservations are already being taken and seating is limited, so don't miss out on the chance to say farewell to 2016 and welcome 2017 in a room full of great folks singing together. Call Judy at  416-967-1078 to reserve your table today!

Tuesday 1 November 2016

What Big Announcement Was Made At Our October Show?


We had a lot of fun at our Oct. 19th show. The great group of sing-alongers included newbies and seasoned veterans!

At the break, Free Times Cafe owner Judy Perly made the announcement that we're all going to party like it's 1965 on New Years Eve. We're very excited about it. This special event will be in lieu of a regular December show.
In addition to an expanded version of 'Where Have All The Folk Songs Gone?' (more songs over the course of the evening), there will be a full course dinner buffet that sounds amazing...
Gourmet Hors D’euvres, Salads, Vegetarian, Chicken, Salmon, Brisket, Pasta, 
Fresh Fruit, Dessert,Coffee,Tea, and Old Fashioned Seltzer

And as if that's not exciting enough we'll also have...
Party Favours and Champagne at Midnight and great Prizes!

Space is limited though so reservations are required. Call Judy today at 416-967-1078 to reserve your table! Here are the time and cost details: 7-8:30pm Buffet $50 and 9pm Show $25  Your Frequent Folkie Card will be stamped.

 Our next regular monthly singalong show is 
at the Free Times Cafe is Wed. Nov. 16th

Thursday 22 September 2016

Singin'! Playin'! Rowin'?

We had another great crowd of sing-alongers out for the September show. 

♫¸Pooped but happy folk singers after another fun
'Where Have All The Folk Songs Gone' show
at the Free Times Cafe ~ September 2016
Remember Beverley, the gal from St. John's, who joined us via her friend's smartphone last month? Well she was here in person this month! And, we had some other out-of-towners as well. A couple from Portland Maine and one from London Ontario.

We launched our brand new 'Frequent Folkie Card' (six shows and get the seventh free) last night and it was fun watching some of our regulars figuring out which month will be their freebie!

We introduced three new songs this month...the oft requested 'Lemon Tree', Dave Van Ronk's 'Hang Me' and Tom Paxton's 'Ramblin Boy', which all met with enthusiastic audience approval.

It was a very spirited group and the band members were all delighted when we looked out and noticed one table energetically rowing along to 'Michael Row Your Boat Ashore'!   


snapd College Edition stopped by during the break to capture some happy faces, so we'll post a link to those as soon as we hear from them.

Thanks again to everyone who came out. Hope to see you again soon!

Next regular show at the Free Times Cafe is Wednesday, October 19th but before that, the gang will be taking the show on the road to the Artword Artbar in Hamilton on Thursday, September 29th.




Saturday 3 September 2016

Next Show At The Free Times Cafe Coming Up Soon!

It's September already and we're looking forward to our next show at the Free Times Cafe.

Just a reminder that if you're planning to attend, we welcome your requests as we create the set list for the evening. Check out our Song List and we'll try include as many as we can. We plan to introduce another new song (possibly two) to the repertoire this month!

Something else NEW, this month...the Frequent Folkie card. We want to reward our regular attendees, so starting in September everyone will receive a card that will be stamped at each show. Once 6 stamps are received, they can attend the 7th show for FREE!  

And thanks again to Snapd College edition for another great bunch of photos taken at our July show. Check them out here!

See you on the 21st!

Thursday 18 August 2016

Summer Series Success

Our 'Summer Series' wrapped up with another full room of enthusiastic folk fans. We're so happy we made the decision to continue the show through July and August this year. 

Thanks everyone who came out to sing with us last night. What a lovely group of people in the audience and what a great vibe.


The show went national, during our first song of the evening ('Green Green'), with a shout-out to Beverley, who joined us from St. John's Newfoundland via her friend's smartphone

We did an impromptu version of 'Farewell To Nova Scotia', by special request of some first time attendees. The rousing rendition brought out the Maritimer in everyone!  

'Puff The Magic Dragon' continues to be a favourite. It's always a joy to play it and see the audience reaction.


Our bass player Tony summed it up perfectly, as we packed up at the end of the evening, when he said "I can't not have a great time at this show!"

See you in September for our next show! Upcoming Shows

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Thursday 21 July 2016

Summer Folk Singin' Fun

Sometimes it can be tough getting audiences out to club shows in the Summer months when backyards and other outdoor activities beckon. But dedicated folk song fans appear to be an exception. It was another full house last night at the Free Times Cafe made up of some regulars, some newbies, a tourist, and multiple Irenes (which triggered an impromptu set change to include The Weaver's classic song of that name).

It was a wonderful night for us. You really can't sing 60's folk songs with a room full of people and not go home happy. Thanks everyone! 

Next show at The Free Times Cafe is Wed. Aug. 17th.
♫♪ ♫♪ Smiley Post Show Folk Singers




   
Tourist from Montreal!  

Tuesday 5 July 2016

Were you SNAP'd?

SNAP'd dropped in to take some photos at the show in both April and May. We attract a very good looking audience, if I do say so myself!
Here they are... SNAP'd APRIL 2016  SNAP'd MAY 2016

Tuesday 21 June 2016

Heat Of The Summer Edition Of The Folk Revival



We’re pleased to announce that by popular demand, we’ll be continuing our monthly shows at the Free Times Cafe right through the Summer this year. So, mark July 20 and August 17 in your calendars and come down and sing along to ‘Where Have All the Folk Songs Gone’ Heat Of The Summer edition. Please do make a reservation in advance to ensure you get a seat. 

We got an early start to the Summer season with a rousing show on June 15 at the Free Times. Another full house was in fine vocal form and kept us on our toes. The singing of ‘You Were On My Mind’ resulted in a blending of both Ian & Sylvia’s version (us) and the We Five’s version (a lovely group of gals) almost seamlessly. Folk revival era tunes were usually covered by several different groups, branding them with their own signature sound.  

‘Cruel War’, ‘Early Morning Rain’ and ‘When I’m Gone’ were back in the set and it was nice to play these gems again.  Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for another great night of music!

Monday 13 June 2016

Folk Revival Rising!


Hot on the heels of our Hamilton show in May, 'Where Have All the Folk Song Gone' recently spread the gospel of the folk revival to even more new audiences...

First stop was Ryerson University’s 50 Plus Festival. The festival celebrates creativity and ideas and features an array of lectures by renowned speakers that reflect the content offered by Ryerson’s Programs for folks over 50 years of age. Our sold out Friday show at the Imperial Pub was an enthusiastic and voiceful finale to the day.

A few days later, we moved on down the line to Niagara On The Lake to perform at the Music Niagara  ‘Big Night’, an annual fundraiser in support of their extensive summer music program. Under a big white tent on a beautiful almost Summer’s evening, the a
udience quickly joined in the singing and some danced, which is becoming more frequent at our shows. Here's a photo from the evening. Michelle was just outside of the frame but we are all enjoying singing for the enthusiastic audience
Photo by Chris Blake
A big thank you to Linda Truong and Chris Blake respectively for inviting us to join them for their events.

Friday 27 May 2016

'If I Had A Hammer' In The Hammer



Photo taken by Gail McGhee
The 60’s folk revival hit the Hammer last night with a great show at Hamilton’s Artword Artbar.  

First of all the venue. If you’ve never been, you should get down to a show at the Artbar.  It’s a great music room...sound, site lines, food...and owners Ron and Judith have created a real gem in a culturally rich neighbourhood. http://www.artword.net/artbar/ 
An enthusiastic crowd helped make our first folk revival show in Hamilton a memorable one. It’s always interesting to see which songs get the best response in a new venue. Last night, ‘Sing in the Sunshine’ clearly struck a note after a lovely sunny day. Being in a union town, ‘Union Maid’ was received with boisterous  and  stompin‘ approval.  And 'If I Had a Hammer’ drew a standing ovation in...The Hammer.  The sing alongs to Phil Ochs’  ‘Love Me I’m a Liberal’ and ‘ Draft Dodger Rag’ again demonstrated how widely loved and respected he was and still is everywhere a true folk audience is present.

Thanks again to our hosts and audience and we hope to be back in the Fall! 

Monday 23 May 2016

Taking The Show On The Road To Hamilton's Artword Artbar

Thursday, May 26th, 8 PM 
 Artword Artbar
15 Colbourne St.  
(near James St. N. & Barton)
 Hamilton
 Cover: $10 (cash at door) 
 Advance tickets are also available on-line at

 Hope to see you there!

Thursday 19 May 2016

Dancing At The Folk Revival!

You just never know what’s going to happen at a folk music revival. We had a wonderful, capacity crowd at the Free Times Cafe last night, all were in full voice and spirit!

We celebrated two birthdays (three including Mr. Dylan's), introduced two new songs...Bread and Roses and Leavin' on a Jet Plane (Mitchell Trio version)...and christened the Free Times mosh pit, folk revival style.

Here's the view from the stage...it's only five seconds long, but is a great memory of a fun evening. Thank you to our great audience!


Our next show at the Free Times is Wed, June 15 so make your reservations soon, last night’s show was sold out well in advance. Hope to see and hear you there!

Saturday 23 April 2016

Such A Fun Night!

Thanks to everyone who came out and packed the Free Times Cafe on Wednesday night. Your energy was amazing! 

The photos taken by the SNAPD photographer will be posted tomorrow or Monday at: SNAP'D COLLEGE EDITION FACEBOOK PAGE
 

We're already looking forward to next month's show...



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