Let’s Do This!
Greetings all!
Lots of exciting activity coming down the road! Just wrote a new Bard’s Blog about shoes, lots of New Shows coming up, and it has been so hot in Vancouver, it seems tropical birds are migrating north!! Weird…
Intimate Ten Ten Tapas Show & Jam Workshop
Tons of fun happening this weekend!
1. Learn how to jam, or be challenged with some new tricks if you are experienced (Sat. 1-3pm)
2. A romantic dinner and music evening at the beautifully scenic Ten Ten Tapas right off the sea wall (Sun. 7:00-9:15pm).
Phenomenal Shows, Workshops, and Walks
It has been an incredible week in the Okanagan! I have thanks and shout outs for many:
-To all the folks at the Artists for Creative Alliance for having me last Wednesday for a beautifully intimate show. All the open mic performers were incredible!
-To Silver Star for having me play at The Saloon, and to Jim for making the drive :).
-To Tiger Moon for a wild western show on Friday! Listen to their wonderful music and beautiful harmonies.
-To Darren Beattie, Jenny Brook, and Matt Langill coming down from Vancouver to come play with me full band for a huge Fernando’s show.
-To all my workshop participants who seriously rocked it and gave it your all.
-To the Songwriter’s Stewdio for having me as a feature and producer last night!
-To my family and new friends that joined me on walks these last few days. Below are a couple of cool moment pictures from these walks.
You all rock! I am over the moon with excitement from this week. Can’t wait to come back!!
Okanagan Tour this Week!
Very excited to be coming back to the Okanagan for a few performances this week/weekend.
*Having a chill story telling session on Wednesday (28th) as the feature of OUR Coffeehouse, put on by the Artists for Creative Alliance at Reid Hall – 7pm, $5
*Going up to Silver Star Mountain Saloon on Thursday (29th) to play an after ski/snowboard wind down 3-6pm
*Lastly…..BRINGING THE BAND TO FERNANDO’S TO ROCK OUT ON SATURDAY (31ST)!!! 9PM. Can’t wait to introduce ma Drummer, Darren Beattie, and ma Bass man, Matt Langill. Dancing boots highly recommended for this evening :).
Happy 2015, Upcoming Shows, and Inventions
Greetings All, and Happy New Year!
I hope the holidays have been fantastic for everyone out there, whether you wanted rest, action, sunshine, or snow :).
I have had a really nice time back in the Okanagan with family, and wanted to share a picture below of something that we did on New Year’s Eve. Ended up playing a bunch of board games with my lady and nieces, and after a few rounds of Jenga, we started “adapting,” the game. The challenge given in the picture below was to make an arched bridge, high enough for the game box to pass under like a boat.
Try it for yourself, and make a new design……..not the easiest of tasks! If you try, email your pictures to michael@michaelaverill.com.
I’m looking forward to getting back to playing and touring this year, and here is where I will be in January:
Jan. 3rd – Luke’s, Vancouver, 9pm, Solo Show
Jan. 9th – Luke’s, Vancouver, 9pm, Full Band
Jan. 10th – Jam Workshop, West Point Grey Community Center, $15, 1-3pm
Jan. 11th – Vancouver City Limits Feature, 1216 Bute, 6-8pm
Jan. 12th – Brix, Yaletown/Vancouver, 7:30pm, Solo
Jan. 16th – Howe Sound Brewery, Squamish, 8:30pm, Solo
Jan. 17th – Luke’s, Vancouver, 9pm, Solo Show
Jan. 23rd – Luke’s, Vancouver, 9pm, Full Band
Jan. 28th – OUR Coffee House, Kelowna, 7:30pm, $5, Solo Story Show
Jan. 29th – Silver Saloon, Silver Star Mountain, Vernon, 3-6pm
Jan. 31st – Fernando’s, Kelowna, Full Band, 9pm, $10
See you around soon, and remember to have fun with Jenga! haha.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and share the latest of a family tradition.
My mother has been painting windows like this since she was a little girl, and got me started on it around 20 years ago. I just finished this one in time for Christmas. Thanks to my old duo mate Jen Miller for the Christmas card that had this Santa picture on it!
Have a wonderful holiday,
Michael
Okanagan Musicians Acoustify The Railway Club Dec. 15th
This is going to be a very special show. Once every year or two I cross musical paths with an old friend I went to high school with in Kelowna – Sherri Anne Nyberg, and her group Sister Speak. They are an incredible acoustic folk rock group, now residing in San Diego, and some of the warmest people I know. They have also been making serious waves in the music industry throughout the US, and I always look forward to hearing their new stuff.
To top it off, my great friend and killer songwriter Colby Ramsay (also an Okanagan native) is returning from Montreal, and will be joining us onstage. Jams and collaborations of magical proportions are bound to occur, and will make for a wonderful evening.
I will be playing some new songs solo I am about to record I have yet to perform live, so come early for a sneak listen/peek.
Video with Shera Kelly and Upcoming Shows
I have had the pleasure of being a part of a really cool project called Everyday Music a number of times now with different artists, and wanted to share one I played some backup percussion on recently.
Introducing the lovely Shera Kelly, and her song “Uprising.”
You can find out more about the project (1000 songs, by 1000 artists, in 1000 days) and the man behind it (Rod Matheson) by clicking on the picture below.
December Shows:
Dec. 5th/6th – Jack’s Waterfront Pub, Tofino, BC, 9pm. Friday is a Christmas night!
Dec. 12th – Luke’s, Vancouver, 9pm, Full Band with Darren Beattie and Matt Langill
Dec. 15th – Railway Club, Vancouver, 8:30pm, $7, with Sister Speak and Colby Ramsay
Dec. 19th – Deep Cove Coffee House, 7:30pm, Mt. Seymour United Church
Dec. 20th – Luke’s, Vancouver, 9pm, solo set
Inspiring November Day
Jericho Beach – One of my favourite walks. Amazing to me to catch someone paddling in shorts at the beginning of November in Vancouver.
Happy Halloween!
BOO!!
Hahahaha….Well…here we are…..one of my favourite days of the year, and I have a cold…..Bums! Since I couldn’t go out and be Halloweeny, I decided I would be creative nonetheless. I noticed our trusty guard spider outside today working away, and videoed the process….However, it wasn’t complete on its own, so I recorded a cover of one of my favourite all time songs to go with it’s awesomeness….Hope you enjoy, and Happy Halloween!
Luke’s Tonight/Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon Sunday
Me and the boys (Darren Beattie and Matt Langill) reunited last week to play at Luke’s, and we’re back again tonight! Gonna wear suits…just cause we have them and never wear them! haha.
Also, I’ll be playing a fun slot on Sunday, Oct. 26th as part of the Vancouver Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon on the seawall near David Lam Park. Come out and say hello, whether you’re walking or running by. I’ll be playing between 10 – 11am. 
Gift in the Mail
I think one of the greatest ways to experience a surprise is receiving something special through the mail. I mean, good surprises are awesome regardless, but when something arrives in your mail box you weren’t expecting, it’s the coolest feeling!
I had this happen to me the other day, and it’s really special. My last post referred to an artist – Prashant Miranda – that I met on the train. This story is from someone else I met on the same journey – a kind woman named Bev.
During one of my performances, I was speaking about my Dad’s link to CBC’s Peter Gzowski (Click here if you don’t know the back story), and shared the story of how my Dad’s song became a theme for Peter’s show for a short time frame. Now, a couple of years ago, when I was researching into my Dad’s history for “I’d Rather Walk,” I wanted to connect with Peter, but found out he had passed away a few years previous. I knew Peter was a major Canadian icon and did a tremendous amount for the arts and culture in Canada, but I didn’t know that much about him.
Back to the train – Bev, who was listening, spoke up and mentioned she new a man (R.B. Fleming) that had written Peter Gzowski’s biography, and that she would send me his book.
I am always fascinated by the timing of things – this book arrived a day before my Dad’s birthday, with a personal inscription from R.B. Fleming…..Wild!
And so the cycle of connections continues. Thanks Bev and Rae for sending this my way!
Something to do after reading this – Send someone a surprise in the mail – if you don’t know their postal code, you can find them at Canada Post online.
New Artistic Friend on the Road
People often ask me if I like being on the road, and usually imply that it is a very tough go. I admit that there are times when I feel the pull of home and miss my loved ones and friends, but getting out and seeing new places brings something very special to me.
I actually love being out on the road, on the water, in the air, underground..haha…where ever you can go, I am a big fan. However, it is not for the feeling of “getting away,” or escaping as it is often referred to, that I enjoy so much. Having a career as a touring musician demands frequent travel, but beyond that, I am ultra fascinated with how things work in different places around the world. That, and meeting the people that live in all these wonderful areas that make them great.
Just wanted to take a moment to share with you something that came my way recently. During the summer, while I was performing on VIA Rail coming back from Toronto, I met a whole cast of outstanding individuals. I want to introduce you to one of them – Prashant Miranda! (Click on the photo to see his work and blog).
Prashant is an incredible water colour painter, also the fastest one I have ever encountered, a vibrant personality, and a wicked singer. One of the last performances I had on the train, he belted out a few beauties on the guitar in a group jam, and it was awesome.
Earlier in the trip, I initiated the writing of a song with the passengers that essentially took 2 days to complete. Prashant lent massive insight and inspiration into the tune, and perhaps I will post it when I make a recording of it. However, in the span of a few minutes in the first session, Prashant whipped this up – look below. Recognize that crazy character? haha. Prashant journals this way, and the whole train trip, among other adventures, is on his blog. Take a moment to check out his site and work. You may find some familiar places in his paintings :). Honour to meet you and spend time Prashant!
Summer 2014 Tour Heading Back West And New Bard Blog Up
I am delighted to say my tour to Newfoundland and back as been a major success, and as last year, an absolute pleasure. I am so grateful for all the new friends and music family I have acquired on this trip. Thank you all for a wonderful summer.
Tonight, I leave Toronto heading west on the Iron Via Horse. Next shows are on Vancouver Island first week of September, and then into the STUDIO FOR THE NEXT ALBUM!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!! Can’t wait.
If you’re in the Ucluelet/Tofino area, stop in on these dates and places:
Sept. 4th – Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet, BC
Sept. 5th and 6th, Jack’s Waterfront Pub, Tofino, BC
Also, I just put up a new Bard’s Blog, and it’s a hilarious tale from my performance time on the Marine Atlantic Ferry. Click on the whale below for a few laughs….
See you soon Western Canada!
31 Shows in 41 Days
CHOOAWOO!!
As of Friday July 18th, I’m packing my trusty guitar on Via Rail, and headed east for a full on summer tour. I’ll be sharpening all my new songs before recording my new upcoming album in September, and I’d love your feedback! If you happen to be in any of the above locations at the assigned times, drop me a line – michael@michaelaverill.com, as I’d love to see ya. I’m going as far as St. John’s NFLD, and back to Tofino, BC, so it’s literally a coast to coast tour. Can’t wait to see some familiar eastern faces :).
Michael Averill and Shawna Caspi Play CocoaNymph’s Last Show June 6th
Greetings, and happy June 1st!
There is going to be a very special show this Friday June 6th in Vancouver (10th and Alma) at CocoaNymph. I will be playing an intimate acoustic set along side singing/guitar wizard/Toronto native – Shawna Caspi, for what is to be the last show CocoaNymph will ever hold.
Rachel, the founder of this amazing Vancouver icon and avid supporter of community, has given so much to so many people over the years, and my heart sinks to see this venue close its doors.
Come down Friday to enjoy some heart felt songs, and to give thanks/hugs to Rachel Sawatzky and her team. They created such a positive and welcoming space for anyone to come to, and have truly had an impact on the community. Feel free to bring stories of how Rachel and CocoaNymph have positively affected you, and let’s celebrate together the old fashioned way :).
Vancouver Island Walking Tour Finishes
After a few weeks and a couple hundred Kilometers of adventuring, I am happy to say my Vancouver Island walking tour is complete. It was an absolute thrill to get to know the island and its lovely people, and I can’t wait to come back in the fall.
Thanks to all who were incredibly supportive and welcoming. It was amazing to make so many great new connections.
This sign I saw on one of my walks below says all that needs saying about Vancouver Island…….
I just wrote a new Bard’s Blog called “I Saw The Signs…In Comox!” that highlights a specific walk from Courtenay to Comox. Click on the above photo to read, and to see some more fun pictures 🙂
So far, totaled with last summer on the east coast, I have walked 821 km of Canadian soil! Looking forward to the next round…….
I’d Rather Walk Through Vancouver Island…
Greetings!
I am most happy to report I began my Vancouver Island portion of my walking tour on Sunday May 4th in Victoria, and thus far has proved amazing! There will be some fun stories to follow, but for now, just an update with new shows that have sprung up.
May 9th – Jack’s Waterfront Pub w/Windborn, Tofino, BC, 9pm
May 10th – Char’s Landing, Port Alberni, BC, 8pm
May 12th – Duncan Showroom, Duncan, BC, 8pm
May 16th – Nanaimo Folk Connection Coffee House, Nanaimo BC, 7pm
If anyone is interested in a walk in any of these locations, feel free to message me at michael@michaelaverill.com
Trees of unusual size…..I now believe they exist!
Can you say….”TREEZILLA!” It’s impossible not to say if you go wandering through the Big Tree Trail in Tofino. The tree in this photo is actually one of the smaller trees on the trail we saw on this amazing 2 1/2 hour hike. The diameter was at least 15 feet, and they got much bigger down the trail!!!!
I played a couple of shows at Jack’s Waterfront Pub with Shera Kelly a week ago, and on top of having an amazing show experience, seeing this forest was truly inspiring. Highly highly highly recommend going there if you’re in Tofino. Contact the good people at Tofino Water Taxi, and they’ll take care of you.
Cherry Blossom Interview on Co-op Radio
Had an opportunity to speak with Shannon Waters of Co-op Radio the other day regarding the Cherry Blossom Festival. Click on the link below to listen. The interview is between 43min – 52min.
Global TV Clip From Cherry Blossom Festival
This was a great event to be involved with. I got to do a short interview with Global TV about it……..I used my alias…”Mark Averill,” in case anyone wonders……..;)