top of page

Starting Something New

Writer's picture: STST

Updated: Dec 4, 2024

For years, I've looked for a venue where musicians can share their music with appreciative, attentive audiences in an intimate setting. It would be a place for concerts, but have space for social interactions too.


In that venue, there would be off-stage time to share experiences, support others in their journeys as performers, and do workshops to improve our craft.


Beginning in January 2025, Club 240, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 240, will be that venue. We'll be getting together on Thursday nights, starting at 6:30 p.m.


Early days

In the early days, other musicians offered advice, criticism, and guidance, especially in jam sessions and during the time before and after gigs. A lot of this happened on stage or when kicking back after the show.

There were harsh criticisms like "You can't play like that here."

There was friendly advice like "It's easier if you play it like this."

There was gentle guidance like "Pause to feel your heart beat to find your rhythm before you play."


One night, in the green room at Yuk Yuks Vancouver, a visiting headliner asked my then duo partner what he was there to do. He replied, "I play a little guitar." The headliner growled, "You're nuthin' until you commit. If all you do is play a little guitar, you'll never get there."


Open Mics and Jams these days

When I drop in at open mics and jams these days, I see and hear very little of the sharing from those early days. Maybe we've all gotten too used to reading our phones while waiting our turn to play.


Often, I see people who have worked hard to prepare a set, get up for their turn to play, do their best, and be largely ignored by a noisy, inattentive audience. After perfunctory applause, they return to their seat knowing no better, how they did or what to do better next time.


Let's Make a Change Together

Club 240 is a great venue for doing things better. There's a roomy stage, a sprung dance floor, seating for an attentive audience, and a separate area for socializing and chit-chat. You can't fix what you can't hear, but I promise, you'll be able to hear yourself on this stage.


Club 240 has been host to some great acts lately, and to play on their stage can be an inspiring aspirational experience. I still remember the long walk from the audience to the stage at The Yale.  If you know what I'm talking about, you know what I'm talking about.


We can have solo performances, collaborations, jam sessions and workshops.


More to come.


Join me, won't you?


About me

I've been performing around the lower mainland for a long time, and for most of that time, I also ran jams and open mics. In the late 80s it was Blues jams in downtown Vancouver, and later, it was open mics and jams on East Beach, White Rock, Centennial Park, and at Alex House in Crescent Beach.


All that time, I've been scouting venues. It's nice to have finally found one.

186 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


bottom of page