Music Week PEI

Although January is not necessarily the time of year one would consider visiting the province of Prince Edward Island, I was invited to attend Music Week PEI and was thoroughly impressed with the music community on the Island.

Beginning January 17 and running through to the 22nd, Music Week culminated with a packed house show at The Confederation Centre for the Arts in Charlottetown. With live performances and PEI Award ceremonies, the evening closed with a memorable tribute to Snowbird composer Gene MacLellan and featured John Connolly, Meaghan Blanchard, Catherine MacLellan, Colette Cheverie, Katie McGarry, Scott Parsons and Rose Cousins among others.

Taking home four awards including Group of the Year, Haunted Hearts were a crowd favourite. The country band also won Songwriter, Album and Best Country Recording of the Year. A full list of winners is available at http://www.musicpei.com/



Music PEI Male Vocalist of the Year - John Connolly




Other highlights of the week included a show at Le Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside on Wednesday, a Bluebird North Songwriter's Concert hosted by Dean McTaggart at Harmony House in Hunter River and Friday Night Live! at various Charlottetown clubs.

Charlottetown plays host to the Tournament of Hearts in February (if curling's your thing) and the East Coast Music Awards April 13 to 17th http://ecma.com/

You can't beat the Island hospitality...no matter what time of year!

On Into 2011

Here's the new year and it's time to get the Monday Night Music Sessions rolling again. Check out some of the upcoming events at The Downtown Bookstore in January and February.
If you've got the January blahs...think Summerfolk! August 19, 20 & 21. Tickets are available for what promises to be a highlight of the summer of 2011.
We are now accepting submissions for our March Discoveries youth showcases (for those 21 and under).
Also at the end of March, the 26th to be exact, we'll be holding our annual Last Chance Saloon at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound to put the finishing touch on the Summefolk lineup.
So there's lots to look forward to this year. Think music to keep you warm.