In 1999 Roland and I decided to close down our video rental shop of 17 years in Wallaceburg called The Video Zone. The easiest part of the major life change for us was where to move. Downtown Sarnia was an obvious choice for several reasons. A bigger city that would appreciate our extensive knowledge of music and movies, still fairly close to family just downriver, cheap rent available and great potential for rejuvenation. After 7 years of operating at 175 Christina St. N., we put in an offer to purchase 130 Christina on the corner of Cromwell that had housed Diamonds & Spurs Bar at the time. Previous to that, we were told it was Tommy's Chinese Restaurant. There is a rich history to the downtown that we are discovering thanks to groups like Sarnia Heritage Committee and most recently, a Facebook group called DO YOU REMEMBER... PLACES THAT NO LONGER EXIST IN ...
MoreYes it feels like spring is almost here/ That didn't stop a nice size crowd from coming down to Cheeky Monkey for an afternoon of live music. The band for this sunny Saturday was roots/rock band Graydon James & The Young out of Toronto. Before I talk about the band and their music, I have to say a thank you to Amie Therrien, their manager, for contacting us in the first place. Through Amie's diligence, she found our website and emailed me to ask about playing in-store before their evening gig at the Trinity Lounge. Of course, we'd love to have them play here! We really enjoy having not only our own fabulous local talent play here, but also getting to know the on-the-road out-of-town bands is very rewarding. The band that played here not long ago, was Yukon Blonde. We were a matinee before Paddy Flaherty's. Wonderful musicians & people. Now ...
MoreFirst Friday of March 2013 marked the return of Erika (Sit) and Sara (Campbell) to the Cheeky Monkey Red Carpet Stage. Erika and Sara's first performance here was almost 2 years ago I believe. They were and are two very talented young ladies we have had the pleasure of watching develop and grow as musicians over that time. Along with that, their fan base is growing quickly - and for good reason. Our original impression of them was that they had some talent - Erika as a singer and Sara on guitar. BUT they were so shy to the point of looking a tad awkward in front of a microphone. With a few gentle suggestions from us, encouragement from their biggest fans and advice from seasoned bands like CD/DC they now command the audiences attention and respect as musicians. Along with the confidence in performing, has come their writing skills. Their list of ...
MoreVideo by MARKURS is completed - here it is... Today, March 1, 2022 was the first time I have had more then my hands in a music video thanks to local musician MARKURS. Yup I was a hand model for the video of Young Luff by The Chocolate Robots a while back. My big break in video was to drop a Grumpy ornament (as in 1 of the 7 Dwarfs) into an open bag. This time, it's a head shot. Had to wear either black or white but turns out my gray plaid jacket I was wearing over a black turtle neck was perfect for the concept the director (Markurs) had in mind. The major part of the filming was done at Proper Photography which is a very eclectic loft space in the downtown area. At the same time our group was there, another photographic shoot was in progress with musician Eli ...
MoreBritish retro-soul sensation James Hunter returns and takes a giant step toward staking his place in the pop-soul pantheon alongside SAM COOKE and VAN MORRISON. Minute by Minute finds the multi-talented British Soul man at his most swingin’, unleashing the “fire in his gut” (Rolling Stone) with searing vocals and punchy guitar. This is his first album in more than five years! Hunter has teamed with Daptone mastermind Gabriel Roth [AMY WINEHOUSE, SHARON JONES] for a horn-fueled blast of deep soul and R&B. This is their first collaboration together. The album’s 12 all-new original songs were cut live in the studio by the James Hunter Six [Damian Hand/tenor sax; Lee Badau/baritone sax; Jonathan Lee/drums; Jason Wilson/double bass, Kyle Koehler/organ]. This is Hunter’s first album recorded inAmerica. Hunter has also supported the likes of ARETHA FRANKLIN, VAN MORRISON, ETTA JAMES and WILLIE NELSON among others. Hunter emerged as a Soul powerhouse in 2006 with People Gonna Talk, ...
MoreCheeky Charlie's favourite soft drink in NOW AVAILABLE in GLASS BOTTLES and sold along with Coca-Cola Classic, Zero & Diet at Cheeky Monkey. We are an EXCLUSIVE seller of these fine Coke products in glass bottles. Get them cold out of the specially designed Coca Cola fridge for $1.77 ($2 after tax) or buy them by the 6 pack for a lower price. (Not chilled). Canada Dry Ginger Ale is a true Canadian product. Read about it for yourself... CANADA DRY - TALES OF A WONDERFUL CANADIAN BEVERAGE The Canada Dry* story begins with pharmacist and chemist John J. McLaughlin, who opened a small plant in Toronto, Ontario in 1890 to manufacture soda water, which he sold to drugstores in siphons as a mixer for fruit juices and flavoured extracts. After hundreds of painstaking experiments, McLaughlin achieved the perfect formula for his Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale in 1904. In the early days, corner drug stores ...
MoreFrank & The Lake Effects are regulars at Paddy Flaherty's and we have had the honour of hosting them here at Cheeky Monkey. Be sure to see them next time they tour this way from their home base in the Soo. The CD this is from "This Time" is available here - of course.
MoreWhile out for a sunny Sunday afternoon walk, Roland and I decided to have an unplanned visit to the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery downtown. It was a wise decision on our part. We have been several times to the new gallery, including during one of it's grand openings complete with a tour guide. We were impressed, but not overwhelmed with what we saw. You have to remember, these are our opinions and the enjoyment of art of all kinds is very personal. This visit was totally different. There are two new big exhibits up currently. The first we viewed is called "Fluid Explorations". It is an exhibit of mostly watercolour paintings from 4 well respected local ladies. They are stunningly beautiful. I would LOVE to have any one of them hanging in my home. Sadly, they are not for sale through the gallery and even if they were, ...
MoreWho cared that it was a bone chilling cold February 1st evening? Certainly not the large crowd inside Cheeky Monkey that were here to enjoy seeing and hearing the legendary Six String Nation Guitar know as 'Voyageur'. Local musicians Jim Chevalier, Brenden E. Fraser, Adam Miner, Dave Miner and Mark Potvin took turns playing 'Voyageur' throughout the evening making it a wonderful mix of songs being performed using Canada's guitar. 'Voyageur's' curator, historian and man responsible for it's creation, Jowi Taylor gave a wonderful moving talk and visual presentation explaining the story behind what makes this guitar so important. As Jowi tells it, the guitar was made as a symbol of national unity, to explore Canadian identity, and to connect people from all regions in Canada. It is made from 64 pieces of bone, metal, wood, stone and fabric, representing every province and territory. The guitar's neck has wood from the deck of the Bluenose ...
MorePublished on Jan 31, 2022 Chris and Matt from Daylight for Deadeyes doing an in-store acoustic performance of their song 'Take Some Time' at Cheeky Monkey in Sarnia Ontario. July 28, 2012.
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