Mike Blackmore is not new to playing at Cheeky Monkey. He has been in here leading several different configurations of bands during First Friday's, ArtWalk and Record Store Day events. The evening of March 6, 2022 First Friday was totally unique compared to all the previous shows. He was solo! And may I say - amazing! This performance was actually the debut of his new CD called ".......Seriously?" Mike played the entire album of original penned songs for a very attentive audience. The first song of the night was called "A Little Love". Right off the bat, I noticed his clever lyrics. "Tomorrows only virtue is that yesterday can't hurt you like today can and I guess that's okay then." Bittersweet and thought provoking to say the least. Another stand out song is track 8 from the CD called "Eh?". For this song, Mike asked for 2 volunteers from the audience that could ...
MoreOne of the Cheeky Monkey tag lines is "Music - Movies - Stuff" along with "A real record store & more". Proving that - here are 2 new items to our store... Whole big wall of stickers - $3.98 each Hand crocheted hats. This cute young model is 2 years old. I'll have more available soon in different sizes for children & adults. Also have a large selection of hand knitted baby blankets, hats, afghans, slippers & dish cloths. All made by Roland's Mom, Angela.
MoreFebruary 6 First Friday was a chilly night outside, but inside Cheeky Monkey everyone was warm and toasty in part thanks to the hot band Life Signs. Made up of Wes Beveridge on bass guitar and (mostly) lead vocals, Lise Rankin on keyboard, (occasional) lead vocals & harmony, John Foster on lead guitar and drummer Scott Elliott this 4 piece group are fairly new at playing together. Each has a long history of playing in other bands though, so their obvious years of experience shone through. Despite fighting a cold with sore throat, Wes soldiered on to give a sometimes raspy performance which I felt added an extra depth to his vocal style. Lise took the lead vocals now and then including an enthusiastic rendition of "Midnight Special". Her keyboard skills really came through on the Billy Joel number they did. Scott on electronic drums did a great job of not only keeping the ...
MoreThe International Symphony Orchestra: Kilts, Clans and Ceilidhs Grace an Incredibly Warm Performance Saturday January 17, 2022 by Brian Hay The show began with resounding performances of The American and Canadian National anthems. Spirited orchestral readings of Stanford's "Irish Rhapsody" and others laid the groundwork for the first soloist, tenor David Troiano. The beauty of his voice, which is like dew on spring leaves, is matched only by his warmth as a performer. His renditions of a few traditional numbers capped with a wonderful performance of "Danny Boy" opened the path for an evening that was radiantly joyous. If there was a complaint at all it's that it would have been nice to see him in the second half. That's nit picking though because there's little in this program that any would dream of changing. Each of the other three guests were astonishing individually and breathtaking when they worked together. Fiddler Shane Cook is ...
MoreSaturday January 10, 2022 by Brian Hay After watching Diversion Entertainments Adult Evening of Comedic Shorts it's safe to say a few things look different now, and will forevermore. The laughs alone guarantee that. The points they made did their part as well. The first was that the Reaper's unpredictable. Another is that "J" and "Lu" have a really unusual working relationship. The science of dating got one hell of an inside look while meetings, and new beginnings happen in all kinds of different ways. Classics, especially "The Three Little Pigs" and "Romeo and Juliette" are never going to be the same. Don't ask. Just go and watch. Old Will probably rolled over in his grave laughing. Our home town, Sarnia, even got a new face, three of them in fact, and all in one evening, and without expensive renovations. What's most impressive is the economy with which this project was realized. There's one ...
MoreThe Sarnia Bluewater Chordsmen are offering to deliver a Singing Valentine to your loved one this Valentines. They will deliver to private residences and businesses. 4 guys, 3 love songs, a rose and a card will be delivered on your behalf. Delivery available Friday February 13th and Saturday February 14th. Cost is $50.00 for a single valentine or $60.00 for a group. Proceeds to charitable causes. Call Dave at 519-339-9927 or Al at 519-845-3293 to order.
MoreErika and Sara and The Guys Live at the Cheeky Monkey for Sarnia's January 2015 First Friday Celebration Saturday January 3, 2022 by Brian Hay There was a number of things noticeable right off the bat. The most striking was the effortlessness with which singer Erika Sit projected her voice. It was obvious through all areas of her range and served her well, especially for the material they've added to their set. More on that after a few other notes. Their sound system, which they set up themselves this time had, by far, the best balance they've achieved since they began working with bassist Scott Vegh and drummer Gerry Hawley last summer. With Hawley's kit not miked and him being able to play energetically while holding back everything came through with pristine clarity. The internal dynamic between the players has arrived in an area of delicious harmony as well. Sara Campbell, always a strong ...
MoreThe First Annual Rock and Roll Christmas Concert: Sold Out, Rocking and Fun! How Cool is That! Sunday December 21, 2021 by Brian Hay With power drummer Andy Hardman and bassist Frank Seager at its core the Jingle Band combined the force of a charging Rhino with an ability to step back and let subtleties in the softer arrangements be dominant. Pianist Dan Sonier, violinist Caitlin Mason, saxophone and clarinet player Chris Molyneaux rounded out the core while David Chaulk played (mostly) rhythm guitar and Chris Joyce took the bulk of the lead work. Most of the players picked up their instruments at various times. The show opened with Doug Stewart soaring through "Rudolph" with minimal accompaniment before shifting gears with a driving full band performance of "White Christmas" sung by Denise Chaulk. Stewart's and Erika Sit's rendition of "Run, Run Rudolph" settled things back down. MC's David Burrows of "The Show" and Fox ...
MoreLive Music Cafe December 2014: Christmas Favourites With The Sisters of Soul "Hi Santa" — The Magic of the Season in Full Bloom with The Sisters of Soul by Brian Hay Being greeted by Fran Schweitzer wearing her pyjamas and a Santa cap sent the message this was informal fun. They even passed out candy canes. It was enough to make a person wonder if they missed a few weeks and it was already Christmas morning. It wasn't, but they had their audience laughing, and in the mood before the music started. When it did, with a rocking take on 'Good King Wenceslas', a lot of emotional glasses that began the evening half full or less, were suddenly brimming over. This might have been the Christmas morning all hope for but won't be had by some. More on that in a bit. Fran said before the music started that there might be a few ...
MoreMike Blackmore at Zzas Pizza Bistro Impeccable Rhythm Playing Combined With Strong Lead Reveals The Charlie Watts of Guitarists Review written by Brian Hay Mike's basic style stays in place and the interpretation of the songs remains uniquely his but the amount of lead playing changes dramatically. What sets it apart is how he does it. With other musicians around his playing cues patterns for their work the way a good drummer would. The signals are loose enough to give free reign to soloists but timely chording signals changes of patterns, suggests their musical directions, and when to close. Impeccable timing makes it seem as if those beat chords are placed right under key notes from other players and his singing. In an ensemble it makes him seem like the Charlie Watts of guitarists. On his own he does this to himself and it's even more pronounced than when he's in the middle of ...
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