On March 16th, Paul Rempel will start our program off in style with a feature set. Paul closed out our last open stage on February 16th. The regular program of performers who have signed up for the Open Stage will follow Paul’s opening performance.
Paul Rempel is a local singer/songwriter and has been part of the Black Walnut Folk Club since its early days at the U of W…almost 20 years ago.
Back then he heard Jack Cole’s amazing voice for the first time – listened to Geoff Lewis sing his Irish songs (where everyone ended up dead from famine, or war or mine disasters) – or waited for Marianne Epp to show up near the end of each evening to cap off the night….so many great and inspiring performers came through the welcoming and revolving door.
Paul used to entertain at local clubs and pubs – Little Lulu’s, Fiddle and Firkin, Blue Moon, Wellington Arms – to name a few. But the Black Walnut was a supportive group – open and accepting of original music, rather that the mainstream numbers that pub crowds demanded.
Paul has also performed in more that 15 musical theatre productions with KW Musical Productions (Centre in the Square and St. Jacob’s Playhouse)
Paul spent 35 years as a teacher and school administrator, but his avocation has always been singing and song writing.
Musically, Paul’s writing spans all the genres – folk, rock, country, bluegrass – with major influences from Gord Lightfoot, Jonathan Edwards, JJ Cale, Ry Cooder, John Prine etc. – but he’d describe his music more like “Jimmy Buffet’ than anyone else.
He loves to explore relations ships and life situations – everything from their demise to sweetest surprise – and every song comes with a personal story to add perspective and an element of understanding or a touch of humour.

Bring your guitars, accordions, voices, acoustic instruments of all sorts or just your eyes and ears and make yourself feel at home. Do not feel shy because you have not played for us before.  The doors will open and sign-up for the open stage will start at 7:30 pm. Remember when you sign up you get to play/sing two songs in a set of 10 minutes or less and you need to be ready to start playing when your turn starts so you won’t lose any of your 10 minutes.
Our  Code of Conduct  and other details are outlined on our About Page.  The parking is free at the back of the Mill-Courtland Community Centre and admission is still $3 at the door. the facility is wheelchair accessible, alcohol, smoke and peanut free and every show is different. If you don’t come, you’ll miss it. The next open stage will be April 20th.

If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, please post a comment or send a private email to: mailto:wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com`

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Friday February 16th, Long Weekend – Great Music. Our performers were:
1. Doug Peterman
2. Barb Scott
3. Jakki Annerino
4. Neil Light
5. Gord Castle
6. Sean Purdy – NEW
7. Wayne Cheater
8. Ron Hammar
9. Cam and Pat
10. Paul Rempel

We’ll be back for the next Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 8pm, with a feature set by Paul Rempel.  

I am falling behind with my Blog maintenance but this is the important thing: On Friday February 16, 2018 at 8pm we will be back at the Mill Courtland Community Centre for our monthly Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage.  We don’t have a featured performer this month so there will be time for lots of Open Stage performances.

Bring your guitars, accordions, voices, acoustic instruments of all sorts or just your eyes and ears and make yourself feel at home. Do not feel shy because you have not played for us before.  The doors will open and sign-up for the open stage will start at 7:30 pm. Remember when you sign up you get to play/sing two songs in a set of 10 minutes or less and you need to be ready to start playing when your turn starts so you won’t lose any of your 10 minutes.
Our  Code of Conduct  and other details are outlined on our About Page.  The parking is free at the back of the Mill-Courtland Community Centre and admission is still $3 at the door. the facility is wheelchair accessible, alcohol, smoke and peanut free and every show is different. If you don’t come, you’ll miss it. The next open stage will be March 16th.

If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, please post a comment or send a private email to: mailto:wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com`

We had a lovely evening on Friday, January 19th. We missed a few regulars but had some great visits from folks that we have been missing and a first-time performer. Our performers were:
1. Sue
2. Bob (Sue and Bob had guests, it was hard to keep track of who was actually on-stage)
3. Scott Abrams
4. Jakki Annerino
5. David Maranta
6. Jay Collins
7. Gord Castle
8. Neil Light
9. Ron Hammar
10. Barb Scott
11. Lenny Everson – NEW & Rebecca Nickerson
12. Cam Kemp
13. Wayne Cheater

We’ll be back for the next Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 8pm.

On Friday, October 20th we were missing lots of our core group to set up and produce the show.  Thanks to Scott, Lois, and Jakki who did everything.  We’ll be back with the next Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage on Friday, November 17th. On October 20th our Open Stage performers were:

1. Jack Cole
2. Mike & Tamara
3. Don, Bob & Sue
4. Son & Reid
5. Gord Castle
6. Jakki Annerino
7. Ron Hammar
8. Doug Peterman

We took a short break and then restarted with the “Spur of the Moment Band” consisting of Wayne Cheater, Scott Abrams Denise & Chris B. who led the gathering in a sing-a-long of “Wheat Kings” in tribute to the memory of Gord Downie. This was followed by the following Open Stage performers:

1. Cam & Pat
2. Denise & Chris B.
3. Chris B.
4. Wayne Cheater
5. Adam Lang
6. Scott Abrams

On Friday, September 15th we  started our 24th season of Black Walnut Open Stages. With only a few remaining days of Official summer, the temperatures rose and we heard of folks squeezing their last weekend in cottage  country or further north. We’ll be back on Friday, October 20th with the next Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage. On September 15th our Open Stage performers were:

1. Dan Hergott
2. Wayne Cheater
3. Jim Penny
4. Lawrence Cresswell
5. Son Dane  (NEW)
6. David Maranta
7. Neil Light
8. Rebecca Nickerson & Cathy King
9. Pat and Cam
10. Scott Abrams

On Friday, June 16, 2017, our final session before the summer break, started off with a feature set by DJam Jazz Combo.

The DJam Jazz Combo is more than just Jazz. They play a lively mix of Jazz, Blues, Latin, Pop and Originals. The Combo is comprised of David Maranta (Guitar and Vocals), Jeff Willmer(Alto Sax) and Mike VanDeHogan(Acoustic Bass). DJam plays regularly at the Kitchener Market, local galleries and outdoor venues.

The trio featuring Dave Maranta -Vocal and Guitar, Jeff Wilmer Tenor sax & Mike on stand–up bass. They have performed as part of our Open Stage before, but this time they did a 30 minute feature performance which was video recorded for release soon. We will let you know when, just as soon as we find out the release date.

Now we will take a 2 month break, with no Black Walnut Open Stage events until September 15th. On Friday, June 16th. Our feature performers were DJam Band, who were followed by a great list of open stage performers including a fist-ever appearance by a four piece group. The open stage performers were as follows:
1. Kathy King
2. Randy Ouillette
3. Tumpline Symphony – NEW
4. Don and Bob
5. Jakki Annerino
6. Anne and Gord
7. Doug Peterman
8. Scott Abrams
9. Wayne Cheater
10. Ron Hammar
11. Rebecca Niche & Kathy King

DJam Jazz Combo will be featured at our Acoustic Open Stage next Friday, June 16th at 8 pm. They will start at 8pm with a 30 minute feature set that will be Video-Recorded Live. Every thing else: $3 admission, and signup for open stage at 7:30pm will be the same as usual.

The DJam Jazz Combo is more than just Jazz. They play a lively mix of Jazz, Blues, Latin, Pop and Originals. The Combo is comprised of David Maranta (Guitar and Vocals), Jeff Willmer(Alto Sax) and Mike VanDeHogan(Acoustic Bass). DJam plays regularly at the Kitchener Market, local galleries and outdoor venues.

Bring your guitars, accordions, voices, acoustic instruments of all sorts or just your eyes and ears and make yourself feel “at home”.  Do not feel shy because you have not played for us before.  The doors will open and sign-up for the open stage will start at 7:30 pm. Remember when you sign up you get to play/sing two songs in a set of 10 minutes or less and you need to be ready to start playing when your turn starts so you won’t lose any of your 10 minutes.
The details are outlined on our About Page.  The parking is free at the back of the Mill-Courtland Community Centre and admission is still $3 at the door. the facility is wheelchair accessible, alcohol, smoke and peanut free and every show is different. If you don’t come, you’ll miss it. The next open stage will be September 15th.
If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, please post a comment or send a private email to:  mailto:wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com