Category: Open Stage

  • Next Black Walnut Will Be 7:30pm Friday February 21, 2025

    We started our open stage, on January 17th, with an announcement by Ellen Hergott that the Black Walnut Folk Club will cease to exist after the Open stage in May of this year. Thank you so much to all the musicians and volunteers, present and past, for making the Black Walnut Open Stage the great success it has been. Our final 4 dates are:
    Fridays, February 21, March 21, April 18 and May 16 in case you’d like to come out one last time. We’d love to see you!!!

    Back to our next Open Stage Nite: Doors open and performers’ sign-up starting at 7:15pm. We will aim to finish at about 10:00 pm. As a rule, if we have more than 3 performers left at 9:30 we may limit the last performers to one song and no more than 5 min. We find that this may be necessary when more than 14 performers are signed up or if there are unusual delays. If you miss this date, our next open stage date will be March 21, 2025. A few other things that we are expecting are:
    1 Strong reminder for performers: Don’t forget this is for music, not for stories, spoken word, magic tricks, etc… AND don’t play along when someone else has the stage, unless they ask you to share the stage with them;
    2 We strongly discourage use of your own mics other than SM57 or SM58 and do not bring any add-on processor/pedals/effects, amps or other sound gear. We do not have enough time to get any benefit from the stuff that performers have been bringing. Sorry, but 10 minutes is not a very long time and our own mics work very well. If you need a keyboard please bring it in at doors-open so that we can set it up in advance;
    3 Performers may use removable foam pop filters (windscreens) which they will obtain, install, remove and keep for the next time. We hope all performers will bring their windscreens that we gave out previously. Now is probably a good time to hand wash the foam windscreens (separately so the dye wont stain any other stuff). They wash and air dry nicely. We will keep a small supply of these available which we will sell for $1 each to cover our costs;
    4 Masks will not be mandatory but they will be welcomed, AND
    5 Anyone who has been recently exposed to or has symptoms of COVID, Flu, RSV or other contagious illness is directed to stay away.
    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 7:15 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 entrance and free parking are 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.
    If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, please post a comment or send a private email to: wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com We have posted our “Code of Conduct” and other details on this website.
    No-Smoking Reminder: The entire Community Centre property is included in the City of Kitchener policy of a total ban on smoking on the property. That includes tobacco, marijuana and other smoking and includes both inside and outside the Community Centre.
    At 8 pm we will lock the outside door and put a notice there to say, “The building is closed to all those who are not participating in the Black Walnut Open Stage Event from 7:30 pm – 10 pm. Please knock at the rear doors so that you may be admitted to that event.”

  • Post from Jakki Annerino, Farewell Black Walnut Folk Club

    I just want to let everyone know that after 30 years we are closing down the Black Walnut Open Stage. May will be our last open mic. We have been at the Mill Courtland Community Centre since September 2000 and they have been very supportive of our open mic nights. The centre will be closing for an 18 months long renovation, so we decided that this is a good time to complete this musical adventure. I have been part of the organizing group almost since the beginning in 1994. It has been a highly supportive venue for performers of all skill levels to share their music with a listening audience. We’ve had an eclectic mix of music over the years from hundreds of talented performers from far and wide. We have had a dedicated team of volunteers to run sound, set up and provide refreshments. For me personally, I am so grateful to have been part of this. I have met so many amazing musicians and have made so many wonderful friends over the years. I will really miss the Black Walnut. After the May open stage, we will sell our equipment and donate the proceeds plus any funds in the bank to local charities. Thank you so much to all the musicians and volunteers, present and past, for making the Black Walnut Open Stage the great success it has been. Our final 4 dates are:
    Fridays, February 21, March 21, April 18 and May 16 in case you’d like to come out one last time. We’d love to see you!!! Doors Open at 7:15 for musician sign-up. 216 Mill St. Back entrance.
    Here is the Black Walnut timeline for those who are interested. Autumn 1994-Waterloo Region Arts Council Office, February 1995 -Gerritt’s Village Tavern, July 1995 – Jester’s Court (the current Boathouse), September 1997- Laurel Room, September 2000 to present – Mill Coutland Community Centre.

  • Performers on Friday January 17, 2025

    We started our new year with an announcement that the Black Walnut Folk Club will cease to exist after the Open stage in May of this year. We will post more details seperately. Thanks to everyone who Showed up, helped out and/or performed at the Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage on Friday January 17, 2025. Some Photos can be found on our Facebook Group at Facebook Link . We will be back for our next event, Friday February 21st at 7:30pm. We had a fine selection of performers, including two first-time performers, as listed below:
    1. Carol Barton
    2. Al Parrish
    3. John Walker
    4. Eric Greenspoon
    5. Jakki Annerino
    6. Neil Light
    7. David Maranta
    8. Ron Hammar
    9. Sonny & Vivian
    10. Carley & Joachim
    11. Richard Reinhardt
    12. Wayne Cheater
    13. Bruce Crosby
    14. Ash Parrish
    15. Cam & Pat
    16. Terry – NEW
    17. Dave – NEW

  • Next Black Walnut Will Be Friday, January 17. 2025

    The Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage will be back at the Mill Courtland Community Centre, 216 Mill Street in Kitchener on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:30-10:00 pm. Doors open and performers’ sign-up starting at 7:15pm. We will aim to finish at about 10:00 pm. As a rule, if we have more than 3 performers left at 9:30 we may limit the last performers to one song and no more than 5 min. We find that this may be necessary when more than 14 performers are signed up or if there are unusual delays. If you miss this date, our next open stage date will be February 21, 2025. A few other things that we are expecting are:
    1 Strong reminder for performers: Don’t forget this is for music, not for stories, spoken word, magic tricks, etc… AND don’t play along when someone else has the stage, unless they ask you to share the stage with them;
    2 We strongly discourage use of your own mics other than SM57 or SM58 and do not bring any add-on processor/pedals/effects, amps or other sound gear. We do not have enough time to get any benefit from the stuff that performers have been bringing. Sorry, but 10 minutes is not a very long time and our own mics work very well. If you need a keyboard please bring it in at doors-open so that we can set it up in advance;
    3 Performers may use removable foam pop filters (windscreens) which they will obtain, install, remove and keep for the next time. We hope all performers will bring their windscreens that we gave out previously. Now is probably a good time to hand wash the foam windscreens (separately so the dye wont stain any other stuff). They wash and air dry nicely. We will keep a small supply of these available which we will sell for $1 each to cover our costs;
    4 Masks will not be mandatory but they will be welcomed, AND
    5 Anyone who has been recently exposed to or has symptoms of COVID, Flu, RSV or other contagious illness is directed to stay away.
    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 7:15 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 entrance and free parking are 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.
    If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, please post a comment or send a private email to: wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com We have posted our “Code of Conduct” and other details on our website: https://blackwalnutfolkclub.com .
    No-Smoking Reminder: The entire Community Centre property is included in the City of Kitchener policy of a total ban on smoking on the property. That includes tobacco, marijuana and other smoking and includes both inside and outside the Community Centre.
    At 8 pm we will lock the outside door and put a notice there to say, “The building is closed to all those who are not participating in the Black Walnut Open Stage Event from 7:30 pm – 10 pm. Please knock at the rear doors so that you may be admitted to that event.”

  • Performers On Friday, November 15, 2024

    Thanks to everyone who Showed up, helped out and/or performed at the Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage on Friday November 15, 2024. Some Photos can be found on our Facebook Group at Facebook Link . We will take a break until our next event, Friday January 17th at 7:30pm. That is not a typo. There will be no Black Walnut Event in December. We had a fine selection of performers, including one first-time performer and several folks that we had not seen for a while, as listed below:
    1. Eric
    2. Randy Ouillette
    3. John Wagner
    4. Eric Greenspoon
    5. Bruce Crosby – NEW
    6. Jakki Annerino
    7. David Maranta
    8. Carly Michael
    9. Ron Hammar
    10. Arthur Wayne Cheater
    11. Richard Reinhardt
    12. Michelle Stelter
    13. Walli and Monique
    14. Cam and Pat

  • Next Black Walnut Open Stage will be Friday, Nov. 15th

    The Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage will be back at the Mill Courtland Community Centre, 216 Mill Street in Kitchener on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:30-10:00 pm. Doors open and performers’ sign-up starting at 7:15pm. We will aim to finish at about 10:00 pm. As a rule, if we have more than 3 performers left at 9:30 we may limit the last performers to one song and no more than 5 min. We find that this may be necessary when more than 14 performers are signed up or if there are unusual delays. If you miss this date, our next open stage date will be January 15, 2025. (We will not have a date in December due to the Hall being unavailable) A few other things that we are expecting are:
    1 Strong reminder for performers: Don’t forget this is for music, not for stories, spoken word, magic tricks, etc… AND don’t play along when someone else has the stage, unless they ask you to share the stage with them;
    2 We strongly discourage use of your own mics other than SM57 or SM58 and do not bring any add-on processor/pedals/effects, amps or other sound gear. We do not have enough time to get any benefit from the stuff that performers have been bringing. Sorry, but 10 minutes is not a very long time and our own mics work very well. If you need a keyboard please bring it in at doors-open so that we can set it up in advance;
    3 Performers may use removable foam pop filters (windscreens) which they will obtain, install, remove and keep for the next time. We hope all performers will bring their windscreens that we gave out previously. Now is probably a good time to hand wash the foam windscreens (separately so the dye wont stain any other stuff). They wash and air dry nicely. We will keep a small supply of these available which we will sell for $1 each to cover our costs;
    4 Masks will not be mandatory but they will be welcomed, AND
    5 Anyone who has been recently exposed to or has symptoms of COVID, Flu, RSV or other contagious illness is directed to stay away.
    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 7:15 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 entrance and free parking are 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.
    If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, send a private email to: wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com We have posted our “Code of Conduct” and other details on our website: https://blackwalnutfolkclub.com .
    No-Smoking Reminder: The entire Community Centre property is included in the City of Kitchener policy of a total ban on smoking on the property. That includes tobacco, marijuana and other smoking and includes both inside and outside the Community Centre.
    At 8 pm we will lock the outside door and put a notice there to say, “The building is closed to all those who are not participating in the Black Walnut Open Stage Event from 7:30 pm – 10 pm. Please knock at the rear doors so that you may be admitted to that event.”

  • Performers On Friday, October 18, 2024

    Thanks to everyone who Showed up, helped out and/or performed at the Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage on Friday October 18, 2024. Some Photos can be found on our Facebook Group at Facebook Link . We will take a break until our next event, Friday November 15, 2024 at 7:30pm. On October 18, we had a fine selection of performers, as listed below:
    1. Peter van der Maas
    2. Russell Scott
    3. Carol & Kate
    4. Eric Greenspoon
    5. Carley Michael
    6. Jakki Annerino
    7. David Maranta
    8. John Walker
    9. Eric Perez
    10. Neil Light
    11. Wayne Cheater
    12. Richard Reinhardt
    13. Cam & Pat
    14. Michelle Stelter
    15. Sonny & Vivian
    16. Ron Hammar

  • Next Black Walnut Open Stage will be Friday, Oct 18th

    On October 18, 2024 we’ll be back at the Mill Courtland Community Centre. There is 1) a small change for performers; 2) a reduced schedule due to Community Center availability; 3) a sad note about the passing of a dear friend, Jeremiah Budnark; 4) the usual invitation.
    1. Change for performers: Use of mic covers, (pop filters) to protect the club mics is no longer required, but please continue to use them for your own well-being;
    2. Reduced Schedule: The schedule for 2024-25 season is reduced to 8 events and due to extensive plans for construction to extend the existing building we do not have a confirmed plan for the following year. Our dates for this season are Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15 and in 2025 they are Jan 17, Feb 21, Mar 21, Apr 18 and May 16;
    3. Jeremiah Budnark: was a welcome and valued contributor to our life in the SW Ontario live music community, for a time a fairly frequent player at Black Walnut folk events and for what seems like forever the voice for the Brantford Open Stage. On September 26th, Dave Jenson posted, “Once again my Heart is heavy with sad news. Our dear friend and supporter of BOS, Mr Jeremiah Budnark has passed away at The Brantford General. Jeremiah has been battling some health issues and sadly has succumbed to the severity of the situation. Our condolences to Lynn and Michaela who were with him as much as the hospital permitted.
    Jeremiah will be truly missed and I’m sure if there’s a gathering of musicians in the great beyond, he’ll be there.
    Rest in peace Mr. Budnark.
    Additional Information to follow.”
    4) Invitation: The 2024/25 season opener Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage will be at the Mill Courtland Community Centre, 216 Mill Street in Kitchener on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:30-10:00 pm. Doors open and performers’ sign-up starting at 7:15pm. We will aim to finish at about 10:00 pm. As a rule, if we have more than 3 performers left at 9:30 we may limit the last performers to one song and no more than 5 min. We find that this is necessary when more than 14 performers are signed up or if there are unusual delays. (If you miss this date, our next open stage date will be November 15, 2024. A few other things that we are expecting are:
    1 Strong reminder for performers: Don’t forget this is for music, not for stories, spoken word, magic tricks, etc… AND don’t play along when someone else has the stage, unless they ask you to share the stage with them;
    2 We strongly discourage use of your own mics other than SM57 or SM58 and do not bring any add-on processor/pedals/effects, amps or other sound gear. We do not have enough time to get any benefit from the stuff that performers have been bringing. Sorry, but 10 minutes is not a very long time and our own mics work very well. If you need a keyboard please bring it in at doors-open so that we can set it up in advance;
    3 Performers may use removable foam pop filters (windscreens) which they will obtain, install, remove and keep for the next time. We hope all performers will bring their windscreens that we gave out previously. Now is probably a good time to hand wash the foam windscreens (separately so the dye wont stain any other stuff). They wash and air dry nicely. We will keep a small supply of these available which we will sell for $1 each to cover our costs;
    4 Masks will not be mandatory but they will be welcomed, AND
    5 Anyone who has been recently exposed to or has symptoms of COVID, Flu, RSV or other contagious illness is directed to stay away.
    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 7:15 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 entrance and free parking are 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.
    If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, please post a comment or send a private email to: wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com We have posted our “Code of Conduct” and other details on this website.
    No-Smoking Reminder: The entire Community Centre property is included in the City of Kitchener policy of a total ban on smoking on the property. That includes tobacco, marijuana and other smoking and includes both inside and outside the Community Centre.
    At 8 pm we will lock the outside door and put a notice there to say, “The building is closed to all those who are not participating in the Black Walnut Open Stage Event from 7:30 pm – 10 pm. Please knock at the rear doors so that you may be admitted to that event.”

  • Performers On Friday September 20, 2024

    Thanks to everyone who Showed up, helped out and/or performed at the Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage on Friday September 20, 2024. We will take a break until our next event, Friday October 18, 2024 at 7:30pm. We had a fine selection of performers, as listed below:
    1. David Maranta
    2. John Anne Walker
    3. Kate Dudek
    4. Eric Greenspoon
    5. Ellen & Dan Hergott
    6. Jakki Annerino
    7. Gord Gordon Castle
    8. Ron Hammar
    9. Michelle Stelter
    10. Arthur Wayne
    11. Richard Reinhardt
    12. Greg Upshaw
    13. Cam & Pat
    14. Russell Allen Scott

  • The Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage Will Return on Friday September 20, 2024

    On September 20, 2024 we’ll be back from our summer break. There is 1) a small change for performers; 2) a reduced schedule due to Community Center availability; 3) a note about the Brantford Open stage schedule and; 4) the usual invitation.

    1. Change for performers: Use of mic covers, (pop filters) to protect the club mics is no longer required, but please continue to use them for your own well-being;

    2. Reduced Schedule: The schedule for 2024-25 season is reduced to 8 events and due to extensive plans for construction to extend the existing building we do not have a confirmed plan for the following year. Our dates for this season are Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15 and in 2025 they are Jan 15, Feb 21, Mar 21, Apr 18 and May 15;

    3. Brantford Open Stage, from a recent email : “The Brantford Open Stage’s first session of the season happens on Sunday, September 8 at the Best Western Brantford Hotel & Conference Centre. Host Dave Jensen welcomes folk as well as other styles of music. Performers, both accomplished and developing, are invited to present a 2-song (10-minute) set. Our sound system is professional quality and professionally operated. Festivities run from 2 – 5 pm, and audience admission is only $5 (performers are free). Those wishing to perform should sign in when they arrive; pre-registration is not necessary. Those wishing to be on the e-mail list should send a request to BrantfordOpenStage@gmail.com. Other dates: Sep 8 & 22 Oct 6 & 20 Nov 3 & 17 Dec 1 & 15”

    4) Invitation: The 2024/25 season opener Black Walnut Acoustic Open Stage will be at the Mill Courtland Community Centre, 216 Mill Street in Kitchener on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 7:30-10:00 pm. Doors open and performers’ sign-up starting at 7:15pm. We will aim to finish at about 10:00 pm. As a rule, if we have more than 3 performers left at 9:30 we may limit the last performers to one song and no more than 5 min. We find that this is necessary when more than 14 performers are signed up or if there are unusual delays. (If you miss this date, our next open stage date will be October 18, 2024. A few other things that we are expecting are:

    1 Strong reminder for performers: Don’t forget this is for music, not for stories, spoken word, magic tricks, etc… AND don’t play along when someone else has the stage, unless they ask you to share the stage with them;

    2 We strongly discourage use of your own mics other than SM57 or SM58 and do not bring any add-on processor/pedals/effects, amps or other sound gear. We do not have enough time to get any benefit from the stuff that performers have been bringing. Sorry, but 10 minutes is not a very long time and our own mics work very well. If you need a keyboard please bring it in at doors-open so that we can set it up in advance;

    3 Performers may use removable foam pop filters (windscreens) which they will obtain, install, remove and keep for the next time. We hope all performers will bring their windscreens that we gave out previously. Now is probably a good time to hand wash the foam windscreens (separately so the dye wont stain any other stuff). They wash and air dry nicely. We will keep a small supply of these available which we will sell for $1 each to cover our costs;

    4 Masks will not be mandatory but they will be welcomed, AND

    5 Anyone who has been recently exposed to or has symptoms of COVID, Flu, RSV or other contagious illness is directed to stay away.

    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 7:15 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 entrance and free parking are 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.
    If you are having any difficulty with viewing any content, please post a comment or send a private email to: wayne@blackwalnutfolkclub.com We have posted our “Code of Conduct” and other details on our website: https://blackwalnutfolkclub.com .

    No-Smoking Reminder: The entire Community Centre property is included in the City of Kitchener policy of a total ban on smoking on the property. That includes tobacco, marijuana and other smoking and includes both inside and outside the Community Centre.

    At 8 pm we will lock the outside door and put a notice there to say, “The building is closed to all those who are not participating in the Black Walnut Open Stage Event from 7:30 pm – 10 pm. Please knock at the rear doors so that you may be admitted to that event.”