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.
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