In this issue:

1. Tribute to Hank Young: "The Gladstone Cowboy", Nov. 8
2. Radio Notes: CKLN, CIUT, Franco, "The Grand Master"
3. Afrofest: documentary, photos
4. Womex reports
5. Event notes: A full, and very international November
6. Photography notes: concert photos, exhibit of photographs from Madagascar

1. TRIBUTE TO HANK YOUNG: "The Gladstone Cowboy", Nov. 8

Regulars at the Gladstone know that Hank, who not only operated the historic elevator, but served as the Hotel's ambassador passed away Oct. 24. Hank had been a part of the hotel since 1961.

There will be a tribute to him Sunday evening, 6-11pm, Melody Bar, Gladstone Hotel. Featuring Laura Repo, Rick and the biscuits, Joanne Mackell, Whoa Nellie, Peter Styles, The white Squirrels & Marc Roy. At 7pm, Nancy Paiva’s new documentary about Hank will have its debut screening.

For more about Hank, see this page, and details of the evening are here.

Photo: Gladstone Hotel

 

2. RADIO NOTES:

a) Welcome back CKLN

A belated welcome back to CKLN, 88.1, www.ckln.fm, lately returned to the airwaves after a protracted and painful hiatus following skirmishes over control of the board. Its diverse and intelligent programming is needed.

 

b) CIUT: Time to support local radio

CKLN's trouble shows that we can't take these unique radio voices for granted. Certainly, given their minimal advertising revenue, community radio stations simply would not exist without ongoing solid financial support from listeners. There are few sources on the airwaves to hear the kind of music covered on this website and newsletter, and without our dollars, there would be even fewer.

These stations not only broadcast music (and news) that is heard on few other stations, but they heavily promote local music and musicians. CIUT over the years has become very active in live broadcasting of music festivals, Harbourfront concerts, and most notably, every single Afrofest for over 20 years.

Surely, that contribution is worth keeping alive, and worth a small investment to do so. Even a dollar a week will help keep community radio going.

CIUT's Fundraising ends Sunday, Nov. 8:a good day to call in to pledge some support, either during Ken Stowar's long-running Global Rhythms show (3-6pm), or the station's African music show, Karibuni (6-8pm).

Click logo for CIUT's website.

c) Franco

In the last newsletter, I mentioned Afropop's podcast about Franco. Their full 1 hour radio show (originally broadcast on NPR) is now available online. Listen here.

 

3. AFROFEST: Video (& Photos)

I was recently sent the link to an excellent 10-minute documentary on the 2009 Afrofest by the filmmaker, Bernard Musoni. The film captures much of the spirit of the event, and what it means to performers, organizers and attendees. It's hard not to long for July again watching the film.

See the video here. Some of my photo highlights of Afrofest 2009 are here. Music Africa's website (organizer of Afrofest) is here.

(Photo: Oumou Sangaré at last summer's Afrofest).
 

 

4. WOMEX: World Music Expo

The 15th annual conference for world music professionals in various fields (it's now up to 2700 attendees) recently wrapped up in Copenhagen. Among its more important functions is to provide a showcase for many performers who are -- so far -- not widely known, but who are exposed to many of the most prominent world music promoters, journalists and others. Many of those musicians are who we'll see touring in the next year or two.

Each year, Nick Hobbs posts his reviews of most of that year's performances on the fRoots magazine forum. Read about some of the musicians you will likely see soon here.

More info: The Womex website has information, as well as audio and video. As well, there are two BBC Radio 3 shows with some highlights from the conference:

• Lucy Duran, on World Routes with a full show of performances and interviews. The show will be available online for a week, beginning about 10am Eastern, Sat. Nov. 7. Go here for link and details
   
• Charlie Gillett's Nov. 6 radio show, "World on 3" will feature a number of recordings and interviews (along with other music). This show will be available online for a week beginning Nov. 6 at about 8pm on this page. Charlie's notes and comments are here.

 

5. EVENT NOTES
See www.to-music.ca/events.htm for details on these and many other events.

6. ASSORTED PHOTOGRAPHY NOTES:

• Iris Dement, Oct 3 at Hugh's Room.  Read a review of her Montreal show a week later, by Carl Wilson of the Globe and Mail.
• Madagascar Slim, Sep. 27 at Hugh's Room. This was the CD release of Good Life Good Living, his first CD in 10 years, and an excellent release (and show). Slim is doing several gigs over the next month or so. I recommend catching him
• Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex, Sep. 13 at the Polish Combatants Hall. One of this year’s highlights for me. Read NOW Weekly’s review and video here.
• Carlinhos Brown, Elba Ramalho & Brazilian Day, Sep. 7 at Yonge-Dundas Square. A great end-of-summer celebration with a huge and enthusiastic audience

b) Madagascar Photo Exhibit

A new exhibit at the Elaine Fleck Gallery just opened. Robert White is exhibiting some of his photographs of Madagascar, which he describes as “the island-nation is a have-not country in conflict, yet with stirring strength in its people. It is a land the west has forgotten”. For info and some images, visit this page on the Gallery’s site

Nov. 5 to 28, 888 Queen St. West.

John Leeson
www.to-music.ca