Have no fear that Longevity John has some tricks up his sleeve and some great musical treats lined up for the scariest month of the season.
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Let Halloween come early and treat the masses to your talents on Oct. 1. as life is not a dress rehearsal. The Showroom’s ‘Dress Rehearsal Tuesday’, also known as their weekly open-mic night, gets underway at 7:30 p.m. It’s a great chance for newcomers to get their feet wet, or for past performers to bring new material to the stage. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or both it’s your time to shine. There will be another open-mic night scheduled for the same time later in the month on Oct. 8, 15, and 22.
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On Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m., enjoy some mid-week music from Cowichan Valley's Jonas Neufeld as he sets the mood with his brand of indie rock. Tickets are $20.
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On Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m., after a busy summer season of playing a myriad of venues in the valley, and before that touring alongside Canadian icons Burton Cummings and Tom Cochrane as their opening act, Ryan McMahon brings his blend of folk, rock, roots and country back inside the intimate walls of the Duncan Showroom where he had his humble beginnings. Tickets to check out this talented local singer/songwriter are $30.
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On Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., experience the sounds of Africa with Lasso Sannu. Sannu, who was born into a griot family in the province of Kossi in northwestern Burkina Faso, had the pleasure of growing up in a world where music was at the heart of life. From an early age he discovered his talents through multiple traditional African instruments. Experience music from across the globe as Sannu brings his unique style and worldly sounds to the Showroom. Tickets are $25.
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On Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m., get in the swing with Oliver Swain. In case you missed Swain's tributes to Gordon Lightfoot and Leornard Cohen last month this is the chance to see the two-time Western Canada Music Award winner and Juno nominee in a different light as he brings his blend of bluegrass, old-time and modern songwriting to the Showroom stage. An evening with Swain has been best described as being steeped in both tradition and experimentation. Tickets are $25.
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Get folked up on Oct. 6 with Miscellany of Folk who will take the Showroom stage at 7:30 p.m. This trio consists of Benny McCarthy on accordion, Newfoundland’s Billy Sutton on bodhran, mandolin and vocals, and Ireland’s Eddie Costello on guitar and vocals. Showcasing a broad range of folk music from the hardest core traditional Irish/Newfoundland tunes to some folk songs from both sides of the Atlantic this is one show that lovers of the Celtic genre will not want to miss. Tickets are $40.
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On Oct. 8 tune in to the Eugene and Billy show at 5:30 p.m. with hosts Eugene Smith and Bill Levity as this dynamic duo provide great music, and stage banter, along with interviews and more music from their invited guest. The duo is back again on Oct. 22. Admission is by donation to be a part of the Showroom’s live studio audience.
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On Oct 10 at 7:30 p.m., add some colour to your evening with the cool sounds of blues with eastern Maritime dweller Morgan Davis. Davis is bringing his groove to the Showroom stage for one night only. Tickets are $25.
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On Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m., if you are looking for something to be thankful for, the opportunity to see Sarah Segal-Lazar is it. This singer/songwriter, actor, playwright and poet who hails from Ontario has added the Showroom as one of her stops on her western Canada tour. Segal-Lazar was also recently nominated for Folk Music Ontario's 2024 Recording Artist of the Year. A donation of $20 to $25 is suggested.
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On Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m., the 'time' has come to see The Relics pay tribute to the early music of Pink Floyd. Their last two shows sold quickly so act fast to find yourself 'comfortably numb' inside the walls of the Showroom as you are transported back in time to an era that really rocked. Tickets are $25.
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On Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m., music lovers will go gaga for David Gogo who will be performing songs from his latest full-length album Yeah! Tickets are $25.
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On Oct 20 at 7:30 p.m., experience the music of multi-instrumentalist John Hewitt who hails from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Inspired by the powerful sounds of acts such as The Beatles, Tom Petty, Van Morrison, and The Grateful Dead, Hewitt has been making his mark on the western Canadian music scene since 2018. Hewitt has been described as master of storytelling through his music. Tickets are $20.
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On Oct. 24 experience ‘Songwriters in the Round’ at 7:30 p.m. This monthly musical series will feature a variety of local singers and songwriters as they showcase their own material ‘in the round.’ A donation of $20 is suggested for this evening of local entertainment.
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On Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. get lost in the ancient art of storytelling as members of the Victoria Storytellers’ Guild, Nanaimo’s The Around Town Tellers and the Mid-Island Storytellers, based out of Qualicum Beach and Parksville, entertain with the telling of tales. There are two 45-minute sets with a short intermission in between. This event takes place on the fourth Sunday of each month — a donation of $15 to $20 is suggested.
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Return to the Showroom at 7:30 p.m. for some Halloween vibes and a scary good line-up of punk, indie and alternative rock with the sounds of Danger Box, The Interrogation, and Red Lenses. A donation of $15 to $20 is suggested for this night of entertainment.
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Save your Halloween fun for the weekend of Nov. 2 as Longevity John presents the Halloweekend Spooktacular with music from The Helletones, Lip Forest, and more. The chairs will be moved to the side, so costume-up and come out for a spine-chilling, toe-tapping good time.
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The Duncan Showroom is located at 131 Station St. Tickets for all shows and events can be purchased in person or by visiting showroomproductions.ca
