Music

Saturday January 21, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 21, 2017

Music-on-patio plan tabled

City councillors don’t like the sound of a plan to allow musical entertainment on nightclub patios.

July 31, 2014

A pilot project was tabled Tuesday by the city’s planning committee that would have allowed bar owners to feature ambient music on patios in seven districts in the city, some golf courses and other locations in rural areas.

Councillors decided to deal with the issue at a later date after raising concerns about the potential impact on people who live nearby.

Others said it would be unfair to bar patio owners outside the designated districts on James Street North, Hess Village, the bayfront, Augusta Street, part of Upper James Street and Dundas.

Coun. Brenda Johnson said she had concerns about the plan in rural areas because sound can travel great distances in undeveloped landscapes.

Coun. Jason Farr supported the idea, saying it was consistent with Hamilton’s desire to brand itself as a music city.

The noise level would be kept to 60 decibels, which is the same volume as a discussion at an average planning committee meeting, Farr added. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Friday October 14, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday October 14, 2016 Harvest Picnic organizer sues talent agency, performers, for millions The organizer of the annual Harvest Picnic music festival has filed a lawsuit against one of Canada's largest talent agencies, as well as musical acts Jann Arden, Johnny Reid and the Cowboy Junkies, seeking more than $26 million in damages due to breach of contract. The lawsuit also says both the Harvest Picnic and the annual Hamilton Music Awards are in danger of collapsing. Local promoter Jean Paul Gauthier alleges The Feldman Agency, based in Toronto and Vancouver, Reid and the Cowboy Junkies both breached contract provisions preventing them from playing within a certain radius of Hamilton within 90 days of the Aug. 26 to 28 Harvest Picnic at Christie Lake Conservation Area. His claims against Arden relate to concert date announcements. Feldman acted as the booking agency for those festival acts. The allegations, which have not been tested in court, were made in a 15-page statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court under Gauthier's company, September Seventh Entertainment, which also runs the annual Hamilton Music Awards. "The events that September Seventh produces and owns, namely the Harvest Picnic and Hamilton Music Awards, are now at great risk of ceasing to exist due to the unconscionable conduct, high-handed conduct or conduct in bad faith and breaches of contract by the defendants," the statement of claim says. This year the Harvest Picnic expanded from one to three days. Crowds were noticeably lower than the previous five years. Meanwhile, several artists, many of them local, have said they have not been paid by Gauthier. "I got a bounced cheque," said Hamilton singer-songwriter Tomi Swick, who performed twice at the festival. "It's a sad situation. (Gauthier) has always been pretty good to me. It was a good festival.Ó Other musicians who have not yet been paid by the festival include

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday October 14, 2016

Harvest Picnic organizer sues talent agency, performers, for millions

The organizer of the annual Harvest Picnic music festival has filed a lawsuit against one of Canada’s largest talent agencies, as well as musical acts Jann Arden, Johnny Reid and the Cowboy Junkies, seeking more than $26 million in damages due to breach of contract.

The lawsuit also says both the Harvest Picnic and the annual Hamilton Music Awards are in danger of collapsing.

September 10, 2016

September 10, 2016

Local promoter Jean Paul Gauthier alleges The Feldman Agency, based in Toronto and Vancouver, Reid and the Cowboy Junkies both breached contract provisions preventing them from playing within a certain radius of Hamilton within 90 days of the Aug. 26 to 28 Harvest Picnic at Christie Lake Conservation Area. His claims against Arden relate to concert date announcements.

Feldman acted as the booking agency for those festival acts.

The allegations, which have not been tested in court, were made in a 15-page statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court under Gauthier’s company, September Seventh Entertainment, which also runs the annual Hamilton Music Awards.

“The events that September Seventh produces and owns, namely the Harvest Picnic and Hamilton Music Awards, are now at great risk of ceasing to exist due to the unconscionable conduct, high-handed conduct or conduct in bad faith and breaches of contract by the defendants,” the statement of claim says.

This year the Harvest Picnic expanded from one to three days. Crowds were noticeably lower than the previous five years.

Meanwhile, several artists, many of them local, have said they have not been paid by Gauthier.

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday August 24, 2013

August 24, 2013

“I got a bounced cheque,” said Hamilton singer-songwriter Tomi Swick, who performed twice at the festival. “It’s a sad situation. (Gauthier) has always been pretty good to me. It was a good festival.”

Other musicians who have not yet been paid by the festival include the Toronto-based band The Rheostatics, Hamilton singer-songwriter Lori Yates and Hamilton native Jeremy Fisher.

“I honestly feel bad for (Gauthier),” said Fisher’s manager Mike Renaud, owner of Hamilton-based Hidden Pony Records. “I think he just got in over his head. I don’t think he’s a malicious person. But I don’t think this (filing a lawsuit) is the best way to handle it.”

Calls and emails to Gauthier were not returned. A representative of The Feldman Agency offered The Spectator no comment on the lawsuit, but Feldman president Jeff Craib told CBC News that it was “frivolous and vexatious.”

In a statement emailed to The Spectator, The Rheostatics said the band felt “let down.” (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Saturday July 23, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday July 23, 2016 Tragically Hip tour, 1st since Gord Downie's cancer revelation, kicks off in Victoria Fans are breathlessly anticipating the Tragically Hip concert tonight in Victoria. It's the first show of the band's latest tour following late May's shocking revelation that front man Gord Downie, 52, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer . The Hip has been perfecting its artistry for decades, entertaining millions with crowd-pleasers like Bobcaygeon, At the Hundredth Meridian, and Ahead by a Century. But, given the demands of the road, and with Downie's dire prognosis, people are wondering just how this tour will unfold. "I don't know how they're feeling [gearing up to] the launch of the tour, but I imagine they're excited. I know their fans are excited," said Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer, who has collaborated with the Hip in the past and says the group has been "firing people up" for years with "amazing" energy at live shows. "I think they're doing what they do, living in the moment, playing shows, making it unique every night," she told CBC News. Friday's show will be emotional, "not only for the fans, but for the crew, for the promoters, for the buildings, for anyone who is there," predicted Victoria-based music promoter Nick Blasko, who's worked with the band a number of times. "I think that there's no hiding behind the reason why this tour is happening and, for a lot of people, this is a goodbye.Ó Over the next month, the band will then continue through a 15-date concert tour across the nation, concluding with a grand finale in its hometown of Kingston, Ont. (Source: CBC News)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/tragically-hip-farewell-tour-victoria-bc-1.3684118 Canada, group, therapy, music, taste, Canadian, patriotism, Tragically hip, rock, Gord Downey

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday July 23, 2016

Tragically Hip tour, 1st since Gord Downie’s cancer revelation, kicks off in Victoria

Fans are breathlessly anticipating the Tragically Hip concert tonight in Victoria.

It’s the first show of the band’s latest tour following late May’s shocking revelation that front man Gord Downie, 52, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

The Hip has been perfecting its artistry for decades, entertaining millions with crowd-pleasers like Bobcaygeon, At the Hundredth Meridian, and Ahead by a Century.

But, given the demands of the road, and with Downie’s dire prognosis, people are wondering just how this tour will unfold.

“I don’t know how they’re feeling [gearing up to] the launch of the tour, but I imagine they’re excited. I know their fans are excited,” said Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer, who has collaborated with the Hip in the past and says the group has been “firing people up” for years with “amazing” energy at live shows.

“I think they’re doing what they do, living in the moment, playing shows, making it unique every night,” she told CBC News.

Friday’s show will be emotional, “not only for the fans, but for the crew, for the promoters, for the buildings, for anyone who is there,” predicted Victoria-based music promoter Nick Blasko, who’s worked with the band a number of times.

“I think that there’s no hiding behind the reason why this tour is happening and, for a lot of people, this is a goodbye.”

Over the next month, the band will then continue through a 15-date concert tour across the nation, concluding with a grand finale in its hometown of Kingston, Ont. (Source: CBC News)

Published in the Telegram (St. John's Nfld) July 26, 2016

Published in the Telegram (St. John’s Nfld) July 26, 2016

Saturday March 19, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday March 19, 2016 Mulcair at risk of ouster by crush of new critics Tom Mulcair doesnÕt come across as the kind of person whoÕd spend much time looking over his shoulder, even if he had to. But these days you have to wonder whether the NDP leader, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as head of the party next week, is taking the time to look both ways before he crosses any political streets between now and his partyÕs convention next month. It would be wrong to say rumblings over MulcairÕs future with the party began only last week. Those rumblings have been a staple of the NDPÕs background noise since its dismal showing in the Oct. 19 election. But with the exception of a well publicized sortie by Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo in January, and complaints last month from a newly minted Montreal-area riding association president, any I-told-you-sos had been uttered off the record, if only in apparent deference to the panel the party convened to autopsy why things went horribly wrong during the last campaign. Given that the panelÕs findings compelled Mulcair to write a letter of apology to the partyÕs rank and file and take full responsibility for the NDPÕs return to third party status, it wasnÕt entirely surprising to hear the volume turned up last week on the complaints over MulcairÕs leadership. It started when Sid Ryan, former head of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told the Globe and Mail last week that MulcairÕs Òoverbearing personalityÓ made it necessary for the NDP to seek out new leadership. That was followed by letters published in Le Devoir and the Toronto Star this week that didnÕt mention Mulcair by name but may as well have spray painted it in day-glo orange across its text as three defeated MPs and nearly three dozen party activists complained the NDP had come adrift from its ideals and purpose. That missive was quickly followed by a far more specific slam against Mulcair by NDP s

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 19, 2016

Mulcair at risk of ouster by crush of new critics

Tom Mulcair doesn’t come across as the kind of person who’d spend much time looking over his shoulder, even if he had to. But these days you have to wonder whether the NDP leader, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as head of the party next week, is taking the time to look both ways before he crosses any political streets between now and his party’s convention next month.

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday September 1, 2015 Mulcair can only benefit from claims heÕs not a traditional leftwinger (By Kelly McParland) If I was a conspiracy theorist, IÕd suspect there was a conspiracy under way to covertly boost the image of Thomas Mulcair among non-NDP voters. ThereÕs no question Mulcair has made a real effort to separate himself from the partyÕs loopier policies of the past. You wonÕt hear the word ÒsocialismÓ escape his lips. He has promised a balanced budget Ñ not someday later on, when they get around to it, if circumstances allow, as the Liberals have done. But right away, in the first New Democrat budget after taking office. And heÕs pledged to do it without raising taxes on income. ThatÕs all well and good. But thereÕs also been a series of curious leaks that seem intended to undermine Mulcair by arguing heÕs too conservative, not a real New Democrat but a late convert who adopted the party because it seemed best suited to serve his personal ambition. ItÕs possible the accusations might raise doubts among true NDP believers, who like their politics undiluted by practicality, but they could also have the opposite effect, making him more attractive to voters who might otherwise be disinclined to support the countryÕs traditional left-wing party. In other words, if you believe in conspiracies, you might suspect the leaks are an effort to achieve the opposite of their apparent intention. As the National Post noted recently, Mulcair has been outed for once saying nice things about Margaret Thatcher, of considering an offer to join the Conservatives after quitting QuebecÕs Liberals, of being Òthe most right wingÓ member of that Quebec Liberal caucus, of supporting Quebec business owners against QuebecÕs language police, and of failing to adopt the leftÕs rote opposition to free trade in all its forms. He was also criticized by Ed Broadbent, the NDPÕs current patron saint and elder statesman, w

September 1, 2015

It would be wrong to say rumblings over Mulcair’s future with the party began only last week. Those rumblings have been a staple of the NDP’s background noise since its dismal showing in the Oct. 19 election. But with the exception of a well publicized sortie by Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo in January, and complaints last month from a newly minted Montreal-area riding association president, any I-told-you-sos had been uttered off the record, if only in apparent deference to the panel the party convened to autopsy why things went horribly wrong during the last campaign.

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday June 17, 2015 Trudeau and Mulcair today: Compare and contrast Major speeches by NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau today served up an intriguing contrast. Mulcair sought to soothe anyone worried about the sort of economic change an NDP government might bring. Trudeau tried to reignite interest, especially among progressive voters whose enthusiasm for him might be waning, by promising Liberals would usher in big change in Canadian democracy. The two men vying to be seen as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Stephen Harper clearly face different challenges. Mulcair is on the rise in the polls, and his aimÑas he delivered an economic policy speech in Toronto at the Economic Club of CanadaÑseemed to be to forestall a worried reaction to his emergence as a serious challenger. But Trudeau has slipped in recent months, after a long stretch leading the polls, creating whatÕs shaping up as a tight three-way race with HarperÕs Conservatives and MulcairÕs NDP. His goal in a speech to assembled Parliament Hill reporters at OttawaÕs Ch‰teau Laurier was to reignite interest in his leadership with at least one promise that canÕt be ignored. And both took the opportunity to shore up their policy messages with a little personal narrative, the sort that modern political strategists view as essential to connecting with voters. (Continued: Maclean's) http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/trudeau-and-mulcair-today-compare-and-contrast/ Canada, Thomas Mulcair, Justin Trudeau, NDP, Liberal, campaign, election, politics, platform, polls

June 17, 2015

Given that the panel’s findings compelled Mulcair to write a letter of apology to the party’s rank and file and take full responsibility for the NDP’s return to third party status, it wasn’t entirely surprising to hear the volume turned up last week on the complaints over Mulcair’s leadership.

It started when Sid Ryan, former head of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told the Globe and Mail last week that Mulcair’s “overbearing personality” made it necessary for the NDP to seek out new leadership. That was followed by letters published in Le Devoir and the Toronto Star this week that didn’t mention Mulcair by name but may as well have spray painted it in day-glo orange across its text as three defeated MPs and nearly three dozen party activists complained the NDP had come adrift from its ideals and purpose.

Thursday, November 28, 2013That missive was quickly followed by a far more specific slam against Mulcair by NDP supporters at Concordia and McGill universities, pointing out “If the NDP wants to remain relevant in Canadian politics, Thomas Mulcair must not remain as party leader.”

At this point, Mulcair seems to be at war . The apparent refusal of NDP MP Niki Ashton to endorse his leadership when asked to do is the icing on an increasingly toxic political cake. Suddenly it seems the brand name Orange Crush may well be taking on a grim new meaning for the party leader. (Continued: London Free Press)

 

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