Longevity John is not fooling around and will have some sweet musical treats, and eggs-citing entertainment springing on to the Showroom stage this April.
•••
On April 1 bring your talents to the Showroom stage for open-mic night, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. Each performer is allotted up to three songs which will broadcast to both YouTube and Facebook and the cover charge is $5. There are three more open-mic nights scheduled for the same time at the Showroom on April 8, 15, and 22.
•••
On April 3 at 7:30 p.m., don't turn a blind eye to the chance to laugh your troubles away! See yourself to the Showroom to catch actress, comedian, writer and musician Charlotte Palmer perform her one-woman show The Invisible Woman as she presents her comedic observations on what happens after one turns 50 and the world ceases to see you. Tickets are $30.
•••
Who says you need liquid courage to sing your heart out? On April 4, join Longevity John as he hosts Sober Karaoke at 6:30 p.m. It's your turn to shne on stage and sing those songs you sing at home anyway – all done with a sense of community being the focus. It will be broadcast live to both YouTube and Facebook. The cover is $5 for all.
•••
Ancient City Tea Party might just be your bag! On April 5, at 7:30 p.m., witness young Niko from Nanaimo fronts a band of friends. This long time open mic guest will surely bring on the party with his band. A donation of $20 is suggested.
•••
On April 6 at 3 p.m., slip into Sunday with the soothing and sultry sounds of the sitar with James Hamilton as he takes audience members on a journey of worldly music. Tickets are $20.
Swing back to the Showroom for 7:30 p.m. for the music of Nashville with Steve Dawson and Fats Kaplin on their western Canada tour. The dynamic duo will be stringing the night along with the sounds of the fiddle, banjo, dobro, violin, mandolin, steel guitar and even the accordion. Tickets are $35 until March 31, and will then increase to $40.
•••
On April 8 at 5:30 p.m., the boys are back with more music and mayhem. Eugene Smith, and his co-host Bill Levity will be hosting a lineup of local musical guests while providing great interviews, stage banter and more. 'The Eugene and Billie Show' takes the stage again on April 22.
•••
On April 9 at 7:30 p.m., Aleksi Campagne graces the Showroom stage. Campagne first began performing at the age of five alongside his mother and Canadian folk icon Connie Kaldor. At age 19 he moved to Paris to study under jazz violin legend Didier Lockwood and at 21 became the only student to have ever been accepted into the classical violin, the jazz violin and the jazz voice performance programs at McGill University. Since, Campagne has been bringing his talents to some of Canada’s most beloved folk festivals and venues and looks forward to returning to the Showroom. Tickets are $30.
•••
Steady yourself. The Steadies founder Earl Pereira will be jamming at the Showroom on April 10 at 7:30 p.m., to make music lovers feel Irie with a mix of his island rock and reggae stylings. Tickets are $20.
•••
Birthdays are always something to sing about! Celebrate singer/songwriter Leenie's special day with the Leenie Beenie Birthday Party on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. Leenie loves to celebrate her trips around the sun, by playing music alongside her friends and inviting various musicians to join in. Admission will be by donation.
•••
One act not to miss this month is Spanish harmonica player Quique Gómez on April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Born in Madrid, Spain Gómez first started playing harmonica at the age of 18, and by the age of 20 assembled his first band with fellow musicians Juan Bourbon, Juan Scoth and Juan Beer and together they toured several Spanish stages the following decade, while he studied and ran a small club. Tickets are $25.
•••
On April 13 at 3 p.m., enjoy a howling good time with Cooper Wolfe as the Victoria-based guitar and keyboard duo blend contemporary jazz and Latin influences with their original material. A $20 donation is recommended.
Come back around for 7:30 p.m., and take a musical ride with Ray Bonneville who released his 10th album On the Blind Side. Bonneville is a Juno Award winner and three-time nominee. Tickets are $35.
•••
Music lovers won't need their passports to experience the sounds of New Orleans this month as Longevity John presents Mardi Gras Mambo on April 18.
The Mardi Gras Mambo Combo consists of Bruce Garrish on guitar and vocals, Doc Fingers on piano, John Ellis on peddle steel, Paul Wainwright on sax, James McRae on drums and Voodoo Dave on congas. This New Orleans themed troupe will be performing music from an array of classic New Orleans artists. Tickets are $25.
•••
On April 19 at 7:30 p.m., enjoy an evening of blues-rock brilliance with the talented Rita and Kevin McDade. Tickets are $20.
•••
On April 23 at 7:30 p.m., celebrate hump day by flying down to the Showroom and spreading your musical wings with the talented Quote the Raven (Jordan Coaker and Kirsten Rodden-Clarke) who will be sharing the stage with Suzie Ungeleider, affectionately known as Oh Susanna. Getting their start in the pubs of St. John's, Nfld., Quote the Raven blends together the sounds of Americana and roots music with their east coast songwriting. Tickets are $30.
•••
On April 25, at 7:30 p.m., live music lovers will be saying TGIF as they get the chance to spend the evening with Canadian roots rocker Sarah Smith. Known as the darling of London, Ont. for a quarter of a century, COVID led Smith to find revival on Pender Island. Tickets are $25.
•••
On April 26 at 7:30 p.m., spend your Saturday night with the Wayne Kozak Ensemble and guests as they take audience members on a musical journey. Tickets are $25.
•••
On April 27 at 2 p.m, sink into the ancient art of storytelling with the Island Storytellers. These tale tellers are from the Victoria Storytellers' Guild, The Around Town Tellers from Nanaimo, and the Mid-Island Storytellers, based out of Qualicum Beach and Parksville. There are two sets of about 45 minutes each with a break in between. A donation of $15 to $20 is suggested.
•••
On April 28 at 7 p.m., the Showroom spices things up with the return of India-born artist Kiran Ahluwalia. With roots in Sufi, Qawalli, Ghazal, and Punjabi folk, Ahluwalia, who is a two-time Juno winner, has become known for crafting her own contemporary songs. She embodies the essence of Indian music while embracing influences from Mali, western blues, rock, R&B and jazz. Tickets are $40.
•••
On April 29 at 7:30 p.m., let it FLOW. Bill Levity hosts 'For the Love of Words' giving writers, poets, and all-around wordsmiths the chance to share their work. Each performer gets five minutes to bring some of their favourite words and pieces to the stage. Admission is $5 for performers and $7 for spectators.
•••
Wind down the month with the punk sounds of Danger Box and Red Lenses. This final night of April is sure to be a slam dunk for punk fans. A donation of $20 is suggested.
•••
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.
