Oct 11 |
Durness, United Kingdom |
Durness Community Hall |
7:30pm |
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Northern Lights Benefit Show to aid John Lennon Memorial Garden Blooms in Durness, Scotland
"Love is the flower... you gotta let it grow" ~ John Lennon
The most north westerly village in Britain is to celebrate its links with John Lennon again. (
http://www.northhighlandsscotland.com/info/pressallison.asp )
Top Canadian singer Allison Crowe is to headline a concert in Durness, Sutherland, on October 11 - two days after what would have been the ex-Beatle's 68th birthday.
Allison was one of the stars of last year's John Lennon Northern Lights Festival held in Durness - and promoted by Prince Charles' North Highland Tourism - which went on to win the Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2007.
Next month's Northern Lights Benefit Show will be in aid of the John Lennon Memorial Garden in Durness - the only permanent memorial to Lennon in Scotland.
Lennon holidayed every summer between the ages of 9 and 15 in Durness - on his cousins' croft.
He also returned with Yoko Ono - and their respective children Julian and Kyoko - in 1969 before suffering a car accident which hospitalised them at Golspie.
Durness, in particular, played a huge part in young Lennon's life - the song In My Life is said to be partly inspired by the village - and the singer even tried to buy the area's estate shortly before his death in 1980. Earlier this year Yoko Ono also praised villagers for their respect to Lennon's memory. (
http://www.allisoncrowe.com/AllisonCroweTidingsInMyLife.mp3 )
For next month's concert Allison will break off from her European tour and fly from Prague where she will be performing two days earlier.
"John Lennon was an amazing, artistic, peaceful, spirit. He made a huge impact on society. Durness made a huge impact on him and on me too and I am glad to return," said Allison, 26.
"I remember being terrified of the roads, but the beauty of the place managed to take over! The oft summer stomping ground for John Lennon is one of the most gorgeous places I have seen in all my travels.
"The black rocks and the turquoise waters... The wonderful people that live there in the Highlands... And the people I got to meet during the John Lennon Northern Lights fest from all over the world.
"There were performers everywhere and there was such a sense of community throughout the fest. I thought the entire time this is definitely a place I could live without much difficulty! The music and the laughter and the amazing new friends. truly, it's an experience that
can't be matched. This year I plan on doing my best to create something new while I am in Durness, in homage to the Northern Lights Festival and to carry on in that spirit!!!
"I am honoured to be able to help raise monies to upkeep the John Lennon Memorial Garden. It's an important part of the community, to be kept alive and growing along with the memory of John Lennon and the times he had in Durness. I hope we're able to recreate a bit of that magic."
There are hopes that the Northern Lights Festival will be staged next year.
"I'm excited we're able in a way to carry the torch for the fest that's not happening this year, because it's such an amazing experience that I hope it keeps happening for years to come, really," said Allison.
"I think the fact that people come together to celebrate the life of someone who was so devoted to peace and love, is, in a sense, achieving exactly what John set out to do. Keeping his spirit alive through the garden and through the festival is that sense of his presence and purpose living on in all of us. We all shine on."
Mary Mackay, chair of Durness Community Council, said she was delighted that Lennon's links with Durness are again to be celebrated.
"I could not think of anybody more fitting to celebrate John's links with Durness than Allison. She was a knockout last year and put hairs on the back of everybody that heard her," she said.
"We are hoping it will be a great day - and it keeps John's flame alive in a place that he loved very much."
Allison has recently toured across Canada and in the northeastern United States as headliner. Two one-hour television specials have been broadcast across Canada, and her version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is one of the most popular versions of the classic.
"Whether I'm Wrong", an original song of social conscience penned in early 2003, has been featured by the UNESCO-endorsed New Songs for Peace initiative. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a6hmQbRcIM )
Allison will be supported by fellow Canadian vocalist and classical guitarist Billie Woods. Billie's songs are inspired by life in Canada's Pacific northwestern coastal forest, and infused with the warmth and vitality of the sambas, bossa novas and other cultural rhythms of Brazil. Other events are also in the pipeline including a photographic exhibition of the area by Shona McMillan.
Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s and are available from Loch Croispol Bookshop 01971511777 (where a small fee for credit card bookings will apply) and Mrs Mary Mackay 01971511255.
http://www.allisoncrowe.com/DurnessNorthernLightsBenefitShowAllisonCroweposter.jpg
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Oct 18 |
Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
The LOT |
8:00pm |
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Advance: £10 General / £8 Students & Seniors (all charges incl.)
Tickets: Ripping Records, 91 South Bridge (0131 226 7010) & Tickets Scotland 127 Rose Street (0131 220 3234)
allisoncrowe.com myspace.com/billiewoods the-lot.co.uk
"Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe." ~ Robert Reid, The Record (Kanada)
"Get a piece of paper and write Tori Amos in the top left hand corner. Then write Patti Smith top right, followed by Stevie Nicks and Leonard Cohen (stay with me) in the bottom two positions. Then draw diagonal lines from their names to the centre, forming a big symmetrical cross. Here is where you will find Allison Crowe's music."~ The Scene (Australia)
"Allison Crowe has a voice to fall in love with. She is from Vancouver Island in Canada, descended from Scottish, Irish and Manx stock. She's exactly the sort of artist who can make serious headway on her own label and that's just what she's doing." ~ Record of the Day (UK)
"Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today." ~ Bob Muller, JoniMitchell.com (USA)
"Her version of 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' would give Aretha Franklin goose-bumps." ~ Robert Moyes, Boulevard (Kanada)
"The most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life." ~ Ross Hocker, WGTE/NPR Radio (USA)
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Nov 28 |
Toronto, Canada |
Heliconian Hall |
8:00pm |
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"Music for the season and all time". Allison Crowe returns to the Heliconian in Yorkville - to present her Tidings concert repertoire. More details tba.
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Nov 30 |
Ottawa, ON, Canada |
Library and Archives Canada |
2:00pm |
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On Sunday, November 30, 2008 Allison Crowe takes to the stage of the Library and Archives Canada Auditorium. This matinee concert event in the nation's capital, is in support of two Ottawa non-profit groups: Canines With a Cause and Vision Theatre.
"Get a piece of paper and write Tori Amos in the top left hand corner. Then write Patti Smith top right, followed by Stevie Nicks and Leonard Cohen (stay with me) in the bottom two positions. Then draw diagonal lines from their names to the centre, forming a big symmetrical cross. Here is where you will find Allison Crowe's music," says Australia's culture site, The Scene. The acclaimed vocalist and pianist from Canada fearlessly fits original songs alongside Pearl Jam, Ani DiFranco, The Beatles, Rock, Jazz, Broadway and more. It's a joyous sound that one music critic describes as 'Elton John meets Edith Piaf'. Says JoniMitchell.com song curator, Bob Muller: "Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today."
Allison Crowe welcomes this encore opportunity to team up with:
Canines With a Cause - an Ottawa based Canadian charity dedicated to train assistance dogs for people with mobility related disabilities as well as to provide educational and awareness programs around the community. Although it takes approximately two years to train one of these special dogs at an estimated cost to the program of $14,000 per dog that makes it to graduation, CWAC does not charge the qualified applicant for the dog they receive. They very much rely on the support from the community, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts in order to provide these services. Founded in 2001, CWAC continues to be 100 % volunteer-based. Puppy raisers and other volunteer opportunities are always available. For more info, please visit CWAC's website at www.canineswithacause.org or phone 613-882-5923 or email canines.cwac@gmail.com
Vision Theatre - a local Ottawa not-for-profit theatre company, has been producing critically acclaimed productions for the past 7 years. Vision Theatre, from its base at Arts Court, is committed to working with established professionals and emerging artists, to produce, create and introduce outstanding contemporary works - those that resonate with audiences. "Over the past several years, Vision Theatre has done an excellent job of finding and presenting contemporary American plays that have been overlooked by Ottawa's larger companies," notes Catherine Lawson, The Ottawa Citizen. "...both (Artistic Director Greg) Wysynski and (Managing Director Sam) Awwad are becoming some of our best younger directors in the city at the moment. Their work never ceases to amaze me," says Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio, Ottawa Morning. To find out more please click to www.visiontheatre.ca or email info@visiontheatre.ca and/or phone the company at 613-282-1898
More details tba
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Dec 3 |
Philadelphia, PA |
Tavern on Camac |
7:30pm |
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Winter wonder in the heart of historic Center City Philadelphia, PA
details tba
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Dec 7 |
New York City, NY |
Laurie Beechman Theatre |
8:00pm |
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Miracle on 42nd Street...
details tba
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Dec 13 |
Nanaimo, Canada |
St. Andrew's United Church |
8:00pm |
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Tidings stirs together traditional Christmas carols and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, gospel and soul. "The Yuletide find of the year," says The Record. "Be prepared to be amazed," says Christmasreviews.com. "Allison Crowe is a stunningly talented performer."
Allison Crowe returns to Nanaimo's historic St. Andrew's United Church for "Tidings". Special guests and more details tba.
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Dec 19 |
Vancouver, Canada |
St. James Hall |
8:00pm |
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Tidings stirs together traditional Christmas carols and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, gospel and soul. "The Yuletide find of the year," says The Record. "Be prepared to be amazed," says Christmasreviews.com. "Allison Crowe is a stunningly talented performer."
Allison Crowe is happy to be bringing "Tidings" to Vancouver's St. James Hall this year. More details tba.
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Jan 31 |
Edmonds, WA |
Edmonds Center for the Arts |
8:00pm |
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Allison Crowe kicks off her 2009 with this performance at the EC4A in Washington state.
details tba
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Dec 2 |
Corner Brook, Canada |
Arts and Culture Centre |
8:00pm |
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Allison brings her Tidings to the rock!
details tba
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