Roaming Reviews

The Annual Preston Music Festival Grooves into its Second Year. Highlighting Local Talent within the Region. Central Park. Cambridge Ontario. Weather Conditions – Perfect. Saturday September 19th 2009.

Photo courtesy Sandy Rousseau

The 2nd Preston Music Festival is soon to earn the reputation of becoming an annual end of the summer garden and gazebo event in historical downtown Preston, thanks to Event Coordinator and front man Matt Storch of The Usual Suspects. Gillian Stagg is also ” a huge part of the success of this event” states Matt Storch.

Central Park which is located in the core of the Preston Towne Centre and across the street from the Groove Kitchen and Music Room was a maze and mingle of lawn chairs, glowing vinyl Chinese lanterns, string lights and a tremendous display of community spirit – less umbrellas.

The Preston Music Festival just into its second year featured not only the more established local musicians such as Cambridge acts West Memphis Suicide, Lucas Stagg and Tracenine but new and upcoming talented performers as well.

Opening the music festival this year at noon were the winners of the Junior Gem Kids Karaoke Contest presented by Gemstone Entertainment.

Weeks prior to the festival Teri Parr friend of Rob Puschelberg of the band Bad Pickle, created quite a buzz and organized a Kids Karaoke contest resulting in six winning contestants appearing on the festival stage [gazebo] for the first time.

Last year’s Soul Man – James Knowles [photo top left] seemingly highlighted this year’s Preston Music Festival with his stellar R&B performance and announcement of the newly formed James Knowles Band featuring Lewis Leone.

James Knowles is known for his impromptu appearances last year with the Groove Kitchen and Music Room’s house band Matt Storch and The Usual Suspects’ Friday night Open Jams. James was also invited on stage with The Usual Suspects as they closed the music festival with the popular 1960’s R&B hit Soul Man, originally written by the late Issac Hayes [August 2008] and David Porter then later recorded by the Blues Brothers.

With the effort and dedication of musician Matt Storch and his crew at the Groove Kitchen, fellow and local musicians and artists, the Preston BIA and supporters, the Preston Music Festival may be one of the largest single showcases for regional music talent and sure to become a cultural tastemaker, paving the way for other outdoor community events, festivals and happenings in this region.

Regrets to Malachi & The Music, Ties That Bind, Firetrain and the Gabe Lee Three due to festival fatigue and first year volunteerism.

www.thegroovekitchen.com

Roaming Reviews News

Does your band have what it takes? Compete for $10000 in cash and a $30000 1st prize recording session. This online band competition is an opportunity for Ontario based bands to showcase their music and talent to industry representatives including producers

Bands must complete an online profile form - free and include a photo, one MP3 of their strongest song and sign up to play one live event hosted by the sponsors. The bands with the highest number of votes by the end of the voting period – which is November 1st, win the voting period.

Fans from Ontario judge their favourite band based on songwriting, band image and musicianship. Fans of the band also have to register on the site free of charge as members, to get a voting privilege. The band which has the highest final score wins the competition. This score is a combination of fan votes and industry judging.

Fans can vote online at www.4therekord.com or by attending their favourite band’s shows which are hosted by 4therekord. This competition is not genre specific. . Enter your band online to win.

For official rules and regulations visit www.4therekord.com

Roaming Reviews News

Congratulations to those who have made it into the Top 8! The Waterloo Songwriters’ Competition hosted by Maxwells Music House announces the top 8 performers that will progress to the semi finalists’ stage August 9th.

The songwriters’ competition is judged according to skill in originality of lyrics, performance and structure within a 3 song time frame on stage in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.

The previous 3 Sunday evenings have showcased 24 songwriters sharing great musical energy and emotion. Song titles such as Pictures on the Wall by Matthew De Zoete and a ‘working song’ of a Short Road to Success written by Genevieve Beaton of Cambridge Ontario highlight the relevance, diversity and creative process in mastering lyrics that capture and connect an audience with meaningful songs.

The 8 first round winners are Genevieve Beaton, Todd Donald, Either Day, Allister Bradley, Mandippal Jandu, Matthew De Zoete, Zubin Thakkar, and Chris Miller. Only 4 songwriters will advance to the finals on August 16th. The winners showcase will be announced August 23rd.

Doors will open at 6:30pm for the evening of the $1000 cash prize and other prize announcements. Cover charge for the 9th and 16th is $10 for all non-performing patrons.

Maxwells Music House in Waterloo offers music lessons, jam spaces and group workshops that specifically promote artistic growth and development.

For complete profiles of ALL the participating songwriters visit:
maxwellsmusichouse.ca

Maxwells Music House

220 King st N
Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y7
(519) 498-5705

Roaming Reviews News

So You Think You Can Write Lyrics? Maxwell’s Music House in Waterloo presents The Waterloo Songwriters Competition ‘09 calling all songwriters. Maxwells Music House is looking for serious songwriters to compete for a $1000.00 Grand Prize as well as many others. Songwriters wishing to compete must email 2 songs, a biography and attach a photo by July 3rd 2009.

Contestants are reminded that this is a songwriters’ competition and not a battle of the bands. Starting Sunday July 12th  at 7PM for 8 weeks. First and second rounds will be solo performances only, with each songwriter showcasing 3 songs. The top 24 selected contestants to apply will be chosen and notified by email on July 4th 2009 of their performance date.

Starting July 12th, 8 artists will perform each evening for 3 weeks. Each artist must submit copies of their lyrics prior to performing. The top 8 performers will be announced August 2nd and move forward to compete on August 9th. Only 4 songwriters will advance to the semi finals on the 16th. The winners showcase will be announced August 23rd and be paid for their final performance. Songwriters must be 19+.

Those who wish to compete must email: songwriters09@maxwellsmusichouse.ca by Juy 3rd, 2009. Great prizes and exposure.

Maxwell’s Music House

220 King st N
Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y7
(519) 498-5705

www.maxwellsmusichouse.ca

Roaming Review Previews

The Cambridge Arts Festival 10AM -10 PM June 6th 2009. Rain or Shine. Free. Downtown Cambridge. All Ages.

Saturday June 6th marks the 14 Annual Cambridge Arts Festival featuring 45 performances and workshops by local musicians and other artists including dance, literary, visual arts and dramatic entertainment on 3 main stages throughout the Cambridge Civic Center.

The festival’s mandate is to ensure that all local artists have the opportunity to display their art forms in a pleasant location to be viewed by members of their own community. Artists and crafters will also be on hand to display and sell their work.

A children’s area will hold an interactive space designed for them to “craft their own souvenir and try out musical instruments”. Other areas offer festival goers the opportunity to participate in a drum circle, dance in aboriginal style and experience Spotlight activities.

Some of the musicians performing throughout the afternoon and evening are Bobnoxious, Ian Reid, Libby McGrath, Grandriver Orchestra, Matt Storch and The Usual Suspects, flamenco virtuoso Cuneyt Yetkiner amongst many others.

The Cambridge Arts Festival is a volunteer driven non profit organization and relies on sponsorship and donations from the local community to promote arts within our community.

For more information and the list of sponsors visit www.cambridgeartsfestival.com