Tofino Concerts and Music News for April 2007

by Adam Buskard, Tofino

The following concerts in Tofino are happening in the month of April 2007. Tickets are available at Tofitian, Long Beach Market (Esso) and at the Common Loaf.

Visit our Tofino concerts page for concert listings for the current month. Also check our Tofino events for listings of all local events and the Tofino festival page for our festival event calendar.

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John Bottomley

Friday, April 6, 2007
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Weigh West Pub
Tickets are free, 7-10pm

According to John, he has "been very fortunate to have worked with some great people such as T-Bone Burnett and David Kershenbaum". His musical career has been "something like Alice in wonderland". John not only writes his own music and lyrics, but also has a talent for art and literature. In particular, he has illustrated his book, posters and CD covers. His work shows a sense of contemplation and stillness combined with a comical inclination of the surreal. Of his music, John says, "I try not to trap my music in any style since this can be very dangerous. My music is sometimes magical, sometimes exotic, but at other times, sinister".

"I try to do what the poetry tells me to do".

Sweatshop Union

Saturday, April 7, 2007
Tofino Legion
Tickets $15, Doors 9pm

Sweatshop Union is not just a hip hop group with diverse vocal styles and crisp, soulful beats--they are the breath of fresh air that hip hop fans have been waiting for. Originally operating as four independent units (Kyprios, Dirty Circus, Creative Minds, and Innocent Bystanders), the Sweatshop Union Collective came together to offer an alternative to the seemingly repetitive, negative-natured release of rap music.

John Rae & the River

Saturday, April 14, 2007
Tofino Legion
Tickets $12, Doors 9pm

Jon-Rae and the River are an alt-country, gospel-soul, rock-explosion orchestra that has built a cult-like following in Toronto, selling out venues and taking people on a beer-drinking, hymn-singing, arm-linking rock'n experience at their live shows. Yes, there is a slight country tinge to jrf's music but make no mistake, this is rock and roll... and a joyous, celebratory strand at that. Like a combination of preachy gospel and earnest campfire music, Fletcher comes off like a manic street preacher (not a Manic Street Preacher) and his songs are instantly likable and a ton of fun. Performing with them will be Ladyhawk, the Vancouver based psychedelic rock quartet.

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Sabrina Kufner & Serena Postel

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Raincoast Cafe
Tickets $8, Doors 7:30pm

Sabrina Kufner and Serena Postel have both been called "the real deal," by Adrian Chamberlain (Times-Colonist). Sabrina won the Shaw Star Discovery Contest and the North Island Talent Hunt Showcase, has performed repeatedly on cbc radio and the New vi, and performed at the Island Music Festival as well as countless other events and venues around bc. The feature track from Serena's debut album Spare Change, Big Bad Wolf, sat at no 1 on the Manitoba Music Charts for 4 weeks. Together, the women combine their influences such as Ani DiFranco, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and the Indigo Girls as they head out on the road for a week of spine tingling music, laced intricately with sultry lows and angelic heights that this island will not soon forget. Tapas menu during the show, reservations are recommended.

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Five Alarm Funk

Thursday, April 19, 2007
Tofino Legion
Tickets $12, Doors 9pm

Five Alarm Funk is a Vancouver-based, 12-piece rhythm machine that pounds out a delirium-inducing live show, brimming with original funk and afro-beat grooves. The band's horn and percussion-driven instrumental jams feature searing guitar leads and horn solos wailing and soaring above a four-man percussion maelstrom that is grounded by Neil Towers' juicy bass lines. The band's wicked cross-rhythms and frenetic, costumed stage show appeals to jazz fans and clubs kids alike. Five Alarm Funk has carved out a word-of-mouth fan base from a series of crowd-pleasing performances at clubs, concert halls, and festivals throughout b.c. Interaction between the crowd and the band is a huge part of the show, and they try to make every show an event.

Ad Mare Trio

Saturday, April 21, 2007
Clayoquot Community Theatre
Tickets $20, Doors 7pm

Ad Mare Wind Trio is a trio from the Ad Mare Wind Quintet. Lead by clarinettist, AK Coope, the group specializes in new music. Other members of the quintet include Marea Chernoff (Oboe/English Horn), and Sophie Dansereau (Bassoon).

This concert is part of the West Coast Winter Music Series. If you purchased a single ticket for the November concert and are interested in attending the rest of the concerts, please contact Judi Andrew (725-3373). The purchase price of tonight’s ticket will go towards the cost of the whole subscription.

Wil
with Jimmy Bowskill

Friday, April 27, 2007
Tofino Legion
Tickets $12, Doors 9pm

With just his acoustic guitar and his voice Wil belts out a sound that could come from a four piece band. He creates a powerful musical punch on stage that leaves his audiences reeling. His sound is "electro-acoustic", he plugs into a smorgasbord of foot pedals. A clear acoustic guitar, overtop of distortion, with heavy bass tones filling out the bottom. His songwriting style is a packed with imagery, powerfully backed by his brilliant and intricate guitar style and delivered by a commanding vocal that is truly inspirational. Wils live shows with drummer Pat Stewart are truly amazing.

Opening this show will be Jimmy Bowskill. This amazing 16 year old musician was just nominated for a Juno. He's made appearances on cbc's Vinyl Cafe and has played several international festivals.

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The Reverend Horton Heat

Sunday, May 6, 2007
Tofino Legion
Tickets $35, Doors 9pm

There are recurring themes in the band's songs: beer, gin & tonic, whiskey, cocaine, tequila, martinis, marijuana, cigarettes, cars, more beer, pretty women, sermons, cats & dogs, the devil, Texas, and Jimbo. All the good things in life. It's true that the Reverend Horton Heat have been called a great many things over the course of their career: Perpetual Carriers of the Rockabilly Flame, Genre- Shattering Shit-Starters, Filthy Drunks, and The Most Electrifying Live Act In America.