Penzie’s Bistro LIVE
Gahan Beacon Blonde Ale presents J.P. Cormier LIVE at Penzie’s Bistro (Shaw’s Hotel) August 14th!
About this event
Nobody really knows who J.P. Cormier is for sure. That’s to be expected, believe me. In 1974 he was a five year old boy, discovering an innate talent for playing the guitar, I had a little hand in that, guiding him through the beginning stages. He learned faster than I could teach. By the mid eighties, not out of his teens, he was a sideman for bands and artists of many different genres in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and all across the deep south. As he travelled and worked he added more and more instruments to his arsenal of capabilities. He became indispensable to the bands he worked for. In the early Nineties, he became a sideman for one of Canada’s favourite sons, Stompin’ Tom Connors and also became a staple of the recordings at Studio H in Halifax. His work with the CBC there, spanned musical, production and arranging duties. All this before he was 20. In the mid nineties he reentered the musical scene of his beloved East Coast and the Island called Cape Breton. He exploded onto the trad music scene there as a fiddler, performing some of the most difficult music ever produced by legends like Winston Fitzgerald and Angus Chisholm with a facility that stunned onlookers. Especially those who knew he wasn’t born there, but born in Ontario to Cape Breton parents. Somehow, some way, his music was the real thing, sounding like he had been steeped continually in a handed-down brew of family tradition from the old country. Nothing could be further from the truth. His previous gig was in Nashville playing mandolin and banjo in a grammy nominated bluegrass gospel band and performing on the Opry, and playing television shows with the likes of Waylon Jennings. All those people also thought he was one of them, American, reared in the ways of bluegrass, old time and Americana music. They knew he was from Canada, but it just didn’t seem possible. Then in 1997, something amazing happened. An album released in Canada, out of nowhere, called Another Morning. This time it was him as a songwriter and a lead singer. And what a songwriter he turned out to be. Some of the performances on that album are literally part of the musical vocabulary today in the East Coast. Songs like the title cut, and Kelly’s Mountain, The Molly May (co written with his cousin Gervais) and others. It inspired, 25 years ago, some of the biggest names in the business today. People like Dave Gunning, Matt Andersen, David Myles, Joel Plaskett, all of which will tell you: that record changed things.
The Canadian industry thought so too, and it received a juno nomination and won an ECMA.
And that was just the beginning.
Seating begins at 6:00pm (Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time slot for dinner before the show. We recommend reserving before 6:30pm if you would like dinner.)
Show: 8-10pm Approx.
Your tickets reserve your table. Please call 902-672-2022 if you would like to sit with another group.
Rooms and Cottages available! Call 902-672-2022 to reserve.
Gahan Beacon Blonde Ale presents Jackie Putnam LIVE at Penzie’s Bistro (Shaw’s Hotel) August 25th!
About this event
Jackie is a Canadian Singer-Songwriter from Debert, Nova Scotia bringing together the sounds of country, rock, and pop. This dynamic powerhouse singer performs throughout the Atlantic Provinces as a one-woman show and with a band. Jackie is influenced by Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Patty Loveless, Bonnie Tyler, Pat Benatar and Canadian’s Anne Murray and Shania Twain.
Jackie became inspired at the age of 12 from watching the movie, “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. This movie had a huge influence on Jackie’s music career at such an early age where Loretta Lynn became her idol and Jackie taught herself how to play guitar and began writing music.
Throughout Jackie’s mid 20s, she began performing solo, singing hit songs by the Queens of Country. Jackie then fronted the band Nighthawk, adding 50s and 60s music to her show while she performed traditional country music. Jackie later fronted bands such as Sierra; Sweet Revenge; Eldorado, and has shared the stage with Rawlins Cross, Cindy Church, Doris Mason, and the Kilted Chef. Jackie has also performed on CTV’s Christmas Daddies, Breakfast Television, The Downeaster Jamboree Show, and local cable shows.
During the two-year pandemic, Jackie released her first song that she recorded as an online tribute to the Province of Nova Scotia shortly after the April 18th–19th, 2020 Colchester County tragedies. “I’ll Be Right Home To You” received radio airplay and was written by Bob Robichaud. This song was going to be featured in a March 2020 showcase in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA, which was cancelled due to the pandemic.
In 2021, Jackie performed at Atlantic Canada’s First Ever Historic Tour for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association game that was held in Nova Scotia at Truro’s Rath Eastlink Civic Centre. Jackie sang the bilingual version of our Canadian National Anthem at the Opening Ceremonies and performed her one woman show for three days.
Jackie is now working on recording her debut EP The Phoenix and is continuing to focus on writing and releasing new singles to showcase her dynamic range.
Seating begins at 6:00pm (Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time slot for dinner before the show. We recommend reserving before 6:30pm if you would like dinner.)
Show: 8-10pm Approx.
Your tickets reserve your table. Please call 902-672-2022 if you would like to sit with another group.
Rooms and Cottages available! Call 902-672-2022 to reserve.
Gahan Beacon Blonde Ale presents Dennis Ellsworth LIVE August 26th at Penzie’s Bistro (Shaw’s Hotel)!
About this event
Dennis Ellsworth is a songwriter, performer, sideman, and record producer from Charlottetown, PE. His songwriting career started in high school, filling notebooks with lyrics and poems. He grew up on the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Ray Charles, Kris Kristofferson, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. His tastes evolved in grade 6 and he began collecting cassettes. His personal music collection is stylistically vast, overwhelmingly expansive and it bridges multiple formats.
Over the years he has collaborated with Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize from Skydiggers, Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip, Joel Plaskett, Donovan Woods, and David Barbe (producer of Drive-by Truckers and bass player for 90’s alt rock band Sugar.)
In 2015 Dennis signed a publishing deal with Cymba Music Publishing in Toronto, and has since written songs in a wide variety of styles from hip-hop, dance, k-pop, j-pop, chill-pop, new wave, rock, alt country, country, and folk. His own music has been placed in television shows for CBC, Netflix, HBO and was featured in the award-winning film, The New Romantic.
Ellsworth has released 2 full length albums with his previous group, Haunted Hearts, an album as a duo with Kinley Dowling, two EP’s and 10 full length solo albums, including his most recent triple album project called Bound by Love.
Seating begins at 6:00pm (Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time slot for dinner before the show. We recommend reserving before 6:30pm if you would like dinner.)
Show: 8-10pm Approx.
Your tickets reserve your table. Please call 902-672-2022 if you would like to sit with another group.
Rooms and Cottages available! Call 902-672-2022 to reserve.
Regardless if they are wired for full sound or completely unplugged, JJ ROOTS captivates & excites with soul-lifting vocals and powerful melodic riffs within their highly impactful Contemporary Roots/Folk vibe.
Join JJ ROOTS as they make their way across the Maritimes in 2023 to familiar haunts and fresh new trails while delighting & surprising audiences along with an impactful show that’s filled with beautiful melodies and memorable moments that has everyone feeling a sense of “EUPHORIA”!
Doors open at 6pm
Show runs from 8-10pm
Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time for dinner before the show as the kitchen gets busy on show nights (We recommend between 6-6:30pm). If you wish to join another table that has tickets please let us know in advance.
Drinks and food served directly to your table. Your table will be assigned at the door.
This is a listening room event. Please remain quiet during performances. There is usually a brief intermission halfway through.
To reserve a hotel room or cottage call 902-672-2022.
Biggar has been honoured with numerous regional awards in his 10-plus years career from both the East Coast Music Association and Music New Brunswick, including ‘Blues Album of the Year’, ‘Inspirational Album of the Year’ and more. In Fall 2022, Biggar confirmed new music plans for 2023, with new singles in development and the award-winning Chris Kirby (Matt Andersen, Quote the Raven) of Halifax Nova Scotia at the producer’s helm. Kirby and Biggar have seized on a strong vision and called into action a true A-list of Canadian studio talent, with a keen focus on their shared conviction to deliver Biggar’s most soulful, authentic recordings to date, including co-writes with Canadian blues gems such as Maple Blues Award winners Suzie Vinnick and Charlie A’Court.Biggar tours regularly and has been a featured performer on major East Coast festival stages such as the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Kempt Shore Acoustic Festival and Larlee Creek Hullabaloo. He has been an official showcase artist at East Coast Music Week, Folk Music Ontario, Folk Alliance International and more. He has shared the stage with artists such as Steve Earle, Matt Andersen, Stephen Fearing, Matt Minglewood, Lynn Miles, Dave Gunning, Ron Hynes, Lukas Nelson, Del Barber, Joey Landreth, and more. 2023-24-25 will see Biggar sharing his compelling live performance brand more broadly than ever in markets across Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA and more.
Doors open at 6pm
Show runs from 8-10pm
Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time for dinner before the show as the kitchen gets busy on show nights (We recommend between 6-6:30pm). If you wish to join another table that has tickets please let us know in advance.
Drinks and food served directly to your table. Your table will be assigned at the door.
This is a listening room event. Please remain quiet during performances. There is usually a brief intermission halfway through.
To reserve a hotel room or cottage call 902-672-2022.
Charlie A’Court has enjoyed headline performances at national and international festivals like Stan Rogers Folk Festival (CAN), Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival (CAN), Great Southern Blues Festival (AUS), Woodford Folk Festival (AUS), repeat performances at Kerrville Folk Festival (USA) and has shared the stage with James Cotton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood, Harry Manx, Martin Sexton, Delbert McClinton, UB40, Canned Heat, Colin James, Dan Aykroyd and Jimmie Vaughan, among countless others.
Doors open at 6pm
Show runs from 8-10pm
Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time for dinner before the show as the kitchen gets busy on show nights (We recommend between 6-6:30pm). If you wish to join another table that has tickets please let us know in advance.
Drinks and food served directly to your table. Your table will be assigned at the door.
This is a listening room event. Please remain quiet during performances. There is usually a brief intermission halfway through.
To reserve a hotel room or cottage call 902-672-2022.
Halifax Blues-Rock power duo, Christine Campbell & Blake Johnston have been building a name for themselves, entertaining audiences with their soulful tone, 60’s and 70s rock style guitar riffs and bewitching vocal harmonies; and opening up for some big names, like Burton Cummings, Steve Earle & Bob Segar.
In 2021, they released their self-titled Album, Campbell & Johnston’s Black Market Band. This self produced recording, adds a touch of their old school rock influences with a modern twist on blues and soul. It earned them an award for Best Blues Album at the 2022 ECMAs and a Maple Blues Nomination. Then in 2023, Campbell’s home province showed their support for her, with the Music PEI award “Rooted to the Island Award”!
Doors open at 6pm
Show runs from 8-10pm
Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time for dinner before the show as the kitchen gets busy on show nights (We recommend between 6-6:30pm). If you wish to join another table that has tickets please let us know in advance.
Drinks and food served directly to your table. Your table will be assigned at the door.
This is a listening room event. Please remain quiet during performances. There is usually a brief intermission halfway through.
To reserve a hotel room or cottage call 902-672-2022.
There’s no other band around like Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys.
Led by fiddling wiz Gordie “Crazylegs” MacKeeman, the roots quartet features all-star pickers and singers, with everything from down-home country to reckless rockabilly to intricate bluegrass. Now the boys are back with their latest release, Dreamland.
Crowds all over the world stare in awe as Gordie plays with joyful abandonment. They create new fans at festivals such as Denmark’s Tonder Festival and the U.K.’s Glastonbury, to Merlefest in North Carolina and the Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia. Onlookers report Gordie and the Boys to be festival highlights time and time again. This is mostly due to the elastic legged band leader nicknamed “Crazylegs” as he demonstrates his unique blend of Canadian clogging and step dancing.
Since their inception, they have collected a mantle full of awards and recognitions. Their latest album “Dreamland”, produced by Nashville’s R. S. Field, has captured the versatility the group has to offer while showcasing their expansive talents.
While their records are tremendous; it’s their exhilarating live show that keeps people coming back time and time again and leaving with the same wonder and amazement.
Doors open at 6pm
Show runs from 8-10pm
Please call 902-672-2022 to reserve a time for dinner before the show as the kitchen gets busy on show nights (We recommend between 6-6:30pm). If you wish to join another table that has tickets please let us know in advance.
Drinks and food served directly to your table. Your table will be assigned at the door.
This is a listening room event. Please remain quiet during performances. There is usually a brief intermission halfway through.
To reserve a hotel room or cottage call 902-672-2022.