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“Haiti: Where Did the Money Go?” screening, May 17 at CBU

WGO staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:12:57 +0000

Michele Mitchell, a documentary film maker from New York, will be showing her film, Haiti: Where Did the Money Go?, at CS104, in the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment, Cape Breton University, Thursday, May 17 at 7pm. Ms. Mitchell, by documenting two visits to Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, examines and exposes conditions in Haiti and asks some sobering questions.

The film brings out the scandal of the miserable conditions in which so many Haitians are living after two years of supposed re-construction. It puts forth that the millions of people who gave billions of dollars should wonder where their donations went. It is clear from the film coverage that standards for delivering relief have not been met. Haiti: Where Did the Money Go? asks the questions: Why are at least 600,000 Haitians still living in squalor? Why did so much money buy so little relief? How is it possible that a massive “relief enterprise” could be built on the suffering of Haitians? Why are so many non-governmental organizations not held accountable to anyone? The film asks North American and other donors: Do you know how your donation was spent?

Haiti: Where Did the Money Go? gives viewers a glimpse of the crowded camps where thousands of families live under tattered tarps beside overflowing latrines. Mitchell visits board rooms of relief organizations and asks NGOs why conditions in Haiti continue to deteriorate. Mitchell, who visited camps in Haiti in fall of 2010 and again in fall of 2011, comments, “I was shocked to see how much worse things had gotten.”

Michele Mitchell is the executive editor of Film at Eleven, a New York-based media production company. She is an award-winning broadcast journalist known for her political investigative work, which has taken her around the world. She began her career on television with CNN Headline News, where she was the political anchor from 2000-2003. Mitchell has reported extensively from all over the USA, as well as Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Jordan, West Bank, Israel, Lebanon and Libya. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Besides Haiti: Where Did the Money Go?, she has produced short web documentaries, and executive produced a number of popular web series.

The presentation of Haiti: Where Did the Money Go? is part of a Maritime tour and Canadian premiere of the film. The tour is organized by Cooper Institute (PEI). The Sydney showing is sponsored by Cape Breton University’s Centre for International Studies. The film is free, but donations are appreciated.

Live Music Review: Carleton Stone / Emma-Lee – May 5, Flavor 19

Sean O'Connell — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:52:53 +0000

(Emma-Lee and Carleton Stone at Flavor 19 - photo: Sean O'Connell

Heavy rain didn’t stop people from coming out and filling all the tables at Flavor 19 last Saturday night. They were there for a highly anticipated show featuring two amazing songwriters. Cape Breton’s own Carleton Stone was in town to open his Maritime tour with Toronto songstress Emma-Lee.

Stone wasted no time catching the attention of the crowd opening up the show with “Never Felt A Thing” a song that showcases Stone’s powerful voice. Stone easily drew the hometown crowd in throughout his first set of songs but it wasn’t long before Emma-Lee took the focus with a cover of Patsy Cline’s classic “Crazy”. The room fell immediately silent, overwhelmed by the absolute power of her voice. The echoes gave me goosebumps.

The pair wrapped up a nearly three hour show with songs they collaborated on like “Kiss My Face”, a personal favorite of mine, and a duet of “Pick Me Up and Dust Me Off” which the crowd recognized as “Saving Grace” from the video of Stone strolling through the Halifax market, guitar in hand, singing the song. Finally the duo finished off the night with “Lobster Song” that they had just written in the last few days inspired by Emma Lee’s first experience with fresh Atlantic Lobster. The song was an instant crowd hit and had the audience clapping along and singing out the lyrics.

Stone and Lee are continuing their tour throughout the Maritimes with stops on the Mainland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. When the tour is complete Stone plans to go back to Los Angeles to do some writing, and then back to Toronto to continue work on his third album which he hopes will be out next spring.

Now and Then: This week and last at the Elk’s Lodge

Joe Costello — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:23:21 +0000

(Sydney’s Andrew Greig, who played the Elk's last week with Rad+Subtract, debuts as The Motorleague's new touring guitarist Friday night when they join A Wilhelm Scream, Ricochet and A.S.A. at the Lodge)

Last Friday was another intense night at the Elk’s as local heavy hitters The Shithawks and Dead Skanks were joined by emerging indie group Rad+Subtract. The show was intended to feature Winnipeg’s The Brat Attack as well but, due to some ferry schedule mixups, they were unable to make the appearance. Regardless, the show did not disappoint for the audience that filled the club to two-thirds capacity.

Rad+Subtract kicked off the night, the drum and bass pair blasting through a set of thick rock tunes. The songs feel more complex than they are, with frontman Andrew Greig’s bass playing going from quick licks to thick chording and Red MacDougall’s drumming creating dynamic rhythms to complement. Greig’s voice still needs a bit of work, but it makes up for any flaw with raw intensity.

It was Star Wars Day and Dead Skanks made a point to embrace the occasion by beginning their set with a three-piece kazoo rendition of the “Imperial March”. The group then ripped through an 11 song set of originals and covers that was liberally peppered with feedback, noise, and punk rock antics, ending with a vicious cover of the Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian”. The band is openly foolish but endearing and this performance lead CBLocals.com’s Harry Doyle to proclaim, “Go to all of the dead skanks shows.”

The Shithawks hit the stage like a bad storm; their heavy, hard hitting punk rock whipping the crowd into a frenzy. The band paid homage to the recently deceased MCA of the Beastie Boys with the opening bars of “Sabotage” before diving right into their own tunes. All the favorites were there, as well as some new material, and they took the show to a furious climax. Frontman Matty Burke is a favorite at the club, with his Bruce Banner-like performances becoming one of the most interesting pieces of the band’s performance. Go see these fellas whenever you get the chance.

The Elk’s lands on the national radar this week as New Bedford, Massachusetts’ A Wilhelm Scream headlines a show Friday night with Ricochet and The Motorleague that promises to be among the best to hit Sydney in years.

A Wilhelm Scream combine fast punk rock with technical riffs, akin to Propagandhi, while maintaining catchy hooks and choruses that stay with you long after the set is done. The band hits Cape Breton on the tail end of their Canadian tour, which began on May 3 in Sarnia, Ontario and will end May 13 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Hailing from Glace Bay, but now mostly living up on Hardwood Hill, Ricochet is the last of the bevy of local punk rock groups that began in the mid-’00s. With A Wilhelm Scream being a favorite of singer Colin Mitchell’s, the band has been making sure they are ready to bring their A-game and have supplemented some of their “classic” set with some brand new hard hitting tunes.

(The Motorleague's Nathan Jones and Don Levandier at Caper Radio in April - photo: Caper Radio)

When Caper Radio caught up with Moncton’s The Motorleague last month and asked about their special connection with Cape Breton, they called it “home”. The band has played to capacity crowds here often since their birth in 2006, continuing a prior relationship with the area treaded by frontman Don Levandier’s time in The Ditchpigs. This show will mark another transition in The Motorleague story; with guitarist Nathan Jones having to take a break because of work commitments, the band will debut their new touring guitarist, Sydney’s Andrew Greig, who has played in local bands such as Ricochet, Richmond Hill, and Heartwood Slacks.

Doors for the show will open at 9pm and only 35 tickets are available. Admission is $15 and will feature A.S.A before The Motorleague hit the stage at 10:30pm.

The Elk’s Lodge is located at 101 Bentinck Street, which is behind MaryJanes, in downtown Sydney. 12 oz draft is $2.50 all night and special happy hour shooters happen from 11-12. For more information on the Elk’s of Canada, visit elks-canada.org.

Theatre Review: “Night Light” puts school bullying in the spotlight

Ken Chisholm — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:17:13 +0000

(David Hutchinson as Victor and Eric Letcher as Farley in the CBU Dramagroup production of Night Light - photo: Cape Breton University)

Ideally, plays for young people that aim to impart a message should aspire to make their audience enjoy the play more than the message.

Night Light by John Lazarus (produced by the Cape Breton University Dramagroup and running currently at the Boardmore Playhouse) is on the surface about bullying, a hot topic in schools across the country. But it casts its dramatic net a bit wider to examine the fears that create bullies and the fears that create their victims.

Victor excels in school and Farley, despite a very smart (and the audience intuits) academically demanding father, does not excel in school. Farley, perhaps jealous of Victor’s grades (and afraid of disappointing his father), bullies him into doing his homework. Victor doesn’t know how to stand up to Farley and glumly complies.

Victor’s sister, Tara, is having her own fear issues: their father is in the hospital for a hernia operation and her fear for his welfare creates an ugly one-eyed monster inhabiting her dresser that only she can see. Victor as older brother and temporary dad has to step in and help his little sister conquer her fears and, of course, along the way he learns to conquer his own fears and that helps him to help Farley face his fears. Or as one of the great sages of our time remarked, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

Lazarus’s script keeps the preaching to a minimum: his characters behave and interact with their world and their situations appropriate to their ages. There are flashes of violence, all the more disturbing because of their suddenness, but the clever addition of the monster (it’s more cartoon funny than sinister) softens the hard edge of the darker scenes.

The energetic, talented cast is uniformly excellent: David Hutchinson is both nerdy and caring as Victor; Eric Letcher, as Farley, is a tall order of mean but credibly grows more sympathetic as his character reveals a sensitive side; Bhreagh MacNeil is a charming and lively presence as Tara; and Malcolm Hiscock as the monster in the dresser elicited scary “oohs” and belly laughs.

That the cast brought their audience into the play was proven when one character’s breakthrough with fractions spontaneously brought a salvo of applause from the junior high school audience at the performance under review.

Todd Hiscock directed in his usual kinetic style, keeping the pace moving and the performances high energy. He understands his young audience needs to be involved every second of the show and he never allows the momentum of the show to slow.

Night Light should appeal to family audiences with elementary to early junior high school age young ones. Even if the cynical among us might not buy into the real applications of Lazarus’s answers to bullying, it is a great place to start a conversation with kids, parents, and other people affected by bullying.

Night Light has two public performances this weekend: Saturday, May 12, 7pm and Sunday, May 13, 2pm. Both performances are in the Boardmore Playhouse on the Cape Breton University Campus.

The CBU Boardmore Theatre box office is open Monday to Friday, 1 pm to 5 pm and an hour before performance times. Tickets are $12 general, $8 children and seniors, and $6 CBU students.

Next week, as part of their Annual Family Theatre Series, the Boardmore is offering one public performance of the Maritime Marionettes production of Jack And The Beanstalk on Wednesday, May 16, at 7pm.

Eighth annual Estwood Davidson Bursary concert takes place May 12 in St. Peter’s

WGO staff — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:41 +0000

(Estwood Davidson - photo: Cape Breton's Magazine)

Since Cape Breton guitar pioneer Estwood H. Davidson passed away in 2005, family and friends have established a memorial bursary in his honour. These bursaries are presented each year to graduating students of Richmond Academy who demonstrate community involvement and a keen interest in performing arts.

During his musical lifetime, Davidson played with many Celtic musicians but will probably be remembered as the left-handed guitar player who accompanied the late Winston (Scotty) Fitzgerald. Together with the late Beatty Wallace, they performed together as the Radio Entertainers. They performed at many dances, concerts, and radio shows, hosted a television show called Cape Breton Ceilidh, and performed in Canada as well as the U.S. During their time together, they recorded several albums and a few 78s. Davidson is remembered for his wit and his musical contributions. (Read about Davidson’s travels with Fitzgerald and Wallace in Issue 54 of Cape Breton’s Magazine)

“It’s an honor to be thought of for this concert that celebrates a true pioneer in the Cape Breton style of guitar playing,” says fellow left-handed guitar player Patrick Gillis who will be taking part in the bursary concert Saturday night. Gillis, a well-respected accompanist who has played with a long list of contemporary Cape Breton fiddlers, credits Davidson’s style of playing with making him think about decorating the music in a different way. “He played a lot of bass runs and chords like Django Reinhardt. I am more of a beat the drum player. He has influenced all guitar players to some degree that I know who currently play the Cape Breton / Scottish style.”

The Estwood Davidson Memorial Bursary is funded by an annual concert which has been held in River Bourgeois or St. Peter’s. This year’s concert will take place at the St. Peter’s Lion’s Hall, St. Peter’s on Saturday, May 12. Gillis will be sharing the stage with Howie MacDonald, Mac Morin, Donnie Campbell, Buddy MacDonald, Mckayla MacNeil, Donna Marie Dewolfe, Harold and Myles Davidson. Start time is 7pm. Admission Is $15.00 per person. Proceeds go to graduating students at Richmond Academy.

Annual Family Series on now at Boardmore Theatre with Night Light

WGO staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:32:13 +0000

(Night Light is on stage all week at the Boardmore Theatre Family Series - photo: Cape Breton University)

The Cape Breton University Boardmore Theatre is all about family fun when the Boardmore Theatre Family Series takes the stage as part of the 41st Season of Plays. Night Light and Maritime Marionettes’ production of Jack and the Beanstalk are guaranteed to entertain family members of all ages. The plays are educational in nature and focus on topics such as bullying and friendship.

“Theatre can be used to educate and entertain at the same time,” says Todd Hiscock, Artistic Director of Boardmore Theatre. “Night Light is a great play to teach young audiences about how to deal with bullies, and Jack and the Beanstalk magically reminds us to appreciate what we have, and that it is how big we are on the inside that matters most of all – two wonderful plays for the whole family.”

In Night Light, written by John Lazarus and directed by Todd Hiscock, Farley, the bully, forces Victor, the smart kid, to do his homework for him. Tara, Victor’s sister, is afraid of the dark. Night Light explores the use of friendship to empower. Victor learns to overcome the bully and help his sister manage her fears. And, with Victor’s help, Farley discovers he can do math. Daily performances of Night Light will take place this week at 10am for the area’s students. Public performances will take place May 12 at 7pm and May 13 at 2pm.

Next week, Maritime Marionettes retell the popular folktale Jack and the Beanstalk, that follows Jack’s incredible journey from his humble cottage, up a giant beanstalk, to a castle in the sky. This lighthearted presentation is for all ages and features marionettes, shadow puppets, music, and storytelling. School performances will take place May 15-17 at 10am with one public performance scheduled for Wednesday, May 16 at 7pm.

Tickets for the Boardmore Theatre Family Series are on sale now. The CBU Boardmore Theatre is open Monday to Friday, 1pm to 5pm. Tickets are $12 general, $8 children and seniors, and $6 CBU students.

Colaisde na Gàidhlig celebrates Gaelic Awareness Month with Féis, April 7-13

WGO staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:41:04 +0000

(Féis Colaisde na Gàidhlig promises to be an exciting week of learning and fun for all ages and skill levels - photo: Celtic Heart)

Communities all over Nova Scotia are abuzz with anticipation of warm weather, longer days, and the excitement that comes with spring. Across the province, events are taking place to mark Gaelic Awareness Month, which happens in May each year. Colaisde na Gàidhlig (The Gaelic College) in St. Ann’s is celebrating Gaelic Awareness Month with a week-long féis: May 7th to 13th.

The first of its kind for the College, Féis Colaisde na Gàidhlig promises to be an exciting week of learning and fun. Every day of the Féis features an exciting array of classes, workshops, seminars, and performances, with some of Cape Breton’s finest singers, dancers, and musicians. From Gaelic preschool to after-school Gaelic, and adult Gaelic drama, there is programming for all ages and skill levels. The weekend’s events include a square dance, music and dance classes, a cod fish supper, and milling frolic.

The week promises to be exciting for Colaisde na Gàidhlig, which has been introducing many positive initiatives as of late.

“We are very pleased to welcome the broader community to Colaisde na Gàidhlig for the Féis. It’s sure to be a great week for all those involved,” says Director of Education and Programming, Tracey MacNeil.

The Féis wraps up with two concerts. On Saturday, May 12th, after a day of music and dance lessons, Colaisde na Gàidhlig will host some of the region’s finest musicians with Cuirm-Ciùil nam Pìob, a concert showcasing the Gaelic College Piping Ensemble, beginning at 2pm. To cap off the week, Sunday will feature Gàidhlig air an Ard Urlar: A Concert of the Finest in Cape Breton / Nova Scotia Gaelic Cultural Artists at 2pm. It is sure to be a spectacular afternoon, including artists such as Shelly Campbell, Rodney MacDonald, Tracey and Paul K. MacNeil and family, Colin, Keith and Kyle MacDonald, Colin Watson, John Pellerin, and more!

A complete schedule of events, as well as more information on Féis Colaisde na Gàidhlig can be found on the Colaisde na Gàidhlig website.

Mad dash comedy Idyll Gossip at Strathspey Place in Mabou – May 4, 5

WGO staff — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:22:37 +0000

(Cindy O'Neill, April MacDonald, Bertha MacLean and Chlory MacKay rehearsing Idyll Gossip at Strathspey Place - photo: Diane Mouland)

What do a fisherman’s wife, a substitute teacher, a shopkeeper, a fish plant worker and an old lady have in common? Except for the fact that they are all women and living in rural Nova Scotia with nothing and nothing to lose… Nothing!

Husbands, children, egos and occupations are tossed in the wind when they decide to form a band and take it on the road. Join in the laughter, fun and total chaos with River Hill Players‘ production of Carol Sinclair’s Idyll Gossip, Friday and Saturday evening at Strathspey Place in Mabou.

“The play centres around five women who are mostly alone and struggling to get by and to get through life,” says director Tom Ryan. “They decide to start a band but find it difficult to land any local gigs, so they come up with some pretty innovative ways to overcome that.”

Chlory MacLean is Wanda, a shopkeeper of groceries and dried goods while Bertha MacLean plays Donna, a single woman and a fish plant worker. Anyone who saw the Inverness Idol competition a few years ago knows these ladies have great voices. Port Hood’s Nancy Hilton plays Agnes, an older lady who lives on the streets. April MacDonald is Henny, a substitute teacher with a dark secret, and River Hill co-founder Cindy O’Neill plays Bets, a fisherman’s wife who’s left alone while he’s away at sea.

“The River Hill Players been rehearsing for a couple of months now, and the girls are all fired up and doing a great job with the drama and the music,” says Ryan. “I’m very pleased, and we’ve been having a lot of fun as well with this production. There’s a lot of buzz going around now, and we’re all really looking forward to bringing this show to the stage.”

“It’s a very interesting plot, and it promises to be a lot of fun,” says Ryan. “Keegan Campbell and Mike Murdock are also doing a bang-up job creating music for the show.”

Campbell just played Soldier in the John Archie and Nellie production last week at Strathspey Place, and he is remembered for many River Hill roles including Van Morrison in The Last Waltz 35th Anniversary Tribute last December. Murdock was the horn player with “The Band” in that production as well.

“Idyll Gossip is a great little musical comedy that takes place in rural Nova Scotia, so it’s a very fitting play for us here in rural Inverness County,” says Ryan.

The River Hill Players is a community theatre group that has been showcasing the musical and theatrical talents of Inverness County since 2006. Doing an average of four shows per year, the Players have gained recognition for their professionalism.

See Idyll Gossip at Strathspey Place on May 4th and 5th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available by calling the Strathspey Place box office at 945-5300.

Women in Business Annual Conference and Awards Dinner – May 3, 4 in Baddeck

WGO staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:01:37 +0000

(Bette MacDonald, pictured here as one of her most popular characters Mary Morrison, will host tonight's (May 3) Women in Business Awards Dinner at the Inverary Inn - photo: Murdock Smith)

The 2012 Women in Business Conference and Awards Dinner will take place at the Inverary Inn, Baddeck, on May 3-4, featuring guest speakers, panel presentations, a Trade Show and the always popular gala dinner with Bette MacDonald as emcee. The awards will be presented in eight categories Thursday evening, May 3, at the MacAulay Conference Centre of the Inverary Inn. Following the dinner, entertainment will be provided by Decota McNamara during a social evening at the Thistle Pub.

Arts and Culture Achievement nominees: Janet Dawson, The Bobbin Tree; Morning Star Pinto, Reloved Design; Wendy Burns Morrison, Burnsmor Studio

Business Woman of the Year nominees: Amy Baker, Natural Smiles; Kim Boudreau, Kreative Design; Marion Stone, Glad Tidings Christmas Shoppe; Michelle Aucoin, LearnAbility Cape Breton; Norma Boudreau, C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home; Tracie Breski, Tracie’s Salon and Spa; Wendy Burns Morrison, Burnsmor Studio

Continuity Award nominees: Alma Head, Alma’s Family Hair Salon; Anita Starr Dicks, Wiggles and Giggles Daycare/Preschool; Louise MacKenzie, MacKenzie’s Country Store; Michelle Aucoin, Learn Ability; Nicole Cammaert, Green Lotus Yoga and Wellness; Norma Boudreau, C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home; Susan Matheson, Bean There Café; Tanya Howley, Pharmacist/Owner, North Sydney Shoppers Drug Mart; Tracey Boutilier, VIBE Creative Group

Cultural Diversity Award nominees: Lindsay Katherine Kim, Oka Maki Sushi; Rosie Basque, Slicks Hair Salon and Boutique

Export Achievement Award nominees: Joanne Schmidt, Galloping Cows Fine Foods; Lori Kennedy, Louisbourg Seafoods

Impact Award nominees: Angie MacDonald Fraser, Island Martial Arts Centre; Carol Beaton, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design; Michele Bianchini, Cambridge Suites

Newcomers Award: Vineeta Sharma, Eastern Holistic Yoga

Start-Up Business Award nominees: Amy Baker, Natural Smiles; Deborah Lush, Cape Breton Glass; Jackie Young, Jackie’s Tours; Kim Boudreau, Kreative Designs; Kimberly Kilback, Purple Mango; Meghan Finney, La Quaintrelle; Nooshin Parvizi, Shiraz Market

The Conference really gets underway Friday morning at breakfast with Tiffany Welch, VP of Futurestate IT speaking about “cloud technology” which enables business to be done from any location (Sponsored by Scotiabank Branches in Cape Breton), followed by a Round Table discussion of opportunities and challenges facing Cape Breton businesses led by Deputy Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Sandra McKenzie. Guest Speaker for Friday’s luncheon is Susan Murray, Founder and CEO of SAMCI Consulting of Toronto and Ottawa. Her company promotes its services as “bridging the communications and understanding gap between the public and private sectors”. The afternoon continues with a Trade show (Sponsored by Coastal Business CBDC), and Panel Presentations on topics such as Bringing Business Here; Educating for the Future; Sources of Financing; Exporting. Panel facilitators include Joella Foulds, Celtic Colours International Festival; Mary Jane Morrison, Small Business Development Centre CBU; Monica McCarthy, East Coast Credit Union; Lori Kennedy, Louisbourg Seafoods.

This is the third year that the CBU Small Business Development Centre has co-ordinated the conference. It was hosted for several years prior to that by the Cape Breton Partnership.

Cape Breton singer-songwriter Carleton Stone starts Maritimes tour at Flavor 19 – May 5

WGO staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:20:46 +0000

(Carleton Stone performing at the CBMIC Cape Breton Embassy during last month's East Coast Music Awards in Moncton - photo: Ashley MacKenzie)

Cape Breton singer-songwriter Carleton Stone is touring the Maritimes, May 5-13, in support of his self-titled album produced by Juno Award-winner Hawksley Workman. First stop is Saturday night at Flavor 19 with songwriter and collaborator Emma-Lee.

“I’m excited about this particular tour because I’m taking my good friend from Toronto, Emma-Lee, to the east coast for the first time,” says Stone. “I can’t wait to show her around and have her meet all the wonderful east coasters. And what better place to kick off the tour than in Sydney at Flavor 19? Since my album release in September, I’ve been on the road across the country and into the US, but coming home for a string of Maritime dates is a dream.”

After the Sydney show, the tour will take the pair to Rockdale, Nova Scotia; Halifax; Fredericton; Hampton, New Brunswick; and Hunter River, Prince Edward Island before returning to Moncton for a show at Plan B.

Stone has been busy since GroundSwell Music released his album in September 2011. He toured western Canada with Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings) and eastern Canada with The Heartbroken, showcased at Canadian Music Week in Toronto and East Coast Music Week in Moncton, and spent some time songwriting in Los Angeles and Nashville with Gordie Sampson.

The album, which was nominated for 2012 ECMA Pop Recording of the Year, features a co-write with Emma-Lee and sparkles with smart, pop-country energy, clever hooks and an infectious exuberance.

“He’s really got something,” says Workman. “He’s a real performer, he’s a real songwriter, he’s one of those real humans… If there’s any justice in the world, it should just work for him.”

And there just may be some justice, judging by the reviews.

“This record is brimming over with finely crafted songs from an artist who continues to grow and evolve as both a songwriter and a performer,” raves The Guardian. CBC’s Bob Mersereau is even more to the point, saying, “The new star on the horizon belongs to Carleton Stone, who is quickly developing into a major national talent.”

Comparing him to Workman, Plaid Magazine praises Stone’s “…charisma…positive vibe, likeable voice, and ability to capture the audience.” Workman himself sums it up with, “Carleton: precocious, humble, dimples…”.

Don’t miss Carleton Stone and Emma-Lee, Saturday May 5, 8-11pm at Flavor 19. Admission is $10 at the door.