Gunning and Cormier

Dave Gunning is best defined as a master craftsman who, with a dozen albums and ten East Coast Music Awards, has diligently sharpened his skills, developing into a poetic storyteller and emotionally convincing singer with few equals.  J.P. Cormier is outstanding, be it guitar, fiddle, mandolin or banjo, be it singing or songwriting. He’s earned twelve East Coast Music awards.  Their second CD, Leather and Dust will be released shortly. Great friends, frequent collaborators, co-writers and touring partners, they are two songwriters, interpreters, guitar players, and singers at their peak. It’s the power of the song, the highest quality from the past to the now.

Amy Nelson

Calgary’s Amy Nelson is a conduit of voices from the past, reverentially channeling the sounds of depression-era blues and Appalachian mountain music through the raw reality of an Albertan feminist. Haunting and honest, gritty and passionate, Amy finger-picks her way through guitar and banjo tunes that bind together wit, beauty and truth.

$30 advance tickets for our remaining concerts for the 2022-2023 season at the Nick are on sale through Eventbrite. If your circumstances should change, refunds are available up to 24 hours prior to our events.

Here’s our upcoming lineup:

March 11   Gunning and Cormier  with opening act Amy Nelson   

March 25    Pharis and Jason Romero  with opening act Mike Tod        

April 15      Julian Taylor with opening act Wyatt C. Louis 

The Nick is held in the Crescent Heights Community Hall, 1101 2nd St. N.W.  Doors are 7:00, showtime is 7:30.

We are now sending out email bulletins about our upcoming performances.  To subscribe click here:    SUBSCRIBE NICK EMAILS

The dignity of labour has been a theme central to the folk music tradition forever. Working as a dishwasher, Braden’s formidable focus of conscience and care illuminate his portraits of characters from the restaurant milieu, a journal of character sketches, personal landscapes and after-hours confessions. His subjects: an aging line cook who breaks into song when the work gets tough, a tattooed omniscient waitress, a pool shark with anger management issues. His raucous fiddle and folk guitar playing are emancipatory. Braden’s latest album Kitchen Days won the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Album of the Year. 

Shawna Caspi crafts lyrics that are poetic and meaningful, often using unusual rhymes and surprising turns of phrase. She spent years on the road, supporting her warm, clear voice with intricate fingerstyle guitar accompaniment.  After taking a break from the road to rest, reflect, and write, Shawna’s fifth album, Hurricane Coming, nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for 2023 Contemporary Album of the Year, is a collection of raw, deeply personal songs set against a backdrop of colourful cinematic soundscapes.

$30 advance tickets for our remaining concerts for the 2022-2023 season at the Nick are on sale through Eventbrite. If your circumstances should change, refunds are available up to 24 hours prior to our events.

Here’s our upcoming lineup:

February 25   Braden Gates with opening act Shawna Caspi

March 11   Gunning and Cormier  with opening act Amy Nelson   

March 25    Pharis and Jason Romero  with opening act Mike Tod        

April 15      Julian Taylor with opening act Wyatt C. Louis  

Jennifer Berezan

Jennifer Berezan is a unique blend of singer/songwriter, producer, and activist. Over the course of ten albums, her music has been shaped by her lifelong involvement in environmental, women’s, and justice movements as well as Buddhist practice.  Celebrate the release of Jennifer’s new album Belonging.  Though her songs often confront universal issues, her perspective is informed by a refreshing and honest intimacy. Raised in the prairies of Alberta, the healing power of nature is also at the heart of her work. 

Amy began her music career around campfires, at block parties and in church choir. Amy Bishop’s voice is a combination of smooth pavement and rough gravel, with the ability to charm listeners with her sweet tones; yet stun audiences with the ability to hit any high note. She has an instinctive ability to craft stories into song and deliver them with sincerity and passion, all qualities that make her an undeniable Canadian talent. Amy released her latest album, Perfect & Broken, in 2022.

$30 advance tickets for our remaining concerts for the 2022-2023 season at the Nick are on sale through Eventbrite. If your circumstances should change, refunds are available up to 24 hours prior to our events.

Tickets will be available at the door for tonight’s performance.

Here’s our upcoming lineup:

February 11    Jennifer Berezan  with opening act Amy Bishop

February 25   Braden Gates with opening act Shawna Caspi

March 11   Gunning and Cormier  with opening act True Blue   

March 25    Pharis and Jason Romero  with opening act Mike Tod        

April 15      Julian Taylor with opening act Wyatt C. Louis  

In 2001 John Wort Hannam spent 10 months depleting his savings and writing the songs that would become his first recording Pocket Full Of Holes. Since then he’s earned a JUNO nomination, a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Album of the Year, a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, and a Kerrville Texas New Folk win. John has just released his eighth full-length recording Long Haul which has received three 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations. He’s spent years learning the craft of songwriting and is taking those tools to write some of his most personal songs. He has, quite literally, found his voice.  John will be accompanied by Jason Valleau on stand up bass and Ryland Moranz on things with strings.

Mallory Chipman is an award-winning singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer from Treaty Six Territory. A true raconteuse, Chipman is revered for the way she artfully weaves story into song and expresses both power and vulnerability through her music.  She seamlessly traverses styles including folk, jazz, country, pop, rock, and experimental music. Alongside her solo folk music project, Chipman plays with art-rock band,  Mallory Chipman and the Mystics and alt-country outfit The Goddamsels. 

***Tickets for tonight’s concert will be available at the door.***

$30 advance tickets for our remaining concerts for the 2022-2023 season at the Nick are on sale through Eventbrite. If your circumstances should change, refunds are available up to 24 hours prior to our events.

Here’s our upcoming lineup:

January 28    John Wort Hannam  with opening act Mallory Chipman

February 11    Jennifer Berezan  with opening act Amy Bishop

February 25   Braden Gates with opening act Shawna Caspi

March 11   Gunning and Cormier  with opening act True Blue   

March 25    Pharis and Jason Romero  with opening act Mike Tod        

April 15      Julian Taylor with opening act Wyatt C. Louis  

2022-2023 Nick season tickets are available and will now cost $168 each for six concerts. As of January 28, season tickets will no longer be sold.

Season tickets may be purchased by an E-transfer sent to <info@thenick.ca>.  Please include your email address, mailing address and phone number.  Your E-Transfer will be automatically deposited.

Since her 2018 solo debut, Nova Scotian songwriter and 2021 CFMA Contemporary Singer of the Year nominee Terra Spencer has won over audiences by marrying fingerstyle guitar, gospel piano, and her butterscotch voice with onstage humour and 70s wood-paneled warmth. Her self-produced second album Chasing Rabbits was recently named 2021 Music NS winner and nominated for 2021 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year. Her song Feels Like Home was named the 2021 Blues and Roots Radio International Song of the Year.  In a room of 5 or 500, every show is a knee-to-knee conversation with a natural storyteller. 

Starting out in cover bands, John Hewitt took in all the old tricks, pumping gas and playing the local clubs of his hometown, running on caffeine, beer and the enjoyment of going to the school of yesterdays records.  As a songwriter he involves the abstract imagery of the Beat Poets.  Now, with three releases under his belt John is working on two new recordings, a solo acoustic record, Life Blood and Tears and a full band record, Chaos and Conversation.  

***Tickets for tonight’s concert will be available at the door.***

$30 advance tickets for our remaining concerts for the 2022-2023 season at the Nick are on sale through Eventbrite. If your circumstances should change, refunds are available up to 24 hours prior to our events.

Here’s our upcoming lineup:

January 14     Terra Spencer  with opening act John Hewitt

January 28    John Wort Hannam  with opening act Mallory Chipman

February 11    Jennifer Berezan  with opening act Amy Bishop

February 25   Braden Gates with opening act Shawna Caspi

March 11   Gunning and Cormier  with opening act True Blue   

March 25    Pharis and Jason Romero  with opening act Mike Tod        

April 15      Julian Taylor with opening act Wyatt C. Louis  

2022-2023 Nick season tickets are available and will now cost $196 each for seven concerts.

Season tickets may be purchased by an E-transfer sent to <info@thenick.ca>.  Please include your email address, mailing address and phone number.  Your E-Transfer will be automatically deposited.

Tickets for all seven January to April 2023 concerts are on sale now at Eventbrite.

Nick season tickets are still available and will now cost $196 each for seven concerts. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these fantastic performers live!

January 14 Terra Spencer with opening act John Hewitt

Since her 2018 solo debut, Nova Scotian songwriter and 2021 CFMA Contemporary Singer of the Year nominee Terra Spencer has won over audiences by marrying fingerstyle guitar, gospel piano, and her butterscotch voice with onstage humour and 70s wood-paneled warmth. Her self-produced second album Chasing Rabbits was recently named 2021 Music NS winner and nominated for 2021 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year. Her song Feels Like Home was named the 2021 Blues and Roots Radio International Song of the Year.  In a room of 5 or 500, every show is a knee-to-knee conversation with a natural storyteller. 

Starting out in cover bands, he took in all the old tricks, pumping gas and playing the local clubs of his hometown, running on caffeine, beer and the enjoyment of going to the school of yesterdays records.  As a songwriter he involves the abstract imagery of the Beat Poets.  Now, with three releases under his belt John is working on two new recordings, a solo acoustic record, Life Blood and Tears and a full band record, Chaos and Conversation.  

January 28 John Wort Hannam with opening act Mallory Chipman

In 2001 John Wort Hannam spent 10 months depleting his savings, writing his first songs. that would become his first recording Pocket Full Of Holes. Since then he’s earned a JUNO nomination, a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Album of the Year, a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, and a Kerrville Texas New Folk win. John has just released his eighth full-length recording Long Haul which has received three 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations. He’s spent years learning the craft of songwriting and is taking those tools to write some of his most personal songs. He has, quite literally, found his voice. 

Mallory Chipman is an award-winning singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer from Treaty Six Territory. A true raconteuse, Chipman is revered for the way she artfully weaves story into song and expresses both power and vulnerability through her music.  She seamlessly traverses styles including folk, jazz, country, pop, rock, and experimental music. Alongside her solo folk music project, Chipman plays with art-rock band,  Mallory Chipman and the Mystics and alt-country outfit The Goddamsels. 

February 11 Jennifer Berezan with opening act Amy Bishop

Jennifer Berezan is a unique blend of singer/songwriter, producer, and activist. Over the course of ten albums, her music has been shaped by her lifelong involvement in environmental, women’s, and justice movements as well as Buddhist practice.  Celebrate the release of Jennifer’s new album Belonging with singers Chris Webster and Anthony Costello. Though her songs often confront universal issues, her perspective is informed by a refreshing and honest intimacy. Raised in the prairies of Alberta, the healing power of nature is also at the heart of her work. 

Amy began her music career around campfires, at block parties and in church choir. Amy Bishop’s voice is a combination of smooth pavement and rough gravel, with the ability to charm listeners with her sweet tones; yet stun audiences with the ability to hit any high note. She has an instinctive ability to craft stories into song and deliver them with sincerity and passion, all qualities that make her an undeniable Canadian talent. Amy released her latest album, Perfect & Broken, in 2022.

February 25 Braden Gates with opening act Shawna Caspi

The dignity of labour has been a theme central to the folk music tradition forever. Working as a dishwasher, Braden’s formidable focus of conscience and care illuminate his portraits of characters from the restaurant milieu, a journal of character sketches, personal landscapes and after-hours confessions. His subjects: an aging line cook who breaks into song when the work gets tough, a tattooed omniscient waitress, a pool shark with anger management issues. His raucous fiddle and folk guitar playing are emancipatory. Braden’s latest album Kitchen Days won the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Album of the Year. 

Shawna Caspi crafts lyrics that are poetic and meaningful, often using unusual rhymes and surprising turns of phrase. She spent years on the road, supporting her warm, clear voice with intricate fingerstyle guitar accompaniment.  After taking a break from the road to rest, reflect, and write, Shawna’s fifth album, Hurricane Coming, nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for 2023 Contemporary Album of the Year, is a collection of raw, deeply personal songs set against a backdrop of colourful cinematic soundscapes.

March 11 Gunning and Cormier with opening act True Blue

Dave Gunning is best defined as a master craftsman who, with a dozen albums and ten East Coast Music Awards, has diligently sharpened his skills, developing into a poetic storyteller and emotionally convincing singer with few equals.  J.P. Cormier is outstanding, be it guitar, fiddle, mandolin or banjo, be it singing or songwriting. He’s earned twelve East Coast Music awards.  Their second CD, Leather and Dust will be released shortly. Great friends, frequent collaborators, co-writers and touring partners, they are two songwriters, interpreters, guitar players, and singers at their peak. It’s the power of the song, the highest quality from the past to the now.

True Blue, Kyle Mosiuk and Nataya Nolan, blend folk music with the soulful sounds of the blues and a pop sensibility. Each member of the duo has a strong singing voice and together they create melodies and harmonies which are at times soft and subtle and other times visceral, raw and powerful. Every new song is driven by a different instrument and tonality, be it finger-style acoustic, soft, ethereal piano, or groovy and soulful electric guitar.

March 25 Pharis and Jason Romero with opening act Mike Tod

They’re nice people who play folk music. Oh yeah, they’ve also won three Junos and seven Canadian Folk Music Awards. From the small town of Horsefly B.C. they’re raising a family and building custom banjos.  They started out together playing mostly traditional music. Over the years they’ve moved their original songwriting and nuanced singing into the forefront, and audiences have embraced their intelligent songs, the sounds of their instruments and their clear approach to being two people while singing like one. Their newest record Tell ‘Em You Were Gold is a banjo-focused release out now on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

Folk musician, ethnomusicologist, and folk music scholar Mike Tod is a wry and raspy tenor bringing old-time music to modern audiences. His repertoire weaves through the traditional musics of the Americas, from cowboy songs of Alberta’s coulees, to traditional ballads of the Appalachian Mountains. He sings well-worn traditional songs, researches their roots, and shares them in a fashion that seems old yet contemporary. It sets a precedent for a sound that is both rooted in history and relevant to the present day. 

April 15 Julian Taylor with opening act Wyatt C. Louis

Of West Indian and Mohawk descent, the soulful singer/guitarist might be on stage one night spilling out electrified rhythm and blues glory, and the next he is at a folk festival delivering a captivating solo singer-songwriter set. Julian earned the Solo Artist of the Year honour at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (and a nomination in the English Songwriter category), plus two Juno Award nominations in 2021, as well as a Polaris Music Prize nomination. In everything he does, Taylor has carved his own path, creating genre-free music with a generosity of spirit and a strong belief in the healing powers of song. 

Wyatt C. Louis is a Nêhiyaw singer-songwriter based in Moh’kinstsís, Treaty 7 Territory. His songs are built from soaring melodies, railroad-like finger picking, quiet, haunting vocals and lyrical phrasing. Dark, rustic tales meld folk and soulful blues to tell tales of love, loss and the journey home. They’re beautiful, subtle creations that juxtapose emotions, striking imagery and experiences that charm and envelop listeners.  Dancing with Sue, evokes the feeling of nostalgia, and yearning for the times in our lives where we feel the happiest and most free.

$30 advance tickets for ALL upcoming winter/spring concerts at the Nick are on sale now through Eventbrite. If your circumstances should change, refunds are available up to 24 hours prior to our events.

2022-2023 Nick season tickets are available and will now cost $196 each for seven concerts.

Season tickets may be purchased by an E-transfer sent to <info@thenick.ca>.  Please include your email address, mailing address and phone number.  Your E-Transfer will be automatically deposited.

Need a reminder? Here’s a fridge magnet page of our winter schedule.