Where to find local musicians performing in Durham

There are a few bits and pieces going on around the D-Rawk in the next while that you should be aware of...

The FitzAllsorts is continuing at JP Fitzpatrick's but I am no longer involved. The goal was to introduce local original artists to a new audience. JPs ran with it and have now made our D-Rock musicians the focus of their policy. They have a Summer Series already in full flight and have been booking their own showcases as well as switching up hosts at their Thursday open mic night.

Johnny B's, beside them in the AMC Plaza, has teamed up with Matt Holtby (of Champion Heartache fame) and Thursday is now New Rock night. Already scheduled to play; Dan Brooks, Recroom and Hamilton Trading Co. on Aug. 21, and Evening Hymns and Humankind on Aug. 28. Humankind is an inneresting throwback to the days of Blue Peter and Images In Vogue. Their disc. It Will All End In Tears, was produced by Mike Turner (ex-OLP.)

A group of kids who were introduced to the D-Rawk by the FitzAllsorts is The Side Project. They have been active of late as scene-builders. They have been hosting an open mic at Starbucks in Chapters on a Tuesday evening and drummer Kyle Karstulovich aka Gay Fog has been hosting a showcase on Wednesday evenings at the Mongolian Grill, also in the AMC Plaza.

On Saturday, Orono is closing down the main street for the Art/Antique and Music Fair. Among the musicians playing are the Hokum Runners, Jeff Leech. That should be a good day if the weather holds.

Last Sunday saw the end of the Hare and The Hound on Simcoe which means the end of their Sunday night open mic run by Glen Bensley. I don't doubt that someone else will pick him up but losing yet another venue doesn't bode well for those who are betting on live entertainment to be the draw in the New Downtown.

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William McGuirk is a freelance writer and long-time Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.