MMMusicworks guitar instructor Joey Wright performed this years Ottawa Folk Festival with Ontario singer/songwriter Sarah Harmer. What an honour to play after Colin Linden - how sweet is that. The first kick at the can I gave to Sarah to get under my skin, I must admit, it went kinda by me. I gave one of her records a full spin, but it didn’t hook. But after seeing her live, what can I say? I’m a fan! And what an evening! Smack dab in the middle of a summer that feels like it’s been heralding the next great flood, lo! and behold! a pristine evening on the Ottawa River. Everything, frankly, was perfect. Dunno who was doing sound, but kudos to them. Sarah’s clever tongue was clear as a bell and not a word was lost on us, and standing in the sweet spot as we were, it was the kind of evening we’ll treasure forever. The stage lighting was deep and covered by a wide-eyed August moon. Very dramatic. The rivers pulse was a lazy dragon enjoying the show, the breeze was slender fingers in our hair, and Joey got to strut some of his stuff on mandolin, which gave the audience a rise. And on the last number he got to chicken out and deliver for fans of the guitar chop. Makes me think we should carry Sarah’s records in the store… gimme a couple of weeks…

Puppets Up! 2008 was a blast. Pictured here are George Turcotte (banjo), brother Andy Turcotte (trumpet) and drum instructor Bill Serson on traps. We entertained kids of all sizes with The Muppet Show Theme Song, Sesame Street, obvious choice of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire among others. Prior to our set, the rain drove everyone indoors, but by the time we were halfway done, we had a small host of toe-tappers and hip swayers. Too much fun - we already can’t wait to do it again next year!

MMMusicworks proudly welcomes Kathryn Briggs to our dynamic team as our School Director. Kathryn brings the organisational expertise required to make our school run tickety boo like a well oiled clock. Her sense of humour, attention to detail, creativity and leadership are just what the doctor ordered. Welcome Kathryn!