Chasing away winter blues

“A breath of fresh air,” John Malmstrom says of the new Bear Rhythm Music Society. Over a cup of tea at a kitchen table, Malmstrom explains that even in places such as Bear River where talent is as reliable as the tide, it’s not often that art is so openly supported and appreciated, at least the performing arts.

In February, the newly re-minted Music Society cast off tethers and hecklers and held an ‘open mic coffeehouse’ headlined by Greenland’s Cody Peck. The coffeehouse offers local talent a place to perform, and winter-weary area residents get a way to shake off hibernation.

Transforming an old classroom in the village’s Oakdene Centre, the music society created a cozy, intimate atmosphere where the music swells and rocks to a packed house. And true to the concept, there’s coffee—locally roasted ‘fair trade’ coffee—and sweets.

Cody Peck hails from an amazingly musical family. His father Greg Peck and cousin Brad Hewey are successful recording artists. Despite those connections, it is really hard to get bookings as a young single act, says Cody, who will be trying his hand at the Canadian Idol competition this year.

That’s where the Music Society comes in. Carol Dibble, who heads the music society, offered Cody the chance to headline the inaugural coffeehouse and he was thrilled to have the chance to play in front of a relatively large audience.

Opening night also featured Cody’s cousin Adam Hewey as well as a musical sibling rivalry with his younger brother, Cassidy.

Following the success of the first coffeehouse, a second was held March 15, hosted by The Shoestring Swing Band. The quintet filled the room with jazz, blues and swing.

The band is headlined by John Malmstrom on clarinet, and features singer and keyboard player Clair Thorbes, Tony Tse on guitar, Susan Malmstrom on drums and Warren Paton on acoustic bass.

Music society secretary Sandra Leonard had been concerned earlier in the day by the stormy weather, but the room filled despite the snow. “It was a great time”, said John Malmstrom, “with really great energy”.

Carol Dibble speaks highly of the local talent and the need to create opportunities to perform. John Malmstrom and Cody Peck wholeheartedly agree. In a rural community such as Bear River, opportunities are few and often have to be self-created.

It is rare that young people get the chance to hear and rarer still to participate in live music events. Dibble said. The Bear Rhythm Music Society hopes to change that.

Flowing from the support and response to these concerts, the coffeehouse will now be year-round, offering more chances to hear, as Carol puts it, “our amazing Maritime musicians”. “We’re creating a meeting place where people can come just for the sake of the music. We’re about supporting artists. We’re about keeping music alive in Bear River,” she says.

Singer and songwriter Jakki Rogue hosts the next coffeehouse April 19.

The Shoestring Swing Band is performing May 3 at Spring Fling in Oakdene Centre and advance tickets are available at Digby Clippers in downtown Digby. Cody Peck will be in Halifax next week at the Canadian Idol competition tryouts.