On July 12009, Royal City Rag headed out to Riverside Park to celebrate Canada Day on location with storytellers Sya Van Geest and Brad Woods, and singer-songwriter Sam Turton. Despite the poor weather, all turned out sunny on a fun show.
Our storytellers were on fine form; Sya explaining the origin of storytelling and Brad regaling us with his experiences in the cockpit during his first flying lesson.
Sam sang several songs on the show, including another new one, “You’re my home, Canada”, written especially for Royal City Rag. He also threw in a soulful version of O Canada to finish the show.
Unfortunately we had to beat a hasty retreat at the end of the show after Brad got a bit carried away helping out with the firework display.
Catch the show if you missed it. It was a great one!
We’ll be back with another live show, this Saturday from 8-10 a.m. on CFRU93.3fm.
Music:
Sam Turton, What’s So funny About Peace, Love And Understanding? (Live) Sam Turton, Annapolis Farm (Live) Sam Turton, Right Here (Live) Sam Turton, You Are My Home, Canada (Live)
Sam Turton, O Canada (Live)
Storytelling:
Sya Van Geest, The Birth Of Stories
Brad Woods, Flying Lessons
Left to Right: Sya Van Geest, Brad Woods and Sam Turton
On April 1, 2009, Royal City Rag was broadcast live from an unlikely Guelph location. The show featured storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods, and singer-songwriter Sam Turton.
Special thanks are due to the management of the establishment for allowing us to broadcast the show and all the people who came by to listen and join in the fun. Thanks also to Bubble the Clown for joining us to keep the children entertained.
I strongly recommend you check out the show if you get the chance. Sya and Brad’s stories were wonderful, a joy to listen to.
Sam is well-known for preparing many different versions of our musical theme, Nick Lowe’s “What’s So Funny About Peace and Understanding?”; this time he used a lounge-style. He also composed a new song, “April Fool”, especially for the show!
I hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as we enjoyed putting it together. A perfect show for a very special day.
Jan Andrea Hall
Music:
Sam Turton, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding? (Nick Lowe, Live)
Sam Turton, Fool On The Hill (Paul McCartney, Live)
Sam Turton, Everybody (John Prine, Live)
Sam Turton, April Fool (Sam Turton, Live)
Listen to the show:
Catch Royal City Rag, Saturdays 7-9 a.m. on CFRU93.3fm, Guelph’s Campus-Community Radio Station.
Remember if you don’t catch Royal City Rag live on CFRU93.3fm, you can pick it up later that day via the CFRU archive or here, on the blog, the next day.
We started Royal City Rag on March 27 with a gorgeous three song set featuring two bluesgrass numbers from Del McCoury and a beautiful love song “That Time Of the Night” from English singer-songwriter, Michael Chapman.
In the first hour of the show we talked to Rachel Shoup and Catherine Norman from Storytelling For Social Change, a Guelph student group, who have a special event, “Roots of Change” on April 1 from 6 – 11 p.m. in the Ed Video Gallery, 40 Baker St, Downtown Guelph.
At the event, four local activists from the campus and local community will share their stories of change and activism, followed by a discussion period.
Dr.Terisa Turner –> Co-director of the United Nations NGO, International Oil Working Group (IOWG)
Opening the event will be acoustic guitarist/singer-songwriter David Scott. During his set he will be performing “Red and White on Rope”, a song he wrote as a creative response to reading Dr. Anne-Marie Zadjlik’s journals regarding the Bracelet of Hope campaign.
The evening is free by donation to support the “Roots of Change” project. Complimentary beverages and food will be provided.
There will also be an open mic portion of the program for people to share their own stories of activism through creative expression.
The event will be recorded for broadcast on CFRU93.3fm. RSVP to this event via Facebook here.
Our trip was made possible by CFRU 93.3fm’s super duper new mobile studio located in the back of a specially modified school bus.
Not only will this new technology allow us to do more outside broadcasts of the show but for today’s journey we were actually able to broadcast while we were driving along.
It’s well worth a listen, even if I’m clearly biased. Enjoy!
Listen to Hour 2:
Music:
Del McCoury, Get Down On Your Knees And Pray from The Best Of Del McCoury, The GrooveGrass Years
Del McCoury, I Feel The Blues Movin’ In from The Best Of Del McCoury, The GrooveGrass Years
Michael Chapman, That Time Of The Night from Time Past & Time Passing
Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come from 30 Greatest Hits
Eddie Vedder, Rise from Into The Wild (Original Soundtrack)
Lee Dorsey, Yes We Can from Saturday Night Fish Fry, New Orleans Funk & Soul
Sam Turton, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love And Understanding? (Nick Lowe, Live In The Studio)
Sam Turton, Country Road (James Taylor, Live In The Studio)
Sam Turton, Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (Traditional, Live In The Studio)
Sam Turton, Ol’ 55 (Tom Waits, Live In The Studio)
Sam Turton, Willin’ (Lowell George, Live In The Studio) Mike Janzen Trio, Where It Goes from Mombacho
Sam Turton, April Fool (Sam Turton, Live In The Studio)
Royal City Rag will be (literally) broadcasting from the road this coming Saturday, March 27 between 8-9 a.m.
We’ll be the first CFRU show to make use of the radio station’s new mobile studio as we travel by road from Guelph to St Jacob’s for a storytelling event.
Not only will the studio allow us to be location much more from now on but with this new technology we can actually broadcast on route while we’re driving along.
We’ll be travelling in a specially equipped school bus with CFRU 93.3fm and Royal City Rag emblazoned on the side. We’ll be hard to miss so do look out for us as we travel down Victoria Road, through downtown, and out via Edinburgh Road North and Woodlawn Road to Hwy 7.
Joining us on this historic excursion will be storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods and singer-songwriter Sam Turton.
In the first hour we’ll have our usual mix of cool music, events listing and an interview with the organisers of Roots of Change: Storytelling for Social Change taking place at Ed Video, 40 Baker St, Downtown Guelph on April 1.
It all promises to be lots of fun. You won’t want to miss it!
Royal City Rag, Saturdays 7-9 a.m. on CFRU93.3fm, Guelph’s Campus-Community Radio Station.
Remember if you don’t catch Royal City Rag live on CFRU93.3fm, you can pick it up later that day via the CFRU archive or here, on the blog, the next day.
We had a very special 3-hour version of Royal City Rag on CFRU93.3fm on February 13 to celebrate St Valentine’s Day.
Garnet Rogers
We started out the show with a new single from Johnny Cash (really), “Ain’t No Grave”, the title song from American Recordings 6 to be released on February 23. I’m not sure how I feel about another posthumous Johnny Cash album. I’m a big fan, but he sounds very frail on this release. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the album sounds like. We followed that with Peter Gabriel and his version of Bon Iver’s Flume from the very interesting “Scratch My Back” covers album featuring songs by Radiohead, Randy Newman and Elbow alongside Bon Iver and others. A soon to be released companion album will have the ‘covered’ artists interpreting Gabriel’s work. You have to admit its a nice idea. The early reviews are very favourable so I guess I’ll be picking up this one too.
And finally, to round out the first set we listened to a gorgeous song by Garnet Rogers, “Summer Lightning” from the live set, Get A Wtiness. Garnet is in Guelph on February 19 for a show at Dublin St United. Should be a great gig. All the details are here, if you need them.
Later in the hour, we dipped into the Valentine’s theme again, with one of my favourite love songs, Joan Armatrading’s “Willow” and followed that with the beautiful but sad “If love were the cure” from Guelph’s Detour. Detour are 16 year old Elivia Cazzola and her 14 year old sister, Anita. Detour were on last year’s yuletide Royal City Rag playing some traditional songs. We’re hoping to have them back on Royal City Rag fairly shortly, this time focusing on their own material. Stay tuned.
Guelph Symphony Orchestra
To wrap up the first hour Simon Irving, Artistic Director of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra joined us to chat about the GSO’s Valentine’s Day concert at the River Run Centre, Music Of Love and Romance. The performance features some of the most romantic music ever written including Mozart’s Elvira Madigan Concerto and the Warsaw Concerto, as well as favourite tunes from South Pacific, and songs by Sigmund Romberg. Interpretive dance to Prokoviev’s Romeo and Juliet featuring Clayton Scott makes this a concert not to be missed. Tickets are selling out fast, so if you still want to go, and, remember, it is Valentine’s… Call the River Run Box Office at 519-763-3000 or go Online to secure a Valentine’s Day to remember.
Listen to Hour 1:
In the second hour, we celebrated Valentine’s weekend in spokenword and music with storytellers Sya Van Geest and Brad Woods and singer-songwriter Sam Turton. We had planned to be on location in Niagara Falls, but after it turned out that, according to the Guelph Mercury, Guelph is the most romantic city in Ontario, we hastily recast our plans and headed down to the Farmers Market. Unfortunately no one told Brad so he ended up in Niagara Falls! Fortunately hs still managed to deliver his story. Good fun was had by all even if it was a bit on the chilly side in the Farmers market car park.
Listen to Hour 2:
And finally, to finish a bumper edition of Royal City Rag, we welcomed Sheila O’Reilly (host of CFRU’s A Dog’s Breakfast) and writer and educator Susan Wheeler into the studio for a Valentine’s Weekend song share. An opportunity to hear some great tunes, we very democratically shared some of our favourite love songs, some sad, some happy and some I’d not thought of playing to celebrate the holiday.
We finished up the hour with the Korgis (Stackridge’s Andy Davis and James Warren) beautiful “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime” followed by George Adams and Don Pullen’s “God Has Smiled At Me”.
A gorgeous way to finish the show, and, well worth listening to… just for that! I hope you enjoy it.
Listen to Hour 3:
All in all, a great show… and almost too much to have to tell you about! I’d suggest that you just take a listen yourselves. You’ll not be disappointed.
Music:
Johnny Cash, Ain’t No Grave from American 6: Ain’t No Grave
Peter Gabriel, Flume from Scratch My Back
Garnet Rogers, Summer Lightning from Get A Witness
Joan Armatrading, Willow from Gold
Detour, If Love Were The Cure from Detour E.P. (Demo)
Sam Turton, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love And Understanding (Live)
Sam Turton, I’d Rather Be With You (Live)
Sam Turton, Right Here (Live)
Sam Turton, Without Love (Live)
Sam Turton, I’ve Just Seen a Face (Live)
Sam Turton, Oh Susanna (Live)
Rosanne Cash, Long Black Veil from The List
KD Lang, Hallelujah from Recollection
Tomas McEoin & The Waterboys, Down By The Sally Gardens from Room To Roam (Collectors Edition)
Corries, Peggy Gordon from Traditions
Eddi Reader, The Shepherd’s Song from Peacetime
Ralph McTell, Streets Of London from Streets Of London And Other Stories
Beau Dommage, La complainte du phoque en Alaska from Beau Dommage (30 Anniversary Edition)
Martha Wainright, Dis quand reviendras tu? from I Will Internalize EP
Korgis. Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime from Don’t Look Back, The Best Of The Korgis
Don Pullen and George Adams, God Has Smiled On Me from Melodic Excursions
We have a ‘bumper’ edition of Royal City Rag planned for February 13.
In the first hour (7-8 a.m.) we’ll talk to Simon Irving, Artistic Director of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra about their Valentine’s Day concert at the River Run Centre, Music Of Love and Romance, featuring some of the most romantic music ever written – Mozart’s Elvira Madigan Concerto, the Warsaw Concerto, both works featuring their own Amy Wark as piano soloist, as well as favourite tunes from South Pacific, and songs by Sigmund Romberg, performed by soprano Mary DuQuesnay.
The timeless story of Romeo and Juliet will also be presented and interpreted by the magnetic Clayton Scott, with thrilling and emotional music by Prokofiev. Guest conductor for Romeo and Juliet will be Judith Yan of the National Ballet.
Clayton Scott
The Details:
Concert: Music of Love and Romance
When: Sunday February 14 at3.00 p.m.
Where: River Run Centre, Guelph
Tickets: Online or at the River Run Box Office, 519-763-3000
Adult/Senior: $30.00
Student: $15.00
Child: $10.00 (12 and under)
eyeGO: $5.00 (High School Student – valid ID required)
In the second hour (8-9 a.m.), we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s weekend in spokenword and music with our good friends, storytellers Sya Van Geest and Brad Woods and singer-songwriter Sam Turton. It promises to be great fun. You won’t want to miss it!
And finally, in this week’s extra hour (9-10 a.m.), while I’m filling in for my good friend Alden Hadwen, I will be joined by Sheila O’Reilly (host of CFRU’s A Dog’s Breakfast) and Susan Wheeler (former Royal City Rag Weather Pixie) for a song share with a distinct Valentine’s focus, but also a few twists. Tune it to hear some of the great songs we’ve chosen and, why! It should be interesting…
Royal City Rag, Saturdays from 7-9 a.m. on CFRU 93.3 fm, Guelph’s Campus and Community Radio Station. Listen live on CFRU 93.3fm, or, after the fact, via the website. If it happens in Guelph you’ll hear about it on Royal City Rag!
It was a very special festive Royal City Rag on December 19.
In the first hour, Ursalynn (Lynn Woodford) and Diane Hurst joined us to celebrate the upcoming winter solstice and chat about the pagan side of Christmas. Many people forget that much of what we now know as the Christmas season has its roots in pagan rites celebrating the solstice and our role as part of nature.
Listen to hour 1:
Elivia, Anita, Sya and Brian
In the second hour, we celebrated yuletide with storytellers Brian Holstein (The Silk Scarf) and Sya Van Geest (How Santa Got His Job) with seasonal music from “Detour”, the rich harmonies of piano and acoustic guitar duo, Elivia and Anita Cazzola, aged 16 and 14 respectively. The sisters have introduced their folky-pop style to many venues, such as church bazaars, local stores and eateries including Planet Bean, school talent shows and the Italian Canadian Club, not to mention competitions. They will be performing at Guelph’s Battle of the Bands in the Spring.
Listen to hour 2:
Music:
Waterboys, A Pagan Place from The Secret Life Of the Waterboys
Hilary Stagg, The Edge Of Forever from Inspirations
Fantasia on Greensleeves, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra from Carols And Choirs For Christmas
Sufjan Stevens, Winter Solstice from Songs for Christmas Vol 5 (2006)
St Matthew’s Lutheran Church Choir, In The Bleak Midwinter from Carols And Choirs For Christmas
Loreena McKennitt, The Holly And The Ivy from A Midwinter Night’s Dream
Vince Guaraldi Trio, O Tannenbaum from A Charlie Brown Christmas
Nick Lowe, What’s So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding (Acoustic) from At My Age (Bonus Tracks)
Detour, God Rest Your Merry Gentlemen (Live)
Detour, Silent Night (Live)
Detour, Joy To The World (Live)
Detour, Winter Wonderland (Live)
Detour, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Love)
Holly Cole, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Rebecca Jenkins, Jane Siberry and Victoria Williams, Count Your Blessings from Count Your Blessings
We devoted the whole of a special 3-hour Royal City Rag on October 17 to CFRU 93.3fm’s Raise Your Voice fundraising campaign. Thank you to everyone who helped the station reach our goal of $10,000 to support repairs to our transmitter. Here’s looking forward to being able to return to 250W of community power in the not to distant future!
In the third hour, Guelph Storytellers Brad Woods and Sya Van Geest joined us to share a few tales and Norah Chaloner from the Guelph Chapter of the Council of Canadians popped in to remind us about the Say Bye to Buy Localspeaking tour featuring Council of Canadians’ Maude Barlow and Sid Ryan from CUPE Ontario, visiting Kitchener on October 19 and Hamilton on November 19. Expect to hear more about this issue on Royal City Rag.
Not quite a cast of thousands, but lots of fun nevertheless.
Thanks again to all the Royal City Rag listeners who pledged their support to CFRU93.3fm. A special thank you to Sheila O’Reilly and Sarah Mangle for all their help during the show.
Music:
Cuff The Duke, Promises from Way Down Here
Hazel Dickens Busted from Hard-hitting Songs For Hard Hit People
Bonnie Raitt & Friends Something To Talk About from Bonnie Raitt And Friends Live
Ocote Soul Sounds, Vendende-Saude-Y-Fe from Coconut Rock
Mike Mucci, Sunnyside Of Guelph from Sunnyside E.P.
John Fahey, On Doing An Evil Deed Blues from The Legend Of Blind Joe Death
Mike Mucci, Nico! from M.Mucci (Live)
Mike Mucci, As Yet Untitled (Live)
Mike Mucci, As Yet Untitled (Live)
Mike Mucci, Eramosa from Under The Tulip Tree (Live)
Nick Lowe, What’s So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding from At Your Age (Bonus Tracks)
Fugitives, Broken Promises from Find Me EP
Flying Lizards, (I Want) Money from Flying Lizards
Left to Right: Sya Van Geest, Brad Woods and Sam Turton
There was no live show on July 15. Instead we replayed the great Live from Riverside Park Canada Day show featuring storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods and singer-songwriter Sam Turton.
Sya explaining the origin of storytelling and Brad regaling us with his experiences in the cockpit during his first flying lesson. Singer-songwriter Sam Turton sang several songs on the show, including another new one, “You’re my home, Canada”, written especially for Royal City Rag. He also threw in a soulful version of O Canada to finish the show.
Unfortunately we had to beat a hasty retreat at the end of the show after Brad got a bit carried away with his role helping out with the firework display.
Hopefully CFRU will still allow us to to go out on location in the future although I doubt Brad will get to play with matches again!
One of our best. Catch the show if you missed it.
Music:
Sam Turton, What’s So funny About Peace, Love And Understanding? (Live) Sam Turton, Annapolis Farm (Live) Sam Turton, Right Here (Live) Sam Turton, You Are My Home, Canada (Live)
Sam Turton, O Canada (Live)
Storytelling:
Sya Van Geest, The Birth Of Stories
Brad Woods, Flying Lessons
Guelph storyteller Sya Van Geest, a good friend of Royal City Rag, will be the featured performer at The Boathouse tonight. She will be joined by Beve Matson, Frank Toplin, Sandy Schoen and Brian Holstein. There will also be an Open Mic for telling stories of less than 5 minutes.
Storytelling starts at 8.00 p.m.
There is no cost for admission, though donations are welcomed.
On July 1 we headed out to Riverside Park to celebrate Canada Day on location. Despite the poor weather all turned out sunny on a fun Royal City Rag.
Storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods were on fine form; Sya explaining the origin of storytelling and Brad regaling us with his experiences in the cockpit during his first flying lesson.
Singer-songwriter Sam Turton sang several songs on the show, including another new one, “You’re my home, Canada”, written especially for Royal City Rag. He also threw in a soulful version of O Canada to finish the show.
Unfortunately we had to beat a hasty retreat at the end of the show after Brad got a bit carried away with his role helping out with the firework display.
Hopefully CFRU will still allow us to to go out on location in the future although I doubt Brad will get to play with matches again!
Catch the show if you missed it. It was a great one!
Music:
Sam Turton, What’s So funny About Peace, Love And Understanding? (Live) Sam Turton, Annapolis Farm (Live) Sam Turton, Right Here (Live) Sam Turton, You Are My Home, Canada (Live)
Sam Turton, O Canada (Live)
Storytelling:
Sya Van Geest, The Birth Of Stories
Brad Woods, Flying Lessons
We’re celebrating Canada Day on Royal City Rag this Wednesday… and we’re going to be on location again. This time we’re heading out to the park, ready to enjoy the celebrations, rain or shine.
Storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods will be joining me on the show along with singer-songwriter Sam Turton. We’ll be telling stories about the birth of Canada with some appropriately festive music thrown in for good measure. Sam is even promising us another new song, especially for the occasion!
Join us live on CFRU 93.3fm from 6-7 p.m. If you miss us, you can always find us on the CFRU archive or this website.
Left to Right: Sya Van Geest, Brad Woods and Sam Turton
On June 17, we replayed the wonderful Tall Tales show from April 1 featuring storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods, and singer-songwriter Sam Turton.
For this special show we were out on location. Thanks to the management at the establishment for allowing us to broadcast from there and all the people who came by to listen and join in the fun. Thanks also to Bubble the Clown for joining us to keep the children entertained.
Sya and Brad’s stories were wonderful. I strongly recommend you check them out when you get the chance. Sam’s songs were very appropriate to the occasion, and, as usual, highly enjoyable. This time he gave us his fourth different version of “What’s So Funny About Peace and Understanding?”; this time in lounge-style. He even composed a new song, “April Fool”, especially for the show!
I hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as we enjoyed putting it together. A perfect show for a very special day.
Music:
Sam Turton, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding? (Nick Lowe, Live)
Sam Turton, Fool On The Hill (Paul McCartney, Live)
Sam Turton, Everybody (John Prine, Live)
Sam Turton, April Fool (Sam Turton, Live)
We’re replaying one of our most successful Royal City Rag shows on June 17. It’s our show from April 1 featuring storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods, along with singer-songwriter Sam Turton. To celebrate April Fools Day we were broadcasting live from a mystery location. If you missed it the first time, definitely catch it this time. It’s really worth a listen!
To learn more about the storytelling of Sya Van Geest and Brad Woods along with the songs of Sam Turton, join us on Royal City Rag, Wednesday 6-7 p.m. on CFRU 93.3fm, Guelph’s Campus-Community Radio Station. Listen live or after the fact via the website.
Sya Van Geest
Sya Van Geest is a retired teacher-librarian now devoting her energy and considerable gifts to storytelling. Sya is very active in many areas of Guelph life, including, as a regular volunteer in schools, senior homes and churches. As a founding member of Guelph GoGo GrandMothers, Sya has a special passion for African stories as part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign. Sya was recipient of the Ontario Library Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and Guelph Woman of Distinction for Voluntary Community Service 2007.
Brad Woods
Brad Woods is a former director of the Storytellers School of Toronto, the recipient of the 2002 Anne Smythe Travel Grant for Storytelling and in 2004 was the Storyteller in Residence at the Guelph Civic Museum. In 2005 he was featured at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival in White Horse and in 2006 he was the first Canadian featured at the Los Angeles Storytelling Festival. In 2007 Brad released his first CD full of stories and had a story in rotation on Talk Story Radio out of Hawaii. Brad is also a member of the Great Wooden Trio.
Sam Turton
Sam Turton is a singer-songwriter, mentor/therapist, and social activist. Until the age of 45, because his voice was very restrained, he would find other performers to sing his songs. Ten years ago, while exploring and resolving emotional blocks, his original voice emerged. He now belts out soulful blues, gospel and classic R&B. Sam’s songs can be heard on his solo CD Feel and on the benefit CDs Not There and Afghanistan–On Guard For Thee?.
As well as his working on his own musical career, Sam also facilitates community singalongs and Rise up Singing voice workshops with his partner Jane Lewis.
We were at a secret location last week (April 1) for our Tall Tales Royal City Rag.
As part of the show we ran a competition asking listeners where we were.
Believe it or not, most thought we were at Wal-Mart. One even sent me these pics which seem to confirm that!
The winner of the competition is Patti Rainbow who correctly confirmed that we were probably only pretending to be at Wal-Mart.
She is, of course, quite right… we were actually at Zehrs.
Patti wins a CD from both Sam and Brad, and a book from Sya. Congratulations!
Royal City Rag, Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. on CFRU 93.3 fm. Guelph’s Campus and Community Radio Station. Listen live on CFRU 93.3fm, or, after the fact, via the website. If it happens in Guelph you’ll hear about it on Royal City Rag!
Sam Turton taking a hard earned break from signing autographs
Brad looking for his wonderful storytelling CD
And don’t forget…
TUESDAY, APRIL 7: 7.00 p.m.
BOOKSHELF SONG & STORY SERIES The Bookshelf
41 Quebec St., Guelph
Stories by Brad Woods and songs by Sam Turton. They push things aside in the store, Brad tells stories and Sam tries to find songs that match!
Left to Right: Sya Van Geest, Brad Woods and Sam Turton
Storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods, and singer-songwriter Sam Turton, joined us on April 1 for a very special Tall Tales edition of Royal City Rag. To celebrate the occasion we decided to do an outside broadcast from a very surprising Guelph location!
Thanks to the management at the establishment for allowing us to be there and all the people who came by to listen and join in the fun. Thanks also to Bubble the Clown for joining us to keep the children entertained.
We are running a competition to work out where we were broadcasting from. If you can work it out then send us an e-mail to info@royalcityrag.ca then you may win a very cool prize… a CD from both Sam and Brad, and a book from Sya. Listen and Win!
Sya and Brad’s stories were wonderful, a joy to listen to. I strongly recommend you check them out when you get the chance. Sam’s songs were, as usual, highly enjoyable. He gave us his fourth different version of “What’s So Funny About Peace and Understanding?”; this time in lounge-style and even composed a new song, “April Fool”, especially for the show!
Sam has some fun dates coming up. Please check them out:
Friday, April 3 at 8:00 p.m.
KATHERINE WHEATLEY IN CONCERT with cameos by Tannis Slimmon, Jane Lewis, and Sam Turton River Run Centre
35 Woolwich Street, Guelph
Saturday, April 4 at 9:00 p.m.
MOLLY BLOOMS – Sam Turton with Jane Lewis
91 Wyndham St. N., Guelph
Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m.
BOOKSHELF SONG & STORY SERIES The Bookshelf
41 Quebec St., Guelph Stories by Brad Woods and songs by Sam Turton. They push things aside in the store, Brad tells stories then Sam find songs that match! We’re planning to tape the event for CFRU93.3fm.
Friday, April 17 from 7-9 p.m.
SINGALONG at the BON APPETIT RESTAURANT (Licensed) 259 Grange Road, Unit 6, Guelph
(Plaza at Victoria & Grange by Planet Bean)
519-515-0522
Hosted by Sam Turton & Jane Lewis with songbooks so you can join in!. Singalong website: www.all-together-now.ca
I hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as we enjoyed putting it together. A perfect show for a very special day.
Music:
Sam Turton, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding? (Nick Lowe, Live)
Sam Turton, Fool On The Hill (Paul McCartney, Live)
Sam Turton, Everybody (John Prine, Live)
Sam Turton, April Fool (Sam Turton, Live)
Storytellers Sya Van Guest and Brad Woods, along with singer-songwriter Sam Turton, will be joining us for a very special Tall Tales edition on April 1. We will also be broadcasting live from a surprise Guelph location!
Sya Van Geest is a retired teacher-librarian now devoting her energy and considerable gifts to storytelling. Sya is very active in many areas of Guelph life, including, as a regular volunteer in schools, senior homes and churches. As a founding member of Guelph GoGo GrandMothers, Sya has a special passion for African stories as part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign. Sya was recipient of the Ontario Library Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and Guelph Woman of Distinction for Voluntary Community Service 2007.
Brad Woods
Brad Woods is a former director of the Storytellers School of Toronto, the recipient of the 2002 Anne Smythe Travel Grant for Storytelling and in 2004 was the Storyteller in Residence at the Guelph Civic Museum. In 2005 he was featured at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival in White Horse and in 2006 he was the first Canadian featured at the Los Angeles Storytelling Festival. In 2007 Brad released his first CD full of stories and had a story in rotation on Talk Story Radio out of Hawaii. Brad is also a member of the Great Wooden Trio.
Sam Turton
Sam Turton is a singer-songwriter, mentor/therapist, and social activist. Until the age of 45, because his voice was very restrained, he would find other performers to sing his songs. Ten years ago, while exploring and resolving emotional blocks, his original voice emerged. He now belts out soulful blues, gospel and classic R&B. Sam’s songs can be heard on his solo CD Feel and on the benefit CDs Not There and Afghanistan–On Guard For Thee?.
As well as his working on his own musical career, Sam also facilitates community singalongs and Rise up Singing voice workshops with his partner Jane Lewis.
To learn more about the storytelling of Sya Van Geest and Brad Woods along with the songs of Sam Turton, join us on Royal City Rag, Wednesday 6-7 p.m. on CFRU 93.3fm, Guelph’s Campus-Community Radio Station. Listen live or after the fact via the website.
A 2-Hour festive Royal City Rag featuring a singalong with Sam Turton, Jane Lewis and Monique Vischschraper, storytelling by Brian Holstein and Sya Van Geest with traditional readings, Christmas trivia and poetry from Sheryl Spencer and Jan Andrea Hall. We also featured interviews with several Guelphites, including the Mayor about their plans for the holidays and hopes for 2009.
Sam created a Guelph version of the Twelve Days of Christmas, “The Guelph Days of Christmas” especially for the show.
THE GUELPH DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
On the First day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… a Farbridge at City Hall
On the Second day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 2 Hillsides
On the Third day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 3 James Gordon songs
On the Fourth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 4 Bookshelf books
On the Fifth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 5 local festivals!
On the Sixth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 6 woofers farming
On thr Seventh day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 7 drivers biking
On the Eighth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 8 hipsters dancing
On the Ninth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 9 artists painting
On the Tenth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 10 singers playing
On the Eleventh day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 11 drummers grooving
On the Guelph day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 12 councillors greening
Storytelling:
Sya Van Geest – How Santa Got His Job Sya Van Geest and Brian Holstein – The Night Before Christmas (Not A Creature Was Stirring) Brian Holstein – Brian’s Christmas
Music:
Sam Turton and Friends Live in the Studio: What’s So Funny About Peace, Love And Understanding?
Jingle Bells
Felix Navidad
Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
The Guelph Days of Christmas Walking In A Winter Wonderland
Silver Bells
Happy Christmas (War Is Over) Deck The Halls Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
The audio for this show is no longer available on the website. If however you wish to hear it again, please contact us at info@royalcityrag.ca. Thank You.
Sam Turton has written a Guelph version of The Twelve Days of Christmas entitled The Guelph Days of Christmas for tonight’s Holiday Special Royal City Rag that takes place between 6-8 p.m. tonight, December 17, on CFRU 93.3fm.
Sam, ably assisted by Jane Lewis and Monique Vischschraper, will be taking us through a seasonal singalong while Brian Holstein and Sya Van Geest tell some seasonal stories. We’ll also have readings by Sheryl Spencer, Christmas trivia and short interviews with individual Guelphites, including the Mayor about their plans for the holidays and hopes for 2009. Marie Zimmerman will also update your holiday event guide.
You don’t want to miss this.
If you’d like to join in with the Guelphs Days of Christmas, here are the words:
THE GUELPH DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
On the First day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… a Farbridge at City Hall
On the Second day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 2 Hillsides
On the Third day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 3 James Gordon songs
On the Fourth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 4 Bookshelf books
On the Fifth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 5 local festivals!
On the Sixth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 6 woofers farming
On thr Seventh day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 7 drivers biking
On the Eighth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 8 hipsters dancing
On the Ninth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 9 artists painting
On the Tenth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 10 singers playing
On the Eleventh day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 11 drummers grooving
On the Guelph day of Christmas, My true love sent to me… 12 councillors greening
It all promises to be great fun.
Listen live on CFRU 93.3fm or online at www.cfru.ca from 6- 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Join us on Wednesday for a 2-hour holiday special Royal City Rag featuring a singalong with Sam Turton, Jane Lewis and Monique Vischschraper, storytelling by Brian Holstein and Sya Van Geest and readings by Sheryl Spencer.
Marie Zimmerman will update your holiday event guide.
It all promises to be great fun.
Listen live on CFRU 93.3fm or online at www.cfru.ca from 6- 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
The views express on this site are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of CFRU 93.3fm Radio Gryphon, www.cfru.ca. RoyalCityRag.ca is not responsible for the content or views expressed on external sites.
Formerly Royal City Rag 
