mike_campbell's blog

Alright, you've got Christmas - and all that entails - over with; now it's time to concentrate on letting off some steam and having a good time, on... New Year's Eve! Yeah, that's right, do something nice for yourself for a change, kick up your heels. There's been enough bad news over the course of the last few months. Why not, for one night, just let loose?

That season being the "holiday" one. But, if I've got to own up to the fact that we've been open going on seven months, I can at least say The Carleton is proving to be a great place to organize whatever festive ideas you and your company - or family - might have to celebrate.

It's still not too late to book something with us for large groups, and our private dining room is perfect for groups of up to 24. The place is turning out to be remarkably cosy and it's not that we didn't think it would be, it's just nice to know we were right!

Even with the extra couple of weeks of Daylight Savings, I'm finding myself having trouble adjusting to the early darkness. I think it's 10 PM when it's only 6. It's disconcerting. And I'm also having trouble getting used to the idea that our patio is no longer there. I used to think of that thing as a nice, sturdy ship and now it's gone. So it looks like I'm talking about changes here and I am...

I live for the summer, always have, but I've never had one blow by as fast as this year's has. I suppose it has something to do with the fact I just opened a bar/restaurant and haven't had a moment to enjoy what sun we have had but jeez... Anyway, I'm looking forward to everything the beautiful (usually) Nova Scotian fall will bring.

OK, maybe you haven't gotten the memo yet; maybe you're living under a rock? The fact of the matter is, the live performance stuff at The Carleton in Halifax (where you probably live) is, without doubt, an experience that rivals one in any other city on the planet. There, I've said it...

We've got some information to add for this week's show - Steven Bowers (Wednesday, August 13th). Steven has added special guests The Stanfield's to the bill. I haven't seen them yet but am told by those I trust that they're kick-ass. I should also point out that the $20 admission also includes a copy of Steven's soon-to-be-released "Homing" album. I've got it and you're going to want it too! Good deal all around...

Plaskett, Barber, Poltz and then Gordie Sampson - clearly a line-up of talent not seen at any new venue I can readily call to mind!

Gordie wound up doing three nights at our place (originally slated to do two, we had to add a third show and could easily have done a full week) and we were full every night. Gordie, backed by Jamie Robinson, performed three distinctly different shows and - drenched in sweat - left everyone screaming for more.

 It's always a sad day when one has to wave good-bye to visiting friends, even worse when that friend is Steve Poltz! Steve blew a lot of minds with his tour-de-force three night run at The Carleton and I am happy to say that not one curmudgeon took me up on my "Poltz Show Money-Back Guarantee."

Hard to believe but our little three show run for Steve Poltz is coming to an end. His last performance is tonight - Wednesday, July 9th - and, if the first two were any indication, this one should be sensational. Last night's show was over three hours long, spread over two rollicking sets. It was also completely different than the previous night's show.

Basically, the guy's a genius and you'd be crazy not to see it. There are still tickets available for tonight - $20 + taxes and they're available at the club. Ryan Cook will be doing a short opening set too...

I've been busy, and I've been remiss. That's not really an excuse, that's just the way it is but you don't really  need to know that... The point is, I always knew that my pal Steve Poltz was awesome in all the senses of the word (even the ones that have been bastardized over the last decade) and tonight's show illustrated that very point...