Calgary Alberta Canada

[Lowell]

The Beat Niq
www.beatniq.com

Kaos Jazz and Blues Bistro
www.kaosblues.com/website/main.html

FFWD (Fast Forward ) magasine for all entertainment listings
www.ffwdweekly.com/Listings/list.html

These are the sites I use to plan my entertainment life.

[Jazzophone]

Wow Lowell, you basically hit the three that I would've suggested. The only other one here that I can think of is the King Eddy ... and I'm not very inclined to pick that one over, say, Beat Niq (to put it lightly).

Catch anything at Beat Niq lately? they've had a pretty full line-up ... have you ever been to the jams? just wondering, I wanted to check them out, but given that I'm still too young to stay very long it's rather difficult :P

[Lowell]

The Eddy is primarily a blues bar but I have seen some killer sax players there over the years. The Eddy still has a nasty reputation from when it was a biker bar about 15 years ago. Through the 70s and 80s it was a very dangerous place. I have seen some truly strange people in there but over all, the patrons are all there for good music and nothing else. I go to the Beatniq on thursday nights after my band rehearsals. That is usually the jam night. 2 weeks ago I saw Curtis Macdonald and several other fellows just barely old enough to get in the door. They put on a great show. The Saturday and Sunday jams at the Kaos are also quite good and this month, Gib Monks is in charge of the Saturday sessions. If you want to see a good saxman, he is one of the best. 228-9997 is the phone number. You may want give them a call because I have seen children in there on Saturday afternoons. Our liquor laws are such that some establishments are classed as dining lounges in the daytime and bars at night. If this is the case, you could attend those afternoon sessions if accompanied by a parent.

[Jazzophone]

these jams, are they free jam or what? like could anyone who played sax get in and play?

[Lowell]

Yes, they are free as in no cover charge. It is a restaurant and you should buy some food or drink, but as long as there are lots of empty seats and you are well behaved, nobody will hassle you to spend lots of money. There is an old saying related to jams: "Anyone can sit in once." If you really stink you won't be welcome next time. Work up 2 or 3 tunes that you really like and are good at. Talk to the hous band members during the break and show them the tunes you want to play. They are usually very accommodating because they have been paid to be accommodating by the club owner.

[Lowell]

Here is an update to the Kaos afternoon sessions for minors.
Calgary has a new smoking bylaw that forbids minors from being in a smoking permissable establishment. When I was a child, drinking was the great evil that children should be protected from and now it is smoking.

[Lowell]

Just a few updates: The Kaos has closed due to high rents. 12 years ago when they opened their doors, the rents along 17 avenue were reasonable. Now 17 ave is a hip, happening, trendy, ( expensive ) area and Kaos was forced out. The owner may re-open at a new location if a reasonable price can be negotiated. Visit the website above for new information.

The King Edward Hotel is in bad shape. Very little in maintenance work has occurred in the past year. The upper floors have been condemned and it is an even bet as to whether the building will collapse on its own or succumb to a wrecking ball. The city is making noises about a new overpass over the rail yards into the downtown area from the Saddledome and the "Eddy" is in the way. Visit the Eddy while you still can because I am positive it won't last much longer.

This leaves the Beat Niq which is going strong and is now smoke free. It is your best bet for great music in Calgary. Thursday night is open Jam night with no cover charge.

The Shamrock Hotel has live music every night but the sound man is deaf and turns the system painfully high. Take ear plugs or stay home.

[Lowell]

The latest update:
The Kaos has re-opened at 609 7 ave s.w. It is now in the basement of QC's. It is much larger and more modern than the old location. For more details see their website at www.kaosblues.com.

Also for the rest of March a good jam is happening every tuesday night at the Brew Brothers Taproom next door to The Keg on 11 ave s.w. at 5 street.

[Gene]

Guy's try Broken City Down on eleventh 2-6 on saturday's I'm battleing a sore throat so I'll be there but not playing.