Skylarks are birds known for their singing, but there will be no singing for this new group of Skylarks, in fact, it’ll be purely instrumental.

Even though it looks like an Idler, walks like an Idler, and smells like an Idler, tonight it’s a Skylark. Made up of band members from the Idlers, the Skylarks will take stage for the very first time tonight at the Grapevine.

Sexy Sax man, Chris Harnett, says to expect “all-instrumental ska, jazz and reggae. Some original material, but mostly from classic ska artists like The Skatalites, Don Drummond, Ernest Ranglin and Sound Dimension.”

This is perfect timing, since the city has recently been jazzed up by the Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Check out one or both of their sets tonight at the Grapvine starting at 10 p.m., no cover!

And if the idea of a free show doesn’t convince you enough, how about the possibility of seeing all those musicians up on the tiny Grapevine stage? I’m collecting bets now as to how many times the trombone will whack other band members… 3? 4?

CRAZY WITH SALES!!!

They’re having a warehouse sale where you get the first t-shirt for free and additional t-shirts for $5.00 each.

Imagine a fin getting you two t-shirts… that is crazy. The stock will go quickly, so mark down this info on your calendar, and set your alarm to get up early.

Date:            Saturday, July 18, 2009
Time:           10:00am – 2:00pm
Location:    Living Planet Print Studio
Street:         20 Barnes Road

[image via]

Chad Young, photographer for Signal, has a knack for live music photography. And seeing these photos makes me wish I was able to be at the show even more (as stated in my last post).

But for those of you who missed out on the show last night, there’s another one going on tonight that will most likely host the same high energy.

So check out the photos, and check out the show tonight at the Ship, 11 pm.

Although I was not in attendance at the Idlers music video release show, I hear everyone had a great time (and even enjoyed the video!).

I do wish I was there to see the releasing of my very first music video, but alas, I am in another province at the moment (probably a good thing, I’d be too nervous to watch it in action). I do want to thank everyone who did go out to see it, even though you don’t really need an excuse to go see the Idlers.

For those who couldn’t make it out to the show, you have Signal to thank for posting the music video.

Speaking of thanks, I’d like to give a quick shout out to everyone who was involved in the making of it:

Nathan Downey, Kathleen Callanan, Ian Vatcher, Justin Madol, Alex Fox, Donald J Parrell, Danny Wadden, Chris Cleary, Liam Kavanagh, Erin Wight, Krysta Fitzpatrick, Ian MacDonald, Lilly Christine, Jacob Rolfe, Darcy Fitzpatrick, the Sprout, the Idlers fans, the Idlers, and anyone else who helped me make this video possible (if I forgot you, please remind me, you deserve credit).

Best crew I ever worked with. If you recognize anyone on this list, you should give them a high five for being so awesome.

Enjoy the video!

As mentioned in my last post, we’re putting up the Republic of Newfoundland flag on the South Side hills, and everyone is invited to join in on the hike.

Here are the details of the event:

Where: meet at the bottom the East Coast Trail (Fort Amherst)

When: Saturday June 6th 9:00 am SHARP

If you’re unsure where that is, look at the photos at the bottom for some visual instructions.

The hike is about 45 minutes, and for the most part, pretty steep. Wear comfortable clothing and a good pair of shoes with traction. Also, don’t forget to bring lots of water, snacks, and a camera to take photos of the awesome view.

If you’re coming from the downtown area of St. John’s, go on Water street and then turn left on Leslie St. You’ll see the sign for Cape Spear and Fort Amherst, turn left for Fort Amherst.

This is the sign for the parking lot. If you’re coming by car, park it here, then walk for about 5 minutes towards the hike trail.

More signs to point you in the direction…

We’ll meet at the bottom of the trail, where you’ll see these signs.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll try to answer them as quickly as possible.

Cheers!

Signal is going to resurrect the pink-white-and-green atop the South Side hills this weekend. All are welcome to join in on the fun — stay tuned for more on the hows and whens.

Here’s a look at the grand finale of last year’s flag-tastic adventure to get you in the mood.

Townies love the St. John’s Farmer Market, and there’s proof! It was voted Best New Local Trend in the Scope’s Best of St. John’s 2008 issue (with Donnie Dumphy as the runner up).

The St. John’s Farmer Market has been in hibernation for the winter, but the market’s committee has been working hard to prepare for this year’s start of the season which will begin June 6th at the Lion’s Chalet.

In the meantime, the market will be having a yard sale fundraiser on the weekend, here are the details:

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2009 (rain date is Sunday).

Time: 9am-2pm

Location: 89 Quidi Vidi Rd (2 doors down from Belbin’s Grocery)

Make sure to check out the first market of the season for some really cool local gear. Just a friendly reminder that the farmers’ selection of crops will most likely be minimal since the ground has just thawed from the cold winter that has passed, but soon enough there will be lots of fresh tasties available for purchase.

This is when the fire alarm went off after everything went downhill at the Nas show in Torbay :

Here’s a shot of the police piled on top of someone.

[Thanks for the videos, Lunch Box]

New York hip-hop phenomenon, Nas, was set to play tonight at the Torbay Arena just outside St. John’s, but unfortunately his set was cut short (by which I mean it never happened). According to an audience member, fights broke out which then led to the police showing up and then the fire alarm going off.

A fight broke out between a local resident and a friend of the Halifax based promoter (this is based on reports from various anonymous witnesses). It’s uncertain as to whether or not Nas ever arrived in St. John’s, but what eventually became apparent was that he would not be taking the stage tonight, and that’s when the violence began.

As pandemonium took hold of the Torbay Arena, one patron claimed to have been arrested by an RNC officer for being drunk and was only released after her continued protests that she was at a licensed event, not out in public.

Sounds like there was quite the show, just not the one everyone paid for.

One can’t help but be reminded of last year’s Queens of the Stone Age concert at Mile One where the band unceremoniously left the stage near the end of the night after being repeatedly pummelled by miscellaneous debris from the crowd such as cups and at least one shoe.

[image via]

While usually considered to be nothing more than eye sores, through the lens of local photographer Matt Reynolds an abandoned building becomes a thing of haunting (or is it haunted) beauty. Reynolds is one of a growing list of self taught photographers in this town with an obvious natural talent. His ongoing series on abandoned buildings, titled Lost and Forgotten Newfoundland, resonates with faint, distant echos and a sense of longing for a faded past.

You can follow Reynolds on his journey through the lost and forgotten over at his blog, or view these and other photos of his on his Flickr page.

[Photos courtesy of Matt Reynolds]