Dave Gunning is the voice behind the song that won Hockey Night in Canada contest
Folk music fans will want to check out Dave Gunning’s show at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre on Sept. 25.
Gunning, a Juno-nominated singer/songwriter, has a reputation for spinning tales while performing.
Born and raised in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Gunning has built a name for himself as a working class hero in the mould of David Francey, James Keelaghan, Ron Hynes, Stan Rogers, Bruce Cockburn and Gordon Lightfoot.
He says his musical influences reflect Irish, Scottish, French Acadian, folk and country styles, while his songwriting creates images and moments in song that are palpable.
“Quiet and reserved otherwise, Gunning takes on an almost Garrison Keillor-type storyteller persona on stage, injecting stories between songs that run the range from sweet and touching to uproariously funny,” his biography says.
Gunning also gained fame in 2014 when his song, A Game Goin’ On, won a CBC contest to be used during a special montage on Hockey Night in Canada.
Gunning brings his show to the Upstairs Lounge at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre on Sept. 25.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for this special show.
All other concerts in the fall series at Upstairs Lounge are $12.
The opening act is local singer Colleen Eccleston, who works at the University of Victoria as as a Rock and Roll, Beatles and Songwriting professor.
For information about Dave Gunning, go to davegunning.com.
Coming Soon:
In addition to Dave Gunning Sept. 25 (see story, right), the Upstairs Lounge concert series has a whole host of exceptional performers coming to town this fall, beginning this Friday.
Concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and most tickets are $12.
Groove Kitchen
Friday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St.
This hard-driving, party-hearty quintet is shaking up the clubs with its red-hot mix of funk, Latin, reggae and soul for dancing.
The Klez
Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St.
The Klez play the celebratory Jewish music of Eastern Europe and the haunting music of the Sephardic Jews who were driven out of Spain in 1492. This is music filled with love, longing, minor chords, and heart-felt joy.
Doug Cox & Sam Hurrie
Friday, Nov. 6 @ 7:30 p.m., Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St.
Doug Cox and Sam Hurrie are avatars of pretty well every style of blues, roots, acoustic music that ever made you tap your toes. They perform a mix of originals and classic blues on acoustic and slide guitar, dobro and mandolin.
Bijoux du Bayou
Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St.
This high-energy band sizzles with its New Orleans dance music, combining Cajun, zydeco, swing, calypso and other southern flavours to create a memorable evening of fun.