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poster for event

When

Occurs on Wednesday September 26 2018

Approximate running time: 3 hours

Venue

THE PORT THEATRE
125 Front St
Nanaimo BC V9R 6Z4

Event Notes

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Legendary GRAMMY award-winning American guitarist and singer-songwriter Jonny Lang brings his signature blues to Canadian audiences. Showcasing his 2017 release 'Signs', Lang segues between funk, rock and blues revealing poetic tales that narrate the universal catharsis of living life in this world.

Since the release of his platinum selling debut album at the age of fifteen, Lang has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic live performers and guitarists of his generation. Lang earned his cred by performing with some of the legends of music by sharing the stage with BB King, Buddy Guy, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan just to name a few.

Admittedly, Lang suffered the pitfalls of achieving fame at such an early age by succumbing to the temptations of drugs and alcohol. Lang attributes finding God in 2000 for being able to sober up and beginning the process of battling against his personal demons. Although his lyrics speak honestly and passionately as to where he is in his life now—they inspire, excite, get people up on their feet, but never preach. His mission is to find the words that can be applied to any situation, delivered with huge guitar tones and “go for broke” solos playing directly to the soul of the listener.

Mavis Staples Performing with her world-renowned family The Staple Singers, Mavis Staples grew up dealing with the atrocities of racism whilst touring throughout the American south during the civil unrest of the 1960’s.

At the beginning of her eighth decade of singing truth, Staples opines, “we’re not loving one another the way we should.” With the release of her latest album, If All I Was Was Black, Staples intends to do her part to, “change the world.” Staples’ third collaboration with songwriter, producer (and Wilco frontman) Jeff Tweedy, is an interracial, multi-generational kinship that delivers both fury and despair; yet demands love and change. Each song celebrates the spiritual joy and hope in a higher power and at the same time channels the pain and heartache of our shared humanity. As a GRAMMY award winner (including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award), a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Blues Hall of Fame, and as a Kennedy Center Honoree, Mavis Staples uses her gifts to “bring us all together as people.” Staples confides, “You can’t stop me. You can’t break me. I’m too loving.”

Blues, Gospel and Glory To truly understand the symbiotic relationship between blues and gospel music you only have to grasp that genuine redemption can only come from being brought to your knees. Jonny Lang and Mavis Staples will provide an evening of songs reminding each of us to lift up one another and to always believe in the possibilities of love. Be prepared to get up out of your seat.

Mavis Staples opens the show, Jonny Lang closes (3-hour concert)

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