A unique critically-acclaimed show featuring music and storytelling connecting directly to Saskatchewan audiences will be at The Gog in North Battleford this weekend.
Too Darn Hot features humourist Bonnie Logan, singer Wilma Groenen and guitarist Scott Triffo. They will present a delightful romp through risqu茅 stories, sultry songs and hot licks Saturday at The Gog, hosted by homeowner Kelly Waters. Hilarious and poignant, the show explores innuendo-filled tunes from the 1920s and 鈥�30s interspersed with stories ranging from awkward first dates to the mishaps of everyday relationships.
Explaining how Too Darn Hot came to be, Groenen says, "Bonnie and I have been friends for 30 years.聽She has been a professional storyteller during that time, but mostly telling in schools to young people. More recently she has become well known in the storytelling world as the teller of stories for adult audiences, with stories from many cultures including Norwegian and Icelandic, to the more risqu茅 personal stories she tells in Too Darn Hot. While she is renowned in storytelling circles, both Canadian and American (she recently returned from telling at Merlefest held in North Carolina), she found it difficult to find gigs as an adult storyteller."
Groenen, who has been involved in the Saskatoon music scene for more than 30 years, fronting numerous bands and putting out a CD of original songs in 2000, says three years ago Logan came up with the idea of combining her stories with music in order to create an act that would appeal to a more diverse audience.
"Happily, she asked me if I would like to get involved and, happily, I agreed," says Groenen. "We spent many evenings going through the stories she wanted to tell, and discovering songs that would work with the stories. Many of these songs come from a genre called the 'dirty blues,' written and performed in the 1920s and 鈥�30s by women like Ida Cox, who wanted to talk about women's sexuality, but could do so only in veiled language."
Groenen, also a professional writer and editor, says the language and character of these songs are both hilarious and poignant, with a yearning for equality and respect that makes them years ahead of their time.聽
"As a singer for over 30 years, I had moved away from the blues, but these songs really spoke to me and I love singing them. Some of them are quite jazzy, so I needed to add an instrumentalist, as I don't have the guitar skills, and that's where Scott came in."
Scott Triffo was raised in Regina. Growing up, Scott was surrounded by music and musical figures such as Colin James.
鈥淚 hung out with Colin quite a lot and he would give me music lessons,鈥� says Triffo.
He went to music school in Vancouver and took contemporary and jazz music and taught music for 15 years in Vancouver, Toronto and Saskatoon.
Triffo is also a well-known composer, often composing music for television series. He is a member of Partners in Motion, a company owned by his brother that distributes media programming in more than 150 countries around the world and in more than 30 languages.
Groenen says the show she, Logan and Trifo have put together lends itself beautifully to the intimate setting of house concerts.聽
"We've done a number of them over the past three years," she says. "In fact, our first guinea pigs were an audience at a house concert in Saskatoon. The place was packed and the younger set of 20 year olds had to sit on the floor almost at our feet."
Groenen says her friend Logan especially loves that kind of close contact.
"She doesn't single out people, or make fun at their expense, but she loves the eye contact, and the nods of recognition as her stories unfold."
Groenen is enjoying the house concert atmosphere as well.
"I am loving the challenge of working so closely with my audience, as I'm much more used to the big stage and reaching out to audiences across a room with a whole band to back me. The house concert venue allows me to really play with nuance and dynamics.聽 It's a little nerve racking for someone who's used to being 'background' noise in a bar or at a dance, but at the same time, it's really stretching me as an artist and I like that."
She adds, "The house concert scene is such a bonus for performers who thrive on smaller audiences, or who need venues between larger shows or who want to try out something new or innovative in a safe environment. House concert attendees are so open and give such great feedback."
Groenen is no stranger to the Battlefords music scene.
"My band, Wilma, played gigs for the Battlefords Jazz Society many times over the years and really had a blast every time. We love the North Battleford audience, and always knew we were in for a good time.聽While the folks may not be able to cut the rug at a Too Darn Hot show, I can guarantee them an equally great time, with lots of laughter, toe tapping, finger snapping and fun."
You can book your seat by emailing [email protected].
Doors open at 7 p.m., the show is at 7:30 p.m. and the cost is $20, which goes directly to the artists. Donations will be accepted for food and drink.聽聽
The Gog is located at 1391-105th St. North Battleford.
Other shows coming up at The Gog include an album release performance Friday, June 17 by Sean Newton, along with performances by other young local artists, The Marc Holt Quintet on Friday, Oct. 7, Jeffrey Straker Saturday, Oct. 22 and Lana Quinn at a date to be announced.
