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36 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 25, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Moonshine Cafe hosts Tin Pan North music festival By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville is getting a little taste of Nashville. Tin Pan North ­ the Canadian edition of an annual Nashville country music festival ­ opens May 31 at a trio of Toronto venues and here in town at the Moonshine Café. It's the eighth annual songwriters festival, named Tin Pan North after Nashville's famed Tin Pan South. "It's a very, very huge music festival in Nashville," said owner of the Kerr Street Moonshine Café, John Marlatt. As for its Canadian counterpart, Marlatt says, "Tin Pan North is always very, very good. It's great music. We're excited to be a part of it." Hosted by the Toronto chapter Moonshine Café owner John Marlatt of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, Marlatt has attended Tin Pan North the last four years. This year, organizers called his café to see if he and business partner and wife Jane MacKay would be willing to host part of the festival. "It's a big annual showcase, and this is the first time they've come outside of Toronto for Tin Pan North. They've kept everything in Toronto up until now," said Marlatt. "This is the first year they've found a venue outside of the city that they feel is worth it, so we're pretty flattered about that." As for what to expect from the music, Marlatt says, "It's pretty much country oriented. There's a little bit of a roots edge to it, there's a little more than just country." Not only is the Moonshine Café hosting, but Marlatt, an accomplished singer and songwriter himself, is in the show. "I am a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association myself, and I'm starting to get maybe a little success with some songwriting," he said. "This is the first year they've found a venue outside of the city that they feel is worth it, so we're pretty flattered about that." John Marlatt, Moonshine Cafe owner Come to our Open House Sunday, June 3 · 12:00 - 4:00pm Spirit of the 40's Open House Churchill Place Retirement Residence 345 Church St., Oakville (905) 338-3311 · Vintage photographs and memorabilia · Oakville Jazz Ensemble · Food and refreshments · Raffle for a ride in a war plane As for why his café was chosen to host, Marlatt says it's because it's one of the few venues that caters entirely to music. "There aren't a lot of venues out there just for music," he said. "Because the (Nashville songwriting) group itself is not just Toronto-based, we have people coming in from Hamilton, Burlington, Toronto and several Oakville people as well, so this is a good location." Marlatt and MacKay are excited about the singers and songwriters coming to the café for their portion of Tin Pan North. "They're all independent artists, and we've got some big names coming in here," said Marlatt. The 7:30 p.m. show on Thursday, May 31 ­ dubbed Inspired Indies, features Jory Nash, Trevor Burt, The GG's and James Sawyer. "Jory Nash, he's an act in himself," said Marlatt. Young, Folkies and Restless kicks off at 9:30 p.m. that same night, and will see Caitlin Hanford, Michael Cavan, Oakville's Maggie Szabo and Marlatt himself take the stage at the Moonshine. On Friday, June 1, the Kerr street café at 7:30 p.m. will host Folk-Rock AllStars Suzie Vinnick, Robert Davis, Bruce Madole and Howard Gladstone. "Suzie Vinnick is one of the best performers in the country," Marlatt said. Finishing things off with the 9:30 p.m. show -- Country to the Bone -- are Tim Buppert, Karla Crawford, Steve Ledlie and Oakville's Bernie German. "Tim Buppert is another headliner, from Nashville, he does demos for major recording artists down Nashville way," the café owner said. The Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., will host Tin Pan North on Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1, with 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. shows both evenings. Tickets cost $10 per evening, and cover both the early and later show. To make a reservation call the Moonshine Café at 905-844-2655. Tickets can also be picked up at the door, but Marlatt recommends people make a reservation to ensure they get a ticket. A "trip" across Canada with The Kensington Rail The Kensington Retirement Residence 25 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville (905) 844-4000 · Music by "The Blazing Fiddles" · 50/50 draw · Raffle · Displays and food from each province Dear Roger, How do I know if the girl I'm dating really likes me? Tai Chi Demonstrations Trafalgar Lodge Retirement Residence 299 Randall St., Oakville (905) 842-8408 · Tai Chi presentations with participation · Entertainment by Cedric Decroix · BBQ · Special guest: Oakville Mayor · Door Prizes Your furnace can affect your love life. Maintain your heating system for under $19/month, and always create the right climate for romance. Celebrating Seniors Join us in our fundraising efforts for The Arthritis Society as we celebrate our seniors across the country on June 3rd. ONTX015 askroger.ca Find out how at