Vague Recollections of the Blue Note Cafe

10/11/2026

RAID!!!

One of the really great stories has to be the tussles with the Winnipeg Police Vice Dept. and the MLCC.

Here are the facts: 5+ arrests for serving after hours, the fines went from 5 k the first go round to 250 buck the last , down not up, We did not discriminate, serving off duty police, and my district MLCC inspector after hours. When we installed "Matts Snack Bar" in the Cafe, according to the MLCC inspector, we had 10 extra seats,"TAKE THEM OUT" ok.

Now after saving a rained out political rally THAT VERY NIGHT featuring "MOOD JA JA" THE HEAD OF THE MLCC CAME DOWN THE NEXT MORNING AND REMEASURED THE CAFE! Lolol "BRING THOSE TABLES AND CHAIRS BACK INSIDE!" "A MISTAKE WAS MADE!"

Were you in the Cafe when "THE LIGHTS WHEN ON"?

Did you get to see the inside of the PADDY WAGON?

10/04/2026

09/27/2026

Mark Reeves recently selling out the Park Theater struck a chord for me.

Mark started playing the Main St location regularly when he was 14, only Elizabeth Hayward at 6 years old who sang that Skinneramerink song. Adorable with Dad, Wolsley Cycle's Mark Hayward , and 8 year old Doone Riddell who lead her band "LOVE HAMMER" on the bongos all the way to a New Years Eve show at The West end Cultural Centre were younger.

The Blues Puppies grade 11, Leader House, killer band, all under 18. Christian Dugas, their drummer, was 15 years old his first Cafe set and had already toured Canada twice. Luke Doucet, White Horse originator, teammate, played in a band with another GREAT drummer June Mirochnick, kids.

There are many many more, that were kids, and are now pros. At 15, Luce wanted to be heard. Paul Hogan had to take a bus to play guitar and bass in The Crash Test Dummies. To young to drive to rehearsals.

All veterans of the stage before graduating high school. There are many many performers that were kids RUDIMENTAL! another teen super group out of St.B .

Those kids all played regular slots and really were the reason for us to come to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, 364 days a year, for 15 great years.

09/22/2026

The Blue Note Goes to Kelvin High School

09/17/2026

Live From the Blue Note Cafe repost

One of the great things, we did at the Portage location, turned out to be 7 GREAT THINGS!

Live From The Blue Note Cafe were concerts dedicated to developing Manitoba artists,with a province-wide broadcast on CBC Manitoba through Radio City, hosted by Doug Holmes.
Working with a guerrilla crew that involved one tech and a portable soundboard set up in the basement on Portage Ave. Curtis and Doug both usually involved in soundchecks and cable-running.
Live From The Blue Note Cafe first broadcast on:

Jan. 4, 1997 with a show by Leaderhouse 5, sometimes just Leaderhouse, featuring Remy Shand, Matt Buda, Dustin Leader, Christian Dugas and Scott Nolan on bass. A terrific lineup to kick things off with an innovative and cerebral group that seemed destined for big things.

Feb. 8, 1997 Keith Dyck folk/roots artist. A mesmerizing multi-instrumentalist with a deep repertoire. I Wish It Would Rain is a classic.

Apr. 12, 1997 Delina. In advance of her debut album to be released in May of '97.

Jan 18, 1997 Winnipeg 4 piece Load at their CD release party. A band excelling across genres with the intimate, compelling and commanding voice of Luce.

Mar 22, 1997 Lianne Fournier and the Pearl Drivers. A cool set from a cool performer who was sadly taken early from the musical world.

Mar. 01, 1997 Richard Moody. Winnipeg's thoughtful, and precise string player who can silence an audience with one note.

June 07, 1997 Special Fancy. Christine Fellows and Keri McTighe team up in a dynamic and creative whirlwind with fellow Winnipeg musical stars. A special treat.

EXCELLENT!

09/13/2026

Dave Wood & His Big Unit Repost
Seeing Stan Bedernjak's posts , they are an inspiration for our Vague Recollections.

A big supporter of the Blue Note was Stan's guitar player in Woodwork and many other storied rock guitar bands.

One year Dave played Terry Watchniack's Firehall Halloween party leading "DAVE WOOD AND HIS BIG UNIT" a 12 piece classical jazz ensemble, the best players in Winnipeg, and as requested, hitting the overdrive and ripping solo's over arrangements, unreal.

Dave also lead the unbelievable line up of Ron Paley bass and Chris Martin in a jazz frenzy combo that played the Halloween party for years. " After Midnight" (ohhh yea Paley kicked ass on bass).

I did say Dave supported the Cafe, 5 nights a week he was in late for years. He knocked a bowl of soup down and at least 1 time a week. "I feel like playing". George West would finish serving your table (sometimes) and would jump on stage with Dave and I to play Shakin All Over and a couple of other selections I can't remember. lol
Just unreal to think about it now. "GEORGE HAS AN ORDER UP" GEORGE from the stage with Dave Wood and myself. "That goes to table 4" lolol

09/07/2026

Stylish!

09/05/2026

The Blue Note Cafe was a very small venue. I think more people saw this album art, the first week it was released, than people who physically walked through the door.

09/03/2026

Blue Note Cafe, T-Shirts, Large - 3XL available until they are not.

Reliving the memories.