LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (BookcluB) & Their Brand New Facebook Page!!

Today's post is almost entirely devoted to one local band in particular, and one that I no longer have to include the "online page-less" qualifier for in write-ups! LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS lie within as well, so here's what you should know on this rainy Sunday morning!

We have a new-ish local band to add to our links, and they are BookcluB, at long last! Despite debuting on stage at Outspoken Brewing's Oktoberfest concert in 2022, it took over 20 months for the band to launch a Facebook page, so now we can link them here and they can publically promote gigs on social media! As you may know, BookcluB is the current live project from former Inner City Surfers/Rising Tide bandmates Mikey Hawdon & Dustin Jones, albeit in different roles (Mikey on vocals & guitar, Dustin on bass). Since debuting, they have been joined by drummer Allan Watson (ex-Room 206) and trumpet player Erin Antonello, while Wyld Stallyns saxophonist Josh Norling came on board by last fall to round out their horn section. Handsome Sandwich/ex-Generations guitarist Brandon Ruch is the band's newest member, joining over the winter to replace fellow Surfers/Room 206 alum Dave Bahun.

Rather than sticking to most members' punk backgrounds, BookcluB specialize in alternative and indie rock covers, often songs that other local bands don't play. There's enough here to cross the SMS' radar based on their complete playlist and background, and of course, they'd theoretically do a bang-up job on ska punk with Josh & Erin around! BookcluB have played numerous festivals and community events since debuting, far moreso than traditional bar gigs, including sets last year at the Fringe North and Summer Moon Festivals, a Queen Street block party last August, Mikey's pre-wedding concert at Soo Blaster featuring multiple bands of his, and two December headlining dates at LopLops, among other events. Recently seen at the Great Lakes Outdoor Show and Searchmont's Spring Bash, BookcluB's next show (weather permitting?) is at Thomson Farms today at 1:00 PM during their first ever teddy bear picnic.

Other previously announced dates from them ahead include their second straight Rotaryfest Stage 1 set at Clergue Park on Saturday, July 20th, before playing at the second annual Salty Marie Trails Fest at Hiawatha Highlands the following week. It is newly confirmed that local pop rock cover band The Dead Stops (featuring Garden of Bedlam & Sense of Truth alumni) will be opening there, so look for them at the Trails Fest too! Three dates (one oddly not referenced on the band's Facebook page yet) are new to us, including a reported set this weekend during Poutine Feast, which moves to the new Downtown Plaza this year after previously being held outside of the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. Given the relatively late notice, I'll hold off on formally going into details at this juncture, but we'll have more for our Canada Day weekend concert previews (last year, Poutine Feast organizers only announced the full entertainment lineups on the Tuesday prior).

The next date is the one that BookcluB didn't mention (yet), as they'll return to The Roberta Bondar Pavilion on Thursday, August 8th! This show takes place during the city of Sault Ste. Marie's annual Summer Concert Series under the big tent, with musicians again playing there on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July & August, though BookcluB are the only real SMS-amenable band scheduled for 2024 (click here for the full performer lineup). BookcluB played in this series last summer too, and hopefully they get a solid crowd and non-humid weather for the occasion! This Thursday nighter takes place at 7:00 PM, it's definitely all ages, and there is no cover charge. Lastly for today's BookcluB announcements, they will hit The Machine Shop on Saturday, September 28th when they play at The ARCH Bucket List Ball, a returning charity event to support the Algoma Regional Community Hospice.

The ball will feature "an abundance of alluring adventures", including dinner and refreshments, caricature portraits, a magician, tattoos, and more entertainment to support ARCH, and hopefully there's a great turnout for the cause this fall! Note that organizers have not confirmed BookcluB's involvement online, let alone possible other musicians. A 5:00 PM start time is advertised for this all ages event, but given the charity ball nature and all you get for going, tickets cost $125 (you can buy them and 10-person table seating at this link). We'll pick things back up for BookcluB with our Poutine Feast late notice preview later this week, but see above for much more on them now that they have social media! Thanks everyone!