The Bill Lynch Trio is back on tour! In 2023, the Trio - Bill Lynch, Bessie Wapp and Mark Spielman – will be performing at the Queen’s Bay Church, the Outdoor Stage in New Denver/Silverton, the Vallican Whole, Penticton’s Dream Café, the Langham Cultural Centre in Kaslo and the Shambhala Music & Performance Hall in Nelson. The Trio performs Bill’s original music from his first CD Would You Speak on My Behalf and this year’s upcoming CD Street of the Moon.
Bill’s original songs are renowned for their diverse influences and the poignant, elegant poetry of his lyrics. Bill’s musical influences range from Blues and Folk to Latin and Balkan. His songs express his conviction that that there are real things within us that can carry us through hard times – things like memory and music and stories and love. Bill doesn’t shy away from complex topics, but he transforms them with compassionate lyrics and cheerful, catchy music. And audiences respond – they get it, they feel it. They know they’re moved by something real and joyful.
Bill invites his audience into a deeply felt world with his Irish gift of storytelling, his passionate vocals and beautiful guitar work. Bessie Wapp expands the Trio’s palette with musically intriguing accordion and keyboard accompaniment and solos. And her vocal harmonies are haunting. The stand-up bass becomes an instrument of striking eloquence in the hands of the consummate musician, Mark Spielman.
BILL LYNCH – acoustic and 12-string guitar, vocals
Bill Lynch has been playing guitar for over 50 years and composing music for over two decades. In 2018, Bill’s first CD of original music, Would You Speak on My Behalf, was released to a sell-out crowd (400+) at Nelson’s Capitol Theatre. Since 2019, Bill has been performing around the Columbia Basin with the Bill Lynch Trio, thanks to support from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance and Columbia Basin Trust. The Trio – Bill, Bessie Wapp, and Mark Spielman - play Bill’s original music from Would You Speak on My Behalf and his new upcoming CD, Street of the Moon. Born in Ireland, Bill left Dublin at 19 and came to Canada the long way around, travelling and playing music on stages in Ireland, England, Germany and Turkey. A West Kootenay resident since 1976, Bill is a fixture on the Nelson, BC music scene. Bill founded the Lazy Poker Blues Band in 1991 and has played in that band ever since. After three decades, Lazy Poker continues to be one of Nelson’s hottest dance bands. In 2010, Bill teamed up with Jon Burden to form an acoustic blues duo, performing in West Kootenay venues and opening for Sonny Rhodes. Bill’s compositions are renowned for their diverse influences – blues, folk, Balkan, Latin – as well as the poignant and elegant poetry of his lyrics. Gusti Callis, former Artistic Director of Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival says: “When I first heard Bill Lynch’s CD “Would You Speak On My Behalf”, I was very impressed with its creativity, musicianship, diversity, and production. I strongly felt Bill’s CD should have been among the Juno nominations....”
BESSIE WAPP – vocals, accordion, keyboard
Bessie Wapp is a musician, theatre artist, educator, and Nelson Cultural Ambassador (2015). While based in Vancouver for over 20 years, Bessie created original music & theatre works with some of Western Canada's most exciting groups, and became a core member of two: Zeellia (Eastern European folk music ensemble) & Mortal Coil (stilt-dance theatre), with whom she toured internationally (Lincoln Centre: NYC, Festival D’ete: Montreal, and Zagreb Danceweek: Croatia). In 2006 Nelson's growing arts scene called Bessie home where she performs in music ensembles (Kootenay Divas, Bill Lynch & Friends, Love Tonic, Bessie Wapp & Friends), performs in musical stage productions (Carmina Burana, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, Orfeo & Eurydice), teaches courses at Oxygen Art Centre, composes for interactive sound sculptures (Summoning project), conducts the Blue House and Yellow House Choirs, and creates original theatre & spoken word (Hello, I Must Be Going, Loco Phantasmo, Letters from Lithuania, Jesus Christ Superstore).
Mark Spielman – stand-up bass, vocals
Mark Spielman is a bass player whose professional career extends back 40 years, starting with a degree from the University of Miami. His career has been divided equally between live performance, studio session and education. As a member of “The Circle,” a Florida-based contemporary jazz group, Mark performed in a variety of large venues including doing opening concerts for Hall and Oates, Chicago, Rod Stewart and George Benson. Other performance credits span a variety of styles including blues/jazz dates with Lloyd Jones, Dee Daniels and David Vest, as well as pop/rock artists such as Ellen MacIlwaine, Allison Girvan and Don MacDonald. The list of studio session dates include jingle and live broadcast for CBC, plus numerous album productions. Mark is an instructor with the Selkirk College Professional Music Program. Currently, he plays with fellow Selkirk College instructor, Melody Diachun, and occasionally sits in with the Lazy Poker Blues Band.
We do have $10 minimum food charge at the venue as we are a food-primary establishment*
Founded in 2001, we've developed a reputation, among artists and audiences alike, as a premium live entertainment venue across Canada and further afield.
Our room is a listening room, which is a rare gem to find. There is no greater gift to give performers than to simply listen. They bring with them years of dedication and we get to enjoy and absorb their creativity. As an audience member, the experience is without parallel, providing an incredibly intimate and unique opportunity to see top talent from Canada, and around the world.
A wide range of musical styles can be seen on the Dream stage. Though they differ in genre, they are united in their skills. Expect to see Jazz, blues, indie, R&B, folk, punk, spoken word, reggae, rock, country, comedy, and more.
A night at the Dream Café includes a warm welcome, great food and an outstanding music experience. Our regulars know that no matter who is gracing the stage that night - the calibre of music and entertainment will be excellent. Thank you for supporting live music, the arts and The Dream Cafê
There's no need to print your tickets, we will greet you at the door with our guest list for the show.
Doors open 6pm (unless otherwise stated). Show starts at 8pm. Kitchen is open from 6-9pm. We are an all-ages venue!
No need for reservations for dinner - your tickets include your table for the evening. Please arrive by 7:15pm to have time to get settled before the music starts.
The Dream Café
Reservations: reservations@thedreamcafe.ca
Manager: manager@thedreamcafe.ca
Phone: 250-490-9012
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