Kanaka Open Mic will be celebrating it’s seventh anniversary on Wednesday.
“It’s Woodie Guthrie-themed, so it’s like the godfather of folk. There will be lots of live music and a couple of bands. A really rocking night, really,” said organizer Pam Burns.
Throughout the evening there will be a fun quiz and music history trivia centered around the famous musician.
“Woody Guthrie was Bob Dylan’s biggest influence. He was around in the dust bowl era in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a very famous folk singer,” Burns said about the song writer who wrote This Land Is Your Land.
Burns added that many performers at the Kanaka Open Mic have started their careers there, such as award-winning local artist Ria Jade, who first performed at the open mic when she was 13.
“We’ve also got a guy who’s 93, he calls himself Thirsty Bill and he does lots and lots of Johnny Cash songs. He’s fantastic. He wears a big 10-gallon hat and cowboy boots. He’s hilarious. And he also yodels really well,” said Burns.
The Celtic band Shades of Green will be performing and there will be free cake.
The celebration takes place tonight from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kanaka Coffee, 101 – 24155, 102 Avenue in Maple Ridge.