Every year, I try to enjoy the time in and around my birthday, and this is no exception. Thought I’d mention a few of my plans in case the dear readers would like to join in.

This Friday, we have a fundraiser for the CBC Awards Show at Verns. It’s how we cover a few of the rather significant costs of the equipment rentals, decorations, etc., and because we’re fantastic people we’re putting on a hell of a show for $10. If I understand the lineup correctly, we’ll have The Deadmen, The Oh Shit Show, and Colin Decker Freefall performing musically, as well as songs by the Knox Bank Of Burlesque. All that for $10, and it all goes to ensure that the awards show is the biggest, coolest night of the year.

The day before my birthday (September 6) I booked a show at Verns. The headliners are not someone I’m particularly fond of because I think sleaze rock stopped being funny around the time my nuts dropped, but there are those who enjoy The Mentors. However, the reason I booked the show is my buddy Mr. Plow (who now resides in the US) will be on the tour with them. I love Mr. Plow and think he’s one of the most entertaining musicians going. When he told me that he would be wanting to come through Calgary, I decided to put on the show. It’s my birthday present to myself to see Plow. Joining him will be one of my favorite local bands, The Oh Shit Show, as well as Vancouver’s The Likely Rads. Tickets are $12 or $10 if you get them from me or the venue in advance.

September 7th may be my birthday, but it’s also Skeptics in the Pub night. I’ll be down at the Joyce on 4th (the one in Mission, silly) having a pint or two and enjoying the post-work part of my big day. If you want to come down and think all skeptical-like, please join us. It’s a decidedly nerdy and fun way to spend an evening. And afterwards I’ll have to decide what I’m doing, but karaoke does seem a likely possibility.

September 10th is the day when I will truly be celebrating my birthday, though. The lovely lady in my life is also a concert promoter, and decided to throw me a birthday party at Verns. There will be cake. There will be giggling. And there will be music. Opening the show will be Me And Keith(I think we might actually be calling it that now, but it’s myself on upright bass and Keith Morrisson on acoustic guitar and vocals, and possibly Meesh on ‘lectric guitar playing folky music that is awesome), The Shillelaghs, the Press Gang, and The Rigormorticians. And all that for $5! SWEET DEAL!

Somewhere in there I might take a road trip with Plow to one of his shows in either Coaldale or Innisfail, but we’ll see what happens. Either way, I hope to see a few smiling faces wishing me a happy birthday.

Jim