Cat Jahnke Mews

12/9/07 – Mocha Cabana, Lethbridge, AB

I love it when I see huge groups of friends in the crowd. Well, I love it, and I’m nearly blind with jealousy simultaneously. What lucky ducks these folks are who have more friends than Friends!

Tonight one of these troops became my Lethbridge posse but we’ve yet to develop a gang sign. Although I’ve played piano for most of my life, it seems I’m not that versed in urban hand manipulation. Please send suggestions! All I’ve come up with so far is an ‘L’ (for Lethbridge) with thumb and index finger, held proudly to one’s forehead, but I have a feeling that one’s already taken.

How’s this for hard-core?

My new friends called me “cutie” and “sweetie” and I felt like I was one of the crowd. After some Sherlocking (care of your favorite stalker zone and mine: Facebook) I find out that I am almost a decade older than them. I’m blessed with a baby face and an elf-body and am consistently in a state of disguised adulthood. I relate to that creepy little girl in Interview With The Vampire, but I’m pretty sure I drink less blood than she does.

Apparently she and I DO share a conviction of our immortal status. Click the image below to see me tempt fate (and squeal for two straight minutes).

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12/8/07 – Gitter’s Pub, High River, AB

Sometimes adventures can be fun. Sometimes adventures can define a day that had had other objectives. Our gear was incarcerated beyond our reach and we spent an afternoon fishing for keys. Thank goodness for small towns! While the familiarity can breed acute boldness, it also means one can walk in to a gas station and ask for “Beth from Irricana” and walk out of it with the number of her best friend’s brother’s best friend’s sister’s cell phone.

12/7/07 – Full Of Beans, Irricana, AB

I always expect a ruckus when I hit Full Of Beans in Irricana. There’s something about the intimacy of a small town that dissolves the inhibitions of the inhabitants. But when you’re told that a seasonal sing-along is more rowdy than “Stripper Night”, it’s time to re-evaluate who is the sheep and who is the shepherd.

Granted they weren’t standing on their chairs, craning their necks to see me pick up various objects with various body parts, but I’ve never heard Christmas carols sound more like drinking songs. They were pounding the table in solidarity with the little drummer boy (pa rum pum pum pum – “rum” being the operative syllable), they were criticizing the opposite side of the room for not singing “Silent Night” with as much gusto, they were bringing out their washtub basses (complete with hockey stick neck) to accompany me.

Click the image above to witness my own attempts at wielding the tub to the tune
of my previously a capella arrangement of “Hush, My Dear, Lie Still And Slumber”.

Click the image above to hear un-spoiled
samples of the Christmas album.

12/6/07 – Saskatoon, Wildwood Mennonite Church

I’ve got my dentist in Toronto. I’ve got my aesthetician north of Saskatoon. I’ve got my car dealership in Lethbridge. Now all I need is a gynecologist somewhere in the Yukon and I’m set!

This sign was near the salon in Warman where I go to be pampered
(if having hair ripped out of your eyebrow area can be considered luxurious).
“Warm Up With Chili Flavoured Cappuccino”?? If you say so…

It’s SOOOO good to spend time with family. I can’t even begin to describe the thirst I had for seeing my kin, and the resulting misery at realizing that the craving could not be slaked by visits crammed in to the tiny scraps of time I had between shows. I managed to leave the city and carry on with the tour ONLY because I know I will be returning for a proper visit after the holidays.

Hug someone you love today!

Speaking of someone I love, Cam Fuller at the Saskatoon Star Phoenix is a jewel. Never in the history of news reporting has there been a better headline than: “Jahnke Avoids Schmaltz..”

Click the image to read the full article.

The show tonight was rejuvenating. I am thankful every day for Darren’s geekiness, for without it I would not have had the capabilities to present my new Christmas album with backing vocals. It was a nice way to debut O Night Divine and I was very glad that so many of my closest peeps were in the audience to witness it. I am a big fan of the holiday season and apparently I turn into a little bit of a suck when I start thinking of the big picture.

We even had the chance to show a couple films that we scored recently. One of these films, Ctrl Z, is actually up for an award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008. For more info about the film visit: http://ctrlzmovie.com/index.htm . You can watch and rate the five finalist films at http://www.delta.com/flyinmovies . The filmmaker with the highest average rating wins an amazing prize package to be presented at the festival– so please spread the word. We love our director friend and would love to see him honored as he deserves to be.

Thanks so much to Pauline at Wildwood Mennonite Church for helping make everything happen tonight. And thanks especially to my mom and sister for filling in the blanks and making sure it all ran smoothly. XOXO

12/5/07 – Prince Albert, Turk’s Coffee House

One more time we hit the road before hitting the hay. No one had better accuse me of being a lazy musician. Lazy implies lolling about, and I surely have no spare time for such frivolities!

I have no time even to sweep a patch of floor! I apologize publicly to our darling house-sitter for leaving the digs in such disarray. It was a whirl-wind of “home time” during the week and a half we were able to spend there. We were baking, we were trimming the tree, we were putting the finishing touches on some hand-made Cat Jahnke merchandise. All fun; all disruptive to the neatness.

Here are some photos of the aforementioned Cat brand schwag.

1. Reversible Messenger Bag
2. Croc Toque – front & back

Have I already discussed the love I’ve developed for my new-used sewing machine? Be not afraid: there will be many such tributes. And for anyone sharing my fondness for DIY, make sure to check out http://www.threadbanger.com. They’re the best!

Thanks to everyone who came out to Turk’s tonight. It was great to see so many friendly faces!

TITLE EXPLANATION: A lovely chap manning a gas bar in the middle of nowhere obviously intended to ask if I was playing a “gig” tonight.

Click HERE to read an article from the Prince Albert Herald.

10/20/07 – Old Fire Hall, RosslandWhat’s better – to throw a banana peel in a garbage can or to throw a banana peel on the side of the road? I really want to know. It seems to me that putting it in a bin just means it will end up in a plastic bag at the landfill. At least on the shoulder of a highway it can find some peace under the stars and live out it’s browning existence in nature. Where’s the harm in that?

The show at the Old Fire Hall today was exactly what my soul needed. Not only were the acoustics in the revamped station conducive to a great sound, but the audience that attended were all people I’d love to know better. It was a late night and my eyeballs are paying for it today, but it was nice to stay and chat and be educated about jazz and raw food and sign language and a host of other things.

An Old Fire Hall Tradition
Click on the image to watch the video

There are two things in this picture that I’m not excited about:
1) End of passing lane sign
2) My first snowfall of the season

A Life Lesson Brought To You By Cat Jahnke

10/19/07 – Minstrel Café, Kelowna

I’ve got to give it up to darkness. While I’m not a big fan of it at night time, I find it snug during the day. There’s something relaxing about seeing the sun vainly doing its best to peek through the cracks in the blinds. Especially during nap-time!

A few days ago I mentioned that it seems difficult to break out of a social habit, to go beyond the familiar boundaries of a lengthy relationship. During our few days here in Kelowna we stayed with some extended family and had the chance to cast off some ancient molds. It feels good to learn someone better.

It feels bad to learn that our home was vandalized. This afternoon we checked in with our house-sitter and found out that our garage had been broken into. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I think: blah – I don’t have any energy to care about some neighborhood punks busting up our property. Besides, we knew what we were getting into when we moved onto a crappy street. On the other hand I think: what the hell is out there to stop these little creeps from doing this again and again? Were we just lucky that they didn’t feel like burglarizing our house?

And does it ever feel gross to think that strangers were traipsing through our yard knowing full well that they were not welcome. Yuck!

At the Minstrel Café tonight: Little Emma England pulled her chair right up to the stage and sat quietly and politely there for most of the evening. Her attention span put to shame many others belonging to more mature audience members.

10/18/07 – Day Off, Kelowna

There is a jackpot of junk behind a certain thrift store in Kamloops. Yesterday I saw folks pedaling up with all kinds of baskets attached to their bicycles in order to cart their treasures away. There were vases, vacuum cleaners, CD racks, lamps and a ton of other amazing finds. If this is what they were tossing, I had to see what they were selling! (I mentioned to one of the workers about the pilgramage I witnessed the day before and she said that they did not appreciate the “homeless” who were “stealing” from their bin. !!)

I guess the garbage collector came and emptied most of the “trash”, but there was still so much to see. I offer unto the reading audience an I-Spy Challenge! See if you can find the following in the image above: suitcases (1 x brown, 1 x green), hat, tupperware, baskets (x 6), measuring spoons, various purses, some hangers, a decorative frog holding a bucket, pillow, blanket, clipboard, glass light fixture, cookie tin, one red shoe.

I got to spend some more time with my new friends at CFBX. Sheldon and Kesten had me as a guest on their radio program, “What’s Wrong With Marvin?” It was brief but it was so much fun. Even D-Bot, the one man behind the band, the OZ behind the curtain, made a little bit of an audio cameo during the interview.

Play the above clip to listen to me giggle for nearly 10 minutes straight… My offer still stands to have the hosts Sheldon and Keston join me on tour as banter-ers.

10/17/07 – Players Chophouse, Kamloops

Darren was back-talking, so I set aside my pacifism in order to keep him in line.
These ball-peen hammer knuckles aren’t just for looks!

This might come as a shock, so I’ll ask you to sit down before you continue reading, although I’m sure it’s a little unnecessary because I’m confident that very few people read blogs standing up – it’s just not done! Anyways, here’s the big news: Darren and I were early for something! Couple this with our Japanese breakfast that left not a single employee out of work and you’ve got a monumental tour.

This morning we were guests on the Midday show with Larry Read here in Kamloops. Apparently I was a record-setting musician, playing not one but TWO instruments in two separate songs. I don’t know how my achievement could be toppled, considering the program only allows for two segments per artist. I invite challengers to endeavor to de-throne me by playing two instruments at the same time – but a pair of cymbals between your knees doesn’t count!

I wouldn’t want to follow this guy! ☺

On the set at CFJC

Fresh salsa, the post office, Value Village, non-alchoholic beer, an old-fashioned elevator – these are what my afternoon in Kamloops was made of. I’m starting to think that this city is quite the destination. I always have a blast noodling around these streets.

We were put up in the Plaza Heritage Hotel and it was lovely! I’ve got to say that this hotel has the comfiest of all blankets. There were none of those thin scratchy throws covered by a questionable bedspread here. We got a real live quilt!

On the dark side of the moon, the parking lot attendant was less than friendly, belittling us for parking in the 5-minute zone reserved for patrons of the beer/wine store before realizing that we were checking in to the attached hotel. I wish his extended and sincere apology could erase the condescension he slathered on our otherwise perfect day, but I just can’t get over the tone in his voice when he said, “What does that sign say sir? What does it say? Tell me what it says!”

(What does the manual for forgiveness look like? Are there three easy steps? 1. Accept apology. 2. Swallow any relapses. 3. Live happily ever after. And would that procedure allow one to forgive while still offended or must a reconciliation of differences always take place before a healthy existence may continue?)

The CFBX radio crew showed up at Players Chophouse & Lounge.
Look at how monstrously wide my smile is as a result…

10/16/07 – Talkin Donkey, Vernon

I forgot to mention that I met a Fricke last night. So, a couple Freakes and a Fricke… My audiences rule!

This morning I awoke to the sound of a kitty. I don’t know what it is but I just can’t resist a meowing cat, despite the sneezes and watery eyes that accompany my affection. In my experience, it has been the black and white felines that are the most vocal. Is that a common conclusion?

The cat was actually sleeping like this!

Tonight we returned to the Talkin Donkey and the best iced cappucinos on the planet. I’d been pretty ragged these past few days but was rejuvenated by the presence of some old/new friends (Hi Rennae and Ryan) and by the dancing styles of a two-and-a-half-year-old little girl.

Click on the image to watch the video

There were some strategically placed spotters around the room, protecting this little one from potentially damaging table corners and hearth stones. But even with all her spinning, she kept a solid footing and even managed to successfully chase after an audience member who tried to leave. She was very polite, clapping exuberantly and saying “more please” after each song.