Rob Szabo, Peter Katz, Emma Julien, Yellow Door and You.

I could be preaching to the long converted.

I wouldn’t say the Yellow Door is a big secret. For 30 years, the tiny venue/community centre has been synonymous with the words acoustic and intimate. Seeing a performance there is getting to know the musician or reader intimately, like a getaway from the city complete with cozy fireplace (disclaimer: there is no fireplace).

And I won’t be cryptic for those who aren’t familiar with the space; you are walking into a low-ceiling, close quarters basement with a perfomance stage the size of (insert clever analogy here. don’t be specific!) 1.5 m squared (dammit!). You will be right on top of your evening entertainment… more then likely with Coffehouse fare in hand. Lovely, I say, lovely.

The track record is stellar; the likes of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Rufus Wainright, Jesse Winchester, Bruce Cockburn and other alumni have graced the space with their almighty weight. But I’m not here to talk about that.. You can visit the Yellow Door’s website for more history. Go ahead, finish this read and go there. But finish this read first.

Rob Szabo, Peter Katz. Peter Katz, Rob Szabo. Musicians both. Emma Julien had been selling their talent to me for almost a year now and I thank her for the heads up on the show at Yellow Door this past March 28th. Both were solo performers this eve and I was completely absorbed. I can’t talk about one without the other. Both are seasoned live musicians with unquestioned guitar skills… I would say a mix of folk and the best kind of acoustic rock.

I don’t know what to tell you to sell you on these gents… but I really, really want you to check them out. Peter has a new album coming out soon and was handing out samplers on the eve. Rob is just as winning. Johnstown Kids is a fave. Both have music available on their sites (Rob / Peter) .

Check them out. Then say hi to Emma. Then check out the Yellow Door (3625 Aylmer. That’s McGill Ghetto turf, cheech). And if you need a place to be, think about playing there. I’ve heard nothing but good about the nurturing disposition of their programming.