To say that I don’t understand the creative effects of friction would be untrue.

Whether I understand how to properly manage them, however, is a completely different story.

Without fail, March comes at my particular line of business with a fury. Everything—past, present, and future—projects into this one month. Bookkeeping, client meetings, new clients. It’s the one month where you touch every part of both the prior year, and the upcoming one.

An interesting thing happens though… and it has taken me a number of years to really notice it.

The more I get pulled into the drier aspects of management, logistics and details; the more the music comes. Doing this writing right now, for example, surrounded by guitars, and a Pro Tools session merely a click away—not only is it impossible to ignore the pull, but each time I give in to the temptation, I get phenomenal results.

One can’t help but think about geology and the impact of pressure and time.

We all face this interesting dance of commitment, obligation and desire. It seems that when you turn up the pressure, you turn up the resistance. Perhaps it’s a yearning for freedom. Perhaps it’s the contrast bringing to life the colour that’s gone flat during the winter.

Living is a crazy thing. As a business-owner, I resent the month of March and the pressure it brings, yet I thank my lucky stars that I can take advantage of its creative fruits.

Go figure.

Out of my mind. A satin breeze…

There’s just something about springtime in the air that draws out a lighter voice. More romance and joy. I would suspect that all the wedding meetings have something to do with it.

In between the battle with bookkeeping, some new songs are being recorded. Three older tracks—One Way, Home to You, and Don’t Stand a Chance—have found new life and are being repurposed vocally. Two brand new songs—Forever Monday and Rinse & Repeat—are keeping the story fresh.

Instead of taking a break after the long-haul of Choices, I’m enjoying getting right back into it. These new recordings, as a result, are more of a continuation of the story as opposed to a complete reinvention of it.

The fast and the furious.

As March flows in its rapid-fire theme, the wedding and special-event performances continue to stack up.

I’m excited about the range of venues and locations, both new and familiar. I’m happy to be back at Holland Marsh Wineries (Newmarket, ON), along with the Grandview Golf & Country Club (Huntsville, ON) and Sherwood Inn (Port Carling, ON). Multiple dates are scheduled at both the Muskoka Bay Club (Gravenhurst, ON) and Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty (Jordan, ON). There are also a couple of new venues on the docket, including Orchard View Wedding and Event Centre (Ottawa, ON), Kurtz Orchards (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON) and a private event on Stoney Lake catered by none other than Geoff Kirkland of Firefly Catering and the Lantern Restaurant (Stoney Lake, ON).

A number of public shows are also in the wings at the Burleigh Island Lodge (Burleigh Falls, ON), the Lantern Restaurant (Stoney Lake, ON) and Deerhurst Resort (Huntsville, ON).

Public shows – Apr. 8 – May 13.

In terms of immediate upcoming events. I’m back at the Pastry Peddler (Millbrook, ON) in April, and the Burleigh Falls Inn (Burleigh Falls, ON) for a Mother’s Day performance.

The Pastry Peddler shows are always great. It’s a nice venue where I can really showcase original singer/songwriter material. The Mother’s Day show completely shifts gears to instrumental guitar music.

But hey, who ever said that Mom doesn’t like Zeppelin, Coldplay and the Tea Party?

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Jake Dudas
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist

04.08.18 – Pastry Peddler – Public show.

Date: Sunday April 8, 2018
Venue: Pastry Peddler
Location: Millbrook, ON
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

05.13.18 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Public show.

Date: Sunday May 13, 2018
Venue: Burleigh Falls Inn
Location: Burleigh Falls, ON
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Notes: Reservations highly recommended

2019 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

09.28.19 – Ivy Lea Club – Gananoque, ON

2018 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

01.10.18 – Millcroft Inn (TerSera private event) – Caledon, ON
02.17.18 – Private Residence – Markham, ON
06.09.18 – Holland Marsh Wineries – Newmarket, ON
06.22.18 – Kurtz Orchards – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
07.13.18 – Private Residence – Stoney Lake, ON
07.21.18 – Muskoka Bay Club – Gravenhurst, ON
08.11.18 – Grandview Golf Club – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)
09.21.18 – Grandview Golf Club – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)
09.22.18 – Orchard View Wedding & Event Centre – Ottawa, ON
09.29.18 – Muskoka Bay Club – Gravenhurst, ON
10.19.18 – Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
10.20.18 – Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
10.27.18 – Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON

2018 Public Event Performance Schedule

01.21.18 – The Pastry Peddler – Millbrook, ON
02.11.18 – The Pastry Peddler – Millbrook, ON
02.14.18 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON
04.08.18 – The Pastry Peddler – Millbrook, ON
05.13.18 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON

 2017 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

01.27.17 – One King West – Toronto, ON
02.10.17 – Luma (Oliver & Bonacini Events) – Toronto, ON
03.02.17 – JW Marriott – Rosseau Muskoka – Minett, ON
03.10.17 – Private Residence – Mississauga, ON
04.12.17 – JW Marriott – Rosseau Muskoka – Minett, ON
05.13.17 – Brescia University College (Western) – London, ON
05.14.17 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
06.03.17 – Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
06.10.17 – Brooklands Farm – Bracebridge, ON (Muskoka)
06.17.17 – Fort Henry Discovery Centre – Kingston, ON
06.24.17 – Private Residence – Moffat, ON
06.29.17 – Lantern Restaurant & Grill – McCracken’s Landing, ON
07.02.17 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON
07.08.17 – Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
07.10.17 – Muskoka Steamships – Unica Insurance Event – Gravenhurst, ON (Muskoka)
07.16.17 – Millcroft Inn (Vintage Hotels) – Caledon, ON
07.20.17 – Lantern Restaurant & Grill – McCracken’s Landing, ON
07.22.17 – Casa Loma, Toronto, ON
07.29.17 – Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
07.30.17 – Sherwood Inn – Port Carling, ON (Muskoka)
08.05.17 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON
08.06.17 – Grand Tappattoo Resort – Seguin, ON
08.08.17 – Four Seasons Residences – Toronto, ON
08.12.17 – The Northridge Inn – Sundridge, ON (Muskoka)
08.15.17 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
08.17.17 – Lantern Restaurant & Grill – McCracken’s Landing, ON
08.19.17 – Private Residence – Terra Cotta, ON
09.03.17 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON
09.10.17 – Royal Canadian Yacht Club – Toronto, ON
09.16.17 – St. George’s Golf & Country Club – Toronto, ON
09.29.17 – Royal Canadian Yacht Club – Toronto, ON
09.30.17 – Century Barn – Cavan, ON
10.21.17 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
11.18.17 – Canoe (Oliver & Bonacini Events) – Toronto, ON
11.19.17 – Private Residence – Toronto, ON
12.02.17 – Upper Canada Child Care Event – Sheraton – Toronto, ON
12.16.17 – Cave Springs/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON

2017 Public Event Performance Schedule

05.14.17 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
06.29.17 – Lantern Restaurant & Grill – McCracken’s Landing, ON
07.02.17 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON
07.20.17 – Lantern Restaurant & Grill – McCracken’s Landing, ON
08.05.17 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON
08.17.17 – Lantern Restaurant & Grill – McCracken’s Landing, ON
09.03.17 – Burleigh Falls Inn – Burleigh Falls, ON