As they work to spread awareness of the emergency we face in terms of the climate, Northumberland's three climate-action groups will make a big splash on that front Feb. 1 with a concert by Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels.
The Cuban-Canadian Port Hope resident is a harmonica legend who has performed many local concerts, along with performing and competing around the world. And he may just be unsurpassed on the diatonic harmonica, on which he pioneered the “overblow” technique that allows him to play a 10-hole harmonica chromatically.
“The result is a stunning and eclectic blend of soundscapes, from the sublime to quirky, that often conjure different instruments, from the sax to an electric guitar, from violin to the bagpipes,” the press release said.
His back-up band's name is a tribute to del Junco's style, which blurs the boundaries among blues, jazz and roots music. With Eric St. Laurent on guitar and Henry Heilig on upright bass, they deliver what the announcement termed a “seamless fusion of New Orleans second-line grooves, swing, ska, swampy roots rock,” and the program will feature songs from their latest CD Hang On.
Along with the music, the evening's program will include inspiration from three local climate-action groups: Port Hope for Future, Port Hope's Centre of Excellence for Environmental Sustainability Working Group and the local chapter of David Suzuki's Blue Dot group. The hope is to engage as many members of the community as possible to mobilize support for climate action.
“The information we share here is focused on inspiring action at the individual, household and community level to reduce CO2 emissions and lessen our environmental footprint,” a spokesperson for Port Hope for Future stated.
It's also a wonderful opportunity to turn those winter blues into a toe-tapping evening in support of a good – and urgent – cause.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Port Hope United Church (34 South St.), and doors open at 6:45 p.m.