Battle of the sunset songs.

This was a great shot from a show in June aboard the Wenonah (Muskoka Steamships, Gravenhurst, ON).

The sun was getting low in the horizon. Guests were slowly meandering from the dining floor below, to the upper deck. Another spectacular Muskoka sunset was coming, almost as if on cue.

From my end, these incredible moments are a musical tug of war. It always seems to be a battle between the Tragically Hip’s Bobcaygeon and Neil Young’s Harvest Moon. They’re both Canadian institutions in terms of cottage-country sunset songs.

A New York state of mind.

Contrast always seems to be the modus operandi for the summer. You have these great performances all lined up in a row. Each one is a unique opportunity to settle in, take a moment to breathe, and appreciate the present.

Then, of course, you get up the next day and frantically work through all the details for the next round of shows. It’s sort of like switching back and forth between a Hawaiian beach and Times Square.

May and June have seen some great shows. A lot of variety. There were private events at Viamede Resort (Stoney Lake, ON), Steam Whistle Brewing (Toronto, ON), Muskoka Steamships (Gravenhurst, ON) and Trent University (Peterborough, ON). There was also Roveena’s inaugural show at the Canadian Cancer Relay (Caledon, ON). And, of course, a string of weddings at Viamede Resort (Stoney Lake, ON), the Thompson Landry Gallery (Distillery District, Toronto, ON) and a private residence on Pigeon Lake (Buckhorn, ON).

Long weekend at Sherwood Inn (Port Carling, Muskoka, ON) and Irwin Inn (Stoney Lake, ON).

The long weekend is shaping up in fine form. I’m looking forward to a wedding at Sherwood Inn on Saturday. On Sunday, I’m back at Irwin Inn for a public instrumental guitar performance from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended as it’s a busy weekend. Contact the Irwin Inn at www.irwininn.com

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Jake Dudas
Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter

All photography by Sue Morley Photography.

2014 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

01.04.14 – Private Event – Huntsville, ON
02.01.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
04.12.14 – Archeo Restaurant – Distillery District – Toronto, ON
05.03.14 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
05.09.14 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
05.10.14 – Thompson Landry Gallery – Distillery District – Toronto, ON
05.21.14 – Steam Whistle Brewing – Toronto, ON
06.07.14 – Muskoka Steamships – Gravenhurst, ON (Muskoka)
06.13.14 – Toronto, ON (guitarist for Roveena)
06.21.14 – Private Residence – Pigeon Lake, ON
06.24.14 – Trent University – Peterborough, ON
06.27.14 – Julliette’s Place Gala – Toronto, ON (guitarist for Roveena)
06.28.14 – Sherwood Inn – Port Carling, ON (Muskoka)
07.06.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
07.12.14 – Berkeley Church – Toronto, ON
07.12.14 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
07.26.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
07.27.14 – The Old Mill – Toronto, ON
08.02.14 – Taboo Resort – Gravenhurst, ON (Muskoka)
08.03.14 – Queen’s University – Kingston, ON
08.06.14 – Wildfire Golf Club – Stoney Lake, ON
08.15.14 – Market Hall Performing Arts Centre – Peterborough, ON
08.16.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.23.14 – Bala Bay Inn – Bala, ON (Muskoka)
08.29.14 – Deerhurst Resort – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)
08.30.14 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
09.06.14 – Marriott Kingston – Kingston, ON
09.07.14 – White Oaks Resort & Spa – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
09.13.14 – Deer Creek Golf & Country Club – Ajax, ON
09.19.14 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
09.27.14 – Grandview Golf Club – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)
10.25.14 – Museum of Nature – Ottawa, ON

2014 Public Event Performance Schedule

01.15.14 – Trent University – The Ceilie – Peterborough, ON
02.14.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
02.16.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
04.20.14 – Parkhill on Hunter – Peterborough, ON
05.11.14 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
06.29.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
08.01.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
08.31.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON

2013 Wedding & Corporate Event Performance Schedule

01.26.13 – Locks Salon & Spa Event – Peterborough, ON
04.07.13 – Aria – Peterborough, ON
05.09.13 – Systagenix Event – Toronto, ON
05.11.13 – Casa Loma – Toronto, ON
05.18.13 – White Oaks Resort & Spa – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
05.19.13 – Auberge du Pommier – Toronto, ON
05.23.13 – SSFC Private Event – Peterborough, ON
06.01.13 – Jamie Kennedy @ The Gardiner Museum – Toronto, ON
06.06.13 – Trent University – President’s Dinner – Peterborough, ON
06.08.13 – Graydon Hall Manor – Toronto, ON
06.15.13 – Greyhawk Golf Course – Ottawa, ON
06.29.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
07.05.13 – Evergreen Brickworks – Toronto, ON
07.06.13 – Willow Springs Winery – Stoufville, ON
07.13.13 – St. James Gardens  – Toronto, ON
07.20.13 – Holland Marsh Wineries – Newmarket, ON
07.26.13 – Parkwood Estates/Deer Creek Golf – Ajax, ON
07.27.13 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
08.04.13 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
08.11.13 – Atlantis Pavillion – Toronto, ON
08.17.13 – Oakview Terrace – Toronto, ON
08.24.13 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.29.13 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
08.31.13 – Hart House – University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
09.07.13 – Rosewater Room – Toronto, ON
09.14.13 – Greystone Golf Club – Milton, ON
09.21.13 – Bala Bay Inn – Muskoka, ON
09.28.13 – Lumina Resort – Huntsville, ON
09.29.13 – Vineland Estates Winery – Vineland, ON
10.04.13 – Royal Ashburn Golf Club – Ashburn, ON
10.19.13 – Marriott Kingston – Kingston, ON
11.01.13 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
11.30.13 – Evinrude Centre (Private) – Peterborough, ON
12.03.13 – Market Hall Performing Arts Centre – Peterborough, ON
12.07.13 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
12.15.13 – Private Event – Peterborough, ON
12.20.13 – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, ON

2013 Public Event Performance Schedule

02.14.13 – McKeck’s – Haliburton, ON
02.16.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
03.31.13 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
04.04.13 – Parkhill on Hunter – Peterborough, ON
05.12.13 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
06.30.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
09.06.13 – Market Hall – Peterborough, ON (Artsweek opening)
09.27.13 – JW Marriott – Minett, ON (Muskoka)
11.02.13 – Art Gallery of Peterborough – Peterborough, ON
12.06.13 – Prince of Wales Hotel – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
12.31.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON