Behind the music.

I write often about the experience of performing at weddings and special events–mostly from the vantage point of music, unique moments, and the relationships they create.

Of equal pleasure are the many experiences behind these events.

One of the things I enjoy most about performing, are the spaces between the highlights. Traveling to new places. Grabbing a leisurely coffee or lunch in a town where nobody knows you. Turning off the techno-gadgets for a day, being as you’re right where you need to be. There’s a peace and focus that comes with the whole process that I find hard to match with anything else.

The photo above is from one of those moments at the Inn on the Twenty (Jordan, ON – Niagara). I have the pleasure of performing here quite frequently. There’s a certain charm about the venue. Everything is exceptional, from the service to the food, yet everything is understated and unpretentious. It is a very rare combination.

On this unseasonably warm day in December, my wife, along with our four-legged companion, decided to join me for this trip to the Inn on the Twenty. We drove down early and enjoyed the opportunity to cruise around Jordan, buy some wine from Cave Spring Vineyard, and have a great lunch at unWined Bistro (Jordan, ON – Niagara).

From my end, there’s no greater pleasure than doing things you love, with people you love, and taking a little time to let it all sink in.

Simple pleasures.

2016 events at Inn on the Twenty, Muskoka Bay Club, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Berkeley Church and Dyment’s Farm.

I’m already looking forward to a great 2016. Return engagements are booked at the Inn on the Twenty (Jordan, ON), Oliver & Bonacini’s Windermere House (Windermere, ON – Muskoka), and the Berkeley Church (Toronto, ON).

There are also some great new venues I’ve wanted to add to the list for some time now, including the Muskoka Bay Club (Gravenhurst, ON – Muskoka), Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (Toronto, ON) and the Berkeley Fieldhouse (Toronto, ON).

I’m particularly excited about the Berkeley Fieldhouse show. We will be putting wireless gear and battery power to the test at this event. They have an elevated platform set up high in a tree, so we’re planning to have me play from the treetops. This will be fun.

Dyment’s Farm is another new venue that I’m looking forward to. There are beautiful old barns, and an expansive ceremony site on the Niagara escarpment. I like the challenge of interesting logistical set-ups and new acoustic environments. Each year, there are refinements to my audio gear, expanding what is possible. Of most significance include the BOSE L1, wireless transmitters,  and powerful, portable power sources. The list never ends, and it’s fun to explore all the creative possibilities.

Jake Dudas
Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter

All photography by Sue Morley Photography.

2016 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

04.23.16 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
06.18.16 – Muskoka Bay Club – Gravenhurst, ON (Muskoka)
06.25.16 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
07.16.16 – Enoch Turner Schoolhouse – Toronto, ON
07.23.16 – Berkeley Church – Toronto, ON
08.06.16 – Dyment’s Farm – Dundas, ON
09.10.16 – Berkeley Fieldhouse – Toronto, ON

2015 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

01.17.15 – Ancaster Mill – Ancaster, ON
01.31.15 – Locks Salon & Spa – Peterborough, ON
02.14.15 – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, ON
03.28.15 – Cave Spring Vineyard/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
04.21.15 – West 50 Pourhouse – Mississauga, ON
05.05.15 – Corona’s Cinco de Mayo Event – Mill Street & 5 American House – Waterdown, ON
06.01.15 – Toronto, ON (Guitarist for Roveena)
06.05.15 – Cave Spring Vineyard/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
06.11.15 – Toronto, ON (Guitarist for Roveena)
06.13.15 – Atlantis Pavilion – Ontario Place, Toronto, ON
06.18.15 – Toronto, ON (Guitarist for Roveena)
06.22.15 – Private Residence – Toronto, ON
07.11.15 – Hockley Valley Resort – Hockley Valley, ON
07.18.15 – Private Residence – Jack’s Lake, ON
07.24.15 – Holland Marsh Wineries – Holland Marsh, ON
07.25.15 – Island Yacht Club – Toronto, ON
07.27.15 – JW Marriott Rosseau – Minett, ON (Muskoka)
08.01.15 – Private Residence – Pigeon Lake, ON
08.02.15 – The Alton Mill – Alton (Caledon), ON
08.05.15 – Wildfire Golf Club – Stoney Lake, ON
08.08.15 – Private Residence – Waterloo, ON
08.15.15 – Marriott Kingston -Kingston, ON
08.21.15 – Malaparte (TIFF Bell Lightbox) – Toronto, ON
08.22.15 – Smith – Toronto, ON
08.26.15 – Pepsico Event – Sherwood Inn – Port Carling, ON (Muskoka)
08.29.15 – Private Residence – Bobcaygeon, ON
09.05.15 – Miller Lash House – Toronto, ON
09.06.15 – Ancaster Mill – Ancaster, ON
09.12.15 – Brooklands Farm – Bracebridge, ON (Muskoka)
09.18.15 – Edgewater Manor – Stoney Creek, ON
09.19.15 – Cave Spring Vineyard/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
09.26.15 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
09.28.15 – Axonify Event – Langdon Hall – Cambridge, ON
10.03.15 – Private Residence – Bowmanville, ON
10.10.15 – Cave Spring Vineyard/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
10.16.15 – Deer Creek Golf – Ajax, ON
10.17.15 – Private Residence – Stoney Creek, ON
10.24.15 – The Lakeview – Hamilton, ON
11.09.15 – Private Event – Trent University – Peterborough, ON
11.15.15 – Glenn Gould Studio – CBC – Toronto, ON (Guitarist for Roveena)
11.21.15 – Cave Spring Vineyard/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
12.02.15 – Private Event – Toronto, ON (Guitarist for Roveena)
12.05.15 – Upper Canada Child Care Event – Sheraton – Toronto, ON
12.06.15 – Christmas Concert – Millbrook, ON (Guest performer)
12.06.15 – Private Event – Pigeon Lake, ON
12.12.15 – Cave Spring Vineyard/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
12.18.15 – Kirkland Engineering Event – Chemong Lodge – Peterborough, ON
12.31.15 – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, ON

2015 Public Event Performance Schedule

02.28.15 – Arthritis Society’s Taste! Event (Public) – Quarry Golf Club – Ennismore, ON
05.10.15 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
10.14.15 – Delta House – Peterborough, ON

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
06.28.14 – 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
09.18.14 – Spin Desserts Grand Opening – Toronto, ON
09.19.14 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
09.20.14 – Private Residence – Uxbridge, ON
09.21.14 – L.J. Peters Corporate Event – Pillar & Post (Vintage Hotels), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
09.26.14 – Trinity United Church – Peterborough, ON
09.27.14 – Grandview Golf Club – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)
10.04.14 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
10.18.14 – Burleigh Island Lodge – Burleigh Falls, ON
10.25.14 – Corporate Event – The Westin Ottawa – Ottawa, ON
10.25.14 – Museum of Nature – Ottawa, ON
11.01.14 – Vineland Estates Winery – Vineland, ON
11.29.14 – Millcroft Inn & Spa (Vintage Hotels) – Caledon, ON
12.06.14 – Upper Canada Child Care Event – Sheraton – Toronto, ON
12.19.14 – Kirkland Engineering Event – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, ON
12.31.14 – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, 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
07.17.14 – Lantern Restaurant – McCraken’s Landing, ON (Stoney Lake)
08.01.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
08.31.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON