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1. Allen Dobb with The Afterlife Sessions Band Saturday October 24th, 8pm, at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James (3214 West 10th Ave)
Allen Dobb is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose music blends the soul of country, folk, and roots traditions with a modern, literate edge. Praised by the Edmonton Journal as “one of the finest and most literate tunesmiths in this country,” Dobb crafts songs that resonate with authenticity and a deep sense of place.
Raised on a farm near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Dobb’s earliest musical influences came through a single CBC television channel and country radio. Don Messer’s Jubilee and artists like Gordon Lightfoot and John Denver shaped his formative years, while family gatherings around his grandfather’s piano sparked a lifelong love of music.
Allen’s path has never been ordinary. After college in Wyoming and Washington State, he spent several years working in Lesotho, Southern Africa, where he immersed himself in local culture and music. Returning to Canada, Dobb settled in Vancouver and formed the roots band Dobb and Dumela. As a solo artist, Allen has released a series of well-regarded albums.
His latest release, The Afterlife Sessions (2026), is an all-acoustic project and was recorded live at Vancouver’s Afterlife Studios. “In a time when everyone is talking about AI in music, this project couldn’t be further away from that,” says Dobb. “We just put up the microphones and played.”
The Afterlife Sessions Band for this album release show is: Dan Fremlin - mandolin, Ryland Moranz - banjo and acoustic guitar, Michael Burnyeat - fiddle, and Rob Becker - bass. That's a pretty stellar line-up, and they will help make this an extra special CD Release concert.
In-Person tickets are available here , and if you can't make it to the show, please consider our Watch At Home option so you don't miss out on a great evening of original songs about the BC heartland.
P.S. I know it's BC Election Day, but once you have voted there isn't much you can do about it, so why not come down to The Rogue to take your mind off things, relax, have a brew, and enjoy some amazing BC music before you go home to read the bad news online or on your TV?
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2. Tulua, Saturday October 31st, 8pm, at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James (3214 West 10th Ave)
“Irish music is safe in their hands" — CLARE ENNIS – CUSTYS MUSIC REVIEW
Direct from Ireland, Tulua means ‘tribe of many paths’. The band comprises Kayleigh Moran (fiddle/vocals), Diarmuid Murphy(flute), Cian O'Grady (guitar), and Ella McGrory (piano)
One of the most exciting young bands in contemporary Irish traditional music, Tulua combine a fresh, energetic sound with deep roots in the tradition. Drawing inspiration from local songs, tunes and sessions around Ireland, their music blends strong instrumental playing with rich arrangements and storytelling. Their new album, 'In The Snug', grew from long evenings of tunes, songs and shared ideas played by the fire and in session corners. Mixing old tunes and songs with newer compositions, the album captures the warmth, lift and connection that comes from years of honing their skills and playing and developing their music together.
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The evening will commence with a short opening set by Zeb Duggan, an Ireland-born independent singer-songwriter based in Vancouver with a love for dark, moody, authentic compositions. His sound blends the emotional weight of Mark Lanegan with the warm nostalgia of Nick Drake. Having played the violin growing up in the junior orchestra, The Vancouver Corelli Strings, and in the traditional Irish duo UZ~2 with his father, Se Duggan, Zeb went on to front such bands as The Next Hundred Years, Meater, and PigpeN. He now sings and plays violin in Developer, while focusing on his solo work.
Click here for more info on this concert
Click here to purchase In-Person Tickets
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Since this concert falls on Halloween, we encourage you to dress up if you like that sort of thing. There will be prizes for best costume, and a few "treats" to be enjoyed as well. We don't do "tricks", so no need to be afraid... unless the venerable old hall IS haunted after all ...
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3. BLUES REUNION: Ken Hamm, Doug Cox, David Gogo and Sam Hurrie, Thursday November 5th, 8pm, at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James Community Square (3214 West 10th Ave)
Old Friends Together Again
For David Gogo, the reunion brings together musicians who have played an important role throughout his musical journey. He first encountered Ken Hamm as a teenager and later crossed paths with both Doug Cox and Sam Hurrie through years of touring and performing. Since then, David has become one of Canada's most acclaimed blues guitarists, winning the Maple Blues Award for Guitarist of the Year three times, along with numerous other honours for his recordings and performances.
Ken Hamm is one of Canada's most influential acoustic guitar players, with a career spanning generations of blues and roots musicians. Sam Hurrie has been immersed in the blues for decades. His connection to the music began as a fan in the late 1950s, when he first saw John Lee Hooker. Doug Cox, an award-winning performer, session player, producer, collaborator and songwriter, was the catalyst who brought this group together. Reuniting with Hamm — and adding longtime friends Hurrie and Gogo — is a deeply meaningful full-circle moment.
Their collective history represents decades of Canadian blues — and Blues Reunion offers audiences a rare chance to see four masterful musicians sharing a stage, songs, stories and the friendships that have connected them throughout their careers. This concert is selling out in all Vancouver Island venues on the current tour. Surly Vancouver can match that ....
Click here for more information about this show
Click here to purchase In-Person ticets
Click here for Watch At Home tickets
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4. Caroline Keane & Tom Delany, Saturday November 7th, 7:30pm, at Notional Space (1523 East Pender Street)
Concertina meets Uilleann Pipes. With a vibrant sound rooted in Irish tradition and shaped by years of musical collaboration, this dynamic duo promises an evening of spirited tunes, intricate melodies, and heartfelt musicianship.
Young Irish duo Caroline Keane and Tom Delany are two outstanding performers whose musical expression transcends their years. Deeply connected to the traditions they grew up in, they combine technical mastery, rhythmic drive and a shared musical sensibility to create performances that are both deeply rooted and full of energy. After more than a decade together, their partnership reflects not only a profound understanding of Irish traditional music, but also a friendship that shines through in every tune.
A native of Limerick now based in Dingle, County Kerry, Caroline Keane grew up immersed in the musical traditions of West Limerick and Sliabh Luachra. Her expressive, energetic concertina playing was shaped by early tin whistle lessons and years of study with renowned concertina master Noel Hill.
Tom Delany was raised in France by an Irish father and French mother and began playing Irish traditional music at the age of 12. His distinctive uilleann piping style combines a strong rhythmic sensibility with influences from legendary pipers Johnny Doran and Paddy Keenan. He also accompanies Caroline on bouzouki and will add a few songs as well.
Click here for more information about this show
Click here to purchase In-Person tickets
Please note that this show will not be streamed.
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5. Raffle 5050, from Monday October 27th to Tuesday December 8th, 2026
The Rogue Folk Club relied on ticket sales for over 66% of our annual revenue in 2025. Donations, sponsorships and other fundraising initiatives provided a further 14%. We received two annual grants, one Federal from Canadian Heritage, and one Provincial, from BC Gaming, for a further 17%. Our Raffle 5050s added the remaining 3%, which may not seem like a large amount, but in 2025 they netted over $10,000 and without that we would have been in serious trouble. I cannot overestimate the importance of the 5050 Raffle for The Rogue.
If ticket sales were to plummet we would not survive of course, but if we didn't hold two 5050 Raffles annually we just couldn't keep this amazing concert series afloat. The maximum revenue we could accumulate each time is $20,000 in 5050 sales. The highest we have raised to date is just over $12,000. Of this we give 50% to the winner, 10% to the BC government, and around 4% to the credit card clearance house.
Our two grants come in over the late spring / early summer months. Cash flow between September and May can be more than a wee bit scary! Hence our reliance on these 5050 Raffles.
With this in mind, we are asking you to support for our latest 5050 Raffle, which starts next Monday October 27th, and runs until December 8th.
From midnight on Monday 27th click here to purchase your tickets. N.B. the link will not work until that midnight hour!
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6. Radio Waves
On this week's edition of The Saturday Edge On Folk (8am to noon on www.citr.ca and 101.9fm in Vancouver) I'll feature new albums by Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, and Orchestra Baobab. Plus extensive concert previews (including Irish band Amble who play The Orpheum on Monday, and, of course, upcoming Rogue shows and others around town, like The Great Canadian Songbook at the Kay Meek on November 8th, and Allison Russell at The Chan on November 9th). There will also be a number of Halloween "tasters" this week - and a more extensive Halloween feast next week, of course! Plus a few surprises (see below for a bit of a sneak preview).
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I hope you will tune me in and turn me on this and every Saturday morning (positive feedback is always welcome; just drop me an email on [email protected] - heck, I'd even appreciate some constructive criticism!)
STOP PRESS: Next week's show will also feature a tribute to Irish Trad legend Donal Lunny, who passed away after I had made this week's episode. He was an immense talent as a musician, composer, and producer, and a pivotal figure in the renaissance of traditional Irish music over the past 6 decades. Such a sad loss.
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