This week in branch-i-ness:

Specials: Enjoy our $9.99 BBQ On a Bun Plate as well as our Family Fajitas For Four For $44.44; (say it, I don't know, four times fast? I dare you!) both specials are available every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night, but just for a limited time, so come on down!

You can also enjoy our other seasonal specials like our sweet corn fritters with maple-bacon vinaigrette, our warm autumn salad with roasted Brussels sprouts, smoked portobello mushrooms and blue cheese or our chicken fettucine with housemade noodles, seasonal veggies, exotic local mushrooms and parmesan cream... There will, of course, be lots more fun choices by the weekend, so don't miss out!

Thursday, November 3: Keith Glass, 9pm, $8 ...When you live up the road a piece from a Canadian treasure like Keith Glass; guitarist and songwriter from the popular band Prairie Oyster (6, count 'em, SIX Junos!) And when that fella stops in often enough to become a friend of the venue; sometimes on his own, sometimes as a sideman for some of our favourite performers, you know, like Lynn Miles or Trevor Alguire...Well, you have to wonder 'Shouldn't we be doing something more?' Well after Keith's last show, I proposed that we do exactly that! So starting with, I guess, his show last month, and continuing this Thursday, we are turning over the first Thursday of every month to a man who knows what to do with a stage; a seasoned pro, a talented singer, an exceptional guitarist, an award winning songwriter (did I mention SIX Junos?) Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the branch's all new First Thursday Showcase with, that's right, Keith Glass! (First Thursday of every month except January, or as his schedule allows...9pm, $8)

Friday, November 4: The Frank and Birdie Show, 7pm, free! If you have yet to witness the awesome power of a Frank Western and Birdie Whyte performance prepare to have your black socks blown right off by harmony that transcends description, slide guitar and banjo picking that conflate the confines of your imagination, humour that defies categorization, and some really nice songs, also; really, really nice. Best part? It's every Friday night, it's at the branch and it's free! (Some charges may occur if you want to, you know, eat or drink or something...)

Saturday, November 5: Amanda Bon, 9pm, $10. What can I say? This soft-spoken singer-songwriter approached me several weeks ago about a gig at the branch (this kind of thing happens fairly often, believe it or not...) sent me a link to some her songs, her website; I gave it a listen, it was good, very good, really...Then she stopped by, turns out she's as sweet in person as she is on her recordings...then she tells me that in addition to a few other interesting musicians, Gilles LeClerc is playing with her, and what can I say? Gilles is one of the Ottawa Valley's most talented folks, whether he is speaking in his native tongue (Bluegrass) or working alongside any of a number of our favourite players (Lynne Hanson, Trevor Alguire, or as a member of one of the branch's most incredible live acts, the sadly now defunct Leaving Train) I've gotten to know Gilles well enough to know that, well, how shall I put this? He, umm, he doesn't slum it. OK, so now I'm convinced, and as of about a month ago, I book the gig...turns out, Gilles and I are not alone in being convinced about her talent...that's right, Amanda's show is already darn near sold out! Makes me wonder how I missed out on her up to now...some of you folks are keeping secrets from me, aren't you?! So anyway, if you want in for this one, you'll have to move pretty quick...so here's those details one more time, Amanda Bon and her band are playing this Saturday, November 5, the show starts at 9pm, with a $10 cover.

Sunday, November 6: Gram Parsons Birthday Tribute, 3-6pm, pay by donation for the band... I'll let your host, Ray Harris, tell it: "GRAM PARSONS 65th BIRTHDAY BASH presented by Ray Harris, The Branch & Gram InterNational

Our favourite old dead guy would have been 65 on Nov.5!!!
Please join myself and a cast of area songwriters and pickers to celebrate the music of Gram Parsons and everything he inspired...
We did this last year and the year before and had a blast, so let's do it again!

Here's who's in the lineup for performers SO FAR...
John Allaire
Pat Moore
Greg Kelly
Greg Lahey
Stephen Michael O'Grady
Bruce Enloe
Ray Harris

+ backing by a stellar cast including...

Chris Breitner
Vince Halfhide
Steve Donnelly
Jamie Guitar
Ryan Barwin
Anastasios Basiliadis
Lisa Poushinsky
Yours Truly

We still need more performers! Anyone interested in playing or singing a coupla Gram or Gram-related songs, feel free to contact me either via FB or at raymond1361@rogers.com"

There, that spells it out rather nicely doesn't it? How does that sound for a Sunday afternoon at the branch? Only thing I should add...Yes, the buffet will feature Red Hot (Flying) Burritos...