Celebrate the moms in your life with a matinee (May 10)

We are still laughing about TILT – our first foray into presenting theatre in our living room. Jean-Michel and Alex from Solo Chicken Productions took us on a wild ride when presented with the audience suggested secret that had been coming between them:

Our May show takes us back to music…..

Linda McLean is a singer and writer whose work bridges the worlds of song and story. She has released several acclaimed albums, including Betty’s Room and No Language, both of which received international praise. Her short story, “Dreaming Margaret Atwood” won the Nova Scotia Writes Award for Creative Non-Fiction and she is the author of several books exploring creativity, resilience, and transformation.

After a period devoted to writing and reflection, Linda returned to the studio with her band, The Awakening, to record a new collection of songs — a collaboration with her husband and longtime creative partner, Andy McLean. What began as a plan to revisit older material blossomed into an outpouring of new work that marks a joyful return to her musical roots.

Her memoir, The Importance of Being Important, explores healing, loss, and creative rebirth, accompanied by original music that bridges her literary and musical worlds. Now living in rural Nova Scotia in a 19th‑century manse nestled along the Avon River, Linda’s latest songs reflect a deep creative awakening inspired by nature’s stillness and strength.

Raised by Norwegian immigrants and shaped by early independence, McLean’s storytelling blends personal history with universal truths. Her music is a negotiation between past and future, solitude and connection, grief and joy. It’s a conversation with the self, and an invitation to the listener.

At this special Mother’s Day Matinee (Sunday, May 10 @ 3 pm), Linda will share some readings from her book and songs from her catalogue — a soul‑nourishing celebration of creativity, connection, and renewal. Take your mom out for brunch then take her here.   Tickets ($25) available here.

Like all of our house concerts, 100 % of the door will go directly to the artists. We provide the stage, chairs and hopefully a room filled with eager listeners. Snacks and soft drinks will be offered; otherwise it is BYOB (feel free to bring what ever beverage you wish to enjoy). Bringing music-loving-friends and visiting family members is strongly encouraged. So gather some friends – grab your tickets – and head on over – easy as that!   See you soon  

Monique & George

Monique & George
@PatchworkHConc / facebook.com/PatchworkHouseConcerts

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a little improv-theatre anyone?

The time has come to really shake things up!

On Friday, April 3,  join us for TILT, a hybrid theatre/improv show created by Solo Chicken Productions. In TILT, a couple’s rocky domestic life takes a sudden turn when a shocking secret comes to light. What secret? You decide! Each performance is different as a prompt from the audience sends the story – and performers – into an improvised tailspin! What follows is a totally improvised continuation of the story, complete with movement sequences, new characters and fully realized improvised technical design. Check out the trailer here

TILT is an exciting fusion of forms — improv and physical theatres made possible only because Solo Chicken’s high caliber team. Creators and performers Jean-Michel Cliche (SCP Associate Artistic Director) & Alex Rioux (Director of SCP’s Fruit Machine) have nearly a decade of experience improvising together. Supported by Georgia Priestley Brown’s (former Second City stage manager) technical improvisation, including lights, sound and projection, TILT is a seemingly impossible show that is executed with grace, polish, and heart.

Tickets for this performance are $25 and available here.  I saw this show at the Halifax Fringe last summer and LOVED it.  It will be soooo very fun having TILT in the living room……

And don’t forget to check out our Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10) matinee with Linda McLean.  Take your mom out for brunch then take her here.   Tickets ($25) available here.

Like all of our house concerts, 100 % of the door will go directly to the artists. We provide the stage, chairs and hopefully a room filled with eager listeners. Snacks and soft drinks will be offered; otherwise it is BYOB (feel free to bring what ever beverage you wish to enjoy). Bringing music-loving-friends and visiting family members is strongly encouraged. So gather some friends – grab your tickets – and head on over – easy as that!   See you soon 🙂. 

Monique & George
@PatchworkHConc / facebook.com/PatchworkHouseConcerts

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a duo of rising stars share the stage in March

To round out our winter shows, we have two rising stars sharing the stage in March.  Brett Matthews (with a pair of 2026 ECMA nominations*) and Freya Milliken will be here on Friday, March 6.  Tickets for this show are $25, available here and selling FAST.  

Freya Milliken is an award-winning singer-songwriter known for her rich voice and introspective songs, blending folk and indie rock influences. Her debut EP Wholeheartedly explores queer love, longing, and joy with raw honesty, embracing the beauty and challenges of loving and being loved. She has performed at major Canadian festivals like Folk Music Ontario, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Lunenburg Folk Festival, the ECMAs, and on a European tour with the Acadia University Singers. Check out Freya performing “Enough” in Lunenburg.

Originally hailing from Cape Breton, Brett Matthews brings a refreshing take to the Americana genre by combining an eclectic list of influences from RnB, Pop to Country and Folk, creating a unique expression that is melancholic, nostalgic and beautifully musical….He shares similarities with Bon Iver, City & Colour, Wintersleep and Novo Amor. In 2019 Brett started playing guitar for Canadian hip-hop artist Classified’s touring band, and since then has played over 80 shows with large crowds all across Canada, all while perfecting his craft and growing his audience through solo performances. Brett’s latest single “Tomorrow” is out now.

On April 3, we are hosting theatre!  TILT  is a hybrid theatre/improv show created by Solo Chicken Productions. In TILT, a couple’s rocky domestic life takes a sudden turn when a shocking secret comes to light. What secret? You decide! Each performance is different as a prompt from the audience sends the story – and performers – into an improvised tailspin! What follows is a totally improvised continuation of the story, complete with movement sequences, new characters and fully realized improvised technical design. Check out the trailer here.

Tickets for this performance are $25 and available here.  I have long wanted to bring theatre to our living room and after seeing this show at the Halifax Fringe, I knew I had the show!  It will be soooo very fun……

For Mother’s Day, we have a matinee with Linda McLean.  Take your mom out for brunch then take her here.   Tickets ($25) available here.

Linda McLean is a singer and writer whose work bridges the worlds of song and story. She has released several acclaimed albums, including Betty’s Room and No Language, both of which received international praise and she is the author of several books exploring creativity, resilience, and transformation. After a period devoted to writing and reflection, Linda returned to the studio with her band, The Awakening, to record a new collection of songs — a collaboration with her husband and longtime creative partner, Andy McLean. These latest songs reflect a deep creative awakening inspired by nature’s stillness and strength. At this special Mother’s Day Matinee, Linda will share some readings from her book and songs from her catalogue — a soul‑nourishing celebration of creativity, connection, and renewal.

Like all of our house concerts, 100 % of the door will go directly to the artists. We provide the stage, chairs and hopefully a room filled with eager listeners. Snacks and soft drinks will be offered; otherwise it is BYOB (feel free to bring what ever beverage you wish to enjoy). Bringing music-loving-friends and visiting family members is strongly encouraged. So gather some friends – grab your tickets – and head on over – easy as that!   See you soon 🙂. 

*Congratulations to all the nominees for the 2026 East Coast Music Awards (being held in Sydney, CB this May), especially those who have graced our humble stage : Charlie A’Court, Daniel James McFadyen, Logan Richard, Kellie Loder, Carleton Stone, Kristen Martell, Liam Corcoran of Two Hours Traffic, Kelly McMichael and Morgan Toney (who was also nominated for a Juno – woot woot!).  

Monique & George
30 First Ave., Bedford
Join our new group: Patchwork House Concerts Community
We are on Instagram @PatchworkHConc and META (facebook.com/PatchworkHouseConcerts)

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Valentine’s Day with the Christina Martin trio

This Valentine’s Day (Saturday, February 14) we welcome back the phenomenal artist – Christina Martin.  Christina Martin is a magnetic East Coast Canadian artist who stirs up a bold blend of pop, rock, and folk – with a heart that tells it like it is. Kicking off her solo journey in Austin, Texas, she opened for Wilco, The Killers, performed for The Queen, released eight fearless studio albums, toured internationally, and turned her emotions into anthems that dance between heartbreak and healing. Known for shows that make you sway, laugh, and maybe cry a little, Christina’s music proves that honesty rocks – and she’s just getting started.

Christina Martin in der Baronessa Lenzburg am 17. November, 2023 in Lenzburg (Switzerland)

For this show, Christina will perform as a trio, with Dale Murray on various instruments and Hannah Melanson on keys.  Christina and Dale normally appear in much larger venues; don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy her songs and stories in our intimate space.  It will be a magical night – fitting for February 14th. Skip the overpriced heart-shaped boxes of choocates and join us for a little music served up from the heart.

Tickets are $30 + fees and available here.  

To round out our winter shows, we have two rising stars sharing the stage in March.  Brett Matthews and Freya Milliken will be here on Friday, March 6.  Tickets for this show are $25 and available here.  On April 3, we are hosting theatre!  TILT  is a hybrid theatre/improv show created by Solo Chicken Productions. Tickets for this performance are $25 and available here.  I have long wanted to bring theatre to our living room and after seeing this show at the Halifax Fringe, I knew I had the show!

NEW SHOW: For Mother’s Day… a matinee with Linda McLean.  Tickets ($25) available here.

Like all of our house concerts, 100 % of the door will go directly to the artists. We provide the stage, chairs and hopefully a room filled with eager listeners. Snacks and soft drinks will be offered; otherwise it is BYOB (feel free to bring what ever beverage you wish to enjoy). Bringing music-loving-friends and visiting family members is strongly encouraged. So gather some friends – grab your tickets – and head on over – easy as that!   See you soon 🙂. 

Monique & George
@PatchworkHConc

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EVENT CANCELLED [January brings Winter Sky to Patchwork]

Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel (well actually postpone) this show. We hope to reschedule for November 2026. Other shows are ON: Christina Martin trio (Feb 14), Brett Matthews & Freya Milliken (Mar 6), TILT (Apr 3)….visit Upcoming page for links to tickets.

Shelley Thompson (actor/writer-director/ author) is best known to NS audiences as Barb Lahey in Trailer Park Boys. Most recently she is known as the author of the award-nominated novel ROAR. She is also the writer-director of the series TRANSLATIONS, and the Masterworks award-winning feature film DAWN, HER DAD, & THE TRACTOR.


The Blue Engine String Quartet (Jennifer Jones – violin, Anne Simons – violin, Hilary Brown – cello and Alexandra Bates – viola) are each busy working with Symphony NS but enjoy many and various side projects, both as the Quartet, and individually.

Shelley and the Blue Engine String Quartet love finding time every year – especially around the festive season and into the new year, to share WINTER SKY – these ‘Movies for the MInd’ – stories stunningly scored by composer Chris Palmer.

Join us to celebrate the publication of these stories, first commissioned and broadcast nationally by the CBC. WINTER SKY (Nimbus/Vagrant 2025) examines the light and dark, the complexity and comfort of this time of year.

Tickets for this show are $30 (+ fees) and available here: tickets 

NOTE ALSO THAT SHOW TIME IS 7:30 PM.


Like all of our house concerts, 100 % of the door will go directly to the artists. We provide the stage, chairs and hopefully a room filled with eager listeners. Snacks and soft drinks will be offered; otherwise it is BYOB (feel free to bring what ever beverage you wish to enjoy). Bringing music-loving-friends and visiting family members is strongly encouraged. So gather some friends – grab your tickets – and head on over – easy as that!   See you soon 🙂. 

Monique & George

@PatchworkHConc

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