The Matinee Kings Sunday May 03 2026

The Matinee Kings— Live in the Community
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 | 3:00 PM

We’re really looking forward to welcoming Brother Ray Lemelin & The Matinee Kings for their first appearance with Calgary House Concerts on May 3. With roots going back to the 1980s, Ray brings nearly four decades of blues experience shaped in clubs, festivals, and community rooms across Canada. His music is honest and lived-in — carried by soulful vocals, expressive guitar, and a deep respect for the tradition. Alongside The Matinee Kings — a tight, seasoned band — the sound settles in with warmth, groove, and that unmistakable feeling that only comes from years of playing together.

Musically, this is blues that feels both timeless and alive in the moment. Drawing from Chicago electric blues, Texas swing, and classic R&B, the band creates a relaxed, groove-driven sound that invites you in and holds you there. Ray’s guitar work is expressive and conversational, while the band supports with a steady, natural feel that allows the music to breathe and connect in a real way — perfect for an intimate listening-room setting.

What makes this visit especially meaningful is the connection to community that sits at the heart of the music. Ray is a familiar presence at Blues Can, where he hosts the long-running Sunday jam, welcoming musicians and helping keep the blues alive and shared. The band has also received national recognition with a 2026 Canadian Blues Music Awards nomination for Blues Video of the Year for “Walk On / Ain’t No Use in Worryin’”, a standout collaboration with acclaimed guitarist Steve Hill. The nominated video captures the spirit of the band — grounded, soulful, and deeply connected — and reflects their growing presence on the national stage.

As with all Calgary House Concerts events, this afternoon is part of our ongoing Food Bank Booster Concert series. Guests are warmly invited to bring a non-perishable food donation in support of local community food programs and the Veterans Association Food Bank, or contribute what they can at the door. It’s a simple but meaningful way we gather — sharing live music while also supporting neighbours and veterans facing food insecurity.

This is more than a concert — it’s a chance to reconnect with friends of the series, welcome new listeners, and experience live music the way it was meant to be shared: in real time, in the room, together.

We hope you can join us — and thank you for supporting Live Music in the Community.

🍲 Food Bank Booster

This concert continues the Calgary House Concerts Food Bank Booster series. Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation in support of local community food programs, with a portion benefiting the Veterans Association Food Bank. Through these gatherings, music becomes more than performance — it becomes a way to strengthen neighbourhood connection and support food security together.

This concert takes place in a warm, community-based listening-room setting where music is meant to be felt, not just heard. Whether you’re a longtime fan of roots music or discovering J.PLANK for the first time, this is an afternoon designed for connection — between artist, audience, and community.
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Event Details
Sunday, May 03, 2026
Doors open: 2:30 PM
Showtime: 3:00 PM

We are currently finalizing our partner Community Association and will announce location shortly.
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Supporting Artists & Giving Back
This is a Pay What You Can community concert. We gratefully accept donations on behalf of both our Host Community Food Program and the Veterans Association Food Bank.

There are three easy ways to support Live Music in the Community:
• $25 cash at the door (suggested artist cover)
• $25 by e-transfer to calgaryhouseconcerts@gmail.com
• Pay What You Can and bring a food bank donation
Every contribution helps ensure artists are paid fairly while also supporting neighbours in need.
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We can’t wait to share this special afternoon with you. Bring a friend, a neighbour, or someone who loves great music — there’s always room for one more in our community.