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A4

Nelson Hansen

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Speak Up

One of Saint John's more venerable entertainment institutions has been given new life by going back to its roots and five years later, the Blue Olive has rightfully earned reputation as one of the province's more progressive live music venues.

Enlarge Photo

Hawksley Workman

John and Chris Likourgiotis opened the Blue Olive out of a combination of frustration and necessity. John Likourgiotis explains that a lack of live music venues in the city five years ago led he and his brother to become restaurateurs, music promoters and business operators.

"Chris and I are musicians and we were seeing that at the time there really wasn't much in the way of places to see live music so we decided to try something a bit different," John says. This meant going back to the roots of the family business. The Blue Olive shares space with the family-run restaurant, the Mediterranean. The "Med" is a Saint John culinary institution. In operation since 1971, the Mediterranean offers comforting Greek and Canadian dishes in generous portions and at reasonable prices. Likourgiotis notes that the core of the menu hasn't changed much since 1971. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

When the Mediterranean opened in 1971 it opened as a restaurant and entertainment hot spot where diners could enjoy a meal, live entertainment and cocktails. Some of the top entertainers of the day came including ukelele phenom and all-round oddball Tiny Tim and regional faves Johnny Green and the Greenmen (they had their hair, teeth and clothing dyed green, get it?).

Eventually the nightspot shifted its focus to food and in the 1980s pretty much stopped providing live entertainment. Next to the restaurant the family rented out office space.

Five years ago when the rental space became vacant the brothers Likourgiotis decided it was time to bring something different to the local entertainment scene.

"We wanted to do something different, something nobody was doing around here," says John. That pair had a plan and a clientele in mind. "We felt because we had the restaurant and the kitchen we could offer something nobody else was doing. We've got it all, great food, we decided to use nice décor and because we now had a space to provide live music, we could offer a total entertainment package. The concept was basically to create an atmosphere that was a bit more sophisticated. We've been successful at attracting the over-25 crowd and that's what we were going for. The Blue Olive is a place where younger parents can get a sitter and enjoy a night out without having to worry about some of the stuff that happens with a younger crowd."

By bringing in artists that appealed to a slightly more mature and more sophisticated demographic the Blue Olive has been successful at attracting top talent to the venue. Not so long ago the Likourgiotis brothers were practically begging bookers to provide them with talent, now top talent agencies in Toronto are calling the Blue Olive and offering up their artists for bookings. The list of artists that has played the Blue Olive is impressive. Bruce Guthro, Ron Sexsmith, Hawksley Workman, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and countless others have filled the room with fans that come to appreciate good music in a relaxed atmosphere.

Upcoming shows include David Usher as well as return appearances by Bruce Guthro and Ron Sexsmith. Other notable upcoming bookings include indie darlings the Wooden Sky and Canadian blues legend Carson Downey. John notes that keeping the focus on original artists keeps things interesting.

"We have some relationships with some cover bands that do a great job and bring in good crowds, but we think it's great we can get good crowds bringing in original music. We're not in this to make a fast buck, we do this because we're music fans and want to provide a good night out." Thirty-seven years after opening its doors a local institution is finding new life by going back to square one. Giving locals a good meal and a fun night out with the emphasis on live music means one more venue for people to see music and one more venue for N.B. musicians to play music and have their songs heard. Whatever the reason for its longevity be it the music or the food, John . notes the recipe must be working.

"We've been around since 1971 so I guess we must be doing something right."

To learn more about the Blue Olive and upcoming shows visit their website at www.medrestaurant.com If your musical act or venue would like to be featured in this column feel free to ply the columnist with generous helpings of souvlaki and ouzo or simply e-mail him at oneyearofnbmusic@yahoo.ca