While I was judging the open for the band contest at Average Joes, I was afraid I’d miss Vancouver’s Blackberry Woods’ return to the Slice, March 24.
Luckily I didn’t as they looked ready to bring the party on into daybreak.
I don’t quite know how to describe what I heard and saw other than to call it polkas on 
speed.
It was a great show. They had the entire crowd of 30 or so frenetically dancing in front of the stage, had them lie on the floor doing the bicycle for a song, and got them chanting ‘oh vagina,’ on one of several encores,which gives you an indication of of their wicked sense of humour.
Vocalist Kris sported a top hat and was dressed as a skeleton while the rest of the band dressed in cabaret kitsch black and white.
The muck bucket bassist dug in and grooved and new fiddler Melissa Bandura was a delight to watch and listen to.
The percussionist sang beautiful harmonies, added a fake lip whistle and tapped rhythm on an array of instruments including something that looked like a novelty sized stick of dynamite.
Basically, Blackberry Wood knows how to bring a party home.
