The Daily Gleaner/ James West Photo
National recognition: Wes Ward, owner of The Capital Bar, poses for a photo while at the establishment Saturday afternoon. The bar has been listed in the Top 20 places for live entertainment in Canada.
By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com
One of Fredericton's most popular watering holes has been ranked among the Top 20 live music clubs in Canada.
Bars, lounges, pubs, clubs, legions and playhouses across Canada are vying for the title of best live music venue in the country, and they're competing for more than just bragging rights.
The winning establishment will also host a special concert by CBC Radio 3, get a Sirius satellite radio with subscription, promotional clothing and a winning plaque and trophy.
Wes Ward, who owns The Capital Complex, said he's excited The Capital Bar is still in the running because he thinks Fredericton is genuinely passionate about live music.
"It speaks to the support local people have for live music," he said.
"We could do whatever we wanted to get good live music in here, but if you don't have the support, and people to come out and pay the cover charge so I can pay the bands and sell the drinks, then it wouldn't happen."
Ward said lots of people are talking about it at the bar, and he said staff members have been following the competition closely.
"We're all very excited and we've been watching it unfold all along," he said.
Voting will continue until the Top 10 clubs are announced Wednesday. The overall winner will be named Feb. 25.
People can vote for their favourite venue at www.cbcradio3.com. People are allowed to vote once per day.
CBC Radio 3 host Grant Lawrence said he was surprised to see many of the country's best-known clubs taken out so early.
"I'm stunned. There isn't a single venue in the Top 20 from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, or Halifax, and there is only one venue remaining from Toronto," he said in a release.
"I thought for sure the contest would end with the Horseshoe Tavern and the Commodore Ballroom battling it out for the winning spot.
"But many smaller clubs in smaller towns have made it through, which once again shows that some of these smaller scenes are very strong and very proud of what they have."
Other Maritime clubs in the running include George's Fabulous Roadhouse in Sackville, and Baba's Lounge in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
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