Adios To Don Kerr

Get out your hankies, folks. Tonight begins the sure-to-be tearful Don Kerr send-off shows.

The Rheostatics' May 29 and 30 gigs at Toronto's Ted's Wrecking Yard will be Kerr's final shows as a band member. After six years, he's leaving the band to focus his energies on his Toronto Island Studio, the Gas Station. There's no word on a new drummer to replace Kerr.

The band has also recently announced a new free show in their touring schedule: July 18 in Victoria, B.C., with the City of Victoria footing the bill. On the same night, the band will play a club show at the Ice House Bar and Grill.

The Rheostatics will also play a free show June 3 in Ottawa at Rideau Park at 2 p.m. The show will include a hockey discussion between Dave Bidini and Marlene Ross, a designer of goalie masks.

Rheostatics tour dates:
May 29-30 Toronto, ON @ Ted's Wrecking Yard
June 3 Ottawa, ON @ Rideau Park (free show)
July 13-14 Vancouver, BC @ Vancouver Folk Music
July 18 Victoria, BC @ Victoria Folk Festival (free show)
July 18 Victoria, BC @ Ice House Bar and Grill ($15/door)
July 20-22 Dawson City, YK @ Dawson City Music Festival
July 26 Edmonton, AB @ Sidetrack Cafe ($10/adv/$12)
July 28-29 Calgary, AB @ Calgary Folk Festival ($25)
August 4 Jasper, AB @ Jasper Heritage Folk
August 7 Regina, SK @ The State
August 8 Winnipeg, MB @ West End Cultural Centre ($17adv/$20)
August 9 Saskatoon, SK @ U. of Saskatchewan./Louis' Pub
August 12 Fernie, BC @ The Gathering Music Festival/Island Lakes