I went to a show at Muskoka's Kee to Bala for the first time. Here are 3 things I wish I'd known beforehand

The Kee to Bala is just something different.
I've only heard good things about the venue,
located at 1012 Bala Falls Rd.
in Muskoka Lakes, since I moved to the area a few years ago.
I decided to put those reviews to the test by watching one of my favourite artists,
Billy Corgan and the Machines of God
, at their June 11 show.
No doubt. It's better than I expected.
I moved around the venue's floor throughout the show, and I enjoyed Corgan's loud, iconic and legendary sound in every single spot.
The Kee's wooden structure makes the acoustics sound warm but clear. You can feel how the floor shakes under your feet with the bass drums.
The place also has a patio with a truly unique view of Bala Bay, where you can have a few drinks while waiting for the show to start.
The Kee to Bala patio on June 11.
Three friends having a drink at the Kee to Bala patio before a show on June 11.
However, the feeling of proximity between the artist and the audience is what sets The Kee apart from other venues.
The venue has a capacity of around 1,200 people, and no matter where you see the show, you will be just a few metres away from the artist.
Billy Corgan and the Machines of God playing at the Kee to Bala on June 11.
Midland resident Tom Taylor, who has visited the Kee for 40 years, says that the feeling of proximity is what makes him return.
Doug Taylor (left) and Tom Taylor (right) after the Billy Corgan show at the Kee on June 11.
'I feel the same every time I've come to watch an artist. Shows are always very intimate and very personal. It is an incredible experience,' Taylor said.
Based on the people's faces I came across after the show, Taylor and I were not the only ones who had a good time.
Two Billy Corgan fans at the Kee to Bala on June 11.
Billy Corgan fans after the show at the Kee on June 11.
Although I had a great experience, I wish I'd known a few things beforehand to make it even better.
While the price of drinks inside — just like any other venue — is higher than the regular price, the food offered inside ranges from $3 to $18.
Drink prices at the Kee to Bala.
Not considering tickets and gas, I spent $2.71 on pop and $12 on chicken fingers, for a total of $14.71.
The bars at the venue don't take cash, so you better have your cards handy.
I arrived at the place around one hour before the doors opened, thinking that finding a parking spot could be a struggle during a sold-out event.
However, parking is not an issue at all.
You can use the township's free Precambrian Shield parking lot located on Muskoka Rd., just one street away from the venue.
You can use the township's free Precambrian Shield parking lot located on Muskoka Road.
There are other free parking options in Bala, but as far as I was able to see, this lot is more than enough to find a spot easily. No matter how busy the venue is.
If you arrive early, like me, you will have to wait outside in line before the doors open.
I found myself hitting my arms and neck multiple times, trying (unsuccessfully) to ward off mosquitoes.
Bringing bug spray won't hurt, especially if you don't want to deal with the scratching the day after — just like I'm doing while I write this column.
May 16 — Dylan Gossett
May 18 — TEAMLTD
May 24 — Cypress Hill
June 11 — Billy Corgan and The Machines of God
June 20 — Mother Mother
June 24 — The Wallflowers
June 27 — The Trews
June 28 — 54-40
June 30 and July 1 — Billy Talent
July 3 — Down With Webster
July 4 and July 5 — James Barker Band
July 6 — Shaggy
July 11 — Dwayne Gretzky
July 12 — The Dead South
July 17 — Ja Rule
July 18 — David Wilcox
July 19 — Trooper
July 23 — Collective Soul
July 25 — Tim Hicks
July 29 — Nelly
July 31 — The Beaches
Aug. 1 — The Reklaws
Aug. 2 — The Reklaws
Aug. 8 — Big Wreck
Aug. 9 — Headstones
Aug. 15 — Kim Mitchell
Aug. 16 — USS
Aug. 17 — The Joe Perry Project
Aug. 21 — Josh Ross
Aug. 22 — Glass Tiger
Aug. 29 and 30 — Sam Roberts Band
The Kee has multiple events coming up for the summer.
For more information on tickets and schedule, visit its website.

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Hamilton Spectator

7 days ago

• Hamilton Spectator

I went to a show at Muskoka's Kee to Bala for the first time. Here are 3 things I wish I'd known beforehand

The Kee to Bala is just something different. I've only heard good things about the venue, located at 1012 Bala Falls Rd. in Muskoka Lakes, since I moved to the area a few years ago. I decided to put those reviews to the test by watching one of my favourite artists, Billy Corgan and the Machines of God , at their June 11 show. No doubt. It's better than I expected. I moved around the venue's floor throughout the show, and I enjoyed Corgan's loud, iconic and legendary sound in every single spot. The Kee's wooden structure makes the acoustics sound warm but clear. You can feel how the floor shakes under your feet with the bass drums. The place also has a patio with a truly unique view of Bala Bay, where you can have a few drinks while waiting for the show to start. The Kee to Bala patio on June 11. Three friends having a drink at the Kee to Bala patio before a show on June 11. However, the feeling of proximity between the artist and the audience is what sets The Kee apart from other venues. The venue has a capacity of around 1,200 people, and no matter where you see the show, you will be just a few metres away from the artist. Billy Corgan and the Machines of God playing at the Kee to Bala on June 11. Midland resident Tom Taylor, who has visited the Kee for 40 years, says that the feeling of proximity is what makes him return. Doug Taylor (left) and Tom Taylor (right) after the Billy Corgan show at the Kee on June 11. 'I feel the same every time I've come to watch an artist. Shows are always very intimate and very personal. It is an incredible experience,' Taylor said. Based on the people's faces I came across after the show, Taylor and I were not the only ones who had a good time. Two Billy Corgan fans at the Kee to Bala on June 11. Billy Corgan fans after the show at the Kee on June 11. Although I had a great experience, I wish I'd known a few things beforehand to make it even better. While the price of drinks inside — just like any other venue — is higher than the regular price, the food offered inside ranges from $3 to $18. Drink prices at the Kee to Bala. Not considering tickets and gas, I spent $2.71 on pop and $12 on chicken fingers, for a total of $14.71. The bars at the venue don't take cash, so you better have your cards handy. I arrived at the place around one hour before the doors opened, thinking that finding a parking spot could be a struggle during a sold-out event. However, parking is not an issue at all. You can use the township's free Precambrian Shield parking lot located on Muskoka Rd., just one street away from the venue. You can use the township's free Precambrian Shield parking lot located on Muskoka Road. There are other free parking options in Bala, but as far as I was able to see, this lot is more than enough to find a spot easily. No matter how busy the venue is. If you arrive early, like me, you will have to wait outside in line before the doors open. I found myself hitting my arms and neck multiple times, trying (unsuccessfully) to ward off mosquitoes. Bringing bug spray won't hurt, especially if you don't want to deal with the scratching the day after — just like I'm doing while I write this column. May 16 — Dylan Gossett May 18 — TEAMLTD May 24 — Cypress Hill June 11 — Billy Corgan and The Machines of God June 20 — Mother Mother June 24 — The Wallflowers June 27 — The Trews June 28 — 54-40 June 30 and July 1 — Billy Talent July 3 — Down With Webster July 4 and July 5 — James Barker Band July 6 — Shaggy July 11 — Dwayne Gretzky July 12 — The Dead South July 17 — Ja Rule July 18 — David Wilcox July 19 — Trooper July 23 — Collective Soul July 25 — Tim Hicks July 29 — Nelly July 31 — The Beaches Aug. 1 — The Reklaws Aug. 2 — The Reklaws Aug. 8 — Big Wreck Aug. 9 — Headstones Aug. 15 — Kim Mitchell Aug. 16 — USS Aug. 17 — The Joe Perry Project Aug. 21 — Josh Ross Aug. 22 — Glass Tiger Aug. 29 and 30 — Sam Roberts Band The Kee has multiple events coming up for the summer. For more information on tickets and schedule, visit its website.

USA Today

04-06-2025

• USA Today

Billy Corgan talks Machines of God tour, Smashing Pumpkins reissues and Howard Stern

Billy Corgan talks Machines of God tour, Smashing Pumpkins reissues and Howard Stern Show Caption Hide Caption Live from Cleveland: It's 'Saturday Night' at the Rock Hall "SNL: Ladies & Gentlemen...50 Years of Music," a new exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum looks at the NBC show's influence on music. Onstage, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan cuts an imposing figure. His towering, bald-headed frame shrouded in floor-length coats and a distinctive voice that meshes a bellow with a whine are forever linked with the alt-grunge-goth-rock that thundered through the '90s. In conversation, Corban is soft-spoken and thoughtful as he chats from his historic 1920's home just north of his native Chicago. He's readying his new solo project, Billy Corgan and The Machines of God, which also includes recently recruited Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Kiki Wong, drummer Jake Hayden and bassist Kid Tigrrr (aka Jenna Fournie). The quartet will hit the road June 7 in Baltimore for the monthlong A Return to Zero tour, where they will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pumpkins' seminal 'Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness' album. Along with the many hits spawned from the diamond-certified release ('1979,' 'Tonight, Tonight' and 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' among them), The Machines of God will also tackle songs from the double album 'Machina/The Machines of God' and 'Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music' – both being remixed and rereleased this summer – as well as 2024's 'Aghori Mhori Mei.' Along with prepping for the 16-date tour, which will hit cities including Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Minneapolis, Corgan has stayed busy with his Madame Zuzu's tea shop in Highland Park, Illinois and his popular "The Magnificent Others" podcast. He's also energized about the Nov. 21-30 pairing with Chicago's Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus for 'A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.' Take a deep breath and he'll tell us more about all. Question: Last summer you were playing to 50,000 people with Green Day on a stadium tour and now you're heading to small theaters. Where are you more comfortable? Answer: I'm fine with a stadium full of people. There's the economy of, more people equals more money and more T-shirts, but honestly it's the economy of time. It's hard to communicate in such a complicated digital world. When we would play a small show in the '90s, even in early days of internet, it felt like you were doing this secret club thing and people would find out about it and tell the world. Now, if you don't operate at scale, it's like it never happened. I laughingly call it the digital tree that falls in the forest that no one hears. And obviously this won't be stadium-style staging. Any small tour you have to make a series of choices and mine is supreme sonic quality and production. I made the joke that you'll see me with a swinging light bulb behind me because I can't afford to bring a full Pumpkins light package. But my sense from the fans I've talked to is they're excited to see these songs in this context, so the set list is really what they're interested in. Why did you want to go on the road with this band configuration? For years I've pushed my bandmates to take a different approach to touring that would require a different mindset, which is, there is value in us playing deeper shows past our expected greatest hits reign. Unfortunately, we're not in agreement on that and we've had a gentleman's agreement since James (Iha) came back (to Smashing Pumpkins) that we wouldn't do anything unless everyone was on the same wavelength. But they're totally cool with what I'm doing. So James and (drummer) Jimmy (Chamberlin) were asked to be part of this project? Oh, yeah. But to be fair, I've been pushing for this conceptually for more than five years so I reached a point – I'm 58 years old – of, like, OK if you're not into it I'm just gonna do it because I'm a proof of concept guy. It's something I want to do and there's a host of reasons for why it will matter once you do it. One thing I found with operating the tea house is there is a way to make small, big. Speaking of the tea house, how involved are you in its operation? Every day. My wife runs it, but I hear about it every day. We have the huge archival 'Machina' box set version with 80 songs coming that you can only get from the tea house (or its website). It's also the 30th anniversary of 'Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness.' What do you most remember from that period? I think the good news is 30 years is enough time to let it all work itself through – the good, the bad, the heartache, the regrets. I think within the group we look at the period very fondly as far as, wow we achieved something magical forever. If there is any regret it's that we weren't able to put Humpty Dumpty back together in the same way. (Success) creates such a force that you're swept on a river that you never know where it goes. Maybe we were in sort of a spell and like a lot of beautiful dreams, once the spell was broken, you then you get down to the business of how to get out of Oz. Let's talk about the podcast, but I also want to talk about how great you are every time you're on Howard Stern's (SiriusXM) show. Howard is one of my great inspirations for the how I do the podcast. The greatest people I've been interviewed by are Charlie Rose and Howard Stern. It feels very conversational and that's something I've tried to emulate. Howard has been one of the biggest supporters of me, one of the biggest to mock the fact that we're not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and one of the biggest defenders of me as an artist. I have a lot of loyalty to Howard You've had a really eclectic lineup of musicians on the podcast – Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, (Missing Persons frontwoman) Dale Bozzio, Carnie Wilson, Gene Simmons. What are you looking for when you're booking? My number one goal is I want to talk to people who I think have tremendous value and their value in the culture is not properly understood. Dale is one of the most influential artists of the last 40 years, and yet most people would not know her band or her unique story, like that Frank Zappa saw something in her and that's a direct line to Lady Gaga and the pop stars of today. A lot of artists with long careers struggle with being overlooked or underappreciated. It's not a crusade, but a way to tell the world, do you know you've overlooked a true treasure here? I think it's criminal there is a wide open space of stories to be told and nowhere to tell them.

Yahoo

16-05-2025

• Yahoo

Paramount Global Launching All-Wrestling FAST Channel

Paramount is getting in the ring with Wrestling Central. Paramount Global Content Distribution is launching an all-wrestling FAST channel called Wrestling Central. The new channel will launch soon on The Roku Channel in the United States and Canada. Advertisement Wrestling Central will feature 'new weekly matches from WOW – Women Of Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) along with an extensive library of content including classic episodes, never-before-seen matches, specials and documentaries.' 'We are thrilled to be launching a new wrestling FAST channel which includes WOW – Women Of Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance to a wider audience,' says Dan Cohen, Chief Content Licensing Officer, Paramount and President, Republic Pictures. 'This new FAST Channel premiering exclusively on The Roku Channel from two of the most exciting wrestling promotions will offer fans an exclusive and unique destination to catch both new, action-packed matches along with hundreds of hours of classic library content.' The National Wrestling Alliance is one of the most storied wrestling promotions in history. It is now owned by Billy Corgan and boasts names like current NWA World Champions Thom Latimer and Kenzie Paige. In 2017, rockstar Billy Corgan purchased the NWA to restore the alliance to its former glory. The NWA currently airs content on the Twitter/X and YouTube platforms, as well as an unscripted series ('Billy Corgan's Adventures in Carnyland') that streams on Peacock. WOW – Women Of Wrestling is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. It is an all-female wrestling promotion co-owned and co-founded by trailblazing sports executive Jeanie Buss and David McLane. Currently in its third season, WOW is described as an 'action-packed saga that plays out at high-energy live events and in weekly syndication. As the only all-female wrestling organization with a global footprint, WOW showcases supreme athleticism, dramatic and inspiring stories, and is centered 24/7 around empowering and uplifting women and fans around the world.' Read More: Kenzie Paige Picked A Fight With Natalya, Says It's Much More Than A Dream Match The post Paramount Global Launching All-Wrestling FAST Channel appeared first on Wrestlezone.