The Shirleys come to Golden on Thursday, October 8 just before Thanksgiving. You'll give thanks that you came to here these 7 sassy women sing!

Click the link to listen to The Shirleys

Episode #1 features music and info on our first three shows: Barney Bentall; The Shirleys; Downchild Blues Band with Colin Linden.

SHIRLEYS WHO DON’T MESS AROUND

By Kelly McManus - North Shore Outlook
Jan 28, 2009

The No Sh*t Shirleys revel in the glory of all-women acappella music. From Russian love songs to Cuban carnival to Ben Harper covers, the group delivers dreamy, soulful tunes, often focusing their efforts
around fundraisers.

“We try to spread good vibes and spread the intention of social justice,” explains Yael Blum, one of seven members. Almost five years ago, the group came together as an intended one-off for a Downtown Eastside fundraiser. Most of the women knew one
another from another local vocal crew, the Universal Gospel Choir. They rehearsed about 30 minutes of material, but had no name for their new ensemble.
So they unofficially named the group after women’s advocate, Vancouver city counsellor Ellen Woodsworth.

“(She’s) one incredible woman,” says Blum of Woodsworth. “Someone referred to her as a No Sh*t Shirley. She forged ahead and didn’t accept sh*t from anyone.”

After the fundraiser the newly minted group decided not to disband, and over the last few years they have
performed at such events as the World Peace Forum (2006) and a fundraiser for Stephen Lewis that raised $20,000 for the diplomat’s Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Now the Shirleys play about three gigs every month. They’ve just released their first CD, and they’re getting ready to embrace life on the road with some upcoming tours to the U.S.

Blum sites the Shirleys as “the most effortless group of people working together for a common goal.” She says they were galvanized by tougher times at the group’s inception. One of the founding members, Heather
Werner, died suddenly after a short illness. Blum was later diagnosed with breast cancer.

“The day I did the Stephen Lewis concert was the day after my surgery,” she remembers. “I’d just lay on the couch and we’d rehearse,” as the Shirleys came to Blum’s house to include her in the rehearsals.

For Blum, the group went from being an interesting pastime to a supportive cornerstone in her life.

“It’s so fun. The highlight point is just how much we love each other and the joy that we have when we sing with
each other.”

Yael Blum

Dawn Pemberton

Samantha Fletcher

Karen Lee-Morlang

Karla Mundy

Keona Mundy

Victoria Oginski