Good News/Bad News

The good news first - The Jim Cuddy Band are officially signed up to perform at Summerfolk on Sunday, August 19th. Wow! This is your chance to see and hear one of Canada's top male artists.
Everyone is familiar with Jim's voice and he has string of hits, both as a solo performer and with Blue Rodeo. Be sure to take advantage of the early bird festival ticket price and be a part of the Summerfolk Magic this year.
On the bad news side of things, Ustad Shahwali has developed a serious illness and has cancelled all of his summer and fall appearances. After all he's been through I sincerely wish him well. The Summerfolk line-up is always subject to change and personally, I was captivated by his story - no one can replace what he offered. We will proceed without him this year but we will not forget him.

Homecoming Opening Night Concert

Owen Sound has a big 150th Homecoming coming up this summer. As a part of the celebration, the Georgian Bay Folk Society is helping produce the Opening Night Kickoff Concert that will take place at the Kelso Beach Park amphitheatre on Friday, July 27th at 8:00 p.m.
There will be some exciting performances by members of the Georgian Bay Symphony - composer-in-residence Richard Mascall is working on a special fanfare for a brass quintet; Brenda Dimoff is preparing a medley of hits from past Owen Sound Little Theatre Musicals and the folks from the M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre will give us some inspirational drumming and dancing.
And, look at this - Larry Jensen, Tim Harrison, Lauren Best and David Sereda will all be performing! The Sheila Milne School of Dance, Town Crier Drew Ferguson and Poet Laureate Liz Zetlin are on the bill too.
What a great way the start the Homecoming festivities. This promises to be an event that you shouldn't miss!

Knox Acoustic Cafe

There's lots of great music happening in Owen Sound. The "Knox Acoustic Cafe" features BriAnne Swan & Shawn Sage on Saturday June 16th, Dame Gillian Weir on Wednesday June 20th and Brian MacMillan on Saturday July 14th. More info available at knoxowensound.ca/acousticcafe

Fiddlefern Spring Fling

I had my first go at contra dancing this past weekend at the 11th annual "Spring Fling". It was a tremendous amount of fun! For a novice like myself, the moves are easily learned and when I goofed up, the more experienced dancers were there to guide me through.
There were lots of smiles and laughs. There's nothing like dancing to live music!
Congratulations to the Fiddlefern Country Dancers for a wonderful event.

May 1st Board Meeting

Whew - it was a long one. Brenda Scott, president of the Georgian Bay Folk Society, is doing an amazing amount of work getting everything in place for Summerfolk 2007. All the Board members are to be commended for their dedication. Details, details .......but it's all coming together. And hey, it was Derek's birthday so we had a little cake to celebrate.

Twisted Pines Festival

A new festival event takes place May 18 - 21 at the North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre In Midland. Featured performers include Fred Eaglesmith, Downchild Blues Band, Fathead, Ken Whiteley, Ndidi Onukwulu, Madagascar Slim, Digging Roots, Creaking Tree String Quartet, Treasa Lavasseur, Porkbelly Futures, Cindy Thompson, Anderson & Sloski and lots more! Yours truly "Dickie Bird" will be there as a part of the kids' performances. Summer's on the way - the festival season is here!
For more information www.twistedpines.com

Note From Glenna

The following is taken from Glenna Garramone's covering letter as a part of her submission to perform at Summerfolk. Glenna now resides in Victoria, BC and is pursuing a music career.
"I hold many fond memories of attending Summerfolk: dancing beside the main stage under the stars, being captivated by an a cappella performance, and even performing on the open stage as a teenager. Summerfolk embodied a spirit of celebration and exploration, and inspired my own musical journey".