There were lots of great moments at Summerfolk this year and many musical highlights. Plus a couple emotional items I'd like to pass on:
Danny Brooks underwent a quintuple bypass in mid-July and had hoped to be available for August performing dates. Complications in the recovery process forced him to cancel numerous engagements including the Summerfolk Festival.
For musicians, 'no play means no pay'. Just over $1700 was donated at Summerfolk for Danny Brooks to help him through while he's not gigging.
Information on contributing to the Danny Brooks Trust is available at www.dannybrooksmusic.com
Denis Langlois from the Owen Sound Sun Times did a moving piece on a tribute for Sheri Melick - http://www.youtube.com/v/IieDMg77nl4?fs=1&hl=en_US
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Summerfolk Saturday Night and Sunday
Saturday night at the Summerfolk Amphitheatre promises to be outstanding!
It starts at 6:00 pm with Eco Andino, a Montreal group that performs the music of South America on traditional Bolivian and Peruvian instruments. Then lively duo The Human Statues will entertain with their catchy folk-pop songs. Two of Canada's finest traditional players, Grit Laskin and Ian Robb, join forces for the following set and next up is Jack Williams; whom if you remember, I highlighted in my first blog this year. Jack could well be the one that many Summerfolk fans will be talking about long after the Festival.
Then I have a feeling the night will really take off as the fabulous songstress Sarah Harmer and her band will make their much-anticipated Summerfolk debut performance. Next it's Red Horse, featuring three of America's most admired performing songwriters - Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky. For a comedic change of pace, Chuck & Albert bring their Acadian charm for some Down East fun before the driving Celtic sounds of Poor Angus fittingly closes the show with their energetic, power-house performance.
As the audience filters out of the Amphitheatre on
their way to the Down By the Bay tent, they will see the Fire Poi 'happening' at The Summerfolk Circle. This is something I highly recommend Summerfolk fans see - it's truly fascinating. Then upon arrival at Down By the Bay, we will be treated to a performance by Baskery followed by Delhi 2 Dublin - two rockin' bands that will have the place jumping!
Earlier in the night, Down By the Bay hosts four special shows - the performance of JumbleJam songs, a set by Samantha Martin & the Haggard alongside Lickin' Good Fried, the fresh young sounds of First Rate People and a guitar workshop/concert by three great players - Danny Brooks, Colin Linden and Jack Williams. So Down By the Bay offers plenty of great music Saturday night as well.
If dancing is your thing, the Over the Hill tent is the place to be on Summerfolk Saturday night. A Newfoundland Set Dance is the first featured dance at 7:30. This is an opportunity to spend a night 'on the Rock' without going there. Russells in the Corner make their first-ever appearance off the Island to play and call dances at Summerfolk. Then at 9:00 there's a contra dance with music of Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, who in another first, make their inaugural Canadian appearance. This group is famous in New England dance circles as one of the finest young bands to dance to. Steps will by called by Nils Fredland, who is one of America's favourite and most sought-after dance callers.
Saturday night at Summerfolk sounds irresistible, doesn't it. But there's a whole day left to enjoy and Sunday begins at 10:30 with the 'Make Ye a Joyful Noise' concert in the Amphitheatre. This much-loved Sunday morning show will offer songs of inspiration from Danny Brooks, Artisan, Samantha Martin & the Haggard and Matt Watroba. The First Nations Village will also have 'Spiritual Stories and Songs...lessons from our ancestors' starting at the same time - so it will be a tough choice. The talents of John Somosi, Kathryn Edgecombe, Virginia Barter and Darlene will be featured here.
Workshop sessions get rolling at noon on the seven Summerfolk stages. Down by the Bay has a songs in Spanish session to start off and finishes with the very popular 'Mixed Up Bands' workshop. The Gazebo stage highlight may be the Baskery, Eliza Gilkyson, Darlene and Lucy Kaplansky workshop at 4:00. A 'Community Singing' session at Under the Willows brings together Matt Watroba, Nils Fredland and Tom Leighton, all of whom have much expertise in leading singing groups.
As has become a Summerfolk tradition, there will be a 2:00 pm join-in 'Drum Circle' at The Sharing Circle. The Children's Village stage has shows from Sheesham & Lotus and Chuck & Albert among others. For those who can only come to the Festival on Sunday, Homemade Jam features Namgar in concert at noon. This is one band you shouldn't miss - they are unique.
At Over the Hill, there's a full afternoon of dancing. A session on clogging, step dancing and jig dancing is first. Then there's an Irish Ceili dance, Delhi 2 Dublin performs a dance set and a contra dance with De Temps Antan.
Michelle Minke will demonstrate the beautiful art of wax-resist batik at the Craft Demo tent on Sunday afternoon. There will be also Food Demonstrations in the Food Village and sessions at the Musical Petting Zoo.
Down By the Bay hosts 'The Last Laugh' at 6:30 in the evening. This year Chuck & Albert, The Oddville Music Show and Terry V. Hart & Rob McLean match wits in the quest to make the most people laugh.
The Amphitheatre show starts at 6:00 with a performance by the Summerfolk Choir. They've rehearsed all weekend and this is their chance to shine on Summerfolk's main stage. It is inspiring to hear the arrangements and see people sharing the joy of singing together. Tom Leighton puts his heart and soul into making the Summerfolk Choir a memorable part of the Summerfolk experience - not only for the Choir members but for all of us in the audience.
Songwriter Rob Szabo then has a Sunday night Amphitheatre spot followed by bluegrass band Randy Morrison & the Flatt River Band and the gypsy sounds of Darlene. Next up De Temps Antan will show their Quebec-style joie de vivre. This trio was one of the most popular acts at the recent Goderich Celtic Roots Festival. They are very good!
The iconic Canadian performer/record producer Colin Linden makes a return visit to Summerfolk before sets by Delhi 2 Dublin and Lennie Gallant take us to the Summerfolk Finale. If you've never been in attendance for the Finale, just ask someone who has. It is one of the most emotional and moving moments of Summerfolk.
So that's it. Summerfolk 35. That's how it looks on paper. But nothing can fully describe the experience of being there and being a part of it. For that, you have to come to Kelso Beach Park on Summerfolk weekend.
It starts at 6:00 pm with Eco Andino, a Montreal group that performs the music of South America on traditional Bolivian and Peruvian instruments. Then lively duo The Human Statues will entertain with their catchy folk-pop songs. Two of Canada's finest traditional players, Grit Laskin and Ian Robb, join forces for the following set and next up is Jack Williams; whom if you remember, I highlighted in my first blog this year. Jack could well be the one that many Summerfolk fans will be talking about long after the Festival.
Then I have a feeling the night will really take off as the fabulous songstress Sarah Harmer and her band will make their much-anticipated Summerfolk debut performance. Next it's Red Horse, featuring three of America's most admired performing songwriters - Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky. For a comedic change of pace, Chuck & Albert bring their Acadian charm for some Down East fun before the driving Celtic sounds of Poor Angus fittingly closes the show with their energetic, power-house performance.
As the audience filters out of the Amphitheatre on
their way to the Down By the Bay tent, they will see the Fire Poi 'happening' at The Summerfolk Circle. This is something I highly recommend Summerfolk fans see - it's truly fascinating. Then upon arrival at Down By the Bay, we will be treated to a performance by Baskery followed by Delhi 2 Dublin - two rockin' bands that will have the place jumping!Earlier in the night, Down By the Bay hosts four special shows - the performance of JumbleJam songs, a set by Samantha Martin & the Haggard alongside Lickin' Good Fried, the fresh young sounds of First Rate People and a guitar workshop/concert by three great players - Danny Brooks, Colin Linden and Jack Williams. So Down By the Bay offers plenty of great music Saturday night as well.
If dancing is your thing, the Over the Hill tent is the place to be on Summerfolk Saturday night. A Newfoundland Set Dance is the first featured dance at 7:30. This is an opportunity to spend a night 'on the Rock' without going there. Russells in the Corner make their first-ever appearance off the Island to play and call dances at Summerfolk. Then at 9:00 there's a contra dance with music of Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, who in another first, make their inaugural Canadian appearance. This group is famous in New England dance circles as one of the finest young bands to dance to. Steps will by called by Nils Fredland, who is one of America's favourite and most sought-after dance callers.
Saturday night at Summerfolk sounds irresistible, doesn't it. But there's a whole day left to enjoy and Sunday begins at 10:30 with the 'Make Ye a Joyful Noise' concert in the Amphitheatre. This much-loved Sunday morning show will offer songs of inspiration from Danny Brooks, Artisan, Samantha Martin & the Haggard and Matt Watroba. The First Nations Village will also have 'Spiritual Stories and Songs...lessons from our ancestors' starting at the same time - so it will be a tough choice. The talents of John Somosi, Kathryn Edgecombe, Virginia Barter and Darlene will be featured here.
Workshop sessions get rolling at noon on the seven Summerfolk stages. Down by the Bay has a songs in Spanish session to start off and finishes with the very popular 'Mixed Up Bands' workshop. The Gazebo stage highlight may be the Baskery, Eliza Gilkyson, Darlene and Lucy Kaplansky workshop at 4:00. A 'Community Singing' session at Under the Willows brings together Matt Watroba, Nils Fredland and Tom Leighton, all of whom have much expertise in leading singing groups.
As has become a Summerfolk tradition, there will be a 2:00 pm join-in 'Drum Circle' at The Sharing Circle. The Children's Village stage has shows from Sheesham & Lotus and Chuck & Albert among others. For those who can only come to the Festival on Sunday, Homemade Jam features Namgar in concert at noon. This is one band you shouldn't miss - they are unique.At Over the Hill, there's a full afternoon of dancing. A session on clogging, step dancing and jig dancing is first. Then there's an Irish Ceili dance, Delhi 2 Dublin performs a dance set and a contra dance with De Temps Antan.
Michelle Minke will demonstrate the beautiful art of wax-resist batik at the Craft Demo tent on Sunday afternoon. There will be also Food Demonstrations in the Food Village and sessions at the Musical Petting Zoo.
Down By the Bay hosts 'The Last Laugh' at 6:30 in the evening. This year Chuck & Albert, The Oddville Music Show and Terry V. Hart & Rob McLean match wits in the quest to make the most people laugh.
The Amphitheatre show starts at 6:00 with a performance by the Summerfolk Choir. They've rehearsed all weekend and this is their chance to shine on Summerfolk's main stage. It is inspiring to hear the arrangements and see people sharing the joy of singing together. Tom Leighton puts his heart and soul into making the Summerfolk Choir a memorable part of the Summerfolk experience - not only for the Choir members but for all of us in the audience.
Songwriter Rob Szabo then has a Sunday night Amphitheatre spot followed by bluegrass band Randy Morrison & the Flatt River Band and the gypsy sounds of Darlene. Next up De Temps Antan will show their Quebec-style joie de vivre. This trio was one of the most popular acts at the recent Goderich Celtic Roots Festival. They are very good!
The iconic Canadian performer/record producer Colin Linden makes a return visit to Summerfolk before sets by Delhi 2 Dublin and Lennie Gallant take us to the Summerfolk Finale. If you've never been in attendance for the Finale, just ask someone who has. It is one of the most emotional and moving moments of Summerfolk.So that's it. Summerfolk 35. That's how it looks on paper. But nothing can fully describe the experience of being there and being a part of it. For that, you have to come to Kelso Beach Park on Summerfolk weekend.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Summerfolk - What's in Store for Friday Night and Saturday Daytime
The 35th annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival is lss than a couple of weeks away. The gates open at 4:30 pm on Friday, August 20th and the music begins with a Cafe Concert on the Homemade Jam stage at 5:00.
Featuring the Kelso Céilí Collective, this is an opportunity to listen to a session of traditional Irish music and partake of some delicious food. Summerfolk's Food Village offers everything from sandwiches, salads, pizza and hamburgers to Indian curries, Caribbean jerk chicken and Chinese dishes.
At 6:00 pm, attention is focused on Summerfolk's famous Amphitheatre stage. Bob Dixon's bagpipes signal the start of the Opening Ceremonies that precede the evening concerts. With its finely tuned sound system and intimate atmosphere, the Amphitheatre is a delight for both performer and audience. There is nothing quite
like listening to music outdoors. Attending an evening concert in the Amphitheatre at Summerfolk is an unforgettable experience.
First up is the Siberian group Namgar to lead off a night of exciting music. Sheesham & Lotus follow with their old-time flavoured fun, then golden-voiced Mose Scarlett and Newfoundland band The Dardanelles. Next is Caracol fronted by Francophone chanteuse Carole Facal, England's Artisan, Canadian songwriter Danny Michel and the evening closes with a bang as Swedish trio Baskery bring their high-energy sound to the Summerfolk stage.
There are two other stages to hear music on Friday night. In the Down By the Bay tent, Samantha Martin and the Haggard kick things off with their country blues at 7:00 pm. Then it's the bluegrass of Randy Morrison and the Flatt River Band followed by Larry Jensen and his band. Tom Parker's group Lickin' Good Fried put in a concert of foot-stomping tunes before the Celtic explosion of Poor Angus closes the night with 2 sets of music that will have Darlene performing in between.
The third Friday night concert is Summerfolk Discoveries on the Over the Hill stage at the south end of Kelso Beach Park. Leading up to the electrifying closing act Delhi 2 Dublin, the show commences with The Jocelyn Pettit Band at 7:00 pm, then First Rate People and Boston's Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers. The four acts selected from the Georgian Bay Folk Society's Discoveries Showcase also get special spots to perform here - Ben Turcotte, Davenport Brown, Jill Jambior and Anne & David Beverly-Foster.
How's that for a Summerfolk start - 23 acts to choose from on Friday night!
The Summerfolk workshops commence at 11:00 am on Saturday. There's a full slate of them at Down by the Bay and the Gazebo stage. These folk festival workshops are a combination of education, performance and entertainment. Several perfomers with differing approaches are assembled together on stage to work around a theme. This is a chance for both the audience and
performers to experience some informal and spontaneous music making, often with amazing results.
Some of the themes for Saturday include 'Harmony', 'Vintage Performing Styles' and 'Finding Common Ground'. Plus there's the ever-popular 'Summerfolk Quiz' at Down By the Bay.
The Homemade Jam stage starts off with a 'Guitar' workshop at 11:00. Budding guitarists can pick up lots of tips about improving their technique. Then the Bolivian music group Eco Andino performs a concert at 11:45 (how about lunch?) before the Open Stage gets into full swing. This is where patrons are invited to sign up to play their music at Summerfolk.
Homemade Jam also hosts a workshop at 2:00 followed by more Open Stage slots and the 5:00 pm Cafe Concert with Namgar.
Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo is back this year. You can get up close and personal with more than 100 instruments in Todd's travelling collection. Not only can you touch them, but you are encouraged to play them. A new feature this year will be 'The Zoo Workshop Room' where you can get instruction and play along with Summerfolk performers on various instruments.
Audience members can share the joy of singing together in the Summerfolk Choir. Under the direction of Tom Leighton, rehearsals take place at the Under the Willows stage. There are also 3 workshop sessions here, in between choir practices.
Feel like kickin' up your heels? Head to the Over the Hill Dance stage. There will be an Irish Ceili
dance, a contra dance, a beginner's West African dance and a Quebecois Kitchen Party with De Temps Antan. The afternoon finishes with an interesting Patter Squares dance which is a type of square dancing. Nils Fredland will call out the steps while Sheesham and Lotus provide the music.
There are six sessions planned for The Sharing Circle, an acoustic area where patrons are invited to actively join in making music with Summerfolk performers. Starting off with a 'Down East Fiddle' session, there's also a 'Bluegrass Jam' and a 'Newfoundland Music' session on Saturday.
Kids love coming to Summerfolk! At the Children's Village they enjoy hands-on craft projects, a playground, games and a lots of great music on stage. There will be a Family Dance on Saturday and puppet shows with The Friends and Neighbours Club.
For those interested in writing songs, Saturday's JumbleJam sessions are a unique approach to doing so. Facilitators Ken Dow and Martin Cooper curate 15 volunteer players into three bands, each anchored by a Summerfolk performer. These bands create an original song and perform it on the Down by the Bay stage in the evening.
Summerfolk isn't just about music. A stroll through the Artisan Village will reveal a fabulous array of handmade, one-of-a-kind items. The creative artisans here are selected for the quality of their work and are encouraged to demonstrate and discuss their art. Saturday has the Juried Craft Exhibition which showcases their best pieces.
The First Nations Village offers cultural workshops and special guest Virginia Barter will spin tales of Canada's fur trading history. There's also the Fire Poi workshop at 5:00 pm and new this year, Food Demonstrations throughout the day.
How's that for an action-packed day? Music, food, crafts and a lot more. I'll be back soon with a look at Saturday night and Sunday at Summerfolk.
Featuring the Kelso Céilí Collective, this is an opportunity to listen to a session of traditional Irish music and partake of some delicious food. Summerfolk's Food Village offers everything from sandwiches, salads, pizza and hamburgers to Indian curries, Caribbean jerk chicken and Chinese dishes.
At 6:00 pm, attention is focused on Summerfolk's famous Amphitheatre stage. Bob Dixon's bagpipes signal the start of the Opening Ceremonies that precede the evening concerts. With its finely tuned sound system and intimate atmosphere, the Amphitheatre is a delight for both performer and audience. There is nothing quite
like listening to music outdoors. Attending an evening concert in the Amphitheatre at Summerfolk is an unforgettable experience.First up is the Siberian group Namgar to lead off a night of exciting music. Sheesham & Lotus follow with their old-time flavoured fun, then golden-voiced Mose Scarlett and Newfoundland band The Dardanelles. Next is Caracol fronted by Francophone chanteuse Carole Facal, England's Artisan, Canadian songwriter Danny Michel and the evening closes with a bang as Swedish trio Baskery bring their high-energy sound to the Summerfolk stage.
There are two other stages to hear music on Friday night. In the Down By the Bay tent, Samantha Martin and the Haggard kick things off with their country blues at 7:00 pm. Then it's the bluegrass of Randy Morrison and the Flatt River Band followed by Larry Jensen and his band. Tom Parker's group Lickin' Good Fried put in a concert of foot-stomping tunes before the Celtic explosion of Poor Angus closes the night with 2 sets of music that will have Darlene performing in between.
The third Friday night concert is Summerfolk Discoveries on the Over the Hill stage at the south end of Kelso Beach Park. Leading up to the electrifying closing act Delhi 2 Dublin, the show commences with The Jocelyn Pettit Band at 7:00 pm, then First Rate People and Boston's Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers. The four acts selected from the Georgian Bay Folk Society's Discoveries Showcase also get special spots to perform here - Ben Turcotte, Davenport Brown, Jill Jambior and Anne & David Beverly-Foster.
How's that for a Summerfolk start - 23 acts to choose from on Friday night!
The Summerfolk workshops commence at 11:00 am on Saturday. There's a full slate of them at Down by the Bay and the Gazebo stage. These folk festival workshops are a combination of education, performance and entertainment. Several perfomers with differing approaches are assembled together on stage to work around a theme. This is a chance for both the audience and
performers to experience some informal and spontaneous music making, often with amazing results.Some of the themes for Saturday include 'Harmony', 'Vintage Performing Styles' and 'Finding Common Ground'. Plus there's the ever-popular 'Summerfolk Quiz' at Down By the Bay.
The Homemade Jam stage starts off with a 'Guitar' workshop at 11:00. Budding guitarists can pick up lots of tips about improving their technique. Then the Bolivian music group Eco Andino performs a concert at 11:45 (how about lunch?) before the Open Stage gets into full swing. This is where patrons are invited to sign up to play their music at Summerfolk.
Homemade Jam also hosts a workshop at 2:00 followed by more Open Stage slots and the 5:00 pm Cafe Concert with Namgar.
Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo is back this year. You can get up close and personal with more than 100 instruments in Todd's travelling collection. Not only can you touch them, but you are encouraged to play them. A new feature this year will be 'The Zoo Workshop Room' where you can get instruction and play along with Summerfolk performers on various instruments.
Audience members can share the joy of singing together in the Summerfolk Choir. Under the direction of Tom Leighton, rehearsals take place at the Under the Willows stage. There are also 3 workshop sessions here, in between choir practices.
Feel like kickin' up your heels? Head to the Over the Hill Dance stage. There will be an Irish Ceili
dance, a contra dance, a beginner's West African dance and a Quebecois Kitchen Party with De Temps Antan. The afternoon finishes with an interesting Patter Squares dance which is a type of square dancing. Nils Fredland will call out the steps while Sheesham and Lotus provide the music.There are six sessions planned for The Sharing Circle, an acoustic area where patrons are invited to actively join in making music with Summerfolk performers. Starting off with a 'Down East Fiddle' session, there's also a 'Bluegrass Jam' and a 'Newfoundland Music' session on Saturday.
Kids love coming to Summerfolk! At the Children's Village they enjoy hands-on craft projects, a playground, games and a lots of great music on stage. There will be a Family Dance on Saturday and puppet shows with The Friends and Neighbours Club.
For those interested in writing songs, Saturday's JumbleJam sessions are a unique approach to doing so. Facilitators Ken Dow and Martin Cooper curate 15 volunteer players into three bands, each anchored by a Summerfolk performer. These bands create an original song and perform it on the Down by the Bay stage in the evening.
Summerfolk isn't just about music. A stroll through the Artisan Village will reveal a fabulous array of handmade, one-of-a-kind items. The creative artisans here are selected for the quality of their work and are encouraged to demonstrate and discuss their art. Saturday has the Juried Craft Exhibition which showcases their best pieces.
The First Nations Village offers cultural workshops and special guest Virginia Barter will spin tales of Canada's fur trading history. There's also the Fire Poi workshop at 5:00 pm and new this year, Food Demonstrations throughout the day.
How's that for an action-packed day? Music, food, crafts and a lot more. I'll be back soon with a look at Saturday night and Sunday at Summerfolk.
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