Evening concerts in the amphitheatre at Kelso Beach Park hold wonderful memories for those who attend Summerfolk. These concerts have long been the centerpiece of the event. From 6:00 to 11:00 each night of the Festival, eight acts take to the stage. This means an awe inspiring variety of talent is presented, all in a five hour span.
It is only through the expertise of our sound and staging crew that a jam-packed show like this can run as smoothly as it does. During equipment changeovers between acts, the time is filled by yet additional performers affectionately called ‘tweeners’ who play from the right of the stage. So over the course of the evening, the audience witnesses a dozen or more musical performances.
These evening concerts would be enough to satisfy even the most discerning music fan, but there is much more to Summerfolk. During the daytime hours Saturday and Sunday, the
workshop stages swing into action. Typically, three or four acts are grouped together with a given theme to guide their choice of material. Performing ‘in the round’, each draws upon their experiences to relate to the theme. Often they encourage each other to play along and the results can be amazing.
As an example, one of the workshops programmed this year is titled ‘Word Work’. It features performers who rely on the strength of their lyrics to get a message across. Hosted by Corin Raymond; gifted wordsmiths Lorne Elliott, Ian Reid and David Francey will explore what lies within the lyrics of their songs. This is done by performing them and explaining some of the process that goes into their creation.
Additional examples of workshops planned for this year are ‘Country Flavours’, ‘Songs in Harmony’, ‘Funny Stuff’, ‘En Francais’ and ‘Irish Spring’. During the weekend, a multitude of
workshops are scheduled....plus there are participatory dance sessions, performances especially for kids in the music tent of the Children’s Village and interactive sessions in the teepee at the First Nations Village.
Some of the workshops are designed for active audience participation and other opportunities exist for patrons to join in. This is what I would like to focus on for the remainder of this article. It has been an interest and desire for me as artistic director of Summerfolk to offer programming at the Festival that allows for patrons to be involved in the creative process and in making music with others.
All the sessions at The Sharing Circle are meant to be ‘kitchen parties’ where everyone is invited to participate. Lead by performers from the Summerfolk lineup, you can sing and play along. There is no sound system and there’s no pressure. Join in the circle and be a part of the action. There will be drum and storytelling sessions, a ‘play your song’ with the band session, as well as Celtic, bluegrass, song, banjo, ukulele and fiddle music circles. Bring your instrument to the Festival - you can store it safely at ‘Stash Yer Stuff’ next to the Sharing Circle tent.
It is only through the expertise of our sound and staging crew that a jam-packed show like this can run as smoothly as it does. During equipment changeovers between acts, the time is filled by yet additional performers affectionately called ‘tweeners’ who play from the right of the stage. So over the course of the evening, the audience witnesses a dozen or more musical performances.
These evening concerts would be enough to satisfy even the most discerning music fan, but there is much more to Summerfolk. During the daytime hours Saturday and Sunday, the
workshop stages swing into action. Typically, three or four acts are grouped together with a given theme to guide their choice of material. Performing ‘in the round’, each draws upon their experiences to relate to the theme. Often they encourage each other to play along and the results can be amazing.
As an example, one of the workshops programmed this year is titled ‘Word Work’. It features performers who rely on the strength of their lyrics to get a message across. Hosted by Corin Raymond; gifted wordsmiths Lorne Elliott, Ian Reid and David Francey will explore what lies within the lyrics of their songs. This is done by performing them and explaining some of the process that goes into their creation.
Additional examples of workshops planned for this year are ‘Country Flavours’, ‘Songs in Harmony’, ‘Funny Stuff’, ‘En Francais’ and ‘Irish Spring’. During the weekend, a multitude of
workshops are scheduled....plus there are participatory dance sessions, performances especially for kids in the music tent of the Children’s Village and interactive sessions in the teepee at the First Nations Village.Some of the workshops are designed for active audience participation and other opportunities exist for patrons to join in. This is what I would like to focus on for the remainder of this article. It has been an interest and desire for me as artistic director of Summerfolk to offer programming at the Festival that allows for patrons to be involved in the creative process and in making music with others.
All the sessions at The Sharing Circle are meant to be ‘kitchen parties’ where everyone is invited to participate. Lead by performers from the Summerfolk lineup, you can sing and play along. There is no sound system and there’s no pressure. Join in the circle and be a part of the action. There will be drum and storytelling sessions, a ‘play your song’ with the band session, as well as Celtic, bluegrass, song, banjo, ukulele and fiddle music circles. Bring your instrument to the Festival - you can store it safely at ‘Stash Yer Stuff’ next to the Sharing Circle tent.
Summerfolk’s Open Stage is another opportunity to play your music at the Festival. Interspersed between workshop sessions at the Café of the Senses, nine time slots are designated for open mic performances on the Homemade Jam stage. You can sign up in advance by contacting the Folk Society office or sign up on site. One performer/act from the weekend’s Open Stage will be selected to join the Summerfolk lineup in 2012.
If singing is your thing, I hope you consider joining the fabulous Summerfolk Choir. Under the direction of the enthusiastic Tom Leighton, the choir has four rehearsals before taking to the amphitheatre stage to open the Sunday night concert. How cool is that! With an emphasis on fun, Tom prepares a wonderful selection of songs to sing.
Love to dance? The previously mentioned dance sessions at Summerfolk take place in the ‘Over the Hill...’ tent located at the south end of Kelso Beach Park. You can learn the steps from dance callers and to the best in music, enjoy dancing on the wooden floor. There will everything from Quebecois to Mediterranean, Contra to African, plus dancing to the Big Band sound of The Lighthouse Swing Band.
Todd Crowley’s ‘Musical Petting Zoo’ is back for a third year at Summerfolk. Todd brings more than a hundred instruments of all description from all over the world, and you are encouraged to try them out. That’s right – you can touch. Play them as long as you like. See how they are made and hear what they sound like. Little jam sessions break out and truly incredible things happen at the Petting Zoo.
Beginning last year, we added ‘The Zoo Workshop Room’ to Todd’s location as a way of farther exploring instruments and learning about music. Inside the tent we hold intimate sessions where you get hands-on instruction or information about specific topics. I am very excited about some of the themes we present this time out. As examples, publisher Jack Cooper will demonstrate transcribing music, Ken Whiteley and David Baxter will talk about how to produce a recording and Orchid Ensemble will show their exotic traditional instruments from the Far East.
‘JumbleJam’ is another participatory event happening at Summerfolk. You may find yourself in a band with Beckon, James Gordon or Robert Priest playing a song you’ve helped compose that day, on stage at the ‘Down By the Bay’ tent. Then there will be open mic opportunities during Sunday afternoon’s ‘SOUNDS...words and music’ workshop that will highlight spoken word performances along with music.
The Circus Court will be a new Summerfolk adventure this year. Along with performances by Lookup Theatre's Youth Troupe, there will be workshops for both kids and adults to learn circus arts like acrobatics, juggling and aerial. And in the same vein, Vita Twirlin’ Diva will be offering a demonstration where you can learn more about the art of poi spinning.
The full slate of concerts and workshops are available for viewing on the Summerfolk website. Make it a point to plan what you would like to see, and what you’d like to do at the Festival. It is my hope that you will avail yourself time to take part in one or more of the interactive activities offered. At many music events, audiences sit and listen. But I feel there is much to be gained, and enthusiasm added, when the audience is involved in the fun and the music making. Summerfolk is a place where you can do just that.
‘JumbleJam’ is another participatory event happening at Summerfolk. You may find yourself in a band with Beckon, James Gordon or Robert Priest playing a song you’ve helped compose that day, on stage at the ‘Down By the Bay’ tent. Then there will be open mic opportunities during Sunday afternoon’s ‘SOUNDS...words and music’ workshop that will highlight spoken word performances along with music.
The Circus Court will be a new Summerfolk adventure this year. Along with performances by Lookup Theatre's Youth Troupe, there will be workshops for both kids and adults to learn circus arts like acrobatics, juggling and aerial. And in the same vein, Vita Twirlin’ Diva will be offering a demonstration where you can learn more about the art of poi spinning.
The full slate of concerts and workshops are available for viewing on the Summerfolk website. Make it a point to plan what you would like to see, and what you’d like to do at the Festival. It is my hope that you will avail yourself time to take part in one or more of the interactive activities offered. At many music events, audiences sit and listen. But I feel there is much to be gained, and enthusiasm added, when the audience is involved in the fun and the music making. Summerfolk is a place where you can do just that.
