GBFS News

I'm here

2011-12-13T13:08:00.002-05:00

I first came to play Summerfolk in 1985. I came as a hardly wet behind the ears musician, playing guitar for a Scottish folk singer named Margaret Christl. Two years later, when i had released my first solo album, Summerfolk was one of the first festivals outside of Alberta that booked me as me. I have been coming back regularly ever since. Sometimes i have had a couple of offers on the same weekend, but i can't resist the place. Summerfolk always has the highest priority for me.
There are several reasons for that.
For one, its often the last Canadian festival for the season and as such has the feeling of the last gathering of the clan before we all disperse for the fall and winter touring season. A last chance to hang out and play tunes and tell stories with your peers. Summerfolk has always excelled at making performers feel comfortable enough to hang out together, and that is harder to achieve than you think.
Second, Summerfolk has always taken chances on artists (myself included) and the performers generally give that back to the festival and the audience in spades. It also makes for a rare mix between the seasoned veterans and the up and comers. As a young performer you can learn a lot at the workshop stages just by looking to your left or right and as a veteran , you can realize that you are connected to the ever evolving scene. It energizes us.
Third, and most important, when Summerfolk really clicks, the barrier between audience and performers melts away. A few years ago, just before the finale, i caught sight of one of our American brethren packing up and heading for the shuttle pen. I said to him, you have to stay for the finale , man. He looked at me, with a slightly jaundiced eye and got that weary look. I put an arm on his shoulder and said, No, really, you have to come on stage. He asked me why? For what happens at the end, i said.
When the piper showed up, he looked quite worried, but when the piper headed in to the audience and the performers followed, we walked together through the crowd. He shook hands with people, thanked them for coming. People thanked him for his songs and for his humour and we we at last returned back stage he looked at me and said " that was the most extraordinary end to a festival that i have ever seen". He was moved. As i am every time I do it.
Summerfolk has a reputation amongst performers in Canada and abroad. People want to come and play here, argue with their agents so that they can play here, bring their families with them when they play here.
That is the tradition that I want to uphold in my time as artistic director of this jewel of a festival.

Summerfolk 2011 Photos

2011-09-13T17:37:00.002-04:00

Please click the following link to check out new photos from Summerfolk 2011 Summerfolk 2011 Photos

At Summerfolk, you can 'feel the rhythm' of a festival that has been presenting the very best in folk music for three and a half decades. A beautiful site and friendly people create an energy that will envelop you at this, one of Canada's favourite folk festivals.

With a performer lineup that spans a spectrum of styles and genres, you will find a musical smorgasboard to savour. Evening concerts in the amphitheater are magical and the extensive daytime workshop
programming will inspire.

Certainly the heart and soul of the Festival is the music, but there are many aspects of Summerfolk to be enjoyed by folks of all ages. A rhythm flows through it - you can feel it!
Photos: Don Miller
www.summerfolk.org

Singing in the Rain

2011-09-08T10:28:00.000-04:00

Despite the weather which has to be the big story of the weekend, this year’s Summerfolk was full of special moments and great performances which will long be remembered in the hearts and minds of those who witnessed them.

The weatherman was way off on his predictions. Mother Nature ‘toyed’ with us, offering breaks between the showers on Saturday and Sunday. Still, the show went on with an amazing spirit. We reveled in the music, sang in the rain and looked after each other.

One of my favourite quotes of the weekend came from a young volunteer in his first year at the Festival, who summed it up by saying “It’s the best way I’ve seen so far to make a rainy day fun”.

Here are some youtube clips from Summerfolk 2011 you might enjoy watching:

The Once - Coming Back to You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W6F4Yv9TFo&feature=related

Barrett's Privateers Sing-a-Long at the Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0zeGF_XPm0&NR=1

Gandalf Murphy - Alice In Space @ Summerfolk 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BnsxODXSpE

Danny Michel - White Lightning @ Summerfolk 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypEgpnWC2Qc&feature=related

Treasa Levasseur - Stuck In Soulsville @ Summerfolk 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KYA-twuhN4&feature=related

New Country Rehab - Cameo @ Summerfolk 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBtGeQmNpro&feature=related

The 24th Street Wailers - Lord Protect My Child @ Summerfolk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GsVFBJAMRs&feature=related

Brontae Hunter - Crazy World @ Summerfolk 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQeKlACvk6c&feature=related

Mary Cassidy @ Summerfolk 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv333lo-sQ8&feature=related

JumbleJam

2011-08-09T13:16:00.002-04:00

How would you like to jam with the pros, create an original piece of music and perform it on stage at Summerfolk – all on the same day?

If you sing or play an instrument and you can spare a few hours on Saturday, apply for the JumbleJam workshop. You just might find yourself in a band with Robert Priest, James Gordon or Beckon(Connie Rositter and Beth Hamilton).

Varying skill levels are welcome – 15 musicians will be chosen by lottery for a diverse and entertaining mix. Some instruments are provided but you’re more than welcome to bring your own.

Deadline for all entries is 11:15 am Saturday August 20th.
Apply in advance by contacting the Georgian Bay Folk Society office (519) 371-2995 gbfs@bmts.com for an Application Form.
Or... pick up an Application Form on-site at the Information Booth just inside Main Gate.
Drop off applications at the Information Booth by Saturday morning. Space is limited.

Gather at the JumbleJam Zone (just north of the Amphitheatre Stage) at 11:45 am to see the band lists. Each band will have a 1 hour and 45 minute songbuilding session beginning at 12 noon, 2 pm or 4 pm. Bands take to the Down By the Bay stage at 7:00 pm Saturday evening.

Sharing Circle, Summerfolk Choir, Circus Court, Musical Petting Zoo

2011-08-09T13:16:00.001-04:00

During the weekend, a multitude of workshops are scheduled at Summerfolk.
Some of these are designed for active audience participation and opportunities exist for patrons to join in – to be involved in the creative process and in making music with others.

Additional details and times are available at: http://www.summerfolk.org/Concerts&Workshops2011.pdf

The Sharing Circle
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.
Hours for Stash Yer Stuff are 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday, Noon – 5:00 pm Sunday.

The Summerfolk Choir
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.
Come out to the first rehearsal, Saturday morning at 11:00 am, and be part of a Summerfolk tradition.

The Circus Court
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.

Musical Petting Zoo
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.

The Zoo Workshop Room
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.

First Nations Village
The First Nations Village provides workshop sessions that focus on aboriginal teachings and traditions. These interactive sessions like drumming, storytelling and singing, happen in and around the teepee.

Children’s Village
There are performances especially for kids in the music tent of the Children’s Village along with workshops at the Circus Court, the Kelso Beach Park playground and the new splash pad to enjoy. Plus...an amazing hands-on Crafts Tent!

Open Stage at Summerfolk

2011-08-09T13:16:00.000-04:00

Summerfolk’s Open Stage is an opportunity to play your music at the Festival.

Interspersed between workshop sessions at the Café of the Senses, 9 time slots are designated for open mic performances on the Homemade Jam stage.
Each slot is shared by 2 or 3 performers, providing participants with approximately 8 minutes time (2 selections).

The exciting thing is: One act is selected for the following year's Festival.

HOW TO "RESERVE" YOUR SPOT - sign up in advance by contacting the Folk Society office or sign up on site.
- A limited number of slots are available for pre-registration and designated as advance sign-up (see schedule below).
To reserve, contact the Georgian Bay Folk Society office (519) 371-2995 - gbfs@bmts.com
- On-site registration (festival sign-up) is on a first-come, first-served basis.

You must be in possession of a ticket for that day or be on site as a volunteer. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your assigned performance time and check-in with the Homemade Jam crew.

One performer/act from the weekend’s Open Stage will be selected to join the Summerfolk lineup in 2012. That selection will be done by our Homemade Jam Tent crew and will be announced from the Amphitheatre Stage between 8:00 and 9:00 pm on Sunday evening.

HOMEMADE JAM STAGE SCHEDULE – Open Stage

Saturday:
12:30 - Open Stage Slot - advance sign-up
1:00 - Open Stage Slot - festival sign-up
1:30 - Open Stage Slot - festival sign-up
3:00 - Open Stage Slot -advance sign-up
3:45 - Open Stage Slot - festival sign-up

Sunday:
1:00 - Open Stage Slot - festival sign-up
1:30 - Open Stage Slot - advance sign-up
3:00 - Open Stage Slot - advance sign-up
3:45 - Open Stage Slot - festival sign-up

Come Dancing at Summerfolk

2011-08-09T13:15:00.000-04:00

Contra to Afro, Klezmer to Big Band .....Summerfolk is Dancing.

The Over the Hill Dance tent features a wooden dance floor and a fine sound system.

There are plenty of great dance sessions this year!

SATURDAY

11:00 - 'Bohemian Delights'... Eastern European Dances - Russian Troika dance to Romanian style Hora
Music by Gypsy Jive Band with Lorraine Sutton calling

12:30 – ‘Quebecois Dance'
Music by Réveillons with Jean-Francois Berthiaume calling

2:00 – ‘Contra Dance’ ...old and new
Music by Elixir with Nils Fredland calling

3:30 – ‘Big Band Dance’
Music by the Lighthouse Swing Band

***** SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE
7:30 – ‘Contra and More’
Music by Elixir with Nils Fredland calling

SUNDAY

12:00 – ‘Heel & Toe’ with Ciccone & Hyatt and Réveillons

1:00 – ‘Mediterranean Soul' ...dances from Greece, Israel, Serbia- easy steps in lines and circles
Music by Gypsy Jive Band with Lorraine Sutton calling

2:15 – ‘Afro Dance’ ...learn the steps and dance
Music by H’Sao

3:30 – ‘Singing Squares’ ...American singing squares
Music by Elixir with Nils Fredland calling

Get into the Music Making at Summerfolk

2011-07-11T17:05:00.000-04:00

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.

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.

David Francey & Ron Hynes Play Summerfolk 2011

2011-06-29T10:03:00.000-04:00

Two Pre-eminent Canadian Songwriters to Perform at Summerfolk

David Francey & Ron Hynes

David Francey has won three Juno awards and the former construction worker turned successful folk singer and songwriter has garnered critical acclaim for his ‘new’ profession. Poetic perception and a keen eye for the heart of the matter are trademarks of the man and his music earning him a reputation as one of Canada's most revered folk poets and singers.

Francey was born in 1954 in Ayrshire, Scotland, where as a paper boy he got his first taste of the working life. He learned to read at an early age, and by eleven, was devouring the newspapers he delivered. This helped establish his interest in politics and world events while developing the social conscience that forms the backdrop of his songs.

He was twelve when his family immigrated to Toronto. He says he can trace his love of the land, the history, and the people of his adopted country to weekend family drives exploring southern Ontario. Music played a large part in these family outings. They sang traditional Scottish tunes as they drove through the Canadian countryside. Dad and sister Muriel sang melody, while mother and David sang harmonies.

His attachment to Canada grew with travel. He hitch-hiked across the country three times. This attachment surfaces in his songs of rail lines, farms and the St. Lawrence Seaway. He grew to understand the people while working in Toronto train yards, the Yukon bush and as a carpenter in the Eastern Townships. These experiences coloured his first CD Torn Screen Door with songs like Hard Steel Mill, Gypsy Boys and Working Poor.

Even after releasing this CD in 1999, Francey continued to work in construction until his second album Far End of Summer was named Best Roots and Traditional Album at the 2002 Juno Awards - a surprise win which prompted him to make the switch to music full time.

“I said maybe we should be doing music because we just won a Juno for crying out loud,” said Francey at the time. “So it was a leap of faith in a sense, but to tell you the truth, I thought the timing was right to try it. And I guess it’s worked out the right way.”

While he admitted he missed the work and the friends he made while on the job, crafting songs was far less taxing on the body. “When I was getting up on stage and maybe feeling sorry for myself for being on the road, I’d be thinking - well, I’m not getting up in the morning and doing a couple of roofs or wheeling cement all day. So everything for me was a treat. The things I got to do and the people I got to meet, they were something to look forward to every day.”

With an ever increasing tour schedule, David continued recording and won 2 more Junos. One for his Skating Rink CD in 2004 and Right of Passage in 2008. His latest release Late Edition is his ninth recording project.

In concert David Francey is a singer and a storyteller who can establish, in moments, a personal rapport with his audience. He tours with New Hampshire multi-instrumentalist Craig Werth. Francey’s wry humour and astute observations combined with an openhearted singing style have earned him a loyal following. His often long-winded introductions are a legendary and integral part of his show, charmingly setting the up the songs that tell honest stories of real people and real places.

David lives with his wife, artist Beth Girdler and their three children Amy, Julia and Colin, in the Lanark Highlands of eastern Ontario.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One of Canada’s premier singer-songwriters, Ron Hynes has created beautifully crafted songs for more than 35 years.

Frequently referred to as the ‘man of a thousand songs’, Ron is perhaps best known for penning the folk classic Sonny’s Dream. His songs have been covered by dozens of artists worldwide, including Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, Denny Doherty, Murray McLauchlan, Valdy, John McDermott, Prairie Oyster, The Good Brothers, and many more.

Hynes was born in St. John’s in December 1950, and raised in Ferryland on the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula. He began as a singer-songwriter on the coffee house circuit in the early seventies, firstly in the Maritimes and then working out of Toronto. By 1975 he was back in Newfoundland, writing music and lyrics for stage productions.

He was part of a CBC television production called The Root Cellar. This series gave birth to the Wonderful Grand Band, which became one of Newfoundland's most popular acts. Combining traditional and original songs, fresh musical ideas and comic interludes, the band spent six years touring together.

By 1992, Hynes had compiled a catalogue of several hundred songs and earned a reputation as one of Canada's finest composers of folk and country music. His songs had became part of the fabric of Newfoundland culture.

Ron Hynes is a man who is not without his demons. He is the first to admit there were times when he was not at his best. But he has gone through treatment for addictions and a 2006 self-titled CD deals with these struggles. He communicates his personal suffering with painful honesty in songs like Dry and My Name is Nobody. Baring his soul, this intimate album showcases the skill of his songwriting, albeit with content that is somewhat dark. For me, this was the record that showed Ron Hynes was back, facing his demons head-on and crafting songs of truth and clarity.

His latest release Stealing Genius is his eighth solo recording, and his third project with award-winning producer Paul Mills. Inspired by works from some of his favourite Newfoundland authors and poets, these songs not only echo a life in that province but resonate with people everywhere.

Stealing Genius comes hot on the heels of the feature-length documentary film The Man Of A Thousand Songs in which Hynes is both subject and star, telling his own difficult story in three different narrative voices - the person, the persona and the myth. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival to sold out audiences and critical praise.

Nominated for a bevy of awards, Ron Hynes is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner. He was recipient of the 2008 SOCAN National Achievement Award for his songwriting success and he holds an Honorary PhD from Memorial University for his contributions to the cultural life of his beloved Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Hynes songbook, The Songs of Ron Hynes Vol 1 is a collection of 26 pieces transcribed for guitar and voice. It includes such masterpieces as Sonny’s Dream, St. John’s Waltz, Leaving on the Evening Tide and Godspeed; songs that transcend their Newfoundland origins and have been absorbed into the folk repertoire.

“I can’t read music all that well” he confesses. “Reading and writing music is too exacting for someone like me. I just write a lyric and wait till it starts singing back at me. I like the idea that these songs are now available in libraries and schools - new Newfoundland songs for people to learn. These songs are who I am - part of a community of farmers and fishermen living on the edge of the world”.

Summerfolk Tune Up 2011

2011-06-22T15:17:00.002-04:00

Summerfolk Tune Up 2011, a set on Flickr.

Young musicians had the opportunity to hone their skills at this outdoor concert held on Sunday, June 12. This year at the Owen Sound Visitors Centre (Marine and Rail Museum) 1155 1st Avenue East in Owen Sound.
Photos by Carol Parsons

Youth Talent at Summerfolk

2011-06-12T08:03:00.008-04:00

One of the many highlights of Summerfolk is the ‘Discoveries Concert’ held Friday night at the ‘Over the Hill’ stage.

This concert features youth talent, generally performers in their teens and early twenties....the incongruous ‘Over the Hill’ refers to the stage location at the south end of Kelso Beach Park.

It is always exciting to see and hear young musicians with their infectious enthusiasm. This year the ‘Discoveries Concert’ will showcase eight acts, each of whom bring something special to Summerfolk.

Let’s start with Australian band The Little Stevies, renowned for their casual blend of folk and pop music. Highlighted by the vocal blending of sisters Sibylla and Bethany Stephen, this Melbourne group has a stage presence that is mesmerizing. They deliver their songs in a beautiful way as three-part harmonies float through catchy melodies. Yet it is perhaps the charm of the witty Aussie banter between songs where their personalities shine through.

The 24th Street Wailers were crowned 2010 winners of the Toronto Blues Society’s annual New Talent Search and a worthy representative of the new face of the blues they are. The band first met at Humber College while studying jazz and discovered they had a mutual love for playing the blues. The result is a band chalk full of energy, soul and lots of drive.

Mittenz, an alternative/folk foursome, comes to Summerfolk from last year’s Open Stage where one act is selected to play the Festival the following year. Picked in 2010, soloist Emily Bones suggested she bring her band and how could we say no. The genesis of Mittenz was a meeting between Emily and Mary Deth in 2004, at the ages of 14 and 15. With a love for writing and performing music together, the pair were joined by bassist Laura Jaworski in 2010. The three of them performed acoustically for almost a year before auditioning drummer Lindsay Bird who was the fourth and final missing piece to the band.

In recent years, since 2007 to be exact, the Georgian Bay Folk Society has initiated the ‘Discoveries Showcases’ to bring the brightest and best in youth talent to the Summerfolk stage. This year, five acts were selected to join the Festival lineup and perform in the ‘Discoveries Concert’.

Brontae Hunter is nothing short of a sensational singer and performer with veteran stage presence well beyond her years. The 12 year old Kincardine resident is quickly making a name for herself throughout the area. You may have seen her last year at Summerfolk’s Sunday morning gospel show where she galvanized the show with a display of poise and talent that had everyone talking.

Cody Zevenbergen comes from Hepworth and attends school in Wiarton. This young man has a passion for the blues and he delivers his songs accompanied by strong rhythm guitar playing. Since his first appearance at the Discoveries Showcases two years ago, Cody improved his skill level so much that he was an obvious choice to be selected to play Summerfolk this year.

The charming harmony duo Kildear features the two Anna’s – Anna Horvath and Anna Wiebe. They come from Drumbo and New Hamburg respectively but both have summer jobs in Sauble Beach. They met at a folk festival at age 6, so playing Summerfolk is a big thrill for them.

Ciccone and Hyatt wowed the crowd at Back Eddie’s in Paisley during the Discoveries Showcase Preliminaries and they did the same at the Finals. Step dancing, fiddling and guitar playing of the highest order. Adrianna Ciccone was Maritime Open Fiddle Champion at age 18 while Ariel has won a number of Canadian Open stepdancing championships.

Port Elgin’s Mary Cassidy plays guitar, sings beautifully. She comes by it honestly, coming from a musical family, her brother Joe was a finalist in last year’s Discoveries. It is Mary’s compelling songwriting that sets her apart.

As an opportunity to further hone their skills, the Georgian Bay Folk Society invites not only the five ‘winners’ but all of the Discoveries finalists to perform at ‘Summerfolk TuneUp’. This event will be held at the Owen Sound Visitors Centre (1155 1st Avenue West) on Sunday, June 12th at 1:00 pm.

Nine of the finalists are available to play at TuneUp: innovative synth-pop The Electric Environment, Cody Zevenbergen, multi-instrumentalist Jake Scott, Mary Cassidy, high energy trio The Crimson Theory, the creative Loveworthfinding, Brontae Hunter, Kildear and songwriter Grant Mask.

Two Discoveries alumni have also come on board as host MC’s - 2009 Discoveries winner Jon Farmer and from the 2010 competition, Anne Beverly-Foster.

It is my hope that Summerfolk TuneUp will grow into a bit of a ‘happening’ with a focus on youth talent, driven largely by the creativity and enthusiasm of the ‘kids’. This will be the third year for the event. We had 100 people out the first go round, 150 last year and if we attract a crowd that’s close to 200, I’ll be very pleased. There is no admission but donations are gratefully accepted. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the fabulous music served up by these young performers as they prepare to bring their best to Summerfolk.

A Look at Summerfolk

2011-05-19T12:24:00.034-04:00

Amphitheatre

Evening concerts in the amphitheatre are magical. With the waters of Georgian Bay as a backdrop, this intimate outdoor venue is a famous Summerfolk landmark. This is the stage that has hosted countless memorable Festival performances in its long history. Concerts each night from 6:00 - 11:00 pm.

Down By the Bay

Summerfolk's licensed Down By the Bay tent rollicks to lively workshop sessions during the day and special concert performances each night of the Festival - Friday and Saturday from 7:00 - 1:00 and Sunday 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Over The Hill - Dance Tent

You can learn the steps and kick up your heels on the wooden dance floor in the Over the Hill Tent. The name has nothing to do with age, it's just that the tent's location is 'over the hill' at the south end of Kelso Beach Park. Contra, folk and multi-cultural participatory sessions are scheduled throughout the daytime hours and Saturday night is highlighted by a grand dance.

Gazebo

The Gazebo stage is a great workshop stage to see and hear performers share their collective knowledge. Workshops are what folk festivals are all about and a unique feature that makes festivals like Summerfolk so appealing.

Cafe of the Senses - Homemade Jam

The cafe offers a seat and table to enjoy tghe fabulous offerings of Summerfolk's food vendors who serve an eclectic and international variety of nutritious and delicious treats. While there, you can listen to music on the Homemade Jam stage.

First Nations Village

Learn more about the traditions of our First Nations people. Participate in the storytelling, singing, cultural teachings and drumming sessions.

The Children's Village

Kids and families love hanging out in the Children's Village. All day long there are musical performances, games and hand's-on craft projects for them to actively participate in.

The Sharing Circle

All are invited to actively participate in the song, tune, drum and storytelling sessions at Summerfolk's Sharing Circle. Bring your instruments, songs and stories to share with others.

Under the Willows

Under the Willows is home to Summerfolk Choir. Rehearsals are held here in preparation for the opening Sunday night concert slot at the Amphitheatre. With the guidance and enthusiasm of Choir Director Tom Leighton, everyone with an interest in singing is invited to join. In between choir practices, in-the-round workshops are featured in this intimate location as well.

Todd's Musical Petting Zoo

Todd Crowley travels the folk festival circuit with an enormous collection of traditional folk instruments covering the musical alphabet from accordion to zampoya. Cool thing is... he invites everyone to play them. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at an instrument, then this is the place to do it.

The Summerfolk Finale - The closing of the Festival Sunday night - not to be missed!

The Final Three Monday Night Music Sessions of the Season

2011-04-30T10:38:00.009-04:00

Maria Dunn and John Wort Hannam

This Monday, May 2nd, an exceptional opportunity to catch 2 Juno Award nominees inj concert at The Downtown Bookstore – 7:30 PM.

Pay what you can with a minimum $10 suggested donation. All proceeds go to the performers.
Seating is limited but you can reserve by contacting the Georgian Bay Folk Society: gbfs@bmts.com or 519-371-2995

Monday, May 9th is Songwriters Circle. Create a song the ‘JumbleJam’ way with hosts Ken Dow & Martin Cooper.

Monday, May 16th: The Monday Night Music Sessions season wrap up with a ‘Hundred Mile Music Show’ first anniversary party.

Summerfolk Discoveries and Last Chance Saloon Report

2011-03-28T14:03:00.026-04:00

The Georgian Bay Folk Society held two major events at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound this past Saturday - Summerfolk Discoveries and the Last Chance Saloon.

The Summerfolk Discoveries Showcase in the afternoon featured performances from youth musicians aged 21 and under. With an aim to select three acts to perform at the Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival, the talent level was so high that an unprecedented six were selected by the judges to play the Festival in August.

Added to the Summerfolk lineup were blues player Cody Zevenbergen, 12 year-old singing sensation Brontae Hunter, songwriter Mary Cassidy, the creative Pop Culture Parade, the charming harmony duo Kildear (pictured) and the fiddle/step dance pair of Adrianna Ciccone & Ariel Hyatt. All will be featured in a special Discoveries Concert that takes place Friday night of Summerfolk.

At Saturday evening’s Last Chance Saloon, a full-house crowd was in attendance to see Rockwood’s Ian Reid get the nod to play a main stage slot at Summerfolk. His riveting solo performance hushed the audience and had them hanging on his every word. Accompanying himself with guitar and ukulele, Reid’s fine voice delivered a set of well-crafted songs interspersed with the stories behind the songs.

His was not the only performance that was well-received at Last Chance. A total of 12 acts showcased, presenting a wide variety of music genres.

Summerfolk Discoveries Finalists

2011-03-21T13:09:00.002-04:00

A Baker’s Dozen...thirteen acts have been selected to perform at the Discoveries Final this coming Saturday at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound.

After three highly successful Preliminary events, these talented young musicians move on to compete for an opportunity to play the Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival:

From the Owen Sound Library - March 6
Kildear - Drumbo and New Hamburg
Lev Lewis - Toronto
Loveworthfinding - Allenford and Wiarton

From Back Eddie’s , Paisley – March 13
Adrianna Ciccone & Ariel Hyatt - Timmins (WLU, Waterloo) and Callander
Brontae Hunter - Kincardine
Cody Zevenbergen - Hepworth

From the Meaford Hall, March 20
Crimson Theory - Owen Sound
Grant Mask - Orillia
Pop Culture Parade (Liam Vaudyn Thompson) - Meaford

Wildcard Selections
Autumn-Joy Oleksinski - Wasaga Beach (Georgian College, Barrie)
The Electric Environment - Owen Sound
Jake Scott - Owen Sound
Mary Cassidy - Port Elgin

Discoveries is an initiative of the Georgian Bay Folk Society to showcase young musicians, aged 21 and under. A mentoring element is an essential component of the Preliminaries, as the judges provide feedback to each act at the end of the performances.

With a goal of bringing the brightest and best to the Summerfolk stage, Discoveries offers the opportunity for improvement, camaraderie and advancement for those pursuing an interest in music.

Starting at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 26th, the Discoveries Final is open to the public. There is no admission charge but donations are gratefully accepted. The Bayshore Community Centre is located at 1900 3rd Avenue East in Owen Sound.

A 'New' Festival - Last Chance Saloon

2011-03-11T22:39:00.023-05:00

The Last Chance Saloon promises to be a mini-festival of its own.
The lineup for the March 26th event at the Bayshore Community Centre is outstanding!
Don't forget the music starts at 7:00 pm and you won't want to miss a single minute.
One more act will come from our Open Mic nights at the Downtown Bookstore but here's a look at the eleven fine acts confirmed to play, in order of appearance.

The Monster Show
The Monster Show are four, they are female and male, they are melodic and ambient, they play guitars and drums, they sing and bleed. The Monster Show like releasing albums in the winter: March 2011 - Superheroes; January 2009 - And In Our Final Days as Archipelago; December 2007 - 7-song EP. The Monster Show are Daev Mulholland - bass, Kerry Mullen - drums, Duncan Nicholls - guitars, vocals and Laura Robinson - vocals, percussion.
http://www.myspace.com/monstershowmusic

Bucket of Shrimp Ears
Bucket of Shrimp Ears are Albert John Saxby: singer, songwriter, guitarist; Ian Pay: stand up bass and backing vocals; and the newest member Brandon Humphrey: lead guitar and backing vocals, who takes over for much loved shrimp brother Ric Pringle who passed away in early October. Their unique ‘folkabilly’ music is a blend of blues, country, Jazz, folk and roots. They perform only original material, able to play a full three set night without loosing the interest of their audience. If you enjoy a fun band, Bucket of Shrimp Ears is the band for you.
http://www.bucketofshrimpears.com/

Anne Walker
Anne is a singer-songwriter based in Toronto. She writes with heart and soul and mind; her strong well-crafted lyrics presenting vivid stories and images. Her haunting voice is strong, clear and expressive often drawing comparisons to Anne Murray and Jane Oliver. Her repertoire is a pleasing blend of folk, country, ballads and blues that explore both the lighter and darker sides of life. Anne’s performances, while intimate and thought-provoking, are buoyed up by her sense of joy and her lively wit.
http://www.annewalker.ca/

Graydon James & the Young Novelists
After appearances at Toronto's Winterfolk and NXNE, the Young Novelists are quickly garnering word-of-mouth buzz and critical praise from the media. The infectiously energetic band has a tight sound, punctuated by warm four-part harmonies and salted with layers of bouncy piano, moody organ, romping bass, plucky banjo, heartfelt melodica, spry mandolin and plaintive guitars; all centered by a roots-driving drum beat. They have been compared to The Traveling Wilburys for catchy hooks, The Band for heartfelt harmonies and Wilco for intricate arrangements, but Graydon James & the Young Novelists have a sound all their own.
http://www.theyoungnovelists.com/

Drew Parker

Drew’s debut album, ‘On My Way Home’, won Honourable Mention (top 500 worldwide) in the 2010 Billboard World Song contest. The single ‘Christine’ received FM radio play in North America, won ‘Best Folk’ at Barrie’s new music Awards , and the video launched to 21,000 views on YouTube. Drew has performed live on TV shows like A Morning and Rogers Daytime, shared the stage with supermodel Coco Rocha and Sterling Campbell of the B52s, and he was recently endorsed by Lashbrook Guitars, endorser of Brian May of Queen.
http://www.drewparker.com/

Al Parrish

His huge charismatic presence, boundless energy and ‘that voice’ (once described on CBC as being “halfway between melted chocolate and sex”) have brought Canadian, American and British fans to their feet at Tanglefoot shows over the past 17 years. Now performing solo, Al’s repertoire includes new, original material, as well as some carefully chosen covers including a couple of trad songs and some Tanglefoot favourites. He plays these songs on acoustic guitar, on his trademark double bass, or deftly performs them acapella.
http://www.alparrish.com/

Teal & Joyce

Carol Teal and David Joyce perform mainly original songs of life’s delights and dilemmas, as well as fulfilling the troubadour’s role of critical commentary on society today. They delight and engage audiences with their thoughtful and witty lyrics, tight harmonies and wide variety of instrumentation – guitars, mandolin, banjo, washboard, harmonica and feather boa! Serious, sensitive and audaciously funny, with a side of vaudeville thrown in; add a little laughter, a little blues, served up with love and compassion for the human state – that’s Teal & Joyce.
http://www.carolanddavid.ca/

Moonshiner’s Daughter

Hailing from the Durham area of Grey County, Moonshiner’s Daughter is a contemporary family stringband with roots steeped deep in the past. Around a single mic, they play traditional bluegrass fused with folk and good ol’ rock’n’roll – plus they bring a wealth of original material to their performances. Featuring Adam & Cara Croll and Trish & Mark Schnurr on guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass, the group’s sound is highlighted by strong female lead vocals and sweet sisterly harmonies. Moonshiner’s Daughter brings the jam from the kitchen table to the road. www.myspace.com/561582453

Ian Reid
Since the release of his second album in September 2008, Ian Reid has played over 300 shows, has won songwriting awards and has earned respect from fellow songwriters. Event Coordinator and Arts Promoter Lynn Broughton referred to Ian as “the hardest working musician in Guelph” – very high praise in one of the finest music cities in Canada. Ian is currently working on a new album and planning on a release in spring 2011. His songwriting reflects what we can and can’t change about life. Quirky, honest, irreverent, original; you may be laughing and crying at the same song.
http://www.ianreid.ca/

Parsons and Morel

Jenny Parsons and Steven Morel moved to Grey County four winters ago. With a background in musical comedy and improvisation, their most recent live show ‘The Funny Ones’ is a combination of sketch and comic songs. They have performed in the Hanover Civic Theatre for Sights and Sounds, at the beautiful Walkerton Jubilee and in the Durham Town Hall. Last summer they opened for Fred Eaglesmith in Carling and for the Symphony in a Barn. A highlight was making a splash in the beer tent at last year’s Summerfolk with a standing ovation from the musically savvy Owen Sound crowd. http://www.thefunnyones.com/

Dave Borins

A year or so ago, Tom Power, the host of Deep Roots on CBC Radio said: “I got a feeling you’ll be hearing a lot more from Dave Borins in the next couple of years”. He may be off by a few months, because you ARE going to hear a lot more about him now! One of Toronto’s most energetic acoustic performers, Dave played his 100th show in January 2009 at Hugh’s Room. Sold out to the rafters, it helped raise the money to make a new EP ‘The Lucky Ones’ – which in turn, spawned no less than three tours, touching almost every past of Canada.
http://www.daveborins.com/

Discoveries – Owen Sound Library – March 6, 2011

2011-03-08T12:37:00.001-05:00

WOW! We were treated to some terrific performances this past Sunday.
I was very impressed with the talent and professionalism exhibited by each and every one of the participants.
Kildear, Lev Lewis and Loveworthfinding were selected to advance to the Discoveries finals, March 26th at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound.
We will also be selecting three additional acts from this and/or the 2 upcoming preliminaries to advance, so the possibility exists that others from the Owen Sound Discoveries will move on to the finals as well. We’ll announce these ‘wildcard’ selections as quickly as possible after the Meaford preliminaries on the 20th of March.
Thanks go out to the team of volunteers who helped make the day possible.
Looking forward to Paisley next Sunday.

Artists Selected to Perform at Last Chance Saloon

2011-03-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

The selection committee has reviewed the submissions and chosen the following to perform at the Last Chance Saloon on Saturday, March 26th.

Al Parrish
Anne Walker
Bucket of Shrimp Ears
Carol Teal & David Joyce
David Borins
Drew Parker & Band
Graydon James & the Young Novelists
Ian Reid
The Monster Show
Moonshiner’s Daughter
Parsons & Morel

It promises to be a night of excellent music at Last Chance. It will make the judges’ decision difficult to pick just one act to join the Summerfolk lineup and play a main stage spot at the Festival.

Last Chance happens at The Bayshore Community Centre. The doors open at 6:30 and the music starts at 7:00. David Newland from Roots Music Canada hosts the evening. Snacks, chili and beverages will be available.

Admission to the event, $16 general admission or $13 for Folk Society members, can be purchased at the door.

The Last Chance Saloon & Discoveries Showcases

2011-02-24T14:21:00.000-05:00

March is a busy and productive time of year for the Georgian Bay Folk Society. By the end of the month, the last additions to the 2011 Summerfolk lineup will be determined.

It all culminates on Saturday, March 26 with the afternoon’s Discoveries Showcase Final and The Last Chance Saloon in the evening.

The ever-popular Last Chance Saloon was established several years ago because of the number of applications submitted for consideration to perform at the Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival. It was decided that an open audition/showcase be organized to fill the last spot in the lineup and offer a main-stage appearance at the Festival. Hence the event is appropriately titled, the Last Chance Saloon.

This year, artists were asked to submit samples of their work so a Selection Committee could ‘pre-screen’ their material and bring the highest quality of music to Last Chance. Twelve acts perform at The Bayshore Community Centre on March 26th and a panel of music presenter judges will choose one of them for Summerfolk.

The evening will be hosted by David Newland from Roots Music Canada. For a modest admission fee, paid at the door, music fans can witness some of this province’s finest musicians as they vie for the coveted spot at Summerfolk.

The Discoveries Showcases are designed to bring the brightest and best young performers to the Summerfolk stage. Discoveries is open to musicians 21 years of age and under, and a full slate of 36 performers have signed up to participate.

Discoveries begins with three Preliminary Showcases: the Owen Sound Library on March 6, Back Eddie’s in Paisley March 13 and the Meaford Hall on March 20. From these performances, 12 acts will advance to the Final Showcase at The Bayshore Community Centre commencing at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 26. That is where 3 acts will be selected to play Summerfolk.

While the majority of the performers are from Owen Sound and area, there are young musicians coming from as far away as Barry’s Bay, Dunnville, Toronto and Barrie.

The public is invited to follow the progress of the favourite young performers through the Showcases and on to Summerfolk where a special Discoveries Concert is featured on Friday night of the Festival – August 19th.

There is no admission charge to any of these youth Showcases but donations are gratefully accepted to help support the Folk Society’s community programming.

OPEN MIC NIGHTS to LAST CHANCE SALOON to SUMMERFOLK

2011-02-17T00:05:00.002-05:00

Mondays - February 21 and March 21

There are 2 more Open Mic nights at The Downtown Bookstore where performers can earn a spot in the Last Chance Saloon.

At Last Chance, a total of twelve acts will vie for a coveted place in the Summerfolk lineup and a main stage appearance. Submissions are being accepted until February 21 but one of the 12 spots is filled by a performer from the Bookstore Open Mic nights.

If you’re a musician, be sure to come out and play your music at The Downtown Bookstore. There is time for 10 acts to perform – sign-up at the door begins at 7:00 and the music starts at 7:30.

If you’re a listener, you’ll want to be a part of things as we get rolling on the road to Summerfolk 2011.

Coming Up at The Bookstore:
February 21 – Open Mic with host Michael Crowley
February 28 – Acoustic Jam with host Richard Knechtel
March 7 – Concert Night – Coco Love Alcorn
March 14 – Songwriters Circle with Beckon and special guest Trevor Mackenzie
March 21 – Open Mic with host Beth Hamilton
March 28 – Acoustic Jam with Host Sue Séguin
April 4 – Drew McIvor in concert
May 2 – John Wort Hannan & Maria Dunn in concert
May 16 – Hundred Mile Music Show special night

The Downtown Bookstore, 945 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound
Last Chance Saloon – Bayshore Community Centre - Saturday, March 26 at 7:00 pm
Discoveries Showcases – March 6, 13, 20 & 26 (for musicians 21 and under).

Music Week PEI

2011-01-27T01:13:00.007-05:00

Although January is not necessarily the time of year one would consider visiting the province of Prince Edward Island, I was invited to attend Music Week PEI and was thoroughly impressed with the music community on the Island.

Beginning January 17 and running through to the 22nd, Music Week culminated with a packed house show at The Confederation Centre for the Arts in Charlottetown. With live performances and PEI Award ceremonies, the evening closed with a memorable tribute to Snowbird composer Gene MacLellan and featured John Connolly, Meaghan Blanchard, Catherine MacLellan, Colette Cheverie, Katie McGarry, Scott Parsons and Rose Cousins among others.

Taking home four awards including Group of the Year, Haunted Hearts were a crowd favourite. The country band also won Songwriter, Album and Best Country Recording of the Year. A full list of winners is available at http://www.musicpei.com/

Music PEI Male Vocalist of the Year - John Connolly

Other highlights of the week included a show at Le Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside on Wednesday, a Bluebird North Songwriter's Concert hosted by Dean McTaggart at Harmony House in Hunter River and Friday Night Live! at various Charlottetown clubs.

Charlottetown plays host to the Tournament of Hearts in February (if curling's your thing) and the East Coast Music Awards April 13 to 17th http://ecma.com/

You can't beat the Island hospitality...no matter what time of year!

On Into 2011

2011-01-05T13:03:00.002-05:00

Here's the new year and it's time to get the Monday Night Music Sessions rolling again. Check out some of the upcoming events at The Downtown Bookstore in January and February.
If you've got the January blahs...think Summerfolk! August 19, 20 & 21. Tickets are available for what promises to be a highlight of the summer of 2011.
We are now accepting submissions for our March Discoveries youth showcases (for those 21 and under).
Also at the end of March, the 26th to be exact, we'll be holding our annual Last Chance Saloon at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound to put the finishing touch on the Summefolk lineup.
So there's lots to look forward to this year. Think music to keep you warm.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

2010-12-13T11:12:00.003-05:00

We have to cancel tonight's Monday Night Music Session so that makes 2 in a row.
We'll re-schedule the Songwriters Circle with our special guest Dean McTaggart for sometime in 2011.
Stay warm, be safe and dream Summerfolk in August!

Santa Claus Parade

2010-11-22T13:00:00.003-05:00

The Folk Society added some live music to Saturday's Santa Claus parade in Owen Sound.

The weather co-operated and it was a blast.

Beaker, Steve Ritchie and yours truly strolled the street singing Christmas favourites.

Horsing around...

Happy Holidays.

Summerfolk 2011 - Our 36th!

2010-11-15T13:48:00.003-05:00

Things are starting to roll in preparation for the 2011 Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival.
If there is someone you'd like to see perform at Summerfolk next August, send me your thoughts at summerfolkad@brucetelecom.com
Thanks to all who filled out the survey at the 2010 Festival. Getting your feedback really helps determine what adjustments we need to make as we go along.
We are currently looking for a poster design to use with our 'Feel the Rhythm' theme and we are updating the forms for next year's Fest.
Tickets will be available shortly...we are going with Ticket Pro and we hope this will help make your entrance to Summerfolk fast and efficient.
The Scenic City Order of Good Cheer has installed their new Splash Pad at Kelso Beach. This will be a nice addition to the Park and kudos to them for making it happen. We'll have to make a few changes with our set-up for the Festival but this will be something the kids will enjoy big-time.
That's a few of the things we're doing these days. Keep in touch.
Richard

Douglas Lonsdale 2010 Summerfolk Photos

2010-10-05T00:53:00.005-04:00

Here are some pics taken by my pal Doug Lonsdale at this year's Summerfolk:

JAM-O Award Winners

Brownwyn Bird (BMUZ) and Mose Scarlett

Rob Szabo

Jack Williams

Rain?? so what!

Andrew Bryan (Poor Angus) and Zachary Stevenson (The Human Statues)

The JAM-O Awards Arrive

Delhi 2 Dublin

Chuck & Albert with Special Guest

Oddville Music Show

Sheesham & Lotus

John Gorka

Special Things Happen at Summerfolk

2010-08-27T00:16:00.002-04:00

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

Summerfolk Saturday Night and Sunday

2010-08-10T20:49:00.000-04:00

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.

Summerfolk - What's in Store for Friday Night and Saturday Daytime

2010-08-09T01:19:00.005-04:00

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.

The Rest of the Summerfolk Lineup

2010-07-30T12:30:00.007-04:00

Here we are, just three weeks until Summerfolk. I am very excited about our 35th anniversary Festival and know there will be many musical highlights at concerts and workshops over the weekend.

In previous blogs, I have featured maybe half the performer lineup and yet there are many more, each deserving of an article on their own accomplishments. But time is running out, so this week, I'll give you a brief look at the additional 2010 Summerfolk performers.

Delhi 2 Dublin has created a buzz at folk festivals, last summer and this one, all across Canada. For example, this response came in from Rick Newbury of the Atlin Arts and Music Festival in northern British Columbia when I asked about the band's performance there last year: "D2D was a huge hit here and I recommend them highly. Seamless fusion of genres, traditional & new. What amazing energy and audience engagement. They will steal the show from other stages".

The five members of Vancouver-based Delhi 2 Dublin come from different backgrounds and different musical influences. Their music is an exciting melting pot that blends the traditional sounds of North India with those of Ireland. Incorporating tabla, dhol, fiddle and sitar to progressive dance rhythms and cutting edge DJ aesthetics, Delhi 2 Dublin creates a multi-cultural celebration.

Danny Brooks is well known in blues music circles. One of the most soulful singers on the circuit, Danny's strength is in his simplicity and sincerity. An excellent rhythm guitarist and harmonica player, his powerful voice compels every member of the audience to believe that he is singing to him or her alone.

At the teepee, the centerpiece of Summerfolk's First Nations Village, hosts Kathryn Edgecombe and John Somosi will offer workshops on Aboriginal cultural traditions. John is also a drum maker who readily shares his enthusiasm for drumming and singing. They will be joined by special guest Virginia Barter who is a Métis/Cree historical writer, musician, storyteller and filmmaker. Inspired by her family’s experiences in the Canadian north, Virginia weaves fascinating tales of fur trade history.

The music of Caracol is filled with emotion. This quartet is fronted by singer Carole Facal, one of Quebec's best-known young performers and whose former band, DobaCaracol, was hugely popular in that province. She transcends the language barrier for those not fluent in French with her charismatic and charming delivery. With a supporting cast of superb musicians, her music draws from American folk and Jamaican rock-steady mixed into an interesting vintage '50s style approach..

Darlene is a performer who defies description. However once you've seen her perform, you won't forget her. It has been 10 years since Darlene last appeared at Summerfolk and a return visit is long overdue. With songs that are whimsical and adventurous, and while most often accompanied by guitar, she is apt to play a tune on a child's toy accordion and on the next, accompany herself with a didgeridoo.

Always exploring new territory, Darlene has lived the life of a troubadour since 1990. Seeking inspiration from the minstrel road, she has a different sense of folk roots seasoned with styles ranging from blues, jazz, gipsy, First Nations, Mexican and American folk music. Truly unique, she is a modern day musical gypsy.

De Temps Antan, composed of Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis, perform time-honoured melodies from the stomping grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using instruments like fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar and bouzouki, these three virtuosos blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre found only in traditional Quebec music. You can catch De Temps Antan at the dance tent, in workshops and at Sunday night's amphitheatre concert.

Performing the hauntingly beautiful music of the Andes, Eco Andino is a Montreal-based sextet that presents the musical wealth of South America on Canadian soil. Formed in 1993, the group incorporates traditional flutes (quena, quenacho and tarkas), panpipes (sikus), stringed instruments (charango, ronroco and hualaycho) and many percussion instruments unique to Peruvian and Bolivian culture.

New Hampshire's Nils Fredland is one of the busiest and most sought-after dance callers in the business. He has been making music, leading dances and bringing people together for 20 years as a teacher, singer, instrumentalist and community dance caller. He will be bringing his technical skills, friendliness and soothing voice to Summerfolk's dance tent. So get ready to kick up your heels with one of North America's top contra dance callers.

Though Grit Laskin is world-famous for the guitars he builds, he has also spent 25 years writing and performing music. He plays tenor mandolin, Northumbrian smallpipes, concertina, guitar and fiddle, and he has accompanied musicians as diverse as Raffi and Stan Rogers. Respected as a songwriter as well as a musician, Grit’s songs have been recorded by the likes of Pete Seeger and the Tannahil Weavers.

Our enthusiastic Summerfolk Choir director, Tom Leighton is a man who loves music. He has a great appreciation for every musician who plays and every singer who sings. His work can be heard on countless recordings and he's played with many notable performers including a long association with pal Mark Haines. A strong supporter and contributor to the folk scene in Canada, Tom makes The Summerfolk Choir a wonderful experience.

Colin Linden is a genuine renaissance man of roots music who needs no introduction to folk music fans. He is a singer and songwriter of great skill; an in-demand and prolific record producer i.e. Bruce Cockburn, Tom Wilson, Colin James, and a sideman to the stars as guitarist for the likes of Cockburn, Emmylou Harris and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. He has played on 300 recordings and produced 60 albums, yet somehow finds time to pursue both a prolific solo career and perform with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

Danny Michel is another artist who need no introduction. This uniquely gifted guitarist and songwriter is universally lauded for his lyrics. He has released six solo albums, a DVD and an entire CD devoted to covers of David Bowie songs. His creative live shows leave audiences raving about his talents.

The electrifying group Poor Angus returns this year after an impressive debut at Summerfolk in 2009. Performing both traditional and original music, Poor Angus encompasses Scottish, Irish and East Coast sounds in their fiery arrangements. Highland pipes and Irish whistles are accompanied by fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bodhran and bass guitar. Add to that, their full-voiced four part vocal harmony makes Poor Angus one of Canada's strongest acoustic bands.

Traditional songs and tunes give Ian Robb an important place in Canadian folk music. Since arriving from his native England in 1970, Ian has performed at festivals, concerts and clubs across the continent. Recipient of a Canadian Folk Music Award for best Traditional Singer in 2005, his extensive repertoire of songs and concertina instrumentals is unsurpassed.

A Summerfolk favourite, Mose Scarlett's golden rich baritone voice and intricate finger-picking guitar style takes us on a sentimental journey through the 'good old tunes'. With his entertaining blend of blues, jazz, ragtime and Tin Pan Alley treasures, Mose never fails to entertain. Grizzled yet verging on elegance, deadpan yet bordering on hilarity, he is truly one of a kind.

Sheesham & Lotus created quite a stir the last time they came to the Festival. Performing a genre few others tackle, their old-time tunes and performance style harkens back to another time. They flatfoot buck-dance and hambone hand-jive; they perform harmonica duets, minstrel show and crooked fiddle tunes, and they play instruments like the jaw-harp, fiddle, fretless and gourd banjos, spoons and bones.

I was so impressed by the songs of Rob Szabo and the way he presented himself when I saw him perform, that I knew he would be a perfect fit for Summerfolk. His songs have twists and points of interest that make you pay attention and Rob's ever-present wry smile makes you feel like you’re in on a shared secret.

Len Wallace is a folksinger and musician in the truest sense. He is a virtuoso accordionist who breathes life into his instrument and a passionate vocalist with songs that tell the tales of ordinary folk - their extraordinary lives, histories, struggles, hopes and dreams. His is music that stirs the soul, performed with integrity and conviction.

Michigan's Matt Watroba is perhaps best known as the producer and host of 'Sing Out! Radio Magazine' for XM/Sirius satellite radio. However Matt has long been a folk music aficionado building his repertoire of songs for over 25 years. With a friendly and engaging style, his voice reaches right into the heart. His goal: 'always leave the audience feeling better than they did when they came'.

So that's pretty much everyone scheduled to perform. If you're keeping track, there are 54 acts in total, soloists and groups, coming to Kelso Beach Park to play Summerfolk. I can't wait - our 35th anniversary is going to have some fabulous music!

More on Our Homegrown Talent

2010-07-27T11:17:00.007-04:00

In last week's blog I highlighted four acts with connections to Owen Sound and area. This week I continue on that theme.

There are a number of people I count on to bring their enthusiasm and expertise to the Festival. For example, The Voice of Summerfolk, Dave Carr is back for his 26th year as Summerfolk's MC. Dave is of course, a well-known Owen Sound broadcaster. Along with hosting our evening amphitheatre concerts, Dave works on The Summerfolk Quiz and emcees the amazing Mixed Up Bands workshop on Sunday.

Bognor's Bob Dixon is another valued contributor. As is the tradition at Summerfolk, his bagpipes signal the start of the nightly amphitheatre concerts and are featured in Sunday night's Finale.

The popular JumbleJam songwriting sessions are facilitated by Owen Sounders Ken Dow and Martin Cooper. They curate fifteen volunteer players into three bands, each anchored by a Summerfolk performer. These bands create an original song during a writing session in the afternoon and then perform it on the Down by the Bay stage on Saturday evening. It is, when you think about it, quite an incredible feat and always sparked with large doses of creativity.

Taking the excitement of 'building a song from scratch' to the Children's Village, Ken and Martin are also offering a JumbleJam workshop for children on Sunday.

Vita Bowen first attended Summerfolk with her parents, pottery experts Vince Bowen and Kate McLaren, and has been a long-time attendee. Now as Vita Twirlin' Diva, she heads up the fire poi demonstration in the Summerfolk Circle on Saturday night. This is really quite a thing to see as flames at the end of chains are spun around the body in an expressive way to create beautiful patterns and visual effects. Vita also leads impromptu hula hooping sessions for children and adults, animating the site in a unique way.

Featuring some of the most creative and talented up-and-coming performers from Owen Sound and area, First Rate People includes core members Jon Lawless, Liam Sanagan, Alicia Ross and Hayden Stewart.

The idea for First Rate People was spawned in 2007. Just out of high school, this group of young musicians started creating folk-pop music and evolved into more of a collective than a band. In fact, their first recording included some 60 people.

First Rate People loves to experiment as songwriters and musicians who believe in the art of collaborating. They are a band that knows no boundaries. The online momentum and buzz about FRP is spreading rapidly. This is a group that is adapting to new mediums to promote itself but has its' roots firmly planted in the Summerfolk tree.

Samantha Martin and the Haggard is a Toronto-based roots/rock foursome who add blues and country sounds into their musical mix.

Samantha Martin began her musical career in Lion's Head on the Bruce Peninsula. In her teens she sang country, blues, bluegrass and 60's folk/rock songs, quickly becoming a crowd favourite with her exceptional voice. Now in her 20's, she manages The Dakota Tavern in Toronto and pursues her musical career with The Haggard.

Those lucky enough to hear Martin sing are left wondering how all that soulful power comes out of a five-foot frame. She recorded her debut album Back Home in 2008 with a group of session musicians. Material from that album remains a staple of her live show with The Haggard, but they really shine on material they have since worked up together.

All three members of The Haggard bring with them a wealth of musical knowledge and also perform with the country group, The Kensington Hillbillies. Samantha says of drummer Pete Lambert, guitarist Mikey McCallum and bass player Greg Sweetland, "We draw out the best parts of each other, we bring out the best in each other musically. We`re friends and becoming a really tight unit."

Randy Morrison & the Flatt River Band is a newly formed group but they are not newcomers to bluegrass music in Ontario. The band is made up of experienced players centered around Randy Morrison, an award-winning fiddle/mandolin player who first came on the scene with the band Bruce County Grass in the 1980s.

Randy is from Teeswater and traces his fiddle roots to his father Lincoln Morrison who was a well-known fiddler in Huron County. Around the time the Bruce County Grass group broke up, Randy was in many ways, mentored by Graham Townsend. Graham was without question, one of Canada's most versatile and smoothest fiddlers. In subsequent years, Randy has played with many groups including a stint with Charlie Pride.

Lead singing for The Flatt River Band is handled by guitarist Richard Dugal, formerly of the fine band Clean Sweep. Banjo player Larry Millar rounds out the band along with Martin Chapman on standup bass.

Oddville Stage Company is an umbrella for many exciting projects, including the Oddville Music Show, developed by Steven Morel and Jenny Parsons, award-winning Second City alumni.

Jenny and Steve recently moved to West Grey, in the vicinity of Allan Park between Hanover and Durham.

Jenny co-wrote and performed in six original revues for Second City, two of which received Toronto's theatre award, The Dora, for best new musical review. She performed in Martin Short's live show which toured North America and her film credits include appearances in Hairspray, Cheaper by the Dozen Two and Pushing Tin. Steve performed, produced and directed with Second City for almost 20 years and has worked with the likes of Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Colin Mochrie and Ron James.

They have created a neo-vaudevillian road-show called A Swell Chaos which toured Northern England earlier this year and a 'silent' musical feature film The Oddville Picture Show, for which they sang and played all of the instruments as accompaniment. They can also be seen on TV co-starring in the Family Channel’s new show Wingin’ It.

Together they perform original and old-timey sing-a-longs on banjo ukulele and washboard as the musical comedy duo - The Oddville Music Show. With appearances throughout the Festival weekend, they will be featured in Sunday night's The Last Laugh at Summerfolk.

Along with PEI's Chuck and Albert, Rob McLean and Terry V. Hart make up the comedic third act for The Last Laugh. Rob works regularly with Larry Jensen but he is also part of the Canadian comedy scene as musical director for the Canadian Comedy Awards and a recipient of several awards himself. His pal Terry V. Hart is a master of improvisation and alumni of the famed Second City, having spent over twenty years delighting audiences across Canada and the U.S.

The Jocelyn Pettit Band performs a high-energy fusion of original, old and new music led by fiddler Jocelyn Pettit and her youthful enthusiasm. She is just 15 years of age. With outstanding talent, unwavering determination and an excitement to explore new ideas, Jocelyn has quickly developed impressive musicianship well beyond her years.

Jocelyn resides in Squamish, British Columbia with her parents Siew Wan Khoo and Joel Pettit who also play in the band. She has attended Summerfolk on many occasions as the family makes yearly trips to visit relatives in Owen Sound during August. At last year's Festival, her fine performance on Summerfolk's Open Stage earned her a spot in our 35th anniversary lineup.

First inspired by the fiddle music of Cape Breton, Jocelyn enjoys creating her own compositions and crafting arrangements of Canadian, Scottish and Irish tunes, both traditional and contemporary.

Two fine folks who help to make Summerfolk a special place are John Somosi and Kathryn Edgecombe. They reside in Bentinck Township just outside of Hanover. I 'inherited' John and Kathryn from previous artistic director Liz Harvey Foulds who brought them to Summerfolk to create the First Nations Village; and what a fine addition they've been. They set up the centerpiece teepee and present cultural workshops based on Aboriginal traditions.

So that's a look at the Summerfolk performers with connections to the area. Celebrating the culture and talent of the region gives each of us a sense of place. They speak to us directly, and in many ways, they speak for us. Summerfolk has long been a showcase for the world-class talent that lives right next door.

Summerfolk Performers with Connections to Owen Sound and Area

2010-07-27T11:07:00.007-04:00

In this week's blog, I would like to start highlighting the Summerfolk performers who have a connection to Owen Sound and area.

A dance music collective, world-class songwriter, puppetry group and the heart-warming story of Tom Parker's new band will be all I can fit in this piece. So as they say, 'to be continued' next time because there are many more to talk about.

Kelso Céilí Collective

Members of the Kelso Céilí Collective have in common, a great joy in the jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas and slides of Irish social dance and session music.

These Owen Sound and area musicians have played this repertoire at traditional music sessions around the Grey-Bruce region for many years. Some have also been members of contra dance bands including the Glenelg Full Moon Country Dance Band, Jump Start and Scatter the Cats.

For Summerfolk this year, and for the first time together, these players will focus on their shared enthusiasm for the traditional Irish céilí dance repertoire.

The Collective will offer their lively tunes and rhythms for social set and céilí dancing at the Summerfolk Dance area, with dance callers Wilfred Gaube and Elisa MacDonald guiding the dancers' steps. The group will also perform for diners and listeners at the Summerfolk Café of The Senses Friday evening at 5 pm, and you’ll see them throughout the weekend at whatever informal sessions they can stir up.

The Kelso Céilí Collective relies on, but, as with any collective, is not limited to the participation of Will and Lynda Henry - fiddle and concertina, Maureen Keating - piano and piano accordion, Bob Robins - guitars, banjo and mandolin, Scott Henderson - flute, whistles and border pipes, Dan McGee - flute, Frank Francalanza - mandolin, tenor banjo and percussion, Ned Vereecke - flute, whistles and bodhran.

Larry Jensen

One of the most loved and admired songwriters in the Owen Sound region, Larry Jensen has been writing, recording and performing his songs for four decades.

In 2009, he was awarded the Owen Sound Cultural Award, given in recognition of his outstanding musical contribution to his home community. He has released 14 albums of original songs and a recent tribute CD, Demons & Saints, features 19 cover versions of Jensen songs with some 50 musicians contributing to the project.

Jensen appears in concert with his band on Friday night in Summerfolk's Down by the Bay tent. The band includes some of Owen Sound's finest musicians - bassist Tyler Wagler, guitarist Joel Morelli, drummer Dave Farrar and Rob McLean on keyboards.

This year will mark Larry's 19th appearance at Summerfolk.

The Grey Bruce Friends and Neighbours Club

Designed to increase awareness of mental health issues for children, The Grey Bruce Friends and Neighbours Club uses child-sized puppets to engage children in lively and thought provoking shows they can relate to.

Jackie Ralph and her FAN Club team will be featured performers in Summerfolk's Children's Village, presenting shows on Saturday and Sunday during the day. There will be plenty of interaction and fun, with good messages that children find useful. Kids are encouraged to talk, listen and learn; then find solutions to issues.

Offered through the Grey Bruce branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association since 2003, the Friends and Neighbours Club has made presentations to thousands of children in schools and at special events.

Lickin' Good Fried

So named after a line in the Roger Miller song My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died, Lickin’ Good Fried takes up that wacky bard's mission to balance tragedy and comedy in a 3 minute or less country song.

Lickin' Good Fried is fronted by Tom Parker who's grandfather Harry Parker was one of Owen Sound's best known fiddlers. Tom has appeared previously at Summerfolk with his band, The Backstabbers Country Stringband, in 2000 and 2001.

Lickin' Good Fried includes Tom's wife, jazz singer Alex Pangman. Nicknamed 'Canada’s sweetheart of swing', Pangman has been singing vintage songs since her early teens when she discovered the music of ’20s and ’30s. She released four CDs with her band, The Alleycats, including two produced by the late guitar great Jeff Healey, and she went on to win national awards for her work.

Tom and Alex put everything 'on hold' in 2008. Pangman had been born with cystic fibrosis and her lungs were failing. It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to sing. “Getting out of bed was a struggle" she recalled. "As soon as I sat up, I would cough for half an hour, and getting showered and dressed left me winded.” The 33-year-old singer underwent a life-saving double lung transplant at the Toronto General Hospital that fall.

"It's a miracle and gift," Pangman said of the replacement surgery. Today, her lung capacity averages about 80 percent and her voice has returned stronger than ever. “The good news is that I can sing again. It’s not like being a singer is just a job for me - it’s who I am. To have my craft slowly taken from me was hard; to have it back is pure joy!”

Pangman still fondly recalls the day she returned home from the hospital and told her husband to grab his guitar. “We sang a song by Connie Smith called Darling Are You Ever Coming Home. Before the operation it was like I was singing through a straw, and now I had a megaphone. For me, November 4 will always be a joyous anniversary, but for some family out there it’s a sad one. I won’t ever know who my donor was, but I intend to honour the gift I’ve been given. I want the donor family to know the joy their generosity has brought back into my life.”

Pangman and Parker marked the one year anniversary of her operation by releasing Say Uncle!, which was recorded with their bandmates in Lickin’ Good Fried and produced in the couple’s home a few months before Pangman’s operation.

Coming through such tragedy, the rollicking old-time country music of Lickin' Good Fried offers the couple the opportunity to enjoy making music again. Lickin' Good Fried also includes veteran stand-up bassist Sam Petite along with John Showman and Andrew Collins who, in my opinion, are two of Canada's most talented instrumentalists on fiddle and mandolin respectively.

John Showman's recent album release entitled Showman, is one of the finest recordings of fiddle music I have heard. Both John and Andrew also perform with the well-known bluegrass band Foggy Hogtown Boys and the innovative Creaking Tree String Quartet.

Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo

2010-07-27T11:01:00.003-04:00

One of the most talked about 'exhibits' at last year's Summerfolk was Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo.

Festival patrons were really enamored with Todd's collection of musical instruments. In and around a tent, more than 100 were on display, set up on tables and on tarps. Representing the musical alphabet from accordion to zither, the Musical Petting Zoo is a fully interactive and hands-on activity. Not only can you examine how the instruments are made, but you are encouraged to play them.

When it came time to determine which performers should be invited to our 35th anniversary Festival, there was no question - Todd Crowley and the Musical Petting Zoo had to return.

At the Zoo, there are stringed instruments like the kantele, qanun, bouzouki, charango, dulcimer and harp; odd musical gizmos like saws and zouks; percussion instruments like the udu, djembes and other drums; flutes of all description; the didgeridoo and yidaki ...plus oodles of more familiar instruments like guitars, banjos, fiddles and autoharps.

Participants of all ages are welcomed to pick up an instrument, often for the first time, and 'pet' it. Some instruments are strummed or plucked, others bowed or plucked. Some you beat or strike, some you blow into. It is about the magic of discovery that a crafted work of wood and strings can make beautiful harmony or disharmony, and that a drum from West Africa can sound much like a Native American drum.

This spirit of discovery is the inspiration of the Zoo keeper - Todd Crowley is a patient, caring man with a true love for folk music. "My belief about folk music is that it isn’t just music to listen to from a seat in the audience. Folk music is about making music of our own, on all levels, and then passing it on to the next generation."

"The instruments have a common DNA" says Todd, "just like all human beings, from a primitive mouth bow to a Celtic harp, from a Puerto Rican Cuatro to an African Kora. The Musical Petting Zoo, with a choice of instruments from around the world, is a vivid and tangible display that we are all interconnected."

"Often I have found the Musical Petting Zoo attracts the artists as often as it attracts novices and children. At the Folk Alliance in Memphis recently I watched an accomplished professional steel guitar/harmonica/accordion player 'toy' with an Anglo concertina for over an hour. He became a child again rediscovering the joy of making sounds on an instrument totally unfamiliar to him. By the time he walked away playing Mary Had a Little Lamb you might have thought he’d have just won a Grammy."

Todd was first attracted to folk music as a youngster, listening and singing along to his sister's LP records of people like The Chad Mitchell Trio, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.

"Early on, I also connected with the politics of folk music and the way it often brings dignity to the stories of the poor and dispossessed. Whether a Civil Rights Era Phil Ochs song or an old Irish ballad about resisting English oppression, folk songs tell a history not often found in the history books. As a folk singer I want to be part of the oral tradition that gives voice to the sacrifices men and women have made to promote peace and justice."

In 1981, Todd lived with the legendary autoharp performer Bryan Bowers. Todd was then the assistant coach for Bryan's son's varsity basketball team. At the end of their year together, Bryan gave Todd his first autoharp lesson and presented him with his first single key G 'harp. In the years since, Todd has collected over 50 autoharps.

"I have found the diatonic autoharp to be the perfect accompanying instrument for the songs I sing" says Todd. "The autoharp lets me keep the instrumental part of the song simple, so the words in story and poetry can take center stage."

"I am not a rocker or bluesman or singer-songwriter. I sing and play folk songs, old and new" Todd says of his musical career.

He believes a folk instrument is part of the folk tradition, where the sharing of one’s love and knowledge of the music, song and stories of the past help to keep the traditions alive. The instruments in the Zoo tell a story of their own, each time a child connects to the folk tradition by trying an instrument for the first time, or an adult rediscovers the joy of making music.

Todd has just opened a year-round home for his collection of instruments. Todd’s Musical Petting Zoo and Folk Life Center in North East, Pennsylvania is open during the school year for free field trips, after school drop-ins, lessons, evening jams, concerts, open mics, etc. He is hoping it becomes not just a regional attraction, but a nationally recognized folk music center.

However, for the upcoming summer season, Todd is taking the Musical Petting Zoo on the road to festivals across North America - Mariposa, Champlain Valley, Hartford, Ottawa, Delaware, Flagstaff and of course, a stop at Summerfolk August 20, 21 and 22.

Sarah Harmer at Summerfolk

2010-07-04T21:27:00.004-04:00

Sarah Harmer has just released a new CD oh little fire, her first in five years. Touring in support of the new recording will bring her to Summerfolk along with stops at the Winnipeg, Vancouver, Regina and Edmonton Folk Festivals

The album was recorded in an east end Toronto studio and on Wolfe Island, near Kingston. As the songs for the album came together, a strong lyrical theme emerged involving embers, flames and ashes. "That's why I called the album oh little fire" explained Harmer, "because of the idea of keeping something burning and tending to a fire."

"I heat my home with wood and you can have the best materials, the driest wood, but put too big a log on it and you can bury it, and you don't give it enough air, it does not burn. I just found that was really metaphorical for relationships. You just have to gingerly care for them and tend to them."

Clearly a flame is burning in Sarah Harmer, fanning her creative process.

oh little fire is 'rockier' than her previous efforts but her forte of crafting brilliant songs is still obviously showcased. The album sounds like she has been reinvigorated and positively charged.

Blessed with one of the most natural and distinctive voices in Canadian music, this multi-talented, down-to-earth singer/songwriter sets her lyrics over roots, pop and folk rhythms. She writes catchy songs that you enjoy hearing again and again. In an industry that pumps out songs like candy from a machine, Harmer is a breath of fresh air. She is not afraid to take her time getting it right - with a confidence to experiment and let her music grow.

The youngest of six children born to farmer Clem Harmer and his school teacher wife Isabelle, Sarah grew up on a hundred-acre farm near Hamilton. It was a musical family - her brother passed down classic ‘70s albums, her sister Nancy took her to see Springsteen when she was 14 and her sisters Mary and Barb snuck the 16-year-old Sarah into clubs to see their friends in a brand new band called the Tragically Hip."We’d go to Brampton, Kincardine, Wasaga Beach, when they were playing these little bars to nobody," enthused Harmer, lighting up like the wide-eyed teenager she was in 1986. "I vividly remember going into the graffitied band room and being really shy after watching these guys on stage. I was forever changed after that."Tragically Hip front-man Gord Downie remembers the teenaged Sarah Harmer quite well. "I met Mary Harmer in my first year at Queen’s and we were inseparable. I went out to the Harmer homestead on occasion. You figure out very quickly that all the Harmers are big-hearted and fun lovin’ people, every one of them, and you want to be around that a lot. They all sang for its own sake, and still do."

At the age of 17, she was invited to join a Toronto band, The Saddletramps. For three years, she juggled playing in the band with her studies in philosophy and women's studies at Queen's University in Kingston.

After leaving The Saddletramps, Harmer put together a band of her own called Weeping Tile. The band released its first independent cassette in 1994. They signed to a major label, the cassette was re-released as an EP and they quickly became a popular draw on the rock club circuit and on campus radio with their subsequent albums.

Around this time, Sarah moved into the farmhouse at the edge of Kingston where she still currently resides. On sabbatical from Weeping Tile, Sarah recorded Songs For Clem, a collection of country and jazz favourites to give to her father as a Christmas gift. Harmer’s voice was a natural fit for such songs like 'Stormy Weather', 'Black Coffee' and 'Sentimental Journey'.

It was never intended for release, but at the insistence of her friends, she made it available to the public. Songs for Clem soon earned high-praise from a bevy of critics throughout Canada, and inspired Billboard's Larry LeBlanc to describe it as "the most intimate, personalized and tasteful roots-styled album I've heard in years."

This kick-started her solo career and Harmer quickly began working on another album. In 2000 she released You Were Here, a 'poppier', more laid-back effort than her work with Weeping Tile. You Were Here became Harmer's mainstream breakthrough, spawning the hits 'Basement Apartment' and 'Don't Get Your Back Up'. The album also appeared on many critics' year-end lists, including TIME magazine, which called it the year's best debut album. It was eventually certified platinum for sales of 100,000 copies in Canada. Almost half of the album, including both of its major hits, consisted of songs she had previously recorded with Weeping Tile or The Saddletramps.

In 2004, she released All of Our Names which included the singles 'Almost' and 'Pendulums'. Her fourth album, I'm a Mountain, was released the following year. It was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize, a jury-selected $20,000 cash prize for the Canadian Album of the Year.

This folk and bluegrass flavoured CD was also was nominated for a Juno Award - Best Adult Alternative Album, and Sarah was nominated in the Songwriter of the Year category. In a third nomination, Escarpment Blues was up for Best Music DVD.

Harmer co-founded PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Land), an organization which campaigned to protect the Niagara Escarpment from a proposed gravel development on the Mount Nemo Plateau. To support the organization, she and her acoustic band embarked on a tour of the escarpment, hiking the Bruce Trail and performing at theatres and community halls in towns along the way - including a couple in this neck of the woods. The Escarpment Blues DVD that documented the trip is still available.

"This was a very grass-roots tour," Harmer said of the adventure. "We used biodiesel in our van, to be easier on the air, and started at Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. We just kept heading south. We played eight shows and received an excellent reception. They were such intimate venues and we met people all along the escarpment. The final concert was on Lake Ontario at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington - it seemed like the perfect place to end the tour."

Harmer is a prolific poet who performs an infectious country/folk blend that owes much to her imagery, and an environmental activist who uses her music to purpose. Her voice is one of the most affecting in contemporary music. With hooky melodies and insightful lyrics, she has attracted many fans to her music.

With a history of a successful recording and touring career, it will be a treat to hear Sarah Harmer Saturday night at Summerfolk.

Down East Music at Summerfolk

2010-06-25T23:54:00.008-04:00

It wouldn't be Summerfolk without a taste of East Coast music and this year is no exception. From PEI, the fantastically fun Acadian duo Chuck & Albert and legendary songwriter Lennie Gallant. And from the Rock, Russells in the Corner for their first mainland appearance and Newfoundland's hip traditional band The Dardanelles.

Russells in the Corner

The family group Russells in the Corner come from Bell Island, Newfoundland. Featuring Dad - Kelly Russell, Mom - Tonya Kearley Russell, and daughters Naomi age 12 and Tamsyn age 9. Collectively they are skilled in Newfoundland fiddle and accordion music, folk song, storytelling and traditional dance.

Kelly Russell was an original member of landmark Newfoundland bands Figgy Duff and The Wonderful Grand Band during the 1970s and more recently, The Irish Descendants and The Plankerdown Band. He also spent 10 years working closely with Newfoundland’s late, great fiddle masters, Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit. Kelly has collected and transcribed into notation over 500 fiddle tunes unique to Newfoundland.

As well as furthering Newfoundland traditional music, Kelly has also been active in preserving another important Newfoundland tradition - the art of storytelling and recitation, as inspired by his late father, Ted Russell (creator of The Chronicles of Uncle Mose - Tales from Pigeon Inlet).

With wife and partner Tonya Kearley, Kelly runs music and dance events in Trinity. With the expert guidance of Tonya calling the dances, participants quickly and easily learn the basic moves for Newfoundland Set Dancing. She also plays bass guitar in the group. Kelly & Tonya's daughters are talented and seasoned performers in their own right. Both sing, Naomi plays fiddle and guitar, Tamsyn accordion and piano.

Encompassing many facets of Newfoundland's cultural heritage, having Russells in the Corner at Summerfolk will showcase time honoured traditions passed down through generations of Newfoundlanders and onto the next.

The Dardanelles

With a love of Newfoundland music and an energy found more often in punk rock bands than in 5-piece folk acts, The Dardanelles have become one of the hottest acts to come out of the province in years. They pack clubs in their native St. John's and their debut self-titled CD became one of the top 3 sellers on the 'Rock'.

The band members, all in their twenties, firmly believe Newfoundland traditional music doesn’t have to be limited to either loud, boisterous bar scenes or the solemn concert audience. Instead, the folk dance band draws from traditional Newfoundland jigs and reels, and reinvents them to make music that speaks to their own generation.

Founding band member Tom Power, who hosts the CBC Radio 2 program Deep Roots, was asked about the philosophy behind the band. "I think the whole goal is to make traditional music 'cooler'. It’s really wicked, fun, dance music. Traditional music and folk music in general are becoming more accessible - I notice in St. John’s, trios of guitars and banjos and mandolins starting to play around. I don’t think that would have happened a few years ago. It’s nice to see."

Last summer, The Dardanelles played the Mariposa Folk Festival - their first gig off the island. "We got a really good reception, which gave us even more confidence to do what we do. When we went to Mariposa we were like, 'Let's see how this goes,' and we got a tremendous ovation. We got off stage and we said, 'We can't let this die. This is obviously something more powerful than the sum of our parts.'"

Nominated for a 2010 East Coast Music Award, the rest of the world is about to catch on to what Newfoundland has known for years - The Dardanelles will change the way you think about folk music.

Chuck & Albert

Chuck and Albert Arsenault are remarkable showmen in both of Canada’s official languages: French and English - and both of Canada’s un-official languages: comedy and music.

As members of the Acadian group Barachois, a mainstay on the folk/roots touring circuit for nearly a decade, they developed their distinctive musical talents and performed roughly 2000 shows. Performing as a duo since 2004, Chuck & Albert have adapted music from the Acadian repertoire picked up from local singers, fiddlers and historians. Then they added new material in keeping with the traditional style, building everything around their strengths.

As the duo’s bass player, Albert (say Albert in French) Arsenault comes by his talent naturally and continues the fiddling legacy of his father Eddy Arsenault. A talented singer, Albert’s vocal interpretations are one of a kind. His other musical roles are as a percussionist - that is to say an Acadian percussionist: spoons, guimbarde (jaw harp), knives and forks, saw and the rhythm bones.

Chuck Arsenault plays the acoustic guitar and vocals. Chuck’s vocal abilities are well suited to handling ballads and harmonies as well as anchoring acapella arrangements. Unlike Albert, Chuck grew up in Eastern PEI where his grandparent’s language and much of their Acadian heritage had been assimilated into the larger surrounding English speaking community.

Fluently bilingual, the two offer up clever banter in English or French by way of explaining the unique charm inherent to their performance. Laughter after all 'is the best medicine'. As a natural extension of their Acadian background, Chuck & Albert skillfully and tastefully carry their penchant for humour to the concert stage with vibrant characters, stories, songs, physical comedy and one-of-a-kind dance choreographies.

Lennie Gallant

At last fall's Summerfolk Volunteer Appreciation party, I asked for suggestions of whom we should invite to perform at our 35th anniversary Festival. Lennie Gallant was hand's down, the most requested artist.

Not only is he a favourite of folk music fans, Lennie Gallant is recognized by his peers as one of Canada’s best performing songwriters. He has released nine albums (seven in English and two in French) which have won him a host of awards and nominations from both the JUNO and East Coast Music Awards.

Over 30 artists have recorded his songs, including Jimmy Buffett, who invited Gallant to perform it onstage with him. His songs have also appeared in feature films, television series, and in numerous theatrical productions.

As a performer, Gallant’s intense delivery reaches down to touch the very souls of his audience. "Like many Canadian songwriters, my music crosses boundaries and encompasses my musical history which includes folk, rock, Celtic and a touch of Cajun and country." says Lennie of his music.

He was inducted into the Order of Canada where it was said, “Gallant has garnered much respect for his hard hitting songs chronicling the lives of people dealing with tremendous adversity and serious issues. Songs like Peter’s Dream, Island Clay, Man of Steel and The Hope for Next Year, articulate the feelings of many caught up in desperate situations beyond their control, and at the same time celebrate the beauty of lifestyle and landscape with their strong poetry and stirring narratives."

Born in Rustico, PEI, he received his first guitar for Christmas when he was 13. He has come a long way since then. He has just released two new albums, one in English If We Had A Fire and one in French Le coeur hante.

The Youthful Spirit of Summerfolk

2010-06-21T00:27:00.009-04:00

This past Sunday, the Summerfolk TuneUp concert at Owen Sound's Kelso Beach Park featured 10 of the finalists from the Georgian Bay Folk Society's youth Discoveries Showcases.

Once again I was reminded of how truly talented all of the acts were and how difficult a task it must have been for the judges to select just four for an appearance at this year's Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival. These 'kids' come from places like Ripley, Barrie, Chesley and Port Elgin as well as Owen Sound. The camaraderie amongst them was clearly evident and it was fun.

Jon Farmer, selected through the same process to appear at last year's Summerfolk, was an excellent and enthusiastic MC. He helped coordinate the 3 song jam at the end of the concert that brought everyone together in the Summerfolk spirit.

Representing this group at the Friday night Summerfolk Discoveries Concert in about two months time will be Jackie Rose Brown and Carrie Davenport who appear as Davenport Brown; brother and sister team Anne & David Beverly-Foster; along with soloists Jill Jambor and Ben Turcotte.

While not young enough to qualify in the 21 and under category, there are two groups in this year's lineup that are youthful enough (in their 20's) to attest to the boundless energy and fearlessness associated with musicians in the early part of their career.

Blue Moose & the Unbuttoned Zippers

The four members of Boston-based Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers met while studying at the Berklee College of Music. Mixing old-time Appalachian tunes and songs with Celtic and Scandinavian sounds, the band has its finger on the pulse of the new generation of folkies.

Guitarist Stash Wyslouch was asked about the band name which is an obvious place to start any talk of Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers. "The 'Moose' part comes from a general appreciation of titanic creatures." My guess is that every large creature needs a colour too - the Purple People Eater as another example.

Stash went on, "The 'Unbuttoned Zippers' part is definitely the duality-of-man idea - you can't unbutton a zipper and you can't unzipper a button." Okay I guess that's true but the name is still a mouthful. To their fans, like those who heard them two years ago at the New York State's Falcon Ridge Festival and voted them the band to bring back in 2009, 'BMUZ' covers the moniker end of things. It is all about the music after all and this band has the chops and inventiveness to make great music.

Each member of the Blue Moose crew comes from strikingly different backgrounds. Wyslouch was influenced by hip-hop and funk. Brownyn Bird plays accordion and nyckelharpa, the traditional stringed instrument of Sweden, where she lived and studied for a year. Fiddler Andy Reiner played for years with his father in the Reiner Family Band and loves the jigs and reels of Cape Breton. Mariel Vandersteel having studied the traditional music of Ireland and Norway, plays the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle.

Attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music expanded the horizons for each of them. One fateful day, all four were in the same room for an informal jam session and found chemistry together. What might seem to be a challenge turned out to be a blessing according to Reiner. "Since we have three fiddle-based instruments, we can't all just play the tune. We're forced by our instrumentation to become creative and come up with unique arrangements. Nobody plays lead for a whole song - it's always changing up."

One thing that helps to set the band apart is Brownyn Bird's 16 string nyckelharpa which is bowed like a fiddle but has keys like a hurdy-gurdy. "We were exposed to many musical styles at Berklee and it feels right for us to be doing this" she says of BMUZ's contemporary, no boundaries approach to performing. "We still try to respect traditional music but also love to do new things. That's how, I think, tradition evolves."

A Blue Moose set inspires lots of toe-tapping so it's natural that the foursome gets booked for contradances around New England. It is different than a concert, with lots of repetition as the dancers learn the steps, but band members love to see folks on their feet.

"Musically speaking, we basically play the same tune over and over again. I love rhythm and for me, it's just getting more and more inside the tune; more of a Zen thing." says Stash.

Bird agreed. "Folk music and traditional music is meant for dancing; it's meant to be enjoyed."

The Human Statues

The Human Statues is actually the name for two acts with the same two people - a musical duo that’s known for tight vocal harmonies and playful onstage antics; and motionless 'human statue' performances.

Zachary Stevenson and Jeff Byant used The Human Statues name for their act as buskers, when they would stand stock-still, slathered in metallic face paint, for hours on end. "One of the first things I did after graduating university to make a living between theatre gigs, was to perform as a human statue that I dubbed Discoman" said Stevenson. "Jeff did the same."

When Zach and Jeff perform as the musical Human Statues, they are frequently compared to other duos like Flight of the Conchords because of the fun elements of their show, and to Simon and Garfunkel because of the close-knit, two voice harmony that defines their sound.

Armed with two guitars and their voices, The Human Statues perform what are essentially catchy pop songs - well-crafted and entertaining. They leap and bounce around the stage and often choreograph their moves - but there is no pretension. The joy translates immediately as they incorporate comedic and theatrical aspects into their show.

Their lofty mission is to 'spread jubilation across the nation'. They have honed diverse skill sets through professional experience as actors, filmmakers, producers, writers, teachers, managers, bookers, buskers, circus performers, and of course, musicians.

“The theme word for us is jubilation” says Zach Stevenson. “Our music generally reflects a positive attitude and is fun. We write songs that initially hook you with a sense of amusement but upon further scrutiny you’ll find deeper ground, honesty and personality.”
The duo formed in Victoria when they mastered the harmonies in Simon and Garfunkel’s Cecilia. “We really connected over that music” said Stevenson. “Then we started jamming Beatles songs and found we have the ability to harmonize effortlessly together. That was the core of our interest."

Originally from the west coast, they are now both based in Toronto. Zachary Stevenson was raised in Parksvillle, British Columbia. He has been featured in theatrical productions across the country and has enjoyed success as a solo singer/songwriter and music producer. Jeff Bryant grew up in Victoria and has written and produced short films and stage productions.

Currently they are back in B. C. performing in a production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Zach is playing the lead role of Buddy Holly and Jeff plays The Crickets’ lead guitarist Tommy. The show runs at the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver until July 11th. Come August, they will be a part of the exciting Summerfolk lineup.

Summerfolk - It's music...and a lot more!

2010-06-21T00:03:00.008-04:00

The fabulous music you can hear at Summerfolk receives lots of attention. However many other components make Summerfolk the special event that it is.

Firstly, it is after all, The Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival and crafts have always played a major role at the Festival. The Artisan Village is outstanding. On Saturday there is a juried show of works created by the Summerfolk artisans and Craft Demonstration on Sunday.

Then there's the wonderful food available on site plus opportunities for all to get involved playing music or joining in the folk and multi-cultural dance sessions. For kids and families there's The Children's Village. Young and old enjoy the Summerfolk experience!

Below is more detail on these Summerfolk features.

The Artisan Village

Summerfolk's Artisan Village is a showcase of one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted work. It is the perfect spot to find a unique gift or something special for yourself.

A total of 42 vendors were chosen from nearly 100 applicants to be included in this year's Festival. The standard is high. Festival artisans sell only their own hand-crafted products. The selection process for these artisans is based on the quality of their work and a willingness to demonstrate and discuss their craft with festival goers.

During Summerfolk, tents and booths adorned with a wide array of gorgeous handmade products line the pathways at Kelso Beach Park. The artistry represented takes many forms - glasswork, jewellery, textiles, paper, instruments, wood, pottery and metal. Vendors are happy to show off their latest creations. The open-air market is a vibrant display of fine professional craft work.

Information on all the 2010 artisans can be viewed on the Summerfolk website.

The Food Village

Enjoy food from around the world and close to home all imaginatively presented in the Food Village. Sixteen different food vendors offer delicious choices such as Indian curries, pulled pork, fine local meat products, pizza, hamburgers, Chinese, Caribbean, steamed corn and potatoes.... and then specialty coffees, lemonade, yogurt, brownies, sundaes and ice cream to finish off.

Also included this year will be Food Preparation Demos with local chefs using local foods presented in cooperation with The Grey Bruce Agricultural and Culinary Association.

Summerfolk Kids Just Wantta Have Fun!

Summerfolk is a wonderful place to bring the family. The Children's Village, with its hands-on craft projects, games, playground equipment and terrific musical line-up is a place where kids will be inspired and totally entertained.

When children arrive at Summerfolk, they are assigned a number on their wristband so they, or their parents, can be identified that way instead of by name. Safety and security issues are always considered when planning the Festival. Many parents have commented that Summerfolk was the very first place they felt comfortable enough to allow their kids to be 'on their own'.

All of the activities in the Children's Village are contained within a fence and the area is well supervised. Tents provide protection from the elements, washrooms are available and the friendly crew of volunteers make sure the kids have lots to do.

Open Stage

Want to play your music at Summerfolk? Then signing up for the Open Stage is something to consider.

Open Stage slots at Summerfolk take place on the Homemade Jam Stage, Saturday and Sunday. Each spot is shared by 2 or 3 performers. You can reserve an 'Advance Sign-up' spot by contacting the Georgian Bay Folk Society office (a limited number are available) or you can sign-up on-site. 'Festival' registration for patrons and volunteers is on a first-come, first-served basis. Drop by and sign-up with the Homemade Jam crew.

One performer from the weekend's Open Stage will be booked for the performer lineup of the 2011 Summerfolk!

The Sharing Circle

Everyone is invited to bring musical instruments, songs and stories to actively join in the sessions at Summerfolk's Sharing Circle. Those wishing to leave instruments on site can store them safely at 'Stash Yer Stuff' located next to the Sharing Circle tent.

First Nations Village

Visit the teepee and learn more about First Nations cultural traditions from hosts John Somosi and Kathryn Edgecombe. Special guest Virginia Barter will also be on hand to help celebrate the 'Year of the Metis' - the 125th anniversary the Northwest Rebellion.

Fire Poi

Join Vita Twirlin' Diva and friends at the Summerfolk Circle around 11:00 pm on Saturday night to witness the wonders of Fire Poi.

Fire Poi employs two weights, either glow balls or kevlar fire wicks, on the ends of chains which are spun around the body in an expressive way to create beautiful patterns and visual effects. Poi originated from the Maori people of New Zealand and has since evolved around the world as performance art.

JumbleJam

Jam with the pros, create an original piece of music and perform it on stage at Summerfolk - all on the same day! If you sing or play an instrument and you can spare a few hours on Saturday, apply for the JumbleJam workshop.

JumbleJam workshops are about creating songs through a unique songbuilding process. The guided approach makes it possible for anyone to participate in the creation of a song, regardless of musical background.

Facilitators Ken Dow and Martin Cooper will 'curate' 15 volunteer players into three bands, each anchored by a Summerfolk performer. The bands create an original song and perform it on the Down by the Bay stage on Saturday evening. Sign-up sheets are available at the Information Booth inside Summerfolk's Main Gate.

Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo

Todd's Petting Zoo was a huge hit at last year's Summerfolk and he's back! This is an opportunity to get up close and personal with more than 100 acoustic instruments covering the musical alphabet from accordion to zampoya.

Fully interactive and hands-on, this is your chance to explore the workings of the instruments and to actually play them. Along with the Musical Petting Zoo, Todd also provides an instrument play station for the Children's Village.

Red Horse - Three Gifted Songwriters Together

2010-06-11T00:57:00.007-04:00

This year's Summerfolk offers a rare opportunity to see the emergence of a new trio that combines the talents of three truly gifted American songwriters. Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky have teamed up to form Red Horse and their appearance at the Festival is one I am eagerly anticipating.

John Gorka I've always loved. A gentlemanly figure with a calm demeanor, yet capable of delivering some of the most powerful songs ever performed at Summerfolk. Eliza Gilkyson whom I first saw showcasing at a music conference where she captured the entire room, creating an environment from which no one wanted to leave. Lucy Kaplansky whose work with the group Cry Cry Cry I have long admired.

Friends for many years, these three crossed paths on many occasions and have sung on each others' recordings. I am sure it was one of those crazy ideas musicians seem to have - "let's start a band".

“We’ll be doing a number of songs with each of us as the main singer" said Gorka of the collaboration. "I think Eliza was the one who probably suggested we do this."

"For the album, we each take the lead on 4 songs. I will sing a Lucy song, an Eliza song, the Stewart MacGregor song Coshieville plus a new one of mine. Lucy and Eliza will each be doing one of mine along with one of each other's songs and a song from outside of the group."

Lucy Kaplansky was asked how Red Horse differed from the Cry Cry Cry trio. "Well, it's a little bit different - it's a mix of originals and covers. Cry Cry Cry was virtually all other people's songs, and this one is more a mix of originals with each of us doing each other's songs, which I've never heard of anyone doing before."

The CD is in the works and will be released this summer. The artwork all ready to go - Texas singer/songwriter Tom Russell painted the cover picture.

Individually, each of these performers has achieved a high level of success and admiration in folk music circles. To see and hear them in action together as Red Horse will be an absolute delight.

Eliza Gilkyson

When you listen to Eliza Gilkyson, you are presented with a woman who is unafraid to lay her emotions on the table. Her lyrics are stories of love and loss, of political angst and a genuine concern for the planet. However the songs are not set in a plaintive, complaining tone. They are delivered with confidence and honesty, set in exquisite melodies that stay with you.

Gilkyson has become one of the most respected songwriters in roots, folk and Americana music. She has been inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame and recognized with 4 Folk Alliance Music Awards. Her 2004 release Land of Milk and Honey was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Gilkyson first recorded demos and soundtracks produced by her father, songwriter Terry Gilkyson. He penned several hits in the 1950s and early 1960s including Green Fields, Marianne and The Bare Necessities. His song Memories Are Made of This was recorded by both Johnny Cash and Dean Martin.

But Eliza had to leave California to define her own path. She spent time in New Mexico and Europe before moving to Austin, which she has called home for more than two decades. She built a respectable fan base along the way and her career hit full stride in 2000 with the release of Hard Times in Babylon.

Gilkyson's Paradise Hotel CD is one of my personal favourite recordings. If you don't own a copy, consider it one for your collection...and it's not just me who likes it. The album received rave reviews from around the world.

Over the course of 15 albums, Eliza Gilkyson has built a reputation as one of the most original and influential folk artists of our time. The job of folksingers, she has said, "is to take a simple thing and elaborate on it until it becomes a jewel."

John Gorka

One of the oldest and most venerable music institutions in eastern Pennsylvania, 'Godfrey Daniels' is a small neighborhood coffeehouse and listening room. It has long been a hangout for music lovers and aspiring musicians. In the late 1970s, one of these was a young college student named John Gorka.

Though his academic course work lay in Philosophy and History, music began to offer enticements. Soon he found himself living in the club’s basement and acting as resident M.C. and soundman; encountering legendary folk troubadours like Stan Rogers, Eric Andersen, Tom Paxton and Claudia Schmidt. Their brand of folk-inspired acoustic music inspired him, and before long he was writing and performing his own songs.

Soon he started traveling to New York City, where the legendary Fast Folk circle became a powerful source of education and encouragement. Folk meccas like Texas’ Kerrville Folk Festival, where he won the New Folk Award in 1984, and Boston followed. His soulful baritone voice and emerging songwriting began turning heads. Those who had at one time inspired him - Suzanne Vega, Bill Morrissey, Nanci Griffith, Christine Lavin, Shawn Colvin - had become his peers.

His songwriting gained increasing attention from critics and audiences across North America, as well as in Europe. Rolling Stone magazine called him “the preeminent male singer/songwriter of the new folk movement”.

John Gorka's albums and touring (over 150 nights a year at times) continue to bring new accolades for his craft. His keen ear picks up the stories of those along his path, folding them into poetry and song. Few contemporary songwriters coax language as deftly as he.

With his low tenor voice, elegant melodies and restrained instrumental accompaniment, John Gorka's sound could be considered 'easy listening' music. Indeed, with a casual first time listen, his music can easily be dismissed as just that and nothing more (and I am not suggesting that there is anything wrong with that style of music). However upon more attentive listening, a major strength in Gorka's work is revealed. That strength lies in the lyrics. Low on clichés and high on originality, he artfully constructs songs that are beautifully well-crafted.

Lucy Kaplansky

It’s always nice to have options as a struggling musician, and Lucy Kaplansky has one of the best side gigs imaginable: She’s a clinical psychologist. Amazingly, the New York-based folk singer/songwriter has managed to balance and prioritize both disciplines across long careers in both fields.

Kaplansky’s journey began in 1978, when the Chicago native chose to skip college and then carved out a niche for herself in the Greenwich Village folk scene, where she met and worked with budding stars like Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega and Richard Shindell. But after five years, Kaplansky decided to pursue a psychology degree, although she maintained her music career while working toward her Ph.D. A 'big fork in the road' appeared when labels expressed interest in her duo work with Colvin. Kaplansky chose to follow her other career and opened a private practice, while Colvin got signed and made a fairly big splash in the mainstream.

Kaplansky focused on her psychology practice but eventually the allure of music proved too strong and she decided to return to her creative endeavors, recording her debut The Tide in 1994 assisted by Colvin, who produced the album. The CD garnered critical acclaim and rose quickly up the new Americana radio chart. Kaplansky found herself in high demand for touring and something had to give - it was the psychology career. She became a full-time musician and has never looked back.

In 1998 Kaplansky teamed with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell to form the folk supergroup Cry Cry Cry. Their album and subsequent tour, which was one of the highest grossing musical tours of the year, greatly enhanced the popularity of all three.

"There is no question that the Cry Cry Cry tour exposed me to a much larger audience." Kaplansky admits. "And the fact that it triggered new sales in our own records was a wonderful, added perk. The tour was really good for all of us, not just the artists whose songs we covered on the album."

Kaplansky’s voice continues to remain in high demand by her peers and her most recent release Over the Hills is a fine collection of songs. The album reflects on a new turn in her life. Motherhood has not hindered her musical life but enhanced it; deepening the emotional depth of her songwriting.

The International Musical Flavours of Summerfolk

2010-06-11T00:26:00.020-04:00

In a lineup that boasts musicians from many Canadian provinces and top-rated folk performers from the U.S., this year's Summerfolk offers the opportunity to see three unique groups from other parts of the world.

Namgar

The music of the band Namgar is based on traditional Mongolian songs. Over a blend of ancient Asian string instruments and contemporary electric rock, this seven-piece group performs a unique repertoire dating back centuries.

Lead singer Namgar Ayushievna Lhasaranova, from whom the band's name is taken, brought these songs from her Buryat family background. The Buryat tribes historically were supporters of Genghis Khan and important commanders of the Mongol Invasion. They live in the far reaches of what is now the Russian Federation where Buddhism, Shamanism and the natural beauty of South Siberia have contributed to their culture.

Separated from each other politically since the XVII century, Buryats and Mongolians still share many common traditions but many genres, dance tunes and songs that have become extinct in parts of the Mongolian world are still performed on the Russian side. These songs and dances date back to the glorious times of the Mongolian Empire.

Drawing on this traditional repertoire, Namgar first appeared in Moscow in 2001 and their international debut came at the Riddu Riddu Festival in Norway the following year.

Soon after that, their inaugural CD, Hatar (round dance) was released on the Sketis Music label which was started by a group of enthusiastic young Muscovites who loved the sound of the band and wanted to specialize in world music. It boasts a first ever collection of Buryat songs.

In 2006, the arranger and producer Leonid Vorobyev joined the group and brought modern electronic, rock and jazz elements to the authentic sound of the group. He produced their most current CD, Nomad.

Looking like characters from the ancient legends of Asia on stage, the group delivers music that is exotic yet easily accessible. They perform with traditional instruments such as the chanza, a 3-stringed Mongol lute covered in snake skin, flutes and drums. Added to that are a drum kit, keyboards, electric bass and guitar to give it a 70s heavy rock feel. It is an unusual combination that will make your jaw drop.

Their visit promises a rare glimpse into a rich and mystical tradition; delivered in a most unique way.

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Baskery

Based out of Stockholm, Baskery is composed of three Swedish sisters - Greta, Stella and Sunniva Bondesson. They describe their music as "high voltage" and use expressions like "killbilly", "banjo punk" and "mud-country" rather than traditional ones.

This is an acoustic band that rocks! Think something along the lines of a jam between Johnny Cash, an acoustic blues Led Zeppelin and the harmony singing of the Andrew Sisters. Then take it up a notch.

The sound is driven by Greta's six string distorted slide banjo while she provides kick and snare beats from a customized drum kit. Stella adds solid slap upright bass playing to guitarist Sunniva’s emotive twangy vocals. Then there is something about sibling voices that is extra special. When the three of them click in on the harmony parts, it is amazing music.

Baskery is a natural progression for the Bondesson sisters from their former band Slaptones which featured their Dad on drums. All three write songs for the band and they perform totally in the English language.

Since the debut album Fall Among Thieves was released in Sweden in 2008, Baskery has successfully toured Ireland, USA, Sweden, France, Canada, Denmark and Norway. The band recorded that CD live-off-the-floor - getting the perfect take in the studio was essential to capturing the emotional essence of the songs.

Baskery is all about playing for real, creating energy and putting on an electrifying show.

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Artisan

The harmony singing U.K. trio Artisan decided to 'retire' as a group in 2005 but a request to play the 2010 Lunenburg Folk Festival tempted them into re-uniting for a reunion tour. The word got out and now their entire summer is fully booked including a stop at Summerfolk August 20, 21 and 22.

Gestated in 1984 and birthed in 1985 as a fun thing to do, Artisan kept getting invited to play more and more gigs until finally they left their day jobs and went full time. After that they toured relentlessly throughout the UK, Canada, the USA, Europe and Australia.

When they first appeared at Summerfolk in 1994, they quickly became fan favourites and subsequently returned to the Festival several times. Artisan concerts are always lively affairs, known for their audience participation, antics and all-round fun.

During their recent hiatus from performing, Jacey Bedford has been operating a music booking agency in England - Jacey Bedford Tour Management. In fact, she was instrumental in making many of the U.K. bookings for Tanglefoot when they toured there. Her partner Brian Bedford has busied himself running a small record label and publishing company Bedspring Music with an in-house state-of-the-art recording studio. Hilary Spencer has been performing duo gigs with Grant Baynham as Quicksilver.

Their repertoire is a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs, including many penned by Brian, all performed a cappella and in close three-part harmony. Their trademark sound was developed with Hilary singing strong lead in the lower range of her three and a half octave voice, Jacey's softer vocal providing a lighter and usually higher harmony combined with Brian's top end of his bass-baritone. The end result is Hilary and Brian singing fairly close together in range, 'glued' together by Jacey's voice.

The group has been rehearsing old songs and working on new ones for a return to the stage together. A CD is being released in July to accompany the tour. Welcome back to Summerfolk - Hilary Spencer, Jacey Bedford and Brian Bedford.
____________________________________________________________________________
All three of these groups are scheduled for Summerfolk's amphitheatre stage on Friday night, August 20th. Along with Francophone chanteuse Caracol, Mose Scarlett, Sheesham & Lotus, Newfoundland's The Dardanelles and songwriter Danny Michel, Friday night promises to be an adventuresome musical start to the Festival.

Jack Williams

2010-05-31T16:31:00.003-04:00

Let's take a look at what's in store lineup-wise for the upcoming Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival. I'd like to begin with one of the first acts I booked for our 35th annual Festival.

In the fall of 2009, I received a note from Ezra Idlet of Trout Fishing in America. Trout Fishing performed at Summerfolk last August and Ezra (the tall one), along with partner Keith Grimwood, make up the popular duo that is one of our long-time favourites at Summerfolk.

"I'm writing because I'd love to send you a cd of a friend of mine. I have no connection to him professionally, I just think he'd be a great addition to Summerfolk" said Erza's email.

"I don't know if you've ever heard of Jack Williams. Jack lives in Arkansas these days somewhere between Keith and I. I think he's one of the most amazing songwriters, singers, and musicians I've ever met. I think he'd add to any workshop you put him in from songwriting to instrumental. His solo work is just wonderful. Anyway, if I can send you a copy of his cd I'd sure like to".

I answered back to the affirmative and sure enough, Ezra sent me a copy of Laughing in the Face of the Blues. It didn't take long to realize that Jack Williams would be a perfect artist for Summerfolk. Exceptional guitar work, fabulous songs and heartfelt vocals; all delivered with confidence, sincerity and character.

When I started looking into his history, Jack's career has been eclectic. He played trumpet in a jazz quartet at a Seattle beatnik coffeehouse in 1959 - reading poetry to the audience during breaks. He learned banjo and mandolin to spice up folk groups in the 60's in Georgia. He played pedal-steel guitar in a country-rock band and classical guitar in a Renaissance ensemble.

"I was raised listening to everything from the Dorsey Brothers and pop tunes of the mid-40s to Brahms, Mozart and Chopin. I was fortunate to have grown up with none of the pressures of today’s corporate music-biz to lead me down a narrow path. I played folk songs on the ukelele from the time I was four, pop and classical piano from age six and jazz on the trumpet from age nine. Then I discovered the guitar at age fifteen. I would play more styles than just the rock & roll but discovered that could earn money - and eventually a living."

From 1958 through 1987, Jack was best-known as an electric guitarist working shows with John Lee Hooker, Big Joe Turner, Jerry Butler, Z.Z. Hill, Hank Ballard and many others. During that era, his bands also backed up artists such as the Shirelles, the Del-Vikings, the Coasters, the Drifters, and the Platters.

His skill with instrumental composition won him a national arts grant in 1967. That led to gigs accompanying legendary singer/songwriters like Mickey Newbury, Harry Nilsson, Tom Paxton, Peter Yarrow and Steve Gillette.

After many years of travelling with rock bands, jazz combos and accompanying other performers - playing anywhere he could get paid to play music, Williams took on a solo career in folk music.

Jack is now a much sought-after artist on contemporary folk music stages. From his acclaimed appearances at the Newport, Boston, Philadelphia, Kerrville and Fox Valley folk festivals; his musicianship has established him as an inspiring and influential performer.

Williams is considered a 'musician's musician' - outstanding among a handful of artists who in skill, depth and integrity stand head and shoulders above the rest. He is noted among acoustic guitarists as one of the best. By adding a pinch of self-deprecating humor, he is instantly endearing. Having avoided the compromises of the commercial music industry during his 50+ year career, he has preferred touring 'under the radar' for the sheer love of music and performing.

Before beginning to write in 1970, Jack was inspired by the varied likes of Jesse Winchester, Josh White, Hank Williams, The Band, Procal Harum, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Johnny Mercer, and Ray Charles. When the spirit moves him today, songs from favourite writers spring readily from his lips and fingers.

“Every time I made another album of original tunes I knew I would pay homage to the artists, writers and styles that were the origins of my own music” Williams says. “Over many years, I imagined the songs which would be included, songs which had a profound impact on how I would write and perform my own music. I knew it was coming and I planned it for a long time."

Williams, who has written more than 500 songs, says it’s the emotion of a song that works for him. “I want to go somewhere when I hear music. Whether it’s Brahms, Miles Davis. John Lee Hooker or Johnny Mercer or Hoagie Carmichael ...I want to be taken somewhere and I want to feel something.”

A featured artist on many recording studio projects, Williams has produced all of his own recordings plus CDs by Mickey Newbury, Ronny Cox, Eric Schwartz, Carla Ulbrich, Jonell Mosser and The Malvinas. There isn’t a note on a Jack Williams CD that isn’t 'well crafted' in every sense of the word - emotional, musical, inspirational.

Jack Williams possesses a half-century of accumulated musical knowledge and incorporates the best of all he has learned to make music of the highest calibre.

Thanks for the tip Ezra.

Summerfolk TuneUp - Sunday, June 13th - 1:00 pm

2010-05-09T23:09:00.007-04:00

Summerfolk TuneUp will feature young performers in concert at Owen Sound's Kelso Beach Park on Sunday, June 13th. Presented by the Georgian Bay Folk Society, the concert will have appearances by all 12 finalists from the Folk Society's Discoveries Showcase events.

"Four of these acts were selected to play Summerfolk in August," says Folk Society artistic director Richard Knechtel "but all were extremely good and we felt they all deserved an opportunity to be a part of Summerfolk TuneUp."

Jon Farmer, who himself performed at Summerfolk in 2009 through the Discoveries program, will be the host MC.

The four Summerfolk lineup additions include: Davenport Brown - the duo of Carrie Davenport and Jackie Rose Brown, two OSCVI students possessing lovely voices with warmth and charm; Jill Jambor from the Barrie area with her "sweet new-folk voice" and stellar songwriting; Anne and David Beverly-Foster from Chesley - David's strong guitar playing perfectly complements Anne's truly amazing voice; and Port Elgin's Ben Turcotte who does exceptional interpretations of songs old and new, and is also an excellent songwriter.

Summerfolk TuneUp will also have the five-piece Owen Sound suit-and-tie rock band The Headache Pandemic, 14-year-old highland bagpiper Emma Prescott, fiddler Sabrina Perry with her brother Zachary on guitar, show stopper 10-year-old Brontae Hunter, St. Mary's student Joe Cassidy, Oliphant songstress Taia Anderson, York University student Kaila LeMaitre and the quick-handed guitar stylings of Owen Sound's Josh Overbeek.

This year, the Georgian Bay Folk Society expanded their Discoveries youth talent search to include preliminary showcases in Owen Sound, Meaford and Paisley. From the more than 30 entrants, 12 acts were invited to perform again at the final Showcase and from that, the 4 acts were selected for The Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival.

"The caliber of talent is very high. I know this area has always been a hotbed for great music but I am knocked out by the poise and professionalism that is exhibited across the board by these young performers" says Knechtel.

"The youth element is important to the Festival's future, and the Society has an obligation to both involve and encourage young musicians - give them a reason to play, a reason to practise and a goal."

Summerfolk TuneUp - Kelso Beach Park, Owen Sound. Sunday June 13th beginning at 1:00 pm. Free - donation only.
Photo credits - James Masters/The Sun Times

Summerfolk Discoveries Showcase 2010

2010-03-31T22:33:00.005-04:00

Bill Henry, staff writer at the Owen Sound Sun Times, has written a couple of features on the Summerfolk Discoveries Showcases. Well worth checking out at:

www.suntimesoursound.wordpress.com

Photo of Anne & David Beverly-Foster by James Masters (The Sun Times)

Chuck Baker & Jon Farmer in Concert

2010-01-22T00:33:00.006-05:00

The Monday Night Music Sessions at the Downtown Bookstore have been going just great. There's a nice vibe and positive energy - the closest thing you'll get to Summerfolk over the winter months.

There's a full description of the weekly sessions - Concert Connections link under Folk Society on this homepage.

Speaking of which, we've just added http://www.georgianbayfolk.org/ as a web address that will take you to this page. So summerfolk.org or georgianbayfolk.org, you're here.

February 1st, Chuck Baker and Jon Farmer perform for Concert Night.

Chuck comes from Stayner and created a sensation at Knox Acoustic Cafe when it was running. Jim Ansell, Owen Sound's biggest music fan, has been bugging me for years to bring Chuck back to town so I'm thrilled that he accepted the invitation to play the Bookstore. Chuck writes great tunes, plays a fine guitar.

Chuck Baker's unique sound actively dissolves the traditional boundaries between blues, rock, jazz and even funk. He splendidly fractures the iconic mold of folk, delivering a complex blend of keen riffs, exciting composition, erudite songwriting and an arrestingly percussive style of guitar that punctuates brilliantly. - Nancy Falconer On the Bay Magazine

Chuck Baker is like The Undesirables in one person. - Jennifer Metcalfe LU Radio Thunder Bay

Jon Farmer is a real Summerfolk fan. He's volunteered at the Festival for many years and was a youth performer at the 2009 show. His enthusiasm and good musical taste makes him one of personal favourites.

His Banana Bread song is a good one!

So come on out to the Downtown Bookstore on Monday, February 1st and catch two great performers. That's at 945 2nd Avenue East. Show starts at 7:30.

And check out any of the musical happenings, every Monday night until May long weekend.

Note From Chloe

2009-11-19T22:38:00.002-05:00

Just received this email from Chloe Hall who played the 2009 Summerfolk Festival. Well worth sharing:

..........................

Hey Richard,

Can you believe it? We’re finally home, after almost 5 months on the road (across the rest of Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Germany and Prague), now finding our feet in sweltering Melbourne (it’s 35 degrees today!).

As I settle back into life here, I’ve been thinking back over what an adventure it’s been…

So this is a little note to say a HUGE thank you.
We absolutely loved being part of Summerfolk, and I hope you enjoyed having us.
I can honestly say that, for me, it was THE highlight of the 2½ months in Canada. Total stand out.

Turning the Travelodge into musicians head quarters is a stroke of genius. It was so exciting to meet and play with so many musicians – a rare chance to celebrate our nomadic community together. Also, we felt incredibly well looked after – the hotel, the catering, the instrument lock-up, the tirelessly helpful volunteers, the drivers… Throw in the inclusive vibe, listening audiences and gorgeous setting (and, you know, some half decent music too), and you can see why I’ve been raving about Summerfolk to everyone. We actually included Summerfolk in our weekly road movies, you can see it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zepUYHq_YL8

So congratulations. I hope you had a fantastic festival too, and that you’re well and happy, gearing up for the winter and another successful event next year.

Thanks again – I’ll look forward to our paths crossing again in the future,

Chloe
PS LOVED mixed-up bands! So much fun, and a great chance to get to know some wonderful musicians. Just brilliant.

The 1st Monday Night Music Session

2009-11-10T10:37:00.006-05:00

The inaugural Songwriters Circle was a real treat. Anchored by guest songwriter Larry Jensen and hosts Beth Hamilton & Connie Rossitter of Beckon, we not only learned more about the craft of songwriting but had a great time doing it!
An iconic Owen Sound musician, Larry shared his experiences and expertise of putting music and words together in song.
We then had the opportunity of hearing works-in-progress from others in attendance. Some songs were well-polished, others needed work. That's what it's all about - getting feedback on how to do it better in an atmosphere that allows that to happen. To pick up tips on improving one's songwriting.
Next Songwriters Circle is slated for Monday, December 14th at the Downtown Bookstore. Yours truly will be the guest songwriter - looking forward to it.

Coco Love Show was Great!

2009-11-01T23:34:00.002-05:00

Coco Love Alcorn graced the stage at Knox United Church with a mesmerizing show that totally engaged the full house in attendance.
"Coco is an incredible singer. One of the best technical vocalists I can remember seeing." said Jim Ansell of her performance.
Thanks go out to all the volunteers who helped make it happen. Special nod to Steve Ritchie for providing the sound system and Ruth Parsons chair of the GBFS Connections Committee.
Next concert at Knox will be the amazing Jacob Moon on November 20th.

Award for Website

2009-10-22T00:06:00.005-04:00

Today, the Summerfolk website - summerfolk.org, received an award for 'Best Marketing - Web' at the Grey-Bruce Regional Tourism Conference.
Quite an honour!
Thanks go to our web guy Paul Murphy for all his ideas and ways he makes the site look good and Ryan Wiseman for his excellent video contributions.
Both these gentlemen are a pleasure to work with and we look forward to keeping Summerfolk and 'off-season' programming information coming here to summerfolk.org.

Summerfolk Reprise Concerts

2009-10-01T09:58:00.003-04:00

The Georgian Bay Folk Society proudly presents two hit acts from the 2009 Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival - Coco Love Alcorn and Jacob Moon.

Alcorn on Friday, October 30th and Moon, Friday November 30th. Both concerts take place at Knox United Church, 890 Fourth Avenue East in Owen Sound. Doors open at 7:30 pm with shows at 8:00.

Nova Scotia born Alcorn has numerous career highlights: touring and recording regularly with Canadian icons 54-40; joining Ani Difranco on a US tour; performing at Lilith Fair; and guesting on nearly 50 albums including recordings by Burton Cummings, Chantal Kreviazuk, Jesse Cook, Kinnie Starr and Loudon Wainwright III.

As a songwriter & vocalist, she embraces her diverse musical influences - jazz, pop, R&B and folk, and weaves them seamlessly into her own distinctive sound. We loved her at Summerfolk. Simply put - we want more!

Make it a night out enjoying a meal at Jazzmyn's or Rocky Raccoon's prior to the show. Check out the 'Coco Love Specials'. After the show, join in the 'Meet & Greet with Coco Love' at Rocky Raccoon's or catch the sounds of Will Ross at Jazzmyn's.

Jacob Moon's passionate vocals and inspired lyrics are given flight by Moon's total command of the guitar. Along with his stunning Summerfolk performances, Jacob won over a sold-out house at the Massie Hall.

For tickets or additional information on these concerts, contact the Folk Society office at 519-371-2995 or email gbfs@bmts.com.

Sunday at Summerfolk

2009-08-11T23:26:00.002-04:00

Sunday at Summerfolk

A wonderful way to start your morning! The 'Summerfolk Sunday Morning' concert celebrates the day with song. Hosted by Susan Werner, the 10:30 am show features the African acapella group Soul Influence, the uplifting talents of Jacob Moon, harmonies of The ChoirGirlz plus Vance Gilbert and Suzi Vinnick.

At noon the musical action swings over to workshop stages.

~ On Sunday there are 5 workshops on the Gazebo Stage beginning with a fiddle workshop. Then 'Portuguese' at 1:00 with Tony Gouveia and The Aline Morales Band. Following these great acts, check out 'Fishin' For Love' that includes Trout Fishing in America and Coco Love Alcorn. Next Valdy, Ian Tamblyn, Paul Mills and Cedric Smith perform in 'Coffeehouse Reunion' and 'Vocal Harmonies' at 4:00 wraps up the schedule.

~ Starting things off at Homemade Jam, 'Guitar Pull' highlights some of the best guitar 'pickers' at the Festival. For those who love guitar, this is a must-see. There are Open Stage slots and 'Cultural Exchange II' at 2:00 features Scotland's Brian McNeill, Australia's Chloe Hall and the sounds of Africa with Soul Influence. With more Open Stage slots after that, there are ample opportunities for everyone to play their music at Summerfolk.

~ At the Down By the Bay tent there is a great mix on Sunday - Celtic music at noon, pop songs from England in 'The British Invasion' followed by 'Bluegrass'. Then the wildly-popular 'Mixed-Up Bands' session which is a sight to behold. Performer names are drawn at random and five piece bands are assembled for a one-time only performance at Summerfolk.

~ Two contra dances are planned for Over the Hill - noon and 3:30. 'Mardi Gras' at 1:00 will feature the Cajun and zydeco sounds of Swamperella. 'Dance at the Pavilion' at 2:00 will be your special chance to dance to the Big Band music of The Lighthouse Swing Band - a Summerfolk first!

~ A highlighted performance at The Children's Village will be 'Valdy for Kids'. More smiles await with shows from Benoit Bourque, Bill Russell, Evalyn Parry, Coco Love Alcorn and Mike Stevens. In addition to the music, the hands-on craft activities will ensure children have lots to do at Summerfolk.

~ Summerfolk Choir members return to Under the Willows to prepare for their evening amphitheatre concert. This location is also the home for two workshops on Sunday afternoon - 'A Way with Words' and 'Historically Speaking'

~ Kristan Anderson and his poetry team bring their talents to The Sharing Circle in the afternoon. There will also be a vocal workshop, the annual 'Summerfolk Drum Circle' and an 'Old Tyme Music Jam'. All are invited to participate in these sessions.

Along with the musical fun at the workshops, there is much more to do in the afternoon. Attend the information session on organic food with Ann Finlay-Stewart and Hoots & Hellmouth in the Food Village. The First Nations Villlage features sash making, drumming, Metis fiddling and bannock making.

At the Crafts Demonstration tent you can view the work of stained glass artist Mallori McArthur and learn techniques of the craft.

The Cafe Concert at 5:00 pm is the first of the evening concerts. It will feature the music of Ragleela with a sound that comes from the East Indian music tradition. This quintet features sitar, tabla, percussion, guitar and violin.

The 6:30 set at Down By the Bay is a comedy feast. 'The Last Laugh' will showcase the wit of The Austin Lounge Lizards, Trout Fishing in America and Wendell Ferguson at their side-splitting best.

The Sunday night Amphitheatre Concerts begin at 6:00 with a performance by The Summerfolk Choir. After their weekend rehearsals, the Choir will be ready to take to the stage. Joined by guest performers, the Choir concert at Summerfolk is always a heart-warming moment.

Next up is Australia's Chloe Hall Trio. Following is Owen Sound's own Al Walker with his group Suitcase Walker. The artistry of Evalyn Parry and the musical magic of Vance Gilbert will compliment the terrific Sunday night lineup.

Betty & the Bobs are a seven piece group that oozes talent. Made up of familiar names in folk music, this all-star band is a celebration of song and instrumental prowess - Katherine Wheatley, Wendell Ferguson, Suzi Vinnick, Rich Greenspoon, David Matheson, Soozi Schlanger and David Woodhead.

Tanglefoot's farewell performance on the amphitheatre stage will be a concert to remember. The group has won the hearts of music fans around the world.

Leading up to the Finale, we will have the opportunity to hear songs of Stan Rogers performed by artists who have been inspired by his work. Stan died 1983 in an airplane fire while returning from the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. Hearing his work again will remind us of what a great writer he was. Poor Angus, Ariel Rogers, Dan McKinnon and Tanglefoot will each play one of his songs before we get to our tradiional Summerfolk closing - the singing of Stan's "Mary Ellen Carter".

Summerfolk weekend is here! I hope you will join family and friends for the 34th annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival.

Saturday at Summerfolk

2009-08-11T22:44:00.004-04:00

Saturday at Summerfolk

On Saturday, August 15th, the Summerfolk gates open at 10:30 am. The musical adventures begin with on the workshop stages at 11:00 and here are some of the highlights.

The GAZEBO STAGE has six workshops on Saturday. 'Images of Women' includes Peggy Seeger, Susan Werner, Darcie Deaville and Evalyn Parry. 'Home & Away' features the music of Bill Bourne, Jacob Moon, James Keelaghan and Vance Gilbert.

HOMEMADE JAM has a couple of 'how-to' workshops to start things off. The first - 'Banjos!' explores, you guessed it, banjo techniques. The second, hosted by Mike Stevens, is 'Something to Harp About' featuring harmonica styles. For much of the day, Homemade Jam is home to the Open Stage where Festival patrons are encouraged to sign up to play their music at Summerfolk.

At 1:00 pm, 'Stories and Songs of Stan Rogers', a tribute to Stan hosted by Paul Mills, is one of the exciting workshops planned for DOWN BY THE BAY. The afternoon sessions conclude with the 'Summerfolk Quiz'. Hosted by Dave Carr and yours truly, two teams of musicians are pitted against the audience in games of musical knowledge and fun.

The join-in dance sessions are featured at the OVER THE HILL...stage. You can participate in contra dancing, enjoy Brazilian drum beats and dance, learn dance steps for Cajun music, and kick up your heels at the 'Quebecois Kitchen Party'.

One of the highlights in the CHILDREN"S VILLAGE will be a performance by Trout Fishing in America at 2:30 pm. The children's area has games, crafts and music, all geared to engage young and old alike.

UNDER THE WILLOWS is the rehearsal area for The Summerfolk Choir. Under the direction of Tom Leighton, audience members can share their joy of singing together. Under the Willows also has 3 workshop sessions between choir practices. 'Musical Portraits' at 2:30 showcases the talents of Erica Wheeler, Suzie Vinnick, Ian Tamblyn and Chloe Hall.

THE SHARING CIRCLE offers the opportunity for everyone to bring their instruments, stories and songs to join-in. Saturday's schedule includes drumming, poetry, fiddle and song sessions plus a bluegrass jam.

Audience members can also participate in JUMBLEJAM. This is a chance to play with the pros, create an original piece of music and perform on stage at Summerfolk. If you sing or play an instrument apply for Saturday's JumbleJam workshop - you might just end up in a band with Katherine Wheatley, Coco Love Alcorn or Valdy.

Another interesting workshop will be FIRE POI in the Summerfolk Circle at 5:00 pm. At 11:00 you can see 'Fire Poi' at night - a unique experience!

Make sure to drop by the CRAFTS DEMONSTRATION tent during the afternoon to view the best work of exhibitors from The Artisan Village. These artists are invited to submit two of their pieces to be included in the Exhibition. Please cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.

The CAFE CONCERT at 5:00 pm features The McFlies. This band plays pop favourites from the 1980s with acoustic instruments. You won't hear anything like it except at Summerfolk!

So that's an overview of the daytime activities... now on to the AMPHITHEATRE CONCERTS for the evening. Starting at 6:00, here is the exciting Saturday night lineup.

Ragleela - featuring the sounds of East Indian Music
Peggy Seeger - famed traditional performer
Ian Tamblyn - songs from an adventurer musician
Tony Gouveia - fado songs of Portugal
Susan Werner - one of North America's finest songwriters
Bop Ensemble - with Bill Bourne, Wyckham Porteous and Jasmine Olhauser
The Austin Lounge Lizards - comedy, bluegrass, western swing
James Keelaghan - the voice of Canadian folk music

Saturday night is also dance time at Summerfolk! OVER THE HILL.... features an 'Evening Country Dance' at 7:30 followed by 'Cajun Dance Party' to the sounds of Swamperella at 9:00.

If you head on over to the DOWN BY THE BAY tent, here is what you will find. Things start off with the 'JumbleJam' bands at 7:00 followed by the music of David Celia. Then The Aline Morales Band bring their Brazilian rhythms to the stage and Trevor MacKenzie's band, Dirty Mack, will offer up a mix of rock and blues.

Next up is a performance by The McFlies. Then you won't want to miss Hoots and Hellmouth who wrap up the festivities at Down By the Bay. The amazing harmonica work of Mike Stevens will be featured during their intermission.

So Saturday at the Festival - a full slate of workshops during the day; two concert venues and a dance at night. It is amazing that all this music can happen in one place, in one day. But that's Summerfolk for you!

Friday at Summerfolk

2009-07-31T10:45:00.005-04:00

At 4:30 pm on August 14th, the gates open for the 34th annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival.
One of your first stops should be the Food Village. There you will find delicious treats from any one of the 18 food vendors - sandwiches, salads, pizza and hamburgers along with international fare - Indian curries, Caribbean jerk chicken and Chinese dishes.

Take a table at the Cafe of the Senses and enjoy the music of Scatter the Cats at 5:00 pm. The 'Cats' are a collective of well-known Owen Sound area musicians who perform great tunes with a 'wee' bit of an Irish twist. Then you can polish off you meal with some dessert - homemade butter tarts, cookies, ice cream, yogurt or cake.

The sound of bagpipes signal the Opening Ceremonies at the Amphitheatre stage. Bob Dixon has been 'piping in' Summerfolk for as long as I can remember. Dressed in his Scottish tartan, Bob's music echoes throughout Kelso Beach Park and calls all to take their seats for the evening concerts.

The first words you will hear are those from Dave Carr, the 'Voice of Summerfolk'. Dave is a veteran Owen Sound broadcaster and music aficionado. Following greetings delivered by the dignitaries, the music begins!

Friday night's Amphitheatre concert line-up is full of talent! In order of appearance, the schedule looks like this:

Hard Ryde Bluegrass Band - one of Canada's top bluegrass groups gets things started

Erica Wheeler - a singer/songwriter who paints musical portraits and landscapes

Shane Cook - award winning fiddler along with Brian Pickell, Jake Charron and Tiffany Fewster

David Woodhead's Confabulation - an innovative musical interplay of folk, poetry and jazz

Brian McNeill - Scotland's musical treasure

Hoots & Hellmouth - high-energy acoustic quartet

Valdy - Canada's folk troubadour

Trout Fishing in America - Summerfolk favourites Erza Idlet and Keith Grimwood are back

The Amphitheatre at Kelso is magical. The sound system is finely tuned and every seat is a good one. There is nothing quite like listening to music outdoors. Attending an evening concert in the Amphitheatre at Summerfolk is an unforgettable experience.

By Friday night the artisans have their one-of-a-kind works on display. A stroll through the Artisan Village will reveal a fabulous array of handmade items. These creative artists are selected by jury for the quality of their work and are encouraged to demonstrate and discuss their craft during the weekend.

There's more to do on a summer's night at Summerfolk. The licensed Down By the Bay tent has refreshments and some great music to go with it.

Jacob Moon starts things off at 7:00 pm. Next up, bluegrass fans can catch more of Hard Ryde. Then blues band Daddy Long Legs performs 2 sets with the award-winning Suzi Vinnick playing in between.

Celtic music fans will love Poor Angus who take to the Down By the Bay stage around 11:00 pm. Highland pipes and Irish whistles are accompanied by fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bodhran and bass guitar. Swamperella closes off the evening with their infectious Cajun music sound.

Summerfolk also presents the Friday night Young & Hungry concert showcasing the talents of up-and-coming performers. Host Kristan Anderson will welcome young musicians Jonathan Jerome, Flashlight Radio featuring Ben Whiteley and Suzy Wilde, and the ultra-talented Coco Love Alcorn. The Brazilian music group The Aline Morales Band will polish the concert off in fine style.

On the Young & Hungry bill are also four acts from the Grey-Bruce region. Claire McLeish, Jon Farmer, Sarah Hillis and Liam Sanagan were selected earlier in the year for this appearance at Summerfolk.

Wow! Friday night at Summerfolk is action-packed. With three concerts, Summerfolk fans will have plenty of great music to enjoy.

Dancing at Summerfolk

2009-07-31T10:36:00.005-04:00

When we introduced a dance tent at Summerfolk two years ago, I hoped to sometime include a Big Band sound as a part of the programming. This year it is happening!

Recalling the days when dancing to a Big Band was popular in this area, "Dance at the Pavilion" has The Lighthouse Swing Band on Sunday afternoon, August 16th, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.

Directed by Don Johnson, The Lighthouse Swing Band is a 20 piece group featuring vocalist Shelley Parker and numerous solo instrumentalists.

The band was formed in 1984 by a group of players from Kincardine. Paisley's Shelley Parker joined them in 1985. The present lineup draws musicians from Goderich, Port Elgin, Lucknow, Mildmay, Kincardine and Sauble Beach. One trumpet player even comes up from Burlington for rehearsals every week.

"One of the big changes for the band was getting Don Johnson as our director" says Shelley. "Don retired to Sauble Beach and since 2002, he's made all the difference for us."

"We learn something from him each time out. He does not miss an off-note in the band. We are very fortunate to have him."

"It was Don Johnson who initiated the jazz program at Humber College and was on the faculty for many years. He led many Big Bands in Toronto and was musical director for The Juliette Show on CBC television."

When I asked Shelley about their repertoire she said "We go back to the 40's right up to the present day. Songs like Mack the Knife and New York, New York are always favourites. We even do a version of YMCA. A waltz, bosa nova, tango, jive - you have to be prepared to do them all."

Swing music began in the 1920s, distinguished by a more supple feel than earlier jazz and a walking bass line. After 1935, big bands rose to prominence and had a major role in defining swing as a distinctive style.

The danceable music of bandleaders such as Benny Goodman and Count Basie was the dominant form of popular music from 1935 to 1945.

When I was a young musician starting my own career, we often played at many of the dance halls and pavilions scattered throughout this area. I was always fascinated with the history of the buildings. Constructed for dancing and with great acoustics, they held memories from a great era of music.

"Let's Dance: A Celebration of Ontario's Dance Halls and Summer Dance Pavilions", a book written by Peter Young, recalls this history of Big Band dances in this part of the province. The following are some of beach halls that you might know.

The Balmy Beach Dance Pavilion where Lloyd Kibbler's Orchestra played had the recognition of the best dance floor in Ontario during the late 40's and 50's. The building was demolished in June 1962 and the land sub-divided for home building lots.

Oliphant's McKenzie's Pavilion was built in 1921. During the '30s and '40s, McKenzie's Pavilion attracted dancers from up and down Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay shores of the Bruce and from the city of Owen Sound. Mac McKenzie recalls working at the dance hall with his brother Don. Dressed in white shorts and blue blazers, they took tickets as couples entered the dance floor and made certain that all left after the second dance.

The original pavilion at Sauble Beach, called the Octagon after its unique shape, was built in 1933. Wally Scott (who had his own band) and Jack Robertson purchased the hall in 1946. Later they added a terrazzo floor to the east so couples could dance under the stars on warm summer evenings. In 1950, they flattened the old structure and built a new pavilion on the same site, leaving the open-air portion as it was. The new building with its enlarged interior and outdoor floor could hold up to 2,500 dancers. The Pavilion also hosted Wednesday night country dances with Don Robertson's Ranch Boys. During the Big Band era, one of the popular orchestras to play the pavilion on a regular basis was led by Warren Ovens from Kitchener.

The Annex at Southampton's Breakers Lodge was a popular dance pavilion before it was converted into guest rooms. Russell Knowles built the dance pavilion during the 1920s bringing in well-known orchestras such as Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, Ferde Mowry's group and many others.

Port Elgin's Cedar Crescent Casino was one of the crown jewels along the Lake Huron shoreline. Built in 1924, the hall ran dances six nights a week attracting hundreds of eager residents and summer vacationers. From 1950 to 1964 Lloyd Kibbler's Big Band from Owen Sound was the Casino's house band. The Casino burnt to the ground in 1970.

Long before the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station was even a glow in Ontario Hydro's eyes, the small community of Inverhuron created its own unique energy at the Inverhuron Dance Pavilion built in 1930.

The Kincardine Pavilion is the only hall of its kind still operating along Lake Huron. Inside the hall was a large circular light that looked like a moon when it was illuminated during a song with the word "moon" in the title and also, for the last dance of the night. Music of every type from Big Band to country to rock'n'roll has been performed here. Orchestras included Don Messer, Lionel Thorton, Mart Kenney, the John Brenan Band and Johnny Downs.

Summerfolk's "Dance at the Pavilion" hopes to re-create some of the magic of this bygone era. The Lighthouse Swing Band with trumpet, sax and trombone sections brings swing music to life and is perfect for dancing.

Of course there will be lots of opportunity to enjoy other styles of dance at Summerfolk as well. On Saturday night we feature an Evening Country Dance followed by a Cajun dance.

During the day on Saturday and Sunday there are several contra dance sessions, a Quebecois Kitchen Party with Benoit Bourque and a Brazilian dance workshop with The Aline Morales Band.

Come kick up your heels or glide across the dance floor to the best in music at Summerfolk.

World Music at Summerfolk

2009-07-31T10:30:00.002-04:00

The term 'world music' is often used to describe a musical genre presented at folk festivals such as Summerfolk. Exploring the history of tradtional forms of music from different countries can be fascinating.

Fado singer Tony Gouveia was born in Lisbon and came to Canada at the age of 13. His musical career took hold with the formation of the band Tabu. Tony established a reputation in North America’s Portuguese community for his vocal work with this group.

Based in Cambridge, Ontario, Tabu played everything from Latin to Portuguese, Italian to Top 40. Over a 20 year run, beginning in 1986, the band toured extensively. In 2007 they won the prestigious Merit Award for Music presented by the Alliance of Portuguese Clubs & Associations of Ontario.

Tony's wife was the one responsible for his re-connection with traditional Portuguese fado music. She listened to fado at home and loved it. Eventually Gouveia was once again hooked on it too – not only as a listener, but this time as a performer.

He had never forgotten the fados that his father used to sing at family gatherings. By adding elements from his Tabu stage experience with the tradition of fado, his performance style is rivetting. You may not understand the Portuguese lyrics but you will be moved when you hear the songs of Tony Gouveia. The music embodies the essence of the Portuguese soul.

Fado music is arguably the oldest urban folk music in the world. Some say it came as a dance from Africa in the 19th century and was adopted by the poor on the streets of Lisbon. Others think it started at sea as the sad, melodic songs coaxed from the ocean waves by homesick sailors and fishermen.

Whatever its origins, the themes have remained constant: destiny, betrayal in love, death and despair. The essential element of fado music is saudade, a Portuguese word that translates roughly as longing, or nostalgia for unrealized dreams.

By the early twentieth century, fado had become a fixture in the everyday life of Lisbon’s working class. It was played for pleasure but also to relieve the pain of life. Skilled singers known as fadistas performed at the end of the day and long into the night in the Alfama and Mouraria sections of Lisbon.

Like other forms of folk music such as American blues, Argentine tango or Greek rebitika, fado cannot be explained; it must be felt and experienced. One must have the soul to transmit that feeling. A fadista who does not possess saudade is thought of as inauthentic.
Fado can be performed by men or women. A fadista stands in front of the musicians and communicates through gesture and facial expressions. The hands move, the body is stationary. When done correctly, it is a majestic performance.

The towering figure of Portuguese fado was Amalia Rodrigues. From the 1940’s until her death in 1999, she was the diva of fado worshipped at home and celebrated abroad as the most famous representative of Portuguese culture. When she died the country’s prime minister called for three days of national mourning. Such is the hold of fado over the people of Portugal.

Tony Gouveia comes to Summerfolk backed by a trio of fine musicians. This is a unique opportunity to hear traditional Portuguese folk blues performed with intensity and passion.

Ragleela was first founded in India in 1990 by sitar maestro Uwe Neumann. Upon his arrival to Montreal in 2000, he was joined by guitarist Jean-Marc Hébert and tabla player Shankar Das. Ragleela was reborn.

Now a quintet, Ragleela blends the richness of Indian ragas with occidental melodies. The result is a sound very interesting to the western ear. Neumann’s sitar is the centrepiece of their music but it isn’t about revisiting hallowed ragas. Rather, the group revels in the space between jazz, folk and Indian classical music.

In their original compositions, the sitar sets the tune over guitar patterns, violin lines and grooves of both Indian tablas and percussion. Their explorations on melodic hooks are not at all out of place in a western pop context. It is peaceable music with subtle nuances that invigorate the listener.

Ragleela concerts across Canada have left audiences enchanted and inspired by the power of their unique musical fusion.

Uwe Neumann discovered the sitar in a most unusual fashion. He was in Benares, considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India. Home to many famous temples, virtually every block in the city features a shrine.

As he walked down a crowded lane, a stranger approached him and offered free lessons in sitar. Neumann, who had played classical guitar in church choirs and was an accomplished folk and jazz guitarist in hometown Nuremberg, followed the man into a shop. He tuned in to the sounds of the sitar and was hooked.

Neumann then studied Indian music for 10 years in the Bengal region. He beame comfortable enough with the lore and theory to shape it in a personal fashion. "We play in a traditional style" says Neumann of their music. "A bit more dynamic maybe, but still traditional ragas."

Improvising is a feature of ragas. "It's always improvisations on a theme," he explains. "To define raga is quite difficult but one has a scale, and each note of that scale has its particular character. The relationship between the notes is defined by how you move from one to the other."

Neumann was also attracted by the unique development of melody in Hindustani classical music. "Most of the popular music we're exposed to has a strong beat and harmonic structure. I realized I needed to work more with melody."

Ragleela's guitarist Jean-Marc Hébert studied classical guitar at the University of Toronto and takes a major role in shaping the arrangements for the band. Tabla player Bertil Schulrabe studied the instrument in India and has appeared on numerous world music CDs.

Violinist Marie-Soleil Bélanger performed for many years with Richard Desjardins and played on a Lhasa CD. Eric Breton plays percussion in many musical styles - those of Africa, Maghreb, Brazil, Haiti and Cuba, and of course, Ragleela's Indian-based music.

There is a stirring beauty and an underlying message of love and happiness to Ragleela's music.

Ragleela and Tony Gouveia, along with Brazil's Aline Morales, Australia's Chloe Hall, the African group Soul Influence and Scotland's Brian McNeill bring a world of music to Summerfolk this August 14, 15 and 16.

The Troubadour Returns - Valdy at Summerfolk

2009-07-31T10:13:00.002-04:00

The name Valdy merits mention in the same breath as celebrated Canadian performers Gordon Lightfoot, Buffy St. Marie and Murray McLauchlan.

With some 40 years’ experience as a touring artist, Valdy has sold half a million copies of his 14 albums and has won two Juno Awards. He has been hailed a national treasure and this country's most distinguished troubadour.

His songs have been recorded by Quincy Jones and John Kay of Steppenwolf. But unlike Kay, Valdy was 'born to be mild', writing (as he said himself) songs about freedom and joy.

When he performs, there are plenty of hits to choose from. “People want to hear the older songs.” he says. “When they hear them it makes for a comfort zone where they’re more willing to accept the newer material.”

His concert repertoire usually features some of the best songs other people have written too - like Sonny's Dream by friend Ron Hynes. "They stand the test of time," he said of the covers he performs.

As to his interest for environmental and social causes, he has added a decided political slant with such titles as Living Next to a Candy Store (re the Canada-US Free Trade agreement), Ten Little White Men - The Ballad of Meech Lake and Hey Mr. Michael Wilson (re the Goods and Services Tax).

He has, however, generally been a voice of concern and caution rather than anger. The passion of his message is moderated by his sweet, relaxed tenor voice.

Valdy was born Valdemar Horsdal in Ottawa. Early on he was influenced by the likes of TV's private eye Peter Gunn and the show's accompanying music by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra. "I learned melody from him," Valdy said of Mancini. Later it was Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. When he took piano lessons, he played a lot of boogie woogie from the 1920s. "The British Invasion had a big musical influence on me too" he said.
Through it all he credits his father, famed portrait photographer Paul Horsdal (mentor to Yosef Karsh) for his encouragement as a youngster. Now Valdy is the one influencing the youngsters.

In 1966 he made his home in British Columbia, where he farmed for several years near Sooke. Adopting a country-folk style, he performed in Victoria coffee houses and in 1972 came to national attention with his hit Rock and Roll Song - the famous song documenting the rejection experienced on stage following a rock act at the Aldergrove Rock Festival circa 1968.

Other popular singles followed: his own songs A Good Song and Simple Life, and David Bradstreet's Renaissance (Let's Dance That Old Dance). Valdy has also recorded several songs by Bob Ruzicka, including Yes I Can.

By 1976 Valdy had recorded five albums and was second to, you know who... Gordon Lightfoot, in record sales for a Canadian folk singer. In August of that year, he represented Canada at the International Song Festival in Sopot, Poland. "That was a highlight of my career up to that point." says Valdy of Sopot. "I was a musical emissary from Canada playing for people behind the Iron Curtain."

Since that time, Valdy has remained a fixture on the Canadian folk circuit. He also performs for children and on occasion, with symphony orchestras, maintaining a yearly schedule of some 200 performance dates.

He was a panelist on CBC-TV's Front Page Challenge and had a lead role on an episode of The Beachcombers. He continues to perform concerts in the US (he is a favourite at the annual Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas), Europe and Australia.

Valdy is famous for jigging and dancing on stage, and establishing rapport with young and adult audiences alike. With a generous spirit and an open heart he is a tireless proponent of folk music. Love songs, protest songs, sad songs, funny songs - any and all ways of touching an audience with music, laughter and positive energy are part of his magic.

His musical talent is augmented by an incredible human spirit. He remembers people. He cares about people. Valdy is a man with a thousand friends, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and from Texas to New Zealand.

During his career, Valdy has made many friends in this 'neck of the woods' too, performing in places like Tobermory, Kincardine, Walkerton and of course Summerfolk.

Four Women Featured at Summerfolk

2009-06-29T10:57:00.003-04:00

SUSAN WERNER was raised in the farm lands of Iowa. Blessed with a great voice and a command of both guitar and piano, Werner is one of the most innovative songwriters of our time.

Now based in Chicago, Werner has 9 albums to her credit, a busy touring schedule and a string of accolades from the likes of The Washington Post, Village Voice and The New Yorker.

Her songs slide effortlessly between folk, jazz and pop. A clever and versatile performer, Susan's music is sophisticated, witty and engaging.

For her Summerfolk performance, Werner will be accompanied by world-class cellist Julia Biber and harmonica player Trina Hamlin.

PEGGY SEEGER is known for her excellent renditions of traditional folksongs and for activist songwriting. Her best-known pieces are Gonna Be an Engineer and The Ballad of Springhill (about the 1958 Springhill, Nova Scotia mining disaster).

Born into one of North America's foremost musical families, Peggy learned to play piano, guitar, five-string banjo, autoharp, dulcimer and concertina. She cut her first record when she was 18 and in her early twenties became a professional touring musician.

Her travels took her to Europe and in 1959 she settled in London with Ewan MacColl. She is the face of MacColl's song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Performing as a duo, MacColl and Seeger were at the forefront of the British folk scene for three decades.

Peggy is currently teaching at Boston's Northeastern University and tours as a lecturer and performer.

ERICA WHEELER is an award-winning singer/songwriter whose songs and stories evoke a sense of place. She creates an immediacy to her presentation with a keen-edged, conversational singing style.

Based in western Massachusetts, Wheeler combines a lifelong interest in natural and cultural history with her career as a musician.

A troubadour in the classic sense of the word, impressions of people and places eventually work their way into her songs. Human connections to the land and metaphors drawn from nature figure prominently in her songwriting.

With their rural imagery, Erica's songs will resonant with those of us who live in the Grey-Bruce region.

EVALYN PARRY grew up at folk festivals - her father David was a member of the iconic folk ensemble 'The Friends of Fiddlers Green' and her mother Caroline, a children’s music performer, author and folklorist.

“I have a really distinct memory of the 'Friends' singing with Stan Rogers at Summerfolk. I remember being impressed when I learned Stan had written Barrett’s Privateers inspired by one of their concerts.”

Evalyn grew up on a staple diet of sea shanties, ballads and big chorus songs. Although the music she now writes doesn’t come directly from that tradition, “it steals from it and is inspired by it."

Her performances are as thought-provoking as they are hilarious. They are as charming as they are eclectic, as deeply political as they are personal. Evalyn Parry is a singer-songwriter and spoken word artist with a unique perspective on the world.

These four women, Susan, Peggy, Erica and Evalyn, approach their craft differently. Each is incredibly talented and part of the musical mosaic you will find at Summerfolk.

A Summerfolk Moon

2009-06-29T10:45:00.005-04:00

Jacob Moon comes by it honestly. His mother is a singer and his father cut his teeth playing 12-string guitar in Kingston Trio-style folk bands.

As for Jacob, he came to music in his teen years. Since then, he has been refining his craft and redefining what it means to be a singer, a songwriter and a guitarist.

I remember seeing Jacob Moon perform at The Festival of Friends in Hamilton and he has been on my short list of performers to consider for Summerfolk ever since I took up the position of artistic director three years ago.

When I visited his website, I was impressed by a video shot on a rooftop in Hamilton. Jacob set up the song with acoustic guitar and part way through switched over to perform a great electric guitar solo overtop of the rhythm part he had played earlier. This was accomplished by his use of a live looping device called JamMan.

"It radically changes how I can add a different complexion to my show. I can communicate everything from percussion to rhythm guitar and lead guitar parts, all in the context of the same song" explains Jacob.

The JamMan device allows musicians to record a musical phrase with the touch of a foot switch. This phrase, again controlled by a foot switch, can be played back as a repeating pattern or loop. Musicians may record additional phrases in time with the first and thus create a sort of virtual band. Once the pattern has been established, the musician is free to improvise over top of the backing tracks.

"Nothing is pre-recorded - it's recorded on the fly so there's an element of danger to it. I use it in about half of my show. I've been working with JamMan for 8 or 9 years now so it's not so scary anymore.".

I have since come to learn that the song Jacob performed on the video was in fact a cover of "Subdivisions", written and performed by Canadian rock band Rush. The band's lead singer Geddy Lee wrote to Jacob to say "The guys have all seen it and think it's terrific."

In conversations with Jacob, I learned more about his musical career. He studied theory and majored in voice at Laurier University. "I put myself through college playing gigs."

After university, he re-located to Hamilton and has been part the music community in that city ever since. "Hamilton is a place artists can afford to live and quite a number a musicians have taken up residence here."

Moon is a terrific vocalist and as such, gets calls for session work on commercials and film soundtracks.

He has recorded six albums and is currently working on number seven. As part of the process for this latest project, he is recording some of the tracks at home. "I'm learning how to record and edit files. The more I know, the more creative control I will have. Down the road I want to be a producer for other artists, so developing a working knowledge of the software that's available will prove invaluable."

Moon has played hundreds of theatres, coffeehouses and churches in his quest to reach new audiences. The popularity of his videos on YouTube, and especially "Subdivisions", has garnered him an international following that is growing rapidly.

He takes a grassroots approach to marketing and promotions and it is starting to pay off. He has developed a reputation as a passionate and expressive musician for church performances.

"A church is great because it's a venue that doesn't have distractions. No matter what persuasion you come from, the church is a place of comfort and it's built for music. Because of my own spiritual journey, I can have a conversation with an audience there. It's been a good angle for me."

I asked about his songwriting. "Sometimes I get impatient. I write a handful of songs every year. I really do believe it's just a matter of pulling them down from the sky. You have to work hard at it but one of my strengths is persistence."

Social justice is also something very close to Jacob's heart. For many years he has been active in raising funds for many worthy organizations including Compassion Canada, the Mennonite Central Committee and Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

He recently performed at The Street Level Conference in Ottawa, an event organized to bring attention to poverty in Canada. In mid-July, he and his wife will depart to El Salvador with a Compassion Canada team. Compassion's mission is to serve the spiritual, economic, social, and physical needs of a children in over 25 developing countries around the world .

Jacob performs Friday night at Summerfolk's Down By the Bay tent and is featured in the 'Summerfolk Sunday Morning' concert.

You can get an preview of Jacob Moon and his music before Summerfolk. On July 4th plays Massie Hall - as in the village of Massie, located southeast of Owen Sound. Concert presenter for this show and long-time music fan Pete Miller has this to say about Jacob:

"Jacob Moon's folk, rock and pop fusion is the most innovative solo work I've heard in eons. Imagine a folk singer, wired to a digital effects loop, with a social conscience to boot."

The Adventure Travels and Music of Ian Tamblyn

2009-06-29T10:38:00.004-04:00

Ian Tamblyn began his career in the mid-1960s. He sang pop songs and traditional blues at the Fourth Dimension coffeehouse in his hometown of Fort William - now Thunder Bay.

"It was an international port, an industrial town and as an isolated northern city, there was a sense of drama to it" recalls Ian. "In my younger years, I was a part of the artistic community there."

Then after studying liberal arts at Trent University in Peterborough, he decided to take on a full-time musical career. He moved to Chelsea, Quebec, where he has lived since 1971. "The rent was so affordable. That helped take the financial pressure off and made it possible to commit to being a writer. I always believed you had to do it full-time."

"I love the Gatineau Hills" he says. "In comparison to the extreme places I go to, it's almost like neutral territory for me. It's not a wilderness, and yet, it's outdoors."

His first big 'break' came when Sylvia Tyson performed one of his songs on the popular Canadian television show Ian & Sylvia. That led to the release of his debut self-titled album in 1976, which garnered him a Juno Award.

Since then, he has recorded 29 additional albums and penned some 1,500 songs. He has performed at coffeehouses, concerts and festivals but has also discovered other avenues to make a living as a musician.

Tamblyn has scored several films and produced theatre soundtracks. He has written nine plays, beginning with Dream Children which ran at the National Arts Centre, and several for the Great Canadian Theatre Company. Most notable among these is Legends of the Northern Swamp, which is still touring Quebec.

Being an avid naturalist, Ian started mixing music with his love of nature. His Over My Head CD was recorded in-studio after a successful live concert commissioned by the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Instrumental music was composed around tape-looped field recordings of birds. Ian explained "In the case of Knock on Wood, for example, I composed the piece around the percussive hammering of a Pileated Woodpecker."

That album sold more than 100,000 copies. "Over My Head caught on," recalls Tamblyn, "with everyone from midwives to palliative-care wards. From cradle to grave."

But perhaps his most important development was connecting creative skills with adventure travels to remote places such as the Nahanni River, the north shore of Lake Superior, Greenland, Baffin Island and the Chukchi Sea.

The Nahanni, for example, is situated in the mountains of the Northwest Territories. It flows through deep canyons and geological features so unique that the Nahanni River was declared the first World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1978. Its' Virginia Falls are nearly twice the height of Niagara.

With Ian's Magnetic North CD, he began to blend instrumental music with environmental sounds, incorporating field recordings from his travels.

"It all started with my fascination of the north shore of Lake Superior in the early seventies. I became interested in exploring the concept of a spiritual north perhaps in a similar vein as Glenn Gould's Idea of North series that he did for the CBC."

In 1984 Ian was invited north as a writer-in-residence on a scientific trip to the Chukchi Sea, north of the Bering Strait. “Science needs you in the Chukchi Sea” was the first line of a letter he received from John Oliver from State University of California.

The letter went on to say John and several of his co-workers had seen Ian perform at a concert in Barclay Sound on Vancouver Island. "We talked about it after and came to the conclusion that you should probably join us for a month this summer on the Research Vessel Alpha Helix. We will be studying the feeding habits of Gray Whales and walrus and so we invite to come along as a writer-in-residence." the letter summarized.

After five expeditions to the north with John Oliver, Ian has also made two trips with the team to explore the under ice worlds of Antarctica. "Mixing artistic and scientific work is given a lot of lip service, but I've never found another person like John - somebody willing to take it on."

"Creativity is seen as not factual and hence doesn't necessarily sit well with scientific types. There is also a hierarchy of positions and the 'artist' is often seen as entertainment - which is a lesser form in the chain. At times it's been an interesting experience, and at times frustrating."

But Tamblyn has created music inspired by these trips. "It's a huge panorama of songwrting being a part of the ocean. What happens to one's psyche when being surrounded by such a massive force. Through the years of being out on the ocean, I have had a number of quiet revelations about why sailors don't come home. It's so big. It takes a part of us."

"Three quarters of the world is ocean. It is fundamental to being on the planet itself."

While he has travelled to exotic locations throughout the world, Tamblyn remains rooted in the Canadian landscape. His music in infused with this country's environment.

He has travelled to the north of Canada many times. Prior to Summerfolk he will be guiding a Students on Ice expedition to the Arctic. Then following the Festival, he will be going through the Northwest Passage from the west and coming down the east coast of Canada. Always with pen in hand, Tamblyn looks for inspiration in places that few people get to see.

He has recently completed 2 discs of a 4 disc set based on Canadian bodies of water. His Spirit and Light CD, released in 2007 is all about the Lake Superior area of Ontario. Raincoast, the second disc, features songs about the west coast of Canada.

His songs reflect the places he has seen and those he has met along the way. "In terms of arriving at a musical description of this country, I've been very active. That's what I do."

Tanglefoot's Farewell Tour Includes Stop at Summerfolk

2009-06-29T10:31:00.003-04:00

For more than 25 years, Tanglefoot has been a fixture on the Canadian music scene. But nothing lasts forever and 2009 will be the final year of performances for the band.

It is fitting that this group has included a Summerfolk appearance as a part of their farewell tour. This will be the final opportunity to catch Tanglefoot on Summerfolk's amphitheatre stage at Kelso Beach Park.

The band is made up of five distinctly talented individuals - bass player Al Parrish, violinist Sandra Swannell and Terry Young on mandolin, guitar and banjo. Then there are the two brothers, guitarist Steve Ritchie (who joined Tanglefoot co-founders Joe Grant and Bob Wagar back in 1988) and piano player Rob Ritchie.

I talked to Steve Ritchie about the upcoming appearance at Summerfolk. "We wanted to hit all the places are special to us and of course Summerfolk is one of those places - it's a prestigious festival. The fact that we're based here, with 4 out of 5 of us living in the area, Summerfolk is an event that we have a lot of affection for on a number of levels."

"I was a sound man at Summerfolk back in the early 80's. I remember mixing Stan & Garnet Rogers at a side stage concert and I didn't even know who they were - this was way back. I still remember some of the songs they did."

"Summerfolk was the first place I heard people like Mose Scarlett, Gamble Rogers and Utah Phillips. I was 20 years old at the time and had no inclination I'd end up playing this kind of music....and doing it on a full-time basis for 25 years or so."

Tanglefoot has made headlines throughout the world of folk and acoustic music, attracting a large and enthusiastic audience throughout Canada, the United States and Britain.
Named best vocal group in the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Tanglefoot delivers their music with intensity. Well-known for their full-throated harmony singing, they are also a band with great instrumental agility. Their music has an unmistakable driving sound.

"When I was young I played drums" says Steve. "I was a 'rocker'. My whole ambition was to be Kim Mitchell's drummer. When I was in high school that's what I wanted to do. Al Parrish was in a Led Zeppelin tribute band and Terry comes from that background too. That's how we play - really slamming, only on acoustic guitars instead of with a stack of Marshall amps."

I then asked him about the way they handle the vocal arrangements for the group. "Our harmony approach with Tanglefoot comes out of a specific tradition. It's an all for one, everybody-in style that comes from shanty, lumber camp, mining, railroad and voyageur worksongs. All those kinds of songs are robust in their vocal delivery."

Tanglefoot certainly knows how to deliver traditional songs with vigour but they also take a similar tact when performing their own compositions. They have the ability to write engaging songs that connect with an audience. They tell human stories of folklore, fake-lore, family history, quirky characters, danger, romance and drama.

One can't help but be moved by their endearing themes and true-to-life stories in songs like "Secord's Warning", "Awkward Donald", "Seven a Side" and "Jack the Green".

Their acapella song “Vimy” led to their taking part in the dedication of the restored memorial at Vimy, France on April 9, 2007 (at the same time, the Canadian Celtic Choir was performing the same song on Capitol Hill in Ottawa).

Tanglefoot enjoys the unusual claim-to-fame of having had one of their CDs fly aboard the space shuttle. "The Music In The Wood" CD accompanied Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor in April of 2001.

Tanglefoot will play an important role in the Stan Rogers tributes that are a Summerfolk feature this year. I asked Steve about the obvious connection between Stan's work and that of Tanglefoot.

"I always found his voice very compelling. He had a voice that grabbed you. Stan also had a tremendous sense of melody and could really tell a good story. His was a benchmark for muscular Canadian songwriting."

"Stan Rogers came to my high school (OSCVI) and this was not the kind of music I was particularly interested in but I remember sitting in the front row with a bunch of my friends and just thinking he had a cool voice and a lot of stage presence. When he sang "Jeannie C", that was really chilling. "Every seam poured water" - what a powerful image that was. It got through to me."

As with many things in life, what goes around, comes around. The influence that Summerfolk has had on the musicians from this area is clearly displayed in Tanglefoot's Steve Ritchie. "By a kind of osmosis, I discovered I had a proclivity for this kind of music - storytelling, acoustic music."

Tanglefoot has seen many changes in personnel over its existence. Steve performed along with Joe Grant and Bob Wagar, the original Tanglefoot band members, at Summerfolk in 1989. That was one of their first folk festival appearances.

Steve notes the current lineup is one of the strongest. "When Al Parrish joined, the sound got bigger and more aggressive. He brought a physical presence and charisma that took the band up a notch. Then Terry Young joined and he's a very energetic player as well. That took us up even more. The addition of Sandra was something new for us and having my brother Rob back is a real treat for me."

Seeing Tanglefoot one last time on the Summerfolk stage will be special. "Everywhere we play now is a farewell somewhere. There are going to be some poignant moments and I can't help but think that will be one of them. It is going to be a big deal for me, and for all of us, to be out on that amphitheatre stage one last time."

Special Features at Summerfolk

2009-06-29T10:16:00.002-04:00

Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo

Among the many special features at this year's Summerfolk will be Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo.

Ever play a balalaika or balafon? Have you ever blown into a didgeridoo or shofar? Ever strummed an autoharp or plucked a psaltery? All of these traditional folk instruments and about 100 more, covering the musical alphabet from accordion to zampoya, are part of Todd's Musical Petting Zoo.

This fully interactive and hands-on exhibit is a unique opportunity to explore the workings of the instruments and to actually play them.

Todd Crowley is a recently retired high school English teacher from Virginia. His musical instrument of choice - the autoharp. "I have found the diatonic autoharp to be the perfect accompanying instrument for the songs I sing".

"The autoharp lets me keep the instrumental part of the song simple, so the words in story and poetry can take center stage". Todd's M.A. studies at university included research into the life and songwriting of Woody Guthrie. "As a folk singer I want to be part of the oral tradition that gives voice to promoting peace and justice".

Along with the Musical Petting Zoo, Todd is also providing an instrument play station for the Children's Village. Young and old will have a chance to explore the new musical sounds at Summerfolk.

Painting Summerfolk

Artist Peter Beckett will be painting at the Festival using music as inspiration. One day he will work alongside jazz sax player Kenny Baldwin, the next, he will set up near the Gazebo stage.

Beckett and Baldwin are both familiar with improvisation. Their free-jazz, abstract painting collaborations become conversations between two completely different forms of expression.

Kenny Baldwin played music with Graham Caughtry, one of Beckett's favourite Canadian abstract painters from the 60s. Baldwin was part of the Canadian "avant garde" before anyone noticed. At 79 he remains fearless, "Yea tho I walk through the valley of banjos I will fear no evil for I have my alto and tenor to comfort me," he says with a smile.

Peter Beckett is well known for creating large canvases full of colour and movement. "While I was painting outside, the idea of 'painting for landscape' came to mind. If a painter acted as a conduit, taking on the voice of the environment while painting out doors, what would the painting reveal?""It is considered that the studies of Tom Thomson, for example, contain so much more of the experience of spending a day on a northern shoreline than simply, an image. Through all the senses, the inexplicable inclusion of such things as the smell of the woods or the sound of waves meeting the rocky shore are evident".

There will be more on the painting theme at Summerfolk. Dorothy McDonall, one of the 'ChoirGirlz' trio, will be working on a 'Veil Painting'. The technique consists of overlapping transparent veils of watercolors on dry paper. Responding to the atmosphere at Summerfolk she will be layering colours inspired by the ever-changing environment.

"I just never know what will appear, but that's the fun part of the process. It is important to understand that the image is not pre-conceived. It is simply an exercise about being in the moment. And what a fabulous moment a festival is!"

I will be interested to view the works-in-progress of both these artists over the weekend, as I'm sure you will be too, and intrigued to see what the results will be.

David Woodhead's Confabulation

David Woodhead has been a fixture in the Canadian folk music scene for as long as I can remember. His incredible talents on bass guitar have enhanced the performances of many well known musicians on festival stages across the country.

David is bringing his latest project, David Woodhead's Confabulation, to Summerfolk. "It's all about interplay - musical conversations and fabrications from the outer boundaries when folk, poetry and jazz met in an imaginary coffeehouse late one night in a distant past, or an imminent future...".

Joining him will be Cedric Smith, Joran Freeman-Fox, Emilyn Stam & Rich Greenspoon.

Performance Poetry

Lead by Owen Sound's newly appointed poet laureate Kristan Anderson, a team of creative wordsmiths will be exploring the art of spoken word at this year's Festival.

Performance poetry features a broad range of styles, cultural traditions and approaches. Some poets are closely associated with the vocal delivery style found in hip-hop music and draw heavily on the tradition of rhythmic dub poetry. Others employ an unrhyming narrative formula.

Some use traditional theatric devices including shifting voices and tones, while others may recite an entire poem in ironic monotone. Some poets use nothing but their words to deliver a poem, while others stretch the boundaries of the format, tap-dancing or beatboxing or using highly-choreographed movements.

As both a teacher and youth worker, Kristan has a natural passion for helping develop the potential of young people. His goal is to see a spoken word and 'slam scene' develop in the Grey-Bruce region as a creative outlet for youth to develop both confidence and self-esteem.

JumbleJam

JumbleJam workshops are about creating songs through a unique songbuilding process. An innovative approach makes it possible for anyone to participate in the creation of a song, regardless of musical background. Response to last year's inaugural JumbleJam was so positive, we just had to do it again.

Facilitators Ken Dow and Martin Cooper 'curate' 15 volunteer players into 3 bands, each anchored by a Summerfolk performer. The bands create an original song and perform it on the Down by the Bay stage Saturday evening. Within 8 hours, three songs are written and performed - the energy and excitement of the process is contagious.

Plus...

The Sharing Circle is a place where everyone is invited to bring musical instruments, songs and stories to actively join in the sessions. You can witness the wonders of Fire Poi with Vita Twirlin' Diva and friends at the Summerfolk Circle on Saturday night. Visit the teepee and learn more about First Nations cultural traditions from hosts John Somosi and Kathryn Edgecombe. And last but not least, you can play your music on the Open Stage.

Summerfolk is known for great music, beautiful craft art and delicious food but adding features like these to the mix makes it extra special.

Honouring Stan Rogers a Summerfolk Feature

2009-06-29T09:55:00.004-04:00

Summerfolk has always been more than a series of concerts. The most memorable moments often occur at the workshop sessions and special performances that happen within the Festival.

One of the highlights this year will be two tributes dedicated to Canadian folk legend Stan Rogers. Summerfolk and Stan shared a mutual admiration. The amphitheatre stage at Kelso Beach Park is named in his honour. Each year we close the Festival with his song "The Mary Ellen Carter" and its joyous refrain of "Rise Again".

Part I of the Tribute, hosted and coordinated by Paul Mills, will be held Saturday afternoon in the Down By the Bay tent. "Stories and Songs of Stan Rogers" will feature Ariel Rogers, Tim Harrison, Dan McKinnon, Bill Bourne and the group Poor Angus.

Paul Mills was well acquainted with Stan; he performed alongside him at concerts throughout Canada and the States. Paul was also the producer for several of Stan's recordings.

Part II will be held at the amphitheatre stage on Sunday night. As a lead up to the Finale, some of Stan's most popular songs will be performed by artists who were strongly influenced by his music. For fans of Stan Rogers, this year's Summerfolk will be a special event.

Who was this Stan Rogers fellow and what makes him so celebrated?

Stanley Allison "Stan" Rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his finely-crafted, traditional-sounding songs. His material was often inspired by Canadian history and the daily lives of working people, especially those from the fishing villages of the Maritime provinces and, later, the farms of the prairies and those who toiled on the Great Lakes..

His songs often had a Celtic feel which was due, in part, to his use of DADGAD guitar tuning. Some were in the style of sea shanties, though his brother Garnet once remarked that he would "get seasick crossing a wet lawn". Rogers' legacy includes his recordings, songbook and plays for which he was commissioned to write music.

Stan's songs are often performed by other musicians and are perennial favourites at campfires and song circles. His best known pieces include "Barrett's Privateers", "Northwest Passage", "Make and Break Harbour", "The Field Behind the Plow", "Fogarty's Cove", "White Squall" and "Forty-Five Years".

Stan Rogers died June 2, 1983 at the age of 33 in a fire aboard Air Canada Flight 797 forced to land at the Cincinnati Airport. He was returning from a performance at the Kerrvillle Folk Festival in Texas.

Rogers was born November 29, 1949 in Hamilton, Ontario. He was the eldest son of Nathan Allison "Al" Rogers and Valerie Rogers (née Bushell), two Maritimers who had relocated to Ontario in search of work shortly after their marriage in July 1948. Although Rogers was raised in Dundas (a community in the westernmost part of Hamilton), he often spent summers visiting family in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia.

It was there that he became familiar with the way of life in the Maritimes, an influence which was to have a profound impact on his subsequent musical development. He was interested in music from an early age, reportedly beginning to sing shortly after learning to speak. He received his first guitar, hand-built by his uncle Lee Bushell, when he was only five years of age.

He was exposed to a variety of music influences, but among the most lasting were the country and western tunes his uncles would sing during family get-togethers. Throughout his childhood, he would practice his singing and playing along with his younger brother Garnet Rogers, six years his junior.

By the time Rogers was attending high school in Stoney Creek, he had met other young people interested in folk music. He was also dabbling in rock and roll, singing and playing bass guitar in garage bands such as "Stanley and the Living Stones" and "The Hobbits".

Rogers briefly attended both McMaster and Trent Universities but a full-time career in music was calling. He hit the road pursuing his dream of establishing a national identity for Canadian songwriting. It was a dream fulfilled; through his dynamic performances and brilliant songs, he became known throughout most of the English-speaking folk music world.

He was a big man - six feet four and 'built like a fire truck'; with a voice that rumbled from his toes. He could bluff and bellow yet was at heart, a poet and intellect. Often as not, he would sneak away from a gathering to curl up with a book. He made friends and enemies easily, gaining the former for life and often, in time, converting the latter.

Stan appeared at Summerfolk in 1977, 78, 80 and 81. I remember watching the steam rising from his bald head on a cool August night as he worked his magic on us. Once he took the stage, he commanded it with a presence seldom seen since.

When CBC's Peter Gzowski asked Canadians to pick an alternate national anthem, Stan's song "Northwest Passage" was the overwhelming choice. His influence on Canadian folk music is deep and lasting.

The Summerfolk Lineup

2009-06-10T00:53:00.002-04:00

Our theme for 2009 is "The Beat Goes On". For the past 33 years, Kelso Beach Park in Owen Sound has been home to one of the most beloved events in folk music. The Festival in August promises to maintain that tradition.

Summerfolk performers are chosen to represent a wide spectrum of musical tastes. You may not recognize all of the names in the lineup but in this and future articles, I hope to give you a sense of what each of them do. When you come to the Festival, I guarantee that by the end of the weekend, you will have discovered a new act or two that will really impress you. That is part of the magic to discover at Summerfolk.

This year's Festival features first-class Canadian songwriters. Valdy, one of Canada's most successful folk musicians; James Keelaghan who possesses one of the most distinctive voices in folk and musician/adventurer Ian Tamblyn.

Four-time Grammy nominees and Summerfolk favourites, 'Trout Fishing in America' bring their lovable sound back to Kelso Beach Park. This delightful duo of Keith Grimwood and Izra Idlet have carved out an amazing musical career in nearly three decades of writing, recording and performing together. Their pals from Texas, 'The Austin Lounge Lizards' may just steal the show at the Festival with their inventive style of satirical folk, country and bluegrass. This entertaining 5-piece band pokes fun at politics, love and culture in general. Not to be missed!

Alberta-based Bill Bourne will perform with his new trio the 'BOP Ensemble', highlighting the songwriting talents of a hidden gem, Wyckham Porteous and the exuberant, youthful Jasmine “Jas” Ohlhauser.

Summerfolk co-founder Tim Harrison returns to Owen Sound from his new home base in the Gulf Islands. It will be great to have Tim back at the Festival and hear his latest collection of songs. Then there is Evalyn Parry who grew up around folk music and performs a unique blend of music, storytelling and spoken word. From Halifax, Dan McKinnon is an engaging and genuine performer with a warm baritone voice.

A veteran of the folk circuit, Susan Werner has graced the stages of Summerfolk before. Over the course of her career, she has cultivated a reputation as a daring and innovative songwriter with an excellent live show. She composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with a sassy wit and Midwestern charm.

Fellow American Vance Gilbert also returns. Vance is another artist who really shines on stage. Or off it as the case may be. During his last visit to Summerfolk, Vance stepped off the stage, away from the microphones. No one in the Amphitheatre had any difficulty hearing him. All were spell-bound by his electrifying presence.

Philadelphia's 'Hoots & Hellmouth' deliver an energetic, revival-like live show blending soul, folk, country, gospel and rock. Originally formed around the acoustic guitars of Sean Hoots and Andrew "Hellmouth" Gray, this quartet embodies a feisty, independent spirit. This is a band that has energy to burn.

Speaking of bands with energy, 'Tanglefoot' will be making their finale appearance on Summerfolk's Amphitheatre stage. For everything there is a season, and 2009 will be the last for this iconic Canadian folk/roots band. With a huge sound and stunning harmonies, Tanglefoot has become an institution over their two-plus decades. Their infectious music, inspired by the mythology, folklore and history of early Canada, has earned them an international reputation.

And... it doesn't stop there. 'The Aline Morales Band' is a Brazilian percussion troupe. They feature traditional folk styles (forro, coco, afoxe) with tastes of samba, reggae and soul. If some part of your body isn't moving when you hear this group; then there's a serious problem. Lively and youthful, the 'Aline Morales Band' embraces rhythm.

Fans of the "blues" - you'll want to see and hear 'Daddy Long Legs', winners of the 2009 Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist. Then for something completely different, 'The McFlies' travel through time to 'un-cover' the 1980s. Yes that's right - fiddle, accordion, ukulele, harmonica, mandolin, banjo, bongos and congas replace synthesizers and drum machines. 'The McFlies' deliver acoustic versions of the 80's decade in a way that you've never heard before (picture Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon" with fiddle and accordion!).

Harmonica virtuoso, Mike Stevens has released a series of acclaimed albums and written several harmonica instruction booklets. He is one of the few players who can play every note of the scale on one harmonica - for anyone who's tried, this is an amazing feat. Mike is credited with pioneering the use of the instrument in bluegrass music and he’s backed the likes of the legendary Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse and The Carter Family.

Peggy Seeger is the quintessential hip grandmother. A member of the "First Family" of American folk music, Peggy has performed for more than 50 years, produced 20 solo albums and 200 original songs including the classics "Ballad of Springhill" and "Gonna Be an Engineer".

Sounds great so far doesn't it? But that's just the start.

More on the Summerfolk Lineup

2009-06-10T00:39:00.003-04:00

Let's start off with a look at Summerfolk's dance stage.

The first bit of exciting news, The Lighthouse Swing Band will provide dance music on Sunday afternoon at the Festival. This will be a unique opportunity to dance under the Summerfolk tent to the swing era sounds of a big band.

For those who love to contra dance, and there will be many opportunities to do so, the music of Scatter the Cats will be the perfect fit. Dance caller Bill Russell will be on hand for the weekend along with fiddler Anne Lederman and the enthusiastic Tom Leighton, director of The Summerfolk Choir. Champion fiddler Shane Cook, accompanied by Brian Pickell and Jake Charron, will also keep the contra lines moving.

Quebecois music and dance is a specialty of Benoit Bourque who recently joined the celebrated La Bottine Souriante. His energetic expertise will be welcomed back at Summerfolk.

With cajun twin fiddling, accordion tunes and washboard zydeco, Swamperella is a band that plays infectious music. You won’t be standing still for long - their sound won’t let you!

The 2009 Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival will also highlight music from many other cultures.

Ragleela performs East Indian Music based on traditional form with melodies that take on a familiar and engaging sound. Featuring Uwe Newmann on sitar along with guitar, violin and both Indian tablas and world percussion, this is mesmerizing music.

The acapella group Soul Influence present layered harmonies over the intricate rhythms of Africa. The group is comprised of young people from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia and The Democratic Republic of Congo. They deliver a spiritual message - pleasing to the ear and inspiring.

Portuguese Fado music is usually sung by women but you'll be amazed when you hear Tony Gouveia at Summerfolk. Gouveia has emerged as an impressive voice of a new generation of fadistas in North America. He sings this traditional Portuguese folk blues with intensity and passion.

From her early days as a teenage-troubadour on Australia’s folk-circuit, Chloe Hall has blossomed into an engaging and charismatic performer. Chloe is coming with her new trio to give us some music from down-under.

Moving elsewhere around the globe, Scotland's Brian McNeill (of Battlefield Band fame) is one of that country's best traditional players. Head of Scottish Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dance in Glasgow, he is an exceptional performer who commands the stage.

Then there are several additional bands to tell you about.

The full-throttle group Poor Angus will be on hand with highland pipes and Irish whistles accompanied by fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bodhran and bass guitar. The driving bluegrass band Hard Ryde includes some of the hottest pickers in Canada. They were winners at the Last Chance Saloon and as such will perform on the amphitheatre stage at Summerfolk.

Betty and the Bobs are coming. Who's Betty? Who exactly are the Bobs? Well...I'm not sure but I do know Betty and the Bobs are an all-star Canadian 7 piece band that includes the talented and hilarious Wendell Ferguson, folk artist Katherine Wheatley and ex-Moxy Fruvous member Dave Matheson. Rich Greenspoon is on percussion, Soozie Schlanger on fiddle and then there's the fantastic Suzie Vinnick and bassist extraordinaire Dave Woodhead.

Other performers of note include David Celia, Hamilton's Jacob Moon, vocal trio The ChoirGirlz and from Western Massachusetts, Erica Wheeler.

The Festival also highlights the talents of local performers and rightly so. Owen Sound produces some of the best musicians anywhere. The latest songs by Al Walker are featured in his band Suitcase Walker. This band format is an excellent vehicle for his catchy melodies and fine guitar licks. I am also very pleased that Tara & Trevor MacKenzie will be joining us. Both are well-known figures in Owen Sound's music scene.

Dave Carr will be celebrating his 25th year as a Summerfolk MC and the bagpipes of Bob Dixon will continue to be a Summerfolk tradition.

Youth performers abound at Summerfolk. Jon Farmer, Sarah Hillis, Claire McLeish and Liam Sanagan all made their way to Summerfolk via the Discoveries Showcase and Knox Acoustic Cafe. From last year's Open Stage comes Jonathan Jerome.

Ben Whiteley and Suzy Wilde team up in Flashlight Radio. Both come from musical families. Coco Love Alcorn also has a creative family background and with her playful character Ms. Alcorn fearlessly engages audiences in a very unique way.

So these are the performers you can see and hear at Summerfolk 2009. Each have their our sound but when given the opportunity to interact at the Festival, exciting things can happen!

Summerfolk TuneUp

2009-06-02T23:12:00.006-04:00

There was a cool wind but the sun was shining for our first ever Summerfolk TuneUp.
Thanks to Don Miller, we have a nice collection of photos from Sunday, May 31st at Kelso Beach Park.
The concert featured young performers who came through the Georgian Bay Folk Society's 'Discoveries Showcase' and Knox Acoustic Cafe's 'Youth Showcase'.

Left, Sarah Hillis

Tyler Firestone

Below, 2 of Erica Knight

First Rate People:

Claire McLeish, Liam Sanagan &

Lindsay Beckett (missing from

photo the sparkplug Jon Lawless)

Kate Dickinson

Upcoming Concerts - April/May

2009-04-23T11:47:00.013-04:00

Treasa Levasseur - Saturday, April 25
Knox Acoustic Café www.knoxacousticcafe.ca

Layah Jane - Saturday, April 25
Back Eddie's - Paisley Town Hall Theatre www.layahjane.com

Sheesham & Lotus - Thursday, April 30
Mudtown, Owen Sound www.fiddlefern.net

Spring Fling Dance Weekend - May 1 & 2
featuring.....Nils Fredland, Sheesham, Lotus & Tea Time Taylor, Kate McLaren & Scatter the Cats
St. George’s Church Hall, 1049 Fourth Ave. East, Owen Sound www.fiddlefern.net

Ken Hamm - Sunday, May 10
Irish Mountain www.irishmountainmusic.com

Saugeen Songwriter's Circle - Friday, May 29
featuring...Dean Mctaggart, Natalia Zukerman & Danny Brooks
Victoria Jubilee Hall, Walkerton www.deanmctaggart.com

Anne Lindsay & Jason Fowler - Saturday, May 30
Knox Acoustic Café www.knoxacousticcafe.ca

The Arrogant Worms - Saturday, May 30
Victoria Jubilee Hall, Walkerton www.vjhall.on.ca

Discoveries, Last Chance & the 2009 Summerfolk Line-up

2009-03-29T20:43:00.006-04:00

Saturday was a busy and exciting day at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound!
Three young performers were selected from the afternoon's 'Discoveries Showcase' to play the 'Young & Hungry' concert, Friday night of Summerfolk - Liam Sanagan, Sarah Hillis and Jon Farmer. (They will join Claire McLeish who was previously selected at the 'Knox Acoustic Cafe Youth Showcase').
Then the 'Hard Ryde Bluegrass Band' was picked for a Summerfolk appearance at the evening's 'Last Chance Saloon'. The judges' decision was not an easy one as all 11 acts that performed were excellent!
I also had the pleasure of announcing the Summerfolk 2009 line-up on Saturday. There will be some amazing performers at this year's Festival:

Coco Love Alcorn
Kristan Anderson
Austin Lounge Lizards
Peter Beckett
Betty & the Bobs
Benoit Bourque
Bop Ensemble featuring Bill Bourne & Wyckham Porteous
Dave Carr
David Celia
The ChoirGirlz
Shane Cook with Brian Pickell & Jake Charron
Todd Crowley's Musical Petting Zoo
Daddy Long Legs
Bob Dixon
Flashlight Radio - Suzy Wilde & Ben Whiteley
Vance Gilbert
Tony Gouveia
Chloe Hall
Hard Ryde Bluegrass Band
Tim Harrison
Hoots & Hellmouth
Jonathan Jerome
James Keelaghan
JumbleJam
Tom Leighton with Anne Lederman
Lighthouse Swing Band
Tara & Trevor MacKenzie
The McFlies
Dan McKinnon
Brian McNeill
Paul Mills
Jacob Moon
Aline Morales Band
Evalyn Parry
Poor Angus
Ragleela
Ariel Rogers
Bill Russell
Scatter the Cats
Peggy Seeger
John Somosi
Soul Influence
Mike Stevens
Suitcase Walker
Swamperella
Ian Tamblyn
Tanglefoot
Trout Fishing in America
David Woodhead's Confabulation with Cedric Smith, Joran Freeman-Fox & Emilyn Stam
Valdy
Vita Twirlin' Diva
Susan Werner
Erica Wheeler

Summerfolk Fans Get Ready

2009-03-25T23:15:00.019-04:00

This Saturday is the Last Chance Saloon in Owen Sound. Hope you can make it and cheer on the performers. One of the 11 acts performing at Last Chance will be selected for inclusion in the Festival programming, joining the 52 already booked. I will be announcing the performer line-up for Summerfolk 2009 at this event.
I also look forward to the Young & Hungry Discoveries Showcase in the afternoon on Saturday. Over the last couple years, I've had the opportunity to book and work with some wonderful young performers who came into the scene through this event as well as through the Knox Acoustic Cafe Youth Showcase.
Come out Saturday if you can and join us for our Spring get-together.
Be sure to check back here at the Summerfolk website - we'll be posting the line-up shortly.
Summerfolk 2009 "The Beat Goes On" - you've gotta be a part of it!

September/October Coming Events

2008-09-05T15:06:00.005-04:00

Owen Sound Celtic Festival - Saturday, September 13
Grey Roots Museum & Archives
www.oscelticfestival.com

Sultans of String - Friday, September 19
Old Courthouse, Owen Sound
Ph: 519-371-2995 gbfs@bmts.com

Volunteer Party - Georgian Bay Folk Society - Saturday, September 20
Shallow Lake Community Centre
Baseball game 3:30 - 5:00, Dinner 5:30 - 7:00, Music Jam 7:00 - 12:00
Ph: 519-371-2995 gbfs@bmts.com

Mark Haines and Tom Leighton - Saturday, September 20
http://www.knoxacousticcafe.ca/

Dean McTaggart, Chris Whitley & Michael Johnston - Saturday, September 20
Above Stedman's, Durham - 8:00 pm
www.deanmctaggart.com

Tony Bird - Friday, September 26
Back Eddie's, Paisley
Ph: 519-353-4787 backeddies@bmts.com

Arlo Guthrie - Tuesday, October 28
http://www.collingwoodmusicfestival.com/

Summerfolk 2008

2008-08-24T13:02:00.003-04:00

Wow!!!
Hope you all enjoyed the 2008 Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival. Send your photos and comments summerfolkad@brucetelecom.com

Thanks to Jody Iverson for this photo

Audience Sport for the Summerfolk Quiz ..."Coxless Pairs"

2008-08-13T01:28:00.002-04:00

This year's Summerfolk Quiz will have a "Summerfolk Olympics" theme. You can be part of the audience team - "Team World".

In addition to fun with trivia and musical games we are asking you to compose a song/ditty/verse you can perform at the 'Quiz'.

The Summerfolk Quiz takes place at 3:30 on Saturday at the Down By the Bay Stage.

As you know (and if you don't), The Marathon is the final event of the Olympic Games. And so we come to The Marathon or simply the final event in our Olympic-tinged quiz. In our version, we are asking members of each team to perform a song/ditty/verse... whatever....that incorporates a specific word or phrase about a sport - there will be 9 in all, one for each of 8 Summerfolk performers plus one for the audience.

In the past, they have included items related to Summerfolk, and items that could be seen from the Summerfolk site. Last year, they were quintessentially Canadian!

Now, with the Olympics currently on in Beijing, and the next winter games slated for Canada, we have chosen what we believe are important Olympic competitions.

Your competitive sport (selected in an impartial, random draw) to write about:

Coxless Pairs (rowing)

We wish you good writing. It's good fun!! We look forward to hearing your song at the Summerfolk Quiz.

Your hosts, Richard Knechtel and Dave Carr

Sunday at Summerfolk

2008-08-13T01:20:00.002-04:00

Sunday at Summerfolk begins with a special concert in the Amphitheatre. 'Oh What Joy!' celebrates the day with songs of thanks. Hosted by Connie Kaldor, the 10:30 am show features the uplifting talents of David Roth, the four part gospel harmonies of 'House of Doc' and inspirational messages in song from Kim & Reggie Harris. Being a part of this concert will be the perfect way to start your Sunday at Summerfolk.

At noon the musical action swings over to the workshop stages.

The GAZEBO STAGE hosts 5 workshops on Sunday. 'French Fireworks' will be an explosive display of musical talent with 'The McDades' and 'Le Vent du Nord'. 'Music of the East' has Harry Manx matched up with the Chinese music group 'Red Chamber' and East Indian tabla player Rakesh Tewari from 'DiggingRoots'.

The HOMEMADE JAM schedule starts with 'The Young Writers' workshop followed by Open Stage slots. At 2:00 pm catch Toby Walker, David Amram and Tim Ronan in a workshop exploring 'Blues Music' from 1900 to the present. With more Open Stage slots after that, there is ample opportunity for anyone to play their music at Summerfolk.

At the DOWN BY THE BAY tent you can join in the fun at the 'Canadian Highway' workshop. With 'The Cottars', Stephen Fearing, Mike Ford and 'The Arrogant Worms', there will be lots of laughs, tunes and songs with a Canadian theme. The 'Mixed-Up Bands' session which closes the afternoon is a sight to behold. Performer names are drawn at random and five piece bands are assembled for one-time only performances at Summerfolk!

On Sunday afternoon, two contra dances are planned for OVER THE HILL. 'One O'Clock Stomp' features the music of 'Crowfoot' with dance callers Myra Hirschberg and Tom Calwell. For the second contra dance, 'Hands Four - More Contra', Becky Hill will be the caller with 'Scatter the Cats' providing the music.

'Drum Stories' with Adwoa & Fule Badoe will start off the performances at THE CHILDREN'S VILLAGE. Kids will love hearing Sara Hickman, seeing the magic of Marc Trudel and joining in the action with 'Sheesham & Lotus'. More smiles await with shows from James Gordon, Michael Johnston and Mike Ford to complete the fun-filled music schedule at The Children's Village. In addition to the music, the hands-on craft activities will ensure children have lots to do at Summerfolk.

Summerfolk Choir members return to UNDER THE WILLOWS to prepare for their evening amphitheatre concert. This location is also the home for two workshops on Sunday afternoon - 'The Folk Game' and 'The Heart of the Matter'.

Leslie and Paul Conway of Voyageur Storytelling bring their talents to THE SHARING CIRCLE on Sunday. There will also be a 'Tune Players Circle', Summerfolk's annual 'Drum Circle' and a 'Song Circle'. All are invited to actively participate in these sessions.

At the CRAFTS DEMONSTRATION tent you can view the art of wood marquetry presented by Diane Edwards. Wood marquetry involves gluing carefully cut pieces of veneer onto a rigid base. Various species of wood gives the craftsperson a diverse palette of colours from which to choose.

The CAFE CONCERT at 5:00 pm features the music of 'The Cottars'. Their trademark - Celtic-infused singing, playing and joyous step-dancing in the spirited musical tradition of Cape Breton .

The final 6:30 set at DOWN BY THE BAY is a comedy showdown. 'The Last Laugh' will showcase the wit of 'The Arrogant Worms' up against another hilarious comedy trio, 'Modern Man'. This is bound to be side-splitting fun!

The AMPHITHEATRE CONCERTS for Sunday night begin at 6:00 with a performance by The Summerfolk Choir. After their weekend rehearsals, the Choir will be ready to take to the amphitheatre stage at Summerfolk. Joined by guest performers, the Choir concert at Summerfolk is always a heart-warming moment.

Next up is Last Chance Saloon winner David Gillis who hails from Vineland in the Niagara region. David is a well-rounded artist of the highest standard. He will be accompanied by his daughter Ariana who is an up-and-coming performer in her own right.

'Crowfoot' not only play wonderful music for contra dances, but they are a fine Celtic trio in concert. Following them is Summerfolk favourite Jory Nash, then the 'pocket-sized powerhouse' Little Miss Higgins. The songs of 'Little Miss' reverberate with the twang of pre-rock blues and post-Carter Family country music delivered in her signature 'kick up your heels' style.

We are in for a treat as David Roth is up next. His "heavy-mental-easy-listening-protest music" covers a wide variety of subjects, poignant to political, holistic to hilarious. Seeing David in concert is an enriching experience.

A display of high energy Celtic jazz by 'The McDades' is next. The sound of this adventuresome quintet is immersed in the spirit of improvisation. Their arrangements are characterized by the band's virtuosity and interaction on stage.

To close the set of evening concerts, Summerfolk welcomes the return of Connie Kaldor to the amphitheatre stage. Connie is one of Canada’s most significant contemporary folk musicians whose performances are legendary.

The 'Amphitheatre Finale' at Summerfolk touches all present. The singing of 'Irene Goodnight' and 'The Mary Ellen Carter' means Summerfolk is over for another year. We follow the sound of Bob Dixon's bagpipes out of the amphitheatre knowing that the songs, the stories and the spirit of Summerfolk will stay with us.

It has been my pleasure to write these weekly columns on behalf of the Georgian Bay Folk Society. Thank you for reading them and your welcomed responses. Summerfolk weekend is here! I hope you will join family and friends for the 33rd annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival.

Saturday at Summerfolk

2008-08-13T01:16:00.004-04:00

The Summerfolk gates open at 10:30 on Saturday morning. The musical adventures begin with the workshops at 11:00.

Each workshop has a theme to guide the performers. The musicians, selected for their ability to relate to the theme, take turns performing. Others on stage may join in - it's loose, informal and often revealing. Workshops offer unique insights into the interaction and collective knowledge of the participants.

Here are some of the highlights for each of the workshop stages at Summerfolk on Saturday.

The GAZEBO STAGE has 6 one hour workshops on Saturday. 'History Class' includes Kim & Reggie Harris, Mike Ford and Shoshona Kish & Raven Kanatakta from DiggingRoots. 'World Class' features the music of David Amram and Red Chamber.

HOMEMADE JAM has 2 'how-to' workshops to kick things off. 'Songsmithing' will explore songwriting techniques while 'Fingerwork' will highlight the guitar styles of Toby Walker, Stephen Fearing and David Gillis. HOMEMADE JAM is home to the Open Stage where Summerfolk patrons are encouraged to sign up for a chance to play their music at Summerfolk.

'The Summerfolk R & B Revue' and 'Blues Ain't Feelin' Bad' are two of the exciting workshops scheduled for DOWN BY THE BAY. The afternoon sessions conclude with the 'Summerfolk Quiz'. Hosted by Dave Carr and yours truly, two teams of musicians are pitted against the audience in games of musical knowledge and fun.

The join-in dance sessions are back in a big way at Summerfolk! At OVER THE HILL..., you can participate in contra dancing, enjoy African drum and dance, learn to clog or swing your partner in the 'Country Round-up Swing Dance'.

The shows in THE CHILDREN'S VILLAGE will be spectacular this year. Where else could children see performances by Connie Kaldor, David Roth, Adwoa & Fule Badoe and the magic of Marc Trudel; all in one place!

UNDER THE WILLOWS is the rehearsal area for The Summerfolk Choir. Under the direction of Tom Leighton, audience members can share their joy of singing together. Under the Willows also has 3 workshop sessions between choir practices. 'Lessons in Love' should be an interesting and often visited song topic to investigate.

THE SHARING CIRCLE is a new addition to Summerfolk this year. It is my hope that Summerfolk fans will have an opportunity to bring their instruments, stories and songs... and join-in the circle sessions!

Each of the circles will be hosted by performers from the Summerfolk line-up. Some of the Saturday sessions include 'Spirit Drums', a 'Song Circle', 'Playing with Words' poetry and 'Fiddles & Flutes'. In conjunction with the Sharing Circle we are bringing back STASH YER STUFF - a secure place to store musical instruments on site.
Audience members can also participate in JUMBLEJAM. This is a chance to jam with the pros, create an original piece of music and perform it on stage at Summerfolk. If you sing or play an instrument and can spare a few hours on Saturday, apply for the JumbleJam workshop - you might just end up in a band with Michael Johnston, James Gordon or Mike Ford.

JumbleJam workshops are about creating songs through a unique songbuilding process. An innovative, guided approach makes it possible for anyone to participate in the creation of a song, regardless of musical background. Facilitators Ken Dow and Martin Cooper will 'curate' 15 volunteer players into 3 bands, each anchored by a Summerfolk performer.

Applications will be available at the Information Booth inside Main Gate. Space is limited and participants will be selected purely for the way they fit the mix. The 2 hour song-building sessions will run at noon, 2 pm and 4 pm. JumbleJam bands take the stage at 7:00 pm Saturday in the Down By the Bay tent.

Another interesting 'how-to' workshop will be one on FIRE POI in the Summerfolk Circle at 5:00 pm. At 11:00 on Saturday you can see 'Fire Poi' at night - a unique experience, only at Summerfolk!

Make sure to drop by the CRAFTS DEMONSTRATION tent on Saturday afternoon to view the best work of the 44 exhibitors from The Artisan Village. These artists are invited to submit two of their finest pieces to be included in the Exhibition. Cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.

The CAFE CONCERT at 5:00 pm has the acoustic quartet 'House of Doc' performing their mix of gospel, bluegrass and pop music.

So that's an overview of Saturday's daytime activities... now on to the AMPHITHEATRE CONCERTS for the evening.

Red Chamber - featuring the unique sounds of China
The Bebop Cowboys - jazzed-up western swing music at its best
David Amram - a magnetic presence armed with charm and incomparable talent
Sara Hickman - playful music from this Austin, Texas performer
Marc Trudel - a performance of this magician's 'Card Solo' routine
Modern Man - with songs that are intelligent, lively and hysterically funny!
Harry Manx - a hypnotic show blending Indian music and the blues
Le Vent du Nord - showcasing the vitality and joy of Quebecois music

Summerfolk's highlight 'CONTRA DANCE NIGHT' also takes place Saturday evening at 7:30. It features the music of 'Crowfoot', one of the hottest bands on the contra band circuit, and the renowned Becky Hill as caller for the dances.

If you head on over to the DOWN BY THE BAY tent, here is what you'll see there on Saturday night.

Things start off with the aforementioned 'JumbleJam' bands at 7:00 followed by the authentic acoustic blues of Toby Walker. Then there is a workshop-style session - 'Twilight Time', showcasing the talents of Stephen Fearing, Michael Johnston and the Winnipeg duo 'Twilight Hotel'.

Next up are 'The McDades' with their fiery blend of Celtic jazz. The festivities at Down By the Bay wrap up with sets by Little Miss Higgins and 'The Cottars'.

So that's Saturday at Summerfolk. Looking over all that is offered, it is amazing that all this music can happen in one place, in one day. But that's Summerfolk for you!

The Sharing Circle at Summerfolk

2008-08-01T00:23:00.004-04:00

A new addition to Summerfolk this year will be The Sharing Circle.

You'll find the Sharing Circle tent just east of the permanent washrooms on site - out on the former beach area. My hope is that Summerfolk fans will have an opportunity to bring their instruments, stories and songs... and join-in!

In conjunction with the 'Circle' we are bringing back 'Stash Yer Stuff' - a secure place to store your instruments on site. The 'Stash Yer Stuff' trailer will be located near the Circle and tended by a volunteer crew.

You can see all the sessions being offered on the workshop schedule. Just click on '2008 Workshop Schedules' on the top righthand corner of the Summerfolk website.

Take a look - find a session or two that interests you and plan on participating. I think it's going to be a really great thing!

From 15 strangers to 3 bands...in 8 hours!

2008-08-01T00:06:00.002-04:00

'JUMBLEJAM' - A new Experience at Summerfolk 2008

How would you like to jam with the pros, create an original piece of music and perform it on stage at Summerfolk - all in the same day? Thought so!

If you sing or play an instrument and can spare a few hours on Saturday, apply for the JumbleJam workshop - you might just end up in a band with Michael Johnston, James Gordon or Mike Ford.

Applications will be available at the Information Booth inside Main Gate. Deadline for entries is 11:15 am Saturday, August 16th. Drop off applications at the Information Booth Space is limited and the 15 participants will be selected purely for the way they fit the mix.

Gather at the JumbleJam Zone (just south of the South Gate) at 11:45 to see the band lists. The 2 hour song-building sessions will run at noon, 2 pm and 4 pm. JambleJam bands take the stage at 7:00 pm Saturday in the Down By the Bay tent!

JumbleJam workshops are about creating songs through a unique songbuilding process. An innovative, guided approach makes it possible for anyone to participate in the creation of a song, regardless of musical background. Facilitators Ken Dow and Martin Cooper will 'curate' 15 volunteer players into 3 bands, each anchored by a Summerfolk performer.

For more info on JumbleJam, visit www.creativityhappens.com/jjworkshop

Friday at Summerfolk

2008-07-31T23:59:00.002-04:00

At 4:30 pm on August 15th, the gates open for the 33rd annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival.

One of your first stops should be the Food Village. There you will find delicious treats from any one of the 19 food vendors - wraps, salads, pizza and hamburgers. There is also a selection of international fare - Indian curries, Caribbean jerk chicken, Chinese dishes and Mexican tacos.

Take a table at the 'Cafe of the Senses' and enjoy the music of 'Scatter the Cats' at 5:00 pm. The 'Cats' are a collective of well-known Owen Sound area musicians who perform great tunes with a 'wee' bit of an Irish twist. Then you can polish off you meal with some dessert - homemade butter tarts, cookies, ice cream, yogurt or a piece of pie.

The sound of bagpipes signal the Opening Ceremonies at the Amphitheatre stage. Bob Dixon has been 'piping in' Summerfolk for as long as I can remember. Dressed in his Scottish tartan, Bob's music echoes throughout Kelso Beach Park and calls all to take their seats for the evening concerts.

The first words you will hear are those from Dave Carr, the 'Voice of Summerfolk'. Dave is a veteran Owen Sound broadcaster and music aficionado. Following greetings delivered by the dignitaries, the music begins!

Friday night's Amphitheatre concert line-up is full of talent! In order of appearance, the schedule looks like this:

Mike Ford - with a great collection of Canadian songs

Natalia Zukerman - an impressive guitarist with cool, sultry vocals

Haines & Leighton - folk music that rocks with an East Coast flare

Toby Walker - talented acoustic blues artist

DiggingRoots - aboriginal music for the present that draws from the past

Kim & Reggie Harris - inspiring singers rich in emotion

Stephen Fearing - with his powerful lyrics and masterful musicianship

The Arrogant Worms - Canada's favourite musical comedy trio

The Amphitheatre at Kelso is magical. The sound system is finely tuned and every seat is a good one. There is nothing quite like listening to music outdoors. Attending an evening concert in the Amphitheatre at Summerfolk is an unforgettable experience.

By Friday night the artisans have their one-of-a-kind works on display. A stroll through the Artisan Village will reveal a fabulous array of handmade items. These creative artisans are selected by jury for the quality of their work and are encouraged to demonstrate and discuss their art.

There's more to do on a summer's night at Summerfolk. The licensed Down By the Bay tent has refreshments and some great music to go with it.

Tim Ronan starts things off at 7:00 pm. Tim was selected from the Open Stage at last year's Summerfolk to perform at this year's Festival. Tim is an enthusiastic player with roots in Celtic and blues music. Next up are two of my favourite local performers - Ken Dow and Martin Cooper. Ken and Martin are at Summerfolk to host the 'JumbleJam' sessions. Together they also perform as 'Love Pants', a duo that's fun and entertaining.

'Sheesham & Lotus' play old-time ragtime and high-steppin' mountain music. They will be a great addition to the festivities in the Down By the Bay tent. Performing on fiddle, banjo, harmonica, hambone, jaw harp and bones, those two musicians are a 'hoot'!

'The Pete Devlin Band' is fourth up on Friday night. Pete is no stranger to Owen Sound music fans and joining him at Summerfolk will be Dave Matthews on bass, guitarist Joel Morelli and Rob Elder on drums. The Winnipeg based group 'House of Doc' follows Pete. This acoustic quartet delivers high energy instrumentation and dazzling four-part harmonies.

'The Bebop Cowboys' wrap things up in the Down By the Bay tent. Canada's hottest western swing band, the jazzed-up 'Bebop Cowboys' are seven sensational musicians.

Along with these shows at the Amphitheatre and at the Down By the Bay tent, Summerfolk also presents the Friday night 'Young & Hungry' concert showcasing the talents of up-and-coming performers.

Host Jory Nash will welcome young musicians Geordie and Evan Gordon, who perform with their musical father James; the charming duo 'Twilight Hotel' and the talented Ariana Gillis to the stage. Closing the concert will be the exciting Cape Breton sounds of 'The Cottars'.

Also on the 'Young & Hungry' bill are three acts from the Grey-Bruce region. Oliphant's Hayden Stewart, Tyler Firestone from Wasaga Beach and Hanover's 'The Stairwell Mystics'. These performers were selected earlier this year for this appearance at Summerfolk.

Wow! Friday night at Summerfolk is action-packed. With three concerts, Summerfolk fans will have plenty of great music to enjoy.

Summerfolk Fast-Approaching

2008-07-31T23:40:00.002-04:00

Last weekend I attended the Home County Folk Festival in London. It was their 35th anniversary and although the weather wasn't perfect, it was a wonderful event in beautiful Victoria Park.

Everywhere I went at Home County, people were talking about Summerfolk. There seems to be a real interest and renewed appreciation for what we do here in Owen Sound at our Festival.

Meanwhile, preparations for Summerfolk are in full swing with a line-up that boasts 49 fantastic acts, a fun-filled children's area and a unique Artisan Village.

Steps have been taken to do our part to help the environment. This year, our Gazebo Stage will be solar-powered and we are making efforts to sort waste efficiently, with a goal to send less material to landfill sites.

Plans have been made to offer an even wider selection of nutritious and tasty fare in the 'Food Village'. You can find a chair and enjoy the music at 'The Cafe of the Senses'.

On a sadder note, as many of you may know, Oliver Schroer passed away early this month in Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital after a 16-month battle with leukemia. He was 52. Oliver was raised in the Markdale area and made his mark as one of Canada's most inventive instrumentalists.

Over a 25-year career, the violin virtuoso produced or performed on more than 100 albums and wrote more than 1,000 pieces of music.

"It wasn't just his playing that made him special, though he was an amazing performer; it was also the clarity of his musical vision," said his longtime musical collaborator, David Woodhead. "He took the violin as far as it could go. There were no boundaries for him. He had a way of bringing things out in other musicians that they didn't know were there. He had such an adventurous spirit."

Schroer leaves his wife Elena, mother Irene, sister Martina, and brothers Andreas and Ansgar.

In previous articles, I have been featuring performers who will be appearing at Summerfolk. With just three weeks to go before the festival, the last three Thursday columns will focus on each day's highlights - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Obviously, with a line-up that totals 49 acts, there are many more performers deserving of a in-depth article. As this will be my last opportunity to tell you more about them, I'd like to cover several in this week's SummerFocus.

Let's start with James Gordon.

When you consider such songs as Mining for Gold, Harvest Train, Frobisher Bay, Fields of Rock & Snow and Lonesome Cowboy's Lament, you have an enduring collection of songs that capture the essence of Canada - these are the songs of James Gordon.

A life-long resident of Guelph, James has had a remarkably diverse career. As a solo singer-songwriter and with the ground-breaking trio Tamarack, he has released over thirty albums and toured across North America and Great Britain.

James has written for symphony orchestras, dance and theatre productions. He has also composed film scores and written family musicals as half of "Jim and Dave". For five years, James was a familiar voice on the CBC radio program 'Basic Black'. He wrote a new, and very silly song, each week for the show.

With a huge repertoire that runs from the historical to the hysterical, James Gordon is never at a loss for songs. Sons Evan and Geordie will be joining their full-service folkie/songwriter Dad for a weekend at Summerfolk.

I saw Toby Walker perform a few years ago at a music conference in New York State. He was one of the most outstanding acoustic blues acts I have ever seen. Because Toby is such an in-demand performer, it took a while to get him to Summerfolk but I know he is going to have a large following at the Festival.

Toby Walker has been a student of the blues for many years, making numerous field trips to study and research the music's origins. With his natural storytelling ability and skillful delivery, he keeps the authentic blues traditions alive with all the old tunings, syncopations, rhythms, tunings, riffs and songs taught to him by the first-generation players.

Watching Toby perform, "where is the other guitar player?" has often been uttered by an astounded listener.

Dean McTaggart continues to make his mark on the local music scene since relocating to this area last year.

Dean's professional career was launched as the lead singer/songwriter of the pop/rock group 'The Arrows'. His writing needs little introduction - he's penned songs for international stars Amanda Marshall, Terri Clark, Wynonna Judd and Anne Murray. Dean has won numerous awards for his songwriting.

Another local performer, Clifford's Juanita Wilkins, has just released a new CD produced by the aforementioned James Gordon at his Pipe Street Studio. Juanita is a very fine vocalist. Images of life in rural Ontario form the basis for many of her compelling songs.

Summerfolk is about storytelling and many of our musical performers are experts at telling stories in song. This year's festival will also feature stories told by poet Liz Zetlin, Voyageur Storytelling and magician Marc Trudel.

When award-winning local poet Elizabeth Zetlin accepted the appointment as Owen Sound’s first Poet Laureate, she said: “I want to promote poetry, honour local poets and poetry in the community, make poetry more than ‘words on a page’ … a way of paying attention and connecting to the people and things around us.”

Liz has performed poems at Owen Sound City Council meetings, in the Library and at poetry house parties - to total strangers on the street and at the Farmer’s Market. Her random acts of poetry may materialize at anytime during Summerfolk.

Leslie and Paul Conway of Voyageur Storytelling are known to local summertime audiences for their Country Supper Storytelling Concerts in Grey and Bruce, but their roots in the folk traditions of storytelling run deep.

Leslie was the founding artistic director of Jewish Storytelling Arts and a long-time member of the Toronto storytelling community. Paul, who started as a singer, came into storytelling through hosting circles at Fort Edmonton Park. They live in Northern Bruce Peninsula, where they create and tell stories full-time.

It was through a meeting with Paul that the idea for Summerfolk's new 'Sharing Circle' came about. When I asked about the best way to facilitate a storytelling component at the Festival, Paul said it works best in a circle format - just like music jams where musicians take turns and go around the circle.

'The Sharing Circle' sessions will include join-in poetry and storytelling circles with Liz, Leslie and Paul as well as drum and music jams.

Combining magic, humour and theatre to create baffling and mystifying illusions, Marc Trudel is considered one of the most innovative newcomers on today's magic scene.

Marc started his professional career by presenting over 1000 shows as the official magician of the 'Just for Laughs' Museum in Montreal. He then toured Quebec performing a mix of school, festival and corporate events. Marc won the 2007 Canadian Championship of Magic with a performance of his 'Card Solo' routine.

I had the opportunity of seeing Marc's 'Card Solo' performance and was very moved by it. It combines pantomime and magic. I think it will be a really exciting addition to Saturday night's amphitheatre concert.

Oh boy, get me going and I just can't stop. When the Sun Times first approached me to do a column, it was suggested I write 750 - 1000 word pieces. Obviously I've exceeded the word count on many occasions ... and here I go again!

The outstanding Sara Hickman from Austin, Texas will be at Summerfolk. Michael Johnston, The McDades, DiggingRoots, Mike Ford, The Cottars, Twilight Hotel, Sheesham and Lotus, David Gillis, Kim and Reggie Harris, David Roth ...all these artists bring their talents to Summerfolk.

I haven't even touched on our dance program, First Nations participants, home-town favourites The Pete Devlin Band or our fire poi activities. Summerfolk is a feast for the senses. People of all ages are inspired and entertained at Summerfolk. It is truly a family event and a proud part of Owen Sound's cultural mosaic.

Celebrating the natural beauty, charm and appreciation of the good life we enjoy in this part of Ontario, this year's theme is "Experience the Sound".

I'll be back next week with a look at Friday night's programming. In the meantime, I invite you to visit the Summerfolk website for a look at the complete concert and workshop schedule www.summerfolk.org

The Musical Adventures of David Amram and Winnipeg's House of Doc

2008-07-14T13:44:00.003-04:00

Musical compartments mean little to David Amram. His compositions and musical activities have crossed fearlessly back and forth between the classical, folk and jazz worlds.

A pioneer player of jazz French horn, he is also a virtuoso on piano, numerous flutes and whistles, percussion, and dozens of folkloric instruments from 25 countries. He is also an inventive and funny improvisational lyricist. He travels the globe with his music and returns home to tend his farm in upstate New York.

The high-spirited Amram traces his love for all sorts of music to a handful of influences. One of his uncles was a merchant seaman who gravitated toward the music of the places he visited. Another uncle introduced him to music by American First Nations people. Amram's Jewish heritage and upbringing in the farming community of Feasterville, Pa, population 200, also played a role in his musical education.

Yet another influence was radio. "Listening to the AM radio in the 1930s, they had jazz and symphony music coming from the same station," says Amram. "There were no demographics then.... I grew up thinking music was a lot of things."

David Amram identifies himself as "a full-time composer who is also an improviser, a conductor and a free-association scat singer" but that hardly covers the range of his work. Amram seems to have done everything there is to do in the world of music.

He has written operas and symphonies, played jazz with Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk, composed the musical scores of the movies "Splendor in the Grass" and "The Manchurian Candidate" (the original version), conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra and played backup piano for Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg reading from their work.

Now in his later 70s, the seemingly inexhaustible Amram tells in his new book, "Upbeat: Nine Lives of a Musical Cat," how he played with "Masai tribesmen in Kenya, country musicians in Texas, in a bell tower in Holland, and at a workshop in New Orleans for 300 flutists." Amram writes, "Improvising words and music on the spot and doing what feels right at the moment is what I have done since my days in the army in 1952."

When President Jimmy Carter gave permission to a group of jazz musicians to go to Cuba in 1977, thereby becoming the first sanctioned Americans to visit since Fidel Castro took over, Amram joined Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, and Earl 'Fathah' Hines for 36 hours in Havana. Dizzy refused to follow the itinerary planned by Cuban officials, telling Amram, "We don't have to give out or take in any propaganda. Let's just hang out. We'll be cool wherever we go." They ended up, happily, in the outdoor gardens of the Havana Libre, jamming with local musicians.

When the World Council of Churches sent Amram to Kenya to put on two concerts in Nairobi, and he found his way to the countryside to play with Masai tribesmen, returning with "two new songs I could play and sing in Swahili."

David Amram is a storyteller - and he's very good at it. For example there's the one about being marooned in an airport in India. He and 100 other passengers learned via the airport squawk box that their flight had been delayed - again. Curses. Anger. What does Amram do? He starts a drum circle to ease the tension. Everyone was giddy when the flight finally took off.

Every year he joins up with Willie Nelson to support Farm Aid. "I feel as strongly about farming and the people who are farmers as I do about people who I work with in music. I was brought up on a farm, it’s just something like music that gets in your blood. Seeing a farm, a family farm, not a factory farm, but something that’s run with love and care, is as beautiful a work of art as any painting or any symphony. It’s real, it’s universal, and it’s something that we all came from."

Even in his seventies, Amram remains busier than most musicians a third his age, conducting here, lecturing there and on the road heading for another gig. On stage he is personable and immediately attracts an audience with his enthusiastic approach. With all that he has done, each show is an intimate celebration of music. David makes everyone a part of it in a way that is neither dry nor superficial.

At home with all kinds of music and musicians, he is a multi-instrumentalist able to draw from links that connect music around the world. David Amram is a folk festival dream come true. He can demonstrate the similarities and differences between wind instruments from nine or ten different countries, and then quickly conduct an improvisational song-writing workshop. Half an hour later he can put together a 14 piece band to perform one of his original compositions in the evening.

David Amram is a musical catalyst of the first order. A truly genuine and outstanding advocate of music.

The Winnipeg folk/roots group HOUSE OF DOC is named after the Wiebe family home which was presided over by Grandfather David ‘Doc’ Schroeder PhD. The family's history in Canada dates back to the late 1800s.

House of Doc is one big happy family - literally. It is comprised of Jesse Krause, Dan Wiebe, his sister Rebecca Harder and her husband Matthew Harder.

You'd think having this much family, blood or otherwise, in a creative setting could lead to drama. But according to Matthew Harder, families and bands aren't so different from each other. "The reality is, bands behave like family eventually." Harder says. "It makes staying together as a band more of a guarantee. Our commitment to the band is stronger because of our commitment to each other."House Of Doc incorporates elements of bluegrass, folk, country, gospel, blues, rock and old tyme music into their sound. An appealing blend of Canadian folk where high and lonesome mountain music meets the wheat field of the prairies. Infusing musical inspirations such as Gordon Lightfoot, Simon & Garfunkel and Spirit of the West with intricate harmonies and high energy instrumentation, the band packages it all up with a down-home delivery.

The group was born when guitarist Harder, already a professional musician, clearly saw the potential in this remarkable family of musicians. The Wiebe siblings, along with brother David, had been singing together since early childhood on Sunday mornings in their Mennonite congregation. Matthew encouraged them to raise their status as gifted amateurs to the professional level.

Mandolin player Dan Wiebe, the baby of the group, is a serious up and coming songwriter. He is a gifted composer/arranger of classical and choral music as well. Big sister Rebecca Harder plays banjo, flute, a variety of whistles and accordion. She is also a highly regarded music educator.
Bassist Jesse Krause, the newest member of the Docs, replaced David who left the group in 2005. His multi-instrumental capabilities and musical imagination has galvanized House of Doc into an even stronger band.

Dan Wiebe explains, “We have a pretty large instrumental capability - flutes, whistles, harmonicas, bouzoukis, bassoons, piano, guitars, squeezeboxes, and we’re not afraid to use it. I’ve played bassoon with the Winnipeg Symphony. Besides playing guitar Matthew is also a concert pianist. As a group we’ve got a lifetime of singing Sacred music - a cappella and in choirs It’s just a great big smorgasbord of sounds and influences."

The band's album "Prairiegrass" was recorded under the direction of producer Vince R. Ditrich (Spirit of the West), who fortuitously met the group onstage during a workshop at the 2004 Winnipeg Folk Fest and struck up a conversation. “One minute we were chatting about Matthew’s lovely Gretsch guitar and the next minute we decided we’d work together on an album project.”Their latest CD 'East of West', was recorded at the Tragically Hip's ‘Bath House’. The month-long residential session brought out the very best in House of Doc.

Mathew recalls visiting Summerfolk as a youngster when he resided in Ontario. He is very excited about returning to perform on stage at the festival. His parents are long-time folk music fans who plan on accompanying House of Doc to Owen Sound.

Superb four-part vocals define the band. The music they perform is fun and adventuresome. Along with workshop and concert appearances at Summerfolk, House of Doc will be featured in the Sunday morning gospel show "Oh What Joy!".

The Open Stage at Summerfolk

2008-07-11T10:16:00.003-04:00

I am hoping we'll have lots of interest in Summerfolk's Open Stage again this year. Combining the Homemade Jam Stage with the 'Cafe of the Senses' has worked really well - there's always an audience and the crew does a great job making everybody sound good.

Open Stage slots are available on Saturday and Sunday during the day. Each 1/2 hour spot is shared by 2 or 3 performers, providing each participant with approximately 8 minutes time (2 selections).

HOW TO "RESERVE" YOUR SPOT:

A limited number of slots are available for pre-registration (noted as pre-assigned in schedule below). Contact the Georgian Bay Folk Society office to sign up - phone (519) 371-2995 or email gbfs@bmts.com.

On-site registration is on a first-come, first-served basis (noted as festival sign-up below).

You must be in possession of a ticket for that day or be on site as a volunteer.

If all the pre-assigned slots are not filled prior to the festival, those time slots will be available for festival sign-up. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your assigned performance time and check-in with the Homemade Jam crew.

* YOUR CHANCE TO PLAY SUMMERFOLK:

One performer from the weekends' Open Stage will be offered the opportunity to join the performers' line-up for next years' Summerfolk! That selection will be done by our Homemade Jam Tent crew and will be announced from the Amphitheatre Stage at approximately 8:30 on Sunday evening.

HOMEMADE JAM TENT SCHEDULE:

Saturday;
11:00 - workshop
11:45 - workshop
12:30 - Open Stage Slot (pre-assigned)
1:00 - Open Stage Slot (pre-assigned)
1:30 - Open Stage Slot (pre-assigned)
2:00 - workshop
3:00 - Open Stage Slot (festival sign-up)
3:30 - Open Stage Slot (pre-assigned)
4:00 - Open Stage Slot (festival sign-up)

Sunday:
12:00 - workshop
1:00 - Open Stage Slot (festival sign-up)
1:30 - Open Stage Slot ( pre-assigned)
2:00 - workshop
3:00 - Open Stage Slot (pre-assigned)
3:30 - Open Stage Slot (festival sign-up)
4:00 - Open Stage Slot (pre-assigned)