Sunday at Summerfolk

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

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!

Friday at Summerfolk

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

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

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!".

Quebec's 'Le Vent du Nord' and Prairie Blues Artist 'Little Miss Higgins'

At first, LE VENT DU NORD sounds very much like a traditional Celtic group. But then the voices come in. Not only is much of their vocal work four-part harmony, but it's in French as well.

Le Vent du Nord is a band dedicated to preserving and sharing the musical heritage of Francophone Canada. This quartet of musicians from Quebec is one of the best-known groups in a exploding French Canadian folk revival."When I was young, it was considered a shame to play this music," says Nicolas Boulerice of the band. "But now, it is becoming à la mode."
All the group members are in their early 30s and come from musical families. Rejean Brunet performs on bass, accordion and piano. He grew up playing music with his brother Andre in the small town of Lacolle. Boulerice says that he and guitarist, Simon Beaudry, grew up surrounded by music. "Traditional singing and dancing - we were just born into it. But we also research for new repertoire, and Olivier (Demers), the fiddler, he composes a lot of tunes - so we have a mix of new and old."

That mix is at the core of Le Vent du Nord's approach. The group's instrumentation includes fiddle, hurdy-gurdy, accordion, guitar, piano and bass. The overall sound can have the gentle lilt of concert ensembles such as the Chieftains, but also the flavor of crossover groups like Steeleye Span and the pioneering French group Malicorne."The new generation has re-appropriated this music," Boulerice says. "Taking it not as a historic thing but something that is still in movement. We bring what is in our own tradition but also other styles. In the way we play chords, you can hear we studied a little jazz. In concert especially, we like to kick a little bit like a rock 'n' roll band."Boulerice's main instrument, the hurdy-gurdy, is a medieval invention. Its French name, vielle à roue, translates roughly as "wheeled fiddle". It consists of a wooden wheel the player turns with a crank in his right hand - this acts like a never-ending bow. The left hand pushes keys that act like a fiddler's left-hand fingers."This was part of the old French roots," Boulerice says. "When settlers first arrived 400 years ago, they had bagpipes and hurdy-gurdies. But it was probably hard to keep in tune because of the weather and the instrument is quite fragile. It was also not the easiest thing to bring across the ocean."Boulerice began playing the instrument 12 years ago. He was already working as a pianist but fell in love with the unique sound of the hurdy-gurdy."It impressed me because it has one foot in the past and another one in the future." he says. "It is very old, born in the 12th century, and at the same time it's very modern because nobody knows it. And it's like the synthesizer of the Middle Ages: Sometimes it sounds like an electronic instrument, but it also has this drone like a bagpipe. So I was attracted by this ambiguity."Le Vent du Nord recently released its third CD, "Dans les Airs," and has been touring North America and Europe. Boulerice says it is interesting playing their music for audiences in other areas and that language is less of a barrier than some people might expect.
"I think it's like when I was young and I was listening to a lot of Anglo-Saxon music and American music," he says. "I didn't know anything about what the Beatles were talking about, but I loved it.""And this traditional style, it also has enough musicality that you don't really need to understand the lyrics to enjoy it."


Jolene Higgins, better known as retro-country blues artist LITTLE MISS HIGGINS, is a pocket-sized powerhouse who mixes originals with 1930s Memphis blues standards. Accompanied by musical and life partner David Mark, her guitar work is rooted in a vintage sound and her energized stage show is full of gutsy, spirited songs.

Born in Independence, Kansas, Jolene was 13 when the family moved to Brooks, Alberta. After high school she studied theatre in Victoria and Red Deer. She performed at the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival before her musical career started to take off. "I still consider music as performing - telling stories as well as playing music. I have a hard time standing still".

"When I started playing guitar I listened to Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. That took me farther back to find out who they were influenced by. Hearing people like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, I kept digging farther back. Who was Billie Holiday influenced by? Bessie Smith. Who was Bessie Smith influenced by? Minnie McCoy".

Higgins' musical world was soon bound by the songs, stories, mannerisms, fashions and ribald excess of the all but forgotten artists who were the pioneers of rock 'n' roll in the 1930s and '40s. It helped, she noted, that they lived very theatrical lives, onstage and off.

"Memphis Minnie was really cool because she also played guitar". Higgins plays an old-fashioned but smokin' style on her 1960s Kay archtop guitar played through a Fender Blues Junior amplifier, getting the warm tone you would have heard from the early electric guitars.
Jolene and David, who uses the stage name Foy Taylor which is always a cute part of their show, reside in Nokomis, Saskatchewan. Another prairie town, this one is located about halfway between Saskatoon and Regina. Nokomis was at one time the point where the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National rail lines crossed. These days it's a small and isolated bit of the prairies' fabled past, home to just 400 people.
"I'm definitely a prairie girl. I spent a year in Victoria, which is beautiful, but I realized that I'm a prairie person". Indeed, the big country of Saskatchewan figures prominently in Higgin's songs. In her country blues style, she sings of the wind, the emptiness of the landscape and getting dirty fingernails from tending the garden.

“Junction City”, her album inspired by life in Nokomis, was nominated in the Blues Album category for the 2008 Juno Awards. The five foot two singer/guitarist was also nominated in the Favourite Blues Group or Duo category of the 8th Annual Indies Awards.

Bound to be a big hit at this year's Summerfolk, the songs of Little Miss Higgins reverberate with the twang of pre-rock blues and post-Carter Family country music coming alive in her signature 'kick up your heels' style.

"It will be nice to get east," said Higgins, who made her Toronto debut last October at the Free Times Café. "But it's also nice to get back to a place like Nokomis, somewhere quiet, with a house and garden. I get a lot of inspiration from that".

Here come the witty Worms - Here comes Mr. Nash

When The Arrogant Worms take to the stage, they have a mission - to make audiences laugh! And laugh we do.

The self-proclaimed "Clowned Princes of Humor, Purveyors of the Absurd, and Ambassadors of Fun" are one of Canada's most popular live acts. With great stage presence, super-tight harmonies and the sharpest of wit, they provide tuneful and silly escapism, all in one lovable package.

The Worms (as they are affectionately known) have appeared at festivals and concert halls from coast-to-coast. Their live performances have a reputation for high energy, a playful atmosphere, and unusual audience participation. It is clever and clean comedy for all ages.

The group consists of three intriguing personalities - Trevor Strong, Chris Patterson and Mike McCormick; each of whom brings a unique character to the equation. With roots in folk and acoustic rock, they are known to shamelessly borrow from all types of music. The focus is on their vocal delivery and lyrical satire with Mike on guitar and Chris occasionally on the bass. Playing off each other with impeccable comedic timing, they are quite the showmen.

While the humor of comedy acts could become dull, stale, or simply dated over time, the Arrogant Worms manage to remain refreshingly funny. Their easy-going attitude, charm and on-stage banter always makes for one-of-a-kind show. Watching them perform, it's easy to tell they're having a great time too.

The Arrogant Worms' humor ranges from topical to the absurd. They often take a satirical aim at rock, folk, country, Celtic and children's music. For example there's the country-styled "The Lonely Lab of Broken Hearts", the Celtic "Gaelic Song", the heavy metal "Log in to You" and "Billy The Theme Park Shark". In short, there's almost nothing to which the Worms are unwilling to give their own special twist.

When not spoofing a particular style of music, the Worms' material pokes fun at various aspects of daily life in Canada with songs like "Canada's Really Big", "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate", "Me Like Hockey", "We are the Beaver" and "Proud to Be Canadian".

In fact, The Arrogant Worms have become part of Canadiana. Their songs are used in school lesson plans across the country and one has even made it into an English textbook! Their song “Dangerous” was played aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour for Astronaut and fan Chris Hadfield. They were voted the most popular Canadian band on a national radio show - the band that came in second was AC/DC.

The Arrogant Worms have been performing since 1991. The group had its beginnings in Kingston writing for campus radio at Queen's University. A hobby of radio comedy turned into a full-time career that knows no bounds. In the beginning the radio show was a combination of comedy songs and sketches. Once the touring began, the sketches were dropped and the focus was the music.

Ten albums have sold more than 120,000 copies and The Arrogant Worms continue to tour North America and even Australia. Their show is full of energy, fun and guaranteed to make you laugh.


Jory Nash has a warm stage presence that reaches out to envelop his listeners. An accomplished storyteller, his between-song commentary is an important element of his performances. He is a truly independent artist with a unique vision and a charming style.

Strongly rooted in traditional balladry, with elements of jazz, blues, country and pop peeking through the musical curtain, he has matured into an artist of substance. He interprets the songs of others with an understanding that makes them a compelling part of his repertoire. His own material is well-crafted, reminding one of the music of Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell or Lyle Lovett.

Jory has toured North America several times, playing folk festivals, folk clubs, concert series and house concerts. He has built a large, loyal fan-base and he has been fortunate enough to see most of North America in the process. Unusual things tend to happen to Jory on the road, and he will often incorporate these events into his onstage storytelling.

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jory was influenced by a Pete Seeger concert he attended with his parents at the age of eight. From there, he continued his passion for music, mastering various instruments including the 6 and 12-string acoustic guitar, 5-string banjo and piano.

Summerfolk was the first folk festival Jory attended when friends from Thornbury suggested he join them for the weekend in Owen Sound. He loved what he experienced and made it a personal goal to return to Summerfolk as a performer.

Jory has dedicated himself to the folk music community. He has been a board member of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF), an organization that serves to promote and advocate for folk events. For several years he administrated the 'Songs From the Heart' songwriting competition, making it an integral part of the annual OCFF conference and mentoring up-and-coming young writers.

At the insistence of Estelle Klein, the women who pioneered the unique concept of workshop and concert scheduling at folk festivals, Jory was invited to sit on the board of ArtsCan Circle as well. Inspired by the work of harmonica player Mike Stevens, ArtsCan Circle is dedicated to linking creative artists with native youth in isolated communities.

Jory also produces a yearly tribute concert to Canada’s legendary songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. The show is called “The Way We Feel” and was co-founded with fellow songwriter Aengus Finnan. The third weekend of January, songwriters gather at Hugh's Room in Toronto to perform Lightfoot songs in honour of his musical contributions to Canadian culture.

A well-rounded performer, Jory Nash is the kind of musician who always delivers a fine show. He knows how to make folk festival workshops interesting and inclusive. A student of music, he has a refreshing take on the storytelling tradition of songwriting. In concert, his comfortable style is highlighted by humourous anecdotes and song introductions that become as memorable as the music.

Spinning tales of discovery and confession, Jory Nash takes songwriting seriously. Not afraid to be labeled a folkie, he is fully aware of his connections to folk music traditions. His songs have a focus that can best be described as personal, honest and direct.

His latest CD, 'Folk, Jazz, Blues & Soul', is a well-paced collection of original and cover songs - much like his live performances.

Women in Song

Connie Kaldor, a Juno-award winning singer, has flourished on the folk music scene for three decades. An artist of substance without pretension, she is one of Canada’s most significant contemporary folk performers.

Her live performances are legendary and her fan base is broad and extremely loyal. People come back to see her again and again because a Connie Kaldor show is about more than just the power of music. It is also about the power of personality. What she says between songs is as intriguing as the lyrics she shares.

Connie has travelled prairie backroads to visit modest community centres and sold out concert halls in major cities. From Bejing to New Dehli to Saskatoon to Washington, Connie has triumphed with a mix of song and spoken word honed in pacing and tone by the many years she has spent performing.

You may recall Connie's Vision TV series 'Wood River Hall'. Showcasing the best in Canadian folk and acoustic performers, guests included Bruce Cockburn, Sylvia Tyson, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Shari Ulrich. Each episode featured Connie singing a song on her own as well as joining in with the guest.

Like many a prairie girl, Connie grew up singing in the church choir and listening to Patsy Cline and The Beatles on her record player. She sang at the Regina Folk Festival in her teens but initially pursued a professional career in the theatre, studying dramatic arts at the University of Alberta and performing at the Théâtre Passe Muraille in Toronto.

She left the theatre for music in 1979, touring the prairies with Heather Bishop and by the next year, was singing at the Vancouver Folk Festival. In 1981 she undertook her first national tour and established her own independent record label.

Joining forces with 'Fleming and Associates', one of the major acoustic music agencies in North America, Connie was soon headlining folk festivals across the country. She was part of a wave of Canadian talent, along with Stan Rogers, Ferron, Heather Bishop, Valdy, Roy Forbes and Stringband that was forging a distinctly Canadian sound.

Some of Kaldor's best-known songs include 'Bird on a Wing', 'Wood River', 'Wanderlust', 'Gentle of Heart', and 'I Go Out Walking.' Her 'Strength, Love and Laughter' has been an important song in Canadian feminist music. 'Bellybutton' (the title song of a Bishop album) has been popular with children's audiences.

When songwriting, Connie says "What often comes first is the rhythm of a melody or the rhythm of a series of words. That seems to lead me down the path to a song. I love the rhythm of language."

"As much as I like performing, I love the creative aspect of songwriting. It is wonderful to make something out of thin air. I have done all kinds of writing. I have written for theatre, I have written for a specific demand (can you write a song about grain handling?) but mostly, I have written because I can’t help it. It is the way I express myself and most of all, it’s fun to do."

Settling in Montreal in 1990, Connie married Paul Campagne, founding member of the group 'Hart Rouge'. They have two boys, Gabriel and Aleksi.

Connie Kaldor has been a favourite on the folk festival and concert circuit for her bold performance style, sense of humour and passionate singing. With a varied repertoire of love songs, social commentary, historical and contemporary Canadian narratives, she is one of this country's musical treasures.

In 2007 Kaldor was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.

Natalia Zukerman has a sound that’s strong yet delicate, gentle yet insistent. You can call the music she makes folk, but jazz and blues are a part of it too. Then there's that soulful something or other that you can’t quite put into words. Whether onstage or on record, she presents herself just as she is - no gimmicks, no flashy pyrotechnics, only the solid musicianship of someone who knows and loves her craft.

Zukerman didn’t have to look far to find musical influence. She attributes her rigorous work ethic, discipline and instrumental predisposition to her parents. The daughter of violinist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman and flutist/writer Eugenia Zukerman, Natalia grew up in Manhattan immersed in classical music.

After receiving the requisite training early on, Natalia realized her first instrument, the violin, was not taking her where she really wanted to go. There were glimpses of an alternative. “My parents used to go to the Aspen Music Festival in the summer when I was very young. One day I saw the classical violinist Nigel Kennedy playing fiddle in a bluegrass band, and heard banjos for the first time."

Then Natalia saw Suzanne Vega play. "It was the first time I'd seen just a woman with a guitar. That was a 'wow' moment. Up to that point I had no idea."

Once her eyes were opened to the folk scene, everything began to change. She turned her attention to the guitar, starting with classical lessons. After graduating from college, Natalia began writing songs and her own musicality blossomed.

Her love for the guitar led her to explore various types: electric, acoustic, slide, lap steel, even the banjo and a brief foray into traditional Indian technique. Her intricate sense of rhythm and meter came naturally. So did the lifestyle of a traveling performer.

Natalia's lyrics delve boldly into work, love, temptation and the journeys to personal reinvention. Intelligent and full of imagery - country roads that lead to red barns, antique shops, glass bottles and roadside coffee shops. City streets and back alleys, flagging cabs and the buzz of a streetlight clicking.

Blending folk, country, jazz and blues, she has created her own sound and found her own voice. Onstage, Natalia Zukerman knows exactly how to create richly textured, atmospheric settings for her intimate songs.

The Bebop Cowboys & Stephen Fearing

Authentic in every detail, the Bebop Cowboys play country swing as it would have sounded in the best dance halls on a Saturday Night anywhere in Canada 60 years ago. Without a doubt, the BeBops are the best western swing orchestra in the country. They love what they play--and it shows!

The band interprets a style made famous by the likes of Spade Cooley, Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, and Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours. The 'big band era' spawned this hybrid country music - western swing, music that was a staple in small dance halls across the continent from the 1930s to the advent of rock and roll in the 1950s.

The music can be deceptively simple: a shuffle here, a two-step there - it was designed for dancing, after all. But it also leaves room for ranging solos and playful conversations between instruments that let the music be as complex as the musicians wish. At its best, it is a genre that allows for tremendous musicality, and the Bebop Cowboys are western swing at its best.

In this part of Ontario, many of us were exposed to country music with a bit of Canadian swing to it on CKNX TV. The station's travelling Barndance Show played nearly every town in the counties of Grey, Bruce and Huron. I fondly remember many fine fiddlers who loved playing swing fiddle tunes too - Owen Sound's Harry Parker, Graham Townsend and Teeswater's Roy Renwick.

As the Bebop's Steve Briggs says "For many people in Canada, the first time they ever saw musicians playing this music, it was performed by local players at the town dance hall. Even early Canadian television shows like Holiday Ranch would have the house band members decked out in Stetsons and cowboy shirts, playing western-swing-style music on fiddles and accordion. It occurred to me that western swing may have been a much more important part of our Canadian cultural heritage than many people realize."

Some of Toronto's most respected musicians perform in The Bebop Cowboys. Along with bandleader, arranger, guitarist Steve Briggs, there's co-founder Howard Willett with his whisky-soaked baritone voice and harmonica playing. Pedal steel guitar player Burke Carroll is one of the best I have heard on the instrument. Pianist John Sheard is a regular contributor on Stuart McLean's CBC radio show and bassist Dennis Pendrith appeared with Murray McLauchlan at last year's Summerfolk. Rounded out by drummer Ted Hawkins and fiddler Aaron Soloman, the BeBops are oozing with talent.

The arrangements Steve Briggs establishes for the band are fabulous. The fiddle and guitar, or the pedal steel and harmonica, will play lines together much like the horn section in a big band arrangement. The synergy between the players keeps the rhythm smoothly chugging along. And when the Bebops start exchanging improvised solos, look out 'cause these boys are really terrific players.

The band performs a number of their own compositions that stand proudly alongside the western swing classics and put them well beyond the class of mere revivalists. Anyone who appreciates good music, played with taste, will enjoy the sound of The Bebop Cowboys.

The songs of Stephen Fearing sweep over you with their stunningly beautiful melodies, personal lyrics, pristine guitar accompaniment and distinctively warm baritone vocals. Once enveloped, one can savour the nuances of his well-chosen words and his masterful command of the acoustic guitar.

Fearing was born in Vancouver, but spent most of his boyhood in Dublin, where he picked up the traces of Celtic folk that colour his music. "I moved to Ireland when I was six. My folks got divorced, my mother married an Irishman and so we moved there. Baggage, three kids, my mom and my stepfather. I was there for eleven years."

Returning to North America, Stephen moved back to Vancouver after a short stint in the U.S. Midwest. He launched a career that has made him a regular and popular fixture on the folk club and festival circuit in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K.

The consistent quality of work produced over his two decades plus in the music business has earned him a West Coast Music Award for Best Folk Music Recording and five Juno Award nominations as a solo artist. Stephen won the 2007 Juno in the Roots & Traditional Album category for his 'Yellowjacket' CD.

Successful appearances at festivals like Peter Gabriel's WOMAD and the prestigious Reading Festival in the U.K. have confirmed Fearing’s ability to engage large audiences with his onstage charm. He is equally at home in a small intimate venue - just ask the folks who saw him perform a recent show at Back Eddy's in Paisley.

While researching for this article I couldn't help but noticed how time and again it has been said Fearing is on the verge of breaking through to the 'big time'. For example "I think people have always recognized Stephen's abilities as a songwriter, but you've had to see him live to know just how talented a guitarist and singer he can be," said Bernie Finkelstein, the long-time manager of Bruce Cockburn who signed Fearing in 1991 to his True North label. "With this album, Stephen's finally going to get his due as a musician and performer."

Then there's a review on his 'So Many Miles' CD released in 2000 - "Stephen Fearing is one of those artists that people hear at one point and remark on how good sounding he is; both his voice and his instrumentation. They promise themselves to check him out at a later point but then promptly forget to. This promise is only remembered upon hearing Fearing again. This is unfortunate for the career of Fearing who, by the excellent quality of his work, should be far more popular then he is."

I'm not sure but maybe it's a good thing people like Stephen Fearing don't hit 'the big time'. Sometimes if you're a little bit 'hungry', you produce music that resonates and communicates most effectively? At any rate, I have seen Stephen play on many occasions and have always been captivated by his performances. I am a giant fan and he will be one performer I'll make time to see at this year's Summerfolk. There are thousands of singer/songwriter guitar players out there, but few who have the capacity to 'blow you away' like Stephen Fearing.

"To say, 'Well, what is this song about?' is perhaps not as important as what it feels like." he says of his songwriting. “Love Only Knows,” a tender portrait of a parent coming to terms with a child’s burgeoning maturity - “Love only knows what happens now, Yesterday turns under the plough, Only a fool would not allow You to stand on your own.”

Stephen Fearing - "There are old cultures and generations of poetry and folk influences in the bones of his music. There's also a nod to Richard Thompson, a little Gordon Lightfoot, a touch of James Taylor magic. Fabulous stuff". NetRhythms

Red Chamber - Exploring Chinese Musical Traditions

It takes passion to pursue a career in music and I can safely say that all of the 2008 Summerfolk performers certainly have that devotion for their craft. RED CHAMBER is a group that personifies this idea.

Elegant in their formal attire, RED CHAMBER is fascinating to watch. Their inspiration comes from a rich culture and the traditional pieces they perform have played an important role both as court and folk music in China.

Mei Han, bandleader of RED CHAMBER, is an enthusiastic and vibrant artist who seeks out new forms of expression. Mei (pronounced May) is a virtuoso on the Chinese zheng. The zheng is about 5 feet long and resembles a harp played in a horizontal position. Twenty-one strings arch over high movable bridges on the body.

Musicians use their right hand to pluck the strings. The left hand presses the strings to produce notes while adding vibrato, pitch alterations and slides. In contemporary practice, the left hand often joins the right hand to play a counter-melody. Experimental techniques can include the use of a bow, hammering or preparing the strings.Mei's playing is always as delicate as it is authoritative. Impeccable timing, dynamics and subtle changes in touch and tone are beautifully created in her masterful hands. Presenting music deeply rooted in over two thousand years of Chinese culture, Mei transforms this stately instrument into a powerful tool for contemporary explorations.

Ms. Han studied with China’s top zheng masters Zhang Yan and Gao Zicheng. "Music is learned from a master in China, always through formal conservatory training. If you want to be a professional musician, you have to have graduated from conservatory" says Mei. Her dedication took her to some 28 remote ethnic nationalities in Southwest China to collect folk songs.

"My first zheng teacher, who is still living, is the last generation of Chinese folk musicians. He taught me by voice and notation. Phrase by phrase he'd sing the melody and in this way I was able to learn the traditional material."

For more than ten years Mei performed as a featured soloist with the prestigious Beijing Zhan You Ensemble. It is the premiere ensemble of its type in China. In 1995 she received a Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology from the Musical Research Institute of the Chinese Arts Academy in Beijing, considered the most prestigious institute for Chinese music studies.

Mei came to Canada in 1996 to attend the University of British Columbia. Having received yet another Master's Degree at UBC, she is currently working on her PHD. "I spent 15 years studying English while still in China. I knew coming to Canada was going to work out. Everything here - it's for me. The value placed on culture and morals are very close to mine - honest, friendly, courteous, all these things. I consider Canada my home now."

Most meaningful to her music and life, is that in Vancouver, she met Randy Raine-Reusch who became her husband in 2001. Randy is an improvisational-based composer. He is heralded as a "dexterous multi-instrumentalist" due to his ability to play about 50 of his collected 600 world instruments. Randy has created distinct new performance styles on a number of instruments including the Chinese zheng, Japanese ichigenkin (one-string zither) and the Thai khaen (16-reed bamboo mouth organ). He has recorded tracks on albums by Aerosmith and the group Yes.

Since their meeting, Han and Raine-Reusch have redefined the zheng, and challenged the world of traditional Chinese music in general. Together they have invented new tunings, developed new fingering techniques, expanded old structures and created radical new forms of expression on the zheng. They have created a new repertoire, combining Chinese musical traditions with those of world music and jazz.

"There is no improvisation at all in Chinese music. Randy taught me about free-jazz and playing spontaneously" says Mei. "I have also worked with bluegrass and folk musicians learning to improvise over chord progressions. The zheng is a very neutral instrument and can embrace many others - mandolin, banjo, slide and classical guitar. I've learned to jam on 12-bar blues too."

Happily, Randy Raine-Reusch will be joining RED CHAMBER for their Summerfolk performances. Along with Mei, the ensemble is rounded out by Zhimin Yu on ruan and pipa master Guilian Liu. Refering to her bandmates, Mei says "Guilian and Zhimin are two of the finest players I know and with this group, the musicianship is at a very high level." RED CHAMBER will undoubtedly be an exciting addition to Summerfolk.

A big thankyou goes out to the Canada Council for their financial assistance in making it possible to bring RED CHAMBER to Summerfolk. Through their Travel Assistance program, the transportation portion of their fee is covered by this government agency.

RED CHAMBER straddles traditional and contemporary, whether it be ancient Chinese string band music, folky bluegrass or jazz fusion. They excel in bringing China's ancient repertoire to life but they are also very much performers for the 21st century. These fine musicians set the stage on fire with hot licks, power and passion!

Brenda Scott - President, Georgian Bay Folk Society

To organize Summerfolk takes a considerable amount of effort, expertise and teamwork. With the dedication of people like Brenda Scott, Summerfolk continues to be one this area's finest events.

President of the Georgian Bay Folk Society, Brenda works tirelessly on planning, promoting and implementing all the necessary elements that go into making Summerfolk a success. She chairs monthly board meetings as well as numerous committees. Brenda is not one to leave any detail unattended; promotions, ticket sales, sponsorship, volunteer communications - there's always something to be done. Typically she will spend some 1500 volunteer hours in a given year in her role with the Folk Society.

Born and raised in Newfoundland, Brenda comes by her love of music honestly, growing up in a home where music was always present. Although she does not play an instrument, she has put her considerable talents to good use. She enthusiastically champions the festival wherever she goes.

Brenda moved to Owen Sound with her husband Ian in 1979 and attended Summerfolk for the first time the weekend they came to town. "Friends from Bracebridge had told me about this great festival in Owen Sound and said I would love it." So she stopped unpacking for a few hours and went to the festival.

For the next few years the whole family attended and Brenda had an opportunity to watch the volunteers. "Everyone looked so involved, engaged and they were having fun". So she thought "I'd like to be a part of this. The first year, I volunteered at the information booth. Bill Marshall came over to ask if I'd consider running for the board and I said yes."

This is Brenda's third tenure as president. Spanning 3 decades, she has served in the early 80's, the late 90's and now since 2006. "Part of the reason I wanted to come back for the third time was that we had a few years where our financial situation was a little precarious. After 9-11, people weren't travelling as much, ticket sales were down and that was hurting the bottom line. I saw that coming out in our annual general meeting and I wanted to come back to see if I could help fix that situation."

Brenda says "You have to have the structure in place - that structure makes it possible for Summerfolk to happen. We've gone back to the folk festival model and people are happy about it - a big wave of momentum has come back. A large part of the success has been the amazing response from the Grey Bruce community."

Some 640 volunteers, spread among 41 different crews, attend to the various tasks that need to be done at Summerfolk. "We have a solid base of people who return year after year and I think that's something that's unique about us. We have people who have volunteered for all 33 festivals At the same time we want to encourage younger people to get involved . We have lots of vacancies for those who want to join in."

"The other aspect in my role as president is also to look for volunteers to work on other Folk Society programs and initiatives throughout the rest of the year. A lot of people know us as Summerfolk but they don't realize we're looking for volunteers to help with fundraising, youth programs and all those kinds of things."

Fans of the festival have special memories of Summerfolk weekends and Brenda fondly remembers seeing Utah Phillips. "Certain performances stay with you all year when you're running around working so hard on things and stop to think about some particularly good moments. Utah Phillip's performances for me, were that."

"Odetta - that was a thrill. Even Gowan when he sang Imagine - that stays with me. Samba Squad - oh I loved them. The experience and sound of the amphitheatre is unique to Summerfolk. There isn't another venue we'd want to go to. When you go into that amphitheatre and feel the sense of community - that's a treasure. And I particularly enjoy the workshop aspect - the synthesis from bringing people together in the workshop sessions. Those are the unique things that you won't see any place else."

When asked for her definition of folk music Brenda replies, "That's the music I like!" Then she goes on to say "Music by the people, for the people and about the people." Digging deeper for more "It's music from the heart and the mind. I love music that makes me think about things. When you hear a song that offers a new insight or a different take on an issue - that's good stuff. It can change your thinking. It can change something in your life."

"The other part of it is, it's from your heart - it brings back memories of home, family and all the warm moments. It's creative too. There are many people who write their own folk songs. Contrary to what people think about folk music being stuck in the past, it's very cutting edge - it's what people are doing right now.

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.

The crafts area in the Children's Village is a bee-hive of activity. Shirley Jarvis and her crew of volunteers keep the kids busy sculpting, designing and creating wonderful projects they can take home.

I remember performer Tom Leighton was so excited about what he saw in the children's area last year. "You should have seen them. They were hammering and gluing to make wooden airplanes and having a great time. It was amazing".

Each year Shirley plans new and inventive activities. She collects supplies and materials well in advance, so come festival time, the children will have lots to work with.

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 to me 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. Along with the multitude of craft projects, kids can play games or give the Kelso Beach Park playground equipment a work-out.

Then there are the performances! Many of the Summerfolk performers this year are really, really good children's entertainers. In all, the stage in the Children's Village will feature 15 shows over the weekend.

CONNIE KALDOR is fantastic with children at a festival - very approachable and charming. She is a Juno award winner for Best Children’s Album and many of her songs have been recorded by other family performers.

MIKE FORD and JAMES GORDON are known across Canada for their skills as arts educators. Mike for his 'Canada in Song!' history workshops and James for his excellent classroom songwriting sessions where kids write the song.

KIM & REGGIE HARRIS work with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts touring workshop program to encourage the use of the arts in the classroom. In their 'One Family/One Planet' show, Kim and Reggie explore the world of garbage, take a new look at friendships, consider our resources and celebrate the diversity that makes the earth such a wonderful home. It's all done with entertaining songs, stories, play-action and lots of audience involvement.

Children love magic tricks and one of the best magicians I've seen is Montreal's MARC TRUDEL. Marc will be presenting a show of his magic both Saturday and Sunday. Of course, he can never tell how he does it but the kids will all want to know!

ADWOA BADOE was trained as a physician in her native Ghana but has evolved quite naturally into an African griot (a West African term for someone who is a collector of oral tradition). She is a teller of tales that convey the wonderful stories of Africa. Audiences are invited to actively participate in call and response songs, percussion and dance.

DAVID AMRAM also offers a fine show for family audiences. His 'At Home & Around the World' workshop introduces children to the instruments and musical styles of many different cultures.

Kids can kick up their heels and learn the joy of dancing to live music. Dance caller BECKY HILL is great with kids and will introduce them to contra dancing in a special family dance. Old-time music specialists SHEESHAM & LOTUS also feature dancing in their set along with hambone techniques, jaw harp, lumberjacks, bones and kazoo!

One of my missions, when attending the Folk Alliance conference in Memphis this past February, was to look for one more act for the children's area. Austin musician SARA HICKMAN was the perfect fit. This award-winning humanitarian is a fantastic children's performer with a huge repertoire of hilarious and thought-provoking songs, all delivered with the kind of enthusiasm kids are attracted to.

Rebecca Harder, along with her House of Doc bandmates, David Roth and Michael Johnston all have special shows to present in the Children's Village as well.

Over the years, I have spent a fair bit of time in the Children's Village performing as Dickie Bird. I love playing for kids and Summerfolk has many special memories for me. I've watched children grow up at the festival. Many have become volunteers themselves. Certainly all of them have a great appreciation for what the festival has to offer.

With affordable pricing, parents are encouraged to bring their children to the festival so the whole family can take in the Summerfolk experience. Kids 4 and under are admitted free and it's only $5 daily for those 5 to 12.

The Artisan Village at Summerfolk

The Artisan Village at Summerfolk is a vibrant open-air market of fine professional craft work. Festival artisans sell only their own handcrafted 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.



This year the Artisan Marketplace will have 45 vendors chosen from nearly 100 applicants. The artistry represented at Summerfolk takes many forms; glasswork, jewellery, textiles, paper, instruments, wood, pottery and metal.

The Artisan Committee of the Georgian Bay Folk Society is responsible for selecting participants and organizing the logistics for the Artisan Village. Over the fall and winter, the committee seeks out potential artists requesting submissions. The application deadline closes off mid-March and process of viewing the artist's work begins. Along with an application form, artists submit photographs of their work for consideration and all the committee members are involved in the decision of who to include.

During the week leading up to the Festival, the artisan booth sites are marked off. Pre-arranged hydro requirements are reviewed and wiring is installed by the hard-working Summerfolk Electrical Crew. On Festival Friday, members of the Artisan Committee assist the artists in setting up their displays. "Some people like a specific spot or they want to be beside somebody else because they're friends and can help each other out during the festival" says committee chair Rob Memery.

Most of the artisans camp behind their booths for the weekend which creates a camaraderie among the vendors. "It becomes a real community" says Rob. "They get to meet other artisans and it's specifically for them. We're keeping it fairly pure here and I think they like that. The festival is special for them".

Of those selected for this year's Festival, Rob was particularly intrigued by the work of a Durham-based artist who fashions exquisite wooden combs, all from salvaged material. The main feature is that they don't generate static electricity but Rob feels people will enjoy them as "unique functional folk art pieces". Other work that caught his eye was the silver & turquoise jewellery by Matt MacMillan of 'Estrela Art & Jewellery' and the photography of John Fearnall.

The Artisan Committee is also responsible for organizing events in the Crafts Demonstration Tent. On Saturday, Summerfolk artisans are invited to submit two of their finest pieces to be included in the Juried Exhibition. Prizes are awarded for 'Best in Show' and 'Best In-Booth Demonstration'. Festival goers cast their votes for the 'People's Choice' award, the artisans themselves vote for one prize and the Exhibition Jury (made up of three professional artists) also makes two 'Honourable Mention' selections.

On Sunday the Crafts Demonstration Tent features; you guessed it, craft demonstrations - always a popular attraction at Summerfolk. Plans for this August are in their preliminary stages but one presenter has been confirmed. That will be a demonstration of wood marquetry techniques by Diane Edwards.

Wood marquetry involves gluing carefully cut pieces of veneer (thin strips of wood) onto a rigid base. Various species of wood gives the craftsperson a diverse palette of colours from which to choose. Diane's work, along with that of many other fine artists, can be viewed at the Owen Sound Artists' Co-op.

A Summerfolk artisan who also works with wood, Larry Cluchey has won a number of Summerfolk Juried Exhibition awards over the last few years. Larry turns and carves uniquely grained local hardwood into everything from functional salad bowls to whimsical vases. "Summerfolk is always a pleasant festival to go to. You can be worked up or a bit frazzled when you arrive but after being there for a couple of hours, you relax and there's a nice laidback feeling... and I see that in everybody who's there too".

Another favourite artisan booth at the Festival is the fanciful magic garden created each year by Jim & Erica MacNamara. The creative MacNamara couple have two gallery spaces in Paisley plus their fair trade coffee shop 'Back Eddy's'.

This will be the 30th year that Vince Bowen has showcased his 'Rockrose Pottery' creations at Summerfolk. Vince makes porcelain dinnerware and other one-of-a-kind pieces. Summerfolk is obviously something he has enjoyed being a part of - "You see all your friends, get entertained and hopefully make a few sales". Vince is an exceptional craftsman with years of experience. His studio is located near Markdale.

So once again this year, you can look forward to seeing the best work of traditional and contemporary makers at Summerfolk's Artisan Village! Information about all the 2008 artisans can be viewed on the Summerfolk website.

Photo - Kristina Chandler-Martina

The Summerfolk /08 Press Release

The Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival runs August 15, 16 & 17 at Kelso Beach Park in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Re-energized by second year artistic director Richard Knechtel, the 33rd annual Summerfolk features more than 45 performers including Connie Kaldor, The Arrogant Worms, Stephen Fearing, The McDades, Little Miss Higgins, David Amram, Le Vent du Nord, Kim & Reggie Harris, Sara Hickman, Justin Hines, Digging Roots, The BeBop Cowboys and Harry Manx.

Highlighted by concerts in the intimate outdoor Amphitheatre overlooking Georgian Bay, the festival audience can look forward to a multitude of other performances and workshops on seven additional stages. The beautiful Summerfolk site also includes a vibrant Artisan Village, an interactive children's area, contra and multi-cultural dances, First Nations' workshops, a fine selection of foods and numerous 'join-in' sessions. It promises to be an action-packed weekend for fans to "Experience the Sound" at one of Canada's premier folk festival events.