Summerfolk /08 ~ "Experience the Sound"
The Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival is one of Canada's premier folk music events. On the shores of Georgian Bay in the city of Owen Sound, the 33rd annual Summerfolk celebration takes place August 15, 16 & 17, 2008.
Kelso Beach Park is the beautiful and intimate setting for musical workshops and concerts. Combined with a vibrant Artisan Village of one-of-a-kind works, offerings of healthy, interesting and delicious food, an active Children's area and plenty of join-in activities, Summerfolk is the place to be this August!
Sounds from around the world will be heard. Harry Manx fuses East Indian music with the blues, Fule and Adwoa Badoe offer stories, drumming and dance from Africa and the Chinese quartet 'Red Chamber' create new sounds on ancient instruments.
There are always musicians at Summerfolk who have the ability to lift everyone's spirit. Connie Kaldor, one this country's most engaging entertainers, exemplifies this special talent. Folk singer David Roth is also known for his empowering performances. Summerfolk fans may remember David from his previous appearances at Owen Sound. Kim and Reggie Harris, a charming couple from New York state, also know how to inspire an audience with their jubilant delivery.
The work of the contemporary singer/songwriter is an integral element of any folk music festival. Who qualifies in this category at Summerfolk 2008? Stephen Fearing certainly does. He writes beautiful melodies, powerful lyrics and backs them up with masterful guitar work. Justin Hines might remind listeners of Harry Chapin or James Taylor - his exquisite songs are guaranteed to move an audience. Natalia Zukerman is another artist whose cool phrasing and sultry vocals will entrance all those in her presence.
Laughter is a good thing! This year's Summerfolk will feature the top Canadian musical comedy group 'The Arrogant Worms' along with the Festival hit from last year - the side-splitting trio 'Modern Man'.
Then there's 'The BeBop Cowboys'. A musical group whose specialty is western swing music - this is one band other musicians love to watch. Along with fast and furious celtic/jazz of 'The McDades', there will be plenty of sizzling musicianship at the Festival.
On the more traditional side of things, Winnipeg's 'House of Doc' reinvent bluegrass & gospel sounds, Eve Goldberg will grace the stage with her rootsy song selections while 'Sheesham & Lotus' spread the joy of old-time string music.
Blues music has always played a significant role at Summerfolk. One of the hottest acts on the circuit today is a lady from Nokomis, Saskatchewan - the phenomenal Little Miss Higgins (Jolene Higgins) joined by ace guitarist Foy Taylor (David Mark). Not to be outdone, the outstanding American performer Toby Walker plays authentic acoustic blues like very few others!
Back in the early years of the Festival, one man galvanized the host of musicians who came to Summerfolk. That man was David Amram. He captivated fellow musicians and audience members alike with spur-of-the-moment compositions and improvising skills. Mr. Amram is the "Renaissance Man of American music". David returns to Owen Sound this year with his son Adam.
Canada will be celebrated in song by Mike Ford (of Moxy Fruxous fame) and the incomparable James Gordon who will be joined by his sons Geordie and Evan. Juno award-winning group 'Le Vent du Nord' will blow in from Quebec and one of the country's foremost aboriginal bands 'DiggingRoots' digs into music for today from the roots of the past. Interactive workshops and demonstrations take place at Summerfolk's First Nations Village, hosted once again by the ever-popular John Somosi.
The Grey-Bruce region will also be well represented at Summerfolk by world-class songwriter Dean McTaggart, country-folk chanteuse Juanita Wilkins, the rockin' Pete Devlin Band and dance music quartet 'Scatter the Cats'.
Speaking of dance, after a very successful introduction of a dance tent at Summerfolk in 2007, bring your dancing shoes - contra and multi-cultural dance sessions will be held at the Over the Hill Stage. One of the best music making groups on the contra circuit, the fabulous band 'Crowfoot' will make the dance happen! Renowned dance caller Becky Hill along with Myra Hirshberg and Tom Calwell will guide dancers through the steps.
Other opportunities abound to join-in the fun at the Festival. Audience members can take part in storytelling sessions with Paul and Leslie Conway of 'Voyageur Storytelling', play along in drum, tune-players' and song circles, create songs in 'Jumble Jam' with Martin Cooper and Ken Dow or join the Summerfolk Choir with Tom Leighton and Marks Haines. The Open Stage at Summerfolk offers another chance for audience members to participate. At the 2007 Festival, Tim Ronan was selected as the Open Stage performer invited to this year's event.
The Children's Village at Summerfolk, with its' playground and hands-on craft activities, will also feature some terrific entertainment. Many of the acts in the Summerfolk line-up have excellent presentations geared specifically for young audiences. One performer you won't want to miss there is the joyful Sara Hickman from Austin, Texas.
For something completely different, how about a little magic? Montreal's Marc Trudel is a wizard when it comes to creating mystifying illusions and mind-altering pantomimes. Or how about random acts of poetry? Owen Sound's Poet Laureate Liz Zetlin will be circulating the Festival grounds conveying her passion for words.
Summerfolk's Friday night "Young and Hungry" concert is back with an emphasis on young performers. Join host Jory Nash for performances by the cinematic and intoxicating Lily Frost, the talented Ariana Gillis as well as the 'cool' sounds of 'Twilight Hotel'. Three additional 'youth' acts from the Georgian Bay region will also showcase their talents that night - Hayden Stewart, Tyler Firestone and the folk-rock band 'Driftar'.
With more than 45 acts performing over the weekend, The Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival offers a multitude of reasons to come and "Experience the Sound".
For more information, call the Georgian Bay Folk Society office at 519-371-2995 gbfs@bmts.com. Tickets are available at Owen Sound's Roxy Theatre Box Office (519) 371-2833 or 1-888-446-7699 (toll free in Ontario). Visit the Summerfolk website at www.summerfolk.org
Artistic Director - Richard Knechtel summerfolkad@brucetelecom.comLabels: View all Announcement Posts
