Audience Sport for the Summerfolk Quiz ..."Coxless Pairs"

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

The Sharing Circle at Summerfolk

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!

'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

The Open Stage at Summerfolk

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)

Summerfolk Concert Schedule

AMPHITHEATRE CONCERTS 6:00 - 11:00 pm

FRIDAY
Mike Ford
Natalia Zukerman
Haines & Leighton
Toby Walker
DiggingRoots
Kim & Reggie Harris
Stephen Fearing
The Arrogant Worms

SATURDAY
Red Chamber
The Bebop Cowboys
David Amram
Sara Hickman
Marc Trudel
Modern Man
Harry Manx
Le Vent du Nord

SUNDAY
The Summerfolk Choir
David Gillis
Crowfoot
Jory Nash
Little Miss Higgins
David Roth
The McDades
Connie Kaldor
Finale

SUNDAY MORNING 10:30 am
'Oh What Joy!'Connie Kaldor, Kim & Reggie Harris, House of Doc & David Roth


DOWN BY THE BAY CONCERTS

FRIDAY 7:00 pm - host Eve Goldberg
Tim Ronan
Love Pants
Sheesham & Lotus
Pete Devlin Band
House Of Doc
The Bebop Cowboys - Juanita Wilkins at break

SATURDAY 7:00 pm - host Mike Ford
Jumble Jam
Toby Walker
'Twilight Time' - Twilight Hotel, Michael Johnston & Stephen Fearing
The McDades
Little Miss Higgins
The Cottars

SUNDAY 6:30 pm
'The Last Laugh' - Modern Man, The Arrogant Worms & Mike Ford


CAFE CONCERTS 5:00 pm

FRIDAY - Scatter the Cats
SATURDAY - House of Doc
SUNDAY - The Cottars


YOUNG & HUNGRY - FRIDAY 7:00 pm
James Gordon & Sons
Tyler Firestone
Twilight Hotel
The Stairwell Mystics (formerly known as Driftar)
Ariana Gillis
Hayden Stewart
The Cottars

The Cottars Added to Summerfolk Line-up

The Cottars return to Summerfolk!
Siblings Ciaran and Fiona MacGillivray have travelled the globe as lead singers and instrumentalists with The Cottars. Joined by fiddler Claire Pettit and guitarist Bruce Timmons, a new Cottars unit is back at Summerfolk.
Celtic-infused singing, playing and joyous step-dancing in the spirited musical tradition of Cape Breton.
Adding some East Coast flavour is always a good thing at Summerfolk.
Justin Hines is off to perform at the Olympic Games and Lily Frost is unavailable Summerfolk weekend so I had an opportunity to book The Cottars and I'm thrilled they've accepted.

Who is Coming to Perform at Summerfolk?

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.com

August 15, 16 & 17 - 2008

Happy New Year to all. Hope you have a great 2008.

I've made arrangements with a number of great acts to come to Summerfolk, August 15 16 & 17. Contracts need to be finalized but I'll announce the line-up as the paperwork is completed. I'll be attending The North American Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, February 20 - 24, and I expect to have most of the acts in place shortly after that.

Be sure to mark the Summerfolk dates on your calendar and come "Experience the Sound".