The Main Stage headliners range from roots-rock icon, Randy Bachman with The Sadies, to folk-roots-alternative favorite, Kathleen Edwards, to beloved folk-roots songwriter, musician and political-social commentator, Arlo Guthrie.

The festival will present fifty of the foremost roots musicians from Canada, the United States, and the U.K., with more than a hundred performances on eleven stages over a three-day period.

Mariposa Folk Festival Artistic Director, Mike Hill, says “Mariposa has earned a strong reputation for presenting a wide range of the very best in folk-roots music, and this line-up makes that tradition proud”.

The range of music at Mariposa Folk Festival goes from rock, blues, jazz and world, to protest, Celtic, singer songwriter and traditional folk, to pop, country, bluegrass, and everything in between.

Full list of performers at Mariposa 2013:
Randy Bachman with The Sadies, Arlo Guthrie, Kathleen Edwards, Murray McLauchlan, Bahamas, Family of the Year, MAZ, The Kruger Brothers, Annabelle Chvostek, Rose Cousins, Lennie Gallant, Jerry Leger & The Situation, Oh My Darling, New Country Rehab, Mike Stevens, Mo Kenney, Gurf Morlix, Njacko Backo, Steve Payne, Kelly Thibodeaux, Arthur Renwick, Graydon James & The Young Novelists, Cécile Doo-Kingué, Union Duke, Coco Love Alcorn, Jory Nash, Cihat Öztürk, Sam Baker, The Great Wooden Trio, Ron Nigrini, Folk Quiz with Richard Flohil and a Man Named Wrycraft, A Stompin’ Tom Tribute Featuring Bidiniband, Li Wang, Shelley Bean & The Duckety Muds, The Mackenzie Blues Band, Chuck Baker and Sarah Lichti, Nicholas Keays and the North River, The Fretless, Relative Harmony, The Toronto Morris Men, Todd Crowley’s Musical Petting Zoo, Knechtel & McLean, Tethera, Dickie Bird, Emilee Nimetz, Tammy Frederick, Beth McKean, The Kempencelts, The Kennetts

Check out the bios for all the performers at www.mariposafolk.com.

Tickets are on sale at www.mariposafolk.com. This includes the Hot Weekend Pass for Ages 19-24 for only $59. Kids under 12 are admitted free. Audience camping is available.

Mike Hill, Artistic Director at Mariposa Folk Festival will be our special guest during our second hour (9-10 a.m.) of Royal City Rag on CFRU 93.3fm on Saturday June 15 2013.

Guelph’s Covered Bridge

The second annual Two Rivers Festival takes place June 9-16 2013 at a variety of sites within the City of Guelph. The festival celebrates the uniqueness of Guelph’s two heritage rivers — the Speed and the Eramosa.

The festival is the product of a collaborative initiative of many local organizations with the goal of increasing awareness and appreciation for the important role the rivers play in the community.

This year, festival partners will hold over 30 river-related events in Guelph. These include hikes, paddling, water-related talks, performance, river heritage and children’s events. There will also be a free concert and celebration.

Check out all the events HERE.

For more information on the festival, visit www.2riversfestival.org.

In honour of Carly and to raise funds for research into Ewings Sarcoma, a benefit concert called COURAGE FOR CARLY  will be held at Guelph Little Theatre on Saturday June 15 2013.

The concert will feature veteran singer-songwriter Jude Vadala. Also performing will be Noah and the Roaches from the Jam School in Guelph, along with young Guelph musicians Elivia and Anita Cazzola and Sonia Cazzola. Guelph singer-songwriter James Gordon will be the MC.

COURAGE FOR CARLY
Saturday June 15 at 8 p.m.
Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris St., Guelph
Tickets: $20 and can be purchased at the door; Bookshelf Café, 41 Quebec St.; Shoppers Drug Mart, Clair Road or by calling 519-766-0029 or emailing judevadala@gmail.com

“She started to have pains in her right leg when she was 12 yrs old and we took her to the doctor several times to be told it was growing pains . . . ”, said Cindy Hillis, Carly’s mother. “It wasn’t until one year later she was diagnosis with stage 4 ewings sarcoma.. It had spread to her lungs, vertebra ,hips and shoulders. . . . her cancer was chemo resistant.. There are no words to express the devastation when we heard there was no treatment”.

Ewing’s Sarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer, with a survival rate of less than 30%. According to Tina Pernica, President of the Ewings Cancer Foundation of Canada, there are currently no early detection tests available.Early detection, aggressive treatment and greater knowledge are vital for a positive outcome.

DRUMHAND have just released their third album Cheer On The Sun. Fueled by an array of drums and percussion and inspired by just as diverse an array of social themes, Cheer On The Sun features a myriad of catchy horn work and snug melodies to inspire curious ears and dancing bodies, and to provoke thoughtful minds.

“The album encapsulates the band’s shared sense of intrigue and inclusiveness,” says DRUMHAND composer/bandleader Larry Graves (Mr. Something Something), who co-founded DRUMHAND in 2008 with fellow percussionists/music educators David Chan and Steve Mancuso. On the box-shaped Gome foot-drum, Graves pounds out beats that, woven together with Chan’s palm drum cross-rhythms, serve as the driving backdrops on “Hourglass” and the instrumental epic “Mouth Greetings Suite”.

Multi-percussionist Steve Mancuso injects a dynamic urgency into the Jack Layton-inspired “The Long Road”, with his one-stringed Berimbau, and lends his soul-imbued voice to Graves’ lyric-driven “Soapbox”, which touches on the theme of corruption.

A surprising worldliness pervades the sectional work of multi-woodwind specialist Marcus Ali (Jason Wilson/Ali Brothers), trumpeter Rebecca Hennessy (Hobson’s Choice, Woodshed Orchestra) and trombonist Karl Silveira (Lemon Bucket Orchestra). The ominous shadow cast by the horns in “Our Native Lands” and the roiling excitement of Ali’s bamboo flute improvisations in “The Arrival” serve to punctuate the ensemble’s collective fascination with new and innovative musical directions.

DRUMHAND
Magnolia Cafe
June 1 2013 at 8.00 p.m.

Magnolia is a small, well-established dinner and intimate roots genre concert venue so it is highly recommended to reserve tickets and table in advance. Tickets are $10 advance, $15 at the door. Pick up tickets right at the restaurant (across the street from the Woolwich Arms) or phone: (519)766-4663.

Brenda Lewis

Versatile Guelph-based jazz, roots and torch vocalist Brenda Lewis will perform a rare “hometown” concert at the Magnolia Cafe, 8 Yarmouth Street in downtown Guelph on Saturday June 8 2013 at 8.00 p.m.  accompanied by her longtime music partner and Toronto jazz guitar wiz Margaret Stowe.

Robert Reid (Arts, The Waterloo Record) describes Lewis’ voice as “Rich, full bodied; an elastic instrument – especially in songs which speak to the heart”. Margaret Stowe has been praised by the Globe & Mail as “…impressive…”

This versatile and soulful duo are fresh from a recent successful concert at the prestigious McMichael Gallery and will perform songs from the already-acclaimed CD: “Jazzlike” – and much more. Their cohesiveness and easy rapport come from well over a decade of making music together. Loyal fans and new audience members can expect an exciting and fun evening of eclectic but always jazz-tinged gems – from standards to steamy torch to country swing.

This concert will also mark the official announcement of a “crowdfunding” internet campaign to pre-sell CDs in order to defray production costs toward Lewis’ next recording. Details will soon be available at:: www.indiegogo.com/brendalewis1

Magnolia is a small, well-established dinner and intimate roots genre concert venue so it is highly recommended to reserve tickets and table in advance. Tickets are $10 advance, $15 at the door. Pick up tickets right at the restaurant (across the street from the Woolwich Arms) or phone: (519)766-4663.

Check out the event listing HERE

Brenda will be our special guest during the second hour (9-10 a.m.) of Royal City Rag on June 1 2013

Listen to our September 2012 interview with Brenda Lewis: 

Jane Lewis & Sam Turton

“The All Together Now Singalong, hosted by Sam Turton and Jane Lewis, is not your average singalong event! Lyric books are provided so you can join in, and the songs covered are well-known folk, pop/rock, bluegrass, country, and gospel numbers, as well as traditional Irish/English/Scottish pub songs. You request your favourite tunes and we all sing together.”

SONGBOOKS INCLUDE…

Over 100 great artists, including The Band, The Beatles, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Elvis, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, Dolly Parton, John Prine, The Police, Paul Simon, James Taylor, The Temptations, U2, Neil Young…

Over 200 classic songs, including Hey Jude, Twist And Shout, Amazing Grace, Danny Boy, Brown Eyed Girl, Me and Bobby McGee, House Of The Rising Sun, Heart Of Gold, Like A Rolling Stone, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Wade in the Water, Man Of Constant Sorrow, My Girl, Blue Suede Shoes, Fire & Rain, Bird On The Wire, Jambalaya, Folsom Prison Blues and more!

Friday June 14, 2013 from 8-10 p.m.
SINGALONG with Sam & Jane
Magnolia Café
88 Yarmouth Street, Guelph
$10 cover – reservations recommended, but not required: 519-766-4663
Dinner served from 5.30 – 8.00 p.m. Liquor licence.

For more on Sam and Jane including their music workshops check out www.all-together-now.ca.

Related show

• Artist:
  Jane Lewis & Sam Turton
• Date:
  Friday, June 15th 2012
  
• Time:
  8:00pm
• City:
  
  Jane Lewis & Sam Turton in
  Guelph
• Venue:
  Magnolia Cafe
• Address:
  88 Yarmouth Street
• Venue phone:
  519-766-4663
• Country:
  CA
• Admission:
  $7.00-$10.00 (sliding scale)
• Age restrictions:
  All Ages
• Box office:
  519.766.4663
• Notes:
  Cover: $10 OR get a dinner*/show deal for $20 (tax included)! *Choose one of Magnolia’s famous rice bowls, plus a beverage.

  The cafe is now open during dinner hours, so feel free to arrive earlier to enjoy your meal before the music starts at 8.00 p.m.

  Reservations recommended but not required: 519-766-4663

  Next Singalong at Magnolia – July 6

  http://www.all-together-now.ca/singalong.html

• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Two other local choirs will be featured in the concert; the Guelph Male Choir under the direction of Gordon Adnams, a choir that welcomes men of all ages, and the Centre Wellington Singers with their conductor Louise Elder, a sixty-voice community choir centred in Fergus.

Antler River Project will make welcome return for this concert. Antler River Project feature Fiona Wilkinson on flute & piccolo, Oliver Whitehead on acoustic guitar, Mitch Tyler on acoustic & electric bass, Rob Larose on drums & percussion, Steve Holowitz on grand piano and Alfredo Caxaj on percussion & vocals. Antler River Project is renowned for its ingenious blend of technical virtuosity and knowledge of world music, resulting in a unique synergy of ideas and improvisation.

An exciting feature of the evening will be a tango performance by dancers Suzette Sherman and Michael Sean Marye accompanied by the GCC and Antler River Project. Also featured is the moving Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez featuring soloist Chris Fischer with the GCC and Antler River Project.

Conductor Gerald Neufeld notes “Music connects the world in one human family and I’m pleased that these Songfest events allow us to come together locally as a musical family too. Songs from around the globe will include music from Argentina, Ecuador, Western Africa and Latvia.”

Don’t miss the Podium talk!, World of Wonder, at 7 p.m. Members of Antler River Project will discuss and demonstrate the integration of world influences in music today.

Guelph Chamber Choir and Special Guests present Songfest 2013: World Music
Saturday April 27, 2013 at 8 p.m.
River Run Centre

Tickets: Single tickets are now available for only $25 each or 4 for $80. We encourage young adults to attend with $10 tickets for students and those 30 and under and only $5 for youth with eyeGO. Tickets are available from choir or board members, through the River Run Centre by calling 519-763-3000 or online at www.riverrun.ca. Tickets will also be available at the door.

To learn more about Guelph Chamber Choir visit their website at www.guelphchamberchoir.ca or call 519-836-5103.

Lynn Miles is one of Canada’s most accomplished singer/songwriters. With seven albums to her credit, the winner of multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, and a 2003 Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Solo Album of the Year.

While her melodies undulate between traditional country and folk roots, it’s her sensitivity to the world around her that pours itself directly into Miles’ music to make it stand out. The gritty honesty she has the ability to make even the most melancholy lyrics sound as if they are brimming with hope and grace.

Katherine Wheatley has been a regular at folk festivals, concert series and clubs across Canada since the release of her first CD. As well as her own solo career, she is a member of the Toronto band, Betty and the Bobs; is a guitarist in Wendell Ferguson’s trio “The Smoking Section”; she presents songwriting, vocal and independent music career workshops at schools, folk clubs and music stores across Canada; and she is the currently the ambassador for the campaign to raise six million dollars for the new hospital in her home town of Parry Sound, Ontario.

Lynn Miles and Katherine Wheatley
The Unitarian Congregation of Guelph
122 Harris Street, Guelph ON
When: Saturday, April 27th, 8:00 p.m.
Cost:  $19 in advance, $22 at the door.
For more info, call Jack at (519) 829-1852.

William McLeish

The final concert in the Guelph Symphony Orchestra’s 2012-13 season promises to be a blockbuster featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Canadian composer Barbara Croall’s Midawewe’igan – The Sound of the Drum and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations.

• Humperdinck: Prelude to Hansel and Gretel
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
• Barbara Croall: Midawewe’igan – The Sound of the Drum (feat. Barbara Croall and Rod Nattagog)
• Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations (feat. Concerto Competition Winner William McLeish)

Check out the David Knight’s concert notes here.

Beethoven Symphony No. 5
River Run Centre
Sunday, April 7 2013 at 3.00 p.m.
Tickets are available online or at the River Run Centre Box Office at 519-763-3000.

Music:
Gayle Ackroyd, Crazy Love (Van Morrison)
Gayle Ackroyd, No Regrets
Gayle Ackroyd, Bumble Bee
Gayle Ackroyd, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (Gerry Goffin and Carole King)
Gayle Ackroyd, Walk the Streets of London
Gayle Ackroyd, Saturday Night on Bourbon Street
Gayle Ackroyd, Too Bad

Listen to the Show:

Gayle Ackroyd on Royal City Rag (RIGHT Click to Download)

About Gayle Ackroyd
Singing along with the songs was obligatory in Gayle Ackroyd’s family home.

“Two of the songs I remember singing were God Bless the Child and Stormy Monday”.

She also loved listening to all-time great singer-songwriters Carol King, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell before growing to love the music of Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Besse Smith and Billy Holiday. Music that helped inspire her development as a songwriter.

Gayle started writing songs at the tender age of 14. She has released four albums of songs with a distinctive country blues flavour that although they may reflect artists who influenced her, are all distinctly Gayle; country bar blues with a distinctive feminine touch.

Determined to make music her career, Gayle enrolled in the musical theatre programme at Sheridan College before her big break as a backing singer for touring country star Cliff Edwards (formerly of The Bells – “Stay With Me A While”).

Gayle sings a lot of her own songs, but is not adverse to throwing in the odd cover version of favourites by John Hiatt, The Neville Brothers and B.B. King, among others.

Gayle will be playing live at Magnolia Cafe, 88 Yarmouth Street, Guelph on Saturday March 23 at 8.00 p.m. with accompaniment from multi-instrumentalist Scott Fitzpatrick. Tickets $10.00 in advance ($15.00 at the Door). Call 519-766-4663 to reserve your seat.

For more information, visit www.gayleackroyd.com

GAYLE ACKROYD with SCOTT FITZPATRICK
March 23 at 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: $10.00 ($15 at the door)
Magnolia Cafe
88 Yarmouth Street, Guelph, Ontario N1H 4G3