BarrieFolk invites you to pack up the babies and grab the ol' ladies and head down to The Gazebo at Heritage Park in Barrie for a Wednesday evening of fine music with Tina Wallace, Patty McLaughlin, and Kaitlyn & Brynn. The ladies are all previous winners of BarrieFolk's Youth Songwriting Competition, while Patty is a lifelong songwriter, and excellent musician. This show is completely FREE and will run from 7:00-9:00pm as part of the weekly Lawnchair Luminata series. All you need is a lawnchair. Dress for the weather! Heritage Park is located on the waterfront at the bottom of Mulcaster Street. www.barriefolk.com Condolences to paul court who was supposed to join the young ladies but managed to smash his thumb at work.

July 28, 2010

Open your ears and listen for the sound of acoustic guitars, harmonicas, banjo, piano, and mandolin, coming from the Stonebridge Music Pavilion, River Road West, Wasaga Beach as 19-year-old singer/songwriter Tyler Firestone takes the stage from 7:00-9:00pm to do what he loves most in life... play music for you. Tyler Firestone has written well over 70 songs since the beginning of his young music career, and will be performing a selection of them, including songs from his debut album "All in Good Time" and his soon to be released 2nd album. So if you, or someone you know likes music, love, Fun and laughter. You wont want to miss this FREE concert.

July 28, 2010

The brilliant Katherine Wheatley will be performing tonight at the Wintergreen Pancake Barn just outside downtown Gelert. The show is at 8:00pm and is being co produced by Yours Outdoors and The Minden Cultural Centre. Wintergreen is a wonderful intimate concert venue. Tickets are limited. Katherine is an old friend of the Highlands and she will be showcasing selections from her new recording; Landed. Tickets are $20.00  and are available by calling; Cultural Centre: 705-286-2808 * Wintergreen: 705-286-3202 * Yours Outdoors: 705-754-3436.

July 29, 2010

Its a BBQ with the Tom Fun Orchestra at the Midland Docks, Midland, On. 5:00pm start. $15.00 per. For more information try www.stellulamusic.com

***Youth Songwriting Workshops:  Stellula Music will be providing youth songwriting workshops at 2pm the Midland Public Library located on the corner of Elizabeth Street and King Street downtown Midland.  These workshops are free but you must register by writing stellulamusic@gmail.com or calling 705-327-3403.

July 30, 2010

Music Up Close brings Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice to Innisfil for a house concert at the home of Peter Chitty & Marlene Campbell, 2226 Richard Street, Innisfil, Ontario @ 8:00pm. A donation of $25.00 per person (payable in advance)is requested. Phone 705-436-3927 or email musicupclose@rogers.com for details.

July 31, 2010

Grand Analog, fresh from an appearance at the Hillside Music Festival, heads to Huronia for a show to wrap up the Atlantic Challenge. If you haven't heard the buzz...here's a teaser.

"Grand Analog continues to sweeten its hip-hop cocktail by spiking the punch with everything they can get their hands on: blazing rock guitars, dubby reggae, wah-wah funk, Bo Diddley beats and even a smoking kazoo solo.”read more

Also on the bill will be Acadian trio la Radio Radio. "feverish mixture of sounds, halfway between electro-pop and hip-hop, with contagious energy. "

FREE to the public, Elizabeth Street in Midland will close down next to the library. The show starts at 8pm and will include The Phillistines opening. 8 :00- 11:00pm. Contact twistedpinesmusic@gmail.com for further information.

***Youth Songwriting Workshops:  Stellula Music will be providing youth songwriting workshops at 2pm the Midland Public Library located on the corner of Elizabeth Street and King Street downtown Midland.  These workshops are free but you must register by writing stellulamusic@gmail.com or calling 705-327-3403.

August 1 , 2010

Wayne Buttery & The Groove Project take the lake by storm aboard the MS Georgian Queen loading tonight at 7:30 at the Penetanguishene Town Dock, Penetanguishene, and docking at 11:00 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 each, and are available at the MS Georgian Queen ticket office.Call 1.800.363.7447or visit the website. www.georgianbaycruises.com

Theatre By The Bay presents The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare. Performances are at the Grand Theatre, 55 Dunlop Street West, Barrie. Tickets can be obtained by calling 705-735-9243 or emailing boxoffice@theatrebythebay.com. For more information visit: www.theatrebythebay.com

August 6,7 & 8, 2010

Live From the Rock invites you to lovely Red Rock, Ontario for three days of the greatest little festival in the country. Do you enjoy campfires, canoeing, crafts, and incredible live music playing on four stages from noon to lights out? LFTR is for YOU! This year's lineup of performers includes Big Dave McLean, Bonnie Couchie, Brock Zeman, Cindy Doire, Craig Cardiff, Claire Jenkins, Eve Goldberg, Greg Quill, Gypsy Jive, Heather Bishop, Ian Tamblyn, John Booth & The Southside Band, Kim Churchill, Last Night, Lead Pipe Cinch, Lennie Gallant, Manitoba Hal Brolund, My Sweet Patootie, Rita Chiarelli, Slap Johnson and  the Trowellers, Steve Schellenberg, The Auditor General, The Wooden Sky & Valdy.

visit www.livefromtherock.com for complete details wrt tickets, accomodation etc.

August 6-8, 2010

Lose Yer Shoes Folkadelic Festival will take place at Lagoon Tent and Trailer Park, in Huntsville, Ontario this weekend.  Lagoon

The festival will feature jam bands, singer-songwriters and lots of after hours campfire jams and drumming circles.  The stage will be on a beach by the river, so you can swim and float on the water whilst enjoying the music.  The festival is family and dog friendly.  Bands confirmed are:
Laganza, Caution Jam, Cabin Fever, Barefootin', Jeremy Waterhouse Band, Jeff Nicholson, Darcy Good, Murphy's Lawyer, Steve Porter, The Subterranean Collective.

Ticket prices are as follows: $60 for the weekend; $45 for Saturday/Sunday (get $15 refund if checked out by 1 a.m.)
Friday only - pay $60 and get $30 back if checked out by noon on Sat.; Kids 12 and under FREE

If you are interested in getting tickets, they are available at the following outlets: - Cripple Creek Music, 15 Chaffey St, Huntsville - Chill Out, 300 Holland St West, Bradford - - Coffee Culture, 1 Holland St West, Bradford

August 7 to 27, 2010

Theatre By The Bay presents Alladin and Jasmine’s Summer Adventure. Performances are at the Grand Theatre, 55 Dunlop Street West, Barrie. Tickets can be obtained by calling 705-735-9243 or emailing boxoffice@theatrebythebay.com. For more information visit: www.theatrebythebay.com

August 7, 2010

SUNCRASH is an annual camp-out music festival held on Saturday of the long weekend in early August on the Kearey-Moreland farm, 2520 Bass Lake Sideroad East, Orillia On L3V 6H1just outside Orillia Ontario. 2 Stages, live dj/midnight dance party, food and drink vendors, porta potties, movie projector, fireworks show, riverside trail, bare feet, pretty dresses, ambulance on site, paint your own totem poles, dunk tank, wishing well, intencity in tent city, bus services from toronto to the farm and back, and the list goes on. SUNCRASH was created with the intention of providing a unique natural venue for young up-and-coming talent to perform and network with other musicians, while at the same time bringing attention to local community groups and organizations. The website seems to have been suspended but here's an email address... sun.crash@hotmail.com They also have a Facebook page: HERE

August 11, 2010

BarrieFolk invites you to pack up the babies and grab the ol' ladies and head down to The Gazebo at Heritage Park in Barrie for a Wednesday evening of fine music with Shawn Clarke , Roy Hickling and Mitch Wilson . These gentlemen are all excellent musicians (in addition to their other talents). This show is completely FREE and will run from 7:00-9:00pm as part of the weekly Lawnchair Luminata series. All you need is a lawnchair. Dress for the weather! Heritage Park is located on the waterfront at the bottom of Mulcaster Street. www.barriefolk.com

August 12, 2010

Stellula Music in the Schools is pleased to present David Celia and Joan Besen in The Garden at The Verandahs B&B, Hawkestone, On at 7:30pm. Tickets are $40. Opening performances by our own young songwriters.

For tickets,information and directions contact Marc Cohen at 1-800-841-1019.

August 18 - 22, 2010

During these five evenings in August, seven concerts will be held at two venues in Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve -- the stunning, lakeside amphitheatre that overlooks serene and isolated Bone Lake, and at the historic Logging Museum located at Base Camp where you can also enjoy art installations of The Land Art Project along forest trails. The Forest Festival offers an unforgettable experience. It's difficult to cut and paste the information, so visit The Haliburton Forest Festival website for performer and ticket details as well as directions and other interesting stuff..

August 21, 2010

The Elmvale Celebrate Water Festival returns with an exciting day of music, food, games, workshops, lectures and other interesting events that put the focus on WATER.

The Music Stage will have sets from Marshall Dane & The Law,  Patrick Brealey & The Knives and Eve Goldberg, plus another musician TBNL. The Keynote speaker will be Robert Sandford with his presentation "Restoring the Flow: Towards a New Canadian Water Ethic". Featured film screening will be WATERLIFE by Kevin McMahon. For a complete list of activities please visit Celebrate Water 2010.

August 21, 2010

Serena Ryder will play The Village at Blue today (7:00pm) for a FREE show as part of the Peak to Shore Music & Arts Fest.

August 22, 2010

The Wild Turkeys return to their southern stomping grounds for a show at the Peak to Shore Music & Arts Fest. This event will have free shows at various locations in Thornbury, The Village at Blue and Collingwood.

August 25, 2010

Enjoy a summer night with 2010 Juno-Award winning The Good Lovelies tonight at St. Paul's United Church, Midland ON beginning at 8pm. Adults: $20., 17 & Under: $12. Super special guest TBA. Tickets onsale at Johnstone's Musicland NOW!
or contact sc@scottcoopermusic.com for more info.

August 27-29, 2010

Eaglewood Folk Festival comes to Pefferlaw, Ontario with some wonderful Canadian musicians, including Katherine Wheatley, Lily Frost, The Marigolds, Kim Barlow, The Stagger Lees, and many more. www.eaglewoodfolk.com for ticket, camping, volunteer and other information.

August 27, 2010

Groundswell Coffee House in Alliston hosts an evening of music featuring Jeff Williams (shown here with Floyd the dog) beginning at 8pm. Along with his solo gigs at coffeehouses and pubs, Jeff has been featured on a Rogers TV Songwriter's Showcase, and writes, sings and plays guitar for a folk rock band called Pholk Jam Gheri. Read more: http://www.myspace.com/jeffreylwilliams#ixzz0uWfbPsuz

August 27, 2010

MUSIC UP CLOSE HOUSE CONCERT with THE GOOD BROTHERS. 8:00pm at the home of Peter Chitty & Marlene Campbellsuggested donation of $25.00 payable in advance. 2226 Richard Street, Innisfil, ON. Phone:705-436-3927 Email: musicupclose@rogers.com

August 28, 2010

BarrieFolk goes On The Waterfront to host An Unplugged Saturday Night in conjunction with the Dragonboat Festival. Musicians, storytellers and poets of all calibre are welcome to participate in a 15 minute set. Performers should drop by at 7pm to put your name in the performer draw. Music begins at 7:30. Admission is free, with any donation to the folk society to help us cover costs greatly appreciated. This is an all-ages evening and children are encouraged to attend as well as participate. If you'd like more info, please call 719-6654 or send e-mail to kcpttrsn@gmail.com

August 29 , 2010

The Utopia Cafe opens its doors for its monthly musical extravaganza with hosts Jill Jambor and Jeff Williams. $5.00 admission includes a bottomless cup of whatever libation you choose and delicious treats. I can hardly wait to see what the Utopian kitchen has created this month. Utopia Hall hosts at 8396 6th Line South, Utopia, ON L0M 1T0 between Barrie and Angus south off #90.

September 3-5, 2010

7th Annual Shelter Valley Folk Festival's lineup this year includes Montreal blues master Michael Jerome Browne, Ukulele siren Shelly O'Brien, David Woodhead's fabulous Confabulation, Royal city songstress Tannis Slimmon, The straight shooting songs of Joshua Cockeril, Electronic dub trio LAL, Alt-country underdog Fred Eaglesmith, Winnipeg songsmith JP Hoe, New York based father and son duo Beaucoup Blue, The unquenchable Ariana Gillis, Vancouver gospel gurus The Sojourners, Canadian legend Connie Kaldor, Newfoundland's finest, The Dardanelles, Children's musical comic laureate Andrew Queen, A highly anticipated Tamarack reunion, and Boston roots wonder-band Joy Kills Sorrow.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available from May 1st to 31st or while quantities last and can be purchased at http://www.sheltervalley.com/>www.sheltervalley.com or by
calling the ticket hotline at 1-866-612-SVFF (7833).

September 12, 2010

Ashiko! Drumming Away Hunger Festival invites you to enjoy performers presenting the music and rhythms of many cultures, including Brazilian, Nigerian, Arabic, Chinese, Celtic, West Indian and First Nation, and join the drum circles happening throughout the day on the grounds of the Stephen Leacock Historic Site in Orillia. Admission is a $20 donation to The Sharing Place Food Bank, children 12 and under free. Excellent food and refreshments. Truly, a terrific time for folks of all ages! 10:00am - 10:00pm

September 22, 2010

ArtsCan Circle presents John Wort Hannam for a Benefit Concert,  7:30 p.m at Ginny and Patty's house in Innisfil, ON. What a great way to spend a Wednesday evening!  Suggested donation:  $20.00. Call Patty or Ginny for reservations:  (705) 431-7182 or email Ginny at: ginnyc649@hotmail.com BarrieFolk is proud to support this worthy organization.

From the Canadian prairies in southern Alberta comes one of Canada’s best folk/roots songwriters, John Wort Hannam.  John is known for his unique take on the simple day-to-day dramas of common folk through songs that map the landscapes of both the human heart and this vast continent of ours.  He is a born story-teller with a keen eye for the quirky and lyrics that create stories behind the songs;  comparisons have been made to Gordon Lightfoot, James Keelaghan, and John Prine. His emotive voice is a strong and constant presence. 

John has achieved some fine accolades in a few short years including being selected as the Grand Prize Winner at the Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Competition for 2009. http://www.johnworthannam.com Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for an intimate evening of music with John Wort Hannam, his  backup band and Austin, Tx singer-songwriter, Danny Schmid, who  will open the show.

September 24, 2010

The Hawkestone Farmers Market offers wonderful, fresh, locally grown produce; artisans and crafts; delicious food and music at the Hawkestone Community Centre. Today's featured performers are Ken Allen and Jennifer Ives; known collectively as Lead Pipe Cinch, who will fill the air with song from 3:00-7:00pm.

September 24, 2010

Orillia Folk Society kicks off the 2010 FridayFolk concert series with a return engagement featuring Mose Scarlett 's entertaining blend of blues, jazz, ragtime, swing and ‘Tin Pan Alley treasures’. Mose is a 40-year veteran of the music business, with a rich bass-baritone voice, an intricate finger-picking guitar style, and a penchant for the ‘good old tunes’. Grizzled yet verging on elegance, deadpan yet bordering on hilarity, this songster is truly one of a kind. The venue is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca An eight show season pass is available for only $10.00 per show - you save $40.00. Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.

September 25, 2010

Here's your chance to enjoy a day of interactive arts experiences all over Barrie. Stroke a saxophone. Sing along. Make a joyful noise. Move to the beat of a different drummer. It's all free.

BarrieFolk will be sponsoring workshops in songwriting, performance, recording and making your way in the business of music. Venues will be announced shortly.

Culture Days is a volunteer movement aimed at raising the awareness, improving accessibility, and encouraging participation by all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.  Culture Days believes that the Arts are a vital part of the economic, cultural and social development of every community in Canada and contribute to the overall health of the country.

September 25 , 2010

Music Up Close brings Alan Rhody to Innisfil for a house concert at the home of Peter Chitty & Marlene Campbell, 2226 Richard Street, Innisfil, Ontario @ 8:00pm. A donation of $20.00 per person (payable in advance)is requested. Phone 705-436-3927 or email musicupclose@rogers.com for details.

October 29, 2010

Orillia Folk Society presents The Echo Hunters... www.echohunters.com... Favourite sons of the Montreal folk-roots circuit – dynamic vocal harmonies and deep soul grooves “Their shows have become the stuff of legend… Like the best southern barbecue, the best music often benefits from long, slow cooking …The venue is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca An eight show season pass is available for only $10.00 per show - you save $40.00. Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.

November 6, 2010

BarrieFolk: Live.Acoustic. Music. invites you to enjoy a day of Live, Acoustic, OriginalSong featuringan afternoon Showcase of the youngsongwriters chosen as finalists in The Fourth Annual Youth Songwriters' Contest, and an evening concert in the round... Songs From Coast-to-Coast with some of Canada's finest songwriters. Featured at the evening concert will be Rita Chiarelli, Dave Gunning, David Essig and Kevin Breit. This year's event will take place at the Holly United Church Centre, 211 Marsellus Dr., Barrie, ON Please bring a non-perishable food donation. Ticket details and more at www.barriefolk.com.

November 6, 2010

Music Up Close brings The Breakmen to Innisfil for a house concert at the home of Peter Chitty & Marlene Campbell, 2226 Richard Street, Innisfil, Ontario @ 8:00pm. A donation of $25.00 per person (payable in advance)is requested. Phone 705-436-3927 or email musicupclose@rogers.com for details.

November 26, 2010

Orillia Folk Society presents Hotcha! www.hotcha.ca Born in the swamp. Raised on the mountain. Worked in the mines. Played on the porch. Rustic, rural songs of work and faith, delivered with a vintage vibe and the energy of a runaway train. Hotcha! creates a distinctive musical blend of old-time western, bluegrass, early swing and country gospel. You’ll hear a unique combination of accordion and bodhran alongside gritty guitar, wailing harmonica and soaring vocal harmonies.The venue is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca An eight show season pass is available for only $10.00 per show - you save $40.00. Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.

January 14, 2011

Music Up Close brings Lynn Miles to Innisfil for a house concert at the home of Peter Chitty & Marlene Campbell, 2226 Richard Street, Innisfil, Ontario @ 8:00pm. A donation of $25.00 per person (payable in advance)is requested. Phone 705-436-3927 or email musicupclose@rogers.com for details.

January 28 , 2011

Orillia Folk Society welcomes the new year with a FridayFolk show featuring Small World Project... www.smallworldproject.ca
This trio derives pleasure from integrating pure “world” elements, classical music and jazz using inspiration drawn from the four corners of the globe: Brazilian samba beats, Chilean folklore, flamenco Andalou, Hawaiian Island melodies, and the musical strains of Morocco, Senegal and India — with some good old American bluegrass in the mix. The venue is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.

February 25 , 2011

Orillia Folk Society's FridayFolk show this month features Jory Nash. www.jorynash.com... Winner of Penguin Eggs’ 2009 ‘Album of the Year’ for New Blue Day.
Jory is a singer-songwriter who blends elements of traditional folk, blues, jazz and pop into an original acoustic-based
roots musical mix. His vocal style is warm and inclusive; his lyrics are layered and broad in scope. He
plays 6 & 12-string acoustic guitar, 5-string banjo and piano, and has a hat collection that numbers about 225. The venue is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.

March 25 , 2011

Orillia Folk Society presents Jon Brooks. www.jonbrooks.ca One of the Toronto Star’s ‘Top 10 Artists to Watch in 2010’
In Jon’s words, “ultimately, the folk singer is trying to politicize love – to lobby for compassion to be our principle
representative in government office.” In 2009, his third CD, Moth Nor Rust earned him his second Canadian Folk
Music Award nomination for ‘Best Songwriter’. The venue for this show is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.

April 29, 2011

Orillia Folk Society is thrilled to offer a double bill with two of Canada's prairie songsmiths, Maria Dunn & John Wort Hannam
www.mariadunn.com & www.jonworthannam.com
Two Folk Society favourites, one exciting double bill! Two of Canada’s best storytellers in song, Maria and John join forces for what promises to be a fabulous show. Maria was nominated for Solo Artist of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards, and John was recently a third-time Grand Prize winner at the Calgary Folk Music Festival Songwriting Competition. The venue for this show is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.

May 27, 2010

Wrapping up the 2010-11 FridayFolk Concert Series is a show featuring Allison Lupton. www.allisonlupton.com
Beautiful renditions of traditional and original songs and tunes. Vinyl Café Host, Stuart McLean has described Allison as having “a beautiful, clear singing voice …and the ability to tell a story with her flute.” Allison and her band mates entrance listeners with their exquisite vocal harmonies and captivating arrangements highlighting flute, fiddle, guitar, accordion, mandolin, banjo and acoustic bass. The venue for this show is still to be confirmed. Tickets are available by phone, e-mail or in person: cash or credit card – up until the day before the show @ the Mariposa Folk Foundation office. Call 705-326-3655 or e-mail tickets@orilliafolk.ca Visit www.orilliafolk.com for more information and details.