Munching
Henkel Farm Dirt: Arrogant Worms at Shelter Valley Folk Festival Cobourg :: Back
To Top
July 14
The Henkel family couldn’t be more pleased with the Shelter
Valley Folk Festival. This year, the Festival is bringing worms
to their farm where the Labour Day Weekend event is held. “This
will be the fifth year that we’re hosting, so we’re
starting to get the gist of this folk music thing,” says
Mrs. Henkel. “But,” Farmer Henkel adds, “I
said to Aengus, ‘Son, it’s time that you start learning
a thing or two about farming. A farmer’s always got to
give back to the land.’ And he listened. He’s bringing
worms – some newfangled variety called Arrogant Worms.
I say, what the heck! Worms are worms.”
Confidential
sources report that Aengus Finnan, Artistic Director of the Festival,
isn’t sure how to break
the news to the Henkels. “These worms aren’t
worms. The Arrogant Worms are a band,” he said in
a wire-tapped conversation with Board President, Andrew
Buntin. “They aren’t even a new band,” Buntin
replied, referring to the Arrogant Worms’ seventeen
years in the business of performing some of the funniest
songs written in Canadian soil.
Making fun is the Arrogant Worms’ stock and trade. Mike
McCormick, Chris Patterson, and Trevor Strong began their antics
in 1991 on campus radio in Kingston, Ontario. Since then, they’ve
recorded ten independent albums: their self-titled debut album
in 1992, followed by Russell’s Shorts, C’est Cheese,
Live Bait, Christmas Turkey, Dirt, Idiot Road, Toast and, most
recently, Beige. They have consistently topped the sales charts
for their distributors and have sold over 150,000 albums to date.
They’ve even performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
in a show recorded for national television, and they have one
of them fancy website dew-hickies found at www.arrogant-worms.com.
Indeed, it is their show that keeps audiences coming back. The
Arrogant Worms have provided tuneful and silly escapism all over
North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom in venues of
all shapes and sizes, from small clubs and theatres to Central
Park and the Grand Canyon. No matter where they are, they are
having fun and the audience is too. Musically, the worms have
munched on rock, folk, ballads, country, Celtic
folk, and children's
music. Everything from politics and history to family dynamics
and sports has been their fodder. Some of their most popular
songs include Canada’s Really Big, Carrot Juice is
Murder and Celine Dion (you soft-rock my world).
Festival-goers will be treated to the Worms’ witty stage
banter and lusciously luring music as the closing act in the
Festival’s opening concert on Friday evening, August 29th.
In a guest appearance, Canadian songbird Lynn Miles will emcee – please
note that Miles is not actually a bird. Other musicians featured
in the Festival include Bob Snider, Brian MacMillan, Dala, Danny
Michel, Don Ross, The Good Lovelies, John Bottomley, Kyrie Kristmanson,
Kobo Town, Laura Smith, Old Man Luedecke, Penny Lang, Ray Bonneville,
Rita Chiarelli, Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick, Rose Cousins, and
Sheesham and Lotus, with guest appearances by Darlene and Valdy.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a registered Federal Charity
that presents a Labour Day Weekend family festival (August 29th – 31st,
2008), and a new community outreach initiative called “Artists
in the Schools.” Currently in its fifth year, the Festival
celebrates music, juried art, wellness, sustainable living and
harvest food in what the Toronto Star describes as a “gentle,
humanistic, environmentally attuned and abundantly caring” manner.
Tickets for the Festival are available at 48 King Street West
in Cobourg, online at www.sheltervalley.com or
through the Ticket Hotline: 1-866-612-SVFF or 905-355-1244. New
volunteers, financial donors and worms are always welcome.
The worms go munching one by one, hurrah, hurrah ….
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Artistic Director: Aengus
Finnan
Assistant Communications Coordinator: Siobhan McAuley
905.355.1244
/ festival@sheltervalley.com
Inquiries regarding ticket information and 2008 roster, please
visit www.sheltervalley.com
Artist
Website (press photos, bios, music): www.arrogant-worms.com
Fresh Faces
at Folk Festival Cobourg :: Back
To Top
July 9
There are a couple of fresh faces working about the Shelter Valley
Folk Festival office this summer. Through the support of Canada
Summer Jobs funding provided by Human Resources and Social
Development Canada (HRSDC), the Festival has hired local students,
Ms. Catie Calnan and Mr. Adam Webb, to oversee the Cobourg
summer office operations and to assist in public relations
and the marketing of the organization's signature Labour Day
weekend event.
Rcognizing
the Festival's positive impact on the local community,
its steady growth and the need for capacity support,
HRSDC has provided funding to employ two students
this summer - an increase from the single role provided
for in past summers. Executive Director Aengus Finnan
states, "This is an exciting time for the festival.
In addition to celebrating five years of grassroots
community culture, we are proud to be providing meaningful
summer employment for two local students in the cultural
sector, a vast but often overlooked part of the local
economy."
Andrew
Buntin, President of the Festival's Board of Directors, adds, "SVFF
has attracted a number of volunteers with advanced expertise who
are willing not only to move the organization forward but also
to share that expertise with our summer students. In this way,
we are able to benefit from additional staff at a time when we
are putting the final touches on plans for the Festival, and we
are able to support young people as they plan for their own futures.
We look forward to a long, mutually beneficial partnership between
HRSDC, SVFF and the young people of our community."
Ms. Catie Calnan and Mr. Adam Webb
As office manager, Ms. Calnan is responsible for day-to-day
operations and assists the many members of the festival's volunteer
Operating Committee. Her administrative duties include database
management, ticket sales, and volunteer registration. Ms. Calnan,
a long-time resident of Shelter Valley's hamlet of Vernonville,
attended St. Mary's Secondary School and was a volunteer at
last year's Festival. She now studies Psychology at Queen's
University in Kingston. "Being this summer's office manager
lets me meet so many great people, every day," says Ms.
Calnan. "Working alongside a team of talented, hard-working
volunteers in an environment that fosters the arts is rewarding
on so many levels".
A considerable change of scene from previous retail positions
to this summers' more administrative role, Ms. Calnan explains
that her dedicated involvement with the Festival is derived
from her passion for drama and music. "I have experienced
first-hand the sense of community and inclusivity that the
Festival creates," says Ms. Calnan. "Just like the
high school musicals I acted in (Bye-Bye Birdie and Annie),
the coming together of devoted individuals for one spectacular
event really is something special."
Working alongside Ms. Calnan this summer is Mr. Webb, the
Festival's communications and marketing assistant. A fourth
year Communications student at Carleton University, Mr. Webb's
daily tasks range from media relations to creative design.
Mr. Webb is a graduate of Clarke High School and currently
resides in Newcastle. "Going places, doing things and
meeting people is what I'm all about," remarks Mr. Webb. "Put
those three particulars together and that's why the Shelter
Valley Folk Festival appealed to me." When not writing
for the campus newspaper or taking road trips to remote destinations,
he enjoys composing music ranging from rock to electronic. "A
folk festival is a new scene for me," says Mr. Webb, "but
the experience is involving and uniquely challenging - you
just can't learn this in school."
Finnan explains that "while these are entry level positions,
they are important roles for the organization and are vital
opportunities for students to put theory and skills to work
in a practical setting where expectations are high, details
are critical, and timelines are tight. We're thrilled to have
Adam and Catie with us. They are part of the SVFF team, along
with almost 200 volunteers, and together we're working on the
hundreds of elements involved in orchestrating this event."
The Festival's summer office is located at 48 King Street
West in downtown Cobourg and is open 7 days a week from 9am
to 5pm until the eve of the festival. Visitors are welcome
to drop in to meet Adam and Catie throughout the summer.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a registered Federal Charity
that presents a Labour Day Weekend family festival (August
29 - 31, 2008), and a new community outreach initiative called "Artists
in the Schools." Currently in its fifth year, the Festival
celebrates music, juried art, wellness, sustainable living
and harvest food in what the Toronto Star describes as a "gentle,
humanistic, environmentally attuned and abundantly caring" manner.
Tickets for the Festival are available at the Festival's Cobourg
summer office, online at www.sheltervalley.com or through the
Ticket Hotline: 1-866-612-SVFF or 905-355-1244. New volunteers
and financial donors are always welcome.
-30-
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact
(905)-355-1244 or festival@sheltervalley.com
Shelter
Valley Folk Festival Launches ‘Artists in the Schools’ program! Cobourg :: Back
To Top
June 23
Last Thursday students from three local schools experienced
history in the making as the Shelter Valley Folk Festival launched
an “Artists in the Schools” outreach program. As
a Federal Charity, part of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival’s
mandate is to increase public appreciation of the arts. The school
performance was the first of an annual Outreach program designed
to provide cultural workshops and performances for Northumberland
area schools.
Thursday’s
hour-long show featured the zany antics of children’s
performer, Magoo [at right], and was held at Grant Sine
Public School, located in the upper-east end of Cobourg. Also
attending were students from St. Joseph’s Elementary
and Northumberland Montessori School.
Packed with dynamic creative energy and tons of fun,
the event brought together three unique school systems as part
of the Festival organization’s philosophy of promoting
inclusivity and a sense of community.
With songs ranging from “the Dinosaur Dance” to “A
River runs through Udora”, Magoo had children and teachers
alike singing and playing along. With enthusiasm, fortitude and
zeal he leapt between playing guitar, mandolin, and donning a
dinosaur costume.
Kevin Dunn, Principal of Grant Sine Public School commented
that “The program was thoroughly entertaining and educational.
It was great to have all three schools systems included, transcending institutional
boundaries. Magoo was Great!”
“We are thrilled as a Charity to begin to deliver this
type of programming for our community. The United Way’s
Community Matters report identified many schools and communities
who could benefit from this type of service and we are honoured
to be able to provide it” stated Aengus Finnan, Executive
and Artistic Director of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a registered Federal Charity
that presents a Labour Day Weekend family festival (August 29
- 31, 2008), and Community Outreach Initiatives. Currently in
its fifth year, the festival organization celebrates Music, Juried
Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living and Harvest Food in what the
Toronto Star describes as a “gentle, humanistic, environmentally
attuned and abundantly caring” manner. Tickets for the
Festival are available at 48 King St West, Cobourg, online at
www.sheltervalley.com or
through the Ticket Hotline: 1-866-612-SVFF or locally at 905-355-1244.
New volunteers and financial donors are always welcome.
Calling all Songwriters! Cobourg :: Back
To Top
June 5
Shelter Valley Folk Festival Annual Songwriter's Showcase Calls for
Creations
The Good Lovelies made it happen, so did Taylor Abrahamse of Bridgenorth,
and Jess Dunkin of Port Hope. They are all local songwriters who won
chance to perform at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival. And so could
you!
The call is out again for local songwriters to submit two original
songs for a chance to be selected to perform at the 2008 Shelter Valley
Folk Festival Songwriter’s Showcase. The Showcase is held in
downtown Cobourg on July 31st during the Town’s annual Sidewalk
Sale. It's an opportunity for local musicians who create original music
to perform on an outdoor stage as part of an audition for the Labour
Day weekend Folk Festival. The deadline for song submission is July
1st.
So, if you have an original song floating through your head, perhaps
a melody and touching turn of phrase to go with it, you are invited
to submit your songs for consideration. Simply record your music, send
it to the Shelter Valley Folk Festival office (Box 29 Grafton ON, K0K
2G0), by email to festival@sheltervalley.com or
by dropping it by the downtown Cobourg summer office at 48 King St.
West.
All entrants are requested to submit two original compositions with
lyrics as an MP3 or on CD or cassette by July 1st. Initial selection
and audition judging is based on the songwriting quality and style
rather than the performance. Artistic Director Aengus Finnan notes, "We
are trying to focus on the creative process, the images and ideas of
local songwriters, not necessarily on the showmanship or performance."
From the submissions, ten successful songwriters will be invited to
perform their two selected songs on an open air stage on Thursday July
31st. At the evening performance, the audience is asked to help rate
the songwriters through a survey. Together with a panel comprised of
a music industry guest, a past showcase performer, and the Festival’s
Artistic Director, they help determine which three songwriters will
perform on the Mainstage of the Labour Day weekend event.
The 5th annual Shelter Valley Folk Festival (a Registered Federal
Charity) is a family weekend of Music, Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable
Living & Harvest Food held on the Henkel Farm just east of Grafton,
August 29 - 31, 2008. Tickets for the Festival are available at the
Festival’s summer office (48 King St. West, Cobourg), through
the new Ticket Hotline 1-866-612-SVFF / 905.355.1244, or online www.sheltervalley.com.
New volunteers and financial donors are always welcome.
Shelter Valley
Folk Festival seeks 2 Summer Students Cobourg :: Back
To Top
May 22, 2008
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival, funded by HRSDC, is seeking two
summer students for the positions of 1) Summer Office Manager and 2)
Marketing/Communications Assistant.
SUMMER OFFICE MANAGER main tasks include:
Management of public summer office in Cobourg
Public relations in person, by telephone, and through email
Ticket sales, cash management, daily cash reconciliation
Registration of volunteers, scheduling and training of office volunteers
Administrative support for organizational and/or festival volunteer
crew chiefs, (including marketing & communications, fundraising,
production, performer services)
MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS main tasks include:
Management of public relations campaign from Cobourg office
Coordination of special events & promotional efforts
Generation of press releases, ad copy and design
Lead on timeline, collection, design and layout of festival program
Administrative support for organizational and/or festival volunteer
crew chiefs, (including marketing & communications, fundraising,
production, performer services)
Both positions require:
Excellent people skills and telephone manner.
Comprehensive computer skills (Word, Excel, database management, design,
web savvy).
Experience working with volunteers.
Driver's license and access to vehicle preferred.
Some evening and weekend work.
Wage: $9.00 per hour / 37.5 hours per week
Application Deadline: Sunday June 1st, 5pm Interview Date: Wednesday June 4th and Thursday June 5th Start Date: Monday June 9th / End
date: Saturday Aug 30th
Candidates for both positions must be: Canadian, 15-30 years of age
and currently enrolled as a full-time secondary or post-secondary student
returning to school in the fall. Students majoring in subject areas
related to the job tasks are encouraged to apply.
Please send a 1 page cover letter specifying what job, or both, that
you are applying for, accompanied by a maximum 2 page resume by e-mail
to
or fax at 905-349-2293. Please enter "Summer
Job" in the Subject line.
Applicants are thanked for their interest and will receive a notice
of receipt by email; however, only successful candidates will be contacted
for interviews. No follow-up calls please.
Celebrating Five Years of Grassroots Community
Culture & The Finest in Folk Music Cobourg :: Back To Top
May 1, 2008
Hailed as a "Best of the Fests" by the Globe & Mail,
and as "gentle, humanistic, environmentally attuned, and abundantly
caring" by the Toronto Star, Northumberland County's own Shelter
Valley Folk Festival is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year and
is thrilled to announce that as of May 1st the "All Canadian" Line-up
has been released, Early Bird tickets are now available, new ticket
options have been introduced, and volunteer recruitment has begun.
Board Chair Andrew Buntin, alongside members of the Festival's Board
and volunteer operating committee gathered on the shores of Lake Ontario
to kick off the sale of May 1st Early Bird weekend tickets offered
at a discounted price until May 31st only. As of June 1st the full
range of Festival "Day and Weekend" ticket options become
available. This year, in response to audience requests, the Festival
is pleased to introduce a limited number of "Saturday Night" tickets
also (available June 1st).
"So, you can now enjoy the Festival in many ways; come for the
weekend, come for the day, or come for the evening" stated Mr.
Buntin.
Tickets are available through the Festival website (www.sheltervalley.com),
at the Festival's summer office in downtown Cobourg, and also through
a newly available ticket hotline - 1-866-612-SVFF (7833) or locally
through the Festival's new office number 905-355-1244.
Also as of May 1st anyone interested in volunteering for the Festival
(a Registered Federal Charity) may visit our website (www.sheltervalley.com
[this site]) to register for one of the 350 volunteer roles required
to mount this signature cultural event.
The Festival anticipates needing about 350 volunteers for this year's
event, including a wide variety of roles ranging from summer ticket
sales and marketing support, to onsite parking and security, cooking
meals for volunteers, assisting with arts programs in the family area,
and merchandise sales during the festival weekend.
Mr. Buntin explained "We're looking for people to help in advance
of the Festival as well as during and after the Festival has closed
for the year. At the present time we're particularly looking for people
to help in the area of communications - promotion, marketing, copy
editing, design and layout." Full volunteer job descriptions are
listed on the volunteer page of the Festival's
website.
The Festival's Artistic Director, Aengus Finnan was also on hand,
and on the shores of Lake Ontario to announce this year's All Canadian
line-up which he described as "talent from sea to sea to sea",
including local artists who are now touring nationally, audience favourites
from past years, Juno award winners, and a stellar roster of the finest
Folk, Root and Blues musicians on the scene.
"We're celebrating our 5th year this Labour Day Weekend and are
thrilled to announce a line-up of select past performers, exciting
new-comers, and exception artists" stated Finnan.
The 2008 roster of musicians includes the return of Canadian Legend
VALDY who appeared on the Festival stage in year one and who will act
as Emcee on the Saturday night Main-stage and provide the closing Sunday
afternoon concert. Also returning to Emcee Friday night and perform
is Juno Award winner and True North recording artist Lynn Miles, as
well as Darlene, a consistent volunteer and audience favourite.
New to Shelter Valley are acclaimed songwriters Brian Macmilan, Danny
Michel, and Ottawa's innovative darling Kyrie Krismanson. Arriving
from the East Coast are artists Rose Cousins, Laura Smith and Old Man
Luedecke while John Bottomley and Penny Lang bring their rich West
Coast sounds to Northumberland County. Blues masters Rick Fines & Suzie
Vinnick return to the Festival joined by the legendary Ray Bonneville
from Montreal and Italian-Canadian blues sensation Rita Chiarelli.
CBC favourites Bob Snider and 2005 returnees DALA will both be in
attendance, as well as the Backwoods Ontario rock-a-billy square dance
duo "Sheesham & Lotus". In the instrumental guitar world
there are some particular guru's and Shelter Valley is bringing in
the most revered of them all: Don Ross.
Closing Friday night's Main-stage is the side-splitting music comedy
trio "The Arrogant Worms" who promise not to leave a dry
eye on the field with their songs and antics. Perhaps most exciting
is the Saturday night Main-stage closing act, a Toronto-based Trinidadian
Calypso band named Kobo Town who are sure to have everyone dancing
under the summer stars.
Finally, The Good Lovelies, a home-grown act who were winners of last
year's "local songwriters showcase" and who have since released
a CD and begun touring the Canadian folk festival scene will bring
their sweet sounds and stories to the Festival Main-stage to help wind
up the Sunday performances.
"It is certainly a challenge to comb through some 600 submission
to select the final 20 acts, but I think this is our best line-up yet,
and one to celebrate" stated Finnan.
Links to all artists' sites where samples of their music can be heard
are found by visiting the performer page at www.sheltervalley.com
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival (a Registered Federal Charity) is
a family event held Labour Day Weekend (Aug 29-31, 2008) on the Henkel
Farm just east of Grafton celebrating Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable
Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music.
For tickets, schedule, information and to volunteer or donate please
visit www.sheltervalley.com or call 905-355-1244. The Festival's new
Ticket Hotline is 1-866-612-SVFF (7833).
or fax at 905-349-2293. Please enter "Summer
Job" in the Subject line.