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August 27, 2010 - Northumberland, ON :: Back To Top
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival “Experience”
Those attending the Shelter Valley Folk Festival in Northumberland County often call it the Shelter Valley “experience”. Held Labour Day weekend (September 3 – 5), the festival is a blend of wonderful music, harvest foods, workshops, juried art and an intriguing village for children (this year Northumberland’s Andrew Queen performing).
The variety of activities to enjoy draws a wide group – from seniors (many proud to tell you they’ve never missed a year), to families, groups of friends, teens, and some who just want to “experience” the setting and spectacular view of Lake Ontario.
The festival celebrates its seventh year this weekend and opens its gates Friday at 5PM (camping opens 12 NOON) and closes Sunday at 4PM. Weekend tickets are the most popular with a sell-out in 2009.
Ticket buyers can also choose day or evening tickets, which can still be purchased during the festival weekend in person at the site (no phone orders).
Named one of Canada’s Top 10 Festivals this year by a CBC Radio 3 poll, the SVFF “experience” includes welcoming an audience made up of hometown fans (Grafton, Ontario), to many who cross a few borders to be there. From devotees David and Sue Lyon who have actually bicycled their “trusty tandem bike” from Kingston, ON to the festival the past two years, to an increasing number of “first timers”.
The festival is also about enjoying wonderful Blues, Roots, Folk music, but also about learning to repair your own bicycle, building a backyard adobe oven, or taking a Tai-Chi class (many come just to join the workshops!). The complete weekend program of activities can be found at www.sheltervalley.com.
Part of the “experience” at the festival is always an extraordinary lineup of performers that include both seasoned Roots, Blues, and Folk artists and intriguing newcomers. Friday evening the festival welcomes Fred Eaglesmith whose background includes Juno nominations, a recent David Letterman slot, and even music in a Martin Scorsese film. His dedicated following travels the globe to catch him on stage. Eaglesmith is recognized for leading edge music that remains rooted in tradition.
On Saturday the festival welcomes newcomer Ariana Gillis whose career has bolted from occasional opportunities to an in-demand artist performing at festivals across the country. From musicians to critics to audience members, there’s a growing buzz and belief she’s the “one to watch” among so many newcomers.
Also on Saturday, Folk icon Connie Kaldor will perform. Kaldor’s decision at a young age to take to the road heralded a determination and dedication that gained music industry respect to this day. She began as one of the very few touring, female folk musicians, also playing her own guitar and piano. At the time Kaldor stunned audiences by interacting from the stage, sharing much more than her music. Today she’s a world traveler with fourteen albums to draw from, a powerful presence on stage with a “down home” sound that has been called “both tough and tender*”. (*The Toronto Star).
The performer line-up for the 2010 Festival includes Andrew Queen; Ariana Gillis; Beaucoup Blue; Connie Kaldor; The Dardanelles; David Woodhead’s Confabulation; Fred Eaglesmith; Joy Kills Sorrow; Joshua Cockerill; J P Hoe; Lal; Michael Jerome Browne; Shelley O’Brien; The Sojourners; Tamarack ; Tannis Slimmon.
For tickets, ONLINE SALES END Thursday Sept 2nd. PHONE&IN PERSON SALES END 12 noon Friday Sept 3rd at the SVFF Office (905-355-1244 or 213 Second St., 2nd Floor, Firehall Theatre in Cobourg, ON). THE BOX OFFICE ON SITE OPENS 4PM Friday September 3rd with remaining tickets for “in person” sales only (295 Vernonville Rd., North of Country Road 2, east of Grafton – follow the signage).
For more information, please contact:
Executive Director: Jan Cody at 905.355.1244 or email to festival@sheltervalley.com
August 20, 2010 - Northumberland, ON :: Back To Top
Shelter Valley Folk Festival is also a "Village"
Part of the beauty experienced while visiting the Shelter Valley Folk Festival over Labour Day weekend (Sept 3-5) includes a stroll through its Village area. It includes the Artists', Wellness and Sustainable Living Villages. While the festival's main audience area is renowned for its beautiful vista of Lake Ontario, the Village area to the south offers a lovely ribbon of sparkling white tents to wander through, under an endless blue sky.
In this area 18 Artists selected for the Artists' Village will offer a wonderful collection to gaze at, and a schedule of workshops that allow hands-on participation. This year's Artists use many natural materials of metals, textiles, glass, wood, clay and soapstone in their work, their creations speaking to the senses, and certainly charming the eyes.
Shelter Valley Folk Festival's Artist Village is unique in its approach. All Artists are selected from a juried process. Artists are not required to pay a festival or rental fee, and each Artist is encouraged to discuss and share their creative process. This includes some of the Artists holding workshops onsite that invite the audience to feel inspired and share in the creation process.
The festival web site includes a complete listing of this year's Artists. It also includes a listing of the weekend's performers, with links to their music and more.
Important Festival Ticket Sale Dates:
Monday August 23rd: Festival Rate ticket prices begin and remain through the festival
Thursday September 2nd: ONLINE SALES CLOSE 10PM
Friday September 3rd: Phone or In Person sales til NOON at SVFF Cobourg Summer Office
Friday September 3rd: Remaining tickets released to Festival Site Box Office opening 4PM (County Rd./Hwy 2, east of Grafton, to Vernonville Road. Follow the signs to the entrance).
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival celebrates seven years as a family event held Labour Day Weekend on the Henkel Farm east of Grafton, Ontario. The festival celebrates Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music.
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For more information please contact:
Jan Cody, Executive Director, festival@sheltervalley.com / 905-355-1244
Online links to our Village participants can be found at www.sheltervalley.com
August 17, 2010 - Northumberland, ON :: Back To Top
Shelter Valley Folk Festival "Advance" Tickets Counting Down to August 22
Shelter Valley Folk Festival ends its "Advance" rate ticket sales August 22nd, and begins its "Festival" rate the next day, August 23rd. Following last year's sell-out of Weekend Passes, organizers are excited about the pace of sales in 2010. The Festival's Executive Director Jan Cody hopes those heading to the festival "will give us a call, go online, or drop into our summer office at Cobourg's Firehall to take advantage of the savings to August 22nd. To mark that day we're having an Open House with volunteers on hand to talk about the festival, and adding a little music, food and fun. We're hoping to see a lot of the community that Sunday, between 10 and 2pm."
The Festival is celebrating its 7th year this Labour Day weekend, September 3 - 5. It is held east of Cobourg, near Grafton, Ontario. The Main Stage programming for the weekend is now posted online through www.sheltervalley.com through the Program link.
The festival's Summer Office in Cobourg is located at 213 Second Street, Second Floor, through the east door of the Firehall Theatre, south of King Street. The office phone is 905 355 1244 or 1 866 612 SVFF. To order tickets online, visit www.sheltervalley.com.
Important SVFF Ticket Sale Dates and Office Hours to Note
Cobourg Summer Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 9:30 to 5PM and Saturday 10AM - 2PM, with special notes below…
Sunday August 22nd: Advance Rate ticket price savings end: SVFF Cobourg office open 10AM - 2PM
Monday August 23rd: Festival Rate ticket prices begin and remain through the festival
Thursday September 2nd: ONLINE SALES CLOSE
Friday September 3rd: Phone or In Person sales only, till NOON at SVFF Cobourg Summer Office
Friday September 3rd: Festival Site Box Office opens at 4PM (County Rd. 2, east of Grafton, on Vernonville Road, follow the signs to the entrance)
For more information contact:
Jan Cody, Executive Director
905 355 1244 or festival@sheltervalley.com
August 4, 2010 - Northumberland, ON :: Back To Top
Close to Home and far from Ordinary
The 7th annual Shelter Valley Folk Festival promises more of exactly what everyone has come to love about this Grassroots Community Cultural event; legendary artists and undiscovered gems.
Ranked one of the top 10 festivals in Canada this year through a listenership poll conducted by CBC Radio 3, the Festival prides itself on introducing its audience to music that might not otherwise ever be seen live in Northumberland County. In many cases it introduces acts to audiences long before they become familiar to industry, media and the public at large, including performers like Serena Ryder who helped launch the inaugural festival in 2004, alongside Canadian legend Valdy.
"Since the beginning we wanted the festival to be about the music more so than the names of who would be playing," states departing Artistic Director Aengus Finnan. "Headliners are great but there are hundreds of unheard of acts who are equally talented. At Shelter Valley everyone performs on the Mainstage, and while the consistent audience response has been joy at seeing legends perform; more often they tell us they were captivated by the discovery of new talent." This year will be no different as Finnan's final festival line-up brings talent from across the continent for a theme he is dubbing "Close to Home and Far from Ordinary".
This year's festival combines legends and newcomers once again with highlights including Fred Eaglesmith, Connie Kaldor, outstanding newcomers Joshua Cockerill and Ariana Gillis (below right), and unique acts to watch for, such as The Dardanelles and Joy Kills Sorrow.
Fred Eaglesmith is best known for his intense performances and risk-taking on stage, testing his audience with tough songs about rural life, loss and survival. Connie Kaldor has graced folk stages around the world, showcasing a bold and passionate presence, a wonderful sense of humour and unforgettable voice.
New for many ticket holders this year will be Joshua Cockerill and Ariana Gillis, both young artists drawing a lot of attention in a very short time. Cockerill, originally from Alberta, charms with stripped down songs wrapped around an almost imperceptible twang. Gillis, only 19, is already a seasoned performer, building a career in small coffee houses and clubs and now centre stage at some of Canada's leading festivals.
A little different and definitely unique, The Dardanelles, a rambunctious traditional band hailing from Newfoundland were described by one music reviewer as guaranteed to "change the way you think about folk music", and will share the weekend with another breaking act, the Boston-based stringband Joy Kills Sorrow.
The performer line-up for the 2010 Festival includes Andrew Queen; Ariana Gillis; Beaucoup Blue; Connie Kaldor; The Dardanelles; David Woodhead's Confabulation; Fred Eaglesmith; Joy Kills Sorrow; Joshua Cockerill; J P Hoe; Lal; Michael Jerome Browne; Shelley O'Brien; The Sojourners; Tamarack (a reunion); Tannis Slimmon.
The festival will also present the finalists from its annual Local Songwriter's Showcase, held recently in downtown Cobourg, offering area artists a chance to perform on in workshops and on the Festival Mainstage. This year's finalists are Stuart Macdonald (Baltimore, ON), Maria Tullio (Port Hope, ON), and Ron Warne (Newcastle, ON). The Labour Day weekend will also welcome Emcee's and stage hosts: Sheesham and Lotus, Brian MacMillan, Ken Whiteley, Kevin Closs, Kristen Sweetland, Lyndell Montgomery, and Washboard Hank.
The 7th annual Festival is a family weekend of Music, Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living and Harvest Food held on the Henkel Farm just east of Grafton, September 3-5, 2010. "Advance" rate tickets are available until August 22nd online at www.sheltervalley.com, by phone at 905-355-1244 or 1 866 612 SVFF, or at the summer office in Cobourg at 213 Second Street, Firehall Theatre. New volunteers and financial donors are always welcome. The Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a registered Federal Charity.
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For more information, please contact:
Executive Director: Jan Cody
905.355.1244 / festival@sheltervalley.com
July 29, 2010 - Northumberland, ON :: Back To Top
Sweet Street Sounds at Shelter Valley Showcase
(Cobourg) An open air audition took place last night in downtown Cobourg as eleven finalists performed for an appreciative audience that also participated in the judging process. The sixth annual "Local Songwriters Showcase" presented by Shelter Valley Folk Festival, was held outside Victoria Hall, during the first night of Downtown Cobourg's 42nd Annual Sidewalk Sale Thursday July 29th.
Well over 200 enjoyed original music from performers hailing from Newcastle to Grafton to Belleville to Warkworth, and from many points in between. The group represented a wide range of ages and songwriting experience. At the end of the night, audience score sheets were tallied, and a jury made up of Don Owen, (The Oasis), Trish Robb (2009 Showcase Finalist), and Jan Cody, (Festival Executive Director), weighed in to finalize the results.
Selected as Finalists for 2010 are: Stuart Macdonald of Baltimore, Maria Tullio of Port Hope, and Ron Warne of Newcastle. Macdonald showcased strong songwriting skills and originality in weaving traditional story-songs with surprising lyrics. Tullio, while young, presented two original songs that highlighted her pure vocals and demonstrated a songwriting ability well beyond her years. Warne's performance was called "brave" by the jury, as he presented two unique songs with a very personalized style
Each of the three chosen finalists receive an opportunity to play at this year's Labour Day weekend festival (Sept 3 - 5), both on the main stage and within workshop performances. The Festival closed the night by thanking its volunteers, the DBIA, the jury and the audience, as well as the great lineup of performers, for making it another successful showcase.
Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a registered Federal Charity that presents a Labour Day weekend family festival (Sept 3 - 5), an "Artists in the Schools" program and a Community Concert series. The Festival celebrates music, juried art, wellness, sustainable living and harvest food in Shelter Valley, near Grafton, Ontario. New volunteers and donors interested in supporting the organization are always welcome.
Until August 22nd, Festival "Advance" rate tickets are available, with "Festival" rates after that. Tickets can be purchased at www.sheltervalley.com, or by phone at 905 355-1244, or at the summer office at 213 Second Street, 2nd floor of the Firehall Theatre.
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For more information, please contact:
Jan Cody Executive Director
905.355.1244 / festival@sheltervalley.com
July 23, 2010 - Northumberland, ON :: Back To Top
Local Performers Chosen for Shelter Valley Showcase
An open invitation is extended to those who love music to head to downtown Cobourg Thursday July 29th for 6pm, with a lawn chair and a pen, to help choose three finalists at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival’s Local Songwriters Showcase. Now in its 6th year, the showcase presents the top ten songwriters from the region, with the top three to perform at this years’ Sept 3rd-5th Labour Day weekend Festival outside Grafton.
This year’s performers hail from all regions of Northumberland County and beyond, and were selected from over thirty submissions which began arriving at the Festival office last fall. The performers are a varied group, both from where they hail, and their wide range of ages. The 2010 Songwriters Showcase performers are: Brook Sturzenegger (Grafton), Bruce Stewart (Newcastle), Eric Campbell (Cobourg), Jim Parker (Newtonville), Kate Boothman (Kendal), Maija Thompson (Belleville), Maria Tullio (Port Hope), Ruth Wilkinson (Port Hope), Stuart Macdonald (Baltimore), Tom Herceg-Shanahan (Warkworth), Ron Warne (Newcastle).
The Songwriters Showcase helps launch the four day Downtown Cobourg Sidewalk Sale with audiences at the free showcase usually numbering over 200 for the annual community event. The stage will be located just east of Victoria Hall on King St. West with the Fire Hall Theatre set as the rain venue (213 Second Street, behind Victoria Hall).
Right: Last year's performers
Festival Executive Director Jan Cody explains that “one of the highlights for audience members is how essential they are in the process of choosing the three finalists. If you arrive by 6pm, each audience member is offered a judging form and asked to score all ten songwriters, helping the jury come to a final decision on the final three.” This year’s jury includes three savvy music industry veterans: Musician/Producer and Restaurateur Don Owen (of “The Oasis”), 2009 Showcase Finalist Trish Robb, and ED Jan Cody. The top three songwriters selected by the audience and jury will be posted online the morning of Friday July 30th at www.sheltervalley.com.
Aengus Finnan, the Festival’s departing Artistic Director shared that “from inception this event was designed to celebrate local up-and-coming talent, showcase the creative work being done at kitchen tables and on front porches, encouraging more people to write music, and to foster a public appreciation for original compositions - not just industry produced radio hits. And while we’re not exactly launching careers, it can be quite a good stepping stone.” Case in point, 2010 Juno award winning local trio “The Good Lovelies” had their first public appearance and audition at the local Showcase.
Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a registered Federal Charity that presents an annual Labour Day weekend family festival (Sept 3 – 5, 2010), an Artists in the Schools program, a Community Concert series, and the Local Songwriters Showcase. Now in its seventh year, the Festival celebrates music, juried art, wellness, sustainable living and harvest food on the Henkel farm in Shelter Valley, near Grafton, Ontario. New volunteers and financial donors are always welcome. More information about Festival tickets at www.sheltervalley.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Executive Director: Jan Cody
905.355.1244 / festival@sheltervalley.com
July 20, 2010 - Northumberland, ON :: Back To Top
SUMMER MEANS OPEN DOORS AT SHELTER VALLEY FOLK FESTIVAL OFFICE
An Invitation to visit SVFF Cobourg location and 2010 Summer Students
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival office has an open door this summer, through the east entrance of the Fire Hall in Cobourg, (213 Second Street). For 7 years the office has been a drop in and meeting place for the community and volunteers. The Festival's well known A-frame sign and windmill can easily be spotted from King Street.
With only a handful of weeks to go, the Shelter Valley Folk Festival team is watching the days fly by toward this year's Labour Day weekend event. Once again, the Festival has the support of two students from Northumberland, through funding provided by Canada Summer Jobs.
Emma Lang (left in photo) and Holly Brooks have been onboard since June. Emma is a second year Kinesiology student at Wilfred Laurier University, and filling the role of Fundraising Assistant to the committee. A competitive athlete and an active member of the Cobourg community, she has a wonderful personality for her role, handling donations by post and telephone. When asked, Lang added "…being a part of Shelter Valley has been a lot of fun and I think the experience will help open doors for me down the road."
The Marketing and Communications assistant this summer is Holly Brooks, a third year English student at Queen's University. Holly has traveled quite a bit and is spending this summer in Cobourg. Her welcoming personality is ideal for her managing of ticket sales and communicating with the community, including media. Holly admits learning all the details of the festival in just a few weeks has been a challenge, "…but it's also been tremendous fun and the SVFF office is a great place to spend the summer!"
The Festival set a record pace for Early Bird ticket sales this May, and continues to have brisk sales for "Advance" tickets available only until August 22nd. After that, the "Festival" rate begins. In its seventh year, the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, held Labour Day Weekend (September 3rd to 5th), continues to celebrate Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music. More information at www.sheltervalley.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Executive Director: Jan Cody at 905.355.1244
or email to festival@sheltervalley.com
SVFF Summer Office:
open Monday thru Saturday at #213 Second Street, Cobourg, ON,
through a dedicated door on the east side of the Fire Hall
June 30, 2010 - Grafton, ON :: Back To Top
FOLK ICON GARNET ROGERS DEDICATES A SPECIAL NIGHT TO SHELTER VALLEY
One of Canada’s finest singer songwriters returns to the hills of Northumberland for a special performance supporting the Shelter Valley Folk Festival organization’s 2010 fundraising campaign.
Garnet Rogers will perform Friday July 23rd at an intimate evening event, seating only 100, at Port Hope’s unique venue “Molson’s Mill”.
Rogers came away from the 2009 festival with an appreciation of the organization’s vision and goals, and an invitation to call on him for future projects. His performance at the festival was a highlight for many, and a rare chance to enjoy music from this world traveler recognized as one of Canada’s greatest folk artists. He began his career on the road at age 18 as a working musician with brother Stan Rogers. Over the years Garnet Rogers has built his own dedicated following, singing extraordinary songs “...about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small everyday victories”.
Rogers also brings with him a quick wit, wonderful sense of humour, and a great command of the stage. It is a rare evening that will offer such an intimate opportunity in the heart of Northumberland to enjoy a Garnet Rogers performance in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Tickets for the Shelter Valley Folk Festival Fundraising event on Friday July 23rd are $36.00 (includes HST).
Garnet Rogers, Folk Icon to Perform at SVFF Fundraiser July 23rd
Click to enlarge photo
Doors open at 7PM with an 8PM start. Tickets may be purchased online at www.sheltervalley.com or by phone at 905 355 1244, or at the festival’s summer office in Cobourg (directions below).
In its seventh year, the Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a family event held Labour Day Weekend (September 3rd to 5th, 2010) on the Henkel Farm just east of Grafton. The Festival celebrates Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music. Sites on the main campground are almost sold out and Advance tickets offering savings until mid August are on sale.
Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a Registered Federal Charity and donations are always welcome.
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For more information, please contact:
Executive Director: Jan Cody at 905.355.1244 or email to festival@sheltervalley.com
SVFF Summer Office: open Tuesday thru Saturday at #213 Second Street through a dedicated door on
the east side of the Cobourg Fire Hall (watch for signage).
June 10, 2010 - Grafton, ON :: Back To Top
Shelter Valley Folk Festival Records an Historic Spring and Welcomes Next Artistic Director
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival organization marked spring 2010 with the earliest sell-out of its "Early Bird" tickets ever, and by naming its second Artistic Director in a seven year history. The Board of Directors confirmed today that artist and music industry professional Jory Nash, will join the festival this fall, replacing founding AD Aengus Finnan.
The Festival's Chair Elizabeth Scriven said "We were really overwhelmed with the talent in Canada that came forward, and our hiring committee spent many weeks on this process. We're very pleased that in the end it confirmed the skills that Jory has accumulated over his marvellous career and what a truly special person he is. We believe he's an ideal fit for the unique nature and needs of our organization."
Nash, a Toronto native, has a background touching many corners of the music industry, including multiple recording and producing credits, the coordination and programming of "The Way We Feel", an acclaimed annual Gordon Lightfoot tribute event, as well as serving on the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals board where he coordinated its "Songs From the Heart" award. He has also devoted many summers to a non-profit organization focused on leadership for young people. Most recently, his release "New Blue Day", was named 2009 Album of the Year by folk, roots and world music publication "Penguin Eggs".
Of his appointment Nash said "I'm thrilled" about stepping into the AD position later this fall, and added "I've spent many Labour Day weekends at Shelter Valley and my admiration for what they do has never lessened...I'm looking forward to collaborating with this tremendous group, tapping into their energy and building on some very special history."
Jory Nash, incoming Artistic Director Shelter Valley Folk Festival beginning fall 2010
Click to enlarge photo
Exiting Artistic Director, Aengus Finnan, who announced his retirement to begin a position with the Ontario Arts Council earlier this spring, said the committee's decision was wonderful news. Finnan added "Having worked with Jory in various capacities over the past 15 years, I have complete confidence, personally and professionally, that the organization has selected the right person…his commitment, perspective, and style will be a great addition to the Festival community, and it is certainly a delight to see another artist stepping into an AD role on the national scene".
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival was launched in 2004, and this year was named a "Top 10 Festival" in Canada by a CBC Radio 3 national poll. A registered Federal Charity, the organization presents a Labour Day weekend festival (September 3 - 5, 2010), an Artists in the Schools program, and a Community Concert Series. Advance tickets for the Festival are now available at www.sheltervalley.com or by calling 905-355-1244. The Festival's summer office is located at The Fire Hall Theatre (home of Northumberland Players), 2nd Floor, Second Street entrance, in downtown Cobourg. Volunteers are always welcome with information at www.sheltervalley.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Jan Cody, Executive Director 905 355 1244 or festival@sheltervalley.com Photo attached: Jory Nash, incoming Artist Director Shelter Valley Folk Festival beginning fall 2010
April 27, 2010 - Grafton, ON :: Back To Top
Shelter Valley Announces the 2010 Line-up for 7th Annual Folk Festival
(Grafton, ON) With volunteers busy behind the scenes preparing the release of a limited number of "Early Bird" tickets May 1st, the Shelter Valley Folk Festival organization presented its 2010 musical line-up today as programmed by departing Artistic Director, Aengus Finnan.
Finnan announced "I am as excited by this, my final line-up, as I was to present the Festival's first lineup in 2004. This Labour Day weekend will welcome an incredibly diverse and talented roster of legends, innovators, and as-yet undiscovered stars."
Revealed earlier this month to the Festival's Board of Directors and Operating Committee, the 2010 roster of musicians achieves the long-wished-for presence of Canadian songwriting legend Connie Kaldor. It also includes some of Canada's most compelling and intriguing performers: Alt-Country underdog Fred Eaglesmith, dub poet electronic outfit LAL, and Newfoundland's finest traditional band the Dardanelles.
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival has become known as a place to discover artists before their awards and mainstream recognition (2004 launched Serena Ryder, 2006 Dala, and 2008 introduced The Good Lovelies, recent 2010 JUNO winners). This year audiences will once again welcome a bumper crop of young talent to watch, including the unquenchable Ariana Gillis from the Niagara region, Winnipeg songsmith JP Hoe, and urban crooner and roots-rocker Joshua Cockerill.
From Montreal comes Blues master Michael Jerome Browne with a rich repertoire to match the Vancouver based Gospel trio The Sojourners, set to inspire the annual Sunday morning "rise up singing" performance.
Hailing from Guelph, songstress Tannis Slimmon weaves sweet melodies with poignant lyrics, while David Woodhead's Confabulation ensemble presents improvised and impromptu performance.
Ukulele siren Shelley O'Brien of Toronto, brings a jazzy charm to her original compositions, while crowd favourite and Campbellford-based children's performer Andrew Queen adds a little musical mayhem and boundless energy.
From south of the border comes New York-based father and son duo Beaucoup Blue, and Boston's "Joy Kills Sorrow", a five member collective of Berklee students who excel in Americana and Bluegrass (spotted and booked by Finnan at a late night Memphis, TN showcase last February).
While the Festival had the honour of being ranked as one of Canada's Top 10 this Spring (nation-wide CBC Radio 3 poll), Artistic Director Finnan himself is the first to remind "it is so much more than a music event… the laid-back atmosphere, the mindful ethos, the grassroots vision is what we all hold dear. People who appreciate quality in any venture or discipline find a cultural community event at Shelter Valley that is close to home and far from ordinary."
"Early Bird" Festival tickets offering tremendous savings will be released May 1st "until they're gone" and can be purchased online at www.sheltervalley.com or by calling 1-866-612-SVFF (7833).
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival (a Registered Federal Charity) is a family event held Labour Day Weekend (Sept 3-5, 2010) on the Henkel Farm just east of Grafton, and celebrates Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music.
Newcomer Ariana Gillis just one of many to perform Labour Day weekend.
Click photo to enlarge
The Festival welcomes those interested in volunteering with more details at www.sheltervalley.com.
Shelter Valley Folk Festival 2010 will be held September 3 - 5th. In its seventh year the Festival remains a family event held Labour Day weekend on the Henkel Farm just east Cobourg near Grafton. The Festival celebrates Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music.
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For more information please contact:
Jan Cody, Executive Director, festival@sheltervalley.com / 905-355-1244
Online links to all artist sites offering media information including music sampling and press quality photos can be found through the "Performer Page" at www.sheltervalley.com
Attached Link: Link to JPEG Connie Kaldor http://www.conniekaldor.com/DATA/PressKit/ph1_ConnieKaldor.jpg Tag line: "Canadian Songwriting Legend Connie Kaldor to grace Shelter Valley stage"
April 6, 2010 - Cobourg, ON :: Back To Top
Shelter Valley Folk Festival Artistic Director Aengus Finnan Accepts New Position
(Grafton, ON) - The Shelter Valley Folk Festival organization released news today that one of its "founders" is beginning a new chapter in his life. Long time Volunteer, past Executive Director and current Volunteer Artistic Director, Aengus Finnan, has successfully achieved a position with the Ontario Arts Council to begin mid-April. The Festival's Board of Directors confirmed that a process is underway of determining the AD for the 2011 season, with Finnan on behalf of the Festival, soon to reveal the Artist Line-up for 2010.
Finnan thanked SVFF volunteers, calling them "generous, talented, and passionate" and felt the coming transition would be "...an exciting stage in the growth and evolution of our Festival's Grassroots Community Culture".
The Festival organization has always lauded Finnan's extraordinary vision and dedication, which many feel have been key to the Festival becoming "one of the best in Canada", (ranked Top 10 by the recent CBC 3 Searchlight poll). Shelter Valley Folk Festival Chair Elizabeth Scriven said "We celebrate Aengus' achievement and his new challenge ahead. He's an original founder and such a close friend to so many that watching him step into this next role is an exciting transition we'll all be able to share in". The organization confirmed Finnan will deliver his final line-up of performers for the Festival later in April as the process of finding just the right individual for the Artistic Director role for the 2011 season gets underway.
Shelter Valley Folk Festival is a family event held Labour Day weekend on the Henkel Farm just east Cobourg near Grafton. The Festival celebrates Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music. Shelter Valley Folk Festival celebrates its seventh year September 3 - 5, 2010 with the Artist Line-Up to be announced late April. Early Bird tickets will be released on May 1st (available online at www.sheltervalley.com or by phone 1-905-355-1244).
For more information please contact:
Jan Cody, Executive Director, festival@sheltervalley.com / 905-355-1244
April 6, 2010 - Cobourg, ON :: Back To Top
Seeking "Great Folks" To Join Us This Labour Day Weekend
2010 Shelter Valley Folk Festival Applications Online
"Participating in the Artists' Village was an enriching experience for me as I was able to share my love of felting with both adults and children...Visitors were able to try their hand with natural fibres (and) create beautiful art while promoting ecological health."
Ausma Clappison of Gentle Glade Studio is just one of our artisans and practitioners who came away from our last Festival with a wonderful experience.
For six years Shelter Valley Folk Festival's Village of dotted gazebo tents has offered our visitors truly unique Juried Art, and intriguing and talented Wellness Practitioners and Sustainable Living Participants. Many are from Northumberland and many travel great distances to be with us. Their weekend includes workshops, and opportunities to offer demonstrations and create discussion.
If you would like to learn more about participating, we would welcome your interest and questions. Visit www.sheltervalley.com for details and applications.
| Applications | Deadlines |
| Visual Art participants | March 31 |
| Wellness Practitioners & Sustainable Living Participants | May 31 |
| Songwriters Showcase | May 31 |
Shelter Valley Folk Festival 2010 will be held September 3 - 5 in 2010. In its seventh year, the Festival remains a family event held Labour Day weekend on the Henkel Farm just east Cobourg near Grafton. The Festival celebrates Juried Art, Wellness, Sustainable Living, Harvest Foods and the finest in Folk, Roots and Blues music. Early Bird tickets offering significant savings will be released May 1st in limited numbers.
For more information, please contact Jan Cody, Executive Director at 905-355-1244 or 1 866 612 SVFF, or by email festival@sheltervalley.com.
February 18, 2010 - Cobourg, ON :: Back To Top
Acclaimed Juno Award Winner JAMES KEELAGHAN to close Festival's Concert Series
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival presents the 3rd "Community Concert Series" of 2010
Date: Sunday, March 14th, 2010
Time: Doors open at 7pm, Concert starts at 8pm
Location: Colborne United Church, 1 Church St, Colborne
Tickets: $22 advance, $25 at the door
Tickets available: Online at www.sheltervalley.com or by calling 905-355-1244
Hailed as the Poet Laureate of Canadian folk music, Winnipeg-based James Keelaghan has been invited by the Shelter Valley Folk Festival to close their second annual Community Concert Series on March 14th.
Winner of a Juno Award (Canada's most prestigious music accolade), Keelaghan is known for his lilting baritone voice, his driving rhythm guitar, and a keen sense of scene and story.
Festival Artistic Director Aengus Finnan states "James is a master storyteller in the vein of Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers. His music bridges traditional folk music with Canadian history in a style our audiences will appreciate. We've been trying to get him to Northumberland for years, so we're thrilled to finally present him on a rare Ontario tour."
Having studied history at the University of Calgary His song "Cold Missouri Waters", about the Mann Gulch fire of 1949, was covered by the band Cry Cry Cry in 1998. His songs have also been covered by folk luminaries such as Roy Bailley and Garnet Rogers. With an international fan base Keelaghan plays over 200 dates a year, has a 20 year career under his belt, and 11 albums to his credit.
His recent release of a CD called "A Few Simple Verses" pays tribute to the traditional music of his Irish heritage, and given the proximity to St. Partick's Day "audiences can be sure there will be a few familiar Irish tunes in the concert" assures Finnan. Keelaghan's most recent album "House of Cards" features co-writes with the likes of David Francey, Rose Cousins, and Dave Gunning.
As the Festival organization continues to deliver on its mandate as a Federal Charity to bring cultural experiences into Northumberland County year-round it has been looking for opportunities to locate events in new communities and venues. As a result the concert is being held at the Colborne United Church in Colborne. The doors open at 7pm, with the concert starting at 8pm. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door, and are on sale at www.sheltervalley.com or by calling 905-355-1244.
A limited amount of discounted Early Bird Tickets for the 7th annual Labour Day Weekend Shelter Valley Folk Festival will also go on sale May 1st.
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For more information please contact:
Jan Cody, Executive Director, festival@sheltervalley.com / 905-355-1244
Aengus Finnan, Artistic Director, aengusfinnan@gmail.com / 905-349-3715
JAME KEELAGHAN Artist information/photos/bio:www.keelaghan.com/more.html
February 7, 2010 - Cobourg, ON :: Back To Top
Welsh songwriter MARTYN JOSEPH to perform in Cobourg
The Shelter Valley Folk Festival presents the 2nd in a 3 date "Community Concert Series"
Date: Friday, February 12th, 2010
Time: Doors open at 7pm, Concert starts at 8pm
Location: Harden & Huyse, 201 Division St, Cobourg
Tickets: $22 advance, $25 at the door
Tickets available: Online at www.sheltervalley.com or by calling 905-355-1244
Welsh songwriter Martyn Joseph returns to Northumberland county following his "audience favourite" performance at last summer's Shelter Valley Folk Festival. With poetic and political songs Martyn takes the stage Friday February 12th as part of the Festival's "2010 Community Concert Series", and one stop on his 10 date North American Tour.
One of acoustic music's most arresting artists, Martyn has been in demand on both sides of the Atlantic for over two decades. His 25 year career has embraced some noteable achievements including 5 top 50 UK chart positions, with such songs as "Working Mother" and "Dolphins Make Me Cry" and appearances and tours with amongst others, Suzanne Vega, Joan Armatrading, Clannad, Chris De Burgh, Art Garfunkel, and even Celine Dion and Shirley Bassey.
Martyn's particular strength is in the lyrical narrative of his songs, be they contemporary protests against injustice and inhumanity, a musical psalm to the fulfillment and fragilities of love, or a piercing precis of social history. "It's the song that can soothe, explain or even in a small way save us". In this manner he carries on in the tradition of the six string balladeer as both catalyst and interpreter of our raddled and rewarding times, our personal and communal stories sung out loud.
Artistic Director Aengus Finnan states "Martyn is an example of the troubadour tradition alive and well… like Woody Guthrie or Bruce Springsteen, he is a man with a guitar who has a message in each song. He is the real deal, singing from the heart about the things that matter to all of us, on either side of the pond. This show is not to be missed!"
Voted Best Male Artist at the BBC Welsh Music Awards and with a string of humanitarian plaudits and awards, he's a mean guitar player with one of the most powerful voices on the circuit crafting songs with, as the BBC's Bob Harris put it, "outstanding lyrical intelligence", while MOJO magazine described him as "Britain's best kept secret...a challenging and compelling and courageous live performer".
The 8pm February 12th show is being held at Harden & Huyse at 201 Division St., Cobourg (South of King). Tickets are limited to 100 seats. Advance purchase is highly recommended as the Festival's Jan 21st concert featuring a Halifax and Montreal songwriter sold out. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door (if any are still available). Advance tickets are available online at www.sheltervalley.com or by calling 905-355-1244.
Tickets are also on sale for the final Community Concert of the season taking place Sunday March 14th at the Colborne United Church and featuring multi-Juno award winner James Keelaghan from Winnipeg.
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For more information please contact:
Jan Cody, Executive Director, festival@sheltervalley.com / 905-355-1244
Aengus Finnan, Artistic Director, aengusfinnan@gmail.com / 905-349-3715
Artist information/photos/bio: www.martynjoseph.com
