What a great concert we had in February, just the thing to banish those winter blues and raise our spirits. Ben Sures (www.bensures.com) started things off and broke the ice with a great first set. I particularly liked the song he wrote about his father sending him home on the bus with a package of soggy tomato sandwiches; love comes in all forms, I guess. The Slocan Ramblers (www.slocanramblers.com) were every bit as fantastic as we knew they would be, in last month’s newletter Steve Pritchard said “they have the ability to drive bluegrass and old-time music direct to your heart … (they) play and sing hard, clean, emotional and with heart” and he wasn’t wrong. Too bad he couldn’t be there to enjoy it! We were pleased to find out that the Slocan Ramblers were nominated for a Juno....alas, they did not win in the Traditional Roots category but congratulations to fine musicians Pharis and Jason Romero, on the Borealis Record label (www.pharisandjason.com).
And speaking of Steve, last month I said his radio show, Radio Boogie aired on CIUT.89.5fm from 3-6pm, so thanks to Sharon for e-mailing to remind me that the show has been running from 4-6 for quite some time now. I’m not sure what’s on at 3pm but if you tuned in early on my advice I hope you enjoyed it.
CIUT.89.5fm is now the ONLY community radio station in Toronto. It has been a strong supporter of independent musicians and it's spoken word programming gives a voice to many under-represented communities. For some time now it’s been the only radio station that will help promote our Acoustic Harvest concert series (ask Lillian about this) and now CIUT.89.5fm is under threat. Ken Stowar, Station Manager and Programme Director writes “The Ontario Government has announced the introduction of the “Student Choice Initiative”. This will affect student levies that support campus services and organizations that have not been designated as “essential” as outlined in the new policy. As it stands right now campus media (radio, newspapers) have not been categorized as such.” Please go to www.ciut.fm to read Ken’s urgent message and how you can help.
Another audience member (sorry I can’t remember your name, I’m sometimes a bit quick on the delete button- * Lillian's insert: her name is Adair Heath*) asked if we would be having The Laws (www.thelawsmusic.com) bacl again. Lillian responds that nothing’s scheduled at this time (so probably not next year) but she loves John and Michelle and would love to have them back in the future. The Laws have been busy these last few years with the Kingsville Folk Festival (www.kingsvillefolkfest.org). I haven’t been but Lillian tells me it’s a wonderful festival in a beautiful location. By the way, when John and Michelle decided to start a folk festival Lillian was one of the first people they asked to join their board and give them advice on booking artists, no doubt based on the fine job she’s done for Acoustic Harvest.
I’ve always enjoyed going to Cambridge for The Mill Race Festival, and I’m glad I went last year because it turns out that that was the last one. Brad McEwen, founder and artistic director of this traditional music festival says “this wasn’t an easy decision but it was the right decision….We have had a wonderful 26 year run of presenting fantastic music in a beautiful, historic downtown, but the time is right to say goodbye.” And it was a lovely venue with the main stage backing onto the Grand River. To read more about why Brad thinks this is the right time to finish go to www.themillracefolksociety.com
And, always thinking ahead, Lillian was at FAI (Folk Alliance International) in Montreal last month, to read her report go to the News section on our website www.acousticharvest.ca.
Now, what’s coming up at Acoustic Harvest? Well, we have two concerts coming up, practically back to back. On March 23, we’re pleased to present a very special event, an evening with internationally renowned luthier Grit Laskin (www.williamlaskin.com). This will be an entertaining and informative evening in three parts, a lecture, a slide show and a concert:
How do pieces of trees create a box that can stir emotion?
Why does the grain of a soundboard always go in a certain direction?
Why do guitarmakers use so many politically incorrect materials?
Why is a Soundhole a misnomer?
These are just some of the topics that are explored in Grit’s anecdote-filled lecture; then with the help of more than one hundred slide images, Grit takes you on a visual journey into his world of engraved inlay, and shows how he has, in the eyes of many, been largely responsible for pushing the inlay medium from a decorative tradition into an art form. And, to cap theevening, Grit will perform a short concert of songs and instrumentals, using four different handmade instruments -- one of his guitars and tenor mandolins, plus the Concertina and the Northumbrian Smallpipes (bagpipes from the north of England). Here's an article well worth reading: https://thenorthamericanguitar.com/blogs/new
On April 6 we are thrilled to present two stellar blues players Suzie Vinnick (www.suzievinnick.com) and Rick Fines (www.rickfines.ca)
Suzie's career has seen triumph after triumph. Among her most recent successes: being nominated for a 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award for Producer of the Year with her co-producer, Mark Lalama. Suzie achieved finalist status in the Solo/Duo Category at the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, received the 2012 CBC Saturday Night Blues Great Canadian Blues Award and the 2012 Sirius XM Canada Blues Artist of the Year. Suzie has won 10 Maple Blues Awards (she has been nominated for 22 so far!), won the 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Vocalist of the Year and is a 3X Juno Nominee.
Steeped in roots music, Rick Fines crafts a unique blend of warm-hearted blues, juke joint folk, and dockside soul that both embraces and defies the genres that influence him. As a veteran of the North American blues and folk circuits, he engages audiences with captivating songs, diverse guitar styling and his signature vocal growl.
Rick’s storied career has seen him working in stellar collaboration and as a successful solo act.
On his website it says “Rick believes in the transformative power of music” and so do we, so come on out to two amazing evenings of music and leave feeling refreshed and renewed; that’s what happens at all our concerts!
Heather Fielding
And speaking of Steve, last month I said his radio show, Radio Boogie aired on CIUT.89.5fm from 3-6pm, so thanks to Sharon for e-mailing to remind me that the show has been running from 4-6 for quite some time now. I’m not sure what’s on at 3pm but if you tuned in early on my advice I hope you enjoyed it.
CIUT.89.5fm is now the ONLY community radio station in Toronto. It has been a strong supporter of independent musicians and it's spoken word programming gives a voice to many under-represented communities. For some time now it’s been the only radio station that will help promote our Acoustic Harvest concert series (ask Lillian about this) and now CIUT.89.5fm is under threat. Ken Stowar, Station Manager and Programme Director writes “The Ontario Government has announced the introduction of the “Student Choice Initiative”. This will affect student levies that support campus services and organizations that have not been designated as “essential” as outlined in the new policy. As it stands right now campus media (radio, newspapers) have not been categorized as such.” Please go to www.ciut.fm to read Ken’s urgent message and how you can help.
Another audience member (sorry I can’t remember your name, I’m sometimes a bit quick on the delete button- * Lillian's insert: her name is Adair Heath*) asked if we would be having The Laws (www.thelawsmusic.com) bacl again. Lillian responds that nothing’s scheduled at this time (so probably not next year) but she loves John and Michelle and would love to have them back in the future. The Laws have been busy these last few years with the Kingsville Folk Festival (www.kingsvillefolkfest.org). I haven’t been but Lillian tells me it’s a wonderful festival in a beautiful location. By the way, when John and Michelle decided to start a folk festival Lillian was one of the first people they asked to join their board and give them advice on booking artists, no doubt based on the fine job she’s done for Acoustic Harvest.
I’ve always enjoyed going to Cambridge for The Mill Race Festival, and I’m glad I went last year because it turns out that that was the last one. Brad McEwen, founder and artistic director of this traditional music festival says “this wasn’t an easy decision but it was the right decision….We have had a wonderful 26 year run of presenting fantastic music in a beautiful, historic downtown, but the time is right to say goodbye.” And it was a lovely venue with the main stage backing onto the Grand River. To read more about why Brad thinks this is the right time to finish go to www.themillracefolksociety.com
And, always thinking ahead, Lillian was at FAI (Folk Alliance International) in Montreal last month, to read her report go to the News section on our website www.acousticharvest.ca.
Now, what’s coming up at Acoustic Harvest? Well, we have two concerts coming up, practically back to back. On March 23, we’re pleased to present a very special event, an evening with internationally renowned luthier Grit Laskin (www.williamlaskin.com). This will be an entertaining and informative evening in three parts, a lecture, a slide show and a concert:
How do pieces of trees create a box that can stir emotion?
Why does the grain of a soundboard always go in a certain direction?
Why do guitarmakers use so many politically incorrect materials?
Why is a Soundhole a misnomer?
These are just some of the topics that are explored in Grit’s anecdote-filled lecture; then with the help of more than one hundred slide images, Grit takes you on a visual journey into his world of engraved inlay, and shows how he has, in the eyes of many, been largely responsible for pushing the inlay medium from a decorative tradition into an art form. And, to cap theevening, Grit will perform a short concert of songs and instrumentals, using four different handmade instruments -- one of his guitars and tenor mandolins, plus the Concertina and the Northumbrian Smallpipes (bagpipes from the north of England). Here's an article well worth reading: https://thenorthamericanguitar.com/blogs/new
On April 6 we are thrilled to present two stellar blues players Suzie Vinnick (www.suzievinnick.com) and Rick Fines (www.rickfines.ca)
Suzie's career has seen triumph after triumph. Among her most recent successes: being nominated for a 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award for Producer of the Year with her co-producer, Mark Lalama. Suzie achieved finalist status in the Solo/Duo Category at the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, received the 2012 CBC Saturday Night Blues Great Canadian Blues Award and the 2012 Sirius XM Canada Blues Artist of the Year. Suzie has won 10 Maple Blues Awards (she has been nominated for 22 so far!), won the 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Vocalist of the Year and is a 3X Juno Nominee.
Steeped in roots music, Rick Fines crafts a unique blend of warm-hearted blues, juke joint folk, and dockside soul that both embraces and defies the genres that influence him. As a veteran of the North American blues and folk circuits, he engages audiences with captivating songs, diverse guitar styling and his signature vocal growl.
Rick’s storied career has seen him working in stellar collaboration and as a successful solo act.
On his website it says “Rick believes in the transformative power of music” and so do we, so come on out to two amazing evenings of music and leave feeling refreshed and renewed; that’s what happens at all our concerts!
Heather Fielding
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