Folk Prints Spring 2008

Ontario Folk & Roots Music in Memphis l

Check Out Our Early Summer Festivals

Kyrie Kristmanson in Memphis

Winter 2008 2008 Spring

Table of Contents President’s Message............................................................................................................................. Pg. 4 A Note From the Office.......................................................................................................................... Pg. 5 Building Our Future............................................................................................................................... Pg. 6 Become an OCFF Lifer......................................................................................................................... Pg. 6 Deadlines.............................................................................................................................................. Pg. 6 Hospitality for Hundreds........................................................................................................................ Pg. 9 Embracing the Future - OCFF Youth Program 2008 Takes Flight........................................................ Pg. 10 Best Festival Memories and “Beyond the Basics” Backpack................................................................ Pg. 13 Early Summer Festivals Map................................................................................................................ Pg. 14 & 15 Early Summer Festivals........................................................................................................................ Pg. 16 - 19 The Estelle Klein Award........................................................................................................................ Pg. 21 OCFF Green Team............................................................................................................................... Pg. 21 & 22 Programming for the Playful: Successful Children’s Activities & Events............................................... Pg. 23 Twisted Pines Music & Arts Festival..................................................................................................... Pg. 24 View From the Stage............................................................................................................................. Pg. 24 Ontario Folk and Roots Music in Memphis........................................................................................... Pg. 26

ontario council of folk festivals

Board of Directors 2007/08 2007 – 2008 Board of Directors Aengus Finnan...................................... finnan@eagle.ca Karen Flanagan McCarthy.....kfm@mccarthymedia.com Richard Flohil................................. rflohil@sympatico.ca Ellen Hamilton..................................ellenh@kingston.net Dan Kershaw...................................kershawd@socan.ca Dennis Landry............................... dennis@thinknorth.ca Paul Loewenberg.................... artistic@nlfbsudbury.com Peter MacDonald....................peter@nutshellmusic.com Paul Mills................................. paul@themillstream.com Nicole Rochefort............... nicolerochefort@hotmail.com Suba Sankaran............................ suba@autorickshaw.ca Candace Shaw.......................... ptbofolkfest@gmail.com Jan Vanderhorst..........................justusfolk@rogers.com

Staff

General Manager - Jennifer Fornelli Office Administrator - Jessica Van Dusen

Youth and Community Outreach Coordinator - Erin Barnhardt

Phone 1.866.292.6233 or 613.560.5997 Fax 613.560.2001 info@ocff.ca www.ocff.ca Mailing address: 4 Florence, Suite 204 Ottawa, ON K2P 0W7 Printing and Layout by Orion Printing Cover photo by Patrick T. Power

Deadline for Editions September 1 - fall (conference) December 15 - winter March 15 - spring June 15 - summer

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Submissions (max 500 words) and pictures welcome! Submissions may be edited for length and clarity. We cannot guarantee inclusion of your submission in Folk Prints (but we’ll try!). Please send submissions in text format only. If you have pictures, call us before you send them.

The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the OCFF. Questions or comments regarding Folk Prints should be brought to the attention of Jennifer Fornelli at info@ ocff.ca. Articles and photos may not be reprinted without the expressed written permission from the author and/or photographer.

The president’s voice

Transition: movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change: the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Welcome to the Spring edition of Folk Prints, where measured growth and appropriate change are touchstones of the Board of Directors.

Just as there are many changes each year in our larger community - new voices, new ideas, new Festivals, new styles, and new technology - in an organization such as the OCFF, there are many facets of its character and operations to review and refine. There is always far more work done than is apparent, and there is always change.

As you know, the OCFF is in transition, currently fielding its second round of candidates for consideration in hiring a new Executive Director. The Search Committee is committed to finding the right person with the appropriate skills to lead the organization for the coming years and confidently looks forward to reporting back to you in the next edition of Folk Prints.

The Board is also completing its third year of review and refinement of all operations and finances in order to ensure longterm stability. A prudent Deficit Reduction Strategy over the past two years led to many measures that will ensure your organization is better able to provide ongoing quality communication, year-round support, advocacy, and of course, a stellar annual conference. This same strategy, among other logistical reasons, led to last year’s ultimate decision to relocate the conference to Ottawa for the next three years.

by Aengus Finnan

I appreciate that there are always questions and concerns about any decision and I assure each and every member that while it might not suit everyone’s particular personal needs or desires, the Board operates in the interests of all and labours hard to make fair and appropriate decisions.

Based on input and suggestions from our membership, there are a number of exciting new committees and initiatives which we feel strongly should be part of the continued planning of the OCFF. The Green Committee, in particular, is working diligently to provide some longoverdue changes to both the conference and daily operations of the OCFF. I encourage you to read their article in detail.

You’ll also note some substantial changes to the structure and schedule of the conference when this year’s preliminary schedule is released. For the first time, a Conference Steering Committee of the Board has been established to really re-envision the purpose and activity of our hallmark event. It will come with

some adjustments, again, based on your comments over the years, and in particular, as a result of the 2007 conference surveys and feedback session.

Finally, starting with the Festival Boards of Directors, Kelly Hill of Hill Strategies Research, will initiate a social and economic impact study of the folk festival community - an incredible tool for all of us to better view the many strengths, assets, and benefits we collectively provide our regions and our province.

Wishing you all the best as everyone works towards another fruitful summer of culture in your communities.

Sincerely, Aengus Finnan OCFF Board President

A note from the ocff office......

Hello OCFF members,

As we watch the trees transform from winter’s bare branches to the first green buds of Spring, we’re reminded that change is essential to the health of any organization. Change allows us to explore our capabilities and keep the OCFF programs and services fresh and exciting.

The end of February brought a major transition to us here at the OCFF office, with the departure of the OCFF’s first Executive Director, Erin Benjamin. We also welcomed our new Office Administrator, Jessica Van Dusen. Jessica has been with us

just over three months now, and she is doing an incredible job. So, if you call the office and Jessica happens to answer the phone, please welcome her warmly to the OCFF family.

Another exciting change for us is the creation of the Conference Steering Committee (CSC).

The CSC will work closely with the staff to ensure that the Conference continues to be even more successful in the coming years in meeting the needs of the OCFF membership and the folk and roots community. Paul Mills, Dan Kershaw, Aengus Finnan, Jennifer Fornelli and Erin Barnhardt

are the committee members. Your ideas and feedback are the raw material the CSC uses to create the Conference programming. If you have any suggestions, please let us know. Send your suggestions to info@ocff.ca.

We are looking forward to showing off our efforts to you in the coming months and, as always, are here to talk about your ideas, questions or concerns.

Many thanks, Jennifer, Erin and Jessica

Left to right: Erin Barnhardt, Jennifer Fornelli, Jessica Van Dusen

Building our future by Jan Vanderhost

Spring brings with it the promise of rebirth and renewal – and the inevitable list of ‘must do’ home and garden maintenance tasks. It’s much the same for OCFF’s Board of Directors who care for and preserve the structure of this organization.

The Board of Directors is constantly working to build on the accomplishments of the past, so the organization can better serve and reflect the needs of its members. To continue to do so, we are always looking for new voices with fresh perspectives. I encourage you to consider running for one of three positions

available on the Board this year.

You are eligible if you’ve been a member of the OCFF for at least one year and have the support of 2 additional members.

We need committed, passionate people who want to make a difference. We are looking for people with practical skills to enhance the commitment they will bring to the Board. Bookkeeping abilities or experience running a successful not-for-profit organization, business or festival is desired. People with experience in public relations, communications or media relations are needed, as are those with strong writing

Become an OCFF Lifer...

by Karen Flanagan McCarthy

Here’s a deal that will make you feel good and, at the same time, support one of your favourite organizations: become a Lifetime Member of the OCFF. For a mere $625, you can have a membership expiry date of 2107. Okay. So, maybe $625 is not a “mere” amount of money.

It’s not in my books either (just ask my bank manager!). But, consider the benefits of Lifetime Membership in the OCFF: •

an investment in the future of an organization that sup- ports you, your community and the festivals that we love to attend, volunteer for and play at;

•

energy-saving and environ- mentally efficient – think of the energy and resources you’ll save (your own and our staff’s!)by never again having to renew your OCFF membership;

•

payable in easy instalments – if you don’t have that much cash in your bank account, you can submit a series of post-dated

cheques.Make us an offer.

Oh, and I’ve already checked with the office – if I do live ‘til the year 2107, the OCFF will extend my (ahem) expiry date.

and editing abilities. Members with experience in fundraising and/or sponsorship procurement are also encouraged to run for election.

All of the details on eligibility, nomination forms, the election process and what is expected of Board members are available on the “About OCFF” page on our website (www.ocff.ca). Please take the time to consider what you can contribute to help a great organization become even better.

Deadline for nominations is July 15, 2008.

DEADLINES: OCFF would like to remind you of the following deadlines: Friday, May 9 Estelle Klein Award Nominations Official & Family Showcase Applications Songs From the Heart Applications Friday, May 30 Conference Registration Early, Early Bird Monday, June 16 Youth Program Applications Thursday, July 31 Conference Registration Early Bird

Music for the kids in all of us!

Traditional songs for kids with

Paul Mills Wendy Moore Arthur McGregor Includes the story “Maddie’s Moon” The Rathskallions have played in over 1500 schools around the world!

Available from OFCMusic.ca, iTunes or CDBaby.

New album “La Bibournoise” in stores on April 29TH CD LAUNCH TOUR DATES : Caledon, ON

April 25th

Kitchener, ON

April 26th

London, ON

April 27th

Quebec City, QC

May 1st

Wakefield, QC

May 2nd

Alliston, ON

May 3rd

Toronto, ON

May 4th

Sherbrooke, QC

May 8th

St-Hyacinthe, QC

May 9th

Sutton, QC

May 10th

Joliette, QC

May 11th

Montreal, QC

May 14th

www.gentIcorum.com

Hospitality for Hundreds

For hospitality staff at Blue Skies Music Festival, it’s usually “clear skies” – apart from working in cramped quarters and suffering from sore feet. Not surprising, when you consider they feed as many as 200 hungry musicians and their families over a four-day period.

Planning is essential. Menus are set and food prepared well in advance of festival weekend.

Contingency plans are put in place and a variety of service controls are established: from confirming calculations of coffee proportions to designating a “runner” for unforeseen food shortages; from double-checking refrigerator and freezer temperatures to conducting an inventory of plugs and sockets to avoid electrical overload. Then, there’s the task of securing the kitchen layout and space to avoid potential accidents. The children’s area is always located away from the kitchen.

As the festival unfolds, new Hospitality Hats (as the organizers of performer hospitality at Blue Skies are known) learn by trial-and-error. Useful “how-to” tips are passed on from experienced “Hats”, such as always overestimating supplies to guarantee availability, re-inventing daytime dishes to serve as late night snacks, and saving power by turning on appliances at the last possible minute.

Teamwork is the essential ingredient, according to Liz

and Sue Lightford, Hospitality Hats for Blue Skies. With so many hands, so much food, and so little time, all staff and volunteers must understand their specific roles and responsibilities to ensure efficiency – a task accomplished through on-going communication and strong organization. Volunteer shifts are kept to a minimum, only two to four hours long at most, and, of course, free food is a sweet perk. “[You must] create an atmosphere of fun – keep it light,” suggest the appropriately named Lightfords.

Pleasing the masses can mean pleasing many individual tastes, often all at the same time. By hosting a self-serve, buffet-style themed menu, in combination with traditional tried-and-true alternatives, most Blue Skies musicians and their families are accommodated.

Juice, lemonade, and water are always available. Backstage, artists are taken care of in their own space, allowing them to “nourish themselves while making connections with other performers,” say the Lightfords. Special food requirements such as allergies or lifestyle choices (e.g. vegetarianism) must be considered as well.

From the culinary chaos, “seeing happy, comfortable, and well-fed performers” is the perfect thanks for the Lightfords.

For more information about the Blue Skies Music Festival

by Jessica Van Dusen held in Clarendon, Ontario (August 1-3, 2008) please call 613-279-2610.

A crowd and staff favourite at Blue Skies Music Festival is Yummy Couscous Salad: Serves 8-10 (or multiply all by 10 to serve 100) Salad: 1 ½ cup water 1 cup couscous ½ cup raisins 1 can (19 oz) chick peas, rinsed/ drained 3 green onions, chopped 1 red pepper, diced 1 zucchini, diced 1/3 cup diced apricots ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley Dressing: 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon tumeric ½ cup olive oil Salt & pepper Bring water to boil. Pour 1 cup over couscous; let stand 5 minutes. Pour remaining water over raisins; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork.

Add drained raisins, chick peas, onions, pepper, zucchini, apricot and parsley. Toss and pour dressing over and mix.

Embracing the Future – The OCFF Youth Program 2008 Takes Flight!

and emerging professionals (e.g., artistic directors, stage managers, sound technicians, etc.) to apply for the OCFF Youth Program this year.

If you are interested in becoming an OCFF mentor, please contact Erin Barnhardt at ebarnhardt@ocff.ca. This is an exceptional way of connecting with the next generation of music makers, performers, presenters and festival personnel. Help make a difference and ensure that the folk and roots music community has a healthy and vibrant future.

“I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to showcase my music and work with Lynn Miles.

I learned so much and met many new friends.”

- Taylor Mitchell, 2007 participant

“I loved everything about the youth program this year - it was my OCFF highlight. Getting to work with Nabi gave me as much of a fresh new perspective as I’m sure it gave her, we couldn’t have been more aptly matched, she generated so much interest and even scored gigs from the showcase!

- Treasa Levasseur, 2007 mentor

Photo by David Wiewel

The 2007 Youth Program brought together an inspiring group of emerging artists and professionals, generating a wealth of ideas, music and energy.

The OCFF has formed a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) in order to build upon the momentum from last year, and to increase youth representation at the annual conference and in our programs throughout the year. We want to hear from you!

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming involved in the OCFF YAC, or have any ideas to share. The current YAC Members are Paul Brogee, Nicholas Delbaere-Sawchuck, Nabi Loney, Taylor Mitchell, Treasa Levasseur (mentor) and Krista Delbaere (parent).

We are working together to create the best OCFF Youth Program yet. This year’s Youth Program will feature one-on-one mentorship, a special youth showcase, master classes, enhanced orientation to the OCFF event and community, a youth ‘hub’, opportunities for collaboration and jamming, and MORE! Applications for both the Performance and Festival Program are available at www.ocff.ca or by contacting our office. Now is the time to reach out to your community and encourage young artists

by Erin Barnhardt

Michael Cota and Claire Jenkins 10

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BEST FESTIVAL MEMORIES AND THE ‘BEYOND THE BASICS’ BACKPACK

We asked you to share your best festival memories – and some tips about what you carry in your festival backpack. Here are a few…send us more!

Fond memories:

“I remember seeing Bruce Cockburn at Mariposa a few years ago and marveling at his commitment to keeping up his game. He spent the better part of the afternoon practicing, sitting in the shade thrown from a makeshift tarp beside his van. And this from a guy who’s been at it for 40+ years. Bravo, Bruce.”

- Jason Fowler, Toronto, ON “Several years ago now, John Allen Cameron played at Stewart Park Festival in Perth, Ontario.

He quietly arrived backstage, donned his kilt and played a workshop on our Acoustic Stage in the very hot sun. When done, he had a short break backstage and then performed a delightful, story-laden show for about an hour on our main stage.

You can imagine the crowd that gathered following, which John Allen spoke to, signed anything and had his picture taken with anyone from all ages for over another hour, all in the blazing sun. Just as he started to walk into our backstage area, someone called his name and asked if he remembered a woman, naming her and indicating he used to stay with her when he first started traveling through these parts. They stated she was in the local hospital, having suffered a stroke.

Without any fanfare he quietly gathered his guitar and, I heard from the hospital staff later, went and sang for over an hour to her. I had the honour of transporting him to his evening

show that night and, even while hoisting a few with him later, not a word was mentioned about having done this. Such was the quaint integrity he portrayed … always sharing the gifts he was given, whether storytelling or his crowd-pleasing music. May we all learn from his ways.”

- Steve Tennant, Perth, ON

“So many from the Ottawa Folk Festival: The shooting star that shot through the sky over Britannia Park during Don Ross’ set on the main stage…Valdy quietly stepping out on stage while Lynn Miles sang, joining her mid-song, in perfect harmony at the microphone …Odetta’s powerful voice ringing out over a site that had just lost power during a storm, singing an a cappella version of ‘This Little Light of Mine’, as festival goers lit flashlights and shined them toward the stage…Michael Franti slipping off the main stage at the end of his set into the arms of the waiting crowd…a daytime stage performance, exploring the theme of humour in music with Nancy White, Arlo Guthrie and Mike (Arrogant Worms) McCormick, laughing till it hurt…and the best memory of all: being seven months pregnant, co-hosting the main stage of the very first Ottawa Folk Festival in 1994. People still ask me about my ‘baby’…fifteen years later.”

- Karen Flanagan McCarthy, Gatineau, QC Funny moments:

“…huddled on a rock with about 15 others around 4 a.m. [at Blue Skies Festival], complete with stand up bass, banjos & cowboy hats ... all of a sudden someone falls off with a boom, guitar in hand, only to get up

again & play some more ... that rock wasn’t so big when looking at it the next morning…”

- Lindsay Ferguson, Wakefield, QC Festival Must-Haves:

“Last year Erin and Oliver and I attended the Shelter Valley Folk Festival for the first time. Oliver - nearing two years of age at the time - was already a seasoned veteran of folk festivals, but it was the first time he’d been with us for evening performances as a ‘fully fledged’, full-speed, toddler, ever-ready to race around the festival site.

After some near collisions with unsuspecting patrons one night, I went out and bought a small LED hiking/biking light and attached it to the belt loop on the front of his shorts. I recommend the red light because it’s a little softer on the eyes and therefore less disruptive for other patrons. Worked like a charm.

Oliver bounced around the site at dusk - and beyond - without incident! So successful was the experiment that it’s a permanent fixture on his coat.”

- Richard Davis, Ottawa, ON

“Years ago, I discovered a great way to stay cool during those hotter than hot, can’t-escape-the-sun, days at cherished festivals. Wet a piece of cloth (the bigger, the better; a sarong works well) and wrap it around you...your shoulders, your neck, over your head if the heat is extreme. Keep wetting it often.

But make sure it’s colour-fast before you drape it over your fab festival wear. It really works! See you in the sun!”

- Tannis Slimmon, Guelph, ON

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Early Summer Festivals Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival Penetanguishene May 9 – 19

An eclectic roots and blues festival, held in Penetanguishene and Midland, on the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay. This year’s theme is Music in Movies, a combination of film screenings and live musical acts. Performers include Dana LaCroix, David Clark, David Finkle, Hamell On Trial, Heavy Metal in Baghdad, Lewis Melville, Manitoba Hal, Maple Blues Revue, Po Girl, Tannis Slimmon, Washboard Hank & the Gravestone Lickers, the Wholigans, and many more!

156 Centre Beach Road, RR #4, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 2H7 Phone: (705) 527-7778 Fax: (705) 527-7771 twistedpinesmusic@gmail.com www.twistedpines.com 25th Annual Tottenham Bluegrass Festival – Tottenham June 20 – 22

Join us on the shoreline of Tottenham Pond, in the picturesque village of Tottenham for a special celebration of our 25th Anniversary. Ticket price includes rough camping with showers and washrooms (serviced). There is also children’s entertainment and a talent contest, Sunday gospel show, beef barbecue, craft and food concessions. Bring your lawn chair and instruments for campfire pickin’.

P.O. Box 922, Tottenham, ON L0G 1W0 Phone: 1 (888) BLUGRAS, 1 (888) 258-4727 cofac@eol.ca www.tottenhambluegrass.ca 16

Harbourfront Centre World Routes 2008 Summer Events – Toronto June 26 – September 1

Dive into a new cultural experience every summer weekend at Harbourfront Centre! Our free festivals showcase the best in Canadian and International music, dance, theatre, film, foods, kids’ activities and everything in between! Visitors can shop and eat at the International Marketplace and at The World Café nestled alongside an extensive waterfront boardwalk.

235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8 Phone: (416) 973-4000 Fax: (416) 973-8729 info@harbourfrontcentre.com www.harbourfrontcentre.com City Roots Festival – Toronto June 27 – 29

Toronto’s City Roots Festival is the evolution of the folk festival, taking it out of farmers fields and rural settings and placing it in the sophisticated and urban setting of Toronto’s colourful and historic Distillery District.

“City Roots convincingly addresses the multi-cultural nature of this city” (Toronto Star).

“City Roots is remarkable for the diversity of its performers” (Toronto Life). City Roots draws more than 8,000 attendees.

8 – 601 Magnetic Drive, Toronto, ON M3J 3J2 office@torontocityroots.com www.torontocityroots.com

Kingfest Music Celebration – Newmarket June 28 – 29

After a stellar first year, Kingfest is gearing up for its second annual outdoor festival in Newmarket, just north of Toronto and south of Barrie.

Kingfest is the only festival of its type in York Region. The festival features established and emerging artists of multiple genres in a beautiful, serene park-like setting. Come and enjoy the workshops, main stage artists, a variety of quality food vendors and artisan village. Early-bird weekend passes are available at all Ticketmaster locations.

P.O. Box 36, King City, ON L7B 1A4 Phone: (905) 833-KING info@kingfestmusic.com www.kingfestmusic.com TD Canada Trust Sunfest ’08: “Canada’s Premier Celebration of World Cultures” – London July 3 – 6

Celebrate the arrival of summer in style with Canada’s premier free-admission festival of the global arts. In addition to over 30 top professional world music & dance and jazz ensembles - everyone from Nigeria’s Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 to Quebec’s Le Vent du Nord – and more than 225 unique food and craft exhibitors, TD Canada Trust Sunfest ‘08 will feature a sizzling new component entitled “Sunfest Fiesta: A Showcase of Latin American Music & Dance”.

P.O. Box 1063, London, ON N6A 5K2 Phone: 519-672-1522 Fax: 519-672-6614 info@sunfest.on.ca www.sunfest.on.ca

Mariposa Folk Festival – Orillia July 4 – 6

Mariposa Folk Festival celebrates its 48th Anniversary with three evenings of concerts on the main stage and two full days of concerts and music workshops on six side stages. Artisan’s Village, Folkplay for children, Emporium, wide selection of food for all tastes including vegetarian, Mariposa Pub, and much more.

37 Mississaga Street West, Orillia, ON L3V 3A5 info@mariposafolk.com www.mariposafolk.com Northern Lights Festival Boréal – Sudbury July 4 – 6

Come to our 37th annual celebration and experience the bilingual, Aboriginal and multicultural nature of Northern Ontario in a beautiful outdoor setting. Since 1972, we’ve celebrated music and arts on the shores of Lake Ramsey. Visit crafters, vendors, and enjoy the performances. Discover magical outdoor night concerts with the stars above.

19 Grey Street, Suite #3, Sudbury, ON P3E 3L2 Phone: (705) 674-5512 Fax: (705) 671-1998 festivaldirector@ nlfbsudbury.com www.nlfbsudbury.com Canterbury Folk Festival – Ingersoll July 11 – 13

Canterbury Folk Festival of Ingersoll heads into its ninth year July 11-13 with lots of crafters and musical artists such as John McDermott, Betty and the Bobs, Scott Doyle, Tia McGraff, Holmes Hooke, Magoo, Brown Ale, Tuias of Montreal, Paul Langille, Ember Swift, Jimmy Lee Howard, Bob Burchill, Kate Ashby Craft, and many more.

Come see and enjoy how a small town opens its heart and gives one of the best free festivals Canada has to offer.

122 Innes Street, Ingersoll, ON N5C 2R8 Phone: (519) 485-6337 ejc@rogers.com www.canterburyfolkfestival. on.ca Métis Arts Festival – Toronto July 12 – 13

A celebration of Aboriginal music, dance and arts. Métis, First Nations and Inuit musicians are featured in the beautiful 19th-century surroundings at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Enjoy fiddling, traditional drumming, dance and song. View demonstrations and exhibits of Aboriginal artistry, try traditional foods and explore the historic village.

1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, ON M3J 2P3 Phone: (416) 736-1733 bcpvinfo@trca.on.ca www.blackcreek.ca Festival du Loup – Penetanguishene July 18 – 20

Festival du Loup is a celebration of Francophone arts, culture and heritage. Many activities including concerts, games, arts and crafts and refreshments will enliven the weekend. Come and have fun at Festival du Loup on the third weekend of July (18th – 20th) in Penetanguishene, Ontario on the beautiful banks of Georgian Bay. There is something for everyone, so come and howl with us!

343-B, rue Lafontaine Ouest, RR3, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1R3 Phone: (705) 533-3361 leloup@csolve.net www.festivalduloup.on.ca

Home County Folk Festival – London July 18 – 20

Join us for the celebration of our 35th year! Based in the folk tradition, Home County Folk Festival is a three-day music, dance and craft festival in downtown London. Performers confirmed to date include Nathan Rogers, Nathan, Luke Doucet, Melissa McClelland, Mose Scarlett, Jackie Washington, Jenny Whiteley, Joey Wright, Brian MacMillan, Jon Brooks, Pat Robitaille, Beyond the Pale, Pierre Schreyer, Light of East Ensemble, James Cummins, Alexandra Krakus. Free admission – donations gratefully accepted.

Home County Folk League c/o LCRC, Unit 115 – 652 Elizabeth St., London, ON N5Y 6L3 Phone: (519) 432-4310 Fax: (519) 432-6299 info@homecounty.ca www.homecounty.ca Stewart Park Festival – Perth July 18 – 20

Celebrating its 18th year, the Stewart Park Festival is packed with more than 30 live, FREE, outdoor concerts, as well as a multitude of workshops, children’s events, a food and artisan market and the ever popular after hours pub-crawl. The Stewart Park Festival features a variety of musical styles: from folk to funk and jazz to world. Located in a beautiful park in downtown heritage Perth, this festival has the right atmosphere.

34 Herriott Street, Perth, ON K7H 1T2 Phone: (613) 264-1190 Fax: (613) 267-6797 dhpbia@superaje.com www.stewartparkfestival.ca

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Kala Manjari’s Indiafest – London July 25 – 26

Indiafest ‘08 remains a free and open-to-all event, July 25 and 26th at the Covent Garden Market in downtown London, Ontario. In 2007, Indiafest became the largest one day festival in the City of London, and for this year, Indiafest ‘08 will be expanding outdoors and will extend to two days. We have an innovative lineup of entertainment, arts and crafts and food vendors, and we look forward to another great event.

years, featuring music in the woods from around the corner and around the world. Daytime music workshops, a wide array of interactive holistic workshops, a lively children’s area and nighttime concerts under the stars make Blue Skies a very special place. Day passes are available on a limited basis. CAMPING PASSES AVAILABLE BY MAIL IN LOTTERY.

47 Doncaster Avenue, London, ON N6G 2A1 Phone: (519) 473-1642 Dev@KalaManjari.org www.kalamanjari.org

Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music – Cambridge August 1 – 3

This year’s performers include Crucible (UK), Rembetika Hipsters, Roger Scanurra & Ritmo Flamenco, Zubrivka, Foxtail, Deborah Quigley & Martin, Gould, Silk Road, Tiit Kao, Mel M’rabet Ensemble, Rallion (UK), Allison Lupton Band, Johnny Collins, Jim Mageean & Graeme Knights (UK), Doc Rossi, Rant Maggie Rant, Farewell to Erin, Tethera, Oakville Ale & Sword, Cambridge Splinters, Toronto Morris Men, Orange Peel Morris, Forest City Morris & Sword, Zoe the Clown, Crumbly the Clown, Andrew Queen & the Fuzzy Fellers, Robert Davis, Relative Harmony, Jake.

Hillside Festival – Guelph Lake Island July 25 – 27

Held annually at Guelph Lake Island, Hillside Festival is a three-day, community-based celebration of music, drumming and the spoken word. We feature music performances and workshops on five stages. We also host community workshops and demonstrations at our Environmental Expo, Community tent, Youth tent and the Women’s tent. The hand drumming area, Aboriginal circle and Children’s Area have individual performances as well as workshops and demonstrations. Hillside also features an artisan market and an international food pavilion.

123 Woolwich Street, Guelph, ON N1H 3V1 Phone: (519) 763-6396 Fax: (519) 763-9514 info@hillsidefestival.ca www.hillsidefestival.ca Blue Skies Festival – Clarendon August 1 – 3

Blue Skies celebrates 35 18

P.O. Box 2502, Clarendon, ON K0H 1J0 Phone: (613) 279-2610

P.O. Box 22148, Galt Centre Postal Outlet, Cambridge, ON N1R 8E3 Phone: (519) 621-7135 mill_race@yahoo.com www.millracefolksociety.com Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games – Fergus August 8 – 10

Interactive family celebration of Scottish culture featuring Friday Night Tattoo followed by Celtic rock band Seven Nations, pipebands, highland dancing, heavy events, Avenue of the

Clans, Heritage Tent, Genealogy, McKiddles Centre, Celtic music, and international vendors. Performers include Johnny Reid, The Cunninghams, Sons of Maxwell, Tom Leadbeater, The Town Pants, Sandy McIntyre & Steeped in Tradition, Keltic Kudzu, Everything Fitz, and fiddler Ben Rutz. Children under 13 free.

398 St. Andrew Street West, Fergus, ON N1M 1N9 Phone: (866) 871-9442 info@fergusscottishfestival. com www.fergusscottishfestival.com The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival – Goderich August 8 – 10

In its 16th year, the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival celebrates the folk music, dance and craft art traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and other countries including Canada. This year, we will explore new Celtic nations, including the Shetland Islands.

Enjoy workshops and hands-on crafts amidst our heavily treed park overlooking Lake Huron.

Box 171, Goderich, ON N7A 3Z2 Phone: (519) 524-8221 Fax: (519) 524-5790 festival@celticfestival.ca www.celticfestival.ca 6th Annual Live From the Rock Folk Festival – Red Rock August 8 – 10

Celebrate music and the arts on the shores of the world’s largest lake! Come by water and dock and/or camp on-site. Campgrounds open Thursday at noon; campground jam sessions each evening with workshop stages beginning Friday morning. Four workshop stages; main stage performances; a family area; artisan’s village; food booths and

marketplace ensure something for everyone. For ticket info, lineup and schedule check www.livefromtherock.com.

P.O. Box 448, Red Rock, ON P0T 2P0 Phone: (807) 886-2741 info@livefromtherock.com www.livefromtherock.com 13th Trout Forest Music Festival – Ear Falls August 8 – 10

Celebrating its 13th anniversary in 2008, the festival is located at the Ear Falls Waterfront Park, just one hour north of Vermillion Bay on Highway 105. Camping on the shores of the English River, late night jams around the bonfire beneath the beautiful northern lights. Workshops, swimming, great food, artisans, friends and family – all join together for a memorable experience among the beautiful backdrop of the Trout Lake Forest. Catch the Trout, It’s Music in the Woods!

TWO ROADS HOME – Bryan Williston and Abby Zotz – release their new CD

Sweet Shadows Featuring James Gordon, Geoff Somers, David Woodhead, Katherine Wheatley, Rick Roy, Alyssa Wright and Duncan Cameron.

Produced by TRH and James Gordon “A lovely CD – their voices feel like they were made for each other – the musicianship is top drawer.”

- Steve Clark Acoustic Planet

P.O. Box 372, Ear Falls, ON P0V 1T0 Phone: (807) 222-2404 trout@troutfest.com www.troutfest.com

Check out the rest of our Summer festival line-ups in the next issue of Folk Prints.

For a complete listing of our member festivals please visit www.ocff.ca

Please visit: www.tworoadshome.com for more information

CD tour ad-v2.indd 1

3/14/08 8:55:31 AM

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The Estelle Klein Award

She was a leader and teacher in our community through all the days of her life. It is fitting that each year we select a member or group from the Ontario community to show our gratitude for their life of service and name the celebration in Estelle’s honour.

In eight years of presenting this award at the annual OCFF Conference, we have had the privilege of celebrating generous individuals who have given so much to music in Ontario, whether it is through many inspired recordings or through capacity building and the advance-

OCFF GREEN TEAM

The Green Team is up and running and making plans for a more environmentally responsible OCFF organization and conference. Some of our ideas include reducing waste, eliminating bottled water, improving digital communications and promoting energy conservation.

The Green Team is coordinated by an advisory Green Committee of the OCFF Board.

Anyone can be part of the OCFF Green Team and share ideas.

Email Board Director Ellen Hamilton at lfrog@kingston. net to join. A Green Guide to the Conference will be distributed to all OCFF members and conference participants in the coming months. Here are some ideas for our next conference:

CONFERENCE GREEN SITE: We’ll have a well-marked Green Site at the conference where you will find information about our green initiatives. We’ll

ment of our music industry.

Estelle Klein Award nomination forms are available online at www.ocff.ca. Nominate someone today! Deadline for applications is May 9th.

2000 – Estelle Klein 2001 – Jackie Washington 2002 – Ian Tamblyn 2003 – Friends of Fiddler’s Green 2004 – Sylvia Tyson 2005 – Ken Whiteley 2006 – Richard Flohil 2007 – Stan Rogers

by Ellen Hamilton

also have information about environmentally friendly musicrelated products and services.

LIMITING POSTERS: The OCFF Board is in the process of establishing postering guide-

lines for the conference that will include limiting the number of posters per artist and ensuring there are designated postering sites throughout the conference space. We think this is a

Photo by Orchard Studio

Each year, the membership of the OCFF honours an individual or group who has made a significant lifelong contribution to the folk music community in Ontario. The award is named for Estelle Klein, whose work as a presenter and programmer of music defined what many consider to be the basic festival blueprint. As the Artistic Director for many years at the Mariposa Folk Festival, Estelle ushered in innovative ideas for workshops and festival organization that are still used by many festival members of the OCFF today.

- by Paul Loewenberg

Did you know that the OCFF server is solar powered?

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win-win solution for artists and will reduce the waste caused by over-postering. If everyone cooperates, it will be much easier to see all of the artists’ posters for official, private and guerrilla showcases. We encourage posters to be printed on recycled, chemical-free paper. Look for the postering guidelines in the soon to be released Green Guide to the Conference.

WATER: We encourage the use of reusable containers and will have water-filling stations throughout the conference area.

WASTE: We encourage everyone to think about reducing waste at this year’s conference.

We’ll have recycling stations throughout the conference site.

INSTRUMENT STRING COLLECTION: Start saving

your used (unbroken) strings as we’ll be collecting strings of all kinds at the conference.

Just bring used strings, coiled and labeled (preferably in their original package), and drop them off at the Green Site. We’ll make sure they get in the hands of musicians who need them. Please indicate if the strings are nylon, steel or brass-wound.

RIDE SHARE: We encourage sharing rides and will post information on collective travel to the conference on the website.

These are only some of the ideas we have to make this conference a little less stressful on the planet. Look for more information in the months to come, including news about a some great panels and workshops. In the meantime, join the Green

NEW MEMBERS Marlene D’Aoust, Calgary, AB Peter Mandic, Fergus, ON Chrissy Steinbock, Ottawa, ON Scott MacPherson, Napanee, ON Vicky MacPherson, Napanee, ON John MacPherson, Napanee, ON Ian MacPherson, Napanee, ON Shawna Caspi, Toronto, ON Andrew Hermant, Toronto, ON Pete Janes, Toronto, ON Abraham Drennan, Bancroft, ON Vicki McNaney, Orillia, ON Greg Cockerill, Calgary, AB Mario Pronovost, Iroquois, ON

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Team and share your ideas by emailing: lfrog@kingston.net.

Thanks! The OCFF Green Committee Ellen Hamilton, Suba Sankaran, Candace Shaw, Bev Mills, Tina Desroches

Programming for the Playful: Successful Children’s Activities & Events

So, by now you’ve probably booked most of the talent for your festival’s stages. The food concessionaires and craft village partners are on board. Now, the brainstorming must begin for entertaining another variety of rambunctious festival-goer – the kids.

Ultimately, of course, to attract youth participants, activities and events need to offer an element of fun. To some, this may mean an amusing and energetic game or, to others, the quiet enjoyment of learning a new skill. By programming a combination of both hands-on and minds-on activities and events, the Tottenham Bluegrass Festival has been able to create a children’s area that draws the young and even the young-atheart.

Four main activities and events form the Tottenham Pharmasave Bluegrass Kidz program: • Bluegrass Survivor (a

team-oriented, task-focused

mission), • Make Your Own Instrment

(a creative craft), • a talent show (a friendly

skills competition), and • water games (as

recreational pastimes).

Each activity and event offers a different type of interactive play from active to passive, silly to studious, loud to quiet, and social to solo. Prizes are given not only for winning but also for behaving properly and participating.

One of the more complex activities to organize and run is Bluegrass Survivor, where children are split into teams,

by Jessica Van Dusen

each competing to finish a list of tasks first. Some of these minimissions include creating team bandanas with brightly-coloured fabrics (to help distinguish the different groups), relay races, building the tallest tower out of marshmallows and toothpicks, which melt in the heat, and many more. It “has quite a draw”, according to coordinators Tracey Teasdale and Alison Dresser.

Another popular activity, Make Your Own Instrument, lets kids create their own instrument and then join in and play along with the children’s entertainers.

Participants are encouraged to be imaginative when using the found objects supplied such as bottles, cardboard rolls, elastics, pasta, rice, and stickers.

The talent show also attracts “a huge audience of all ages”, say Teasdale and Dresser. It is open to all festival attendees up to 16 years of age and consists of three age groups. Each participant is allowed one parent or guardian to assist on stage.

Lastly, to help beat the summer heat, water games such as Sponge Tag are “a hit with everyone, including our volunteers”, remark Teasdale and Dresser. Set-up and strikedown are minimal, requiring about five buckets of water and a few packages of soft sponges.

The rules are simple: one person is designated “it” and that person must run around and try to touch someone else with the sponge, thereby making them “it”, and so it continues until the water runs out. For colder days, just omit the water!

And, if all else fails, a treasure chest of games and toys is kept nearby.

For more information on any of these programs please visit www.freewebs.com/bluegrasskids or contact Tracey Teasdale and Alison Dresser, Coordinators, Tottenham Bluegrass Kidz, by e-mail at tottenhambluegrasskidz@yahoo.ca.

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Twisted Pines Music & Arts Festival

Nestled in the heart of cottage country, on the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay, Twisted Pines is a multi-cultural music and arts festival showcasing Aboriginal, Métis, and Francophone performers and artisans.

Founded a decade ago as a way to revitalize North Simcoe County, this 10-day eclectic roots and blues event reflects the area’s marine heritage in song, with sea shanties, maritime ballads, jigs and reels. It also attempts to preserve the region’s natural heritage through a variety of community collaborations and environmental efforts.

Featuring approximately 35 performances, a new thematic twist for the Pines this year will be Music in Movies – a combination of film screenings and live musical acts. Kicking off all this action, the feature film Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who, followed by the rock-opera Tommy and more classic hits performed by the Wholigans. Other films include Kurt Cobain, About A Son, Mansa Sissoko’s Road to Baleya, La Vie En Rose, Joy Division & Control, Song Sung Blue, Les Chansons D’Amour, Joe Strummer: The Future is

View From the Stage:

by Jessica Van Dusen

Uncertain, Amazing Grace, and many more.

The Twisted Pines Music & Arts Festival will take place May 9th to 19th in Penetanguishene and Midland, both indoors and out; on land and boat. It closes with a live recording by Canadian supergroup The Maple Blues Revue. This year’s festival is dedicated to the music, memory and spirit of Willie P. Bennett.

For more information please visit www.twistedpines.com or contact Paul Northcott at (705) 527-7778 or by e-mail at twistedpinesmusic@gmail.com.

A Showcasing Artist’s Perspective on CMW

Every festival has an energy.

At Canadian Music Week this year, there was a comforting, yet exciting energy. Smart and enthusiastic people were getting together to talk about the future of the music industry. When I showcased at CMW in 2003, that elusive “giant carrot” seemed to be looming around every corner.

At that time, among artists, there was still a longing to be heard by the “right” set of ears.

It was believed that this one person could then skyrocket your career to its maximum potential.

Consequently, the competition to be heard by these “right”-eared characters made the energy of the Festival more intense and resulted in a somewhat disappointing end.

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CMW 2008 did not have this energy. It is a comfort to think that artists and business people (in many cases – one person with two roles) are trying to make this business sustainable for the future. It’s taken a long time to realize that there is no one set of ears that will magically transport your career to the next level. It takes 10,000 sets of ears.

And, fortunately, we’re in an era where we have the capabilities (if we can learn to use them properly) to be heard by them.

Our (my and the band’s) showcase was held at Holy Joe’s above a much bigger venue called “The Reverb Room.” The Reverb Room was packed full of young kids with extremely erect and colourful hairdos. The bouncer took one look at me and

by Angie Nussey

said “Holy Joe’s is at the back of the building.” (I guess my onetone hair colour gave me away.)

Our showcase started at 11 p.m.

We waited until 10:56 p.m. for the drummer to arrive from another showcase performance – introducing another form of exciting energy prevalent in the singer/songwriter world. Despite the unbelievably loud music coming from the Reverb Room below, the show went really well.

We performed in front of 25 wonderfully supportive listeners, the kind of ears I always love to be heard by.

All in all, I left this year’s CMW showcase and conference with a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of experience, and a whole lot of hope. Only 9, 975 more sets of ears to go.

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Ontario Folk and Roots Music in Memphis…

Musicians currently find themselves in an exciting and empowering position. I think I speak on behalf of a lot of singer -songwriters when I say that what we want most of all is simply to be able to write songs and to perform them to appreciative audiences. The existing musical landscape seems to be most conducive to making this happen: never before has recording and promoting an album been a more hands-on activity for the artist. The result is a generation of musicians, agents, promoters, managers, producers, etc. dedicated first and foremost to the quality of the art – one of the few constants in a rapidly evolving musical world.

Given this reality, showcase opportunities take on a new significance. It is there where music people gather from across the world with one common interest: discovering new music. Having the opportunity to perform one’s material to a room full of curious and connected ears is an invaluable opportunity, and one that seems to have the positive domino effect of opening up more and more performance avenues.

The Folk Alliance conference is one of these opportunities. In addition to hundreds of musicians, it attracts labels, promoters, radio hosts, booking agents, managers, and producers, not to mention the people who just come for the good music and cheer.

Upon arriving at the Memphis Marriott hotel (where the 2008 conference took place), I was emphatically reassured that the current music scene is alive like a healthy city. Indeed, you can

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walk through the upstairs floors of the hotel during the night and witness every room transformed into a miniature district, with its own musical culture and tradition.

And there I found myself, a curious and even “exotic” Canadian on the banks of the Mississippi. I registered and explored the hotel and soon bumped into the OCFF, the organization who was, in part, sponsoring my showcase. I was immediately taken under their wing, introduced to various talent scouts from across the world, and generally just looked after. I touched base with the OCFF representatives regularly throughout the conference and was always impressed by the friendly and sincere way they promoted the Canadian talent.

I was proud, in fact, to be associated with the OCFF and all the other Canadian artists. During the weekend, it became clear to me that musicians in Canada are some of the most risk-taking, innovative and dedicated and the representatives from the OCFF on “Canadian night” matched that spirit: in a lively display of the Canadian temperament, accompanied by a klezmer trio, they waved the Canadian banner, offered food and drink to all and promoted the Canadian artists’ showcases with well-crafted support materials. Their spirit energized the entire event and helped fill, I believe, the seats of my showcase that took place the same night.

I encourage all musicians dedicated to their songs to apply for a showcase at the Folk Alli-

By Kyrie Kristmanson ance conference. It’s true that the world of music is progressing in all kinds of new directions, but one of the things that remains constant is the courage it takes: courage to expose your soul, courage to be loyal to your songs, courage to travel all around the world promoting them and courage to align yourself with people who share your vision. The Folk Alliance provides an exciting opportunity to test your spirit at one of the highest diving boards of showcasing opportunities: terrifying, at first, but exhilarating and rewarding once you’ve taken the leap.

For further details about the Folk Alliance Conference, programs and services, please visit www.folk.org.

This year, the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage and the SOCAN Foundation) presented and promoted seven fabulous acts from Ontario – Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Treasa Levasseur, Jayme Stone Quartet, Kobo Town, People Project, Kyrie Kristmanson and the Undesirables – at the 20th annual Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN. If you have not seen every one of these artists, make it your mission this spring and summer.

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