How Winterfolk XVII helped Paul Corby get through another winter weekend
By Paul Corby Feb 26, 2019, as printed in Roots Music Canada Magazine – A rousing carousel of song spun everything from simple roots folk to visceral blues scorchers past an audience of musical tourists this past weekend on the upper east bank of Toronto’s Don River. For the seventeenth consecutive year, the Winterfolk Festival gave a woebegone February something to be proud of. Three bars with a total of five stages along Danforth Avenue rotated 150 artists for two days and three nights while a dedicated clientele absorbed a bright and...
read moreBlues and Roots Radio on Winterfolk XVII
Reprinted from Roots and Blues Radio – I have been attending this event since I came to Canada ten years ago, In the past I have been a volunteer running the stage at the Black Swan Pub ( Upstairs ) and in recent years have covered the event for Blues & Roots Radio by way of my radio show ( Under The Radar, Sunday’s 9 am ET ) and a series of articles, I love the neighbourhood, and love the homely atmosphere of this festival. For me it’s a great event to get around, all the venues are within a short walking distance and...
read moreToronto Born Singer/Songwriter returns for Winterfolk
Ruth Schweitzer – Special to The CJN – Lynda Marks Kraar’s parents, both Holocaust survivors, were distressed when they saw their artistic, only child, now an ace guitarist, was preoccupied with music rather than concentrating on academics. “I think as a child of Holocaust survivors, music was not high up on the priority list. Either you were supposed to marry a doctor or lawyer or be one. And my path was the music. So it made for some conflicts at home,” Kraar said. Her fascination with the guitar began when she was four years...
read moreWinterfolk Festival Comes to Danforth
Reprinted from Danforth BIA Website ANNOUNCES FULL LINEUP FEBRUARY 22-24, 2019 www.winterfolk.com WHO: Donné Roberts, Jack de Keyzer, Gary Kendall Band, Mose Scarlett,Cassie & Maggie, Moscow Apartment, James Gordon, Ken Whiteley, Danny Marks, Brian Blain, Tony Quarrington, Noah Zacharin, The Lifers, Tragedy Ann, David Storey, Ori Dagan, Chloe Watkinson, Ken Yoshioka, Jon Brooks,STAV, Doris Folkens + more! WHAT: Winterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festival TICKETS: ON SALE NOW! Festival Wristbands only $15 Till Jan 31. Four...
read moreChloe Watkinson – This Is Our Time
Reprinted from FYI Jan 25, 2019 – Chloe Watkinson: “This Is Our Time” (Aporia): This Toronto singer is gradually making inroads with the tracks she has been releasing over the past year, now spinning on 200+ radio stations in 26 countries, and this new cut, released today, should sustain her career momentum. Watkinson’s sound fuses blues, soul and rock strains effortlessly, and her gutsy voice never gets overwrought. “This Is Our Time” is a bold and confident statement, delivered with vigour. It’s...
read moreScarborough teaser show a taste of Winterfolk tonight
Reprinted from Toronto Moon Magazine Jan 19, 2019, by Beverly Kreller – Festival-goers will have a chance to get a sneak preview of what’s in store at the 17th ANNUAL WINTERFOLK BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL when some of the finest folk, roots and blues artists will take the stage at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St. in Scarborough, tonight Doors open at 7:30 pm and music starts at 8:00 pm for this event to benefit Winterfolk. Presented by Winterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festival along with Lillian Wauthier, Artistic Director...
read morePreview the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival this weekend in Scarborough
Reprinted from Roots Music Canada Jan 18, 2019 – Music fans will have a chance to get a sneak preview of what’s in store at the 17th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival when some of the finest folk, roots and blues artists will take the stage at St. Paul’s United Church (200 McIntosh St.) in Scarborough on Saturday. (Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and music starts at 8:00.) It’s a benefit for Winterfolk, presented by the festival along with Lillian Wauthier, artistic director of Acoustic Harvest. It’s a jam-packed night of music as a...
read moreExtended – Save 40% on Advance Winterfolk Wristbands Till Jan 31
Save on advanced wristband orders, as the price will be higher at the door. Order now and save!
read moreWinterfolk XVII Preview Jan 19
Reprinted From Music News Digest – Acoustic Harvest hosts a Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival preview concert in Scarborough on Jan. 19 at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St. The event showcases some of the artists who’ll play Winterfolk in Toronto in February, with the lineup comprising Cassie and Maggie, Alana & Leigh Cline, Shake the Bellows, Donne Roberts, Ken Yoshioka, and Ori...
read moreWinterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festial
Reprinted from NOW Magazine – The 17th annual festival takes place at three venues and four stages in the Danforth area. This all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event features urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music. Performers include Bywater Blues Band, Cassie & Maggie, Chloe Watkinson, D’Arcy Wickham, Danny Marks, HOTCHA!, Marg Stowe, Moscow Apartment and many others. Wristbands $15 early bird (till Dec 31), $25 at the door. Feb 22-24,...
read moreWinterfolk Preview at Acoustic Harvest Jan 19
Acoustic Harvest + Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Present: Winterfolk XVII Preview – Saturday, January 19 – St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St. Scarborough, ON – Doors 7:30pm | Music 8: For Immediate Release / Please Retain For Listings Acoustic Harvest and Winterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festival Present… Winterfolk XVII Preview SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 Doors 7:30 pm | Music 8:00 pm, @ St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., Scarborough, ON Festival wristbands only $10 at the preview!...
read moreAcoustic Harvest hosts Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival preview concert in Scarborough
Acoustic Harvest and Winterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festival are teaming up to present the Winterfolk XVII Preview and Benefit Concert on Saturday, Jan. 19 at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., in Scarborough. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the music starts at 8 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the door for $25 or in advance for $22 at www.acousticharvest.ca. The event is another one of Toronto’s Winterfolk XVII festival preview performances to showcase some of the musical talent Toronto has, and to show...
read moreCasa Loma guitarist strikes a chord for Winterfolk festival
Rick Zolkower talks performing, coming to Canada and his future album February 19, 2018 Brian Baker Americana, musician, Rick Zolkower, Winterfolk Reprinted from Streeter – The fallout from the Riverboat scene in Toronto’s 1960s Yorkville scene was when Detroit-born Americana musician Rick Zolkower arrived here. It was 1972 and the photographer-musician came to Canada via Detroit, Mich. because of his girlfriend. He decided to call it his new home. Now, the 68-year-old is a fixture in the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival. He’s...
read moreWINTERFOLK XVI PREVIEW & BENEFIT @ HUGH’S ROOM, TORONTO
January 21, 2018 – Reprinted from Spill Magazine Last year, Hugh’s Room announced it was closing its doors. Like many fans, I waited with bated breath, sorry to see yet another beloved Toronto venue cease to exist. Thankfully, generous donations and copious support have allowed the Roncy music club to keep on delivering the goods. With its commitment to blues and roots, the 16th annual Acoustic Harvest + Winterfolk Preview is what the Hugh’s Room spirit is all about. Brian Gladstone kicked things off by greeting the audience and...
read moreWinterfolk XVI by Cashbox Magazine
Submitted by Lenny Stoute The 16th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival,taking place in Toronto February 16-18, 2018, is set to present the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, and will feature returning favourite artists as well as fresh new talent. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event that emulates a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 100 artists will be performing at four venues and five stages over three days of the long Family Day weekend. For more information on the festival,...
read moreWINTERFOLK XVI PREVIEW & BENEFIT
Reprinted from Spill Magazine – by Elizabeth Andrews Jan 29, 2018 – Last year, Hugh’s Room announced it was closing its doors. Like many fans, I waited with bated breath, sorry to see yet another beloved Toronto venue cease to exist. Thankfully, generous donations and copious support have allowed the Roncy music club to keep on delivering the goods. With its commitment to blues and roots, the 16th annual Acoustic Harvest + Winterfolk Preview is what the Hugh’s Room spirit is all about. Brian Gladstone kicked things off by greeting...
read moreIt’s closer than you think: Winterfolk preview tonight at Hugh’s
Reprinted from Toronto Moon Magazine – We referred the other day to the spectacular success of the annual Winterfolk Festival started by Brian Gladstone fifteen years ago next month and as always this year’s 16th edition of the now seminal event promises another great weekend of live Roots, Blues and Jazz music when it takes place Feb. 16-18on five stages in venues on Danforth Ave. in East TO. This evening you can get a taste of some of the highlights of this year’s edition at a preview showcase concert being staged at Hugh’s Room in...
read moreGet a sneak peek of what’s coming at Toronto’s Winterfolk
Annual roots and blues festival held at several east Toronto venues Reprinted from Inside Toronto East York Mirror – Fans of folk, roots, and blues music can get a glimpse of what’s to come at this year’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival on Sunday, Jan. 21. The Winterfolk XVI Preview will be held at Hugh’s Room Live, 2261 Dundas St. W., just south of Bloor Street West, starting at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Presented by Winterfolk along with Acoustic Harvest, the show will feature performances by Dirty Dishes, Julian Fauth, Mr....
read moreAcoustic Harvest & Winterfolk: WF Preview Jan 21@Hugh’s Room Live
Greetings of the new year with hope for a better future for the World. As we have done for the past four years, prior to the Winterfolk Festival, we have a sneak-peak at a few of the 150 or so artists who will be performing at the festival. Here’s the lineup: WHO: Dirty Dishes, Julian Fauth, Mr. Rick, Brian Gladstone w/Tony Quarrington, HOTCHA!, and Brighid Fry from Moscow Apartment WHAT: Acoustic Harvest + Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Present: Winterfolk XVI Preview WHERE: Hugh’s Room Live, 2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto,...
read moreFYI Music News Announces Winterfolk XVI
by Kerry Doole – Reprinted in FYI Music News – Now in its 16th year, Toronto’s annual Winterfolk roots music fest continues to get better, and bigger. Staged in clubs on Danforth Ave, and the first round of performers include Jack de Keyzer, D’Arcy Wickham, Brian Gladstone, Juno-winners David Bradstreet and Julian Fauth, David Essig, Kat Goldman, Jon Broks, Laura Fernandes, Melanie Peterson, Moscow Apartment, Noah Zacharin, Piper Hayes, and The Willows. Winterfolk runs Feb. 16-18, with over 150 artists performing on five...
read moreGet a sneak peek of what’s to come at 16th annual Winterfolk Festival
Reprinted from ‘Inside Toronto‘ – The organizers of the 16th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival are hosting a preview/benefit and birthday bash on Saturday, Dec. 9. The special sneak peek event, which will feature The Achromatics, David Storey, Tony Quarrington, Brian Gladstone, Piper Hayes with Carson Ritcey-Thorpe, The Mini-Clan Hannigan and more, will be held at The Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave., just east of Broadview Avenue. It will also include an open mic for anyone who would like to perform or play a...
read moreWinterfolk XVI Preview and Fundraiser Dec 9, 2017
Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Presents Winterfolk XVI Preview & Fundraiser WHO: The Achromatics, David Storey, Tony Quarrington, Brian Gladstone, Piper Hayes w/ Carson Ritcey-Thorpe, The Mini-Clan Hannigan and more WHAT: Winterfolk XVI Preview & Benefit WHERE: The Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON 416-469-0537 WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9th – Doors 7:30 pm / Music 8:00 TICKETS: $10 minimum donation @door (all funds go towards support of festival artists XVI) WEBSITES: www.winterfolk.com TORONTO – FRIDAY,...
read moreWinterfolk Volunteer Meetup, Sunday November 19
Sunday, November 19 at 1 PM – 3 PM Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave, Toronto, Ontario M4K1N1 Do you have questions about volunteering at Winterfolk? Would you like to meet other volunteers? Do you want to share your past experiences with others? This gathering is for anyone who is thinking about volunteering at the festival and for those who have done so in the past. It will be pretty informal so you can just drop by to say hello if you like, no need to come for the entire time. If you’d like to stick around for some music the...
read moreTonight’s Winterfolk preview a good way to ease into cooler climes
Reprinted from Toronto Moon Magazine by Gary 17 – As the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival prepares to turn sweet sixteen this coming February it’s perhaps not too young to begin engaging in occasional bouts of nostalgia. Certainly festival founder and executive director Brian Gladstone may feel some of that tonight as he takes part in a 2018 festival preview and fundraiser at Free Times Café. While not one of the “original six” rooms in which the festival, then known simply as Winterfolk, took place in its inaugural 2003...
read moreWinterfolk Blues & Roots Festival
Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival celebrated their 15th Anniversary on the Danforth, on February 17th-19th. It was an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you found the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists showed off their chops at 5 venues over the 3 days. The festival also included special tribute events, an awards ceremony, community stages and various themed musical workshops with something for everyone to enjoy....
read moreEditor’s Corner March 2017
Written by David Olds Category: Editors Corner – Sticking with my Pot Pourri theme, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a friend from my early childhood at Winterfolk on the Family Day Weekend. David Storey and I knew each other back in our pre-school days, attending the same Anglican church and each other’s birthday parties. Somewhere around our teenage years we lost track of each other as he went off to choir school and I attended York County’s experiment with open plan education in the early years of Thornlea Secondary School....
read moreWinterfolk Roundup Various Clubs Toronto
Winterfolk XV was busier, punchier and way warmer than usual, all good things for the folk that swarmed over the bridge to check the annual feast of blues and roots musics of all kinds. Folkie Peter Verity opened the launch party at The Black Swan with an engrossing set largely drawn from recent album Sometimes A Journey. Accompanied by fiddle virtuoso Thomas Hamilton, Verity rolled out the haunting narratives and minor key melodies of fan faves“Blue as I Can Get”, “The Healing Rain” and “North Ontario” among others. Next up, the bayou brewed...
read moreAmericana Media Pro: Fred Boenig reviews Winterfolk
From American Media Pro Winterfolk XV Roots and Blues Fest Underway One of the great mid-winter music festivals is underway in Toronto this weekend with the 15th edition of the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival. This 3 day festival showcases the finest in local and national touring musicians, with some artists just beginning their musical journey and others who have been on the landscape for many years. Taking place at 5 different venues around the intersection of Danforth and Broadview Aves., this festival is the perfect tonic to come out...
read moreTony Quarrington tribute album shows Winterfolk’s stature
\ TO EAST \ Reprinted from Toronto Moon Magazine There was a time when there was really only one Roots festival that artists of that genre talked about in TO. Back when I started this publication —25 years ago this coming April, as Open Season (which gave birth to to-nite before evolving into TorontoMoon.ca) — the Mariposa Festival had a very strong presence in the city and in fact was still staging shows here. The last presentation of its weekend within the city limits, I believe, was the ill-fated 1992 edition on one of the Toronto...
read moreWinterfolk is back for its 15th year on The Danforth
All-ages, mid-winter festival to feature some of the best Canadian blues and roots artists East York Mirror – The 2017 edition of the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival is coming to The Danforth. The 15th annual event, which features some of the best Canadian blues and roots artists, will run from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. Organizers describe Winterfolk as an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event that features the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music. More than 150 artists are set to perform at five venues on...
read moreEntertainment Beat – Its that time of year again
February 9, 2017February 8, 2017 Anna Killen and Lara O’Keefe Reprinted from Beaches Metro It’s that time of year again. Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is on the Danforth Feb. 17-19, 2017 and Acoustic Harvest will be there with bells, and guitars, and dancing shoes. Its showcase is Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. at the Globe Bistro at 124 Danforth Ave. Featuring Mary Kelly with Tom Leighton, Anne Walker, Missy Burgess, and John Prince and Bruce McDaniel, this is Acoustic Harvest’s fourth Winterfolk showcase. Last year,...
read moreA Musical Extravaganza for All Ages on the Danforth Strip
By: Thomas Schultz posted Mon, Feb 6, 2017 in SPECIALINTEREST Toronto serves as Canada’s hub for art, commerce, and entertainment, making it an ideal destination for travelers. The city won’t disappoint thanks to a wide range of world class restaurants like Canoe, Carisma, and VOLOS. Another major attraction you won’t want to miss is Canada’s largest natural history museum, the Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, truly offering something for everyone. Winterfolk Blues and...
read moreA Music Extravaganza for All Ages on the Danforth Strip
By: Thomas Schultz posted Mon, Feb 6, 2017 in SPECIALINTEREST Toronto serves as Canada’s hub for art, commerce, and entertainment, making it an ideal destination for travelers. The city won’t disappoint thanks to a wide range of world class restaurants like Canoe, Carisma, and VOLOS. Another major attraction you won’t want to miss is Canada’s largest natural history museum, the Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, truly offering something for everyone. Winterfolk Blues and...
read moreBlog Toronto on Winterfolk
Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is on the Danforth, Feb. 17-19, 2017. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music , emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at 5 venues over 3 days. The festival will also include special tribute events, an awards ceremony, community stages and various themed musical workshops with something for everyone to enjoy. Winterfolk is the ideal event for...
read moreEntertainment Beat
February 9, 2017February 8, 2017 Anna Killen and Lara O’Keefe – It’s that time of year again. Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is on the Danforth Feb. 17-19, 2017 and Acoustic Harvest will be there with bells, and guitars, and dancing shoes. Its showcase is Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. at the Globe Bistro at 124 Danforth Ave. Featuring Mary Kelly with Tom Leighton, Anne Walker, Missy Burgess, and John Prince and Bruce McDaniel, this is Acoustic Harvest’s fourth Winterfolk showcase. Last year, the East...
read moreWinterfolk XV Blues & Roots Festival announce full lineup
From February 17-February 19th, the Winterfolk XV Blues & Roots Festival will be held in full force. The festival will be held in five venues with six stages in total in Danforth, Toronto. On February 17, the hours will be 7:00pm-1:30am. On February 18, the hours will be 1:00pm-1:30am. Finally, on February 19, the festival hours will be 1:00pm-11:00pm. The full line-up can be seen HERE! There are multiple options for shows. The festival is offering $20 wristbands that allow entry into various shows within their schedule. In...
read moreWinterfolk’s 15th anniversary Feb. 17-19 will include many East York talents
Reprinted from East York Chronicle, by /Gary 17/ Although it was not born in east TO, the annual Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival has made its home here for most of what will be 15 years of existence February 17-19. From its beginnings the event, held at five bar/restaurant venues on Danforth Ave. near Broadview, has drawn on talents from the area, including iconic songwriter and veteran of the TO music scene for 50 years, Sebastian Agnello, who has been an East York resident all his life. Agnello returns again this year, kicking things...
read moreWinterfolk Preview Jan 21
BITS’N’PIECES – Reprinted from Cashbox TORONTO – Festival-goers will have a chance to get a sneak preview of what’s in store at the 15th ANNUAL WINTERFOLK BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL when some of the finest folk, roots and blues artists take the stage at Toronto’s Acoustic Harvest on Saturday, January 21st. Doors open at 7:30 pm and music starts at 8:00 pm for this event to benefit Winterfolk. Presented by Lillian Wauthier, Artistic Director of Acoustic Harvest along with Winterfolk Blues & Roots...
read moreWinterfolk Blues and Roots Festival
Reprinted from `India News Calling` – TORONTO – MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2016 – Be sure to mark your calendars for the 15th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival taking place February 17-19, 2017 in Toronto. Winterfolk is an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at four venues and five stages over the three-day weekend. Wristband passes for the weekend are on...
read moreWinterfolk benefit supports festival’s artists
Event will also include open mic for anyone who’d like to perform a tune or two The organizers of the 15th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival are hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, Nov. 26. The event, which will feature guitar aces Tony Quarrington and D’Arcy Wickham, hillbilly swing duo HOTCHA!, finger picker Brian Gladstone, singer/songwriter Noah Zacharin, authentic Chicago blues man Jerome Tucker, and award-winning troubadour Glen Hornblast, will take place at The Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave., just east of...
read moreCaledon based Corner Gas creator David Storey set to release debut album at Winterfolk
Caledon Enterprise By Danielle Marr – David Storey is coming home. Caledon based David Storey, best known for developing, producing and directing the hit TV series Corner Gas is returning to his musical roots. The Inglewood resident is best known for developing, producing and directing the hit TV show Corner Gas, and now, after leaving music for over 20 years he is preparing to release a debut full-length album titled Comin’ Home. The television icon says he has enjoyed the journey back to his musical roots. “The reason that we called...
read moreMore than 150 artists to perform at Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival during Family Day weekend
Reprinted from the East York Mirror – The 14th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival is on tap for the first three days of this Family Day weekend, Feb. 12 to 14. More than 150 artists will perform on five stages in four venues on the west Danforth, between Broadview and Chester subway stations. Those venues include Black Swan Tavern (upstairs and downstairs), Dora Keogh Irish Pub, Terry O’s and Mambo Lounge. Most of the concerts and events can be accessed with a single $15 wristband, good for the entire weekend. There are five...
read moreWinterfolk music festival engages and inspires with themed performances
Healing In Song and Audience Participation Songwriting are two of the many events at Danforth festival By Daniel McKenzie | Posted: Feb 10 2016 8:16 am – February can be a long month, despite what the calendar says. It’s cold, people are broke from holiday splurges and spring is still just a foggy futuristic dream. Cue the Winterfolk Blues and Roots music festival on the Danforth, running from Fri. Feb. 12-14. The four venues playing host are within a short walk of each other: Black Swan Tavern, Dora Keogh, Mambo Lounge andTerri O’s....
read moreWhat’s On This Week in Toronto
Reprinted from the Toronto Sun, Feb 6, 2016 – Get your fill of blues, roots and folk music while wandering around on the Danforth near Broadview, Feb. 12-14. This is an all-ages musical festival with some 150 artists at five venues — and yes, it’s weatherproof. Participating outlets include the Black Swan Tavern, Mambo Lounge, Terri O’s and Dora Keogh’s. And hear this: A $15 wristband gives you admission to 90 performances! There are other shows that require separate tickets and some need reservations, so get on...
read moreEast York talents will be featured at Winterfolk Feb. 12-14
Reprinted from East York Chronicle by Gary17 – With over 100 artists appearing on five stages at four venues on Danforth Avenue, the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival is set to hold its 14th annual edition in East York from February 12 through 14. Shows take place over three nights and two days at Dora Keogh (141 Danforth), Terri O’s (185 Danforth), Mambo Lounge (120 Danforth) and upstairs and downstairs at Black Swan Tavern (154 Danforth). A $15 wristband gets audiences admission to all of the shows over the weekend except for...
read moreFive acts to keep on your radar for Winterfolk XIV
Reprinted from the East York Examiner Feb 5 2016 – Toronto’s Winterfolk returns on the weekend of February 12-14. The festival, not limited to folk music, also happens to fall on the Valentine’s Day and Ontario’s Family Day Weekend. There’s lots to celebrate and a chance to bring out loved ones and family (all-ages shows available) to the four venues and five stages on the Danforth. High profile features include recent Juno nominee Old Man Ludecke, Joey Landreth of the Landreth Bros., and David Storey of Corner...
read moreWinterfolk 2016 – The Interview on Folk Roots Radio
The 14th Annnual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival takes place on The Danforth in Toronto from February 12-14 2016. Featuring some of the best blues and roots artists on the Canadian music scene, playing on five stages in four venues, it promises to be a fabulous weekend of live music.
read moreDiscount Winterfolk tickets available until end of January
East York Mirror By Norm Nelson The Winterfolk roots music festival is back, running through three days of February’s Family Day weekend on the western end of the Danforth. Discount tickets are available until Jan. 30. Not that tickets are expensive to begin with. First of all, a $15 wristband includes admission to the entire t hree-day festival except for five extended paid shows (two of them featuring two-time Juno Award Winner Jack de Keyzer) each of which cost an additional modest $20. With the January discount, however, the $15 wristband...
read moreWinterfolk showcase Jan 16 at Acoustic Harvest
Reprinted from Entertainment Beat Jan 12,2016 Acoustic Harvest presents a pre-Winterfolk showcase on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Robinson Hall, St. Nicholas Anglican Church. This sneak preview of the 14th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival will feature the finest in acoustic musicians. Sue and Dwight’s old school folk covers traditional themes such as peace, courage, and social justice. The pair’s harmonies are backed by guitar and accordion, and songs are interspersed with tales of the prairies, big city life, and foreign travels. David...
read moreFolks Happily Brave the Winter for Winterfolk
Submitted by Lee Fraser – This is a tale of bitter cold and welcoming warmth. Somehow, here in Toronto, the right light bulb went on over the right head. Winterfolk is the creation of Brian Gladstone. Having spent most of his life in the corporate world, it seems that Brian chose to explore his creative side when others were embarking on mid-life crises. With almost five decades behind him, he decided to record an album. Through hard work and self-promotion, he got radio play and record label distribution in Europe. But when he...
read moreLove at Winterfolk
Period costumes, good guitar times and triangle solos make for a fun Valentine’s Day – BY SARAH GREENE [Show slideshow] SWAMPERELLA, THE TRIO OF FUN, HOTCHA! and VIVIENNE WILDER BAND as part of WINTERFOLK XIII at Black Swan Tavern, Saturday, February 14. Rating: NNN The upstairs of Danforth’s Black Swan feels like an ancient place. A fitting locale, then, for Winterfolk mainstays HOTCHA! The married duo of Beverly Kreller and Howard Druckman settled deeper into their old-timey shtick – period costumes and all – during their Love...
read moreJulian Taylor revels in versatility
Toronto musician plays R&B at the Horseshoe one night, partakes in folk festival the next. By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Thu Feb 12 2015 Julian Taylor is used to shaking it up. For example, those headed to the Horseshoe on Saturday night will experience the full electrifying and soulful R&B glory of the eight-piece Julian Taylor Band as they perform songs from their acclaimed album Tech Noir. On Friday and Sunday, you’ll find Taylor doing the solo singer-songwriter thing at the Irish pub Dora Keogh, partaking in the annual...
read moreWinterfolk trumps other special events this weekend
Reprinted from TorontoMoon.ca – Gary 17 – While lovers will be preparing for Valentines Day on Saturday, patriots for the 50th anniversary of Flag Day Sunday and parents for Family Day on Monday, many GTA fans of Roots and Blues music are probably a lot more excited about the 13th edition of the Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival taking place from tonight through Sunday. True to its name, the five-stage, four-venue festival on Danforth Avenue near Broadview Ave. does combine dollops of first-rate Blues with an even healthier...
read morePreview: Winterfolk XIII Blues And Roots Festival
Reprinted from Hye’s Musings – The Winterfolk XIII Blues & Roots Festival brings us a stellar lineup of artists for its 13th annual edition; taking place February 13 – 15. A variety of music styles will fill five stages in various venues at Broadview and Danforth in Toronto. Venues include The Black Swan Tavern, The Globe Bistro, Dora Keogh’s and Terri O’s. The festival launches Friday night at The Black Swan, with gritty blues performer Alfie Smith, best known for his resophonic guitar playing and brazen slide licks,...
read moreThe top 5 shows to catch at Winterfolk 2015
by Ryan Ayukawa Fraser & Girard – When Allan Fraser and Marianne Girard were in the process of coming up with a name for their duo, Marianne, was partial to “Girard and Fraser”. After a short time they changed it to Fraser & Girard for the vowel sound of it. Also, Allan Fraser had also been part of the popular 60’s-70’s duo Fraser & DeBolt (the late Daisy DeBolt) which may have added to the choice of name. NSAI Presents – Those looking for something a little different at Winterfolk will find...
read moreJulian Taylor Like Coming Home
Reprinted from Cashbox Magazine by Don Graham – Toronto’s annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is a combination of paid and free concert stages on the Danforth, February 13 – 15, 2015. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at four venues and five stages over three days of the long Family Day weekend. The festival will also include special...
read moreWinterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival
TICKETS: www.winterfolk.com/winterfolk-advance-ticket-sales/ Winterfolk’s 13th annual edition of the festival will host a variety of music styles, filling five stages in various venues at Broadview and Danforth in Toronto, where the festival will present four ticketed events along with many other affordable concerts, community stages and workshops. PROGRAM SCHEDULE Programming Notes Winterfolk is a combination of four ticketed events and 102 events at $10.00 or pay what you can for the weekend. Community Music Presentation Winterfolk opens...
read moreWinterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Line-Up Announced
The artist line-up has been announced for the Winterfolk Festival XIII and it sure to be a time for them to shine at this great event. TORONTO – The Winterfolk XIII Blues & Roots Festival is proud to announce a stellar lineup for the 13th annual edition of the festival taking place February 13-15, 2015. A variety of music styles will fill five stages in various venues at Broadview and Danforth in Toronto, where the festival will present four ticketed events along with many other affordable concerts, community stages and workshops....
read moreCure Those Winter Blues
The Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, by Jeremy Finkelstein Reprinted from Collections Magazine, Dec 19 2014 insert to Toronto Globe and Mail – As a socially conscious brand of popular folk music exploded in the 1960s, with icons like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez at the helm, music scholars were left scrambling for a term to best capture the many influences steering the popular artists of the day. The phrase “roots music” was coined and is now used to encompass every genre from folk, blues, gospel, and traditional country, amongst others....
read moreAcoustic Harvest rings in the New Year with Winterfolk Showcase
Acoustic Harvest is ringing in the New Year with its Pre-Winterfolk Festival Showcase, featuring an impressive lineup of talent.By Jon Muldoon • January 12, 2015 – Brian Gladstone has been part of Canada’s roots music scene for more than three decades, and has played close to 1,000 shows in the last 10 years alone. His five albums have been well-received, and his non-profit Association of Artists for a Better World has produced eight albums and numerous concerts in support of worthy causes. Tony Quarrington has been part of Toronto’s...
read moreThe top 5 winter music festivals in Toronto for 2015
by Aubrey Jax – Winter music festivals in Toronto won’t be quite as chilly as previous years, what with outdoor Brrrrr Fest not returning to Echo Beach, but that might be for the best. Live music is best kept as an indoor affair during the frozen months, especially since this summer looks like it will be flooded with outdoor festivals. While it’s great to see Toronto’s annual fests return, extra points go to Toronto’s newest winter music series, which will bridge concerts with delicious food. Here are my picks...
read moreThe Top Ten Events in Toronto This Winter
by Aubrey Fax, Dec 8 2014, Toronto Blog – Toronto’s 13th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is a combination of paid and free concert stages on the Danforth, February 13 – 15, 2015. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at four venues and five stages over three days of the long Family Day weekend. The festival will also include...
read moreWinterfolk Returns Family Day Long Weekend
Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival Returns Family Day Long Weekend February 13 – 15, 2015 www.winterfolk.com Toronto’s 13th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is a combination of paid and free concert stages on the Danforth, February 13 – 15, 2015. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at four venues and five stages over three days...
read moreGinger St. James at Winterfolk
by Kollin Lore • February 19, 2014 Raz Mataz Magazine had a chat with Ginger St. James, who was a pleasure to talk to, with her perky, friendly and fun personality. Ginger brought all of those qualities on stage along with a whole lot of sultriness. Her music features bluesy rock-n-roll melodies, and her vocals resembles a more throwback, country kind of vibe. Ginger performed as part of a special Valentine’s Day evening on the first night of the Winterfolk Festival at Black Swan Tavern in Toronto. Her performance and stage presence is...
read moreWinterfolk music festival on tap Friday to Sunday at Danforth Avenue venues
Reprinted from the East York Mirror, Feb 13, 2014 Folk-blues-roots festivals are usually held in the summer in rural areas. But Winterfolk, which runs in Toronto Friday, Feb. 14, to Sunday, Feb. 16, turns that on its head and does just the opposite: it’s a folk-blues-roots festival right in the heart of Toronto, right smack-dab in the middle of winter. It’s based out of the west Danforth – five stages in four local venues, all within walking distance of either Broadview or Chester subway stations. With more than 150 musicians, including...
read moreWinterfolk Roots and Blues
MUSIC MUSIC FEATURE Winterfolk XII By SARAH GREENE WINTERFOLK XII featuring JACK DE KEYZER, LYNN MILES, RON HYNES, TONY QUARRINGTON, SWAMPERELLA, DINAH THORPE and more, at various venues, Friday to Sunday (February 14-16). Free-$15. winterfolk.com. The Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival – tiding over Toronto folkies during that long, cold chasm between warm-weather festivals – is back this year (its 12th) with 150 artists on five Danforth Avenue stages. As at a summer music fest, patrons can take in concurrent shows by wandering around, but...
read moreGinger St. James drops the burlesque, but not the tease
Reprinted from the Toronto Star, Feb 13, 2014 From bump ’n’ grind to bumps n’ bruises, Ginger St. James has experienced it all. And now the former Les Coquettes and Steeltown Sirens burlesque queen is bumping up her popularity as a sassy and dynamic rockabilly singer, songwriter and guitarist, creating a national buzz with some slightly cheeky music and a captivating charisma fueled by her roaring voice and model beauty. However, it was the “bumps ‘n’ bruises” faction of her life that inspired the title of the Binbrook, Ont. native’s upcoming...
read moreBrian Gladstone Interview, from James McGee
Brian Gladstone Interview Had a chance last week (on a snowy afternoon no less) to sit down with Brian Gladstone and discuss the upcoming Winterfolk Festival. Now in its 12th year the festival features a wide range of musical styles including Zydeco, cajun, blues, roots, and blue grass. Brian talks about the early days of the festival, the showcases, and some of the featured performers (including Ron Hynes, Lynn Miles, Brett Titcomb, Swamperella, Jack De Keyser ) that will appear at the festival. Brian Gladstone Interview, V1 from James McGee...
read moreThe 12th Annual Winterfolk Music Fest looks back and moves forward
The 12th Annual Winterfolk Music Festival is right around the corner does any of you even know that it’s been around for 12 years? With the JUNOS right around the corner, Winterfolk festival announced a few notables as part of their festival line up – Ron Hynes-Jazz FM host Laura Fernandez – Jason Fowler That’s to name a few…… I caught up with Festival Director Brian Gladstone after he’d had a good night’s rest so he had plenty to say…..he presented some very valuable information! Through our interview I found he is truly...
read moreWinterfolk Blues and Roots Festival returns to west end of Danforth Avenue
The west Danforth is once again home to the 12th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, which will take place on five stages in four venues Feb. 14 to 16. The venues include the Black Swan Tavern (two stages), Globe Bistro, Terri O’s and Dora Keoghs; all walkable from Broadview or Chester subway stations. Featured artists include roots and blues luminaries Ron Hynes, Jason Fowler, Lynn Miles, Tony Quarrington, Rick Taylor, Danny Marks, Jack de Keyzer, Marianne Girard and, all the way from Nashville, Mean Mary. Local rising stars...
read moreMean Mary James ready to play at Toronto’s Winterfolk XII
StrynatkaToronto Performing Arts Examiner “Mean” Mary James is about as opposite from her nickname as a person can get: she’s sweet, kind, patient, easygoing, and upbeat. And in an interview from her home in Nashville, Tennessee on Jan. 22, 2014, the 33-year-old singer talked about her background, career, struggles and accomplishments, and what she’s going to be bringing to Winterfolk XII in just a few weeks. Mary was born in Alabama and has lived in Florida and Minnesota before calling Nashville home. And at an age...
read moreTony Quarrington’s days of being part of the background may be ending
Reprinted from Toronto Moon Given his commanding physical presence and even more impressive list of accomplishments, creations and distinctions, you’d think it would be hard for people to overlook multi-instrumental guitarist, composer and producer Tony Quarrington. Yet this large-framed musical behemoth usually somehow fades into the background while he’s making other accomplished artists look and sound even better by accompanying them with his tasty guitar stylings that leave even award-winning fellow strummers and pickers in awe. That will...
read moreWinterfolk XII arrives in Toronto in just over three weeks
Christina StrynatkaToronto Performing Arts Examiner To say Winterfolk founder and director Brian Gladstone is excited the festival’s returning to the Danforth is an understatement. “I talked to the owners on the Danforth and they said, ‘Yes, come back, come back’, he said in an interview on Jan. 14, 2014. “I can’t see us leaving again.” The return to the Danforth came after a two-year experiment at the Delta Chelsea hotel in the downtown core, but Gladstone ultimately felt that going back to...
read moreWinterfolk announces lineup for twelfth year Feb. 14-16
Reprinted from Toronto Moon Magazine With its return to venues located on Danforth Ave. near Broadview in east Toronto, the Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival is poised to once again be the place to be for live music during the forthcoming Valentines Day weekend. After a two-year experiment of holding the three-nights-and-two-days event in a downtown hotel, this year’s Winterfolk XII will return to a “club crawl” format incorporating five rooms in four venues located within a stones’ throw of one another. Fifty “headline” acts were named...
read moreWinterfolk returning to Danforth Ave. for twelfth festival Feb. 14-16
Reprinted from Toronto Moon Magazine Following a preliminary announcement that didn’t attract a lot of attention when it was first made on December 5 (your favourite music news magazine never even received a copy of it until it was forwarded by an artist today!) the Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival has confirmed on its website today that after two years it is abandoning the concept of holding the weekend under one roof and will return to a “club crawl” concept by relocating back to Danforth Avenue for its twelfth edition Feb. 14-16,...
read moreCOLD WINTER MAKES WAY FOR HOT TALENT AT THIS YEAR’S WINTERFOLK BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL
MUSIC FESTIVAL REVIEW Winterfolk is an Annual Blues & Roots Festival which was recently held at The Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto for the 11th year. It featured 150 Canadian Folk, Roots and Blues artists on 4 stages for 3 days of free unbelievable entertainment in an intimate setting. Brian Gladstone is Winterfolk Festival’s Founder, and is Executive Director of the Artists for a Better World, a non-profit organization that now operates it. He realized that there was a seven-month void in the folk festival calendar during the winter and...
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