January 15, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PLEASE RETAIN FOR LISTINGS

BRILLIANT TALENT TO SHINE AT WINTERFOLK FESTIVAL XIII
FEBRUARY 13 – 15, 2015
ARTIST LINEUP ANNOUNCED!

WHO: Danny Marks, David Essig, Gary Kendall, Jack de Keyzer, Polka Dogs, Jory Nash, Julian Taylor, Ken Whiteley, Linda McRae, Lynn Miles, Swamperella, The Heavyweights Brass Band, Tony Quarrington, Wendell Fergusson and more!

WHAT: Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival

WHERE: Five stages:
Black Swan Tavern (two stages), 154 Danforth Ave. / 416-469-0537
Dora Keogh Irish Pub, 141 Danforth Ave. / 416-778-1804
Terri O’s, 185 Danforth Ave. / 416-462-0038
Globe Bistro (Upstairs Lounge), 124 Danforth Ave. / 416-466-2000

WHEN: February 13 – 15, 2015

HOURS: 

Friday February 13, 7 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Saturday February 14, 1 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Sunday February 15, 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
TICKETS: A combination of pay-what-you-can and ticketed events.
For ticket info visit www.winterfolk.com/winterfolk-advance-ticket-sales/

PUBLIC CONTACT INFO: 416-469-0537, info@winterfolk.com

 

TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/ABetterWorldOrg

HASHTAG: #Winterfolk2015

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winterfolk-A-Better-World/115302915190784

 

WEBSITE: www.winterfolk.com/
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. Featured artists include: roots and blues luminaries – Danny Marks, Jack de Keyzer, Gary Kendall, Al Lerman and more. Local rising stars The Heavyweights Brass Band, Vivienne Wilder Band, Jessica Stuart Few and the Andrew Collins Trio will perform along with many other fresh and familiar faces. For more information please visit www.winterfolk.com

 

Winterfolk celebrates 13 years and will once again feature many of Canada’s top blues, roots and folk artists. Festival organizers are especially excited about local Toronto comebacks The Polka Dogs; bluegrass and Americana bands The Kitgut Stringband and Onion Honey; soul, R&B sensation Julian Taylor, blues powerhouse Alfie Smith; folk duo Fraser & Girard, and Canadian-bred, Nashville-based, Linda McRae. Many artists this year are returning acts from previous years. This includes: award-winning folk sweetheart Lynn Myles; dirty ‘30s finger-picker Mr. Rick (of Mr. Rick and the Biscuits); extraordinary guitar ace Wendell Ferguson; JAZZ FM radio personality and songstress Laura Fernandez, dynamic Cajun group Swamperella; prolific songstress Lynn HarrisonThe Trio of Fun w/ Ken Whitely, Wendell and Tony Quarrington; and blues/folk artist David Essig, among others.

Winterfolk prides itself on helping to boost the careers of newcomers and this year is no exception. Audiences will be stunned by the extreme talent and high energy of bluegrass group Kitgut String Bandthe soulful songs of the young award-winning JoJo Worthington and the outstanding harmonies from Toronto trio The O’Pears.

Added to this incredible lineup are some very special ticketed events such as “Lilith comes to Winterfolk” which includes passionate performers such as Shawna Caspi, Linda McRae and Soozi Schlanger.

TICKETED EVENTS AT A GLANCE
The Blues of Winterfolk  acoustic and electric Blues
February 13, Doors open at 7 p.m. – $15 Advance, $20 Door
Lilith Comes to Winterfolk – and Master Songwriting Workshop
February 14, 1 p.m.  – $15 Advance, $20 Door
 

Love at Winterfolk – a special Valentine’s Day event
February 14, doors open at 7 p.m.  – $15 Advance, $20 Door
They Put the Folk in Winterfolk – an evening beginning with roots music greats and ending with blues royalty
February 15, doors open at 6:00  – $15 Advance, $20 Door

ARTIST LINEUP
For complete bios & websites please visit www.winterfolk.com/

Acoustic Harvest PresentsAl Lerman
Alfie SmithBen Sures
Brian BlainBrian Gladstone
Brian Litvin and JABULANID’Arcy Wickham
Dan McVeighDanny Marks
David EssigGary Kendall
Glen HornblastHOTCHA!
Isabel and the UncommonsJack de Keyzer
JoJo WorthingtonJory Nash
Julian TaylorKen Whiteley
Kitgut StringbandKristine Schmitt and Will Meadows
Laura FernandezLinda McRae
Lynn HarrisonLynn Miles
Fraser & GirardMike McKenna
Mr. RickNicola Vaughan
Nicole CowardNik Beat – a celebration of life
Noah ZacharinNSAI Presents
Onion HoneyRae Billing & the Unpayables
Perpetual Peace Project / Planet3 Presents
Spirit of Song Niagara: Peace and Love
Seb Agnello
Seneca College Independent Music PresentsShawna Caspi
Song Town Presents soozimusic
Speak Music Presents
Steve RaikenSue and Dwight
SwamperellaThe Andrew Collins Trio
The Fabulous GladstonesThe Heavyweights Brass Band
The Jessica Stuart FewThe Moonshine Cafe Presents
The O’PearsThe Polka Dogs
The Trio of FunThe Wanted
The Winterfolk All Star Blues BandTony Quarrington
Vivienne Wilder BandWendell Fergusson
Whoa Nellie!

PLUS Community Stages: Pete Otis & Songtown Presents, The Moonshine Café Presents, SPEAK Music Presents, NSAI Toronto, Perpetual Peace
Project /Planet3 Presents Spirit of Song Niagara, Acoustic Harvest and more!

**Please stay tuned for more updates and info on the various stages, tribute concerts, awards ceremonies, community stages and workshops being held during the festival.

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 its stages to music presenters to bring visibility and publicize their event.
Artist Workshops
Themed multi-artist presentations, conceived and presented by the artists involved
Open Stages
Winterfolk tries to find a spot for any artist who wants to play. Our open mic stage is free for all artists to bring their instruments and play some tunes. Sign up on arrival. We will do our best but cannot guarantee.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13
Black Swan Tavern 2nd Floor 154 Danforth Ave
The Blues of Winterfolk: doors open at 7 p.m. –  $15 advance, $20 Door
8 p.m.  Alfie Smith
9 p.m. The Heavy Weights Brass Band
10 p.m. David Essig
11 p.m. The Winterfolk All-star Blues band with Jack de Keyzer, Gary Kendall, Al Lerman, and more!

Black Swan Tavern Main Floor 154 Danforth Ave
7 p.m. Sebastian Agnello
8 p.m. Stars of the Black Swan
Seb Agnello presents some of the great songwriters that have performed at this legendary venue:James Sloan, Steven David, Shawn Sage, Harpin’ Norm Lucien, Bruce Palait, Brian Jantzi, Pete Otis
10 p.m. Onion Honey

Globe Bistro Upstairs Lounge 124 Danforth Ave 
Doors open at 7 p.m. for dinner, music starts at 8 p.m. 
Acoustic Harvest Presents
Artists from their monthly concert series are featured. Host Lillian Wauthier artists TBD.

Terri O’s 185 Danforth Ave
7 p.m. Brian Litvin and Jabulani
8 p.m. Songs and Stories
Host Danny Marks is joined by Tony Quarrington, Jory Nash and Ben Sures to play their tunes and spin their tales at this concert stage.
10 p.m. Glen Hornblast & Friends with the Queen St. Cowboys, plus more guests
Dora Keogh’s 141 Danforth Ave
7 p.m. Dan McVeigh
8 p.m. Nashville Songwriters Association of Canada showcases some of NSAI’s talented songwriters with host Dan McVeigh
10 p.m. The Polka Dogs

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14
Black Swan Tavern 2nd Floor 154 Danforth Ave
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Lilith Comes to Winterfolk – $15 Advance, $20 Door:The Story behind the Songs, hosted by Shawna Caspi with Lynn Harrison, Soozi Schlanger
Songwriting Workshop – three of Canada’s top songwriters play tunes and reveal the magic in their Songwriting process, with Lynn Miles, Linda McRae and Rae Billing
4 p.m. Spirit of Song Niagara: Peace and Love 
Hosted by The Perpetual Peace Project / Planet 3, Joanne Smalewith artists Aaron Berger, Beth Moore, C.D. Onofrio, and Katey Gatta.
6 p.m. D’Arcy Wickham
7 p.m.  Love At Winterfolk – doors open at 7 p.m. $15 Advance, $20 Door
Nice and a bit naughty describes what’s in store for this special Toronto Valentine’s Day event. Ladies, be prepared to be serenaded at your table and plied with valentine’s cheer. A drink designed especially for this night at Winterfolk is called the WF Kocktail Kiss.
8 p.m. Laura Fernandez
9 p.m.HOTCHA!
10 p.m. The Trio of Fun – Ken Whiteley, Wendell Ferguson, Tony Quarrington
11 p.m.Swamperella

Black Swan Tavern Main Floor 154 Danforth Ave
1 p.m. The Best of Dr. B’s Acoustic Medicine Show
with host Steve Raiken
Hour 1 Roger Zuraw, Brian Jantzi, Sharron Katz, Steve Raiken
Hour 2Mark Denington, David McLachlan, Murray Powell, Brian Gladstone
Hour 3Sean Peever, Mark Yan and Barry Mulcahy (duo), Jo-Anne Park
4 p.m. Seneca College Independent Music Program  
Hosted by John Switzer, presents their talented students. 
7 p.m. Sue and Dwight
8 p.m. Canadian Folk Music Revue and Sing Along
The Fabulous Gladstone’s with Martin Gladstone, Frank Caruso, Marci Gladstone-Jameson, Bonnie, Gladstone & more.
9 p.m. Sue and Dwight
10 p.m. Vivienne Wilder Band

Terri O’s 185 Danforth Ave
1 p.m. Audience Participation Songwriting
Host Marianne Girarddivides the crowd into four groups, each with a mentors Rae Billing, Nicole Coward, Julian Taylor and Kristine Schmitt (then writes and performs a song.)
3 p.m. Al Lerman
4 p.m. Jessica Stuart Few
5 p.m. The O’Pears
6 p.m. The Wanted
7 p.m. The Smokin’ Guitars of Winterfolk
Host D’Arcy Wickham with Brian Gladstone, Wendell Ferguson and Noah Zacharin demonstrate a variety of guitar techniques and styles at this sizzling Toronto music performance.
8 p.m. Jory Nash
9 p.m. Isabel and the Uncommons
10 p.m.  Rae Billing and the Unpayables

 

Dora Keogh’s 141 Danforth Ave
1 p.m. Duelling Tubas and other Nerdy Pursuits

Members of bothPolka Dogs andThe Heavyweights Brass Bandutilize underutilized instruments.
3 p.m. Julian Taylor
4 p.m. Traditional Irish Stuff
Deborah Quigley, Uilleann pipes, Patrick Orseau – fiddle come and join in – players welcomed!
7 p.m. Speak Music Presents
Hosted by Beverly Kreller with Howard Druckman, as they showcase emerging artists
9 p.m. The O’Pears
10 p.m. HOTCHA!’s Americana Pie
With special guests Mr. Rick, Linda McRae and more. Chow down on a tasty slice of old time flavour accompanied by some skillet lickin’ pickin’. This Americana pie is sure to make your eyes light up and yer tummy say “Howdy!” Americana Pie continued to closing.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15
Black Swan Tavern 2nd Floor 154 Danforth Ave
1 p.m. Jack de Keyzer Guitar Jamboree
Jack and the band are joined by six string guitar playing guests: Mike McKenna, Noah Zacharin, Danny Marks, D’Arcy Wickham, Mr. Rick, Tony Quarrington and more!
3 p.m.The Audience Writes a Blues Song
with Brian Blain andGary Kendall
6 p.m. They Put the Folk in Winterfolk
Doors open at 6:00 $15 Advance, $20 Door
7 p.m.        David Essig
8 p.m.  Linda McRae
9 p.m.  Ken Whiteley
10 p.m. Lynn Miles

Black Swan Tavern Main Floor 154 Danforth Ave
2 p.m.Best of the Moonshine Café
Host John Marlett presents Best of the Moonshine Café Players take the stage.
3 p.m. Nik Beat: A Celebration of Life
5 p.m. Winterfolk Open Stage
Artists are invited to bring their instruments and sign up to play a few tunes at this music stage. Sign up starts at 5 p.m.
8 p.m. The Polka Dogs
9 p.m. Danny Marks
10 p.m. Kitgut String Band

Globe Bistro Upstairs Lounge 124 Danforth Ave  
1 p.m. Brian Blain
2 p.m. Nicole Coward
3 p.m. Shawna Caspi
5 p.m. JoJo Worthington
6 p.m. Soozi Schlanger
7 p.m. Amazing Flying Fingers
Brian Gladstoneand Tony Quarrington
8 p.m. Lynn Harrison
9 p.m. Kristine Schmitt and Will Meadows

Terry O’s 185 Danforth Ave
1 p.m.  Songtown Presents 
Host Pete Otis features artists who have recorded tracks on their albums.
3 p.m. Nicola Vaughan
4 p.m. All About That Bass
5 p.m. Whoa Nellie
6 p.m. Songs of Protest and Social Change
Brian Litvin, Lynn Harrison, Seb Agnello
7 p.m. Cool Guitar Stuff 
withMike McKenna,D`Arcy Wickham, Noah Zacharin
8 p.m. Mr. Rick
9 p.m. Wendell Ferguson
10 p.m. Fraser & Girard

Dora Keogh’s 141 Danforth Ave
1 p.m. Duelling Banjos
Long-time feuding clans presents Frank Evans, John Millard, members from Andrew Collins Trio, and Kitgut Stringband to converge for a bluegrass hootenanny to settle things.
2 p.m. Winterfolk Open Stage 
Hosted by Beverly Kreller with Howard Druckman,
artists are invited to bring their instruments and sign up to play a few tunes at this music stage. Sign up starts at 1:00 p.m.
4 p.m. Sue and Dwight
5 p.m. Ben Sures
6 p.m. Laura Fernandez
7 p.m. Julian Taylor
8 p.m. Isabel and the Uncommons
9 p.m. HOTCHA!
10 p.m. Vivienne Wilder Band

 

 

 

Winterfolk gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Toronto Arts Council, FACTOR, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Metroland Media, and JAZZ FM.

 

MORE ABOUT WINTERFOLK
Winterfolk was formed to entertain, educate, enlighten, engage and encourage the community about various folk music styles including roots, blues, folk and more. Founded by Festival Director Brian Gladstone, it is run as a division of The Association of Artists for a Better World, a registered non-profit organization in the Province of Ontario, Canada. www.abetterworld.ca

 

We’re always looking for volunteers to help out. For eight hours of service over the Winterfolk weekend, volunteers receive access to all shows, artist hospitality lounge and more! For more info and to sign up, please visit
https://www.winterfolk.com/

 

Media Accreditation is open until Feb. 5. Please visit https://www.winterfolk.com/media-accreditation/

For more information: please visit https://www.winterfolk.com

 

Media Information:
Planet3 Communications Ltd. – Joanne Smale
t: 289-296-6223, 416-554-2637   e: info@planet3com.net