What’s New at Winterfolk
This page depicts the history of Winterfolk going back to 2012. Very interesting how the festival has changed and adapted over the years.


What’s New at Winterfolk
Mr. Rick
Mr. Rick was one of the featured performers in "The Harry Smith Anthology, tribute to American Folk Music" Singer, guitarist, and player of old time Roots Americana, Mr. Rick (aka Rick Zolkower) was born in post war Detroit. Rick learned his craft by watching,...
Bywater
Winner, 2018 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search the TD Toronto Jazz Festival Winner, 2017 Merriam Emerging Artist at the TD Oakville Songs of Summer Winner of the 2018 Toronto Blues Society Talent search at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Bywater Blues debuted...
Tragedy Ann
Winner, Songs from the Heart 2018 (Blues Category) Winner, Songs from the Heart 2018 (Humorous Category) New Full Length, "Matches", released September 2018 The award-winning music of Guelph folk duo Tragedy Ann inspires chills,...
Brian Blain
Slow-cooked, solid-groove folk blues - soulful, thoughtful and always entertaining. His highly original blues-based repertoire earned him the coveted Porcupine "Golden Quill" Award in 2005 Brian Blain, a mainstay of the Toronto blues scene since the early 90s,...
Cassie and Maggie
2018 JUNO nominees, Nova Scotian sisters Cassie and Maggie have been lighting up the world with their blend of traditional and original Celtic roots music. 2018 JUNO nominees for Root/Trad album of the Year. 2017 Winners of Roots/Trad album of the Year at the...
Moscow Apartment
Winner, Slaight Music It's Your Shot Competition, 2018, Canadian Songwriting Competition (Under 18) Winner, Best Young Songwriter Independent Music Awards, 2017, Winner, Best Young Songwriter Canadian Folk Music Award 2017 Winners of a Canadian Folk Music Award, a...
Donné Roberts
2 Time Juno Award Winner New CD Released in November 2018 Donné Roberts' music make winter feels like summer. The rhythm will make you dance and the melodies will make you sing along. The music is mainly in Malagasy the language of Madagascar. Website...
Dan McKinnon
2017 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Winner 2017 Amy Louie Grossman's Scholarship Winner Toronto-based blues/rock guitarist Dan McKinnon has been working hard to establish himself as a Canadian Blues artist on the rise. Following the success of his debut...
Howard Gladstone
Toronto singer-songwriter Howard Gladstone released Hourglass—his fifth album of original contemporary folk/roots music in the U.S.A. on June 15, 2018 Howard Gladstone shares emotion and meaning in his songwriting and performance, exercising both sides of his brain,...
Margaret Stowe
Guitarist Margaret Stowe will appear at Winterfolk! Guitarist Margaret Stowe has been playing jazz, jazz-blues and other styles for several decades, performing and recording with a variety of Canadian and international artists. During her career, she has performed...
Noah Zacharin
Guitar Master, Writer of Deeply-felt, Literate Songs, and Dynamic Performer Noah Zacharin is an acknowledged guitar master, writer of literate and deeply-felt songs, and dynamic and ever-evolving performer. He has released eight CD's of original music, all of which...
The Lifers
Nominee, Canadian Folk Music Awards: Emerging Artist of the Year, 2018 The Lifers, led by sisters Liv and Anita Cazzola, are an art-folk/rock collective from Guelph, Ontario. Their intertwined voices dynamically convey vulnerability and strength, confronting the...
Evaristo Machado
Evaristo: Cuban Trovador Evaristo is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. His CD, "Siempre Que Llueve… (After the Rain)" is available on iTunes, and features some of Toronto’s best Canadian and Cuban musicians. Born in Havana, Evaristo now makes...
D’Arcy Wickham
With a career spanning over 4 decades and with credits that include ...guitarist for the Ian Thomas Band , Polydor Recording and touring Artist, award winning songwriter D'Arcy Wickham looks forward to the release of his 3rd CD 'Signal Hill' which is all instrumental...
Wayne Neon
Wayne Neon is the illegitimate love child of Bob Dylan and Duke Ellington. Memorable melodies, clever lyrics, rich voices, and solid rhythms are his hang-ups. His laser focused folk, jazz, blues, rock, skiffle, country, mariachi, English Beat, Motown, Dixieland, Honky...
Black Suit Devil
Black Suit Devil Singer/Songwriter Andy Du Rego took his years of experience in the Blues & Rock scenes as a guitarist and has fused it with his life experiences to breathe life into the Black Suit Devil project. An ever-evolving project best described currently...
Glen Hornblast
Glen Hornblast is a well-known Toronto singer-songwriter whose music is an intoxicating blend of folk, country, blues and jazz. His latest CD “Once In A Blue Moon” has been very well-received and has garnered great reviews and radio play around the world. He describes...
Sebastian Agnello
Seb is a protest singer. Scathing, hilarious, politically incorrect and always entertaining. Seb is a protest singer. Scathing, hilarious, politically incorrect and always entertaining. Seb can turn the largest venue...
Winterfolk Preview & Birthday Bash Dec 8
The 17th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, taking place in Toronto February 22-24, 2019, 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.
Norm Lucien
Harpin’ Norm Lucien walked into a kitchen jam in a pub in downtown Toronto, joined in on harmonica and quickly found himself in the embrace of the Toronto music community! Gradually playing just about every style backing just...
Winterfolk XVII Preview & Benefit Dec 8, 2018
Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Presents Winterfolk XVII Preview & Benefit WHO: David Storey, & The Side Road Scholars, HOTCHA!,Chloe Watkinson, Tony Quarrington, Brian Gladstone, and Glen Hornblast Band WHAT: Winterfolk...
Join the Winterfolk Team
We welcome your application. Join with other members of the community to help us make a difference. Though our annual showcase event is the Winterfolk festival in February, our work is ongoing. We appreciate the help of good volunteers year round. If you have any...
Brampton Folk Club
The Brampton Folk Club holds monthly song circles on the 1st Monday of every month, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Bring your instrument! We also present two concert series, hosts open mics and participate in a variety of community events. This is the 4th year we have been...
Get a Winterfolk Gig!
How to play at Winterfolk. What we look for in artists and more exciting artist opportunities.
Opportunity Available – Winterfolk XVIII Publicist
Accepting Applications Now The 18th annual Winterfolk festival will take place on February 21, 22, 23, 2020. Below is a job description for the position of publicist. You would be working directly with the Festival Director, Brian Gladstone, and in cooperation with...
Casa 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...
WINTERFOLK 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...
Winterfolk 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...
WINTERFOLK XVI ANNOUNCES FULL LINEUP – FEBRUARY 16-18, 2018
Reprinted from Spill Magazine - 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...
WINTERFOLK 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...
Jessica Wedden
Jessica Wedden is a 15 year old fiddler, trick fiddler, step dancer, composer and 2016 Canadian Folk Music Award nominee with an upbeat Celtic and East Coast repertoire, who thoroughly enjoys any opportunity to share her music. Nominated for...
Sabrina Soares
Girl-next-door with swag. Nerd-cool. Guitar prodigy with heart. Debut EP 'Plan A', Released 2016. "Best Vocalist" Winner at Emergenza Band Competition Grand Finals, 2014. Top-10 Finalist in the...
Steve Raiken
Steve Raiken is a highly regarded singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist. Acclaimed singer/songwriter and guitarist with signficant radio airplay of 2010 CD. Steve Raiken has been playing guitar and singing for nearly...
Ori Dagan
Toronto jazz singer-songwriter Ori Dagan takes jazz to exciting new places. Critically Acclaimed New Album: "Nathaniel: A Tribute to Nat King Cole" (2017). Winner, "Best Album" Silver Medal at the Global Music Awards...
It’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...
Get 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 Volunteer Meet Up Saturday Jan 20, 2018
More Info Do you want to know more about volunteering at Winterfolk? Would you like to meet other volunteers? Do you have past experiences you'd like to share with others? This is an informational gathering for anyone who is thinking about volunteering at the festival...
Anne Lederman
Fiddler, singer, composer, storyteller, multi-instrumentalist, Anne is known for her explorations into Canadian/World traditions, and for bringing them to life through tune, song and story. Winner: Estelle Klein Award, FMO...
Acoustic 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:...
Ken Whiteley
Highly acclaimed Canadian folk, blues and gospel veteran, multi-instrumentalist, powerful vocalist, versatile songwriter. New cd, "Freedom Blues" released 2016 (Ken's 30th recording as an artist). Popular Sunday...
FYI 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,...
Mose Scarlett
Mose Scarlett is a Borealis Records recording artist. A forty year veteran on the Canadian music scene, Mose Scarlett is a Borealis Records recording artist....
Mike McKenna
Toronto born Mike McKenna is a blues guitar player who in has played with Luke & the Apostles, Downchild, MeKenna Mendelson Mainline, and more. Opened for Jefferson Airplane & Grateful Dead. Toronto born Mike McKenna is a blues guitar player...
Winterfolk Preview Show Jan 21 at Hugh’s Room Live
Winterfolk XVI Blues & Roots Festival and Acoustic Harvest Present… Dirty Dishes will be performing at the Winterfolk XVI preview at Hugh’s Room Live on January 21, 2018 Winterfolk XVI Preview SUNDAY, JANUARY 21ST Doors 6:00 pm | Music 7:30...
Winterfolk Volunteer Meetup Jan 6, 2018
More Info Do you want to know more about volunteering at Winterfolk? Would you like to meet other volunteers? Do you have past experiences you'd like to share with others? This is an informational gathering for anyone who is thinking about volunteering at the festival...
SPEAK Music Presents
This year’s SPEAK Music showcase is hosted by Beverly Kreller with Howard Druckman, as they feature emerging artists TBA. Host of The infamous Groovy Mondays that ran for 8-years Presenting and promoting all genres of...
HOTCHA!
Award-winning, high-energy hillbilly swing duo blends old-time Western, bluegrass, early swing and country gospel delivered with the energy of a runaway train. Soaring vocals, lively accordion, gritty guitar, wailing harmonica and big-beat bodhran....
Al Lerman
A 40+ year veteran of the Canadian blues scene and one of the top harmonica players in the country, Al is a an engaging and skilled performer whose often humorous anecdotes are interspersed between great blues numbers. Nominated in 2016 for...