Roots Music Canada

Roots Music Canada

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 teaser to the upcoming all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof urban blues and roots festival.

Tony Quarrington and Brian Gladstone will perform as part of the preview.

Tony Quarrington and Brian Gladstone will perform as part of the preview.

Hosted by Lillian, artists will perform two sets in the round. Performers include Nova Scotian sisters Cassie and Maggie (who are now based in Toronto) putting their own 21st century stamp on the Celtic soundtrack of this nation; more trad Celtic magic from father-daughter duo Alana & Leigh Cline; new-on-the-scene, accordion-driven trio SHAKE The Bellows, who perform Celtic tunes, French waltzes, Cajun songs and more; Donné Roberts, who performs mainly in Malagasy, his mother tongue from his birthplace of Madagascar; dynamic blues harpist and guitarist Ken Yoshioka; and award-winning jazz singer, songwriter and recording artist Ori Dagan.

At 10 p.m., there’ll be a short guitar-focused set by the fabulous Brian Gladstone and Tony
Quarrington.  

Folks will also be able to purchase festival weekend wristbands for half price at only $10 at the event.

For more information and updates please visit www.winterfolk.com, www.acousticharvest.ca, or https://www.stpaulsscarborough.org/contact-find-us.

Winterfolk was formed by festival director Brian Gladstone to entertain and enlighten the community about various folk music styles, including roots, blues, folk and more. It is run as a division of The Association of Artists for a Better World, a registered non-profit organization in Ontario.

The festival is always looking for volunteers.  For eight hours of service over the Winterfolk weekend, volunteers receive access to all shows, an artist hospitality lounge and more! For more info and to sign up, visit https://www.winterfolk.com/apply-to-volunteer/

Preview at a glance:

7:50 p.m.: Introduction w/ Brian Gladstone
8:00-8:50 p.m.:  Set One: Cassie & Maggie | Alana & Leigh Cline | SHAKE The Bellows
20 mins intermission
9:10-10:00 p.m.:  Set Two: Donné Roberts | Ken Yoshioka | Ori Dagan
10:00-10:20 p.m.: Set Three: Brian Gladstone & Tony Quarrington

Cassie & Maggie www.cassieandmaggie.com
Donné Roberts https://www.donneroberts.com/
Ken Yoshioka https://www.reverbnation.com/kenyoshioka
Ori Dagan www.oridagan.com
Alana & Leigh Cline http://leighcline.com/alanaleigh.html
SHAKE The Bellows https://www.facebook.com/ShakeTheBellows
Brian Gladstone http://www.briangladstone.com/
Tony Quarrington http://tonyquarringtonsongs.com/