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 off at Black Swan at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17. Another local festival veteran, Peter Verity, also returns and is joined by several other area talents mixed in with big-name Folk and Blues acts from across Canada and beyond.

Funk/Dance/Pop recording artist Julian Taylor, Folk balladeer Steve Raiken, Blues-Roots composer Pete Otis and Roots-Pop songwriter “Harpin’ Norm” Lucien, all East York residents, also take part.

Lucien is actually holding the release party for his latest album, The World’s Strongest Man, at Terri O’s bar (185 Danforth Ave.) as part of the festival at 7 p.m. on Sat. Feb. 18.
For full festival schedule visit www.winterfolk.com.