The Winterfolk XII Blues & Roots Festival returns to Toronto next month. The festival was created 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.
Brian is himself a well-known folk artist. He has been as been involved in the Canadian roots music scene for almost thirty-five years as an artist, producer, festival director, and activist. Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian about the festival and some of the highlights he is looking forward to this year.
Noting this is the festival’s 12th year, Brian shared with me Winterfolk has certainly grown in size. Its “original mission, however, has stayed the same. Our mission has always been to present folk music and involve the community. Blues and folk music goes back a long time in Southern Ontario.” As Brian explained, the festival team has made the effort to include more contemporary music and artists.
Also, the festival is theme driven, which varies from year to year. Once the themes are established, Brian explained, “we know about 70% of the artitsts we want to have in the festival… We want artists who are making a buzz. The rest of the line up will come from open auditions that we hold, and may include both up-and-coming as well as established artists. The calibre of artists is important.”
The themes this year include, what’s contemporary [in folk music]?; the history and heritage of the roots scene in Toronto; and tributes to artists whose work is important to the scene locally and abroad.
In terms of highlights, Brian also suggested the following key events:
Where Have All the Folk Songs Gone?
This is an audience sing-a-long hosted by Sue and Dwight. Not to worry though, as song sheets are provided.
The Spirit of Yorkville
Presented by The Spirit Of Yorkville, the show will feature some of the iconic talents from the area’s halcyon era in the 60s and early 70s, when it was home to some of the most cherished and memorable music ever to arise from the city. As Brian put it, this event is about “remembering the roots and heritage” of the scene in our city.
This One’s the Dreamer – Remembering Rick Fielding
Rick Fielding was a beloved performer and teacher, who mentored many in today’s roots community. He passed away 10 years ago, and it seems fitting the festival put together a tribute to in his honour.
Honouring Our Own CelebratesTony Quarrington
Veteran musician Tony Quarrington has been a thriving presence on the Toronto music scene for more than 40 years.
Brian also wanted to highlight that the spirit of community is also key. The festival has a small core staff, and it’s mainly run by volunteers. This also allows for it to be more of a community event. The festival is always looking for volunteers. Returning volunteers are vital, but engaging more people is also important. If you are interested in volunteering for Winterfolk, I suggest you visit their Volunteer Page for more information.
The festival will take place from February 14-16. A variety of music styles will fill five stages in various venues at Broadview and Danforth in Toronto, where the festival will present four paid events plus many free concerts, community stages and workshops.
Winterfolk will bring roots and blues luminaries such as 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 Ginger St. James, Grainne, Random Order and Maneli Jamal will perform along with many other fresh and familiar faces. The full line up and schedule is now online at winterfolk.com.
