REGINA FOLK FESTIVAL PRESENTS WINTERRUPTION 2017 WE WILL RETURN TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED WINTER IN JUST A MOMENT Win-ter-rup-tion /ˈwin(t)ər’rəpSH(ə)n/ 1. 40+ artists, 17 groups, 6 musical shows, 1 live podcast, 3 venues 2. stop the continuous progress of the coldest season of the year 3. a frosty good time We are pleased to bring Winterruption back for a second year. As part of the 2017 RFF Concert Series and with a taste of the summer Festival itself, we at the RFF have partnered with The Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon to present 3 wonderful days of musical warmth on some of the coldest days of the year. On Jan. 19, 20, & 21 Regina will get a whole lot cooler thanks to Winterruption. Our first year was a success with every show selling out, so we've upped the ante! This year, there will be 3 more events and 10 more artistic groups as part of the mini-festival.
The 2017 Winterruption Lineup Elliott Brood .. Said the Whale .. Connie Kaldor .. Rosie & The Riveters .. Danny Michel Begonia .. Northcote .. Heather Bishop .. Quique Escamilla .. Wiliam Prince IsKwé .. The Garrys .. Annette ..Danny Olliver .. Mohsin Zaman Plus! A live recording of Podcast "Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids" and a children's matinee with Fred Penner!
Info: 757-0308 or www.reginafolkfestival.com
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOVEMBER 1ST! Tickets can be purchased online at REGINAFOLKFESTIVAL.COM or by phone at 1-866-943-8849
2017 WINTERRUPTION ARTISTS’ BIOS Elliott Brood elliottbrood.ca Elliott Brood have always been time travellers. The Toronto trio writes songs steeped in history that feel very present. They've done their share of actual travelling, too, these musical troubadours, acoustic guitars and banjos slung over their sharp suits as they barnstormed across Canada and beyond. For the new album Days Into Years it was century-old stories encountered an ocean away that brought them closest to home.
Said the Whale saidthewhale.com Vancouver's Said The Whale has been on a steady upward trajectory for the past six years, as relentless touring and a prolific string of releases have led to successes including a JUNO Award in 2011 for New Group of the Year and nationally charting singles. In 2013, the tireless five-piece - which includes dual songwriters Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester, drummer Spencer Schoening, keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown and bassist Nathan Shaw - continued to break down doors by releasing its most adventurous and hook-filled batch of songs yet.
Connie Kaldor conniekaldor.com "Just when you think you've got it all figured out, something roars in and it turns you about." Connie Kaldor writes this and more about the unexpected twists and turns of life and love. She could well be writing about her personal artistic complexities. Music pundits have tried to define the essence of the prairie-born acoustic performer for over two decades, but even the most eloquent have fallen short of perfection. Fact is, Connie Kaldor is a performer without borders. A contradiction in terms. She is a Juno Award-winning singer who has flourished on the folk music scene for over two decades, yet her repertoire of original material blurs musical boundaries, embracing elements of gospel, rock, country and western, folk, blue grass and adult contemporary.
Rosie & the Riveters rosieandtheriveters.com Rosie & the Riveters are four fiercely talented and sassy dames from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who perform uplifting folk music with a vintage 1940s flair. Their original songs feature sophisticated harmonies, body percussion, scintillating dance moves, humour and just enough ooh-la-la to charm your socks off! Along with whoops, hollers, and mile-wide smiles, they create a sound and sight that is lighthearted and captivating for all music lovers.
Danny Michel dannymichel.com With nominations for three JUNOs, the Polaris Prize, The CBC "Heart Of Gold" and a pile of albums under his belt, Danny Michel is unquestionably one of Canada’s finest songwriters. His thoughtful lyrics & earnest performances have earned him a devoted fan base. He is a musical chameleon, able to slip into many genres with ease and is celebrated as an adventurous & fearless artist. He is a master at striking the right balance between unpredictability and meeting expectations, leaving you wanting more as soon as it’s over. Past critics have praised Danny’s lyrics for having “something to say" without coming off preachy. Topics range from the environment (“Feather, Fur & Fin") to big questions ("If Gods' on your side, then who's on mine"). At the moment Danny is sitting in front of a blank canvas contemplating where his next album is going to take him. It could go anywhere from here. Knowing Danny, wherever it goes – it will be an adventure.
Begonia hellobegonia.com On one end of the spectrum there are varieties of the begonia which can be dark, grievous and rough around the edges. And on the other end it is a petite and elegant flower. In between, the plant attempts to harmonize its two poles, forming an array of varieties that each borrow from the delicate and the unseemly. It is in this same vein that Begonia (Alexa Dirks) finds herself, trying to find a balance. Known for her voice in the Juno Award winning Chic Gamine, Dirks has a timbre that both recalls the golden age of soul and is proud and courageous.
Northcote northcotemusic.com Matt Goud (aka Northcote) may take you by surprise when he steps up to the mic. Though the soft-spoken Goud is known by friends and family as a gentle giant, he infuses his original songs with a uniquely powerful and confident voice. Born and raised in small-town Saskatchewan, his early exposure to music was a mix of traditional country on AM radio and the hymns he learned at his childhood church. However, it wasn't until he discovered punk and hardcore music that he realized music’s healing and therapeutic power. Over the past 10 years, few young musicians in Canada have put on as many miles as he has touring as a member of a post-hardcore band and more recently transitioning into life on the road as a singer/songwriter with accompaniment by an ever-rotating slew of guests and friend musicians.
Heather Bishop heatherbishop.com Heather Bishop is an accomplished musician/singer-songwriter, social activist, keynote speaker, visual artist, published author, and tradeswoman. Her country would concur – Heather has been awarded the Order of Canada (2005), the Order of Manitoba (2001), and an Honourary Doctorate of Laws (2011). She is best known around the world as a talented and respected musician, having released 14 acclaimed folk and children’s albums, winning JUNO nominations, Parents’ Choice Gold Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, and NAPPA Awards. Heather Bishop has always lived her belief that when she gives voice to the truth in her own life, it strikes a chord in other people’s lives as well. She is dedicated to an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just world.
Quique Escamilla quiqueescamilla.com Quique Escamilla was born and raised in the warm, tropical southern lands of the state of Chiapas, Mexico. He breaks down language barriers through his powerful voice and passionate delivery while fusing traditional Mexican styles of music such as ranchera and huapango with modern flavours of rock, reggae, ska, pop, jazz, cumbia, bolero, and more Latin American rhythms; accompanied with powerful lyrics and messages inspired by and to support various social and political issues such as human and civil rights, immigration reform, global conservation, anti-racism and Indigenous rights.
William Prince williamprincemusic.com William Prince is a storytelling singer/songwriter from Peguis First Nation who sidesteps clichés to provoke thought and facilitate discovery. His baritone vocals pay tribute to his late father and his genuine delivery acknowledges the hundreds of hours he’s spent on stage. Steadily receiving acclamations, Prince just came back from the Western Canadian Music Awards nominations where he landed nods for Roots Artist of the Year and Aboriginal Artist of the Year for his debut album, Earthly Days.
IsKwé iskwe.com
The name IsKwé means ‘woman’ in her native language. Her music weaves her Irish and Cree/Dene roots with hip hop break-beats, left-field R&B and traces of piano pop. She has been called “one to watch” and we couldn’t agree more. This Winnipeg-bred, Toronto-based artist uses her platform to talk about her struggle to fit into/break away from Western archetypes. She carves out her own musical identity, bridging modern and cultural influences while challenging the current mold.
The Garrys thegarrys.bandcamp.com The Garrys are a trio of sisters from Saskatoon who play chilled out, prairie garage doom-wop. Their harmonies are dreamy and precise, and their instrumentation stays true to the likes of Dick Dale and early Beatles. If Ed Sullivan went on a date with the Spice Girls, they would eat ice cream sandwiches and dance to the Garrys. Like father, like daughter(s).
Annette annettemusic.ca Folk/rock singer-songwriter Annette has the ability to slip through the keyhole of life to gather up, heart in hand, music and lyrics that touch the soul and jump start the heart. She’s been part of the music scene for over twenty-five years, having worked with groups her brothers and sisters in Folle Avoine and Hart Rouge before embarking on a solo career. Her work with Hart Rouge spans more than ten years and includes six albums, several radio hits and tours across Canada, Europe and the United States. She delivers a mix of contemporary folk, melodic pop and acoustic rock with a sweet and soulful voice.
Danny Olliver dannyolliver.com Danny Olliver, a singer/songwriter from Regina, got his start on a three string Yamaha he discovered in the back alley near his home. A fast learner, he quickly added three more strings, and transitioned into writing his own music. Inspired by guitarists like Don Ross, Antoine Dufour, and Andy Mckee, Danny began writing primarily acoustic pieces. His beginnings as a fingerstyle guitarist gave him a unique edge when he added vocals to his first stage performances in 2008. His music tells a story, both in instrumental melody and in the lyrics. Complex acoustic guitar accompanies a smooth, pure voice that seems to effortlessly reach falsetto or soar into crescendo at all the right times.
Mohsin Zaman mohsinzaman.bandcamp.com Recently awarded with "Male Artist of The Year 2016" at the Edmonton Music Awards, Mohsin Zaman is an old hand at being a new comer. Carrying Pakistani roots and an upbringing in the Middle East, Zaman has created a buzz in the Alberta music scene in the year and half that he's given music "a serious" go. With two albums (Waking Up-2105, and Fly Home- 2016), Zaman has performed at The Edmonton Folk Festival (2015, 2016), North Country Fair (2015, 2016), Canmore Folk Festival (2016) and Bear Creek Folk Festival (2016) to name a few. Zaman is quickly being recognised as one Alberta’s best new voices, carrying a sound that has been described as "unique & unheard of".
Fred Penner fredpenner.com At a recent keynote address to an early childhood education conference, acclaimed family entertainer, singer / songwriter, composer, actor, writer, author, TV host and keynote speaker Fred Penner delivered a simple, yet powerful message. "Never underestimate your ability to make a difference in the life of a child." A gentle giant with kind eyes and an undeniable ability to make you feel good about yourself, this musical master brings 25 years of commitment, consistency and depth to a career that skillfully blends the many genres of performing and communication. Dubbed "Mr. Multi-Media" by Billboard Magazine, his diverse repertoire includes 12 Children's Albums, countless live shows across North America. He has, without a doubt, established himself as a fundamental part of the North American family entertainment scene. A humanitarian always conscious of the "delicate balance required to create a positive influence that fosters healthy self-esteem in the life of a child", his work is infused with a steadfast commitment to communicating with children and families in a clear, non-condescending way. "More than just fun", this multi-talented artist has the wisdom and humility to know that the importance and the meaning of what he does can reach deeply into the lives of others.
Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids grownupsreadthingstheywroteaskids.com Do you have anything you wrote as a kid? Since 2007, brave adults across Canada have shared their own weird and wonderful childhood and teenage writing at Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids, a live, onstage storytelling event. The show’s primary goal is to entertain. But beyond that, the aim is to invite everyone — readers, live audience members, and radio/podcast listeners — to reflect on their own lives, to connect with who they used to be, and to draw a line that connects the past and the present. Embarrassing, moving, and hilarious, these readings are powerful reminders of who we used to be. They’re compelling stories, at once deeply personal, yet surprisingly universal.
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