MAIN STAGE SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 5
Traditional Song Session
Hosted by famed singer and storyteller, Anita Best, this session features the singing of Tobias Pearson (NL), Gabrielle Bouthillier (QC, SERRE L'ECOUTE), and Common Ground performers Seamus Faye & Aiofe Murray (CAVAN CROWD) from Ireland. Tobias and his brother, Gerard, obtained a wealth of songs and ballads from a gifted singer, their mother, while growing up on Merasheen Island in Placentia Bay. Gabrielle is an accomplished singer and student of the Québécois, Acadian and Breton oral histories who delights in discovering traditional songs and presenting them in their purest form. Seamus was the first and Aiofe a recent All-Ireland Champion in the rare art of lilting.
Hosted by famed singer and storyteller, Anita Best, this session features the singing of Tobias Pearson (NL), Gabrielle Bouthillier (QC, SERRE L'ECOUTE), and Common Ground performers Seamus Faye & Aiofe Murray (CAVAN CROWD) from Ireland. Tobias and his brother, Gerard, obtained a wealth of songs and ballads from a gifted singer, their mother, while growing up on Merasheen Island in Placentia Bay. Gabrielle is an accomplished singer and student of the Québécois, Acadian and Breton oral histories who delights in discovering traditional songs and presenting them in their purest form. Seamus was the first and Aiofe a recent All-Ireland Champion in the rare art of lilting.
Harry Martin
Born and raised in Cartwright, Labrador, Harry Martin is a fourth generation Labradorian whose ancestry is a mixture of European settler and Labrador Inuit. He writes and sings songs that reflect the beauty of his beloved Labrador; its mountains, wild untamed rivers and the quiet places. Many of his compositions tell the stories of the pioneers and the old timers, and speak of the triumphs and tragedies of early life in Labrador that make it the cultural mosaic that it is today. Harry sees his songs and stories as an effective way to preserve the land and inform audiences of Labrador's history. Accompanying him are Richard Neville and Peter Hamel. (website)
Born and raised in Cartwright, Labrador, Harry Martin is a fourth generation Labradorian whose ancestry is a mixture of European settler and Labrador Inuit. He writes and sings songs that reflect the beauty of his beloved Labrador; its mountains, wild untamed rivers and the quiet places. Many of his compositions tell the stories of the pioneers and the old timers, and speak of the triumphs and tragedies of early life in Labrador that make it the cultural mosaic that it is today. Harry sees his songs and stories as an effective way to preserve the land and inform audiences of Labrador's history. Accompanying him are Richard Neville and Peter Hamel. (website)
Serre L'Ecoute
Gabrielle Bouthillier, Liette Remon and Robert Bouthillier (Gabrielle’s father) sing mostly songs coming from their own collections. They sing acappella most of the time, and when they add some polyphonic and/or instrumental colors, they are careful to do so without distorting the original spirit of their material. SERRE L'ECOUTE has performed at major Sea Shanty Festivals in Mystic Seaport, CT; Paimpol, France; Workum, Netherlands; Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Québec; and Chicago, IL. Chansons des bords du Saint-Laurent (2002), Serre l’Écoute’s first album, is a fine collection of maritime songs from the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Fortunes et perditions (2005), their latest CD, casts an eye on the many turmoils of human destiny. (website)
Gabrielle Bouthillier, Liette Remon and Robert Bouthillier (Gabrielle’s father) sing mostly songs coming from their own collections. They sing acappella most of the time, and when they add some polyphonic and/or instrumental colors, they are careful to do so without distorting the original spirit of their material. SERRE L'ECOUTE has performed at major Sea Shanty Festivals in Mystic Seaport, CT; Paimpol, France; Workum, Netherlands; Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Québec; and Chicago, IL. Chansons des bords du Saint-Laurent (2002), Serre l’Écoute’s first album, is a fine collection of maritime songs from the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Fortunes et perditions (2005), their latest CD, casts an eye on the many turmoils of human destiny. (website)
Ron Hynes Tribute
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to folk music and the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, the St. John's Folk Arts Council is very proud to present Ron Hynes with a Lifetime Achievement Award. (Citation here). Performances will include those by Ron Hynes, Jenny Gear & Sandy Morris, Larry Foley, Vicky Hynes, Jean Hewson & Christina Smith.
(Ron's website)
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to folk music and the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, the St. John's Folk Arts Council is very proud to present Ron Hynes with a Lifetime Achievement Award. (Citation here). Performances will include those by Ron Hynes, Jenny Gear & Sandy Morris, Larry Foley, Vicky Hynes, Jean Hewson & Christina Smith. (Ron's website)
Nancy Kerr & James Fagan
Recipients of the 2003 BBC Radio Folk Award for best duo and part of this year's Common Ground, Nancy and James combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and an energetic stage presence. Nancy’s earthy and exquisite fiddle and viola playing dances with the striking rhythmic texture of James’s guitar-bouzouki, while their rich singing both as soloists and in harmony evokes the stories of the songs they choose and write. (website)
Recipients of the 2003 BBC Radio Folk Award for best duo and part of this year's Common Ground, Nancy and James combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and an energetic stage presence. Nancy’s earthy and exquisite fiddle and viola playing dances with the striking rhythmic texture of James’s guitar-bouzouki, while their rich singing both as soloists and in harmony evokes the stories of the songs they choose and write. (website)
Tickle Harbour
Since its inception in the 1970s, TICKLE HARBOUR has always provided great musicianship, the best in traditional songs and tunes and an onstage presence that can best be described as fun in overdrive. From the luminaries who have played with the band over the years, Don Walsh,
Gerry Strong,
Des Walsh,
Rick Hiscott,
Seamus Creagh,
Rob Murphy,
Vonnie Barron.
Paddy Mackey,
Fergus O'Byrne,
Francesca Swann and
Angela Pickett reunite for what is guaranteed to be a most memorable session. (website)
Since its inception in the 1970s, TICKLE HARBOUR has always provided great musicianship, the best in traditional songs and tunes and an onstage presence that can best be described as fun in overdrive. From the luminaries who have played with the band over the years, Don Walsh,
Gerry Strong,
Des Walsh,
Rick Hiscott,
Seamus Creagh,
Rob Murphy,
Vonnie Barron.
Paddy Mackey,
Fergus O'Byrne,
Francesca Swann and
Angela Pickett reunite for what is guaranteed to be a most memorable session. (website)
MOPAYA Music is unique unto itself and has been a force on the province's scene since 2002, drawing from Angolan, Congalese and Newfoundland musical cultures. Comprised of
Anna Loksa,
Alix Maboussou,
Curtis Andrews,
Craig Millet,
Aneirin Thomas,
Luke Power and led by veteran Jeik Kalunga Loksa, their
original music touches upon all aspects of human feeling. An irresistible African groove, rich vocal stylings and melodies that will never leave your head characterize this wonderful band. With their CD, Sango Yango, and a new one in the works, the rest of Canada and the
world have something good coming their way. It's even better to see MOPAYA live. Their high energy, hip-shaking performances challenge everyone within earshot to get up and dance! (website)