* Haliburton County Folk Society Events

House Concerts Rock!

Richie Stearns and Rose Newton

Date: February 14

Time 7:30pm

Ah, how we all love the house concert. Our next one features Richie Stearns & Rosie Newton on February 14. There is no finer pairing than the banjo and fiddle in the world of Old Time and Appalachian Folk Music. Whether it is played today or heard in recordings of days gone by, the banjo and fiddle belong together and form the very heart of traditional, acoustic music as created on this side of the Atlantic in the south.

These two fine players both hail from New York State and have been creating music with other accomplished, traditional players such as The Horseflies (Richie) and The Pearly Snaps (Rosie) and are now together playing as this incredible duo. Their sparse and unsullied approach to their music creates a sound that pulls the listener in to an intimate realm that is lilting, driving, urgent and soothing all at the same time. Richie’s use of syncopation and rhythm creates musical tension and release that is complimented by Rosie’s flawless fiddling that is pure and sweet one moment and raw and stinging the next.

Anyone who hears these two will feel the strength of the music as alive and breathing right now while honouring all of the fiddle and banjo players who have gone before and those who will come after. I had the good fortune of meeting Richie Stearns in July of 2012 after seeing him perform with several bands at The Grassroots Festival outside of Ithaca, NY and have seen live footage of Rosie Newton playing and am delighted that The Haliburton Folk Society is bringing them to the Highlands.

This house concert will be a unique opportunity for those who attend to be moved and transported to a time and space before technology and modernism….to a time and space of wire and wood and sound. Don’t miss Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton.

Date: February 16

Time 8:30pm

Ken Whiteley is coming back to the Highlands. Last year fans and musicians got to see him at the Winter Folk camp, where he was a big hit. This time Whiteley will be appearing at the Dominion Hotel in Minden on February 16th as part of the ongoing Canadian Blues Legends series. Joining Ken will be Ben Whiteley on bass and Jesse Whiteley at the keyboard. As an added bonus Ken is bringing those scintillating singing sisters, Amoy and Ciceal Levy.                
For those not familiar with Ken Whiteley he’s a prolific songwriter, a gifted and versatile instrumentalist and a powerful singer. Ken is also an award winning producer whose productions have garnered 10 Canadian Gold and Platinum records, 4 American Gold records, as well as 22 Juno and 2 Grammy nominations. The albums which Ken has produced have sold over 8 million copies.

Ken Whiteley’s gig at the Dominion promises to be a great show with a healthy mix of Blues, Roots and Gospel. There will be two long sets featuring a full sound and a range of vocal and instrumental harmonics, which will include many originals from the Canadian music legend.

It’s the perfect opportunity to extend Valentine’s by taking your sweetie out on the town for a great evening of entertainment.

Date: February 16

Time 8:00 pm

Les Stroud is best known worldwide as the writer and star of the “Survivorman” TV series on Discovery channel and many others. He is also a touring storyteller, singer-songwriter, acoustic guitarist, and world-revered harmonica player, in the “folk-roots to contemporary art-rock styles”,

• The Folk Society has just received news that we have been awarded a grant of $8000 from the Canada Arts Presentation Fund  which allow us to continue to bring great performers to the Highlands in 2013-2014.
•  A couple of our committee members are attending the Folk Alliance International Conference at the end of February to shop for performers.
• We are also sending one of our members to attend a marketing and audience development workshop offered by CCI – Ontario Presenting Network, in collaboration with the Department of Heritage
• CDs of local musicians and concert tickets are being sold on-line atMadeinHaliburton  including our 2012-13 Concert Series tickets
• We have had a great response to our recording subsidy with 18 musicians pitting down tracks.
• We are blessed to have two local radio stations. Thanks to both for promoting folk and roots music. Special thanks to Canoe FM for interviewing performers who are coming to town ad playing their tunes in advance of the concert.
• Money Back Guarantee  - if you are disappointed with one of our concerts we will return your money!