The 2017 line up included Garnet Rogers, Coco Love Alcorn, The Ragged Flowers and Scott Merritt. All four shows Sold Out.
January 21, 2017
Garnet Rogers [SOLD OUT]
Canadian singer-song writer Garnet Rogers is a seasoned troubadour, touching down with us for a night this winter.
Fourteen albums into his career, he still takes time to care about the little guy (he’s asked us to arrange donations for the local food bank, don’t forget to bring something!).
Celebrated both for his nimble guitar work (he brings a small van-full) and his warm baritone, Garnet Rogers is also a raconteur and a wit.
He will also be touring with his new book, Night Drive Home, published in 2016, which deals with his early days of touring with his brother (the late and much-lamented Stan Rogers). His book, clocking in at 735 pages, is full of stories about “every stupid, inexplicable and bizarre thing that could happen to a pair of young idiots who were naive enough to think they could play folk music for a living back in the mid-70s and early 80s.”
February 25, 2017
Coco Love Alcorn [SOLD OUT]
Alcorn is a bluesy, big-voiced singer, at ease with both choral groups and vocal loops. She sings protest songs, love songs, songs about bicycles.
With a sultry voice that shades between Sade and Nina Simone, Alcorn will deliver an evening of warm and upbeat song on February 25th.
Opening for Coco Love Alcorn will be Chris MacLean, a charming Wakefield singer-songwriter. Rhythm & Song members will recall singing her lullaby, “Close Your Eyes”, last year.
March 25, 2017
The Ragged Flowers [SOLD OUT]
Almonte’s own crazy flower children are in a new incarnation with George Birchall, who’s joining the bands original members – Ian Douglas, Steve Reside, Rob Riendeau, and Nathan Sloniowski. Rob and Nathan were instrumental in founding Folkus (Rob even provided the kitchen table for meetings), and we are pleased and proud to able to present them as a highlight of the series.
The Ragged Flowers describe themselves as a poly-rhythmic, neo-psychedelic folk-rock outfit. CBC’s Sook-Yin Lee describes them as a “60s go-go bonanza!” Take your pick. With two studio albums and one live album under their belts, this show is a new-tune testing ground before the band goes back into the studio.
Opening for the Ragged Flowers will be Almonte expat Claire Hunter, who is working on her music career in Toronto these days. She has released her first EP and is playing regularly in Southern Ontario. Although always a delightful singer and player, it will be interesting to see the polish she’s picked up from her big-city gigs.
April 22, 2017
Scott Merritt [SOLD OUT]
Our final show of the season, April 22, closes another circle. Scott Merritt actually produced a number of Garnet Rogers’ albums, including the most recent (indeed, he has produced many beloved albums over the years, having worked with Fearing and White, Fred Eaglesmith, Kevin Breit, Tannis Slimmon, Matt Anderson, Mike Stevens, and Ian Tamblyn).
Scott has recently started touring with his own material again, and we are thrilled that he was willing to join us on our stage. His own compositions are thoughtful and delicate. His guitar work is nimble without being egotistical, and his lyrics are well served by his slightly husky voice.
Opening for Merritt is Shawville native Ursula Schultz. Steeped in the traditional Ottawa Valley fiddle tradition, Schultz brings her own spin on traditional tunes and a few original compositions. Schultz has grown up playing at fairs and fiddling competions around the Valley, but is also active in Bitterly Healed, an indie band.
Folkus Concert Series 