Events + Shows Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Guelph Celtic Orchestra – St Patrick’s Day Extravaganza

Feb 23 2019

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra will hold its annual St. Patrick’s extravaganza at The Royal Canadian Legion in Guelph on Saturday March 16 at 7 p.m. This year’s performance will feature the orchestra, directed by Fiona McCairley, with champion step dancers, and special guests The Guelph Pipe Band and singer Grace Laceby. Later, there will be a ceilidh dance, for all ages, lead by caller Maureen Mulvey O’Leary. Tickets are $20 advance ($25 at the door), $12 (children aged 6-16) and are available online via the website at guelphceltic.ca and in person at Janus Books, 10 Paisley St., Guelph (cash only).

Hillside Inside 2015

Jan 22 2016

The winter version of the Hillside Festival, Hillside Inside is just about here. It runs from January 29 – 31 at a variety of venues in downtown Guelph. As usual the festival features some great community activities alongside some fabulous musical performances. Artists performing at this year’s festival include Basia Bulat, Casey Mecjia (from indie faves Ohbijou), Dakhabrakha, The Strumbellas, The Elwins, Geoff Berner and the Grand River Ramblers. Anna and Jane McGarrigle, sisters to Kate McGarrigle and aunts of Rufus and Martha Wainwright, will also be reading from their family memoir Mountain City Girls in the afternoon of Saturday, January 30 in the gorgeous sanctuary of St. George’s Church. A Q & A will follow. There’s also a Sunday Gospel Session, youth showcase and the winter festival favourite, Girls and Guitars – taking place in six downtown storefronts (cafes, stores, and a gallery), showcasing six female singer-songwriters for half-hour shows that you can take in on the street or in the store. Individual show tickets and weekend passes are available online or at The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec Street, downtown Guelph. Buy tickets online HERE. Check out hillsidefestival.ca for all performance and community event details.

10 String Symphony – January 31

Jan 22 2016

Nashville duo 10 String Symphony is a collaboration between Rachel Baiman and Christian Sedelmyer, two 5-string fiddle players and veteran side players on the Nashville music scene. Rachel is a former Illinois state fiddle champion in the old time tradition. Clasically trained Christian is a touring member of the Jerry Douglas Band and previously played in rock bands. 10 String Symphony are already building a great reputation for their live shows and their 2015 album “Weight Of The World” has garnered excellent reviews and wide audience support. They’re in Guelph for Home Routes Guelph house concert on Sunday January 31 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:15 p.m.).

Tickets: $20 per person, $10 for students, free for kids under 12, bring some friends and get 6 tickets for $100. As house concerts take place in people’s homes, for privacy reasons, we are unable to share information about the venue and presenter. To contact the presenter visit homeroutes.ca/concerts/guelph or contact us directly and we’ll share their e-mail. For information on other Home Routes venues and regional touring artists, visit homeroutes.ca.

Twelfth Night – January 9

Dec 13 2015

On Sunday January 9 2016, the Mill Race Folk Society celebrates the end of the Christmas season with Twelfth Night, an evening of traditional music and dance. Refreshments will be provided and there will be a cash bar. Advance tickets are $15.00 online HERE, $20.00 at the door. As this event regularly sells out so it is better to purchase your tickets early.

Dec 02 2015

Vocal group The Ondine Chorus are gearing up for the winter solstice with concerts at the Wellington County Museum in Elora on December 13, the newly-renovated Art Gallery of Guelph (formerly MacDonald Stewart Art Centre) (December 17) and at the beautifully-situated Paul Morin Gallery in Alton on December 18. If you’ve not yet seen Ondine Chorus in concert, you’re in for a treat – their performances are fantastic, with a repertoire that features some stunning original work alongside gorgeous reinterpretations of traditional songs. Check out the event and ticket information below. Check out all the details below.

Dec 01 2015

The Mill Race folk Society presents Pub Carolling with the Orange Peel Carollers and Village Band on Sunday, December 13 from 3-6 pm at the Brownestone Gastropub, 39 Queen St. E. in Cambridge ON. These carols are not the standard Christmas stock you hear piped into every shopping mall; they are often more boisterous and secular in nature, and have been preserved in the pub environment in several Yorkshire villages for at least the past 200 years. Most of the carols will be unfamiliar to modern ears, but with their folky sound and rousing choruses, many are very easy to learn, and lots of fun to sing. Admission if free, but donations for the carollers are very welcome.

Don’t miss Twelfth Night: An Ancient Midwinter Celebration on Saturday, Jan 9, 2016. The United Kingdom Club of Cambridge, 35 International Village Dr. Advance tickets $15 ($20 at the door). For more information visit millracefolksociety.com.

Jennis at the ANAF – November 28

Nov 25 2015

Fresh off a fabulous show at Erin Roots, Toronto Blues Society 2015 Talent Search finalists, Jennis bring their multi-instrumental rootsy sound to the ANAF, 32 Gordon St, Guelph on Saturday, November 28. Joining Jennis on the bill will be the duelling banjos of the Banjo Mechanics – Ian Pattison and Lewis Melville. $15 cover. Join us for an evening of fabulous live roots music that is sure to engage, delight and inspire!

Nov 12 2015

Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson will be at Silence in Guelph on Friday November 20 at 8 p.m. with support from London – Toronto based sister act The Lifers, who were born and raised in Guelph. Lynne’s latest album, “7 Deadly Spins” – an album of murder ballads and songs of reckoning, has just been released. The album recorded in Ottawa with her band The Good Intentions and produced by Lynn Miles features seven original songs with murder and its impact as the central theme. Advance tickets for the Silence show are $15 and can be purchased online HERE (no booking fee!), $20 at the door.

Nov 05 2015

Colorado bluesman Mo’ Kauffey moved to Guelph 15 years ago, and since then he’s become a stalwart of the Guelph music scene, and a perfect example of what a local music scene should be all about. Local musicians getting out there and sharing their musical gifts with the community as often as possible. Well, unfortunately Mo’ has been diagnosed with cancer. And for that reason all of his friends – and they are legion, are getting together to raise money so that Mo’ can get access to the best treatments available, in Canada – and beyond. Join the Mo’ Town team for a very special fundraiser on Tuesday November 17 at the Royal Electric Bar & Public Eatery.

Oct 30 2015

Andy White is back on tour in Canada during November in support of his great new album “How Things Are”. He’ll be appearing at Erin Roots at The Busholme Inn on Saturday November 14. Andy has earned a global following based on his ability to blend folk and pop stylings with a poet’s sensibility. He’s a fabulous live performer with a back catalogue of songs you’ll definitely want to get to know. Joining Andy for this month’s show will be Peter Boyer and Same Latitude as Rome in support of their very well-received 2015 album “Early Days”. You might remember history class as boring but Same Latitude As Rome manage to make it come back to life. Join us for an evening of fabulous live roots music that is sure to engage, delight and inspire!

Erin Roots presents… Andy White and Same Latitude As Rome in Concert
The Busholme Inn, 156 Main St, Erin, Ontario N0B 1T0 Erin
Saturday November 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $15 (for advance tickets call 519-362-3383 or e-mail jan[at]folkrootsradio.com)

Oct 09 2015

The second show of the Erin Roots live music series at The Busholme Inn in Erin takes place on Saturday October 24 at 7:30 p.m. and features the roots, bluesy, folky sound of Jen Gillmor and Dennis Gaumond as “Jennis” alongside the duelling banjos of the “Banjo Mechanics” Ian Pattison and Lewis Melville. Join us for an evening of fabulous live roots music that is sure to engage, delight and inspire. Each of the Erin Roots live shows will be taped for future broadcast on Erin Radio community radio station.

Erin Roots presents… Jennis and The Banjo Mechanics in Concert
The Busholme Inn, 156 Main St, Erin, Ontario N0B 1T0 Erin
Saturday October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $15 (for advance tickets call 519-362-3383 or e-mail jan[at]folkrootsradio.com)

Sep 29 2015

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra open their 2015/16 season with an encore performance from Canadian Folk Music Award nominees Shane Cook and Jake Charron. The show takes place on Saturday, November 7 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris Street, Guelph. Advance tickets are $20 ($30 at the door) for adults and $10 for Children 6-10 and are available from [email protected] and in person at Janus Books, 10 Paisley Street, Royal Plaza.

Sep 18 2015

Brenda McMorrow celebrates the release of her latest album “My Heart Bows Down to You” with a Guelph show at Sukha Yoga Centre, 42 Wyndham St North #101C on Saturday September 26 at 7:30 p.m. Brenda’s unique blend of folk melodies, world rhythms and sacred Indian devotional music (Kirtan) has found an enthusiastic worldwide audience. Her tuneful, uplifting interpretations of traditional Sanskrit mantras lovingly melded with her own original lyrics and excerpts of poems by the Sufi mystic Rumi has produced music that is uplifting, inspiring and ultimately transformational. Ram Dass describes Brenda as having “a gift” – a gift to bring deeply spiritual but very accessible music to listeners worldwide. Joining Brenda for her Guelph CD release show will be Morgan Doctor (percussion) and Chris Gartner (bass) with backing vocals from Shannon Kingsbury & Tannis Slimmon.

Sep 08 2015

Gathering Sparks, the graceful collision between Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis, open the 2015-2016 Home Routes Guelph season on Thursday September 17 at 8 p.m. Musical friends who bonded over finely tuned harmonies and the craft of songwriting, their inclusive approach embraces folk, pop, blues and gospel influences tastefully played on acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, ukulele, and banjo.

Sep 04 2015

The Sultans of String are bringing their latest release, “Subcontinental Drift”, a collaboration with sitar master Anwar Khurshid (Oscar winning Life of Pi, Love Guru) to the Registry Theatre in Kitchener on Saturday September 19.

Sultans of String are a fabulous live band and a must-see for anyone who loves folk, world and jazz rhythms put through a blender and delivered with panache by a kick-ass string band. This promises to be a great show! Check out all the details and some comments from the band below.

Sep 04 2015

“Erin Roots” is an exciting new monthly roots music series taking place at The Busholme Inn in Erin ON. Erin Roots, a collaboration between Erin Radio and Folk Roots Radio, aims to bring affordable great live roots music to Erin while, at the same time, recording the shows for future broadcast. The first Erin Roots show takes on Saturday September 12 and features two fabulous singer-songwriters, Tannis Slimmon and Clela Errington. Crossover roots duo Jennis and The Banjo Mechanics take to the stage on October 24 with more shows to come.

Jul 28 2015

Guelph-based singer-songwriter Rob Mitchell joins us live in the studio on Folk Roots Radio Overtime on August 1 from 10-11 a.m. on CFRU 93.3fm. His latest album, “Things Could Be Worse”, is a reflection on the endless days and nights spent within hospital hallways dealing with his son’s recent diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes and reflecting on the loss of his Mother to cancer 10 years ago. His previous album “Parking Lot Sunset” featured songs that had been hanging around in his notebook like a drunken co-worker at the office party – a collection of moments in an ever-changing life. His intimate debut “On With The Show” took personal experiences of love, loss and starting over to create an album of melodic and reflective songs that allows the listener to make connections of their own. Rob has a show at Silence in Guelph on August 8 at 8:00 p.m. Cover: $10 (PWYC)

Steve Poltz – August 30

Jul 22 2015

Folk Roots Radio presents… is pleased to bring the fabulous singer-songwriter Steve Poltz to Guelph, for the very first time, for an early evening show at Silence on Sunday August 30 at 7:00 p.m. (please note the Date and Time). Steve is one of the most-engaging performers you are ever, ever likely to see. Once you’ve been to a Steve Poltz show, you’ll be asking when he’s coming back.

An Evening with Steve Poltz
Sunday August 30 2015 at 7 p.m. (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph ON
Tickets: $20 Early Bird (No Booking Fee!). BUY NOW.
At the Door: $25

Jul 20 2015

For those of you looking for some great music to fill the post Hillside void, our next Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence in Guelph features two fabulous singer-songwriters, Ian Foster from St. Johns NF and Australian (but no stranger to Guelph), David Ross MacDonald. They’ll be sharing the stage, and swopping songs and stories on Thursday July 30 at 8 p.m. It promises to be a great night. We hope you’ll consider joining us!

Bridging the Miles: Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald in Concert
July 30 2015 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph ON
Tickets: $15 Early Bird (No Booking Fee). BUY NOW
At the Door: $20

Jul 17 2015

Singer-songwriter Nonie Thompson (formerly Crete) is bringing her band to Kitchener for a show at The Registry on July 25. Nonie is a musical and storytelling force to be reckoned with. From heady blues, Irish balladry, to Cajun and French Canadian hues, Nonie effortlessly weaves genres together to create memorable songs. To date she has produced seven albums, with another two in preparation with her musical partner, multi-instrumentalist Eugene Rea.

Jun 13 2015

Murder Murder are bringing their wonderful and rousing ‘bloodgrass’ (bluegrass outlaw country playing exclusively murder ballads) live roots music to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… “From The Stillhouse” album release show at Silence on June 20 for an 8 p.m. show (doors 7:30 p.m.). The support act will be Kitchener’s Ever-Lovin’ Jug Band. Come and join Murder Murder as they bring their tales of death back to life with a kick of the suitcase, saw of the fiddle, and roll of the banjo. It promises to be a great night! Advance tickets are $20 ($25 at the door). Buy tickets HERE.

May 18 2015

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra Season Finale takes place on Friday May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Chevron, 34 Elizabeth Street, Guelph. The performance (directed by Fiona McCairley) will also feature the orchestra’s award winning step dancers, and, as usual, it will be followed by a ceilidh dance, called by Maureen Mulvey O’Leary. Tickets: Adults $15 advance ($20 at the door), Children 6 – 16 $10. Advance tickets are available at Janus Books (cash only please) or through the Guelph Celtic Orchestra website at guelphceltic.ca.

Poor Angus at The Fergus Grand Theatre

May 05 2015

Hamilton-based celtic folksters Poor Angus are bringing their infectious blend of Scots, Irish and East Coast music to the Fergus Grand Theatre on Friday May 22. Opening the show will be local favourites, Poverty’s Arse, known for their vast array of tunes and infectious East Coast style.

Apr 27 2015

Jennis, the ‘difficult to categorize but sounds great’ roots combo featuring Dennis Gaumond on dobro and Jen Gillmor on cello are coming back to Guelph for a show at Silence on May 29 with support from Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Sarah Beatty. They’re also playing together in Hamilton at the Artword Artbar on May 16. I’m not sure if you’ve been to a Jennis show before but for a duo they have an amazingly full live sound. Expect to be regaled by some original songs augmented by early American jazz, reggae, funk, R&B and blues classics re-interpreted in the inimitable Jennis style!

Apr 27 2015

Sarah Jane Scouten brings her unique blend of roots music back to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence on Saturday May 23 at 8 p.m. For this show she will be joined by Alan Mackie (from The Bombadils and Jaron Freeman Fox and the Opposite of Everything) on stand-up bass. The opening act for the evening will be Guelph’s own bluegrass band The Chesterfield Trio, the abbreviated version of Chester Field and The Sofa Kings. It promises to be a great night so get your tickets early!

Events + Shows

Guelph Celtic Orchestra – St Patrick’s Day Extravaganza

Hillside Inside 2015

10 String Symphony – January 31

Twelfth Night – January 9

Ondine Chorus – Solstice Tour

Pub Carolling – December 13

Jennis at the ANAF – November 28

Lynne Hanson with The Lifers – November 20

Mo’ Town Benefit Concert – November 17

Erin Roots – Andy White & Same Latitude As Rome

Erin Roots… Jennis & The Banjo Mechanics

Guelph Celtic Orchestra with Shane Cook and Jake Charron

Brenda McMorrow: CD Release

Home Routes Guelph 2015/2016

Sultans of String at The Registry

Erin Roots – Clela Errington & Tannis Slimmon

Rob Mitchell at Silence – August 8

Steve Poltz – August 30

Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald – July 30

Nonie & Friends – July 25

Murder Murder at Silence – June 20

Guelph Celtic Orchestra

Poor Angus at The Fergus Grand Theatre

Jennis with Sarah Beatty

Folk Roots Radio presents… Sarah Jane Scouten