Emilyn Stam Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 396: feat. The Big Branch Festival & More New Releases

Aug 28 2018

Fiddler Emilyn Stam from Balfolk Toronto joins us on Episode 396 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about Balfolk, that’s the modern revival of traditional, predominately Western European, social folk dances and the upcoming Big Branch Festival a three day “Balfolk” festival/camp taking place the weekend of September 7-9. We also check out new music from Alan Barnosky, David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, The Furious Seasons, Steve Dawson, Laüsa, Duo Rivaud Lacouchie, Steve Howell & The Mighty Men, Bobby Sweet and Chuck Brodsky. Check out the full playlist below.

The Big Branch Festival / Balfolk Toronto

Aug 25 2018

The Big Branch Festival is a three day “Balfolk” festival/camp hosted by Balfolk Toronto taking place September 7-9, at Unicamp Ontario, in Honeywood near Shelburne ON (along the Bruce Trail). “Balfolk” is a modern revival of traditional, predominately Western European, social folk dances. Dances range from simple partner dances like the waltz, mazurka and schottische, to hypnotic chain dances like the andro, gavotte, and ride from Bretagne as well as energetic mixer dances. Balfolk dances are simple and easy to learn, and leave lots of room for improvisation. The intent of a Balfolk session is simple – relax and lean into the music and see where it takes you! The Big Branch Festival will feature dance and music workshops, with performers from France (Laüsa, Duo Rivaud Lacouchie, Duo Le Bour Bodros), Italy/Canada (Filippo Gambetta & Emilyn Stam) and dance instructor Louise Marius from the Netherlands. We caught up with one of the organizers, fiddler Emilyn Stam, to learn more about Balfolk Toronto and The Big Branch Festival. For more information, visit thebigbranchfestival.com. Music: Laüsa “Nau Gojatas” from Laüsa (2018, Tradethik) and Duo Rivaud Lacouchie “Ordich Janeta / Scottish d’Eugene Tarrade” from “Ordich!” (2016, AEPEM).

The Shoeless On Tour

Apr 21 2015

The Shoeless are back in tour in Ontario with upcoming shows in Hamilton and Kitchener. The Shoeless are Frank Evans (Slocan Ramblers) on banjo, Eli Bender (Hale and Hearty) on cello and Emilyn Stam (Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Beneath the Ice, Eh?!, Té) on fiddle. Their music is a blend of traditional and original tunes/songs, with influences from klezmer, celtic, old time, french, bluegrass and more… they describe it as Bela Fleck meets Bela Bartok in Appalachia! They are lots of fun live, and definitely worth checking out if you get the chance. For more information, visit www.theshoeless.com.

Wednesday, May 6 2015 at 8 p.m.
Artword Artbar, Hamilton
$10 (sliding scale, depending what you can afford)
More details

Thursday, May 7 2015 at 7 p.m.
Café Pyrus, Kitchener
Double bill with The Ever Lovin’ Jug Band
More details

The Shoeless at Magnolia

Nov 09 2014

“The Shoeless” are Frank Evans (Slocan Ramblers) on banjo, Eli Bender (Hale and Hearty) on cello and Emilyn Stam (Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Beneath the Ice, Eh?!, Té) on fiddle. They’ll be in Guelph on Thursday November 13 for a show at Magnolia Café at 8 p.m. Their music is a blend of traditional and original tunes/songs, with influences from klezmer, celtic, old time, french, bluegrass and more … they describe it as Bela Fleck meets Bela Bartok in Appalachia! The show starts at 8 p.m. The cover is $10. Magnolia Café is a licensed cafe and restaurant that also doubles as one of the area’s most intimate listening venues. Because of the size of the venue, reservations are highly recommendeded especially if you’d like to enjoy a meal before the show! For more information, visit www.theshoeless.com.