If you need any further proof that the Battlefords is, musically, one happening place, look no further.
The weekend of Oct. 12, 13 and 14 is jam-packed with music that is sure to suit everyone's taste. To celebrate this weekend of music, the promoters of the three events are combining to offer a special price for attending all three.
Oct. 12, The Folk Road Show will return to The Downstairs at Porta Bella Restaurant. This group is made up of four international songwriters who have joined together to create a powerful and intimate show filled with harmony, honesty and storytelling.
According to reviewer Ben Wysocki, “The closest you’ll get to seeing Crosby Stills Nash and Young in the comfort of your living room”.
From their website: "Once upon a time live roadshows were a staple of the music industry with the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly setting out on the road together to fill up community halls and theatres across North America. For years, friends Olaf Caarls (Long Conversations) and Benjamin James Caldwell (Broken Down Suitcase) fantasized of reviving this concept across Europe with each act performing a handful of songs before banding together for a grand finale, offering a diverse and exciting show to each audience."
And they did, adding Canadian Dominique Fricot and Dutch Pieter Van Vliett they did 30 shows in Europe on their first tour in 2014 and continued in Canada in 2015. Pieter has since left the group and Dicky Neptune has joined on percussion and vocals.
This will be their third time playing at Porta Bella and Stacey Caldwell is thrilled to have them back.
"They stopped here on their first tour because they knew one of my staff members," says Stacey, "but now they want to come back and play because of the great reception they get here in the Battlefords".
Oct.13, The Great Fuss will play the Kinsmen Band Hall, hosted by The Scene. The Scene (formerly the Battlefords Jazz Society) focuses on bringing in music that will attract audiences of all ages. "Cabaret-style shows are rare in the Battlefords and there is definitely a demand for this type of show," explains board member Laird Brittin.
This alt-rock funky group has been playing in and around Saskatoon for a number of years. They perform original material with a guitar-oriented dance groove and some choice cover tunes to round things off. The Beatles are a specialty of the band.
Oct. 14, Ava Wild will play The Gog with guest Kasia Leigh. Kelly Waters, owner of The Gog, provides a venue for music shows like no other in town. Intimate and comfy with perfect acoustics and great food. So the show Oct. 14 is a great way to wind down at the end of the weekend.
"It brings me joy to invite people into the space that was once a synagogue worship area for the purpose of celebrating live performance, including my imaginative cooking creations," says Kelly.
Ava Wild specializes in folk/roots and acoustic/pop, but there are jazz and Americana-blues influences as well. She has created her own distinctive style.
Within her lyrics are original ideas about land, love and life. There are drinking songs without alcohol, fairytales wrapped in leather and an admiration for humanity. With a honey sweet voice laced in a red shoe attitude, Ava Wild dances with crowns and grasps her audience’s attention with her authentic storytelling.
Kasia Leigh will open for Ava. Kasia is formerly of the group In With The Old, which toured across Canada and the United States over the past five years and has won and been nominated for awards including Group of the Year by the Saskatchewan Country Music Association. She is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin and banjo), singer and great songwriter.
After some discussion, Stacey Caldwell, Kelly Waters and The Scene decided to collaborate to promote this weekend of music. Rather than competing for customers, they thought it best to help promote the shows together making sure everybody who likes music is aware of all three.
Further, they are co-operating to provide a special weekend price. Call or text 306-441-9067 or email lairdbrittin@gmail.com for ticket information.
