Entertainment
Here are our 2008 musicians - come to the festival and enjoy the music!
Live Entertainment is provided on the Festival Main Stage starting early each afternoon and continuing until around 10:00 pm. Featuring local bands playing a wide variety of music; there is something for everyone from Celtic to country to rock 'n' roll and more - all with free admission.
Music
Born in Halifax, Art Cole is a third generation performer and a 33 year resident of Lunenburg County. He has been "plucking the strings" in many different combinations across the province but in latter years mainly on the South Shore. Pop, Country, Celtic, Traditional Sea Songs, Blues and Jazz are familiar items on his song list. He has two cd's recorded with his good friend Jim Smith of their original material which have been well received. Back to perform again in Mahone Bay, Art's solo show will be sure to have your toes tapping and your voices joining in to his eclectic repertoire of sea songs, novelty tunes and other old favorites.
Sponsored by: Mug & Anchor and The Alexander Keiths Family
Clas Larsson Quartet, (Clas Larsson, Tim Worthington, Derek Pelley and Jordi Comstock) has been providing jazz music on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, from Liverpool to Halifax, since 2000. They perform in clubs, for wedding receptions, parties, special events, dances and the TD Atlantic Jazz Festival (Halifax) 2007and 2008. Katrein, a very accomplished vocalist, joins them on most gigs.They have recorded two CDs - Studio Session, with the Trio (Clas, Tim and Derek), in 2004 and Jazz at the Opera House, with the Quartet in 2005. These CDs were recorded “live off the floor”, at Redfish Audio Studio in Lunenburg and have a mixture of instrumentals and vocals.
Sponsored by: Atlantic Lottery Corporation
Juno nominated Andy Duinker (Dunk’er) and Donna Rhodenizer delight audiences with their combination of original songs and familiar favourites. Their energy, humour and love of performing are contagious and part of a musical experience you won’t want to miss. Andy has a serious set of pipes singing songs in a variety of styles and Donna provides the violin and keyboard accompaniment for her great original songs. Bring the children too, as these 2 performers are well known as Donna & Andy to young audiences with school performances now totaling over 500. .
Sponsored by:Nova Scotia Tourism Culture & Heritage
From the heart of Nova Scotia's South Shore comes this highly entertaining quintet whose style and sound has been described as "a fascinating blend of pop, folk and jazz"(Chronicle Herald) and "on the leading edge of a new sound"(CBC). Piano, guitar, fiddle, double bass, harmonica, percussion and vocals - all working together to approach music from a direction that is both refreshing and exceptionally enjoyable. Anyone who has had the chance to see them perform knows they are an explosive combination.
Flat Fifth’s debut CD was nominated for “New Group/Artist of the year” and “Blues/Jazz recording of the year” in 2006. Their first single, “Wish I didn’t know…” topped the charts of the East Coast Countdown for an unprecedented four weeks straight last spring and spent almost three months in the Top 10. The group’s much anticipated sophomore album “Alfalfa Honey” is set to be released later this summer and was recorded at the legendary CBC Studio H in Halifax.
Sponsored by: Mahone Bay Lions Club
Midlife Crisis was formed in 1990; an apt name for an ageless bunch of musicians! Dave and Heather Abriel have always played music together (since high school and can still be heard enjoying each other’s company on fiddle and harp respectively). Dr. Moore ("Dave the Dentist") is a relatively late inductee in the live music scene - dragged kicking and screaming from the sanctity of woodworking, he has never looked back (well, maybe once)! In contrast, Derek Pelley has played music across Canada and the UK. He has been a member of several bands since his teen years; from "Philadelphia Cream Cheese" to "Figgy Duff", and now Midlife Crisis. The thought of acquiring a musical instrument for '30 bob' (back in the early '60s) persuaded Jon Allen (the token Brit) to start learning the guitar and he’s enjoyed music ever since!
The band enjoys playing at local festivals, including the Lunenburg Folk Harbour, the Mahone Bay Classic Boat, and the Fisherman's Reunion. Their second CD was released in 2004 and rumour has it that there maybe a third one in the works...
Mulligan’s Brew is a relative newcomer to the Nova Scotia music scene but after one song you’ll believe these guys have been playing together for years! Paul Fynes (bass, guitar, mandolin), Peter Kielburger (guitar) and Peter Mason (guitar, banjo) perform a very enjoyable show of classic Irish and Maritime songs. From the Pogues to Stan Rogers and loads of great songs in between, Mulligan’s Brew is guaranteed to entertain.
Sponsored by:Mahone Bay Lions Club
Singer-songwriter NICK JEFFREY makes music with the confidence that comes from finding home after a long journey. Many of his songs rise from a core of autobiography, telling stories of love discovered, lost and redeemed, with all the emotional landscape along the path.
Nick’s 2006 debut CD, State of Mind, is an intriguing collection of 11 original and personal compositions. His rich tenor voice has graced many theatres and festivals along the South Shore. Jeffrey’s warm and generous performance style allows audiences to feel welcomed and to willingly trust his true-hearted songs.
Sponsored by: Mug & Anchor and The Alexander Keiths Family
Siblings always share a special connection. Add a few musical instruments and something unique seems to rise to the surface. Don’t miss these two young brothers, Chris and Jonathan Cusack, returning to the Classic Boat Festival Stage! "...fiery fiddle and guitar – if you shut your eyes, you’d never guess they are 10 and 12 years old!" (Music Nova Scotia).Sponsored by SouthShoreNow.ca
Liverpool, Nova Scotia has produced many great musical acts over the years and Tumbleweed is easily following in that tradition. The combined talents of Dick Henneberry, John Adams and Ian Campbell make up this highly entertaining trio. At the core of their sound is the exciting style of Country Swing which first became popular in the ‘40s & ‘50’s. Elements of Jazz, Country, Gospel and Rock ‘n’ Roll have been “tumbled” together to create a style and show that is appealing to all ages.
Sponsored by:Atlantic Lottery Corporation
Sit back and enjoy the magical combination of youth and fiddle music. The students of Scottish fiddler Eilidh Campbell will amaze and uplift you with their passion and confidence as they perform sets of traditional Scottish, Irish and Canadian fiddle tunes.A music graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Eilidh has performed all over the UK and Europe. She has also toured extensively in India, Singapore, Egypt, New Zealand, USA and of course Canada, where she now lives. Since moving to NS in 2005, Eilidh Campbell has firmly established herself as a highly respected teacher, performer and studio musician. In addition to performing the beloved Celtic music of her homeland, Eilidh is part of the East Coast Fusion group, Flat Fifth.
Sponsored by: SouthShoreNow.ca