Since 1995 when their eyes met over a crowded room (you’ll see why) and they fell in love/lust at first sight, John and Michele Law have split their time together flowing from kitchen to car, from stage to studio. In myriad venues over the past few years, their original songs, flawless harmonies, sensational musicianship and exceptional audience rapport have left audiences feeling exactly that! This show starts at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20; BFS membes receive a $2 rebate at the door.  To reserve your seat, e-mail cyberfolkie@hotmail.com or call 705.322.3349.

For more on The Laws, visit www.thelaws.ca.

See them live now!

Unplugged Saturday Nights Open Stage at the Barrie Public Library (60 Worsley St). Doors open at 7pm, music starts at 7:30pm. For more info e-mail kcpttrsn@gmail.com. Please note, there will be a new format starting in January. The open stage will be hosted in a song circle format, allowing more performers to take part in an acoustic, intimate setting.

Between spending time at a Buddhist monastery, recording an entire album at his home studio, and journeying around southern California, Corey Heuvel is trying to find a way to let his personal search shine through his music. From the bluesy, hard-driven electric guitar showcase of his debut album “In Balance,” to the quiet finger picking poeticism of his follow up EP “Evers,” it seems like predicting the next direction for Heuvel would be anybody’s guess.

The 21-year old Canadian songwriter assures that his latest release, “The New,” drapes sonic elements from both worlds around a powerful spiritual theme.  The eight-song, self-produced album takes the listener from the silence of their mind and into the forest, through the mountains, around the sun and back again with a seamless gentle quality that is both soothing and deeply mystifying.  Don’t hesitate to follow this emerging young artist on his journey.

The CD Release Show for “The New” will be held at the Mady Centre for the Performing Arts in Barrie on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 7pm. Tickets will be $10, and album copies will be $5 at the show.  Please call the box office for tickets, 705.739.4228.

“Always inspire yourself, leave your mind open for investigation, find your path and follow it to the end.”  – Corey Heuvel

For more information on Corey, visit www.coreyheuvel.com.

Note:  Corey Heuvel won “Best Song” in the Barrie Folk Society’s  2008 Youth Song Writing Competition

Jennifer Ives and the Barrie Folk Society is pleased to announce the young songwriters chosen to perform at the 2011 BarrieFolk Youth Songwriters’ Showcase on Nov. 5 at the Barrie Public Library in the Angus Ross Room (2pm). These songs were chosen (with great difficulty) from a wealth of thoughtful and creative submissions from across the entire province and will be certain to provide an incredible show.

The finalists are:
Shh. Wait. Listen. – Binaeshee Quae Couchie-Nabigon
Leather Jacket – Cassandra Beauvais
Rolling Stone – Jon Mackey
Rain – Chris Strazz
Kolodio – Tristan Crocker
Fire Fire Fire – Erin Bolton
Blow Your Mind Up – Jill LeFaive
You Lied – Cassie daSilva
Neon Lights – Anne Beverly-Foster
Rainshine on a Sunny Day – Marshall Veroni

The Showcase concert will begin at 2pm. No admission but donations gratefully accepted!

There will be some fundraising at the event for the Brandon Crisp Foundation. Stay tuned for details.

The Showcase will also feature a special performance by Chuck Baker. For more info on Chuck, visit www.chuckbaker.ca.

• The winner will open for Jenny Whiteley at 7:30pm at the MacLaren Art Centre
• First prize includes $500 from the Barrie Folk Society
• The winner will also receive three hours of recording time with Don Bray
• Runners-up will receive a cash prize from Stellula Music in the School

The Barrie Folk Society is happy to be participating in the City of Barrie’s Culture Day event.  We will be hosting an afternoon of workshops at the Barrie Public Library, as well as another workshop at the Kozlov Mall.

Please note that you should pre-register for the workshops at the Library since space is limited.

BARRIE PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE

1-2pm

Corey Heuvel – Guitar Part 1

Learn how to play basic guitar chords and rhythms.  This workshop is designed for those who wish to learn to play the guitar. Participants are required to bring their own guitar. Limited to 10 participants.  Pre-registration recommended. Please e-mail culture@barrie.ca.

2:15-3:15pm

Corey Heuvel –  Guitar Part 2

In this workshop, participants will learn various major and minor barre chords, including different tensions and suspensions.

Participants are required to bring their own guitar. Limited to 10 participants.  Pre-registration recommended. Please e-mail culture@barrie.ca.

3:30-4:30pm

Songwriting with paul court: The Way I Write

In this workshop, participants will work together to create a song, using Paul’s “organic” method: first an interesting phrase, then rhythm, then melody and chord structure. the form of the song will be revealed as it develops. the process will naturally lead to questions, ideas and tips about how to find your own way to write.

Participants are welcome to bring an instrument. Limited to 10 participants.  Pre-registration recommended. Please e-mail culture@barrie.ca.

KOZLOV MALL

1:30-3:30pm

Ron Belanger, Luthier

Experience the hands on steps involved in how an acoustic guitar is built by a master craftsman, including the selected types of wood involved from the very beginning to the finished product.

For more information on other Culture Day events, visit www.culturedays.ca.

The Barrie Folk Society is thrilled to partner with Roy Hickling as he launches his new CD, a little time, on Saturday July 23, 7 pm at the MacLaren Art Centre.

Roy had the good fortunate to collaborate on his CD with his brother-in-law Ray Dillard, a brilliant, professional percussionist and talented recording, mixing, editing engineer and producer.  They enjoyed working with a wonderful group of session players who Roy says, “have elevated his work.”  Roy will be joined on stage by Ray Dillard, Doug Romanow, Max Dyer, Don Bray and Alyssa Wright!

Later in the evening, the session players will take advantage of the rare opportunity of being together in the same room, to present some improvised music.

Catering for the evening will be provided by Bohemia. There will also be a cash bar.

TICKETS: $10

Tickets are available from the MacLaren Art Centre (37 Mulcaster St. Barrie), Barrie Folk Society events, Music Pro, at the door and from Roy (705.734.1819).

You can find out more about Roy, by visiting his website.

Come to the gazebo in Heritage Park (Barrie) and enjoy great music from Tina Wallace and Wayne Nichols, between 8 and 9pm. Bring your lawnchair!

TINA WALLACE is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Orillia. She is a solo artist who performs pop-acoustic music with folk undertones. Her repertoire is full of charming and oftentimes bittersweet originals and fun covers. In 2007, she won the 2nd Annual BarrieFolk Youth Songwriting Competition, and since then has performed on the BarrieFolk Main Stage and many showcases throughout the Simcoe County area. Her other performances include opening for folksingers Valdy, Jon Brooks, playing the Canada Day Main Stage in Orillia, Lawnchair Luminata in Barrie as well as countless small venues across the Simcoe County area including sidewalk sales, fundraisers, and at the Orillia Opera House in 2010. Since moving to Ottawa in 2009, she has expanded into the local bar scene where onlookers enjoy a beer or three, and sometimes her music, too.

WAYNE NICHOLS is a singer/songwriter “extraordinaire”, performing for some time now, entertaining audiences abound with his easy-going, unique vocal style, flowing from his heart.  A dark sense of humour will come through with his clever use lyrics and his delivery.  Wayne’s original songs are “fan friendly” melodies with gentle, earthy rhythms that are sure to start your toes ‘a’ tapping and will have some of the audience, if not most singing along!

Wayne’s credits influences like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, not to forget, Hank Williams, and the Rolling Stones among numerous others.

Wayne now performs around Southern Ontario at various venues  from large outdoor festivals, to a nice cozy pub or quaint coffee house.   Wayne can also be seen around  singing and playing rhythm guitar, as a regular member of The Melody Ranch Band, and makes regular appearances on Tuesdays with the Aurora Folk And Blues Society.

Come to the gazebo in Heritage Park (Barrie) and enjoy some great free music on August 24 between 8 and 9pm. Bring your lawnchair!

LEAD PIPE CINCH: A harmonious and energetic blend of blues, folk, celtic, country and everything in between, Lead Pipe Cinch has a repertoire of original material,  sprinkled with some of their favourite cover tunes from EmmyLou to Earle, Hiatt to Hank.

Ken Allen draws his inspiration from a wide variety of musical styles, Celtic, Blues, mountain/old time country music, folk and rock to name a few, and leans heavily on a groove oriented style in his performing and writing, with a love for the driving beat.  Ken is currently recording his debut CD Going to the Sun.

Jennifer Ives is a self-proclaimed “heartbreaker, mover and a shaker”, a shy, retiring kind a girl, who broke her baby teeth listening to the Vienna Boys’ Choir and Dixieland jazz, cut her first molars on Elvis, and her wisdom teeth listening to the Who, Hendrix and Joni Mitchell.  Born the eldest into a family of musicians, Jives is blessed with a modicum of talent, and the nerve to use it!

Although only a “Cinch” for a short time,  appearances at the Orillia Opera House, Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival, Bobcageon Wine and Food Festival, Nancy Island, Orillia Folk Society’s FridayFolk, Groundswell Coffeehouse, Celebrate Water Festival,  Live From the Rock Festival, house concerts, pubs and other events, have given Ken and Jennifer the opportunity to share the earthy/bluesy roots they enjoy.

Come to the gazebo in Heritage Park (Barrie) and enjoy some great free music on August 10 between 8 and 9pm. Bring your lawnchair!

JEFF WILLIAMS is a singer/songwriter who has fronted two local bands, Still Motion and Pholk Jam Gheri. He also plays solo. Along with coffeehouses and pubs Jeff also plays in local festivals. He has two CD’s and his tribute to the troops called “The Soldier’s Song” has been profiled and played by Canadian Forces Radio Europe and The Peak FM in Collingwood.
Jeff is accompanied on bass by Henry Bayne, another talented singer/songwriter. Along with his unique style of playing, Henry’s harmonies captivate every audience. Together Jeff and Henry play an earthy style of maritime folk rock  that has introspective lyrics and contagious melodies.

For more on Jeff, visit www.jwilliams.ca

PATTY MCLAUGHLIN is a featured performer at many events in and around York region. She performs for both children and adults at Aurora’s Arctic Adventure, Ribfest, Colors of the Fall and Aurora’s Annual Street Sale to name a few.  Patty is also the founder and host of the very popular Aurora Folk & Blues Society song circle which takes place every Tuesday night at Jonathan’s Restaurant in Aurora. Now an Innisfil resident, Patty has become a welcome performer at local events in this area as well, such as BarrieFolk’s Unplugged Saturday Night and the BarrieFolk Festival.  She will be hosting Lawnchair Luminata this year. Patty is an accomplished guitarist and singer-songwriter. Her genuine warmth draws people to her and keeps them coming back for more.

For more on Patty, visit www.pattymclaughlin.ca

Come down to Memorial Square in downtown Barrie and enjoy great music from Katy Austin and Kevin Firth, between 8 and 9pm. Bring your lawnchair!

KEVIN FIRTH “is a gifted songwriter with a resonant voice and a natural story teller… a fine musical ambassador for his adopted Canada.” [Waterfront Folk Club, San Francisco]. Kevin and his wife Joan started the Newmarket Folk and Blues club, Barrie’s “Firthfest” and Bancroft’s “Festival on the Lake” and now divide their time between their homes in Barrie and Costa Rica. Kevin has released one CD, Reunion, and is preparing to record a second. You’re sure to enjoy his intricate guitar work and expressive rich voice.

You can find out more about Kevin at www.reverbnation.com/kevinfirth

KATY AUSTIN has been called “The voice of a nightingale.”  Her musical roots go back to the days when she sang the mass in Latin, but it was Joan Baez and Judy Collins who introduced her to the folk music of the ‘60s and ‘70s.  Her repertoire is fairly eclectic, but she tends to favour current Canadian folk music, especially the work of Connie Kaldor. Katy is a retired teacher who lives in Elmvale and is active in the Simcoe Grey NDP and with Zero waste Simcoe.