- Stephen Fearing with Andrina TurenneDalhousie Community Centre , Calgary, AB
Watch live or online! Tickets available here: https://calgaryfolkclub.com/
Main performer: Stephen Fearing (BC)
Few singer-songwriters in Canada can lay claim to achievements as legendary and a reputation as sterling as Stephen Fearing. With a discography of 25 albums and counting (comprising mostly stellar solo albums and collaborations with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), collaborative projects, production credits, industry awards, world-class finger style guitar skills and a tireless touring schedule, he continues to win widespread respect from fans and his peers on the basis of powerful performances of his sophisticated, emotionally compelling songs. Look out for his upcoming album completed recently in Nashville entitled The Empathist, and for a taste of his oeuvre, search out the moving YouTube video rendition of his song Sunny, backed by the Danish band The Sentimentals. stephenfearing.caSpecial Guest: Andrina Turenne (MB)
Last at the club in 2013 as a member of Chic Gamine, Andrina Turenne returns to share story songs that reveal her truth as a bilingual, Franco-Manitoban/Red River Métis artist. The JUNO award-winner’s first solo record, Bold as Logs, charted on independent radio in Canada and the US, and her 2024 festival appearances include the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. andrinaturenne.com - DOUBLE BILL: Aleksi Campagne & Over the MoonDalhousie Community Centre , Calgary, AB
Watch live or online! Tickets available here: https://calgaryfolkclub.com/
Aleksi Campagne (QC)
The meteoric ascension of Aleksi Campagne on the North American scene has been a long time coming. A Montreal-based indie-folk artist who adds loops to the already unique challenge of fiddle-singing, he began performing at age five alongside his mother, Connie Kaldor. At 21, Aleksi became the only student to have ever been accepted into the classical violin, jazz violin and the jazz voice performance programs at McGill University. Since then, Aleksi has wowed folk festivals from Mariposa to Canmore; and his stellar showcases turned heads at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City. More recently, a 2024 CFMA award resulted from his ambitious debut double album, on which he performs the same ten songs in English and French. aleksicampagne.comOver the Moon (AB)
There must be something in the water in the Southern Alberta ranchlands of the Rocky Mountain foothills. What else could explain how this small corner of the world spawned its own music genre, an amalgam of country, Celtic influences, cowboy culture and Western Swing? Maybe it’s chemistry. Speaking of which, ask vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Suzanne Levesque and Craig Bignell about how their duo and marriage trace back to a dinner party hosted by Tom Jackson. Or about how their neighbour, the late Ian Tyson, gifted them the title track of their debut CD, Moondancer (2017). Over the Moon are proud torchbearers of a style that is at once their very own and one that Chinook country has generously bequeathed to all of us. overthemoonband.com - A Day of Musical Mastery with AleksiDalhousie Community Centre , Calgary, AB
October 5: A Day of Musical Mastery with Aleksi
Are you ready to dive into the heart of folk music and explore the intricacies of improvisation? October 5th promises an enriching day for musicians and songwriters alike, featuring two exceptional workshops led by the talented Aleksi. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your musical journey, these sessions are tailored to inspire and elevate your skills. Here's what you can look forward to:8:45-11:15am: Folk Songwriting Workshop
Kickstart your day with a deep dive into the art of folk songwriting. This workshop is designed to cater to all levels of songwriters, whether you’re penning your first lyrics or you’re a seasoned composer seeking new inspiration.
What to Expect:- Crafting Meaningful Lyrics: Learn how to write lyrics that resonate deeply with your audience. Aleksi will share his secrets for storytelling through song, ensuring your words captivate and connect.
- Melody and Harmony Fundamentals: Discover how to create memorable melodies and harmonies that enhance your lyrics. Aleksi’s approach to melding melody with harmony will help you craft songs that are both emotionally impactful and musically engaging.
- Effective Song Structure: Gain insights into structuring your songs effectively. From verses and choruses to bridges and refrains, Aleksi will guide you through the elements that make up a compelling song.
Whether you're aiming to refine your songwriting skills or seeking guidance to complete your first song, this workshop provides practical tools and creative insights to bring your musical ideas to life.
12:00-2:30pm: Improvisation Workshop
After a morning of songwriting, delve into the world of improvisation in the afternoon. This workshop is perfect for both beginners and advanced players looking to enhance their improvisational skills in folk and acoustic music.
What to Expect:- Building a Solo: Learn the techniques to construct an engaging solo. Aleksi will demonstrate how to create solos that are not only technically proficient but also emotionally compelling.
- Basics of Harmony: Explore the fundamentals of harmony in improvisation. Understanding how to navigate and manipulate harmonic progressions will elevate your ability to improvise effectively.
- Practice Techniques: Discover practice strategies to improve your improvisational skills over time. Aleksi’s experience and expertise will provide you with methods to continually refine your technique.
Aleksi brings a wealth of knowledge to this workshop, backed by his background in Jazz Violin from McGill University and training under the esteemed Didier Lockwood in Paris. His adaptability ensures that the session will be valuable whether you're just starting out or looking to push your skills to the next level.
Join us on October 5th for a day of musical exploration and growth. These workshops offer a unique opportunity to learn from Aleksi’s extensive experience and passion for music. Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your songwriting and improvisation skills—register now and take your music to new heights!
Tickets available: www.CalgaryFolkClub.com
- David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach with ROYADalhousie Community Centre , Calgary, AB
Watch live or online! Tickets available here: https://calgaryfolkclub.com/
Main performer: David Jacobs-Strain & Bob Beach
A multigenerational and bicoastal duo who have been wowing audiences since 2010, David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach are masters of blues and roots who season those traditional forms with indie folk to conjure artistry with nothing more than steel guitar, harmonica, vocals and their formidable virtuosity. Even before dropping out of Stanford to play full time, Jacobs-Strain was already appearing at festivals across the US as a blues prodigy, but he projects a fiercely independent voice that resists simple categorization. Beach is a harmonica maestro from Pennsylvania who brings 40 years of experience as a sideman, sound engineer and journeyman music professional. Dynamic, intense and deeply felt, their winning alchemy is a testament to the enduring relevance of the blues. davidjacobs-strain.comSpecial Guest: ROYA (AB)
Edmonton’s Roya Yazdanmehr, who performs as ROYA, folds pop, jazz and a Middle Eastern tonal palette into soulful songs built on acoustic guitars and pulsating folk rhythms, adding sultry vocals to complete her atmospheric sound. ROYA was awarded an Edmonton Arts Council Cultural Diversity in the Arts grant to record her debut album Breath and Being (2024) on Bent River Records. royamusic.ca - Grace Petrie with John Hewitt TrioDalhousie Community Centre , Calgary, AB
Watch live or online! Tickets available here: https://calgaryfolkclub.com/
Main performer: Grace Petrie (UK)
English singer-songwriter Grace Petrie takes pride of place in the lineage of British political protest folkies, fearlessly singing truth to power as she takes on culture war flashpoints like xenophobia, social justice and inequality. A regular at Glastonbury after Billy Bragg first invited her to appear in 2010, she has given voice to those who aren’t heard in a steady stream of albums since 2006, the most recent of which are Queer as Folk (2018), Connectivity (2021) and Build Something Better (2024). With a knack for catchy pop hooks and intelligent lyrics in songs like Cynicism Free and Fixer Upper, she will have you bopping along as you ask for seconds of her food for thought. Welcome her to the CFC stage for her Calgary debut. gracepetrie.comSpecial Guest: John Hewitt Trio (AB)
Tom Coxworth calls him the hardest working musician in Alberta, which is good enough for us. The Edmonton Journal enthuses: “It’s rare for a musician to maintain a prodigious output from year to year, and even rarer to have two releases within a year and have both of them be highly acclaimed, yet that’s exactly what John Hewitt pulled off in 2023.” Hear what the buzz is about. johnhewittmusic.com - The Henry Girls with The Janzen BoysDalhousie Community Centre , Calgary, AB
Watch live or online! Tickets available here: https://calgaryfolkclub.com/
Main performer: The Henry Girls (IE)
When a sibling trio from Donegal spends over 20 years perfecting their superb close harmony vocals, their consummate instrumental skills (banjo, fiddle, accordion, harp, ukulele, piano), and their impeccably curated, instantly accessible repertoire spanning styles that crisscross the Atlantic, what’s not to like? The trio in question is The Henry Girls, and the answer is: absolutely nothing. Their 2017 release, Far Beyond the Stars, is an impressive showcase of their tastes and talents, from an a cappella showstopper to a vibe reminiscent of The Andrews Sisters to a cover the American country standard, Satisfied Mind. Irish singing doesn’t get any better than this. If you’re a fan of club favourites The Ennis Sisters (and who isn’t?), you will be in your glory. thehenrygirls.comSpecial Guest: The Janzen Boys (MB)
The Janzen Boys are a roots family trio from Winnipeg consisting of young brothers Simon (bass), Mick (mandolin), and their dad John (guitar). Having played and harmonized together most of their lives, we’re extremely fortunate that they decided to share their magic with the rest of the world. Roots Canada described their spine-tingling harmonies as “out of this world.” Enough said. thejanzenboys.com - Crys Matthews with Farhad KhosraviDalhousie Community Centre , Calgary, AB
Watch live or online! Tickets available here: https://calgaryfolkclub.com/
Main performer: Crys Matthews (US)
“I believe in hope,” says Nashville-based Crys Matthews. “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.” From the title track to the last song, her album Changemakers does just that, addressing immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter, and gun safety head on. Matthews has played prestigious stages from the Sundance Film Festival to the Kerrville Folk Festival to the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center; her TedTalk, "Sing, Don't Shout — An Alternative Approach" describes how she witnessed the power of music from an early age. The former drum major and classically trained clarinetist turned folk singer uses her voice to answer Dr. Martin Luther King's call to be "a drum major for justice." crysmatthews.comSpecial Guest: Farhad Khosravi (AB)
Steeped in Iranian classical music, Farhad Khosravi moved to Canada in 2012 to study engineering at the U of A, only to leverage his compositional genius to earn critical acclaim for his albums Sleeping in Sorrow and Mosafer. With only ethereal, timeless santur (Persian dulcimer) and percussion, he sculpts mesmerizing, trancey soundscapes. Award nominations, grants and festival bookings are rapidly accumulating. farhadkhosravi.com