Amby
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Amby spent years in the wilds of Toronto and Victoria’s music scenes before returning home to put down roots and hone her untameable artistic voice. A child of both the theatre and the internet, Amby’s music synthesizes the wide-eyed bombast of the stage with the insular vulnerability of life on the web. Her small but growing catalogue explores queer joy and heartache with raw humour and bruising tenderness, refracting and illuminating the experiences of her fans — with a voracious community of supporters on TikTok, Amby’s songs are rapidly evolving beyond the borders of a phone screen and into the great unknown.
Blue Fix
Blue Fix is a trio of musicians performing acoustic and electric blues covers from great musicians such as the Muddy Waters, the Allman Brothers Band, Buddy Guy, Robert Johnson, and McKenna/Mendelson. The band grooves to Richard Papineau on congas and harmonica, Ed Courcelles on bass and Shawn Keith on guitars and vocals. Early to mid-twentieth century blues became the base for the entrance of rock’n’roll music in the 1950’s and 60’s. Blue Fix considers the music they perform important to the genre and enjoy performing at any venue.
Deacon Creek
Rooted in the prairies of Manitoba, Deacon Creek delivers a fresh take on roots, americana & contemporary bluegrass. The combination of complex driving instrumentals and haunting melodic lyrics help to create a new perspective on the marriage of folk and bluegrass. Aisha Belle and Donovan Locken invoke emotion with thoughtful orchestration and dynamic harmonious vocals. Offering a familiar sound that takes the listener on a journey to new places.
DMZ
DMZ, lead by Dan Donahue and Laurie MacKenzie along with drummer Greg Black and bassist Vaughan Poyser, will aim to have the audience on their feet for the duration of their set. Performing a mix of classic tunes in a straight ahead style, best be advised to have your dancing shoes on!
Fran Mir-Robertson - Yoga
Fran Mir-Robertson stepped into a yoga studio 20 years ago and knew immediately she had come home to herself. Two simple words define her yoga practice, “Self Love”. Fran’s personal yoga journey fed her hunger and curiosity for more knowledge of this ancient healing practice which led to her becoming certified in the deeply spiritual practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Subsequent training in Iyengar Yoga which focus’s on the structural alignment of the physical body with the use of props has enriched her abilities to provide a more inclusive space for her participants. Time spent in India learning methods of meditation were transformational to her personal life.
Fran teaches from a place of personal experience and an open heart. She specialises in “healthy aging” and ease of movement. Her wish is that you come as you are and that you leave feeling comfortable in your body, free in your mind with love in your heart.
Her Mantra: Live light, travel light, be the light, spread the light 💕
Fortune Block
Fortune Block is a folk-country duo that combines the beautiful melodic voice of Amber Rose Nielsen and the deep rich vocals of Richard Inman. Together they write songs of love, death, horses and
hot dogs.
Road-weary, dusty and worn down from thousands of miles, hundreds of shows a year, from Canada to Denmark, Germany and back, Richard Inman is an authentic storytelling troubadour. Playing for thousands at festivals or dozens in a smoke-filled backroad bar in rural Saskatchewan, Inman's honesty has connected him to a devoted cult following and cemented his place as a Canadian songwriting giant.
Amber Nielsen is one of the founding members of Winnipeg's Sweet Alibi. The band masterfully delivers soulful roots pop. Together, Richard and Amber have formed Fortune Block and are set to become festival staples on the Canadian Music scene with their newest release, Might As Well Stay Home.
George Foreman and the Grills
Since the dawn of the legal drinking age, the members of George Foreman and the Grills have been changing lives, one fiery banger at a time. In 2020, friends converged to form what is known locally as the greatest band to have ever lived. With a name inspired by the legendary boxer and his iconic kitchen appliances, this spicy group of handsome devils will knock you out with their electrifying performances. Whether you're in the mood for classic rock, pop hits, or funky jams, George Foreman and the Grills will deliver the delicately fried elation you deserve. If you weren’t dancing and singing along all night long, then you probably weren’t there. So fire up your appetite for great music and come join the party with George Foreman and the Grills!
Leaf Rapids
It started the way all good things do, with a story, one that emerged from the time-shrouded attics of Keri Latimer’s family history. A tale of the great-grandmother she knew only as tiny and soft-spoken, a gentle soul who only spoke Japanese. Who would have guessed that once, in her youth, that same little old lady stabbed a man with a pair of barbershop shears?
That tale became the torch to light a new journey. As the years turned, Keri plunged into the depths of her family’s ancestral memories, resurfacing with stories like jewels that had been tucked away and forgotten. These she polished and kept safe, waiting until it was time to hold their colours up to the light once more.
Now, all of those stories come together on Citizen Alien, the brand-new sophomore album from Winnipeg folk duo Leaf Rapids. The project is a labour of love for Keri and her husband, Devin Latimer. Through their own family’s stories they created a new world from the old, delving into the intimate truths told by voices from decades long gone.
Rox-Z Wants Out
A recently formed band from Eastern Manitoba, Rox-Z Wants Out, comprises multi-instrumentalists that perform a mix of eclectic cover and original songs. Band members have an extensive pedigree of performing through out Manitoba with various groups and at numerous functions. Band members are Rachel Veroneau on guitar, mandolin, violin and vocals, Paul Bedard drummer, Kathleen Nadolsky on keys and vocals, Brian Adolph on bass guitar and vocals, and Shawn Keith playing acoustic and electric guitars and vocals. Rox-Z Wants Out thrive on instrumental solos and driving grooves at any tempo.
The Slocan Ramblers
The Slocan Ramblers (2020 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year Award Winner & 2019 Juno
Award Nominee) are Canada’s bluegrass band to watch. Rooted in tradition, fearlessly creative
and possessing a bold, dynamic sound, The Slocans have become a leading light of today’s
acoustic music scene. With a reputation for energetic live shows, impeccable musicianship and
an uncanny ability to convert anyone within earshot into a lifelong fan, The Slocans have been
winning over audiences from Merlefest to RockyGrass and everywhere in between.
On their new album Up the Hill and Through the Fog, the all-star Canadian roots ensemble
channels the past two years of loss into a surprisingly joyous collection of twelve songs intended
to uplift and help make sense of the world. Bluegrass music is nothing short of catharsis for The
Slocan Ramblers.
Though the past few years have brought the group accolades, that same momentum was abruptly
halted by the pandemic’s brutal impact on live music. Over the next year, bandmates Adrian
Gross and Darryl Poulsen both lost close family members and their bassist decided to step back
to spend more time at home. They channeled these tumultuous changes into some of their most
honest and direct compositions yet. Up the Hill and Through the Fog showcases the breadth of
their varied influences while staying true to their roots in the rough and tumble bluegrass scene
of Toronto’s no-nonsense bars and dancehalls. From Frank Evan’s classic, dusty vocals, to John
Hartford-inspired lyrical musings, it’s all buttressed by impeccable musicianship, and
emotionally raw songwriting from the three core members. This is roots music without
pretension, art powerful enough to cut through the fog of the past two years and chart a more
hopeful course forward.
Say hello to your new favourite band.
The Slocan Ramblers are:
Frank Evans: Banjo/Vocals
Adrian Gross: Mandolin
Darryl Poulsen: Guitar/Vocals
With Charles James: Bass/Vocals
The Guess Who's Donnie McDougall
OH AND DON'T miss DONNIE MCDOUGALL!!!!!
Another local who brings a raft of tunes with him, stemming from a few years of performing including a time with The Guess Who.
Two Crows for Comfort
Erin and Cory are super sweet and personable, have beautiful harmonies and are great storytellers. As human beings, they are lovely, and as musicians they are magic.
You can find Two Crows for Comfort’s latest album, 'Show Me Light' on all streaming platforms and Vinyl and CD copies are also available for purchase at their live show.