Gearing up for Deep Roots

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

In addition to the fabulous line-up already for the Deep Roots Music Festival, there is a special event at On the Verge Sept. 13 in support of the festival.

Mary Gauthier and Annabelle Chvostek are performing their magic as part of a CBC recorded event. Starting at 7 p.m., the evening promises a unique meal and music, all for $50. (Seating limited to 50 people). Tickets are available at On the Verge and at the Deep Roots office.

The festival finally begins Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m. with the Artists at Acadia program at the Irving Centre on campus. Featuring songwriting, a guitar master class and music for children, those performances are free and open to the public.

Friday night’s main stage show gets underway at 6:30 p.m. with a smudge ceremony by Elder Agnes Potter, and performances by Ryan Leblanc, MacCrimmons Revenge, Joel Plasket, Ken Whitely, Mary Gauthier and Carlos del Junco. Afterhours music continues at On the Verge.

Saturday morning, the Wolfville Farmer’s Market features Deep Roots music until 2 p.m. As well, there is an amazing roster of workshops and performances at Denton Hall, at Festival Theatre and at the Al Whittle Theatre all day. And, of course, the Fresh Beats Rhythm Parade is at noon – not to be missed.

Saturday evening, the Main Stage at Convocation Hall features the Deep Roots World Music Summit, In Their Own Words with Heather Kelday, Dave Carmichael and Annabelle Chvostek; Matt Andersen, The Hupman Brothers, Andrew White and Gillian Boucher, and Vishten. That is just the beginning: music continues at the Festival Theatre until 1 a.m. with a Late Night Blues Party.

The Sunday closing concert, Singing from the Soul, promises to be a rousing finale, with performances by Clearing by Noon, Dave Carmichael and Melissa Trottier, the Hupman Brothers, Rust Bucket, t@b, Jack MacDonald and John Kavanagh, Ndidi Onukwulu, and Ken Whitely. Featured also is The Valley Arts Award presentation. It all ends with a magical singing finale.

Festival tickets are available at the Deep Roots office, 112 Front Street, Wolfville, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Ticket information is also available on the website or at 542-7668.