Liverpool’s Privateer Days hosts huge musical line up

During the four-day festival, over 400 artists will perform more than 200 hours of live music at nine different venues throughout the community, which includes performances at the Astor Theatre. The line up of talent includes artists from every musical genre to satisfy all ages and tastes.

Festival Entertainment Chair, Michael Loveridge said, “It has all the elements of a Nova Scotia festival and it is very much a family oriented event. The volume of talent sets this year apart from others. The value also sets it apart.”

Some of the performers include the world renowned Celtic family band, The Barra MacNeils; widely celebrated “man of a thousand songs” Ron Hynes; bluegrass guitar virtuoso JP Cormier; soulful rhythm and blues man Charlie A’Court; seasoned pop-jazz musician Ian Janes; contemporary pop-folk artist Steven Bowers; rebellious rockers Jon Epworth & the Improvements; and acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tim Chaisson.

A few of the other live musical acts include the melodic pop-rock outfit Mir; famed country-blues group The Matt Minglewood Band; Maritime folk-rock artist Jonny Stevens; praised boogie-woogie performer Alan Gerber; up-and-coming country act the Ryan Cook Band; folk-rock songstress Norma MacDonald; blues-rocker John Campbelljohn; multiple award winning actor and musician Alfie Zappacosta; and high-energy rock band Alert the Medic; and many more. For a complete and updated list of performers, visit www.privateerdays.com.

The festival also includes buskers on Main Street on Friday and on the Mersey Deck daily along with children’s entertainment in the Astor Theatre on Friday afternoon. “The joy of this festival is that you can walk between all of the venues. You can take in everything you want to see very easily,” said Loveridge.

A variety of other events are scheduled for Privateer Days, including a re-enactment of the 1780 American invasion of Liverpool Harbour, heritage cemetery tours, the Grand Street Parade, historic wagon tours, carnival rides, boat races and a fireworks display to close out the festival.

“This event is very important to the community,” adds Loveridge. “People come from all over and everyone’s involved.”

Festival Chair, Ann Langille adds numerous inquiries have been coming in through the visitor information centre and the provincial tourism line.

Daily tickets for live music are $20 (including tax) and cover all venues except the Astor Theatre. A limited number of advance tickets can be purchased at the Astor Theatre box office, by phone at 354-5250 or online at www.astortheatre.ns.ca.

Admission for individual shows at the Golden Pond and Mersey House are $5. The Beer Tent admission is $5 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and $10 from 7 p.m. to closing.

The other venues include Golden Pond Restaurant, the Public Stage, Woodpile Café, Main Street, and the Rossignol Cultural Centre.

Donations are welcome at all free venues to support the musical talent.