4th Annual Upper Canada Folkfest Being Held This Saturday in Prescott

Prescott – The 4th annual Upper Canada Folkfest is being held at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre in Prescott this Saturday, August 26th.

It runs from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Doors open at noon).

Tickets are $50 and are available online at https://tickets.uppercanadafolkfest.ca/

The festival is more than just great music, there will be food, drinks, a merch table, Prescott Pop Up market vendors, South Grenville Guild of Fine Arts show and sale and a Young artists showcase Friday night!

List of Artists Performing on Saturday:

SHAWNA CASPI with SARAH HILTZ

Toronto-based, Shawna Caspi, has spent years playing solo shows at festivals and concert halls throughout Canada and the United States. She released her debut album Paint By Numbers, in 2008, followed by four additional albums. Her latest release in 2021, Hurricane Coming, has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award and an Ontario Folk Music Award. Websites: https://shawnacaspi.com/ ; https://saskiatomkins.com

CHRISTINE GRAVES

Born in Halifax and raised in Ottawa, this award-winning, contemporary singer/songwriter released her debut album Piece By Piece in 1995. By 2006, Christine had released four independent albums. Her latest, Everyday Life, was released in November 2022. She has toured Canada from Newfoundland to Vancouver. Christine was the Artistic Director at Blue Skies Music Festival from 2006 – 2008. Website: https://christinegraves.com/​

JAMES GORDON

James Gordon has had a diverse and resilient career in the Canadian cultural sector. As a solo singer-songwriter and with the trio Tamarack, he has recorded 40 albums and toured around the world. His last album, “The Heritage Hall Sessions” on Borealis Records charted internationally. His unique musical novel “The Ark of the Oven Mitt” includes a downloadable recording of 36 original songs that move the plot along. Website: https://jamesgordon.ca/

​STEAFAN HANNIGAN and SASKIA TOMKINS

Steafan Hannigan (Ireland) and Saskia Tomkins (United Kingdom), moved to Canada in 2007. Both multi-instrumentalists and past champions in Irish music in the UK and North America, they released their first duo album, Moorchild, in 2017. As well as being session musicians for many artists, they worked jointly, developing the Celtic music for the Broadway show “Come From Away”. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteafanandSaskia/​

ALLISON LUPTON BAND

Born in rural Ontario, Allison released her debut album, My True Love, in 2001. Her love of Irish and Celtic music is clearly demonstrated in her performances. She has been nominated multiple times by CFMA and in 2015, Allison won Folk Ontario’s “Songs From The Heart” grand prize. Allison has toured across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Website: https://allisonlupton.com/​

​IAN TAMBLYN

This Officer of the Order of Canada began his music career in 1972. Releasing dozens of albums, hundreds of songs, and theatre soundtracks, and working as a producer for many other artists, he has received a number of awards for his contributions to Canadian Folk music. In 2010, he received the English Songwriter of the Year Award from the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Website: https://www.iantamblyn.com/​

WHISKEY JACK: DUNCAN FREMLIN and DOUGLAS JOHN CAMERON

For 45 years, Duncan Fremlin has been plying his trade as the singer/banjo player/leader of Whiskey Jack. Now Duncan is joined by two-time Juno nominee Douglas John Cameron to carry the Whiskey Jack tradition into a post-COVID world. His theatrical and dynamic approach to performing, coupled with his talents on many instruments bring an endless supply of energy to this already dynamic band. Whiskey Jack in 2023 continues to write, record and tour across the country. Website: ​www.whiskeyjackmusic.com/