Page 20 - Biz X Magazine - July/August, 2014 Issue

Perfect Timing “We are modelling our festival afer Building on Michele’s 13 years of the Edmonton and Winnipeg folk music experience as a hospital fundraiser and in festivals, two of the most successful folk public relations, followed by 15 years touring music festivals in North America,” Michele and performing original music with John as says. (For the full line-up of acts, go to “Te Laws,” even the timing of the festival is KingsvilleFolkFest.org under “Schedule”) ideal, she says, because Kingsville recently Every efort has been made to broaden the completed its arts and culture master plan. appeal of the festival, up to and including “Part of that (plan) involved canvassing the some non-musical fare. community and asking them what they “Tere’s something for everyone, and if would like to see, and the community said you need a break there’s a relaxation tent,” we’d like to see our own event in town.” Michele says. “Maybe there’s yoga or you Buy-in has been widespread, Law says, go visit a chiropractor or walk through including the Town of Kingsville, the the arts village with juried artisans selling Municipality of Leamington, the County, incredible artwork and clothing. And we’ll Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and have local food and wine and Walkerville the provincial government. “We’ve had Beer will be there, too.” overwhelming support from the day the Te Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast idea popped into our heads,” Michele says. (7005 County Road 46, Comber; website: “It has been literally without roadblocks ... IronKettleBB.com) provides some so doesn’t that mean it’s meant to happen?” additional local favour. New owners For the frst such Ontario festival west of Benjamin and Ginette Leblanc-Beaudoin Stratford’s Trent Severn trio, performing Aug. 8, are London, Law says, it was important to build (as of April 2014) are feeding the 400-plus two-time “Canadian Folk Music Award” nominees. This on the success of other festivals from across volunteers and performers daily with food Canadiana band’s songs are fuelled by the folklore of Ontario and infuenced by such greats as Spirit of the the country. donated by local food suppliers. West, Simon and Garfunkel, Tom Petty and Joni Mitchell. “We’ve been in constant communication, Te B&B is an historical home built in and in fact we have with us the Artistic 1876, boasting a Victorian charm. Benjamin a concert hall performance,” Cockburn Director of a festival in Owen Sound for has worked as a Chef in an assortment of explains, “so we’ll be trying to keep things 10 years (Don Bird),” she says. “So we’re diferent high-end hotels, restaurants and pretty energetic.” taking experience from everyone that we catering companies throughout Canada Fittingly, given Cockburn’s serendipitous can, and they’ve been giving us great ideas guitar beginnings, the “Kingsville Folk as well. And we know from the performers’ Music Festival” found life in the Laws’ side what it takes to make us happy, and we desire to put music in the hands of children know what makes them want to come back. through their fedgling MAY Fund (Music And performers are the ones who spread the and Arts for Youth). good word-of-mouth to the world.” “It was something John and I realized As such, the festival’s long-term benefts when we opened our music store in aren’t lost on Michele. Wheatley, Rebel Cowboy Music” “We thought we could help put this area (RebelCowboyMusic.com), Michele says. on the map as a destination for performers (For more on the Laws, check out their site: and kind of share with people and say ‘See? TeLaws.ca & ReverbNation.com/thelaws). See, aren’t these people amazing? Aren’t “A lot of kids in the area can’t aford these people incredible that you’ve never instruments or music lessons, so we did heard of before?’ And a folk festival is a concerts in Wheatley where all the money really, really cool, diferent type of event at the door was put toward kids being able where it’s family friendly, it’s safe, (and) to take lessons and we’d buy instruments.” there’s music from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Now operating out of their store on multiple stages.” Main Street in Kingsville, the Laws eagerly Michele urges families – children 16 support arts education for children as a and under accompanied by a parent get in ftting sideline of their career making music, free – to sample “the incredible, laid back recording albums and touring. atmosphere” for themselves. “We’ve been so lucky and we’ve seen the world by playing music, that we just think “Unique, Cool” Festival it’s unfortunate if kids can’t take lessons in “One thing that’s unique and cool music or art or dance,” Michele says. about this festival is that we have a whole “So we’ll be setting up an application children’s area; we have performers who are process and have funds for kids to apply for specifc for children, like Fred Penner, along Jane Siberry is known for such hits as “Mimi on the … but, we need to get through this festival with crafs and workshops for kids as well, Beach,” “I Muse Aloud,” “One More Colour” and and hopefully make some money the frst so that the kids are engaged all day long,” “Calling All Angels.” In 2005, Siberry pioneered a self- determined pricing policy through her website, giving year. We know that doesn’t usually happen, explains Michele. the purchaser the choices of: standard price (about but we’re hoping to be in that position. Te festival showcases Celtic, bluegrass, $0.99 US per track); pay now, self-priced; pay later, Tat is our ultimate goal, to have that fund acoustic blues, gospel, Acadian, Cajun and self-priced; or “a gift from Jane.” Now you can see available for the kids.” world music from around the globe. Siberry in person Aug. 10 in Kingsville. 20 BIZ X MAGAZINE • JULY/AUG 2014 BizX2014JulyAug52.indd 20 2014-07-01 7:53 PM