Page 21 - Biz X Magazine - July/August, 2014 Issue

Bluegrass Festival” is a long-term fan of Te Laws. He visited the festival site at Lakeside Park and declared it “perfect.” “I’m just delighted with how perfect it is for a festival, with the intimacy of little amphitheatres, there’s lots of shade,” Bird says. “I think it’s an absolutely perfect site, being right on the water. And once the patrons see it dressed and ready to put on a show, they won’t believe it. I can’t wait for August.” Bird continues: “It’ll be a weekend of discovery for people, because they’ll look at the program on their way to a gig and say ‘I don’t even know any of these names.’ And aferward you’ll wonder how you could have missed them, they’re that good, and that’s the mission of a festival, to bring some discoveries in.” He believes that, “Having Bruce (Cockburn) here this year is almost like having the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, because he does not go to every festival. He’s very selective on what their motives are and he does a lot of work on who David Francey has released 10 albums, won three these people are and just selects festivals “Juno” Awards and has had his songs covered by such that he feels are in line with his thinking.” artists as The Rankin Family and James Keelaghan. Tickets for the “Kingsville Folk Francey is also a past winner of the prestigious “SOCAN Folk Music Award” as well as taking home the Music Festival” are available online at Grand Prize in both the “International Acoustic Music KingsvilleFolkFest.org or in locations Award” and in the Folk category for the “John Lennon such as Rebel Cowboy Music/Festival Songwriting Award.” Francey hits the stage Aug. 8. and Europe, and describes his cuisine as seasonal and local with infuences from his French Canadian roots. “Tis festival is important to the community and to local business as not only does it bring tourism dollars to region, but also because it helps spread the word about our area,” Benjamin says. “Essentially, it is helping to put us on the map. If someone is not able to come, but has heard about the festival, well in the years to come that person will make his/her way out here. Te big names that are featured at this festival will generate lots of dollars for the local economy, Valdy is a double “Juno” Award-winning performer know as one of Canada’s most successful minstrels. in the week before and afer the event.” The Globe and Mail once reported “few performers are capable of achieving the kind of energy he generates Key Piece Of A Perfect Festival onstage.” He also performs on Aug. 8. Of course, nailing a true headliner was always a key piece of the puzzle, and the Headquarters (5 Main Street in Kingsville); Laws asked the right questions of the right Dr. Disc Records (471 Ouellette Avenue in people at the right time. Windsor; or Tony’s One Stop Music Shoppe “When I talked to other festivals and they (83 Centre Street in Chatham). Kids 16 and reminisced about their frst festival and who under are admitted free with an adult. are the good artists and what acts to get to Weekend passes are $90, while individual draw people … Bruce Cockburn’s name day passes are available for Friday ($35), kept coming up. So we talked to his people, Saturday ($55) and Sunday ($55). All prices he was free for the weekend, so we were like, plus HST and fees. ‘my God, this is going to happen!’” Organizers point out that there is no Don Bird is certainly delighted to be parking at the festival site, but clear signage onboard. Te veteran Artistic Director around town and scores of volunteers will from “Summerfolk Music & Crafs Festival” guide festival-goers to satellite lots in order in Owen Sound and founder of the “Carlisle to board shuttles to Lakeside Park. BIZ X MAGAZINE • JULY/AUG 2014 21 BizX2014JulyAug52.indd 21 2014-07-01 7:53 PM