Meet Carter & Ben

We tried to get Ben Turcotte to open one of our shows last year and it just never worked out.  We’re glad that things finally lined up this year and we’re happy to bring this duo to the Desboro Music Hall stage to open for The Redhill Valleys.

Carter Rolland and Ben Turcotte met when they were still in elementary school in Port Elgin.  They played together, with two other friends for a talent show and thus it began.  For the next 8 years, they played as a band and as a duo.  Last year, Carter and Ben decided to lock themselves in Ben’s basement until they had an album.  Sleep, oxygen, and vitamin-d deprived, they emerged in August just in time for Summerfolk (the folk festival in Owen Sound) where their album—“Basement Folk”—made its debut appearance.  Their music is based on their two voices and guitars but expanded to a full band including a horn section for their studio recordings. They love to mix tradition with their own experiences and tastes. This is reflected in their music.

Check out their cover of JJ Cale’s “Lies” and we know you’ll want to come out to see these Port Elgin boys.

Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Get Tickets

Tickets: Advance: $20 ($17.70 +HST), Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Meet The Redhill Valleys

We have actually never met the Redhill Valleys except through their music.  And it is their music which captured our interest.  Each song finds it’s notes from various roots; a bit of country, a bit of folk, some soul and Americana and a touch of rock all meld together with beautiful harmonies to create their sound.  Guitarist Danielle Beaudin, bassist Chelsea McWilliams and drummer/guitarist Tim Allard each take a turn at lead vocals, which keep their songs interesting and varied.

They released their first album, self titled in April 2016 and we’re so proud to have them join us in Desboro.  We have been looking forward to this concert.  Keep your eye on them.  They’re a talented group and they’re going to be big but you’ll be able to say you heard them first at Desboro Music Hall.  Get your tickets now.

Check out one of our favourite tunes of theirs:


Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

All Ages

Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Get Tickets

Tickets: Advance: $20 ($17.70 +HST), Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Rob Elder is back!

There’s nothing more to say except our favourite local musician is back!  We’re excited to have Rob Elder back to open a show this year.  Last year you’ll remember he opened up our Season for us.  This year, when we were tossing around names for musicians, we knew that our community liked to support local artists.   As we wanted to show our support for our friends, the first name that came up was of course Rob’s name and when we asked him, it worked out nicely that he was able to do this concert, opening for Ben Kunder & Sarah MacDougall.

Check out the video where he plays ALL the instruments!  Talk about multi-talented!  Don’t. Miss. Out.  Support our local musicians and come out on June 17 and catch it all live.

 

Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Get Tickets

Tickets: Advance: $20 ($17.70 +HST), Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Meet Sarah MacDougall

Our June show has a double bill and the second half is the wonderful Sarah MacDougall.

Sarah MacDougall is a Swedish born Canadian singer-songwriter, currently living in Whitehorse, Yukon.  She is, as many would say, on the rise.

Described by the magazine Rootstime in Belgium as ‘One of the greatest talents of our era”, and listed as the “2nd best gig” by the major UK newspaper The Independent, becoming the #1 most played artist on Canadian Galaxie Folk/Roots radio, Western Canadian Music Award (2012 Solo Roots Album of the year) winning artist Sarah MacDougall is getting known for her honest and poetic songs, passionate performances, and unique voice. Born in Sweden, Swedish magazine Nöjesguiden declared her “One of Sweden’s best singer/songwriters”.

She has toured extensively throughout Canada and Europe and has released 3 albums, Across the Atlantic (2009), The Greatest Ones Alive (2011) and Grand Canyon (2015).

Her music can be gritty, sweet, thoughtful and honest.  Her latest album Grand Canyon has definite pop-folk influences compared to her two previous albums and shows she’s not afraid to stretch the boundaries of her music.  The song “I Want to See the Light” is about a sombre topic, an incident that happened in her hometown in Sweden in 2010 where a gunman was targeting only dark haired people to shoot.

“It is a song about finding our spark again. Finding our passion and spirituality again in a world that is alienating and full of growing violence, ” said MacDougall. “It is a song about my personal experience as a woman walking down a quiet street at night, ‘flaneuring’ like artists have done for centuries. It’s a song about racism. It’s a love song. Feel free to dance.”

She brings her unique voice and outlook to Desboro Music Hall.  Check out the video and come see her live on Sat June 17.  She heads a double bill with Ben Kunder with Rob Elder opening.


Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series
All Ages
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Get Tickets

Tickets: Advance: $20 ($17.70 +HST), Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Meet Ben Kunder

So the first time I met Ben Kunder, he was playing “Mayor” in a little musical I was working on called “Seussical”.  Everything about that show was great…from the people to the whole production.  I haven’t seen him since.  But now, fast forward several, several years (marriages and kids) and we have a Music Hall and Ben Kunder is coming to perform!  He’s one of those multi-talented people who is an actor, singer-songwriter, musician and carpenter.

He’s lived across this country from a little solar powered cabin in BC to Charlottetown, P.E.I and now he’s back in his hometown of Toronto.  His music reflects his experiences.  For those who don’t know his music, you’ve been missing out on some great ole Canadian folk music.  A person could spend a whole afternoon just listening to his Golden album which was released in 2015.  His single, “Half Moon” hit the #2 spot on CBC Music’s Top 50 of 2015.  He’s been on a tour across Canada on VIA Rail in 2015 to promote his album.  Then he and his good friend, Sarah MacDougall went on a European tour together in 2016.

This year, he’s been busy in the studio working on another album while in his regular life, he and his partner just had their second child.  It’s already been a stellar year for him so far.  We’re lucky he’s able to get away to come up to Desboro for a double bill with Sarah MacDougall and local favourite opener, Rob Elder, to treat us to a concert. Check out the video to hear one of his songs and then come out on June 17 to hear more.

Next we’ll meet Sarah MacDougall…


Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

All Ages
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Get Tickets

Tickets: Advance: $20 ($17.70 +HST), Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)
*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Meet Brontae Hunter

Brontae Hunter

Opening for James Hill & Anne Janelle is Brontae Hunter.  She was one of the Youth Discoveries at Summerfolk in 2016 but that’s not all she’s done.

Brontae started singing onstage at age 4, dancing at age 6 and acting at age 7.  And she hasn’t stopped since.  She’s performed on many stages, whether singing or acting.  She created her first EP in 2011 with 4 original tracks.

She’s quite an accomplished young lady having performed in quite a few theatre shows but also writing and performing her own shows and songs.  She has directed Innocence Lost: a play about Steven Truscott as well as producing and performing in The Women of Broadway and Beyond in Stratford’s factory 163 and writing, directing, and organizing a performance collective entitled For Our Stolen Sisters to instigate discussion surrounding the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.  She looks forward to pursuing a career in the arts, in hopes of enriching the lives of others and starting important conversations through the medium of the performing arts.

Here is a little video of Brontae performing an original song with her friend Owen Reynolds.  As you can tell, she’s very talented and with her passion for the arts will go far. Come on out on Fri May 19 to hear Brontae Hunter open for James Hill & Anne Janelle.

Check out their Events Page for their bios, videos and links.
Friday May 19
All Ages
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Buy Tickets

Tickets: Advanced: $20 ($17.70 +HST)*, Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advanced tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

Get your tickets now and we’ll see you at the Hall.

Meet James & Anne

So how did they start playing together?  Well, there’s a story…

James and Anne were selected to record a track for a compilation album called Classical Ukulele for release in Japan. “If it weren’t for that recording project,” confides Anne, “I don’t think we ever would have started playing together. It just wouldn’t have occurred to us.” Often the most obvious thing is the thing that’s most easily overlooked. “We chose Schubert’s Ave Maria and arranged it for ukulele and cello. We recorded it in a tiny practise cubicle at the university!” The result? “Absolutely brilliant” (The Folk Diary).

Together, the two of them have created an unexpected duo with ukulele and cello, two instruments not normally found playing together.  They have created a very unique sound within the music industry.  They craft touching, intricate music and in the next moment rock out.  Their concerts keep you engaged and left wanting more.

It’s true: opposites attract. James grew up playing folk, jazz and blues on his ukulele while Anne was exclusively a classical cellist. But the pair’s differences quickly became their biggest asset. The uke is high, the cello is low; the uke plays short notes, the cello long bow strokes; the uke is all about strumming while the cello radiates melody. Like shadows and light in an old photograph, these contrasts are complementary. “We’re like a pair of dancers who can’t step on each other’s feet,” jokes James.

The best thing to do is to just listen to their music.  You won’t want to miss this concert after that.

Check out their Events Page for their bios, videos and links.

Friday May 19, 2017
All Ages
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Buy Tickets Tickets: Advanced: $20 ($17.70 +HST)*, Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advanced tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

Get your tickets now and we’ll see you at the Hall.

Meet Anne Janelle

Anne is a classically trained cellist who got her Masters in cello performance at the University of Ottawa.  She has performed with such artists as Kanye West, Bruce Cockburn and Holly Cole.  She is also a songwriter and just like James, defies genre definitions.  But she incorporates her cello beautifully into all her music.

Now some of you may have heard the name Anne Davison and be confused by Anne Janelle.  “Anne Davison” was the name Anne first played under and the name on True Love Don’t Weep.  So why the name change?  Well, I have heard (and we can ask them if it’s true) that when they started collaborating for their next duo album, they had such strong, individual tunes that they decided to make two individual solo albums instead (with each other co-producing, co-writing and co-playing on the others’ CD).  And to distinguish this phase in her career, Anne changed her name.

She has just come out with a new album, which she made while pregnant!  Here is a little video she made to try and raise some money for it.  You can hear some of the songs from her new album, I Didn’t Want to Break It in the video.  And also hear a little bit about the process of making the album.

Next in our little series, we’ll meet James and Anne together and then hear a little more about our opener, Brontae Hunter.

Check out their Events Page for their bios, videos and links.

Friday May 19
All Ages
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Buy Tickets

Tickets: Advanced: $20 ($17.70 +HST)*, Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advanced tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

Get your tickets now and we’ll see you at the Hall.

Meet James Hill

Our next musicians, James Hill and Anne Janelle, are not only partners in life and in music they were first solo artists in their own right.  So we thought we would feature them individually before showing you what they can do together.  Their music is hard to put into a box as they both like to push the boundaries of genres.  Prolific in creating their solo albums, an album together, a family and touring; these two seem to have endless energy.  Between the two of them, they have created at least 9 albums including the Canadian Folk Music Award winning True Love Don’t Weep, which was their first collaborated album.  Sit back and enjoy getting to know them both.

James Hill

James Hill and ukulele go together like peanut butter and jam or macaroni and cheese (at least to us North Americans).  Now how did a boy from Langley, BC get into the ukulele?  Through the wonderful institution of school, of course.  (This is one of those stories that people point to when they say, “Don’t cut arts funding in schools!”)  A boy first introduced to the ukulele at eight ends up becoming “possibly the best ukulele player in the world” (Waikato Times) and all because his school had mandatory ukulele instruction.  During his youth, he played with the Langley Ukulele Ensemble before embarking on a solo career.  He has toured internationally and is played on CBC and has even been called “the Wayne Gretzky of ukulele” by Stewart McLean from Vinyl Cafe on CBC.  Over the years, he has put out quite a few solo albums and is not only an amazing ukulele player, but also a song writer.  He shows us what a ukulele is capable of (things we didn’t even know were possible!).  He is always pushing out and so his music is always fresh and full of surprises.

So if you are a ukulele fan, this is the concert to come see.

Next, we’ll meet up with Anne Janelle, James’ wife and musical partner and then see how they became a pair.

Check out their Events Page for their bios, videos and links.

All Ages
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Buy Tickets

Tickets: Advanced: $20 ($17.70 +HST)*, Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)

*Advanced tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series

Get your tickets now and we’ll see you at the Hall.

FIRST BOX OFFICE OF 2017

It’s here!  It’s here!  The first box office of the year!  Why are we so excited about this?  Because it means our first concert is in A WEEK!  We’ve been working hard over the winter: fixing things, making things better and finding our amazing acts.  We think we’ve improved the Hall.  (See if you can figure out what we’ve done.)  We also think we’ve found ourselves some world class musicians.

We are very proud of our opening show, consisting of My Sweet Patootie, a local band and Alicia Toner, from the East Coast.  Both feature fiddle players but with different styles.  Come on out for the first concert of the Season to check out My Sweet Patootie and Alicia Toner on Sat April 22, 2107.

See you at our first Box Office on Sat Apr 15, 10am – 12pm.  Then we’ll see you at our first show in A WEEK!  In the meanwhile, here’s a little more about our acts to get a taste of what you’ll hear on Opening Night.


My Sweet Patootie is made up of Sandra Swannell on fiddle, Terry Young on guitar and Paul Clifford on drums.  Their style can vary from traditional Irish reel to contemporary ragtime swing.  “Swing, folk, country and nostalgia collide head-on in a most pleasing fashion”, Maverick Magazine gives My Sweet Patootie 4 out of 4 stars! The band is heavily influenced by the likes of Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau, Les Paul & Mary Ford and the Andrews Sisters. Throw in a penchant for light-hearted satire and their love of artists like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams and you get a sound that Young likes to call “Green Acres for the New Millennium”.  “MSP released their Latest album “Pandemonium” in August 2016. The CD was produced, arranged, engineered and mastered by Young & Swannell at their own Nowheresville Studio located in an historic one-room school house near Meaford, Ontario. “Pandemonium” is their most ambitious project to date and features each member’s skills as multi-instrumentalists, yet still remains true to their live sound as a trio.”  No matter what music they’re playing, you know you’re in for a fun time.

Opening for them is Alicia Toner who is also a master of everything she tries.  “A critically acclaimed singer, fiddler, actor, musician, Alicia Toner has been wowing audiences with her diverse skill set for years. An East Coaster at heart, Alicia felt the pull of the Maritimes and, in 2014, made Charlottetown her home. Since then, she has shifted her attention to her first love; music. In June of 2015, Alicia went into the studio with Stuart Cameron, Peter Fusco and Blake Manning to record her first four track EP. The following Spring, with the help of FACTOR Canada, she completed her full-length debut album “I Learned the Hard Way” to be released this September, 2017.”

It’s going to be a great start to our Season.