Festival of Small Halls Kicks Off Energetic Festival of Big Music

Published on: 2019/09/11 - in Releases

The Ontario Festival of Small Halls is embarking on a musical wanderluster’s dream schedule this month that brings stunningly creative forces in Canadian music to intimate settings close to home from September 12 to 29, 2019.

The Festival is shaking up small stages for its sixth year, offering extraordinary chemistry and charm throughout three weeks of musical bliss in places like Tweed, Tamworth, Wilton, Seeley’s Bay, Delta and more.

Musical mavericks, trusty veterans and awe-inspiring newcomers combine for an eclectic schedule that defies notions of what a rural music festival can accomplish. When groundbreaker Lee Harvey Osmond and fiddling, feet-flying powerhouse, Leahy, share the same festival, as well as Justin Rutledge (pictured above), Union Duke, Madison Violet and roots music giant, Harry Manx meeting past festival favourites like the Devin Cuddy Band, Harrow Fair, Tomato Tomato and the uncompromising energy of Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys – you know it’s a festival like no other.

“This celebration of incredible live music all takes place in cherished buildings with history and heart – making for unforgettable musical adventures, surrounded by community,” said Kelly Symes, General Manager of the Festival. Think stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, brilliant back stories and even a former barn!

In the Kingston region, see:

  • Justin Rutledge at the Marble Arts Centre, Tweed on Friday, Sept. 13;
  • Madison Violet at the Tamworth Legion (Royal Canadian Legion Branch 458) on Saturday, Sept. 14;
  • Harrow Fair at Furnace Falls Farm on Saturday, Sept. 14;
  • Tomato Tomato at the Morton Community Hall on Sunday, Sept. 15;
  • The Redhill Valley at the Delta Old Town Hall on Saturday, Sept. 21;
  • Cassie & Maggie (pictured) at the Wilton Community Hall on Sunday, Sept. 22;
  • Union Duke at the Seeley’s Bay Community Hall on Friday, Sept. 27, and more!

But it doesn’t stop there. This year, the Ontario Festival of Small Halls further expanded its palette-pleasing celebrations of local chefs and their offerings, by putting on six one-of-a-kind country feasts in unique locations throughout Ottawa’s countryside, called The Chef’s Table.

In partnership with Thyme & Again and with support from Ottawa Tourism, The Chef’s Table events are curated by renowned Ottawa chefs, using locally-sourced ingredients. To sweeten the pot further, a lively Small Halls concert takes place following the feast featuring musical performances by some of the region’s most celebrated artists! There are four more Chef’s Table events taking place throughout the festival in September, so keep your ear to the ground.

To further drive home that down-home experience, hall hosts are planning a slate of community events that will be in conjunction with each fall festival show. From wine tastings to markets ripe with local produce and even savoury barbecue dinners el fresco, the host halls this year are throwing open their doors to make the performances of the Festival of Small Halls even more memorable.

For tickets or more info, please visit ontariosmallhalls.com or get in touch by phone at 613.402.1425. Many shows are sold out already, so purchase tickets soon!

Stay in touch by connecting with the Festival on Facebook @FestivalofSmallHallsOntario; on Twitter @smallhallsfest, or Instagram @smallhallsfest.


Release & photos: Festival of Small Halls