Ontario Festival of Small Halls to Gets Toes Tapping in Kingston Area

Published on: 2018/09/21 - in Releases

Get ready to clap, snap and toe-tap: the Ontario Festival of Small Halls is in the middle of an energetic schedule this week that melds roots, pop, folk, blues, soul and even old-country inspired artists into three weeks of musical bliss on rural stages – including two in the Kingston area.

Ken Whiteley and The Levy Sisters

On Friday, Sept. 28, Ken Whiteley and the Levy Sisters will perform at the Seeley’s Bay Community Hall with Kim Pollard.

On Saturday, Sept 30, the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith will come alive with energetic music of the Slocan Ramblers with local opening band, CR5 Bluegrass.

The festival sees internationally-renowned musicians raise the rafters with incredible sound in cherished community spaces across Eastern Ontario now until Sept. 30, 2018.

Kim Pollard

Celebrating five years in 2018, the festival has grown exponentially with the union of renowned musicians, beloved buildings, and community engagement leading to an unforgettable evening for locals and visitors alike.

This year, the Ontario Festival of Small Halls expanded to include more than 30 small town spaces with history and heart.

General Manager, Kelly Symes, said to expect captivating and lively performances from these established artists and boundary-pushing emerging artists.

“This year’s line-up celebrates some of Canada’s most cherished singer-songwriters and story-tellers, many of whom live right here in our region,” Symes said, noting that the festival continues to offer a unique concert experience: seeing your favourite artist in a setting which allows you to relish the music and connect with local community.

Those artists join an all-Canadian Small Halls line up this year of national and international musicians such as Kathleen Edwards, Colter Wall, Stephen Fearing, Skydiggers, Lindi Ortega, William Prince, Jim Bryson, Mike Plume, NQ Arbuckle, The Redhill Valleys and many more who are sharing small stages with opening acts which are local to each community.

“We’re thrilled to showcase that talent by hand-picking local opening musicians to add to the authenticity of hearing music at Ontario’s rural halls during the festival,” said Symes.

Main characters in the festival are its venues, which all play an integral part in their respective communities – and in Small Halls itself. From former schoolhouses to churches and even a mill and historic town halls, these spaces bring a unique charm and intimacy to each show.

Slocan Ramblers and CR5 Bluegrass will perform at Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith

The Seeley’s Bay venue is above the fire hall and has a long history of bringing the community together. The Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith is also a community mainstay, hosting everything from fish fries to youth dances.

For the full line up and tickets, please visit ontariosmallhalls.com or get in touch by phone at 613.402.1425.

More than 20 shows are sold out already, so purchase tickets soon to avoid disappointment!

Connect with the Festival on Facebook, on Twitter @smallhallsfest, or Instagram @smallhallsfest.


Release: The Festival of Small Halls
Photo:David Irvine