Kingsville Folk Music Festival Announces Headliner

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File photo of 2014 Kingsville Folk Music Festival

Organizers of the Kingsville Folk Music Festival have announced that Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: Masters of the Fiddle, as headliners of the second annual festival to be held the weekend of August 7th to 9th at Lakeside Park in Kingsville.

Winner of two JUNO awards, eleven East Coast Music Awards and nominated for a Grammy, with a career spanning over 25 years, Natalie MacMaster has released 11 albums and is an Order of Canada recipient. A charismatic performer in great demand, she has collaborated with artists as diverse as Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, Jesse Cook, and Bela Fleck. Above all else, Natalie stresses, “I play Cape Breton fiddle.”

The oldest brother of the internationally acclaimed family musical group Leahy,Donald Leahy is no stranger to the awards podium; the Leahy family are recipients of three JUNO Awards. Widely recognized as one of the best Celtic fiddlers in the world, his high-energy playing style also makes him a highly popular performer.

ONE is their official first full recording as a duo. “When we married in 2002, we felt there would be some recording project in our future, but we didn’t realize it wouldn’t happen until 2014!,” says Natalie. “Six children later, we’ve finally documented our musical growth together.” “This will be our first performer bringing their entire family with them.” says Michele Law, Festival Producer. “This really highlights the fact that we’re a family friendly event … on both sides of the stage!”

Also taking the stage will be Ashley MacIssac Saturday night, Juno and multiple Canadian Folk Music Award winner Lynn Miles and one of the finest proponents of acoustic music in the world, Guy Davis.

Adding to the diverse spirit of the festival is the comedic slapstick of The Arrogant Worms, 8 time Juno award, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees The Good Brothers and Juno nominated world music virtuoso PAVLO, “the God of Greek guitar”, Pictou, Nova Scotia’s Dave Gunning, Oh Susannah and many more. Some of the up and coming performers who will thrill audiences young and old are Canadian Folk Music Award Winner Ariana Gillis, edgy Celtic and bluegrass performers The Bombadils, and 5 piece bluegrass band tour de force Notre Dame de Grass.

Returning festival favourites include award-winning guitar master, multi instrumentalist J.P. Cormier, multi Juno nominee and winner, VALDY. Local performers include Dale Butler, Whoa Nelly!, Glen MacNeil, Karen Morand & Boscoe, The Oh Chays and Philip Scott Poli.

The three day ticketed, family friendly, outdoor music celebration, will have five stages, including three daytime session stages, children’s stage and evening main stage, with performances by more than 30 award-winning and up and coming regional, national and international performers. The Family Stomping Ground hosts numerous children’s activities including face-painting as well as musical performances by Magoo and Todd Crowley’s Musical Petting Zoo. Children 16 years of age and under are admitted free.

Locally sourced, delectable food vendors, Cooper’s Hawk wines, Walkerville craft brew and fine crafts from prominent artisans are available for purchase throughout the weekend! Rain or shine and accessible, the festival has briskly sold early bird tickets, doubling last years advance sales.

Ticket information and more can be found on their website here.