There are changes at Winterfolk this year as it adapts ...
The 21st edition of the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival gets underway in Toronto at the end of the month, but not without having faced some challenges due to complex factors, including changing audience demographics and a post-COVID hangover. Brian ...
Toronto venues say they feel Winterfolk’s pain when it comes ...
Winterfolk promoter Brian Gladstone is not the only one having to adapt to challenges brought on by inflation, COVID-19 and changing demographics, among other factors. Laura Fernandez, a member of the board of directors of Hugh’s Room Live, talked about ...
Winterfolk is happening virtually this year … and it’s free!
Now into its 19th year, the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival is side-stepping the COVID-19 pandemic and presenting a virtual edition for 2021. The two-night festival, on Feb. 19 and 20, features some of the best performers who have appeared ...
Brian Blain writes about the mother he never knew on ...
After Brian Blain found his birth family, turbulent emotions that stirred within him inspired him to write a song, in just two hours, about the mother he never got to know. The affable blues guitarist was in the final stages ...
How Harpin’ Norm Lucien started playing protest songs… and other ...
Harpin’ Norm Lucien wrote easygoing love songs until he joined a rally to save a historic building, where he wrote his first protest song on the spot. The protesters wanted to save a post office, an example of Edwardian architecture ...
Howard Gladstone took his time making his brand new album… ...
Some people made bread during the COVID-19 lockdown last spring, but instead of heading to the kitchen, singer-songwriter Howard Gladstone retreated to his home studio. He came out of seclusion three months later, having produced his sixth studio album, The Promise, released this ...