Cowichan Folk Guild Presents
Noah Derksen
Feb. 26 CFG office at Providence Farm
A Messy Desk Concert right in the Folk Guild office on the third floor at Providence Farm! This month we welcome Noah Derksen who simply blew me away the first time I listened to his music. Take advantage of this opportunity so you can say "I saw him when..." You will not be disappointed!
What is the Messy Desk? It's based off NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, and is an informal show with lots of interaction with the audience and we film and record the whole thing!
An American-citizen born and raised in the heart of the Canadian prairies while maturing on the west coast of British Columbia, roots / Americana singer-songwriter Noah Derksen writes with the groundedness of harsh Manitoba winters mixed with the optimism of British Columbia’s coastline. Ever seeking motion and progression, Noah has spent the past three years honing his live performance skills across Canada and the United States.
In 2019 Noah released his third full-length album entitled America, Dreaming. The album was produced by JUNO-award winning producer Murray Pulver, and features artwork by another JUNO-award winner Roberta Landreth. The album represents an observation of the United States and Noah's identity as an American-citizen; an observation of how things change with time, and internal, on his own shift in perspective
Doors: 7 Show: 7:30
Admission is by donation and seats are very limited, so reserve by emailing artisticdirector@cowichanfolkguild.ca.
March Events
West My Friend
Steeped in the visual styles of western Canada, West My Friend are veterans of the Victoria music scene. After 10 years as a band, they’re gearing up to release their fourth album, In Constellation, in September. On this, their latest effort, the band continues to refine the art of creating achingly poignant folk music, only this time, they’re backed by a full symphony orchestra, heavily layered while remaining lighthearted. Intricate yet accessible. Melancholic yet optimistic.
Chapel at Providence Farm on Saturday, March 7th.
Doors: 7 Show: 7:30
Tix $20 ($15 CFG members with code, kids 12 and under free)
https://islandsfolk.tickit.ca/events/8511-west-my-friend-in-the-chapel
The High Quadra Ramblers
The High Quadra Ramblers are a high energy banjo-fiddle duo touring their much-anticipated new original album. Both highly skilled instrumentalists, the album touches on multiple traditional genres while creating an entirely new feel to old music. As well as instrumentals, the album features beautiful vocal harmonies on a few original folk songs."Los Algodones" is a new wave of celtic, appalachian and french-canadian inspired music, with Pete Mynett on upright bass and Gabe Pinchbeck on guitar as guest musicians. Album recorded by Island's Folk Festival's Andrew Brown, the one and only!!
Providence Farm at the Chapel on Saturday, March 28th for an album release party!
Doors: 7 Show: 7:30
Tix $20 (kids free, CFG members $15) at the door and online at
https://islandsfolk.tickit.ca/events/8610-high-quadra-ramblers-album-release-cowichan
April Events
Ocie Elliott SOLD OUT
Ocie Elliott is musical duo Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy from Victoria, B.C., Canada. The two have come a long way in a short time since a chance encounter in a Salt Spring Island café led to a spark, collaboration, and their ultimate partnership in music and beyond. That was hardly two years ago, and Ocie has been busy, releasing both an EP and their debut full-length album We Fall In (Nettwerk Music Group), playing with the likes of Mason Jennings, Sons of the East, Kim Churchill, Roo Panes, Current Swell and Joseph, touring Canada, US, and Europe and having their song “Run To You” featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
With gentle acoustic chords layered over gorgeously complementary voices, which intertwine in gentle harmonies, Sierra and Jon’s beautifully written songs explore, of all things, love and connection. The duo has been aptly described by one reviewer as “...the aural equivalent of indigo painted skies and the first summer stars."
Chapel at Providence Farm on Friday, April 3rd. We sold out quickly last year, so don't delay grabbing tickets for this show!
Doors: 7 Show: 7:30
Tickets $25 online at https://islandsfolk.tickit.ca/events/8412-ocie-elliot-live-in-the-chaple
May Events
Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin
It's a special treat when Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin share the stage together. These two great songwriters from Austin, TX generally tour solo and separately, but if the chemistry seems especially amorous, they come by it honestly, as they are a rare breed: a romantic partnership in real life, as well as a musical partnership in artistic life. And the two together on stage makes for a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
Danny Schmidt is best known for his riveting poetic lyrics, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt for their depth and complexity. And gypsy spirit Carrie Elkin is best known for her incredibly soulful and dynamic vocals, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Patty Griffin at her most powerful, and Nanci Griffith at her most intimate.
Together, the respective strengths they each bring, individually, merge into a much greater whole, a performance of great energy and spirit, and one that audiences seem to be able to connect with on a multitude of levels, at once: Emotionally, Spiritually, and Intellectually.
The Hub at Cowichan Station on Thursday, May 7th.
Doors: 7 Show: 7:30
Tickets $20 (kids 12 and under free) online
https://islandsfolk.tickit.ca/events/8387-an-evening-with-danny-schmidt-and-carrie-elkin-in-cowichan