Across from the idling buses, the impatient smokers and the other downtown wanderers stands the Wilmot Church. The white building with blue accents, towers over the street corner, but often goes unnoticed by passing pedestrians. However, this weekend people will be tripping over themselves to squeeze into the old doors for the fourth annual Shivering Songs festival.
This warm hearted music experience just might be the fix to that soggy winter funk we’ve all be wearing under our parkas.
“Shivering Songs started up when there really wasn’t a lot going on in January. It’s kind of a way to break the cabin fever and get out and enjoy something,” said Brendan Magee, one of the festival’s organizers.
The fresh faced mainly folk festival originally started out as a two day album release for Fredericton’s own Olympic Symphonium. Then out of nowhere the baby event exploded into something nobody expected. Shivering Songs has stretched to into a four day affair with over 25 artists and several venues.
The main venue supplies those bone chilling acoustics which are perfect for nights of folk and rampant readings. While other places like the Wilser’s Room provide that sought after party atmosphere. The festival’s growing diversity is raking in people from all over.
“I think the initial response was really positive in terms of how many people actually came out to all the events. It’s definitely grown in terms of the spectrum of how far reaching the festival is,” said Magee.
The organizers have put together a lineup which will make leaving the warm grasp of your apartment worth the troubles. They’ve also managed to achieve a decent balance of local favourites and out-of-towners. Some eardrum groping acts include Kathleen Edwards, Ron Sexsmith, Wintersleep, the reunited Share, Christine Fellows and John K Samson.
“It’s hard to get people to tour this time of year, but we’ve been good at getting people and we’ve kind of developed a reputation amongst artists and were getting people who haven’t played the festival before who want to be a part of it,” said Magee.
“For me, I have strong connections in Fredericton, so I get to see an old friend all while taking part in part in opportunity to connect with a different community and play some music with my husband,” said Christine Fellows who is coming to from Manitoba.
While the live gigs are drool worthy, this is one festival which goes beyond your traditional musical expectations. Complimenting the headliners are the Alan Jeffries’ bluegrass brunch and the always popular songwriter and storyteller circles.
These spokenword circles started as a means for musicians to tell the tale behind their tunes, but have expanded to include authors, poets and even architects. The last few years wrangled up some yarns from David Adams Richards and Jian Ghomeshi.
This year, circle attendants will be able to the pick the brain of Steve Poltz, founding member of the Rugburns, along with handful of other mind bogglers like Marc Bragdon, Dave Bidini and Jennah Barry.
The folks at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre have also put together a writing workshop. 10 local musicians including STU’s Corey Thomas, Ross Kinney and Cedric Noel have been picked to polish off their music skills with music power couple John K Samson and Christine Fellows.
All 10 artists will perform in a showcase on Sunday
“It’s a conversational learning thing where we’ll talk about what goes into a song and how to make it work, once again it’s cool to be able to connect with different people in this personal way,” said Fellows.
Many performances at the Wilmot venue including Fellows’ have already sold, but do not fret at your last minute-ness, there’s still a whack of other Shivering Songs performances. Here’s the top five (not sold out) things to check out:
1. Dave Bidini and Share – The long awaited reunion of Share will play a stripped down quiet set followed by Rheostatics’ Bidini. Cedar Tree Cafe, Friday at 6 p.m.
2. Alex Bailey Swing Band – This 10 person band is famous for bringing the groove. Plus who doesn’t dig a little winter jazz? Wilser’s Room, Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
3.Singer/songwriter workshop with John K Samson and Christine Fellows – 10 musicians will be jamming with the Manitoba natives and discussing the writers’ side of songs. Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Sunday at 5 p.m.
4. Alan Jeffries’ bluegrass brunch. Live music and food, is there anything more dreamy? Boyce Farmer’s Market, Sunday at 10 a.m.
5. Wintersleep, Paper Lions, Willie Stratton– These student favourites will be tearing up the cozy venue. It’s guaranteed to be a good night out. Boyce Farmer’s Market, Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
