Norfolk County continues to grow as a concert destination for both musicians and their fans.
Big names in Canadian entertainment – Diana Krall, Matt Dusk, Bif Naked, Sloan, and Finger Eleven – are among the artists who will be making their way to the county in the coming months.
“The ‘if you build it, they will come’ mentality, that’s what’s happening now,” said artistic producer JR Digs, a native of Simcoe. “When people come to Norfolk County, they realize what we already know. It’s a gorgeous part of southern Ontario full of beaches, camping, farming, and small towns.”
Digs is involved with Amplify Norfolk, a live music showcase that will get underway in June 2023 during the week-long Norfolk Community Days.
On June 9 and 10, the Norfolk County Fairgrounds Festival expands upon the Norfolk Night Market that highlights artisan vendors, food trucks, interactive games, local beer and wine gardens with live local musical acts.
Headlining the Saturday night of the festival will be Canadian artists Bif Naked, Sloan, and Finger Eleven. Friday night’s lineup has yet to be announced.
But Digs has other irons in the fire as well, including a unique performance this weekend at Capitol 33 in Delhi.
“It’s a cool, little, up close and acoustic evening with John Harvey of Monster Truck,” explained Digs. “He’s a pretty popular front man in Canadian music.”
Monster Truck is a Hamilton-based rock band that the artistic producer said has a big following.
To be held April 8, 2023, at 8 pm at Capitol 33, the evening will include “a lot of laughs,” stories, a question-and-answer session, and acoustic versions of the band’s songs.
“To have the opportunity to see the lead singer up close and acoustic like this, it’s not happening anywhere else in the country.”
On Saturday, May 13 platinum-selling artist Matt Dusk is set to play Capitol 33.
A five-time JUNO Award winner, the Matt Dusk Sings Sinatra show transports audiences back to the Rat Pack era of the 1960s in Las Vegas.
“And he’s coming with a top-shelf, six-piece band, bringing a truly world-class musical experience to the Capitol 33 stage on Mother’s Day weekend,” noted concert producer and presenter Claire Senko. “If that’s not a recipe for a sweet night out, I don’t know what is.”
Capitol 33 and Black Creek Music owner Jordan Gawley said he’s honored to host such a celebrated Canadian performer.
“Presenting great musical acts in this venue, which was originally a cinema and vaudeville house always feels right, like we’ve come full circle,” he explained. “I’m particularly excited that he’s going to be channeling Sinatra. Only Matt Dusk can do him justice.”
On July 2, renowned jazz musician Diana Krall will take the open-air stage at Burning Kiln Winery, on Front Road in St. Williams.
Senko, who is the curator and producer of Concerts in the Vineyard, recalls pondering with the winery’s former general manager Karen Matthews if they could get Krall to perform at Burning Kiln.
“That dream has become a reality and it is with great pride that we welcome Canada’s first lady of jazz to Norfolk County,” said Senko, adding that Krall will be headlining the Montreal Jazz Festival, and this will be her only performance in the area .
Krall has won two Grammys and 10 Juno Awards and is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Later in the season, the winery will host a performance by The Barenaked Ladies on September 14.
Senko is also the artistic producer at the Waterford Old Town Hall and is excited about a show in early April.
“With a recent JUNO win to her name, sensational singer-songwriter Angelique Francis is bringing her electrifying and soulful vibes to the Old Town Hall stage on Saturday, April 8 along with her powerhouse band,” she said. “Angelique is a multi-talented, multi-genre performer and composer, known for her mix of various musical genres including blues, soul, folk, jazz, gospel, and rock.”
For tickets and more information visit burningkilnwinery.ca, capitol33.ca, and ticketscene.ca/OTH, and fairgroundsfestival.ca,
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