BC ARTISTS SHOWCASE | MARCH 30, 2023

The Square, Vancouver, Canada

​

The Rogue Folk Club, in partnership with Music BC and the Canadian Folk Music Awards / Prix de musique folk canadienne (CFMA) will be presenting a showcase of BC artists at the Mel Lehan Hall of St James as part of the CFMA Export Buyers Program. The showcase audience will include CFMA delegates and the general public

​

7:00pm to 8:00pm PT
SONGWRITERS CIRCLE
with Stephen Fearing, Meg Tennant, Yael Wand and Tom & Kalissa Landa

Stephen Fearing is an acclaimed singer-songwriter who released his first recording in 1986. He is also part of the Canadian folk supergroup Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, along with Colin Linden and Tom Wilson. (stephenfearing.ca)  Meg Tennant has spent most of her life here on the wet coast, releasing two solo albums and one as a part of the group August. She has also been in the popular duo The Lingo Sisters with Janet Lillian Russell. (megtennantmusic.com) Yael Wand is a masterful song-crafter who blends folk, jazz, blues and gospel flavours with “the effortless beauty of her voice” says Exclaim. Her latest release is Saltwater Heartwood. (yaelwand.ca) Tom and Kalissa Landa are the mainstays of popular local bands The Paperboys and Locarno. They deliver a mix of Irish, Mexican and folk music as well as material of their own, on guitar, fiddle, jarana, banjo and vocals. (paperboys.com)

​

8:05pm to 8:45pm  PT
CONCERT
with Early Spirit
Early Spirit will lead you through the musical mosaic of their own unique West Coast “Rockin' Folkin’ Rollin’ Jazzin’ Celtic Swing-Grass”. The ensemble is Gabriel Dubreuil (fiddle), J. Knutson (guitar, vocals), Aiden Goheen (bass) and Ben Kelly (drums). "This is one inspired quartet that delivers superb stand alone concerts. Exceptional instrumentalists (and) fine singers armed with a deep songbook that draws on all sorts of influences." Peter North - AD, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues (earlyspirit.ca)

​

9:05pm to 10:05pm PT
SONGWRITERS CIRCLE
with Valdy, Lydia Hol, Pat Chessell and Kathleen Nisbet & Steve Charles
Valdy has recorded 16 albums and 22 singles. 4 were gold records. He's sold nearly half a million worldwide. His 7 Juno noms resulted in 2 Juno awards, Valdy has toured Canada for forty-six years, and he has worked in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, and the USA. His stint with the Hometown Band was one of many career highlights. (valdy.com) Vocalist/guitarist Lydia Hol deftly combines early ‘60s soul, folk, and lush psychedelic rock. Beatroute calls her “a burgeoning songwriter who has a way with words,” but she’s also got an undeniable knack for penning some irresistibly timeless grooves. (lydiahol.com) Pat Chessel's rootsy vocal style and mostly original music falls solidly under the broad umbrella of ‘Celtic’. His skills as a guitar player, singer, songwriter, and performer were honed and refined since he was in his teens, Today, he performs over 200 shows annually. (patchessel.com) Kathleen Nisbet and Steve Charles are the enigmatic duo fronting Viper Central. These East Van luminaries are an international touring act with sweet n' crunchy harmonies and tight melodic breaks that'll make your heart soar, your feet shuffle and your blood curdle. The traditions of Métis fiddle, Appalachian old-time, gospel, rockabilly and bluegrass have influenced their ever evolving style. (vipercentral.ca)

​

10:10pm to 10:55pm PT
CONCERT
with the Jim Byrnes Band
What can we say about Jim Byrnes that you haven't already heard? Not much. Singer. Songwriter. Guitarist. Actor. Radio host. Voiceover guy. All round Vancouver personality. He's one of those colourful characters that makes our city a little more fun to live in. By age thirteen, Jim was singing and playing blues guitar. His first professional gig was in 1964. Over the years, he has had the great good fortune to appear with a virtual who’s who of the blues. From Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker to Taj Mahal and Robert Cray, Jim has been on the blues highway for almost 50 years. He moved to Vancouver, BC in the mid-70s. In 1981 he put together a band that became a staple of the local music scene. In 1986 the Jim Byrnes Band played 300 nights. Jim Byrnes’ fame as an actor comes from his too-numerous-to-mention TV and movie roles, highlights including television’s Wiseguy and Highlander series, and his national variety show The Jim Byrnes Show. Jim is one of Canada’s best-loved musical icons, and he has the ability to charm audiences beyond their wildest dreams. (jimbyrnes.ca)

​