There Are Music Festivals Playing In The ValleyThe many music festivals held during the summer brings the valley alive with the sound of music. The Annapolis Valley has produced its share of both big and local talent musical artist over the years. The musical roots run deep, but never in its history has it been more celebrated than it is today. The Annapolis Valley supports several local organizations dedicated to the growth and promotion of our local talent. There are many sponsored workshops; jam sessions and performances that are attended not only by our local talent but also by world-renowned musicians from all over. I recommend you keep a watch at our local pubs, taverns, theatres, festivals and exhibitions for many fine concerts throughout the year. I will list several of the better known and on-going music festivals & events here for you.
Jam sessions are a great way to spend an evening no matter if you play an instrument, like to sing or just like to sit back and enjoy good music. They are like mini music festivals held every week. My uncle and aunt attend many of these jam sessions every week and had told me about them, so I decided to join them one evening. I loved it! The one I went to was the Bridgetown one and it only cost me a toonie to get in. There were about fifteen people with their guitars, banjos, mouth organs and even on piano. Whoever wanted to sing took turns getting up to sing a song and everyone on instruments accompanied them. Most were really good and some were not quite as good, but were having a great time. There were chairs set up for the audience and I noticed the hall was quite full. Everyone seemed to know each other, but if you did not know anyone they soon made you feel quite welcome. About halfway they took a short break and they had a small lunch of sandwiches and sweets, tea and coffee set up. It was a great evening, all for only a toonie. These jam sessions go on almost every night of the week somewhere. If you are looking for something new to do for an evening I recommend going to one. Take your guitar or other instruments and your singing voice or come to listen to the great hidden talent we have here in the Annapolis Valley area. Here is a list of just some of the Jam Sessions happening in the valley area: The Brickton Community Hall holds a jam session every Wednesday starting at 7:30 pm. Mostly country and bluegrass music. Everyone gets a turn to do their music. $2.00 at the door and there are refreshments at intermission. If you would like more information you can call Loretta Piper at 902 765 6821.
Every second Monday starting at 7:30 pm you can come out and take in a jam session at the Cornwallis Park Community Centre. They are holding these sessions from January until the end of April. Everyone welcome. Free will offering.Call Marty Felker at 902 638 3164 for more information. The Community Center is located at 734 Broadway, Cornwallis Park.
Join our great jam sessions on the shore every Saturday evening from September until May at the Delaps Cove Hall. Jam sessions run from 7 - 10 pm. Every 3rd Saturday of the month come at 5:30 p.m. for a pot luck dinner before the music begins. Bring a dish, everyone welcome. For more information call Milton or Juanita Longmire at 902 532 0114.
At the Fundy Community Hall in Young's Cove they hold a jam session every Tuesday and Friday evenings beginning at 7 pm. You can find out more information by calling 902 532 2579.
The Port George Jam Sessions are held every Monday evening at 7 p.m. Call Anne Pudsey at 902 825 6652 for more information about his great jam session.
The Bridgetown Jam session is held in the Lions Hall on the Hampton Mountain Rd. on Tuesday evenings starting at 7 p.m.
There is a Jam Session held in Hampton on Friday evenings. Sorry I do not know the time or location, but it should not be too hard to find out.
The Berwick Legion also holds a Jam Session every Friday evening. Check at the Legion for the times.
There is a jam session every Saturday evening at the Litchfield Community Hall staring at 7 p.m.
The Young's Cove Community Hall also host a jam seesion on Tuesday and Friday evenings at the hall starting at 7 p.m.It's a wonderful jam session with instruments of all kinds, from electric or acoustic guitars to mandolins, banjos to mouth organs and singing. All welcome. The hall is located at 5407 Shore Road West, Young's Cove. For more information call Barbara Rafuse at 902 532 2579.
I know square dancing is not really music festivals, but it is a type of celebration of music. This type of dancing has a long history in the Annapolis Valley and Nova Scotia as a whole. It is beautiful to watch these dancers in their fantastic costumes and a blast to get involved. For a very fun eveing and a great workout think about attending one of these great events. September to May come out on Tuesday evenings from 8 to 10 p.m. and square dance with the Apple Valley Dancers. It is held at the Melvern Square & Area Community Centre, 165 Bridge St., Melvin Square. This is a fun evening for square dancers at the "plus" level. For information contact Gord Way at 902 765 8887.
On Friday evenings from 8 to 10 p.m. come out to 77 White Cap Lane, Clementsport for traditional square dance lessons through workshops and classes. For more information contact Wayne & Linda Isles at 902 638 8081.
The West Kings Twirlers hold square dance classes from 7 to 8 p.m. and then dancing from 8 to 10 p.m. every Friday. These are held at the Melvern Square & Area Community Centre at 165 Bridge St., Melvern Square. Square dancing, mainstream level. Classes begin each September and all are welcome. They also hold several special dances throughout the year. For information call Bob Amos at 902 765 3809.
I know this is only a partial list of all the great music festivals that go on all throughout the year in the Annapolis Valley. There are many more that go on, so keep your eyes and ears open for more of these great events. But to help get you started here is a list of the music festivals I have found.
The annual Port George Bluegrass Festival is held during the last full weekend in May. The Port George Regional Recreation Centre hosts this great festival open to the Bluegrass Organization. For more information on this Music Festival call Pat & Doug LeBlanc at 902 825 6530. For more information about Port George and area click on this link.
Around the last of June / first of July watch for the annual four-day long Fox Mountain Bluegrass Festival held at the Fox Mountain Camping Park. Bring your camper and enjoy a great time at this fun-filled musical event. The park is located at 6128 on the Aylesford Road. Researve your spot in advance by contacting the Fox Mountain Camping Park at 902 847 3747.
Concert band musicians from all over come to Annapolis Royal during their Community Band Festival in mid July. They come for a weekend of learning and performing under the guidance of professional conductors like Ron MacKay, Rowan Fitzgerald, Maggie Helms & Eugene Hay. The weekend of Music Festivals is summed up with a big public concert on Sunday starting at 2 pm. For more information and location of the grand final concert contact Trish Fry at 902 532 7694.
Put on at the Port George Recreation Centre as an annual fundraiser for the Middleton, Kingston & Lawrencetown Lions Clubs and the community of Port George this jamboree has been held for 25 years now. Enjoy eleven hours of great country music, delicious food, an all-day 200 table flea market and lots of activities for the kids. Bring your tent or trailer and camp out for this great fun-filled weekend of Music Festivals. The jamboree is held rain or shine and admission is not very much. You can book your spot or find out more information by calling Stuart Crawford at 902 765 0033. Check out this page for more information on Port George and area attractions.
The Fox Mountain Camping Park at 6128 Aylesford Road host their annual Country Music Festival during the first week of August. This event has become quite popular so if you are looking for a great musical event plan to attend this one. Researve your spot in advance by contacting the Fox Mountain Camping Park at 902 847 3747.
Wolfville is the place to be in mid September for the annual Deep Roots Music Festivals. This festival celebrates Nova Scotia's rich and diverse musical traditions featuring samples of cultures like Mi’Kmaq, Acadian, African, Nova Scotian and the British Isle. Musicians from all over at all levels of playing abilities come to take part in the main stage groupings, performance workshops, jam sessions and sing-a-longs. Here world-class musicians interact with the audience at all the different events throughout the whole weekend. There is even a Fresh Beats Rhythm Parade for the young and the young at heart. Performers CD's will be on sale throughout the weekend and it would be a good chance to get them autographed. The main stage concerts are held on Friday and Saturday evenings and again on Sunday afternoon at Acadia Universities historic Convocation Hall. If you would like more information on this festival you can visit their website Deep Roots Music Festivals.
Brickton Community Hall holds it's annual Christmas concert in December featuring local participants. There will be refreshments, door prizes and sometimes a "surprise guest". There is a free will donation at the door with partial proceeds going to a local charity. Call Loretta at 902 765 6821 for more information about this music festival.
The Deep Roots Music Cooperative located in Wolfville sponsors regular concerts featuring local musicians from all over the valley. They also support other local arts and help support and organize worthy community projects. They are also credited for the annual Deep Roots Music Festivals held in Wolfville each year. For more information about the cooperative or their scheduled concerts email them at info@deeprootsmusic.ca.
The Evergreen Theatre is a non-profit organization who's mandate is "Bringing the Best in Live Performance to Margaretsville, the North Mountain and the Mid Annapolis Valley". They have several concerts scheduled throughout the summer starring such artist as David Francey, Jill Barber, Chirgilchin, La Famille Arseneault, John Gracie, Montreal Guitar Trio, Tidal Funk, Old Man Luedecke & Gypsophilia, Joel Plaskett and Tony Cox plus many more. For more information on their schedule of mini Music Festivals you can call 902 825 6834 or email evergreentheatre@gmail.com. They are located at 1941 Stronach Mountain Road in east Margaretsville.
This is a community run acoustic-roots coffee house sponsored by the Blomidon Folk Music Association and held in the Horton Community Centre in Grand Pre. This event features a special performer plus and "open Mike" and goes on every 3rd Saturday of the month from September until April starting at 7:30pm. The Horton Community Center is located on Rt. 1 about 1/2 km west of Exit 10 in Grand Pre, up a hill on the south side of the road.
Join in for a drink and your favorite pub munchies and enjoy their pub concerts at the Wick Pub. Or you can come for dinner at the Union Street Cafe and stay for the show at this family run dining establishment and pub. Friday evenings are "open Mic" with Don Osburn. Other concerts throughout the summer feature musicians like Roger Marin, B'town Blues Band, Ross Neilson with Hupman Brothers, David Francey, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart, Morgan Davis, The Eddie Ellis Band, Big Dave McLean & Doc MacLean plus many more. The Union Street Cafe and The Wick Pub are located in the heart of downtown Berwick.
The Acadia Cinema's Al Whittle Theatre host many events each month in their soft seat-venue in Wolfville. The cooperative host music festivals, dance performances, live theatre, film screening, fundraisers, meetings, literary readings and rehearsals plus more. They are located at 450 Main Street in Wolfville. For a complete schedule of their events or more information call 902 542 3344 or 902 542 5157.
From July 1st to September 1st the Kings Theatre in Annapolis Royal hold their annual Summer Festival. Reservations are encouraged. For more information call the theatre at 902 532 7704 or their 24 hour hotline at 902 532 5466.
The Kings Theatre in Annapolis Royal is "An incorporated not-for-profit regional performing arts centre whose mandate is to encourage cultural, artistic and educational development of the region." The theatre features between 50 to 70 live performances and around 120 film presentations throughout the year. The Kings Theatre is located at 209 St. George Street in Annapolis Royal. For a list of the events happening call the theatre for their 24 Hour Listings at 902-532-5466, or email them at kingstheatre@ns.sympatico.ca.
If your group or organization holds a regular Jam Session or other Musical Event and you would like to have it listed here please let me know and I would be happy to list it on this page. Just fill in this form with the information and click submit.
Link from Music Festivals Page to Annapolis Festivals Page
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