Winterfolk back on west Danforth Feb. 17 to 21

Four-day music festival will feature more than 100 musicians

The ninth annual festival will once again take over the west end of Danforth Avenue over the Family Day weekend in February (Feb. 17 to 21).

More than 100 musicians, including an always strong turn-out from Toronto's own substantial roots community, will play on seven stages in six Danforth venues including: Black Swan Tavern (two stages), Mambo Lounge, Dora Keogh, Terry O's Sports Bar, Eastminster United Church and Danforth Baptist Church.

As is traditional, only a couple of the shows have a relatively modest cover charge while most of the four-day festival remains free.

For those who are a fan of home brewed folk/blues/roots, the line-up is absolutely packed with the best of the roots community including such stalwarts as Tony Quarrington, Eve Goldberg, the Gary Kendall Band and Joanne Crabtree. But that list only scratches the service.

The festival is the brainchild of North York-born and raised Brian Gladstone, also a prominent player in the local roots scene who will also be performing at the festival.

He thought it would be a great idea to transpose a folk festival, normally held in the summer in more rural areas, to the city in February.

Check out the website at www.abetterworld.ca and click on winterfolk 9 which is prominently displayed.

There you can check out the dozens of confirmed artists and even a tentative schedule.

With the festival run on a not-for-profit basis, volunteers and sponsors are also always welcome.

– Norm Nelson