Intimate Spaces Concert Series | Spring 2019
We’re excited to kick off our new line up of performers for our 2019 Intimate Spaces Concert Series. The series was designed to maximize the MCC's strengths in offering our audiences a very intimate, connected experience.
As a bonus, you can take advantage early in the year and grab a block of three or all six shows at a discounted rate! Scroll below for details.
Our Intimate Spaces Concert Series features a lowered stage setup with drawn in curtains to create a feeling that’s more intimate and interactive for the audience.We use a smaller sound system, still comprised of our world-class equipment, allowing the audience to actually hear the singer through the air acoustically, with minimal reinforcement.
We know you’ll love the shows and our lineup of talent!
Join us tomorrow as we welcome Nigel Wearne – Australian Folk & Country Singer/Songwriter – to the MCC!
Nigel Wearne is an Australian folk/country singer-songwriter, luthier, poet and gleaner. Equipped with personally handcrafted instruments, his music melds finger-style guitar, clawhammer banjo, folk and honest storytelling.
From stories of social justice and observation, to emotional reflection and historical tales, Nigel draws inspiration from everyday people from all walks of life. Some songs are autobiographical and personal, but many are other people’s stories and an amalgamation of truth, observation, personal experience and fiction.
For Nigel, music is a candid, human and important messenger for stories and moments in time.
With Local Support: The Sean Patrick Trio
The Sean Patrick Trio combines elements of bluegrass, progressive old-time, and jazz.
Featuring Sean Patrick on Banjo, Jennie Davis on double bass, and Darrin Davis on saxophone, they are sure to have you out of your seat and dancing away those winter blues.
Intimate Spaces Concert Series || Spring 2019
Nigel Wearne ft. The Sean Patrick Trio
Friday February 8th, 2019
Nigel Wearne is an Australian folk/country singer-songwriter, luthier, poet and gleaner. Equipped with personally handcrafted instruments, his music melds finger-style guitar, clawhammer banjo, folk and honest storytelling.
From stories of social justice and observation, to emotional reflection and historical tales, Nigel draws inspiration from everyday people from all walks of life. Some songs are autobiographical and personal, but many are other people’s stories and an amalgamation of truth, observation, personal experience and fiction.
For Nigel, music is a candid, human and important messenger for stories and moments in time.
Intimate Spaces: Emerging Talent
Featuring the Local Talents of Sarah Watt, Glenn Erwin,
Tanner Thomson, and Carling LesParence
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
This concert 'in the round' features four emerging local artists in an Estelle Klein-inspired workshop stage format. The artists will take turns performing their original tunes, giving the audience the opportunity to experience a wide range of musical styles and inspirations.
Glenn Erwin is a prolific singer-songwriter who spent his formative years in Toronto. In his late teens he left the city to work in the lumber mills of northwest Ontario. In his mid 50's he moved to Midland and first became a teachers' aide, before later becoming an audio technician for The Midland Cultural Centre. Glenn's love of blues and folk music shine through in a style that is truly his own. His lyrics take you on a journey down his life’s road and reminds you that all our roads intersect from time to time.
Carling Lesperance has a passion for music and is well-known to area music lovers. At the age of 27, you may find her frequenting local open mics and playing the occasional show with fellow musician friends. The authenticity and uniqueness she provokes in her singing and songwriting is what her audience finds most intriguing.
Tanner Thomson is 14 years old, and has been playing guitar for three years. He has always loved all kinds of music, from metal to folk. He currently volunteers as an AV tech at the MCC, learning the art of lighting and live sound production.
Sarah Watt has been performing in the Midland Music Festival for nine years. She loves learning and performing different genres of music and was featured at the MCC's annual Variety Night last year, delighting the audience with her beautiful voice and commanding stag presence. In recent years, Sarah has discovered a love for writing and performing her own music.
J.P. Cormier: East Coast Instrumentalist of International Fame
Sunday, March 31st, 2019
In the early Nineties, J.P.
Cormier became? a sideman for one of Canada’s favourite sons, Stompin’ Tom Connors and also became a staple of the recordings at Studio H in Halifax. His work with the CBC there, spanned musical, production and arranging duties.
All this before he was 20.
His catalogue of recordings and the 150 or so records he’s produced on other artists, resemble the tapestry he weaves in live performance. Where he used to carry 3 and 4 piece bands, he tours alone now - just him and the instruments.
Of all the things he is, foremost he is an entertainer.
Stephen Fearing: Canadian Roots & Folk-Singer Extraordinaire
Stephen Fearing has released ten albums as a solo artist, featuring musical guests including: Bruce Cockburn, Margo Timmons, Rose Cousins, Richard Thompson, Shawn Colvin, and Sarah McLachlan. When not working behind the microphone, he spends time producing records, including Suzie Vinnick’s JUNO Award-nominated album
Happy Here. “I really enjoy collaborating with other artists. It’s a blast and, as a bonus, gives me a chance to learn and expand my skill set.”
His abiding love for his craft and ability to delight audiences are further reflected in multiple JUNO and Canadian Folk Music Awards nominations and awards and an ever-expanding touring circuit throughout North America, the UK, and Europe. For his album
Every Soul’s a Sailor he was awarded the 2017 Worldwide Album of the Year by Blues & Roots Radio and named 2017 Contemporary Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Lennie Gallant: Prolific Canadian Songwriter
Sunday, April 14th, 2019
Order of Canada recipient and one of
Canada’s best performing songwriters,
Lennie Gallant has released twelve albums (10 in English and 2 in French) of original songs winning him a host of awards and nominations from the JUNOs, Les Prix Eloizes, and The East Coast Music Awards, including 2017 ECMA Entertainer of the Year.
His double CD of the 22 songs from his multimedia hit production,
Searching For Abegweit, which ran for 140 shows, also won him an ECMA.
He was named Canadian Folk Artist of The Year for 2016 and his song
"Peter’s Dream" was voted one of the Top Ten East Coast Songs of All Time.
His songs have been covered by numerous artists including Jimmy Buffett, The Rankins, and Measha Brueggergosman and have appeared in feature films and TV shows.
Ron Nigrini: Canadian Veteran Folksinger
Rambling through his fifth decade on the music scene,
Ron Nigrini still plays for the love of the music, and it shows. A singer, songwriter, guitarist, craftsman, poet and performer, he’s on a life long musical odyssey.
He opened for The Mamas & The Papas in 1967, had a hit with
I’m Easy in 1976, had the most played Canadian single with
“Baby I’m A Lot Like You” in 1983 on his own Oasis Records, acted in movies and on TV and entertained in countless coffee houses, bars, auditoriums and music festivals across Canada, the United States and Europe.
The sweet style of this “worker in song” is reminiscent of Jim Croce and Harry Chapin but, in the end, it’s his own beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics that create a unique artistic voice. His new CD,
Directions Home explores where we are and how we are in this increasingly fractured and troubled world.”
Purchase three shows for $70 (plus taxes and fees) or all six shows for $125 (plus taxes and fees).
For more information or to purchase a discount ticket package, contact the MCC Box Office: 705-527-4420
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