Gilmore Collaborates with Canadiana Festival
September 17, 2024
The Gilmore is excited to collaborate with Canadiana Fest 2024 to present indigenous blues artist Crystal Shawanda with opener Julius “The Genius” Fisher, and Kalamazoo’s own Andrew Rathbun Quartet. Join us at Arcadia Festival Site on Saturday, September 21st for great music and so much more.
This one-day, local festival celebrates Canadian culture and history in our region, seeking to honor as many of Canada’s founding peoples as possible– including First Nations, French, Scottish, and others– all of whom have had strong influence on Michigan and Kalamazoo.
The Canadiana Fest Music Lineup provides a wide range of styles including traditional indigenous music and dance, bag-pipe, pop-rock covers, jazz, and blues. Look for information about all of the musical events below.
Experience food and fun for the whole family! Participate in a host of activities including Opening Ceremonies with Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Odawa and Chippewa drummers and singers, competitions to determine the best Poutine and the best Butter Tart (you can bake and submit yours!), arts and crafts at the Children’s Culture Tent, the Great Lake Acoustic Music Association Instrument Petting Zoo, log rolling, chainsaw sculpture, curling, hockey, basketball, lacrosse and so much more! Click here to go to the Canadiana Fest website and to see the full schedule of events
Get your tickets today at https://canadianafest.fun/
Saturday, September 21, 2024
1:00-11:00 PM
Canadiana Fest Musical Lineup
Southern Straight Singers 1:00 PM (part of the opening ceremonies)
This group of 20+ Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Odawa and Chippewa drummers and singers will share their sacred drum and music at Canadiana Fest, leading our opening ceremonies with a round dance.
Andrew Rathbun Ensemble 2:30 PM Presented in collaboration with The Gilmore
The Andrew Rathbun Quartet returns to the Canadiana Fest this year with swinging post-bop jazz. A Toronto native, he is an accomplished saxophonist, composer and bandleader. Listen for songs from his new recording “The Speed of Time” on Steeplechase Records and new music written for the quartet’s recent appearance at the Stowe Jazz Festival MainStage. Rathbun is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University and lives in Kalamazoo with his family.
The Kalamazoo Pipe Band 3:30 PM
The Kalamazoo Pipe Band is dedicated to teaching, performing & promoting highland bagpipe music in Kalamazoo, MI. Originating in the 1950’s, they have had the honor of piping at many Michigan ceremonies and events. Their heart thumping drum and heart wrenching pipes will move you and invoke the spirit of Canada’s Commonwealth origins. Also watch for the Kalamazoo Scottish Country Dancers.
Skye Consort & Emma Björling 5:00 PM
Skye Consort & Emma Björling is a Canadian trad/folk band with Trans-Atlantic Nordic-Celtic-Acadian-Quebecois roots. Hear vocals in French, English and Swedish and multi-instrumentalists playing fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. They play whirling polkas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, hymns, and original compositions.
Rock Rx 7:00 PM
Hailing from the Kalamazoo area, this high-energy cover band offers their rendition of the best Canadian Rock, Pop and R&B. They make the audience feel like they are part of the band – feel free to sing along to one of your favorite songs.
Julius “The Genius” Fisher 8:30 PM Presented in collaboration with The Gilmore
Julius is an African-American musician, singer, songwriter, producer, band leader, and DJ. He is a gifted keyboard player and will be the opener for Crystal Shawanda. He is currently living in Nashville.
Crystal Shawanda Blues 9:30 PM Presented in collaboration with The Gilmore
Two-time Juno Award-winning and 2024 Maple Blues Award winner for Indigenous Artist of the Year, powerhouse Crystal Shawanda is coming to share her latest studio album, Midnight Blue (True North Records). Born in Wiikwemkoong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, Crystal points to early influences like Etta James, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Her music reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Album chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, the highest charting album by a full-blooded Canadian Indigenous country artist (in the SoundScan-era).