Portage is a new super-group of five fiddlers/multi-instrumentalists/singers from across Canada bringing you old and new traditions in a collective musical adventure. High energy fiddling from many traditions meets innovative arrangements with vocals, guitar, cello, piano, accordion, feet and more. Musicians Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith, and Jean Hewson are all leaders in their stylistic fields – their music is rooted in Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, Appalachia and the West Coast. Collectively they are forging soundscapes that weave their respective traditions together in new and inventive ways.
Port-Aux-Poutines is a two-time MusicNL Award winning French-Canadian duo based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, formed by Jenna Maloney and Axel Belgarde. Since 2022, Port-Aux-Poutines fuses French-Canadian and Newfoundland musical traditions. Through original songs, folk songs, as well as translations of Newfoundland songs, the band celebrates the diversity of French-Canadian culture, tells stories and legends of the province, and celebrates the heritage of Francophonie in Newfoundland.
Polky is a dynamic, female-led folk band based in Toronto that brings the vibrant sounds of Polish folk music to Canadian audiences. Formed by immigrant musicians passionate about cultural preservation and innovation, Polky seamlessly blends traditional Eastern European melodies with contemporary arrangements, captivating listeners with their unique sound and high-energy performances.
Founded by lead singer Ewelina Ferenc, an ethnomusicologist and winner of the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Singer of the Year, Polky is dedicated to reviving and reinterpreting Poland’s musical heritage. Ewelina’s powerful vocals, rooted in ancient Slavic traditions, are complemented by the extraordinary talents of Marta Solek, a virtuoso on the suka biłgorajska—an ancient Polish lap fiddle revived from historical paintings. Marta’s extensive experience performing with renowned Polish artists such as Same Suki, Maria Pomianowska, and Nikola Kołodziejczyk adds depth and authenticity to the band’s sound.
Polky’s music celebrates Poland’s diverse folk traditions, from spirited village dances to haunting vocal harmonies. The band’s innovative approach merges these age-old elements with a modern rhythm section, creating a sound rooted in tradition. Infectious energy, mesmerizing harmonies, and the distinctive timbre of rare Eastern European instruments, captivating audiences and inspiring dance floors across Canada and beyond, mark their performances.
Since their formation, Polky has gained recognition as cultural ambassadors for Polish folk music. Their debut album, Songs From Home (2020), received critical acclaim from Songlines Magazine for its dynamic and authentic essence. The album reflects the multicultural spirit of Toronto while staying true to the band’s deep Polish roots. It was nominated in three categories at the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Awards, with Ewelina securing the title of Traditional Singer of the Year.
Polky’s growing presence on the Canadian folk scene is evident through their performances at prestigious festivals such as the Winnipeg Folk Festival (2024), Vancouver Island MusicFest (2023), Regina Folk Festival (2023), Sunfest (2022), and the Stan Rogers Folk Festival (2022). Additionally, they have showcased their talents at industry events like Folk Music Ontario, Folk Alliance International, APAP, Your Roots Are Showing, and Mundial Montreal.
Polky preserves and promotes Polish culture through their music and embraces collaboration and cultural exchange. Their sound bridges the gap between Eastern European tradition and contemporary global music, inviting audiences to experience the beauty of Polish folk in a fresh and exciting way.
Polky’s performances are more than just concerts—they are celebrations of cultural diversity, women’s empowerment, and the joy of life. With their unwavering passion and artistic excellence, Polky continues to expand their reach, sharing the magic of Polish folk music with new audiences and creating connections through the universal language of music.
Preferred lineup:Ewelina Ferenc – lead vocals, percussionMarta Sołek – Polish knee fiddlesPeter Klaassen – upright bass (sub: Connor Crone)Sam Clark – fiddle Max Senitt – percussion (subs: Matias Recharte, Jaime Eduardo Carrasco, Lorie Wolf)
QUOTES“Polky had people on their feet.”- Brent Lale – CTV News London, read here!
“Joyful songs celebrating Polish music in Canada!”- Angel Romero, World Music Central, read here!
”Energetic wilderness”- Songlines Magazine, read here!
“Polky musically incorporates the love of all their homes’ traditional music into their own luminous original sound.”- The Whole Note Magazine, read here!
“Valiant and cheerful.”-Exclaim! read here!
“Ewelina is a powerful vocalist whose voice could peel the wallpaper off walls.”- Roots Music Canada, read here!
Recent highlights
Winner, Traditional Singer of the Year – Canadian Folk Music Awards (2022)
Nominee, Global Roots Album of the Year – Canadian Folk Music Awards (2022)
Nominee, Emerging / New Artist of the Year – Canadian Folk Music Awards (2022)
For 19 years, Pamela Morgan was lead singer, guitarist, and arranger for Canada’s pioneering “Celtic” band, Newfoundland’s Figgy Duff, who brought the traditional music of Newfoundland and Labrador to the world stage.
Since then, Pamela has been spearheading her own independent record label, Amber Music, producing music for NL’s finest roots artists, including four of her own solo CDs, and licensing tracks to various labels worldwide.
As solo artist she has graced stages in England, Canada, the US and Europe, and overseen productions of two original scores for live theater; her own folk opera, The Nobleman’s Wedding, and Figgy Duff’s score for Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
In 2007 she received an honorary doctorate from Memorial University, and in 2008 embarked upon a different journey, studying Graphic Design at the College of the North Atlantic. This new skill set led to the release of her handmade book Newfoundland Ballads for Piano and Voice in 2011.
In 2013 Pamela completed recording Figgy Duff’s Tempest score, Sounds and Sweet Airs and released her fourth solo CD, entitled Play On. Further development work of her original folk opera The Nobleman’s Wedding is ongoing, inspired by a 2014 production of the opera at the Stephenville Theatre Festival, and work is also ongoing on two new projects; Wetland, and The White Fleet Suite,
She continues to write, arrange, and perform in her own highly original and hauntingly beautiful style.
Paige Penney is a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, three time
Canadian Folk Music Award nominated and two time MusicNL Award
nominated; MusicNL Newfound Talent Contest and Arts and Letters award
Winner.
Paige’s Debut EP’s title track, “Watch Out For Your Step”, features
Canadian Folk trio, The Once and Paige’s single “Shooting Star” features a
co-write with Alan Doyle and Doyle is featured in the music video on
Youtube.
Paige has opened for many established artists including Johnny Reid.
Paige is currently writing and recording for her sophomore album to be
released later this year.
One of the most innovative acts to ever emerge from Newfoundland & Labrador, Ouroboros brings together infectious dance grooves from around the world using the raw energy of saxes, vocals, and drums. Their 2019 ECMA Jazz Recording of the Year Album Kitchuses brought them across eastern Canada, as well as to the US and UK. While lately the band has stuck close to home, they continue to thrill audiences with their original brand of folk-funk-jazz.
Get ready to hoot, holler and hit the dance floor! Ol Billy Bob Boy is a St. John’s-based artist putting a unique spin on traditional country and roots music. Leading the way on upright bass and backed by a stellar group of musicians, Ol Billy Bob Boy’s tunes blend the sounds of old-time country, honky tonk and Americana with signature tongue-in-cheek humour and moving lyrics inspired by life in Newfoundland and beyond.
Released in 2020, Ol Billy Bob Boy’s debut album, Sweltering Sun, led him to be nominated for MusicNL rising star of the year and country artist of the year. He has been featured on CBC and campus and community radio, and has toured across Newfoundland and Canada, performing at festivals, summer concert series and local venues.
He’s played upright bass for notable artists like Abigail Lapell, Raine Hamilton, The Heavy Horses and Matthew Hornell. He has also performed as a side musician at festivals including Summerfolk, Home County, In the Soil, River Rock and Supercrawl, and was a member of the Stephenville Theatre Festival band.
Upbeat, playful and quirky one moment and poignant the next, Ol Billy Bob Boy is sure to keep audiences on their toes and contemplating his lyrics – both witty and profound – long after the show is over. If you love country and roots artists like Corb Lund, Old Crow Medicine Show, Old Man Luedecke, John Prine, and Hank Williams III, then you’ll love Ol Billy Bob Boy.
Connu pour leurs voix claires et puissantes, leurs harmonies concises, et leur reprises créatives, Ocean Bound offre un esprit maritime accueillant peu importe le lieu de représentation, créant un atmosphère musicale intime
Known for their powerful, clear voices, tight harmonies, and creative acoustic covers, Ocean Bound brings a sense of cozy maritime energy to every performance space creating an intimate musical experience.
Nycki Temple-Delisle: Is an energy and sound healer dedicated to promoting holistic well-being and facilitating transformations in individuals’ lives. With her knowledge, intuitive abilities, and compassionate approach, she has been bringing sound bathing to groups , individuals and families in NewfoundlandHer unique blend of modalities, which includes Reiki, sound therapy, crystal healing, and intuitive guidance, she helps her clients release energetic blockages and align their subtle bodies for holistic healing.
