Communities

Cross vivid, folk-inspired melodies with two well-travelled jesters and you’ll find Jâca (ZH?-ka), a guitar and clarinet duo with exuberant energy, charm and wit. Clarinetist Wesley Ferreira and guitarist Jaxon Williams define their style as world music fused with personality, and are unafraid to experiment with that which captures their fancy - fresh takes on classics as well as composition from emerging artists. Highly skilled musicians and educators, both Wesley and Jaxon hold doctorates in music. Wesley performs worldwide as soloist, orchestral and chamber musician. International award-winning guitarist Jaxon is a former Fulbright scholar and master of the Spanish guitar repertoire. From the moment the duo step foot on the stage to the final round of applause, audiences members will find themselves engaged, entertained and enthralled. An evening with Jâca is an encounter with virtuosic performance, cheeky banter, and rhythms that coax you to play along.

Rum Ragged brings a bold take on Newfoundland folk music, combining deep roots with a contemporary twist. As leading performers of their vibrant tradition, they play instruments like bouzouki, fiddle, banjo, guitar, and accordion, captivating audiences with their unique style. Known for their honest, thought-provoking, and often humorous live shows, they have quickly become fan favorites. Their impressive vocal harmonies and storytelling deliver unforgettable concerts. Despite a demanding tour schedule, Rum Ragged has performed at top global folk venues and recorded five acclaimed albums.

Singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker serves up a rootsy-storytelling brand of song that has been said to transport listeners - out onto a northern lake or to the main street of a prairie town. With critical comparisons to the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Murray McLauchlan & Billy Joel he’s twice been named 'Roots-Folk Artist of the Year' in the Saskatchewan Music Awards, has been honoured with a Western Canadian Music Award & the Sask. Country Music Awards have named him ‘Keyboard Player of the Year’ 4 years running. Straker released his prairie-themed 9th recording "Great Big Sky" in 2024. Winning a Canadian Folk Music Award for ‘Contemporary Folk Singer of the Year’, the album also found a fan in none other than his majesty King Charles III and saw Jeffery chosen by Canada’s National Arts Centre to perform at Expo ’25 in Osaka Japan. In concert, Straker’s story-ballads and high energy toe-tappers have become something that listeners want more of. Many return to his shows for his heart-warming banter & audience interaction shared with his keen sense of humour.

"GENIUS OF THE GENTLE GIANT THE MUSIC OF DON WILLIAMS Featuring TREVOR PANCZAK Trevor Panczak is a Canadian country music entertainer who is no stranger to the stage. As an original artist, he has 4 top 50 hits and 1 top 40 hit in Canada. He has toured across the country and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities. Known in some circles as Canada’s"Gentle Giant", Trevor and his band share familiar renditions and new interpretations of the music of one of the most beloved country artists of all time. The original "Gentle Giant", Don Williams had 17 number 1 singles among 50 top ten hits. Some of the first songs Trevor learned on guitar were of Don Williams and it all came full circle when Trevor was given the opportunity to open all the shows on his final Canadian tour. Trevor will take you through the decades of hits with touching stories of the relationship to not only the songs but to the man himself, in a way that only Trevor can do. "