Friday, December 11, 2009

Lorina Harding’s extensive theatrical background, storytelling abilities and infectious sense of humour blend to create mesmerising stage performances reviewers have called “...utterly captivating.” As well as being a truly gifted performer, Lorina is an accomplished singer songwriter and musician. Her songs have been called “...masterpieces in miniature...” and her voice “...resonant and soulful as a gospel choir...” Her first two albums won Tui awards (the NZ equivalent of a Juno) for Best Folk album and critical acclaim. She was also named Best Solo Performer by respected Metro Magazine. Lorina has played support for many acts including: Lucinda Williams, Suzanne Vega, Katy Moffat, Guy Clark, Rory McLeod, Jane Siberry, and Blue Rodeo. Check her out at: www.myspace.com/lorinahardingldw or www.lorinaharding.com.

The Road Scholars is made up of Cheryl Maude, Bill Welburn, Garth Priest, Rick Rossi and Perry Benedik. When naming their second CD, Bill pointed out: “After being asked by many of our fans when our new CD was finally going to be ready, we started telling them Someday Soon, Perry added: “When I suggested that Ian Tyson’s Someday Soon might be a great addition to Road Scholars’ repertoire, I never imagined that it would end up as the title track of our second CD.” Superbly recorded and mastered by John Cameron, Someday Soon has, in more ways than one, certainly arrived for the Road Scholars. They have performed at the Franklin Apple Hollow Music Fest, the Lake Champlain Bluegrass Festival, the Sand Road Sugar Camp Bluegrass Festival, and the Ormstown Branches & Roots Music Festival. For more information: www.roadscholarsbluegrass.com

Victor Schukov is a West Island resident and weekly columnist for The Montreal Gazette. He performs a wide range of original folk/rock compositions, blending guitar riffs with melodic hooks.

In what has become a December tradition, Plain Folk (a.k.a. the Side Door’s house band), made up of hosts Isabelle Delage, Mick Perreaux, Leigh Redding and Val Teodori, will put you in the right mood for the Holidays with a set of their off-the-beaten-path Christmas tunes!