Georgian Bay Roots Seeks New Host(s)

Summerfolk’s official radio show Georgian Bay Roots is looking for a new host, or pair, to take over a monthly spot. The weekly radio show shares an hour of the […]

Show Case Line Up Announced

At 1pm on Sunday January 20th, The Georgian Bay Folk Society will host its second annual curated open showcase at Heartwood Concert Hall in Owen Sound. Nine acts from across […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 88 (with Jon)

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 83 (with Kailey)

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 82 with Ted

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted This week’s host, Ted Rusk is a 40-year veteran of the music industry as a songwriter and performer. Talking […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 81 (with Dylan)

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 80 (with Jon)

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Summerfolk Volunteer Wins Folk DJ Scholarship

Summerfolk volunteer Jon Farmer is headed to Kansas City Missouri after being awarded the inaugural Gene Shay Scholarship from Folk Alliance International. The award – named after legendary Philadelphia DJ […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 64 – (Jon)

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 61

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 60

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 59

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 58 (November Blues)

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 56

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 55 (What is Folk?)

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 54

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 53

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 52

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 51

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 50

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 49

Georgian Bay Roots With your hosts Dylan, Jon, Kailey, & Ted Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 48

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Summerfolk Hosts Open Showcase

Performance showcases are one of the key ways that performers get exposure. Traditionally they’re done at large conferences and professional networking events so that booking agents, venue owners, and artistic […]

Summerfolk to host Music Biz Conference in Sept

On September 23rd, Summerfolk will host a one-day intensive music business conference in Owen Sound to help aspiring and emerging artists of all ages and genres develop the skills they […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 47

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 46

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 45

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay roots Ep 44

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 43

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 42

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

On the Road Survival with Samantha Martin

Travel can be exhausting and for touring musicians everyday travel struggles come with the added pressure to perform at your best every time you take to the stage. Five Time […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 41

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 40 – Canada Day

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots EP 39

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 38

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 37

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 36

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 35

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 34

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 33 – Mother’s Day

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 32

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 31

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 30

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 29

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 28

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 27

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 026

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 25

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 24

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 023

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 022

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 21

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Episode 18

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 017

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 016

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in Grey and […]

Georgian Bay Roots Ep 015

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in […]

Georgian Bay Roots 13

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in […]

Georgian Bay Roots 12

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in […]

Georgian Bay Roots 11

Georgian Bay Roots With your host Jon Farmer Every Sunday on CFOS 560 from 4-5pm, Georgian Bay Roots shares some of the best music that’s made in and played in […]

Summerfolk is For Kids … Too

By David Newland Ask what “folk” means as a musical genre, and the conversation could go on for weeks. One thing we can all agree on is that the “folk” […]

Honestly Unforgettable Performers

By James Keelaghan Sometimes an artist owns a song. Chances are they didn’t write it, but it’s their voice that you hear when you imagine the song being sung. Judy […]

Refreshing Classics And New Traditions

By James Keelaghan It should be no surprise to you that with a name like Keelaghan, I know a bit about Celtic flavoured music. It might surprise you that it’s […]

Where the music happens

By James Keelaghan When you talk about folk festivals, music is essential, but really it’s all about the space. In 1992, I played the Tønder Festival in Denmark for the […]

Outside of the Box

One of the great things about the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival is that there has always been room for acts that are outside of the box. Acts that are […]

Keeping the Magic (A)live

By Jon Farmer Lately, I’ve been asking people to describe Summerfolk in one word. The most common response has been ‘magic’. It’s an accurate description but it makes it hard […]

Wanted: Artistic Director’s Assistant

JOB POSTING The Georgian Bay Folk Society (GBFS) is seeking applications for the position of Artistic Director’s Assistant. Applicants must be students returning to full time studies in the fall […]

Our Volunteers, Our Roots

The Georgian Bay Folk Society is honoured to celebrate the contributions of its many talented and generous volunteers. Without our partnership with over 700 dedicated community members our central annual […]

GBFS Annual General Meeting – March 20th

The 2016 GBFS Annual General Meeting will take place March 20th from 10am-12 Noon at the Harmony Centre in Owen Sound. As a volunteer run nonprofit, the Georgian Bay Folks […]

December 12/13 Work Bees

Hello Folkie Friends, We’ve got to move the Summerfolk materials to a new storage location and we need your help. The new storage unit is nearby but we’ll need lots […]

Fiddlefern Country Dance Dec 5

Come dancing on Saturday, December 5!! The Fiddlefern Country Dancers are hosting the regular monthly dance on Saturday night, December 5, 2015. For anyone who likes to dance. Beginners welcome. No partner […]

James Keelaghan Returns as Artistic Director

After presenting the most successful Summerfolk in recent memory, the Georgian Bay Folk Society is planning for Summerfolk41, opening sales for the festival, and looking to the future. The GBFS […]

Fiddlefern Hosts Workshop and Dance

Fiddlefern is hosting a Quebec dance music workshop November 7. One of Quebec’s most respected fiddlers and singers will be in Owen Sound with the rad-folk trio Mil on November 7. […]

Call for Artwork

Request for Expressions of Interest – The Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival is seeking an artist to create the artwork for our 2016 festival branding. This is a paid position to […]

Summerfolk40 Survey

Hello Folkie Friends, We’re uploading a copy of the 2015 Summerfolk Survey for those of you who didn’t get the chance to give feedback about the festival. The GBFS is […]

Summerfolk40 President’s Message

Presidents Message on the Anniversary Bash Summerfolk 40 Summerfolk 40 and the Anniversary Birthday Bash certainly exceeded all expectations in every sense of the word. It was a special weekend […]

Summerfolk40 Officially a Success

The Georgian Bay Folk Society (GBFS) is officially declaring the 40th anniversary Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival a success. The festival enjoys a glowing reputation among fans and performers for […]

A Map to Summerfolk40

By James Keelaghan  Tonight, we are kicking off the festival with a Birthday Bash in the new Down by the Bay tent. Monkey Junk will kick things off at 8 […]

The View From Stage Right

By David Newland The other day, my teenage daughter confronted me: “Dad, why are you still wearing that t-shirt? It’s ten years old!” I looked down, stunned. “What?! This is […]

Workshops and Festival Magic

By James Keelaghan We have a lot of people who buy tickets to the festival before we announce even one name from the lineup. They know that what happens at […]

Fruitful artists have roots in tradition

By James Keelaghan Several years ago, I was teaching at a music camp in New Jersey. I had a group of about 16 songwriters as students. On the first night […]

Q & A with the Wareham Forge

The Artisan Village puts the ‘Craft’ into the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival.  Recently, we asked Darrell Markewitz of the Wareham Forge about his over 20 years of Summerfolk experience. […]

Building on Musical Mentors

By James Keelaghan In April this year, I lost a good friend. Ron Casat had been one of my earliest mentors. He taught me pretty well everything I know about […]

Trout Fishing in America

By James Keelaghan Nineteen eighty-eight was the first year I played Summerfolk with my own band. The festival, as usual, supplied rooms to out of town performers. Our rooms were […]

The Story Behind the Logo

By James Keelaghan Performers live for stickers and lanyards. They are the campaign medals of the touring circuit. I’ve got a wall full of them in my office. I had one […]

Deep Roots at Summerfolk

By James Keelaghan The other day, I was doing research into Canadian folk festivals. Every now and again, I like to go old school on the fact finding. I went […]

Claire Lynch Has The Voice

By James Keelaghan Every now and again I play a little game with myself. I imagine which musician I would like to be. Sometimes I’d like to be Phil Ochs, […]

Summerfolk 40 Photo Contest

We’re holding a photography contest in honour of Summerfolk 40. The Georgian Bay Folk Society logo was inspired by the image of David Essig tuning up under a tree on […]

In the Spirit of Camping

If we were going to explain the spirit of Summerfolk in one sentence it would look something like this: “People gathering outside to share music and art”.  Visitors find folks […]

General Information 2015

GATES OPEN: Thursday ~ 7pm – music from 8 – 11pm Friday ~ 4:30 pm – music from 6pm – 1 am Saturday ~ 10:30 am – music from 11:00am […]

Alysha Brilla Warmed a Windy April Night

Alysha Brilla brought a taste of the Summerfolk spirit to the Roxy stage on a blustery April night. The Georgian Bay Folk Society partnered with the Roxy Theatre to bring […]

$37,000 Boost to Summerfolk Endowment

Georgian Bay Folk Society  in partnership with the Community Foundation of Grey Bruce is thrilled to announce that its application to the Federal Government’s Endowment Incentive Program was successful. Heritage […]

Announcing Youth Discovery Winners

The Georgian Bay Folk Society is proud to announce the winners of the 2015 Youth Discovery Showcase series. As part of our on-going work to promote and support the folks […]

Moving Down the Road to Summerfolk

We’re speeding down the Road to Summerfolk and getting closer all the time. On March 15th, 13 youth acts joined a panel of judges, members of the Georgian Bay Folk […]

Marching to the Monthly Open Mic

We’re getting to the end of another month and that means it’s time to gather at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library for another musical workshop and […]