The Huntsville Festival of the Arts is now well underway and playing to large audiences.
This next week offers a further opportunity to see and hear some great entertainment, starting with Thursday’s presentation of the legendary Downchild Blues Band. Then, with singer/songwriter Marc Jordan appearing on July 12, the upcoming weekend promises to be a special one indeed.
Downchild, and their leader Donnie Walsh, have been Canada’s leading blues band for 40 years. Weighed down by awards and recognitions over their career, the group showed their currency by being acknowledged as Entertainers of the Year at the 2007 Maple Blues Awards.
Inspired by the early music of Muddy Waters and BB King, Downchild plays the blues the way it was meant to be played: straight up and strong.
On Friday night, the festival welcomes back a favourite show from a couple of years ago. Unforgettable: Brothers of Song features a tribute to the music of Nat ‘King’ Cole and celebrates such notable artists as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Al Hibbler, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Barry White, James Brown, Lou Rawls, Lionel Ritchie and others.
UNFORGETTABLE: Rudy Mayes returns to the Algonquin Theatre stage with the music of Nat 'King' Cole and others, supported by an all-star band and some great female vocalists. Don't miss Unforgettable: Brothers of Song on July 11 at 8 p.m.
Cole, a musical pioneer with hits such as Unforgettable, Mona Lisa, Ramblin’ Rose, and Nature Boy, sold over 50 million recordings during his illustrious career.
The two-hour production of Unforgettable: Brothers of Song, features Rudy Mayes with an all-star band, a lead female vocalist, plus four solo and back-up singers. This smooth, romantic, joyous show takes audiences through the early years of jazz, gospel, blues, soul, rock and roll, Motown and more.
From noon on Saturday and Sunday, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts presents the inaugural Edge of the Woods street festival (see separate story), then on Saturday evening festival patrons will be treated to not one, but two very talented artists.
Opening the evening will be Dawn Langstroth. While that name may not be familiar to many, Langstroth is the daughter of Anne Murray and sang with her mother on her recent duets CD. Langstroth has also established a personal recording career.
Following Langstroth is regular festival performer Marc Jordan, who has previously appeared with his wife Amy Sky and as a member of the songwriters group known as Lunch at Allen’s.
Jordan has established an impeccable name internationally, as the writer of such hits as Living in Marina Del Ray, Rockets, and also Rhythm of My Heart and This, recorded by Rod Stewart. A superb storyteller and an excellent musician, Jordan will provide a great evening of entertainment.
For more information on these or any of the festival concerts, or to order tickets, go to www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca or call the Algonquin Theatre box office at 789-4975.
