The Cowichan Folk Guild has a party percolating, with a lineup that will make music lovers thankful for the sounds of folk as the CFG Coffeehouse presents 'Folk Heroes and Friends' at Duncan United Church on Oct. 11.
"I added 'and friends' because I was hoping that it would allow people to be a folk hero or a friend depending on how they felt that day," said folk guild festival artistic director Jack Connolly. "I also thought it was funny to imply that some people are folk heroes, while some are just friends; of course I didn't mean it that way, but I think it's great and will be a little funny thing on the night of."
The CFG Coffeehouse first began brewing with talent in the mid-'80s as a way to bring community together through music between folk festivals. Connolly celebrates his third year programming the Coffeehouse, noting that audience attendance reflects the numbers they had in their heyday.
"We're trying to keep it exciting and surprising," said Connolly.
Connolly has a lineup stronger than espresso for the upcoming Saturday night coffeehouse featuring a house band comprised of Brian Horwitz, Claire Coupland, Tad Ruzsel and Jay Stevens. There will be one-song performances by Lennon McGillivray, Paul Ruszel, Dennis Atkins, Ed & Gail Peekeekoot, Brent Hutchinson, Chuck McCandless, Totally Jode, Claire Coupland and Tad Ruszel.
"This came together quite quickly because the band is made up of professionals with great attitudes and I was able to use my own musical skills to write up charts for all the different artists and their songs so that we could all communicate and put together a professional show where we could all communicate quite easily," said Connolly. "For a long time, I have been dreaming of doing a show where we had a house band and some of our longtime heroes could play one song each.
"Every song is different and features an artist maybe you have heard about but never seen or haven't seen for a long time," said Connolly. "It's called 'Folk Heroes' because I sometimes call local artists who have been around a while or have earned some notoriety a 'folk hero'. I don't do it to make the artist love me, I do it so the audience knows that this local artist is worth paying attention to, whoever it is."
Connolly believes that sometimes the community's familiarity with local performers combined with the knowledge that we will be able to see them perform again soon can rob the experience of seeing them live, or the sense of occasion one may receive from seeing other stars from further afield. This was the inspiration for the Coffeehouse's all-star show.
"I am hoping that the audience feels delighted, and inspired by this night of music," said Connolly. "Perhaps even appreciative of all the accomplishments on display by these various songwriters, and performers who have accomplished these things while living here among us."
The price to party is $5 for members, and $10 for non-members. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the open stage that will run for 45 minutes starting at 7:30 p.m. While the Coffeehouse taking centre stage over Thanksgiving weekend is just a coincidence, it is a wonderful opportunity, nonetheless to show gratitude and appreciation to one another, and the talented featured musicians.
"The open stage is always fun, and the format is totally open so anything goes as far as performance style is concerned," said Connolly. "My dream is that we get so many signing up that all we have time for is one song each. As a performer that might sound kind of limiting, but I think for the audience and for our sense of community, it would be a very good thing."
