Fresh Wednesdays 2011
Farmers' Market 10 am - 2 pm
The farmers' market is the perfect opportunity to pick up some of the freshest local produce around. Take a look at the huge selection of featured Canadian cheeses, baked goods, deli meats, wild honey, fruits and vegetables for the summer.
Fresh Concerts noon – 2 pm
July 13
With soothing melodies and warming rhythms, Suzie Vinnick is a multitalented folk and jazz recording artist. Her voice has received rave reviews from the likes of Gordon Lightfoot to Stuart McLean, for its wide range and emotional integrity. Suzie earned her six Canadian Maple Blues Awards as well as a 2009 JUNO Awards nomination, proving that her talent is one to watch. Her newest album Me 'n' Mabel is an intimate, bare-bones collection of 14 acoustic blues songs featuring Suzie and her guitar, Mabel.
July 20
Always one to push the boundaries with her music, Elizabeth Shepherd is a unique patron of the arts and has been captivating audiences globally from Tokyo to London. Elizabeth earned her degree in Jazz Piano at McGill University and initially pursued a career in music therapy before realizing her prevalent talents in songwriting and performing. Her album, Start To Move, was nominated for a JUNO Award and voted as one of the top three "Jazz Albums of the Year" on BBC Radio 1 in 2006. Shepherd was also awarded the Polaris Music Prize, making her the only jazz artist ever to achieve this.
July 27
Hailing from Toronto, saxophonist I-Sax is colouring the world with his reggae-inspired music from – corner bars to concert halls. I-Sax is an in-demand session player for many reggae bands and other notable acts including Big Sugar. I-Sax continues to develop his "Jahzz Muzik" sound while working on new material for his upcoming album.
August 3
An uncommon mixture of country, bluegrass and gospel music helped shape the band named Dirty Dishes. Suzie, Allison and Lisa are the three creative and quirky brains behind the music. Their first album entitled Dirty Dishes Done Dirt Cheap was released in 2008 and since then, the band has been rolling throughout Canada.
Special Guest
Struck by the depth and range of North American music, Roger Zuraw moved to Toronto to be a part of the evolving dynamic world of rhythmic sounds. Inspired by a wide variety of music genres, Zuraw developed a passion for song writing, and presents each song with ease. Zuraw has written three beautiful songs about Toronto that will be performed in his upcoming act at Fresh Wednesdays.
August 10
Beverly Taft & Tony Quarrington
Inspired by the sweet and hot rhythms of jazz, Beverly Taft now uses her talents to capture and communicate the essence of each song to her audience. Alongside the songstress jazz veteran Tony Quarrington. Quarrington has been playing the guitar for years, but has just recently refocused his attention to instrumental jazz.
August 17
Although Mel M'rabet resides in Ottawa, he was born in Tetuan (Magreb) and raised in Granada. M'rabet was introduced to the oud (a Middle Eastern string instrument) at a very young age through musical influences from his parents. By age 18, M'rabet began to perform professionally across Spain as an established musician. He has also created compositions for the soundtrack to the film Khaled earning him a Genie Award nomination in 2002.
August 24
Completely charming, contemplative and warm embrace are some of the words a recent German review used to describe David Celia's sound. Celia's heavily anticipated follow up to his 2002 album Organica has just recently been released, entitled This Isn't Her. Celia's music includes multiple genres including: roots-pop, folk, rock and country.
August 31
b current's youth of summer aRts
Summer aRts program showcases a Mash Up Theatre which involves mixes of word, poetry and drama to create a performance that can be done by anyone at any level, anywhere. This youth group entertains the audience with a variety of techniques including spoken word, hip hop dance and arts movement/monologue theatre pieces. During their performance, a "Mash Up Theatre Battle" is sometimes included, where certain audience members are chosen to participate in the fun.
