Back 40 Folk Festival

June 3rd, 2012

 

2012 Performers

Ridley Bent & Chris Dunn

After three years in Winnipeg Ridley Bent is starting to feel like a local, and like most locals, he knows that the best way to kick off the Manitoba summer festival season is at the Back 40 Folk Festival. Bent’s songwriting skills complement both the country and folk side of things perfectly and when accompanied by Chris Dunn’s guitar playing this set is sure to be a highlight of the day. His latest album Rabbit On My Wheel is filled with shady characters, jackknifing tractor-trailers and whiskey fuelled bar fights and then there’s – The Blood Trilogy. A companion EP co-written with Dunn is a western epic of violence and vengeance informed by Ridley’s ongoing fascination with the bleak worlds of writers like John Steinbeck and Cormac Mccarthy. It’s sure to be a high-energy performance filled with stories you won’t forget.

www.ridleybent.ca

www.myspace.com/lilstraightsix

 

Sweet Alibi

Sweet Alibi has been captivating audiences with their alluring blend of soulful melody and folk/roots tradition. Playful sense of lyricism set to powerful vocal harmony set the stage for a performance which is up front and personal and instinctively compelling.

Drawing influence from a vast array of musical references, Sweet Alibi apply a quirky pop sensibility to an eclectic set. Songs range in mood from hauntingly provocative ballads to left of centre takes on everything from Country to old school RnB. Backing their vocals with electric guitars, banjos, hand percussion, ukuleles, upright bass, Sweet Alibi compliment a diverse set with an equally eclectic instrumentation.

Comprised of three core members (Jessica Rae Ayre, Amber Neilsen, and Michelle Anderson), and backed by an array of Winnipeg’s finest musicians, the group performs steadily both as a stripped down trio and with a fully fleshed out rhythm section. Having finished their highly anticipated debut album with Juno award winner Mitch Dorge, Sweet Alibi are currently touring their album across Canada, which includes a stop in Morden Park bowl!

www.myspace.com/thesweetalibi

 

The New Lightweights

The New Lightweights are a brand new collective out of ever evolving Winnipeg, Manitoba music scene. Providing a meld of folk, pop and alt-country with a little peppering of soul for good measure, they show that when it comes down to it, music is really all about the beautiful subtleties. They may be new to each other, and they may be new to you, but as individuals, Alexa Dirks, Ariel Posen, Ryan Voth and Graham Isaak have all been playing professionally in the Winnipeg scene for years now. Newly formed in December of 2008, The New Lightweights are inviting and fresh and they plan on bringing their warm and laid back sound to Back 40 Folk Festival.

www.myspace.com/thenewlightweights

 

Jelly B and the K-Mart Shoppers

Jelly B and the K-Mart Shoppers are three friends who share a love of playing music and having fun. Their blend of roots, blues and folk rock tunes always has the audience clapping and singing along. Add in original songs and players who will trade off on a wide mix of instruments and you’ve got everything you need for your entertainment shopping list. Brad Friesen (Boo Radley) is a percussionist …who spent 10 years looking at the butts of Winnipeg’s biggest celtic rock band and he now mostly plays the cajon but occasionally shows us his considerable talents on the full kit. Slim Shakey (aka Glen Hagen) has been writing and playing songs for longer than he can even remember, and plays stand up bass, guitar and mandolin. Jelly B was a closet blues singer until she met 2 crazy guys who dragged her into the spotlight. She plays guitar, stand up bass and flute. She and Slim write many of the bands originals both separately and together.

www.reverbnation.com/jellyb

 

Steve Keys and the Space Trannys

Two year ago four friends decided to combine their talents into one band. Blowing away the crowd at the Back 40 Festival’s That 60’s Show with their tributes to Bob Dylan and The Velvet Underground it seemed only fitting for them to close the 2012 festival. Their songs sound something like Rock n’ Roll Blues Punk, or a fusion of 60′s and 70′s sounds mixed with a couple sounds from a couple of years from every other decade. Self description: “Steve sings and plays simple guitar chords. Brent plays salty licks that we like to call guitar solos. Andy slaps bass (not the fish). Zackwards… well, he’s here to keep us in line.” These guys have just finished recording their second album at Dudge Recording Studio in Darlingford named Two Boogie Nights, which will be released this summer.

www.supernova.com/spacetrannys

 

Paul Bergman


A few years ago, Paul Bergman (1983 – ) played the Back Forty Folk
Festival stage as a winner of the Loreena McKennitt Composition
Competition for his song, ‘Fallow field’. A couple of years later, he
filled in as a tweener and now this year, he’s back as a main stage
act. Broadly defined as folk music, Bergman’s songs seek to document
the existence of the culture, landscape, and history of this area.
He’ll likely be sharing a selection of songs from his previous
recordings (‘Crow scarecrow’ being the most recent) as well as a
couple of not-yet-released numbers from a forthcoming record.

www.myspace.com/paulbergmanmusic

Aaron Burnett

Delightfully inspiring, with a desire to positively influence children by changing the way they hear and see music. Passionate about education and music, combining the two was a no-brainer, Aaron Burnett engages the young to learn through music.

Juno nominated Aaron Burnett is passionate when he talks about his music, and he does not shy away from enthusiasm in the least. Playing the Back 40 Festival for two sets this year, it is sure to be a great time for children of all ages.

www.aaronburnett.com

Ed Penner

Singer/songwriter Ed Penner delivers a unique blend of country and folk music. The style of music is often called americana or roots music and is known for it’s story telling nature. Along with “The North Border Band” they entertain with music reminicent of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristopherson and Don Williams to name a few. Ed Penner also delivers original material which includes songs of life , love and faith. He will prove to be the perfect start to a day filled with Manitoba’s finest musicians.

www.edpenner.com

Rachel Ashley

Rachel Ashley has been hard at work the past year. Since her debut at last spring’s festival she has been playing all over the city, written more songs and has been working with The Eh Team. The Eh Team is a group organized by Janice Starodub who specializes in artist development and has taken Ashley’s music to a whole new level. A Southern Manitoba teenager who picked up a guitar a little over a year ago is truly an inspiration to all and the perfect example of the Back 40 Festival keeping home made music alive!

www.rachelashleymusic.com

 

 

Fill The Bowl!

Back 40 Festival is giving individuals and businesses the opportunity to really make a difference and get involved with the June Festival. “Fill the Bowl” is a successful campaign launched last year with great success and great promise this year.

We are looking for ways to expand our festival audience within the community to ensure that no one misses out on this world-class festival hosted in Morden, Manitoba June 3, 2012. With a contribution of $150 you will receive 10 festival passes to give out to employees, family & friends and an event poster 2 – 3 weeks prior to the festival. You will be listed on the “Back 40 Fill Up The Bowl Roster” at the upcoming “That 60’s Show” in mid April , at the June festival and on the website. Please mail your cheque to Back 40 Folk Festival at Box 10 Darlingford, MB R0G0L0.

2012 Fill the Bowl Contributors

 

  • Bob and Kathy Menzies
  • Canadian Lumber
  • Code-Med Inc.
  • Dr. and Mrs. Earl Lautenschlager

 

Directions

Morden is located one hour south of the Perimeter Highway

  • Stay on # 3 Hwy
  • You will see the sign for Morden Park on the North side of # 3 directly across from the Dairy Queen (Near west end of Morden)
  • Admission Gates are on the North & South end of the Park
  • Turn right (north) on 12th street (a block before the Dairy Queen)
  • Travel 2 blocks and turn left ½ block
  • Free Parking!
  • Please no pets

 

Crafters display is along the West side of the Park bowl and features a variety of homemade products including: pottery, jewelry, paintings, etc. Applications can be mailed or dropped off to Pembina Hills Art Gallery. Deadline June 1st, 2012

Crafter’s Application Form 2012

pembhill@mts.net

Phone- (204) 822-6026

 

Vendors are set up along the top North-East side of the Park Bowl. Support some of our local fundraising groups and enjoy a wide variety of yummy food!

 

Kids Have a BLAST at Back 40!

  • Kids activity tent 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
  • Face painting
  • Crafts
  • Games

 

Poster