Folk and fiddle music concert in Cambridge August 3, 2024

The members of Portage are: Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith and Jean Hewson.
Canadian folk music group Portage perform Aug. 3, 2024 in Cambridge ON. The members of Portage include: Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith and Jean Hewson. Photo from Portage.

A new group of Canadian folk musicians plans a show in Cambridge on Aug. 3, 2024, at Wesley United Church.

I’ll be the emcee for the show by Portage. I look forward to seeing you in the audience. Tickets cost $20.

For me, it’s a chance to reflect on the annual Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music, that used to be staged downtown on the Civic Holiday Weekend. I always had great fun volunteering on the board planning the event, and introducing musicians on the show weekend.

And on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, folk trio Tea for Three plays at Mill Race Park – where the Mill Race festival began in 1992. The trio include Paul Morris, Gwen Potter & Brad McEwen, who are also members of the band Tethera. Brad was the founder and musical director of the festival. Tea for Three performs at 7 p.m., after Emi-Lee Small at 6:30 p.m.

Last Mill Race Festival staged in 2018

The festival’s last year was in 2018, after 26 years. There’s no plan to revive the festival. Instead, the volunteer folk society is now helping other groups host music events.

I was also a volunteer emcee at the annual Cambridge Celebration of the Arts in June. I was one of three Cambridge Toastmasters members who put our practice into action by introducing performers.

At Wesley, Portage members will showcase their skills as fiddlers, multi-instrumentalists, and singers performing old and new music in a collective artistic adventure.

Their new self-named recording Portage, features ten arrangements of high-energy fiddling from many traditions combining vocals, guitar, cello, piano, bones, feet, and more. 

The members of Portage are Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith and Jean Hewson.

The Cambridge event is organized by Wesley United Church and Mill Race Folk Traditions.

Portage concert information

Sat., Aug. 3, 2024

Wesley United Church – Ainslie Hall

6 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, ON

Concert: 8-10 pm

Tickets: $20:  www.ticketscene.ca/events/48148 or cash/debit at the door

Parking for the show is available behind City Hall, in the Cambridge Street lot.  Please enter the church through the Cambridge Street doors.

Doors and Bar Open at 7:30 pm

For information about the concert, email: events@wesleyunitedchurchcambridge.ca