Sue Shikaze, an artistic director for the Haliburton County Folk Society, said the concert series is trying to broaden how people see the folk music genre.

Details of the 2019/2020 season were released Aug. 1 and committee members are excited about this year’s lineup.

“It’s not always one person standing up at the mic with a guitar, singing songs,” said Shikaze. “It (folk music) really encompasses all different genres and I think our lineup for next year really focuses on that.”

The concert series consists of: Danny Michel performing at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion on September 20; Irish Mythen on November 9 at the Highland Hills United Church; local band Homemade Stew at the Northern Lights Feb. 1, 2020, My Son the Hurricane at the Haliburton Legion on April. 18, 2020 and Big Little Lions May 3, 2020 at a location still being determined.

Shikaze said the artists and bands are chosen by the concert committee. Members make suggestions and pick their top favourites. The committee then tries to book them.

Recently, the folk society has been trying to choose artists and bands that are not only different but will attract a diverse group of people.

“The folk society made a very conscious decision a few years ago to increase diversity in our audience especially,” said committee member Walter Tose. “In that vein we’ve increased diversity both on what we offer and where we offer it. A few years ago, all of our venues were sitdown venues … last year we did the legion for the first time and half of it was a dance floor and that was a sellout for us.”

Last year’s series had three concerts sell out and the other two had a large crowd, according to Shikaze.

Tickets for this year can be bought online at haliburtonfolk.com or at On the Spot variety in Minden or Halco Electronics in Haliburton. Prices for individual concerts are $25 for non-members and $20 for members.

My Son the Hurricane tickets are $35 for nonmembers and $30 for members. Series tickets are 60 per cent sold out according to the committee but cost $110 for non-members and $85 for members.

The Haliburton County Folk Society is also looking for hosts for their Homeroots Concert series. Volunteers would have to be open to the idea of hosting a musician for a night and allowing them to hold a small concert (approximately 30-40 people) in their home.

Anyone interested in hosting a Homeroots Concert can contact the folk society by email at info@haliburtonfolk.com.

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