The Haliburton County Folk Society says the audience can expect a powerful voice with compelling storytelling, humour, and a tight five-piece band, when Celeigh Cardinal comes to town April 19.
Juno award winner, David Francey, describes Cardinal as “stellar. Riveting. Real. A writer of rare depth and honesty and in the voice a powerful beauty. I felt the songs and I felt lucky to bear witness. A true light.”
The HCFS said it was thrilled to present the 2020 JUNO award winner for Indigenous Artist of the Year. Cardinal’s recent studio album, Boundless Possibilities has garnered two Canadian 2025 Folk Music award nominations— for English Songwriter of the Year and Indigenous Songwriter of the Year, and she received two 2025 JUNO nominations for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year and Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year.
The Folk Society’s artistic director, Sue Shikaze, said, “Celeigh’s live performance is like a warm embrace, wrapping you in with her smooth, powerful voice and engaging presence. This is a show you won’t want to miss.”
Cardinal’s music reflects her roots.
She says, “growing up in northern Alberta, I was one of two native families in the church and the school that I went to. My father’s family was part of the ‘Sixties Scoop,’ so we didn’t grow up connected to our Indigenous culture at all. My whole life, I felt like I was struggling with my identity and the many expectations that were put on me, so it took a long time for me to feel like I had a voice.”
The Folk Society said the concert offers something for everyone – a seamless blend of soul, folk, funk, and rock that showcases the standout talents of her band and Cardinal’s impressive vocal chops in equal measure, and like never before. The concert is happening on the Easter weekend with folks encouraged to make it a family affair. Children 18 and under can attend at no charge
The local opener for the show will be Jamie McGowan. Originally from the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland, McGowan effortlessly settled into life in the Haliburton Highlands. The combination of beautiful scenery, nature, and his Scottish roots gives his music a unique take on traditional Scottish Celtic music, the Folk Society said.
Tickets, and more information, are available at haliburtonfolk.com. To find out more about Cardinal, visit celeighcardinal.com. The performance will take place at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton.
The show is presented by the Haliburton County Folk Society, a part of the Haliburton County Community Cooperative. For more information about the Coop see haliburtoncooperative. on.ca.
