The Haliburton County Folk Society (HCFS) has announced its artist line-up for the 2026-27 concert series.
The reveal was on CanoeFM last Thursday (June 18) with Sue Shikaze joining Don Gage, co-president of HCFS, and Kris Kadwell, host of Paddling Beyond the Mainstream. They announced the artists, talked a bit about why they chose them, and played selections of their music.
The upcoming series features Juno awardwinning and nominated artists, a range of genres, original music, and storytelling, as well as well-established artists and up-andcomers who are just beginning to make their mark on the Canadian music scene, Shikaze said.
“Whether you’re familiar with the names or not, you can be sure that you’ll leave as a fan of each performer, continuing the HCFS tradition of presenting the best of Canadian music right here in the Haliburton Highlands,” she added.
The series kicks off with Juno awardwinning band Kobo Town. Formed and fronted by Drew Gonsalves, originally from Trinidad, Kobo Town brings distinct calypso and ska-inspired sound to the Haliburton Legion Oct. 3.
The second show is someone the HCFS is catching at the beginning of what they think promises to be a stellar career in music. Irish Millie is a singer, songwriter and fiddle player from Peterborough who takes the stage Nov. 14 at the Highland Hills United Church.
At just 19 years old, Millie is already making a name for herself. Her music is a high-energy blend of East Coast drive, bluegrass edge, and contemporary trad with a distinct Celtic pop rock energy. She is a seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, including two 2026 nominations for young performer of the year, and single of the year.
Show number three is York Street Thought Process, who will kick off February Folk Fest Feb. 6, 2027 in the club room at the Haliburton Legion. York Street Thought Process is duo Jaron Camp and Rachael Frankruyter. Shikaze said they have captured the hearts of audiences across Canada with their playful approach to folk music, blending strong storytelling with improvisation. They have performed at the Mariposa Folk Festival and Winnipeg Folk Festival, proving they’re on their way to establishing themselves in the music scene. They caught the attention of HCFS at the 2025 Folk Music Ontario conference, where they were part of the emerging artist program.
On April 2, show number four at the Haliburton Legion features the Slocan Ramblers.
They are a Juno-nominated bluegrass band rooted in tradition, fearlessly creative with a bold, dynamic sound, who have become a leading light of today’s acoustic music scene, Shikaze said. The Slocans performed in the County in 2015, and Shikaze noted they are excited to welcome them back “with their energetic live show, impeccable musicianship and an uncanny ability to convert anyone within earshot into a lifelong fan.”
The series wraps up with singer-songwriter Martin Kerr June 5, 2027 at Highland Hills United Church. Martin is a folk troubadour “for the post-truth age. His outspoken and poetic takes blend urgent issues of the day with deeply personal narratives, in honest and nostalgic folk arrangements that invite you to sing along,” the folk society said.
He has done some controversial rewrites of classic songs like God Rest Ye Merry Billionaires, Away in Bomb Shelters, and What’s Up America? being adopted as anthems for justice and democracy. Shikaze is expecting a captivating live performance, peppered with Martin’s dry British humour.
Series passes, and tickets to individual shows, are available at haliburtonfolk.com.
