Folk

The colourful history of Newfoundland’s fishers and loggers, sealers and whalers is told with story, song and incredible visuals in this engaging musical review by Shipyard Kitchen Party, creators of “Tom Thomson’s Wake” and “100 Years from Now”.

From the remote outports to the vibrant city of St. John’s, from the fishing stages to the kitchens and front parlours, you’ll hear the timeless sea-shanties, triumphant ballads and the hilarious foot-stomping sing-a-longs that make Canada’s 10th province its most legendary.

You may not be a Newfoundlander when you take your seat, but you’ll feel like one when you leave!

Maggie’s Wake is a refreshing and exciting band from Southwestern Ontario, Canada. We are passionate about creating new music that expands on our influences and our sound is a blend of traditional folk and contemporary styles, including jazz, Americana and classic country. Our band members are passionate about bringing the rich history of folk music to life in a contemporary way and we strive to create a unique sound that reflects our heritage while also being wholly original. Our goal is to bring joy and inspiration to our audiences through our music.

The band features the stellar duo of award winning songwriter and multi instrumentalist Tara Dunphy (The Rizdales, Luther Wright and the Wrongs) on lead vocals, harmonizing tin whistle, flute and fiddle and award winning and internationally recognized Lindsay Schindler (Rant Maggie Rant, Trent Severn) as lead instrumentalist on fiddle/violin and harmony vocals. Their powerhouse band includes Andrew Kosty on upright and electric bass, Ken Palmer on acoustic and electric guitar, and frequent guests Dean Harrison on piano and accordion and Stephan Szczesniak on percussion.

In June 2023, Maggie’s Wake was awarded the Forest City London Music Award for best Folk group and shortly afterwards were invited to Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, MO to perform as an Official Showcase Artist. They have been playing sold out theatres and concert halls for the past 18 months, building much anticipation for their debut album, the self titled “Maggie’s Wake”, which was released on March 17, 2024 worldwide to critical acclaim.

BackSeat Girls weave bluesy honey sweet harmonies, acoustic arrangements, and heartfelt storytelling into a timeless sound rooted in old-time country and bluegrass. Based in London, Ontario and area, the all-women band features Brenda Beaudoin, Linda Churchill, Lori Aiken, Louise Carroll, and new member Caroline Burchill, with special guest fiddle player Doug Long. Whether performing on their local “How Can it Get Any Better?” Tour, singing live at selected screenings of the documentary We Lend A Hand: The Forgotten Story of the Ontario Farmerettes or raising funds every September for the Belmont Community Park, they bring soul, spirit, and song wherever they go.

Juno award winning singer-songwriter-musician Cara Luft is that rare artist steeped in folk and traditional roots music almost from birth, yet willing to alter the fabric, stretch the boundaries and fearlessly bend genres and styles.  A founding member of Canadian folk super-group The Wailin' Jennys and the brainchild behind Winnipeg's acclaimed powerhouse duo The Small Glories, Luft deserves her solid reputation as one of Canada’s finest live performers, armed with amazing tenacity, vision, energy and a contagious hilarity. To quote the roots magazine No Depression, “Luft has a rich tradition in folk music – it’s safe to assume that she knows her stuff – and upon listening it becomes quite clear that she is indeed a formidable songwriter and performer... [The] lovely Ms. Luft sets the bar for the talented few who’ll follow in her footsteps.”

Cara has a spirit that drives her to connect with people, and for this she is loved everywhere she goes. Reviewers of her live shows talk about her compelling vocals, superb musicianship, humorous anecdotes, accomplished songwriting, ability to switch between styles and the charm of her stage presence. Cara’s the real deal, there’s nothing pretentious about her. And that sense of honesty, integrity, personality and spontaneity permeates both her music and her live shows. “Long may she reign!” (Lonesome Highway)

Free, fun, and full of emotion, Dizzy & Fay is a songwriting duo featuring pianist Mark Lalama and vocalist Amanda Walther. Their melodies are fresh yet familiar, drawing listeners into their whimsical world with every original composition. With a one-of-a-kind take on the classic jazz sound, Dizzy & Fay deliver 100% original music that is as heartfelt as it is captivating.

Based in Southern Ontario, the duo has released two full-length albums, earning extensive airplay on jazz radio stations across the United States and Canada. Their latest album, Hooked, received glowing praise from Wholenote Magazine, describing the pair as “highly musical tunesmiths and storytellers,” while their 2021 song “I Knew It Was Love” was an official selection at the London Music Video Awards.

Dizzy & Fay’s unique blend of artistry stems from their rich musical backgrounds. Mark Lalama, a songwriter, pianist, and producer from Fenwick, has performed across North America and collaborated with some of Canada’s most renowned jazz artists, including Jackie Richardson, Marc Jordan, Guido Basso, and Molly Johnson.

Amanda Walther, a Juno-nominated singer-songwriter from Toronto, is celebrated for her emotive compositions, including the soundtrack for the LGBTQ+ film Walk With Me, which earned her multiple international awards for Best Composer and Best Soundtrack.

Together, Dizzy & Fay bring fresh energy to every performance, creating music that is timeless, engaging, and brimming with emotion.

Fiker is a singer/songwriter (and musician) who has been playing music and writing songs since the age of 13. Over the past 4-5 years, they have started performing their own music live. Fiker loves to sing, play, and listen to all genres of music, and they embrace a fluid, exploratory approach to sound that reflects their wide-ranging musical tastes. They feel genreless, which is freeing, as they’ve always desired the space to explore music without being boxed in. Their recent influences are rooted in R&B, jazz, soul, and neo-soul, though they are still discovering how those sounds will shape the songs they are currently writing. Fiker’s music is available on streaming platforms under the name "Fiker," with their song "heavyhand" now released. They have been influenced by artists such as Hayley Williams, Erykah Badu, Jazmine Sullivan, Mary Mary, Alanis Morissette, Pinegrove, and many more. With every new song, fiker continues to lean into curiosity, honesty, and the joy of musical exploration.

TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Dawn Redskye is a Deshkan Ziibing (London, Ontario) based artist.  She is of Anishinaabe and Irish ancestry.  In a rare solo performance, Redskye tackles current critical issues through a carefully curated mix of classic folk, contemporary and even a rock song or two. Dawn currently plays lead guitar for Lindsey and the Lonelies and fronts her newest original project DAWN!.

TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Alternative/folk/pop singer-songwriter, Magenta, writes honest and emotional songs which fans describe to be brutally relatable. Through the years, she has developed her craft immensely, constantly experimenting with lyrical metaphors and sonic expressions. With music similar to the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams and Jeremy Zucker, magenta’s audience has been growing ever since her first release in 2021. Magenta has been a part of various development programs such as SOCAN's Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship and RBCxMusic First Up.  

After the successful release of her first single “finding myself”, Magenta later released her debut EP “lost in plain sight” in March of 2022. Magenta then wrote her sophomore EP throughout 2022 and released the project titled “can you see the beginning?” in March of 2023. Of that project, her single “weighing me down” landed a spot on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Canada Playlist. Most recently, magenta released her third EP titled "angel" in March 2025. This EP was made possible with funding support from FACTOR Canada and Canada Council for the Arts. Magenta is now working on her debut album.

TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Willow Switch is a dark folk music duo that embodies the crossroads of tradition and subversion. The band consists of saw-player and guitarist Andra Zlatescu and banjo player Robin Henry. Together they call upon the spirits of the land to create ambient haunting harmonies and sing open the doorways to other realms.

Their debut album, released in October 2023, is a musical journey through the dark spiritual dirges that evoke a sense of foreboding, much like a cold fog billowing down a mountain. Willow Switch's melodies are equally eerie and captivating, luring listeners into the dark, uninhabited corners of the woodlands. Their sound has been called “doom-folk”, “heavy meadow”, “folk noir”, “the crossroads between Appalachian and Black Sabbath”. If you venture fearlessly into the secret heart of the forest you can find out for yourself.

At the core of Willow Switch's music lies a deep reverence for folkloric stories. They spin tales of civilization lost and reclaimed by nature, exploring themes of grief for old almost-forgotten pathways, and weaving those threads of memory into dreaming up new futures. Through their music, Willow Switch seeks to carve out a new path in the folk music landscape, reviving the traditions of the past and breathing new life into them.

Join Willow Switch on their musical journey as they bring their unique brand of haunting folk music to the world. Let their music transport you to another realm, where spirits roam free and the ancient stories of the land are waiting to be told.
TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Crossing the lines between North and South America, Anddre Mafra brings dream folk to an intimate reality. Originally from Brazil and now based in Southwestern Ontario, Anddre blends his Latin American roots with contemporary folk influences, bringing an international flair to the folk music scene. Through a repertoire of original songs in both English and Portuguese, he weaves together stories and emotions, exploring themes of acceptance, love, and growth.

Anddre has captivated audiences with his intimate performances, sharing stages with notable acts like Cowboy Junkies and Andy Shauf. He has previously showcased at Folk Music Ontario, is on the SoFar Sounds roster, and has connected with diverse audiences across the country through his participation in the Small World Music Incubator program. 

Drawing comparisons to Bon Iver, José González, and Damien Rice, Anddre’s heartfelt lyrics and evocative sound invite listeners on a journey through culture and emotion at every show.
TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.