July Update 2025
Summer is flying by, as it always does! It's such a lovely time here on the Island...It's a strange thing with such long winters and short summers. By July we all head into a sort of mania, trying to accomplish as many summer-y things as possible while also relaxing and trying to get things done.
As a musician I'm usually hopping from festival to festival, across the country or across the pond. But this year I've had the blessing of a "quiet" summer.
I still have only made it to the beach twice, but I'm aiming to change that. And I've been able to attend a lot of wonderful shows and events and am heading this weekend to my favourite festival of the year - Festival Route 11. It's just 20 minutes down the road from me and is full of music, food, dancing and friends.
I've also been doing the Artist's Way again with a fine group of folks and that has been encouraging me to get out and do activities just for fun. (Can you imagine!? doing something just for fun?!?!?)
I signed up for two workshops at the Eptek Art Gallery and learned how to make brooms at the first one, and stained glass at the second. It's so joyful to just make art and learn a new skill for no other reason than fun. So I haven't been at the beach all that much, but I have been living life like a retired lady.
I'm soon back to work in the real world!
I'll be at Lunenburg Folk Harbour from Thursday August 7th til Sunday August 10th. It's a really special festival in the most beautiful of locations. They have been running for 40 years, and I can't wait to be back there helping in the celebrations. I'll be accompanied by none other than Lisa MacIssac (Madison Violet.)
Then I head to Ontario for SummerFolk - it's an amazing festival in Owen Sound. I can't wait to catch up with so many friends there... and they are celebrating their 50th year! It always feels like a bit of a reunion at festivals, and doubly so when they are big anniversary years as organizers tend to bring back performers they have had in the past.
The last performance I have this year that also is an anniversary year is Under the Spire Festival. They've bee going for 30 fabulous years here in PEI. It is a festival that runs like a summer concert series and my concert will be to reunite with Dave Gunning & JP Cormier September 13.
Years ago Dave, JP and I toured together in Alberta and it was such a great time. I can't wait to share the stage with them, this time in one of the most beautiful venues of all time, St Mary's Historic Church in Malpeque PEI.
By then summer will be all but over and the autumn begins. With that I'll be headed back to Alberta and Saskatchewan for a short run of dates. And then home for the rest of the year to rest, write and finish my record.
I can't wait to share the new songs with you all. It is really coming together and may be the most upbeat record I've ever done.
If you're headed to one of these events - let me know where you'll be and come say hello.
In the meantime, enjoy your summer and stay safe.
Hope to see you somewhere!
Thank you as always for your support,
xoxo
Catherine
