Wolfville .S N

VALLEY ARTS AWARD
FREE SHOWS & WORKSHOPS
Hughie McDonell
2015 Valley Arts Award winner
The Valley Arts Award is presented
each year at the Deep
Roots Music Festival to honour
someone who has worked for
the development and/or the
promotion of the arts in the
Annapolis Valley, and has made
a significant long-term contribution. Aylesford singer/
songwriter Hughie McDonell is this year’s recipient
of the Valley Arts Award. His bouncy “Shopping at
Frenchy’s” song and his tribute to the late Harley Lawrence
underscore his popular blend of finely crafted,
heartfelt, and easy-on-the-ear compositions.
Hughie had a busy summer since he is currently devoting
himself full time to music. He performed at the
Kingston Steer BBQ, the High Tide Festival in Harbourville,
a concert in Auburn, and travelled to Quebec and
Ontario for concerts. Hughie’s back-up musicians describe
him as a dedicated performer, who writes songs
about fundamental, grassroots topics. Like previous
award winner Chet Brown, Hughie often performs at
benefit concerts.
His newest CD is entitled Last Mile Before Home and it
displays his relaxed and down-to-earth style, which can
switch from old fashioned to driving country. Hughie
comes from a large, musical farming family in Cornwall,
Ontario, where his father sang and played the guitar.
Hughie loved music from an early age. He has been a
Maritimer for some time and raised his three children
in the Valley.
Enjoy lots of FREE music and events at the Deep Roots
Music Festival. Our mission is to create meaningful
connections between artists and audiences, and our free
events are an excellent way to do that!
FRIDAY
Artists at the Library (Noon, Wolfville Library)
Donna Holmes, Quique Escamilla
Music at the Tent (1pm, Festival Tent)
MacFarlane’s Rant, Jonathan Byrd, Kimberly Matheson,
Durham County Poets, The Chimney Swifts
Artists@Acadia
(3pm, Vaughan Memorial Library in Beveridge Arts Centre)
Dan MacCormack – see page 19 for details
SATURDAY
Deep Roots at the Market
(10am, Wolfville Farmers’ Market)
Scotty Marsters, Shannon Quinn, Kimberly Matheson,
The Chimney Swifts, Sin & Swoon, The BackYard Devils
Take Root! Participatory Workshops & Parade
See pages 16 & 17 for details
Music at the Tent (12:15pm, Festival Tent)
The Boxcar Boys with special appearance by Angie Oriana
Jenkins
SUNDAY
Rise-Up Singing (10am, Festival Theatre)
Sylvia Tyson, Catherine MacLellan, Jonathan Byrd, Amelia
Curran, Terry Kelly – see page 17 for details
Over the years, Hughie has opened for such artists
as Valdy, John Allan Cameron, Natalie MacMaster, and
Lennie Gallant.
Congratulations Hughie! The spotlight is on
you this year!
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
20
21