Musical flow
The Dunk to host artists in residency for Canada 150 project
Melanie Mills’ house is much more than a home. Known as The Dunk, it invites musicians inside with its energy and history.
Before it was hers, it was her father’s, Hal Mills.
“I remember one time he told me that Aaron Goldstein, who plays with the band City and Colour, came to The Dunk and spent a few days with my dad. Aaron was so inspired by the area that he started an album, but he never got to finish it,” said Mills.
Now, Goldstein will have the chance to finish the album when he returns to The Dunk in September, and Mills will continue what her father started. This summer and fall, the popular house concert location will host a series of Canadian artists from across the country for its “Ebb and Flow: Connecting Canadians along the Moving River” artist in residency series, thanks to the
$50,000 funding provided by the Canadian Heritage Fund for Canada 150. Then at the end of each residency, the public is invited to a free concert on the grounds of The Dunk.
“The Dunk is run as a not for profit, so we have a board of directors. One day, Catherine MacLellan, the president, and another member decided to pitch the idea of an artist in residence idea,” explained Mills. MacLellan, a Juno award winner, also has a history with The Dunk.
“Hal is the reason I live up the road from this place. He was a huge influence in my life … He was a father figure.”
From July to October, artists will spend anywhere from a few days to a week at The Dunk, where they can reflect and be inspired by the location’s unique atmosphere and tradition of music.
“I hope it will give young Island performers the opportunity to meet and maybe work with a few of the incredible artists coming, because it might be a once in a lifetime chance,” said Mills.
The most difficult part of the project has been selecting the artists who would participate.
“There were incredible artists who submitted applications, many of whom I know personally. The hardest part was saying no to people,” Mills said. MacLellan added, “We could fill the series five times over with the number of applications we received.” Artists had to submit a write-up about themselves, including experiences – not necessarily musical – that would make them the right fit for the series. Judges also wanted to be able to see and hear the work. Tanya Davis, a Summerside native, who now lives in Montreal, remembers spending time at The Dunk. Davis will participate in the October residency. “I was close with Hal. Now to be able to come back there and work and create is really exciting.
“I really hoped I would get the opportunity to come back. It’s been a while since I’ve performed there. But I also really hope that I create an original piece of work inspired by the place.”
For now Mills is prepping The Dunk and the cabin that the artists will be staying in.
“I know my dad would be so delighted to see this. I’m continuing on his legacy. He started all of this, now I’m going to continue it.”