Making great music
Music P.E.I. Week organizers, performers are excited about celebrating their successes during this year’s event set for Jan. 24-28 in Charlottetown
It’s been an amazing year for P.E.I. singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan.
First, there was the release of her new album, “If It’s Alright With You: The Life and Music of my Father, Gene MacLellan”. Then with her subsequent soldout concerts at the Prince Edward Island Brewing Company, where she thrilled audiences with her interpretation of her father’s songs, momentum for the project grew.
“We spent a lot of time wanting to make this record and then we got the chance to, so it’s nice for this record of my Dad’s songs to be in the spotlight,” says MacLellan, during a telephone interview.
Later this month, her work will be recognized, along with the work of many others, during the 2018 Credit Union Music P.E.I. Week.
“It’s really nice to be a part of the music scene on P.E.I. There are so many great artists and musicians that are making such great music, right now. And so it’s nice to be a part of it,” says MacLellan who, with six Music P.E.I. nominations, will sing in the Festival Finale, Sunday, Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall on the Holland College Prince of Wales Campus.
Along with performances by other top nominees Ashley Condon, Alicia Toner, Liam Corcoran and Dylan Menzie, this show will be an exciting finish to a week of celebrating Island music, says the executive director of Music P.E.I.
“The whole focus of the event is to encourage the local music community to come out and celebrate itself,” says Rob Oakie.
Set for Jan. 24-28 in Charlottetown, this year’s Credit Union Music Week is shaping up to be the best one yet.
“We’ve distilled it down to a few, really interesting shows that will hopefully capture the public’s attention and imagination,” says Oakie.
A fan favourite, the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert is back.
“This year we’re moving it to St. Paul’s Church, which is a cool venue for that kind of a show,” says Oakie of the Thursday, Jan. 25, concert that starts at 7:30 p.m.
That night, nominees Condon, Corcoran, Toner, Nick Doneff, Dennis Ellsworth and Kinley Dowling will perform in a songwriters’ circle. It will conclude with the presentation of the 2018 Music P.E.I. SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award.
Another concert to watch out for is Music Mosaic. The multicultural celebration has been upgraded.
Set for Saturday, Jan. 27, at
Le Carrefour de l’Isle-St-Jean at 2 p.m., there will be performances by Vishten, Irish Mythen and Venezuelan musician Luis Anselmi as well as the Holland College SoPA Students World Music Ensemble.
“It’s an afternoon show. It’s at the Carrefour, which is a really nice spot, and kids under 12 get in for free,” Oakie adds.
Also, for the first time, a hiphop show is planned for Friday, Jan. 26, at Baba’s Lounge at 11 p.m.
“We’re bringing in Quake Matthews, a successful hip-hop artist from Halifax, to hopefully shine a light our local hip hop artists,” says Oakie.
Over the years, the awards party, a Sunday afternoon get together, has become “tremendously successful.”
“This year’s edition, set for Jan. 28 at the Rodd Charlottetown, will be another chance for people to celebrate.
“It’s something that the artists and the nominees really, really enjoy.”
“The whole focus of the event is to encourage the local music community to come out and celebrate itself.” Rob Oakie