Sloan headlining Hootenanny
Juno-award winner Sloan is headlining the Hootenanny on Hunter in August.
The iconic Canadian rock band will wrap up the event, which has been extended to 11 p.m. – an hour later than usual.
The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) – which took over the Hootenanny’s reins this year – decided to keep the party going a little longer.
Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director, announced details of the event on Extra 90.5 FM Wednesday morning.
The Hootenanny is happening Aug. 11 from noon to 11 p.m. on Hunter St., between George and Aylmer streets.
Sloan hits the stage at 10 p.m., following seven other acts. The Toronto-based band was slated to headline the street festival in 2016, but were rained out.
This year’s lineup is diverse, Guiel said, showcasing nearly every genre except country and western.
Curve Lake First Nation’s Missy Knott kicks off the festival at noon.
She’s followed by Haitian artist Charmie at 1:15 p.m.
“She sings R&B with a ton of soul,”
Guiel said.
Gene Hardy and Sparkjiver are up after that. Hardy, a “jazz God” according to Guiel, has performed with Colin James, Big Sugar and Jeff Healey.
At 3:45 p.m., Lindsay Barr takes the stage. Barr is a musician from the east coast, with a “huge stage presence.”
“Lindsay could actually wake the dead and get them dancing with her music,” Guiel said.
Band of the People are on at 5 p.m. The eight-piece band considers themselves to be a social justice music group.
Blue Sky Miners will blend blues and rock when they take the stage at 6:15 p.m. The six-piece band is made up of members from Vancouver to the Maritimes.
Secret Broadcast will get the audience into a “frenzie” at 7:30 p.m., Guiel said, with their danceable, catchy tunes.
Yuka warms up the stage for Sloan, taking the stage at 8:45 p.m. Guiel said they’re a funk band with a “kick butt horn section.”
Restaurants and bars along the Hunter St. strip will be extending their patios for the occasion. The street will be open to foot traffic only during the festival.