Lupercalia back this February

From Scott Dunn for the Owen Sound Sun-Times. Click here for original article.

 

OWEN SOUND ­- Lupercalia Winter Multi­Arts Festival is being revived, offering up entertainment just when people could use it most ­ ­ in the dead of a Grey­Bruce winter. Lupercalia, scheduled for Feb. 12­13, had a three­year run ending in 2013. The festival brought indie music in multiple city venues at a time of year when there were no significant events like it and there still aren’t, organizer Josh Richardson said. The winter festival is returning because he has more time since cancelling his summer Mudtown Music & Arts Festival in 2014 and because people asked him to, Richardson said. At Lupercalia, Richardson says people will be able to enjoy Mudtown’s flavour of entertainment. Greg and Joanna Bottrell of Heartwood Concert Hall will host the headliners acts at the Lupercalia Winter Multi­Arts Festival Feb. 12­13 in downtown Owen Sound. (James Masters/The Sun Times, Owen Sound) NEWS LOCAL LupercaliabackthisFebruary By Scott Dunn, Sun Times, Owen Sound Wednesday, December 23, 2015 5:51:56 EST PM “I think that people have come to realize that the kind of stuff that we’re doing is not middle of the road, top 40 pre­fab folk or pop ­­ if you can have pre­fab top 40 folk. I think we’re offering something different, but still with broad enough appeal that most anyone could hop in an enjoy themselves thoroughly.” There are two headliners, The Sadies, a Juno Award­winning roots­rock band, and Souljazz Orchestra, an eight piece, Afro­funk fusion band, Richardson said. “If you like to dance and if you like rhythmically based music with lots of horns, this is your thing, it will be electrifying.” Another band, Friendly Rich & the Lollipop People, will bring its “Frank Zappa meets Tom Waits” style played by band members who are among Toronto’s best session musicians, Richardson said. Skye Wallace, Hervana and Cupcake Ductape will also perform. The recently opened Heartwood Concert Hall will be the main venue, where both headliners will perform. Richardson said more locations and schedule details will be announced in the new year. Heartwood co­owner Greg Bottrell spent 25 years in the music business in Toronto, including as booking agent for the Rivoli night club in the 1990s and restaurant and club owner in the 2000s. He said he still owns a restaurant/concert venue/dance club in Kensington Market. “It’s nice to see Josh bring some of the more indie acts up to this region because either the kids aren’t creating that type of music and nor are they exposed to some of those bands,” he said. Lupercalia will also have workshops, panel discussions and author and music journalist Stuart Berman, a contributor to online music magazine Pitchfork, will speak at an event called “Rock ‘n Writing” at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library. It will be free to kids and everyone else will pay a small fee, Richardson said. Playwright and spoken word artist Cathy Petch will perform and there will be a “Luper­Culinary Lounge,” featuring the best in local food and refreshments, Richardson said. In 2010, Richardson started OTHERfolk Festival, his downtown response to the landmark Summerfolk music festival at Kelso Beach, which he criticized for having too narrow a definition of folk music. OTHERfolk continued until 2013 when it was renamed Mudtown Music & Arts Festival, which he cancelled in 2014 due to slow ticket sales. His Mudtown Records, a regional record label, continues to present The Mudtown Music & Arts Series year­round. Lupercalia weekend VIP and general admission passes are available at MudtownRecords.com. Early bird tickets are on sale until midnight tonight. Early bird weekend passes are $80 for general admission, $110 for VIP tickets, which guarantee access to all Lupercalia concerts and attractions. Single day passes will be for sale if capacity permits.