New York (Top40 Charts/ Ottawa Folk Festival) - Where there is music, there is dancing, and this year the Ottawa Folk Festival (August 21 to August 23. 2009) will make it easy for the music to move you. After its inauguration at last year's Festival, the Dance Tent proved to be a crowd favorite and will be back better than ever this year. Under a 90' x 90' foot tent on a sprung mounted floor, which will be assembled by an 'all-girl' volunteer crew led by Gwen Roit, Festival-goers can dance the afternoon and evenings away to some great musicians from all over the world or take part in our special theme nights.
The 8000 sq/ft Dance Tent will be the place where attendees can go let loose and allow the music to move them. Artists from around the world will bring their unique styles and cultural melodies with one thing in common, to make people dance. The Woodchoppers Association with Jah Youssouf and Abdoulaye Kone', Mihirangi, That 1 Guy, Junkyard Symphony, The Breakmen, and Michael Jerome Browne along with various artist collaborations will all be performing. Even some of the Festival headliners such as Amy Millan, Mr. Something Something and The Sadies will perform in the Dance Tent.
There will also be two special evening themes in the Dance Tent. The Cajun Dance Party will take place on Saturday evening. The Cajun theme is in direct relation to the historical link between Canada's Acadian culture and the Cajun/Zydeco/Creole culture of rural Louisiana and the Acadian Expulsion (Le grand de'rangement) which began in 1755, forcing thousands of Francophones to leave Atlantic Canada.
The Saturday Night Cajun Dance Party will feature: Ball & Chain and the Wreckers, Christine Balfa & Dirk Powell (Balfa Toujours) and Jesse Lege'. Michael Ball and Jody Benjamin (Ball & Chain) have set up an irresistible dancing groove from their numerous journeys to Louisiana. Soaking up the culture and developing strong ties with some exceptional musicians and dancers have led directly to the Cajun theme on Saturday night. Christine Balfa and husband Dirk Powell along with their band Balfa Toujours are no strangers to sharing the energy and beauty of Cajun music in concerts, dances and festivals across North America and Europe. Jesse Lege' is nothing less than a Cajun music legend, from Southwest Louisiana, playing traditional Cajun music for over 35 years.
Sunday Night the Festival will take you back in time for the Sunday Swingtacular. During the day Festival attendees will be able to participate in Swing Dance workshops hosted by Alana Hock of Dance with Alana. After taking part in the day's dance workshops Festival-goers will be able to practice what they learned Sunday evening as Toronto's own critically acclaimed Terra Hazelton & Her Easy Answers will perform a live concert. Terra Hazelton is no stranger to the Jazz community across Canada, having previously played at many of Canada's top Jazz Festivals as well as a cross- Canada tour with Juno Award winner Brandi Disterheft's band earlier this year.
The Ottawa Folk Festival takes place at Britannia Park from August 21 to August 23, 2009 and features over 50 acts including: Bruce Cockburn, Steven Page, The Sadies, Amy Millan, Joel Plaskett, and Kinnie Starr. Some of the major themes at this year's Festival include Gardening, Sound Healing, Instrument Building, Cross-Cultural Interaction, and Audience Participation. The Festival features a Dance Tent, environmental and gardening displays and discussions, "build-your-own-ukulele" workshops, Cajun, Swing and Latin dance lessons, and yoga instruction.
For more Information: Ottawa Folk Festival www.ottawafolk.org
