Perhaps Canadian Idol judges were impressed that Mitch MacDonald could sing AND play guitar, but with the sea of talent in Cape Breton, his hometown knows that he comes by it honestly.
Best known as Canadian Idol’s 2008 runner up, MacDonald is the latest of the weekly acts to grace the Granville Street bandshell in Port Hawkesbury with his acoustic feel-good pop sounds.
Some time has passed since the Port Hood native captured hearts in the Idol competition, but Cape Bretoners haven’t forgotten the excitement of that moment. The 24 year old carpenter still performs around his native island much to the delight of his hometown supporters.
For the concert’s special guest showcase, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Elizabeth Shepherd will be gracing the stage. Shepherd’s acclaim has been on the rise for the past 3 years. Armed with a Music degree in jazz piano from McGill University, her intricate velvety tunes reflect her extensive training yet are still accessible to the casual listener.
Shepherd’s first two studio albums Start to Move (2006) and Parkdale (2008) were both nominated for JUNO awards. With performances from London to Japan, her worldwide appreciation from critics and jazz aficionados has helped her build an international following and a solid footing in a still nascent career.
The free-admission outdoor July 18 concert at Port Hawkesbury’s Granville Green starts at 12:00pm. For more information visit granvillegreen.ca
