off Makin’ Waves Music Festival this Thursday, July 7 at the Wentworth
Park Bandshell in Sydney – photo: Murd Smith
Free concerts return to Wentworth Park Badnshell in Sydney each Thursday in July as Makin’ Waves Music Festival presents four weeks of live performances from some of Canada’s best and brightest.
July 7th – Laura Smith Music with Buddy MacDonald
presented by Mayflower Mall
Laura Smith exemplifies everything Makin’ Waves desires in a songwriter: a body of work that stands the test of time while continuing to create throughout. Laura’s distinct singing voice and songwriting have made her a mainstay in the Canadian music scene for over 25 years, with her songs renowned across Canada and throughout the world.
Buddy MacDonald has been chasing audiences around the world for near 40 years as a solo performer and in various bands and ensembles. The acclaimed songwriter, perhaps best known for this song “Getting Dark Again”, is an ambassadour to Cape Breton and has performed everywhere from Dollywood to here at home for the Celtic Colours International Festival.
July 14th – The Sadies with Midnight Mary
Toronto’s legendary ensemble The Sadies have been performing around the world since 1994. Falling somewhere between Blue Rodeo and The Tragically Hip on the Canadian music spectrum, The Sadies have been Juno award winners as well as having backed up or recorded with Neil Young, Gord Downie, Neko Case, and countless others.
Midnight Mary is an emerging Sydney band featuring the songwriting talents of Colette Deveaux. Known for her incredibly powerful voice and thoughtful lyrics, Colette is joined by members of Pretty Archie, The Tom Fun Orchestra, and The Jaynes who create dynamic arrangements to these folk songs that already are full of heart.
July 21st – Genevieve Fisher with Jordan Musycsyn Band
presented by 103.5 The Eagle
Genevieve Fisher is a rising star in the Canadian country music ranks, with four top 50 songs and numerous award nominations to her credit. Her songs are played across the country; nowhere more than here in Cape Breton where 103.5 The Eagle has named her one of their favourites.
Jordan Musycsyn will be one of those legendary Cape Breton songwriters in twenty years. His first album, “The Pitch”, is full of quirky and heartfelt stories that every listener can relate to while his voice and all star band capture the audience with every single chorus.
July 28th – The Town Heroes with Adam Baldwin
presented by Ascendo Fitness / Supplement King Sydney
Self-described as “The most noise two Cape Bretoners can make”, that noise is a cascade of passion, urgency and belief in their songs. On stage they move like intense caricatures – soaked in sweat, pushing every chord, note and beat to the limit. A structured wall of sound emerges; familiar yet distinctive. Camaraderie shows in their musicianship, their song-writing highlights what they are: two friends, playing music for the love of it, in it for the long haul.
Adam Baldwin is an acclaimed Dartmouth musician perhaps best known for performing with Matt Mays since 2008. Make no mistake though, Adam carries his own weight with Music Nova Scotia naming him Musician of the Year and his first EP named Male Artist Recording of the Year in 2014. Adam’s new album, “No Telling When (Precisely Nineteen Eighty-Five)”, will drop on June 24th and it won’t be long until we’re all saying “can you believe Adam Baldwin played in Wentworth Park in 2016?”
Makin’ Waves Music Festival has been named to the ’16 in 16′ by Destination Cape Breton, can’t miss festivals and events in Cape Breton Island this summer. All concerts are free admission and all ages, taking place in the outdoor amphitheatre at Wentworth Park near downtown Sydney. Makin’ Waves is proudly supported by 101.9 The GIANT / 103.5 The Eagle, Mayflower Mall, Sound Source Pro Audio, Ascendo Fitness / Supplement King Sydney, and Cape Breton University.
