In 1997, Maureen, Karen and Teresa Ennis took their first steps into the spotlight with the release of their debut album, Red is the Rose. This recording not only marked the beginning of their musical career, but also showcased their innate talent and deep-rooted connection to the folk traditions of their home. They have since released 14 full length studio albums and have earned numerous accolades along the way, including a prestigious Juno Award, a SOCAN award and multiple ECMAs and MusicNL awards.

Throughout their career they have embarked on extensive tours taking them to stages across the globe, thrilling audiences with their powerful performances and leaving an indelible mark on the international music landscape. Their songs often reflect the resilience and warmth of the Newfoundland spirit, creating a meaningful connection with their listeners.

As proud cultural ambassadors, The Ennis Sisters continue to enchant audiences with their timeless music, proving that the melodies of Newfoundland & Labrador can resonate and echo across the world. Their musical journey remains an enduring testament to the power of family, tradition and the universal language of music.

The post Season of Performing Arts: The Ennis Sisters appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

Music by Todd Richard & the incomparable Follow Your Heart band (Chris Rolin, Kyle Radomsky, Rob Begg, and Gord Maxwell) as well as 2024 Juno-nominated band Jackson Hollow!

Emcee – Curtis Pope from Country 107.1 & StarFM

Concession & Bar hosted by the Harrison Festival Society 

Email toddjrichard@msn.com to become a business sponsor or donate to the silent auction.

Tickets: $40.34

The post 4th Annual Follow Your Heart Concert appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

“I thought that if I could write a simple song, the rest would follow. And I learned that from working with other people,” Grass says. He’s been writing his own music for almost 20 years, but since moving from Moncton to Montreal he’s become one of this city’s most sought-after musical partners, collaborating with Lhasa, Patrick Watson, Elisapie and the Barr Brothers—as well as working with his avant-pop band, Klaus. Those partnerships have taught him how to unmake a tune—picking up someone else’s idea and finding new ways to fill it in. With Falcon’s Heart, he wanted to bring that same process to his own work: could he write the song himself and then reassemble it, changed?

This time, he drew his inspiration from classic country songwriting. He’d spend mornings at the rehearsal space with his father’s old guitar in his hands. “I was trying not to think,” he says. “Just to sing what was on my mind.” At the end of a sitting, if he hadn’t finished a song, he threw it out. Then, with the bones of the songs in place, he led improv sessions with friends—jams with pedal steel, flutes, bass clarinet and viola, which allowed him to re-write and re-arrange the originals. By the time they went to record at Pierre Marchand Studios, what had begun in the spirit of John Prine and George Jones now evoked the wider spectrum of Grass’s affections: from Tom Zé to Steve Reich; Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks and Sam Amidon’s All Is Well to the latest Big Thief.

The result is vivid and opalescent—Grass’s keen and heartfelt lyrics lit up by leftfield arrangements and shimmering sound. It’s at once completely simple and utterly lush.

The post Season of Performing Arts: Joe Grass appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

Born John Paul Cormier in London, Ontario in 1969, Cormier began playing guitar at age five and won his first competition at nine. A self-taught prodigy, he quickly mastered a wide array of instruments including fiddle, mandolin, banjo, piano, and dobro, earning acclaim for his uncanny ability to play by ear.

By sixteen, he had released his first album and was touring the U.S. festival circuit, performing alongside legends like Waylon Jennings, Earl Scruggs, and Marty Stuart. His time in Nashville and appearances at the Grand Ole Opry cemented his reputation as a gifted sideman and session musician. In 1989, he studied music education at Northeast Mississippi Community College, one of the few institutions specializing in bluegrass.

Cormier’s solo career blossomed in the mid-1990s after returning to Canada, where he began writing and performing his own songs. His discography spans dozens of albums, and his storytelling style—often rooted in real-life experiences—resonates deeply with audiences. Notably, his song “Hometown Battlefield,” inspired by his Afghanistan tour, went viral for its poignant portrayal of PTSD among soldiers.

With over a dozen East Coast Music Awards, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and a Juno nomination, JP Cormier remains a beloved figure in Canadian music. His electrifying performances, heartfelt lyrics, and unmatched instrumental prowess continue to captivate fans worldwide.

Event Details
Date: Friday, January 9
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm | Show starts at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $28.50 + GST

A bar and concession will be available. The show will be two 45 min sets with a short intermission.

Tickets are available online at harrisonfestival.com, by phone at 604.796.3664, or in person at the Ranger Station Art Gallery in Harrison Hot Springs.

The post Season of Performing Arts: JP Cormier appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

The tale begins on a Christmas eve when miserly Scrooge is visited by four ghosts. Performed in Reader’s Theatre style with festive music peppered throughout, this timeless story will open hearts and minds to reveal the true meaning of Christmas. This performance is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Tickets are for festival seating so plan to come early to secure the best seats. Doors open 45 minutes before each performance.

Please note that this performance takes place at Memorial Hall (290 Esplanade Ave) in Harrison Hot Springs. Take a stroll after the show to enjoy Lights by the Lake!

AND best of all, a 20% discount is automatically applied at checkout if you purchase four or more tickets at the same time (this discount cannot be applied retroactively). So gather up your friends and family for a memorable Christmas outing!

The post A Christmas Carol appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

Proceeds support the Society and its year-round events. The market coincides with the opening of Lights by the Lake, offering festive light displays, live music, a visit from Santa, fireworks, and free hot chocolate on Saturday night.

The post Winter Craft Holiday Market appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

Jeffery Straker grew up taking piano lessons in small-town Saskatchewan and has gone on to perform over 100 shows per year across Canada, Europe and Latin America. He was raised by a church-organist mother and an auctioneer father, and swears he was born under the piano on the family grain farm.

The rootsy-storytelling of his songs has the power to transport a listener out onto a lake in Canada’s North or to the main street of a prairie town, and he is a personable performer with a warm stage presence. A clever lyricist with an energetic piano style, his songwriting has drawn critical comparisons to the likes of Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson , Murray McLauchlan & Billy Joel, while maintaining a style distinctly his own.

With 10 albums out to date, he has seen his songs used in film, TV and theatrical productions, and has twice been awarded “Roots/Folk Artist of the Year” at the Saskatchewan Music Awards. The Saskatchewan Country Music Awards have named him ‘Keyboard Player of the Year’ for 3 years running.

Event Details
Date: Friday, October 3
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm | Show starts at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $28.50 + GST

Tickets are available online at harrisonfestival.com, by phone at 604.796.3664, or in person at the Ranger Station Art Gallery in Harrison Hot Springs.

The post Season of Performing Arts: Jeffery Straker appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

The show will begin at 7:30 pm but doors will open at 6:30 pm to avoid any lineups. A bar and concession will be available. The show will be two 45 min sets with a short intermission.

Harrison Festival Society

About the Season of Performing Arts

The Hall may not be fancy, but it’s a funky intimate venue with great acoustics. There, you’ll find the perfect casual feel of an exclusive concert setting, as if our artists were performing just for you!

For the past 35 years, the Harrison Festival Society has presented a lively Season of Performing Arts between September and May. That’s right. A whole season of stunning shows and unforgettable performances in the Society’s principle venue: The Harrison Memorial Hall!

The Season consists of eight to ten shows featuring local, national and international performers bringing their special gifts and talents to this small lakeside community. That’s what’s so different from all the other music Fests – Small hometown feel, Big Time Music. And you won’t have to fight crowds, get trampled, or sit in the nosebleed section. A Win-win!

The post Season of Performing Arts: Quote the Raven appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

The show will begin at 7:30 pm but doors will open at 6:30 pm to avoid any lineups. A bar and concession will be available. The show will be two 45 min sets with a short intermission.

Harrison Festival Society

About the Season of Performing Arts

The Hall may not be fancy, but it’s a funky intimate venue with great acoustics. There, you’ll find the perfect casual feel of an exclusive concert setting, as if our artists were performing just for you!

For the past 35 years, the Harrison Festival Society has presented a lively Season of Performing Arts between September and May. That’s right. A whole season of stunning shows and unforgettable performances in the Society’s principle venue: The Harrison Memorial Hall!

The Season consists of eight to ten shows featuring local, national and international performers bringing their special gifts and talents to this small lakeside community. That’s what’s so different from all the other music Fests – Small hometown feel, Big Time Music. And you won’t have to fight crowds, get trampled, or sit in the nosebleed section. A Win-win!

The post Season of Performing Arts: Rum Ragged appeared first on The Fraser Valley.

Harrison Festival Society

About the Season of Performing Arts

The Hall may not be fancy, but it’s a funky intimate venue with great acoustics. There, you’ll find the perfect casual feel of an exclusive concert setting, as if our artists were performing just for you!

For the past 35 years, the Harrison Festival Society has presented a lively Season of Performing Arts between September and May. That’s right. A whole season of stunning shows and unforgettable performances in the Society’s principle venue: The Harrison Memorial Hall!

The Season consists of eight to ten shows featuring local, national and international performers bringing their special gifts and talents to this small lakeside community. That’s what’s so different from all the other music Fests – Small hometown feel, Big Time Music. And you won’t have to fight crowds, get trampled, or sit in the nosebleed section. A Win-win!

The post Season of Performing Arts: The Unfaithful Servants appeared first on The Fraser Valley.