Sunday September 20 – The Homewood Duo –
Sunday October 18 – Lynne Hanson with Blair Michael Hogan –
Sunday November 15 – Les Boréades –
Sunday November 29 – Valdy and special guest Sunsdrum
The Homewood Duo
presents
“Fall Colours”
Sunday, September 20, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
Violinist Patrick Goodwin and pianist Reese Barkhuizen have been performing together for years but have only recently formalized their collaboration as the “Homewood Duo”. For their performance at MERA they will present “Fall Colours”, a classical “playlist” for the autumn season. The programme contrasts the spirited energy of Beethoven with the colourful brushstrokes of Debussy, exploring the rustic hues, bucolic comforts, and quiet resolutions of the fall. The programme also features solo works for both instruments, including Mendelssohn’s beloved Rondo Capriccioso for piano and a nostalgic work for solo violin by South African composer Hendrik Hofmeyr.
Violinist Patrick Goodwin previously held the position of concertmaster with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, frequently leading the orchestra in partnership with Cape Town Opera and Cape Town City Ballet. Now based in Toronto, Patrick regularly performs with various orchestras including the Canadian Opera Company, the Orchestra of the National Ballet of Canada, and the newly formed Canadian Chamber Orchestra. As a passionate chamber musician, Patrick has appeared in concert throughout South Africa and collaborates regularly with various groups in and around Toronto, including performances with his duo and life partner, pianist Reese Barkhuizen.
Originating from South Africa, Reese Barkhuizen enjoys critical acclaim as a concert pianist, collaborative artist, and teacher. As well as competing in several international piano competitions, his performances and studies have taken him from Cape Town to Finland, China, Estonia, the USA, and the United Kingdom. As an educator, Reese has taught students at some of South Africa’s most prestigious institutions. He is currently the director of music at Sunnybrook School in Toronto where he continues to inspire and motivate students while maintaining a busy performance schedule.
Tickets are available at Tickets Please
Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council we are able to offer a $20 discount to those 30 years and under, and if they wish, an additional $20 discount for their “guest” of any age.
Regular – 31 years & older: $30 plus fees
Discount Single – 30 years & under: $10 plus fees
Discount Pair – 30 years & under with guest of any age (2 tickets): $20 plus fees
Funding support provided by the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario
Lynne Hanson
and Blair Michael Hogan
Sunday, October 18, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
“Canada’s Queen of Americana” last graced the MERA stage late in 2021 and her return is long overdue. Over the last 20 years Lynne Hanson has built a solid reputation for live performance and produced 10 (and counting) albums of critically acclaimed original music including her Canadian Folk Music Award winning collaboration with Lynn Miles “Heartbreak Song for the Radio”. Lynne describes her musician’s persona as a “heartbreak poet” whose compositions include “a little blues, a little country, and a little folk with a whole lot of grit and capital T truth in the lyrics”. To this list we should add her great ear for intriguing melody and story lines. This folk roots blend has been labeled “Americana” and is certainly a term Lynne does not dismiss. However, her extensive catalog offers many wonderful pieces that fall outside of that genre musically while retaining Lynne’s unmistakable rich vocals and mature lyrical standards. Joining Lynne will be Blair Michael Hogan, her long time collaborator and one of the most gifted and versatile guitarists on the scene today. This pair will bring us a selection of material that includes some of Lynn’s newest work. Honest, finely crafted compositions and impeccable performance. Prepare to be captivated.
For more information plus video Click Here
Tickets are available at Tickets Please
Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council we are able to offer a $20 discount to those 30 years and under, and if they wish, an additional $20 discount for their “guest” of any age.
Regular – 31 years & older: $35 plus fees
Discount Single – 30 years & under: $15 plus fees
Discount Pair – 30 years & under with guest of any age (2 tickets): $30 plus fees
Funding support provided by the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario
Tulua
Sunday, November 8, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
Tulua is a group we have been interested in for well over a year now, so when this opportunity popped up, we grabbed it. One of the most exciting young bands in contemporary Irish traditional music, Tulua combine a fresh, energetic sound with deep roots in the tradition. Meaning ‘tribe of many paths’ Tulua hail from the southeast of Ireland. Drawing inspiration from local songs, tunes and sessions around Ireland, their music blends strong instrumental playing with rich arrangements and storytelling through song. They have played alongside many of the biggest names in Irish music including Beoga, Dervish, De Dannan, Alantic Arc, Fergal Scahill and Cormac Begley.
Since the bands formation in 2019, Tulua have toured extensively worldwide. In their previous visits to North America Tulua have played the Stan Rogers Festival Canada, the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and were official showcase artists at the 2025 Folk Alliance International Conference in Montreal. Their tour of Canada this fall will be a month long, coast to coast excursion with 22 dates in 7 provinces. There is a funny story about how it is that Tulua will be playing at MERA. Come to the show and find out how lucky we are.
For more information and video Click Here
Tickets available at Tickets Please
Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council we are able to offer a $20 discount to those 30 years and under, and if they wish, an additional $20 discount for their “guest” of any age.
Regular – 31 years & older: $35 plus fees
Discount Single – 30 years & under: $15 plus fees
Discount Pair – 30 years & under with guest of any age (2 tickets): $30 plus fees
Funding support provided by the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario
Les Boréades de Montreal
Sunday, November 15, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
Music at MERA and the MERA Recorder Consort are thrilled to host a special performance of Early Music on November 15 by Francis Colpron, Marie-Laurence Primeau and Tristan Best, members Les Boréades de Montréal. The trio will perform Renaissance and Baroque music on period instruments including recorder, traverso flute and viola da gamba. The programme will include a selection of pieces composed between the 15th and 18th centuries, as well as a set of traditional Irish and Acadian tunes.
Named after the winged sons of Boreas, Greek god of the North Wind, Les Boréades was founded in 1991 by master recorder and traverso player Francis Colpron. Under Colpron’s artistic direction, this baroque ensemble puts on a very successful annual concert series in Montreal, performs in North America and Europe, and records on the ATMA Classique label.
In addition to his work with Les Boréades, Francis Colpron was associate flutist with Trinity Consort of Portland from 2000 to 2009. He has been a guest soloist with groups such as Apollo’s Fire of Cleveland, the Edmonton Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Opera Atelier, Thirteen Strings, the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, Les Violons du Roy, the Nova Scotia Orchestra, and L’Harmonie des Saisons. His discography consists of more than 40 recordings.
Joining Francis will be Marie-Laurence Primeau and Tristan Best. Marie-Laurence Primeau is a versatile artist, equally at ease on recorder and viola da gamba which has led her to work with several well-established ensembles. Tristan Best’s musical career began with jazz guitar before moving to study viola da gamba at McGill University. Tristan now regularly performs across Canada with early music and contemporary groups on viola da gamba.
The MERA Recorder Consort is looking forward to participating in a recorder workshop by led by Francis Colpron before the afternoon performance on November 15.T
For more information Click Here
Tickets available at Tickets Please
Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council we are able to offer a $20 discount to those 30 years and under, and if they wish, an additional $20 discount for their “guest” of any age.
Regular – 31 years & older: $35 plus fees
Discount Single – 30 years & under: $15 plus fees
Discount Pair – 30 years & under with guest of any age (2 tickets): $30 plus fees
Funding support provided by the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario
Valdy
and special guest Sunsdrum
Sunday, November 29, 2:00pm
Watson’s Corners Community Hall,
1132 Dalhousie 3rd Concession, Lanark
Valdy is a true icon of the Canadian folk scene who brings a rich catalogue of well-known original compositions such as “Rock & Roll Song”, “A Good Song” and “Simple Life” together with covers of other classics that he has made his own, including “Renaissance” by David Bradstreet, “Yes I Can” by Bob Ruzicka and “Sonny’s Dream” by Ron Hynes.
Valdy has sold more than half a million copies of his eighteen albums, received two Juno Awards (Folk Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year) and seven Juno nominations, and has four Gold albums to his credit. In 2011, Valdy was appointed the Order of Canada.
A keen, empathetic observer with a gentle sense of humour, Valdy remains unaffected by all the acclaim. After over five decades on the road, he continues to play large and small venues with the genuine energy and passion of a man still in love with people, music and life.
Lynda Brown and Keely (Papatsie) Nicholson comprise the accomplished throat singing mother–daughter duo known as Sunsdrum (Siqiniup Qilauta). Prepare to be charmed by Linda and Keely’s joyful enthusiasm for preserving this Inuit cultural tradition while bringing it to a wider audience.
For more information on Valdy and Sunsdrum Click Here
Tickets available soon at Tickets Please
Please note that this event will take place at the Watson’s Corners Community Hall, 1132 Dalhousie 3rd Concession, Lanark
Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council we are able to offer a $20 discount to those 30 years and under, and if they wish, an additional $20 discount for their “guest” of any age.
Regular – 31 years & older: $35 plus fees
Discount Single – 30 years & under: $15 plus fees
Discount Pair – 30 years & under with guest of any age (2 tickets): $30 plus fees
Funding support provided by the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario
