JW-Jones – Friday September 22, 7:30pm
Runions, Barton & Broadhead – Sunday September 24, 2:00pm
Chris Lee & Frédéric Lacroix – Sunday October 22, 2:00pm
The Magpies – Sunday October 29, 2:00pm – SOLD OUT
Moonfruits & Tragedy Ann – Sunday November 19, 2:00pm
Shane Pendergast & Mia Kelly – Sunday December 10, 2:00pm
JW-Jones
Friday September 22, 7:30pm
McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall
When we were offered the opportunity to present JW-Jones, one of this country’s premier contemporary blues musicians, the only questions we asked were “When and Where?”. JW-Jones and his crack rhythm section (Joel Oppong-Boateng on drums & vocals and Jacob Clarke on bass & vocals) honor the raw sensibility of the blues with sincerity and power. JW’s searing guitar work and the consistent quality of his music has brought him acclaim as a Billboard Top 10 Blues Artist, 2020 International Blues Challenge Winner, JUNO Blues Album winner and multiple Maple Blues Awards Nominee. With 8 albums out so far, JW has certainly made his mark on the blues scene, whether it’s as a personally requested sit-in with 8-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy, opening for blues-rock icon George Thorogood, or a busy schedule entertaining thrilled audiences in 23 countries across four continents.
A lot of great music has come to the “Ag Hall” in McDonald’s Corners over the years, and that venue seemed like the perfect fit for this show. The McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Society will be hosting this licensed all age event in collaboration with Music at MERA. This promises to be an memorable evening of exciting, quality music in a relaxed rural setting. Come with a few old friends or make some new ones. Doors open at 7:30.
For more information and to hear music by JW-Jones CLICK HERE
Tickets are $30 plus fees available through TicketsPlease.ca or $35.00 at the door.
The McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall is located at 194 Cameron’s Road, McDonald’s Corners
Runions, Barton & Broadhead
Sunday, September 24, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
Music at MERA is excited to bring this talented instrumental jazz trio to the schoolhouse. Greg Runions (vibes) and Dave Barton (guitar) are well respected members of the Kingston jazz music scene who have collaborated extensively as musicians and composers for several decades. Greg and Dave met in the late 70’s while they were both students at Queen’s University. They played together in the university big band. After graduation they continued to play together frequently in a wide variety of situations. They have shared the stage in pit orchestras, big bands, symphony orchestras, jazz septets and combo’s of varying sizes and shapes. For this concert they will be joined by Michael Broadhead on bass, a very busy Kingston musician in his own right.
Together they will bring an accessible mix of instrumental jazz, built around Greg and Dave’s original compositions combined with a selection of classic standards that are associated with the popular vibraphone artists of the past. Look for standards as played by the Red Norvo Trio (Night and Day/Have You Met Miss Jones), Gary Burton (The Night Has a Thousand Eyes/My Funny Valentine), Milt Jackson (Bag’s Groove/Body and Soul), the Modern Jazz Quartet (Django/Softly), Terry Gibbs (Memories of You/After You’ve Gone), Victor Feldman (Seven Steps to Heaven/I Fall in Love Too Easily) and Lionel Hampton (Moonglow/On the Sunny Side of the Street).
Music at MERA is especially pleased to continue to expand the range of live music presented at the schoolhouse by musicians of such high caliber. Highly recommended.
For more information and to hear music by Greg Runions and Dave Barton CLICK HERE
Tickets are $25.00 plus fees available soon at TicketsPlease.ca until 11:59pm September 23, 2023
Depending on availability, tickets will be for sale at the door for $28.00.
The MERA Schoolhouse is located at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A, McDonald’s Corners
Chris Lee and Frédéric Lacroix
Sunday, October 22, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
On Sunday, October 22nd at 2:00 pm, MERA Music is excited to present the intriguing and dynamic duo of Chris Lee, tuba, accompanied by Frédéric Lacroix on piano.
Chris Lee, now principal tuba with the National Arts Centre orchestra, is a world-class musician having played with orchestras all around the globe, including Japan, Spain, the United States, Switzerland, among others.
Chris is an extraordinary virtuoso on his instrument, and he loves exploring new sounds for the tuba . His wide range of talent has been recognized widely as he has presented new works with orchestras across Canada and the United States.
Accompanying Chris on MERA’s lovely piano is Frédéric Lacroix, who is a perennial favourite at MERA, having played there numerous times. Frédéric is a master of the keyboard, whether he is performing solo or as an accompanist to a range of performers. He and Paul Marlyn, cello, have wowed audiences at MERA for the past six consecutive years.
In this MERA concert, audiences will be treated to a wide range of music, from the Wynton Marsais Tuba Concerto to popular musical standards. Come prepared to be entertained by some interesting music.
For more information and music by Chris Lee CLICK HERE
Tickets are $25.00 plus service fees available soon through TicketsPlease.ca until 11:59 pm October 21.
Depending on availability, tickets will be for sale at the door for $28.00.
The MERA Schoolhouse is located at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A, McDonald’s Corners
The Magpies
Sunday, October 29, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
We are feeling most fortunate to bring the Magpies to the Schoolhouse at this stage in their career. In the space of a few short years Bella Gaffney and Holly Brandon have become very much “in demand” at festivals and concert venues throughout the UK as well as Ireland, Portugal and Canada. Recently they have been joined by Ellie Gowers, another one of Briton’s up and coming folk music bright lights. These are three accomplished instrumentalist-vocalists with roots in the folk idiom who now have the experience and confidence to expand their brand of “transatlantic neo-folk” storytelling and composition into enchanting performances that cut a wide swath through traditional and contemporary stylings. Combining sublime harmonies with exquisite musicianship and impressive songwriting, The Magpies traverse Anglo and American roots, drawing inspiration from traditional Celtic folk, bluegrass and Appalachian trails, to create an effortless melting pot of music.
For more information and music by the Magpies CLICK HERE
Tickets are $25.00 plus service fees available soon through TicketsPlease.ca until 11:59 pm October 28.
This concert is SOLD OUT. Contact Tickets Please to be put on a waiting list.
The MERA Schoolhouse is located at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A, McDonald’s Corners
Moonfruits and Tragedy Ann
Sunday, November 19, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
Music at MERA is really excited to present Moonfruits and Tragedy Ann, combining musically on the MERA Schoolhouse stage on Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 pm.
Moonfruits – Ottawa-based partners Alex Millaire and Kaitlin Milroy – are masters of beautiful harmonies, and outstanding musical craftsmanship on guitar, chord organ, banjo, and glockenspiel. Together they craft contemporary folk, organically alternating between French and English, that addresses our collective humanity with heart, wit, and wonder. This award-winning group has toured their transportive live show across Canada, the US, France, Belgium, and Germany.
Tragedy Ann is a forward-looking folk duo, braiding organic vocal harmonies with organ, accordion, singing saw, and guitars, Liv Cazzola and Braden Phelan combine a keen eye for the beauty and humor in our lives with arrangements are as delicate as they are driving. With their latest album “Heirlooms” (May 2022), they issue a call for deeper connection with each other and with the natural world. Tragedy Ann has performed in Europe, the United States, and across Canada.
Moonfruits and Tragedy Ann have often toured together during the last several years and, as long-standing collaborators, they will accompany each other’s songs and also will be sharing some new material written as a collective. You can expect lots of 4-part harmonies, guitar, banjo, pump organ, and glockenspiel!
For more information and music by Moonfruits and Tragedy Ann CLICK HERE
Tickets are $25, plus fees available at Ticketsplease.ca until 11.59pm November 18.
Depending on availability, tickets will be for sale at the door.
The MERA Schoolhouse is located at 974 Concession 9A, McDonald’s Corners
Shane Pendergast and Mia Kelly
Sunday, December 10, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
Music at MERA is proud to announce a concert featuring PEI folksinger/songwriter, Shane Pendergast on Sunday, December 10th at 2:00 PM. Joining him will be Mia Kelly, who has performed at MERA several times over the years.
Shane has folk music in his blood. Hailing from a long lineage of storytellers and musicians in Prince Edward Island, he is keeping the Maritime folk tradition alive with his honest and insightful compositions. From acclaimed folk festivals to the back rooms of Toronto cafes, Shane has cemented himself as one of Atlantic Canada’s finest young folk troubadours. His 2021 album ‘Second Wind” won Contemporary Roots Album of the Year at the Music PEI Awards, and his live album “The House Before the Bridge” was nominated for Roots/Traditional Album of the Year at the 2023 ECMA Awards.
Mia Kelly returns from a successful summer of touring from coast to coast, performing more than 40 concerts with such artists as Valdy, Old Man Luedecke, among others.
Mia also has been nominated in both the Ontario and national folk awards, which will be decided in April, 2024.
Mia will demonstrate her strong vocal and songwriting skills, along with her compelling stage presence.
For more information and music by Shane Pendergast and Mia Kelly CLICK HERE
Tickets are $25, plus fees available at Ticketsplease.ca until 11.59pm December 9.
Depending on availability, tickets will be for sale at the door.
The MERA Schoolhouse is located at 974 Concession 9A, McDonald’s Corners
