Levee on the Lake returns next weekend for four days of live music, workshops and more, including a first for the festival – comedy.
Running from September 10 to 13, there will be seven concerts throughout the festival and, on Saturday afternoon, a performance by Canadian comedy icon Lorne Elliott paired with Nova Scotian musicians the McMillan Camp Boys.
While the festival looks much the same compared to previous years, organizers are always actively looking for new ways to excite people. But the opportunity to bring in Elliot was more of a wonderful accident, said co-founder and artistic director Shelley Chase.
“ We were looking at a different performer and the manager or booker for that person also had Lorne. I was like, ‘oh my gosh, one of the first gigs I ever did as a young artist was on Madly off in All Directions.’ It was very serendipitous. He’s obviously a wonderful performer so we’re really excited to welcome Lorne.”
Like last year, the events will take place at the Sackville Music Barn in Middle Sackville. The festival opens Thursday with its first food-centred event, the Pig and Promenade. Starting with a square dance from 4:30 to 5:30, there will be a pulled pork buffet followed by a full concert, with traditional Mi’kmaq singing by Matt Sannipas, the Celtic band Marrow Bones and Lennie Gallant.
The other food-centric event is the Taste of Tantramar concert Friday night. It will have a small plate tasting menu, with offerings from Open Sky, Beardlsey Grange and Ketchup With That Kitchen, topped off with some blueberry ice cream and mini donut from Trueman’s Farm.
The festival’s Bootlegger’s Ball, a honky-tonk with live country music, returns Saturday night, and there will be two concerts on Sunday. The first, in the afternoon, is the Fawcett Dance Hall Frolic, celebrating bluegrass music. And closing out the festival is the Silver Lake Sessions from 7-9 pm that night.
There will also be a special free concert, the Littlest Levee on Saturday from 10-11 am, focused on the smaller attendees, said Chase.
“ Just show up with your little ones of all ages, or old ones, and that’s live music, and we have a great time singing and just enjoying live music with little people. So they can dance and sing and come up to the stage.”
Outside of live music and food, there are lots of workshops throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well, and though they are free, folks do need to register. It’s a great opportunity to try something new without the commitment of more time and money, said Chase.
“So it’s great. You know everybody’s in the same boat where they mostly haven’t done this before and it’s a lot of fun. It’s a great way to come out.”
While Chase is quick to heap praise on all the local businesses that chip in to help the festival—which is mostly funded through grants and corporate partnerships—she also wants anyone attending to know how much it means.
“ It really matters to us that you’re there, either with a paid ticket or not a paid ticket. It really matters because you become part of the community that we’re building. And it doesn’t work unless there’s an audience member, and it is very, very important and appreciated to have an audience member.”
For a complete schedule of events and to register or purchase tickets, head to the Levee on the Lake website.
