Slowcity.ca 5 faves at Springtide, Uxbridge

July 3, 2022

By Will McGuirk

After the recent tornado destroyed a good chunk of Uxbridge, including the community hub, the Second Wedge Brewery, it was to the community itself to which those hit by nature’s wrath turned. It was local resilience against the global winds of climate change which has enabled the town to recover albeit slowly. We Shall Overcome could be the town’s motto, built as it is on its Quaker heritage and artists in residence present. It is a town full of makers, those who make things and those who make things better.

So after, not just two years of a pandemic and those associated shutdowns, but also the unexpected swirl of chaos which struck the town on Saturday May 21, the community of Uxbridge will be out in force for the we made it joys of Springtide Festival on July 21, 22, and 23.

There are several nationally known acts performing but the three day bill is heavier with local acts. Here are five for sure do not miss them acts:

Speaking of local resilience these Band of Weeds continue to pop-up around the town as the roots are strong and deep in this gathering of friends, which it would be fair to call a supergroup of Uxbridge musicians. Alannah Kemp as lead vocal, keys/guitar, Michael Hamilton (of M. H. Vernon) on bass/backup vocals, Thom Harvey (of STRNGR STRNGR) on lead guitar, Amy Peck (of Professors of Funk) on saxophone and Matt Gunn (of EightFiveTwo) on drums!

Geoff Holt is another local stalwart, a galvanizing force in the town. He has a couple of solo albums available. He also has Orangabang and Pawns on his resume but for me its his Musical Bingo nights which showcase his enthusiastic love of music and of community building.

Hollowsage is a transplant whose roots music have taken hold in Uxbridge. He is originally from the Soo but came south. There’s a darkness in his songs but also a deep humanity and empathy. Solo or with his band the Three Mile Islanders the songs of Hollowsage present truth as beauty but equally as beastly, and his music serves as a salve, his set at Springtide will no doubt be a tearful celebration.

Rory Taillon has gone north to Ottawa but his connection to the community along Reach Road is as strong as ever. He is returning to the spiritual home for Springtide but as has been written by some (ahem) the voice of Rory is such a force Uxbridge council could capitalize and weaponize his voice to be used against any future tornados.

Nerima are not of the Trail Capital but they are trekking to the town from the other side of the Oak Ridge. These young folks are of Whitby and Oshawa but their camaraderie and companionship would not be out of place. They are a band of seeds for a new generation of Springtide, one with civic pride at its core, but room to grow and gather.

Like music, community only gets stronger as it becomes more inclusive. Inclusivity is the secret to resiliency, a resiliency to ward off all manner of circumstances. 

First Wave Artists Announced!

May 3, 2022

SPRINGTIDE MUSIC FESTIVAL 
ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF ARTISTS

ALYSHA BRILLA, BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH,
BOY GOLDEN, JULIAN TAYLOR, DANNY MICHEL, and more

THE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN UXBRIDGE
JULY 21-23, 2022
Tickets on Sale Now!

Springtide Music Festival is excited to announce their return with the first wave of programming for this annual celebration of music and community taking place July 21-23, 2022. Springtide Music Festival, with title sponsor Durham Tourism, will host over a dozen stages in a variety of unique venues on a 1.4km strip in downtown Uxbridge, Ontario.

Over thirty acts were revealed today with more names to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for Springtide Music Festival are on sale via the festival website.

Springtide Music Festival will open with the Springtide Launch Party, as a stand-alone ticketed event, on Thursday, July 21 at Uxbridge Music Hall with Juno Award winners Bedouin Soundclash, and Canadian Folk Music Award winner Julian Taylor.

Springtide Music Festival will include a stellar line up of all-Canadian performances by: three time Juno nominee Alysha Brilla, Winnipeg’s Boy Golden; Canadian Folk Music Award winner Danny Michel; funky rhythm and blues band Jerome Tucker Band; folk rock powerhouse Skye Wallace; singer-songwriter Jeremy Fisher; and rock duo Goodnight Sunrise. 

SPRINGTIDE MUSIC FESTIVAL INITIAL LINEUP DIGITAL POSTER | DOWNLOAD

“It’s been a trying few years for live music having to sideline plans due to the pandemic, but after a two-year hiatus we are thrilled to be back for our biggest festival yet,” says Co-founder and Festival Director, Tania Joy. “Expanding to three days seems fitting for our return with a diverse lineup of emerging and established Canadian acts planned to celebrate the festival’s resurgence across our downtown core including stages in restaurants, shops and our outdoor beer garden. We are especially delighted to add The Uxbridge Music Hall among this year’s venues, as well as an exciting partnership with Durham Tourism as our title sponsor.” 

Springtide Music Festival will also include performances by Abigail Lapell, Band of Weeds, Benj Rowland, Benjamin Dakota Rogers, Bernadette Connors, Brooklyn Doran, Cassie Noble, Emily Rockarts, Housewife, Gravely James, Hollowsage, Hunter Sheridan, John Muirhead, Julien Kelland, Kennedy Road, Kevin Ker, Lindy Vopnfjörd, Matt Gunn, Mattie Leon, Spencer Burton, Stephen Stanley Band, Tamara Williamson, Tania Joy, and Wooly.More exciting local and visiting artists will be announced in the coming weeks with curated showcases that thoughtfully match the venues. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=RZ-XRpu8yRs%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Launched in 2018, Springtide Music Festival is an incorporated non-profit organization, led by a volunteer team of local musicians and business leaders. Springtide is an artist-run, grassroots festival with over 70 artists on Specialty Stages and in partner venues in downtown Uxbridge.

Springtide Music Festival
July 21-23, 2022
Various venues in Uxbridge, Ontario
Tickets and wristbands are on sale now at
http://springtide.tickit.ca
Limited weekend passes on sale at 20% off
(includes admission Friday & Saturday)

www.springtidemusicfestival.com
FB/IG: @springtidemusicfest
Twitter: @springtide_fest


Media Contact: Damien Nelson, damien@wantandable.ca

Full Lineup Announced for 2022!

The countdown is on for Springtide Music Fest 2022! Only 5 weeks to go and we are excited to share more festival details! After our two year, pandemic hiatus, we can’t wait to see all your smiling faces once again!

Springtide Music Festival will be kicking off on Thursday July 21st with the Springtide Launch Party at the beautiful and historic Uxbridge Music Hall. The evening is reserved seating and will feature performances by Bedouin Soundclash, Julian Taylor and local Uxbridge artist Tania Joy. 

BUY NOW

Due to the devastating effect from the recent storm that hit the Uxbridge community, the outdoor mainstage has been moved from our beloved Second Wedge Brewing Co. The Springtide 2022 main stage will now be located downtown, at Centennial Park, surrounded by mature trees and linked in with the uxbridge trail system. As Uxbridge is the trail capital of Canada, we are looking forward to sharing one of our greatest assets with our guests! Some of the artists that will be taking on our main stage include Alysha Brilla, Skye Wallace, Goodnight Sunrise, Ellevator, Housewife, and more!

 

Springtide Music Festival will also feature specialty stages including Springtide Youth Stage on Saturday afternoon at Uxbridge Legion, showcasing some of rising, young talent; the Let’s Write a Song! youth workshop with Bernadette Connors on the Workshop Stage at The Bridge Social; and the Author’s Stage presented by Blue Heron Books.

We are also pleased to share our full artist lineup! We will see performances by Mattie Leon, Julien Kelland, Elyse Saunders, Jeremy Fisher, I, the Mountain, Jerry Leger & The Situation, Kingdom Of Birds, Rory Taillon, Jerome Tucker Band and many more! The full line up can he found on our website.

Springtide is looking forward to creating a space for our guests to celebrate local talent, enjoy some great music, and to share and spread joy together. A reminder to all those who purchased tickets for the 2020 festival, your tickets will be honoured for Springtide Music Fest 2022. 

10 Ways to support Uxbridge this Summer

Recently, Uxbridge – The Trail Capital of Canada – was impacted by a significant weather event that has left behind widespread damage throughout the township. What was supposed to be a “return to normal” May long weekend in the province, quickly turned into a very scary and surreal situation. As businesses and tourist attractions opened with anticipation during the “summer of the staycation” in Ontario, yet another devastating impact was felt.  

As the township continues the efforts to clean up and rebuild, we’ve put together this list of ten ways that you can help support the community by shopping local this summer. 

  1. Visit Downtown Uxbridge and check out the amazing shops, restaurants and attractions! Please be patient as some businesses may need a little more time to re-open.  
  2. Buy tickets for Springtide Music Festival in July to support the local music scene. 
    Image is of a graphic with a yellow and red background. Text in blue reads the Springtide Music Festival taking place on July 21-23 at multiple venues in downtown Uxbridge.
  3. Visit the “2019 Farm Market of the Year” every Sunday during the Uxbridge Farmers’ Market, which has been temporarily moved to Herrema Fields at 85 Herrema Boulevard.  
  4. While The Second Wedge Brewery recovers from significant damage as a result of the storm, you can find your favourite Second Wedge brew at a local restaurant or retail outlet with their Beer Finder Map.
       Image includes an arm picking up a grey can of Witch's Brew beer made by the Second Wedge Brewing Company. The can is sitting on a bar counter next to a blue can of Elgin Blonde, a yellow can of Rain Maker, an orange can of Monday Night Piper, a black can of Black is Beautiful and an orange can of Fat Tire. All of these are beers made by the Second Wedge Brewing Company.
  5. Support the York Durham Heritage Railway by shopping at one of their Wizards Emporium retail stores in Pickering, Oshawa and Newmarket. A Go Fund Me has also been launched in their effort to rebuild and restore the historic and beloved tourist attraction.   
    Image is of the York Durham Heritage Railway train station that has a roof that looks like a witch hat. There is a train with a baggage car parked near the station. A Canadian flag waves on a pole and the background is lined with trees.
  6. Sip local at these North Durham cideries.  
  7. Check out local artisans, farms, markets, live music, food and more on the Leaskdale Loop.  
  8. Step into the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery on the self-guided Anne and Maud Experience. 
    Image is of a bench that has a statue of Lucy Maud Montgomery with a book on her lap sitting on the left side of the bench. The right side of the bench is empty and is located in front of a garden and trees.
  9. Immerse yourself in the Township’s history at the Uxbridge Historical Society.  
  10. Spend date night at the Roxy Theatre where you can catch the latest Hollywood movie releases.  

Bonus: Go for dinner at Foundry Kitchen & Bar in Historic Downtown Port Perry while Foundry pi recovers from the storm.  

Many businesses in North Durham and throughout Durham Region have been impacted as a result of COVID-19 and the recent storms. We invite you to plan a trip to one of the 14 downtowns, attend an event and shop the apparel and merchandise line from the Durham is Home collection to show your community pride! 

Image is of a blue t shirt with an image of trees in yellow and red with a red stick figure walking on a trail. The text, Uxbridge, Ontario is included on the shirt in red text.

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Author – Durham Tourism