The Deep Roots Music Festival is returning to Wolfville, Nova Scotia for it’s 16th edition between September 26-29, 2019. This year, the organizers of the multi-venue, multi-genre festival say they will be putting a strong a emphasis on the role that music plays in mental health and well-being by adding a series of workshops, talks, and films that address the subject.
“We are focusing on music and well-being this year because while live music improves the quality and actual quantity of life for audiences, making live music and the work and lifestyle associated with that is really hard on musicians,” says festival volunteer Jim Murphy.
“We want to find a way to share the healing of music so all can benefit, performers and audience alike. By sharing stories like that of Catherine MacLellan and Elsie Morden we hope to start a conversation that could lead to better circumstances for the musicians who make our lives so great.”
The weekend will include two film screenings. First is a showing of celebrated Maritime singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan’s The Song and the Sorrow. Directed by Millefiore Clarkes, the documentary captures the tale of Catherine’s father and legendary Canadian songwriter, Gene MacLellan, and the challenges he faced with mental illness. There will also be a screening of the Amelia Curran directed documentary, Sweet Marie: In Studio with Erin Costelo.
Deep Roots is presenting an exclusive Music and Well-Being concert in several Valley schools featuring Elsie Morden, recipient of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia Outstanding Individual Award, as well as a Harmony Singing Workshop, and a 5- songwriter roundtable where they will be tackling “Music as Medicine, Songs that Heal.”
Among the festival’s commendable line-up, Deep Roots will be spotlighting teenage sensation Emma Stevens, whose Mi’kmaw rendition of Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird” has recently stormed the internet.
Finally, the festival have a couple of late night shows following the main stage performances that include The Deep Roots Hootenanny with The Sundries and The Hypochondriacs, as well as a Barn Burner Saturday with Reeny Smith, and Carson Downey Band.
The full line-up for the 2019 Deep Roots Music Festival includes: David Francey , Catherine MacLellan, Erin Costelo, Coco Love Alcorn, Madison Violet, Rachel Beck ft. the Atlantic String Machine, Reeny Smith, The Vaudevillian, Makayla Lynn, Carson Downey Band, The Hypochondriacs, The Sundries, Chris Robison, Lindy Vopnfjörð, Alan Syliboy & the Thundermakers, Gabriel Minnikin, Terra Spencer, Elsie Morden, SOLA, Emma Stevens, Donna & Andy, Sam Wilson, Maritime Marionettes, Steve Lee Trio plus One, Wee Giant Theatre, Scotty Marsters, and more!
For more information visit, including a complete schedule, a list of events, and ticket sales, www,deeprootsmusic.ca. Tickets may also be purchased at any TicketPro outlet.