Sisters take to the road
Newfoundland’s Palmers spread their folk-pop sound around the East Coast
By STEPHEN COOKE Entertainment Reporter
Tue, Aug 23 - 4:54 AM

One of the hits of this summer’s Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Newfoundland folk group Ashelin — the Palmer sisters Cassy, Thea, Kaliyan, Shaelin and Joesie — performs a series of free concerts from Wednesday to Saturday at Halifax’s Hydrostone Park.

ONE OF THE STRONGEST memories taken home by attendees of this summer’s Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso happened during the traditional Singing Stan portion on Sunday afternoon.

A favourite act of the weekend, Newfoundland sister quintet Ashelin, took its turn on the mainstage with a stirring rendition of The Jeannie C that left the crowd breathless before it burst with acclaim as the last chorus of "I’ll go to sea no more," rang out over the hillside.

For Ashelin guitarist and keyboardist Kaliyan Palmer, it was a moment that she and her sisters had been anticipating all weekend. It was an emotional start to their summer of taking their blend of folk, pop and country around the East Coast.

"It was such an honour. Stan Rogers, he’s a legend, and to be able to get up there alongside his wife and daughter and sing a tribute to him is just unbelievable," says Palmer, who performs in Ashelin at a series of free midday concerts this week at Halifax’s Hydrostone Park from Wednesday to Saturday.

The group was so overwhelmed by the response to their performance, Palmer and her sisters Joesie (fiddle, tin whistle, guitar, banjo and mandolin), Cassy (bass and fiddle), Thea (guitar and percussion) and Shaelin (percussion) immediately recorded a demo version they could share on their website at ashelin.com.

"A song like The Jeannie C is such a heart-wrenching story, it really draws out the emotion," says Palmer. "Especially for me, I can still remember when I first heard it; he was such a great writer. Anyone from a fishing community knows what those songs are talking about, they all know those hardships."

Hailing from Conception Bay North on the Avalon Peninsula, and ranging in age from 16 to 23, Ashelin has more than its share of Newfoundland folk influences — Ron Hynes songs always have a way of finding their way onto the setlists. But the sisters’ CD The Road Not Taken sees their gorgeous five-part harmonies applied largely to original songs like Song for Mariana, which is also slated to appear on David Suzuki’s Playlist for the Planet CD along with tracks by Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn and fellow islanders Great Big Sea.

In concert the group has no problem mixing the contemporary sound of their own tunes with time-honoured songs like Old Brown’s Girl and Shady Grove and making it work as a whole, even when playing for audiences that may be hearing them for the first time. Last week Ashelin performed its first shows in Maine, on a circuit put together by East Coast music fan Phil McIntyre, centred around his Skye Theatre, north of Augusta, where standing ovations and calls for encores marked each performance.

"They seemed to really enjoy the music," says Palmer. "I know a lot of people in New England are of Irish descent and they love Celtic music. The way our music is, it’s mostly folk-based, but we write a lot of our own songs as well, and they’re inspired by the music on the East Coast, and they really liked those too. We were really excited about that."

Although Ashelin has toured all over Atlantic Canada, the group’s Halifax appearances have been limited to taking part in last year’s Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and a Stadacona Band tribute show at the Rebecca Cohn. This week’s Hydrostone Park shows give the Palmer sisters a chance to play for listeners of all ages and provide a rousing finale to a summer that’s been like a musical version of an extended family vacation with five girls and their parents jammed in a van full of instruments.

As anyone who’s been on a trip with multiple siblings knows, there’s nothing like a few weeks in a hot vehicle to strengthen those family relationships.

"Yes, of course, that’s exactly what it’s going to do," says Palmer with a knowing chuckle. "But we’re just having a blast on this tour, it’s one of the most fun we’ve had so far, in my opinion."

Ashelin’s free concerts in Halifax’s Hydrostone park start at noon, except the Saturday show, which starts at 2 p.m. For more on the group, visit ashelin.com.

August 19, 2011
HYDROSTONE CONCERT SERIES FEATURES EXCITING NEW GROUP - ASHELIN

Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest musical export - ASHELIN - a group of five talented sisters - is about to make its Halifax concert debut in a series of free outdoor performances at The Hydrostone Park next Wednesday through Saturday, August 24 to 27th. The string of mid-day concerts start at noon for an hour+ each day, except Saturday when they play at 2 PM.

Fresh from a summer tour of Atlantic Canada and Maine, the group is looking forward to revisiting Halifax where they made their first appearance at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo last July.

ASHELIN is comprised of sisters Cassy, Joesie, Kaliyan, Shaelin, and Thea, who have been singing and dancing to Newfoundland and Irish music as far back as they can remember while learning to play a stunning variety of instruments. Known for their sparkling vocals and intricate harmonies, ASHELIN’s brand of folk roots and pop shines through their original songwriting and novel interpretations of traditional tunes.

Since their first public performance in 1997, they have entertained thousands at such high profile events as the World Podium Influential Leaders series with guest speaker Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and a visit to Qatar for an audience with Queen Sheikah Mozah. They have released an album The Road Not Taken produced by leading record producer, George Massenburg, which has been receiving strong reviews in the U.K.

Earlier this summer, the girls drew a standing ovation at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival for their stirring rendition of The Jeannie C.

The Hydrostone shows are free and suitable for the whole family.

***

For high resolution ASHELIN photos, visit http://www.ashelin.com/photos.

www.ashelin.com

February 8, 2011
HALIFAX FOR HAITI NOMINATED FOR ECMA EVENT OF THE YEAR

HALIFAX – February 08, 2011 – One year ago today, an event that drew together the finest of Nova Scotia’s music industry for a one-of-a kind powerhouse concert at the Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax for Haiti raised $270,000.00 for the Red Cross rebuilding efforts. The event itself was also rewarded with a 2011 ECMA nomination for Event of the year. East Coast Music Week 2011 will take place in Charlottetown, PEI, from April 13-17.

One year after the tragic earthquake that rocked Haiti to the core, many are wondering whether the donations have reached those most in need. With reports of rubble-lined streets, a cholera epidemic, and a million Haitians still living in tent cities, it is understandable that news of progress is being overshadowed by news of despair.

In truth, the International Red Cross response to date has been immense and ongoing. After the devastating quake, 21 emergency response units were deployed in the areas of health, water and sanitation, logistics, and telecommunications. Since then, more than 216,000 people have received medical care, and over one million relief items such as hygiene kits, kitchen sets, blankets, mosquito nets and sleeping mats have been distributed. More than 14,400 tons of shipments have arrived by air, sea and road from all over the world. The Red Cross continues to produce and distribute over 2.5 million litres of water each day and more than 860,000 people in 100 camps have received Red Cross emergency shelter supplies.

The Canadian Red Cross anticipates spending 70% of the available resources on recovery and reconstruction activities. To date, they have built 3,600 earthquake and hurricane resistant shelters. Last month, the Canadian Red Cross bolstered its commitment to the relief effort with the announcement of a partnership for a new integrated health program for Haiti. This five-year program will make it possible to reconstruct and strengthen the health care system for the most vulnerable and will aim to maximize positive, long-term health outcomes for Haitians by improving access to quality health care, and by strengthening community resilience in terms of community care and first aid.

The donations received through Halifax for Haiti, along with the individual donations of Nova Scotians in the immediate aftermath, contributed greatly to the $199 million dollars donated to the Red Cross Haiti relief effort. Visit www.brookesdiamond.com/h4h.htm to view photos from Halifax for Haiti.

For more information:
Fiona Diamond
Vice-President
Brookes Diamond Productions
E: fiona@brookesdiamond.com
T: (902) 492-1115
F: (902) 492-8383

To read the Red Cross report “Haiti – One Year After the Earthquake”, visit www.redcross.ca/haiti2010/news-room/haiti_oneyear_en_web.pdf
To view the Red Cross’ Haiti relief financial update, visit www.redcross.ca/haiti2010/news-room/2010haiti_financialupdate1year.pdf
Visit http://www.redcross.ca/haiti2010/ for the most up to date information, videos, and photos on the Red Cross efforts in Haiti.

November 17, 2010
TIS THE SEASON 4 STARRING BETTE MACDONALD AND MAYNARD MORRISON HITS THE ROAD THIS DECEMBER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, HALIFAX , NOV. 3, 2010 – Tis The Season 4 is ready to take the stage! Bette MacDonald, Maynard Morrison and Ralph Dillon are back with their hilarious take on the holiday season. It's a new year and a new show with favourite funny people Wayne Tomko, Mary Morrison, Martin MacKinnon and Father Gillis. Da's family is back and more stressed out than ever. Tis The Season has quickly become a holiday tradition like turkeys and trees, eggnog and carols, meltdowns and court dates.

Featuring a mélange of comedy and music, the evening promises a relaxing break from the stress of holiday shopping with irreverent laughs and seasonal music as interpreted by Bette MacDonald and husband, Maynard Morrison, backed up by long-time musical partner, Ralph Dillon. This show is unlike any other on the holiday calendar and audiences have responded to it in large numbers over the past three years.

Bette MacDonald has been entertaining audiences with her popular brand of character comedy for over 20 years having starred in a number of her own television series and toured with her own one-women shows across the region.

Bette recently shot a pilot for a new comedy series in development starring Gerry Dee. Tis The Season 4 begins touring in Mabou Cape Breton on Friday December 3 and finishes up in Glace Bay on Friday December 17. Showtimes are 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now.

TOUR DATES:

Click here for info on all the tour dates and tickets

Tis The Season 4 is a Brookes Diamond Production.

For More Information Contact: Fiona Diamond 492-1115 or Fiona@brookesdiamond.com www.brookesdiamond.com or www.bettemacdonald.com

November 17, 2010
The Barra MacNeils
CHRISTMAS SHOW NOW ON SALE IN HALIFAX AND SYDNEY
(Halifax, N.S.) – (October 13) - Seasonal favourite, The Barra MacNeils Christmas Concert brings a Celtic holiday spin to the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on Sunday December 19 and the Savoy in Glace Bay on Monday December 20.

The six MacNeil siblings offer an evening of classic holiday songs and traditional favourites that offers a perfect way to escape the shopping mall crowds and bring the whole family into the seasonal spirit. Lush vocals and inventive instrumentation characterize the Barra’s interpretations of much-loved seasonal fare.

The Barras come into the holiday season fresh from their first tour performances of their brand new concept show – Cathedral (cathedralshow.ca) – which will be seen in Moncton, Fredericton, Bathurst, and Charlottetown in late October and early November. The show debuted in Sydney this spring to enthralled crowds and features Sheumas on the pipe organ juxtaposed with an array of instruments in a musical feast of classics through the ages. A unique and adventurous experience, Cathedral is one of the most exciting projects yet for the group who for over 20 years has been touring throughout North America.

Tickets for the Barra MacNeils Christmas concerts are now on sale as follows:

HALIFAX
Sunday December 19 8pm
Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
Tickets at: Rebecca Cohn Box Office
Charge by phone: 902-494-3820 or 1(800)874-1669
Or On-line: www.artscentre.dal.ca

GLACE BAY
Monday December 20 7:30pm
Savoy Theatre
Tickets at: Savoy Box Office or Centre 200 Box Office
Charge by phone: 902-842-1577
Or on-line: www.tickets.capebreton.ca

The concerts are presented by Brookes Diamond Productions. ***

For further information contact: Christine@brookesdiamond.com
1(902)492-2448

October 13, 2010
Bruce Cockburn Forced to Cancel Upcoming Tour Due to Pneumonia and a Partially Collapsed Lung
Sadly Bruce Cockburn has been forced to cancel his upcoming tour of The Maritimes and a date in Quebec City.

Bruce was advised to cancel all of the concerts by his physicians due to his current bout of pneumonia that has also resulted in a partially collapsed lung.

Bruce was recently diagnosed after being admitted to a hospital in eastern Ontario shortly upon his return from a personal trip to Bolivia.

He is expected to make a full recovery and is currently resting well in Ontario.

Bruce had this to say: “I’m very disappointed to have to cancel this tour and know how inconvenient it is to many but I’m just unable to perform in this condition. I hope we will be able to reschedule all of the dates in the not too distant future. I’m looking forward to getting back to each of the cities and towns on the tour as soon as possible.”

The following are the cancelled dates:

OCT 14 QUEBEC CITY QC LE PALAIS MONTCALM
OCT 15 SUMMERSIDE PE HARBOURFRONT THEATRE
OCT 16 ST. JOHN NB IMPERIAL THEATRE
OCT 17 FREDERICTON NB THE PLAYHOUSE
OCT 19 MONCTON NB CAPITOL THEATRE
OCT 20 HALIFAX NS REBECCA COHN
OCT 22 MEMBERTOU NS MEMBERTOU CENTRE
OCT 23 PORT HAWKSBURY NS STAIGHT AREA REC CENTRE
OCT 25 WINDSOR NS MERMAID THEATRE
OCT 26 ANNAPOLIS ROYAL NS KINGS THEATRE
OCT 27 LUNENBURG NS PEARL THEATRE
OCT 28 TRURO NS MARIGOLD CENTRE

For More Information Please Contact:

Bernie Finkelstein
137 Berkeley Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5A 2X1

Phone: 416-596-8696 ex 222
Fax: 416-596-6861

bernie@finkelsteinmanagement.com
www.finkelsteinmanagement.com

August 27, 2010
THE RANKIN FAMILY ACOUSTIC TOUR - UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
with special guest Michael Bernard Fitzgerald

Mon. Nov. 1, Tue. Nov. 2, and Thu. Nov 4 - 7:30 pm
Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax, NS
Tickets at the Rebecca Cohn Box Office,
by phone AT 902-494-3820, toll free at 1(800) 874-1669
or on-line at www.artscentre.dal.ca

Tue. Nov. 9 & Wed. Nov. 10
Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB 7:30 pm
Tickets at the Imperial Box Office, by phone at (506) 674-4100
or on-line at www.imperialtheatre.nb.ca

Sat. Nov. 13 & Sun. Nov. 14
Capital Theatre, Moncton, NB 7:30 pm
Tickets at the Capitol Theatre Box Office, by phone at 506-856-4379, toll free at 1(800) 567-1922 or on-line at www.capital.nb.ca

August 27, 2010
SPAMALOT

Sat. Oct. 16, 2 pm & 8 pm
Sun. Oct. 17, 2 pm Halifax Metro Centre Concert Bowl

Tickets available at:
Ticket Atlantic Box Office and Participating Superstores
902-451-1221 or www.ticketatlantic.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 9, 2010
BRUCE COCKBURN TO PLAY REBECCA COHN THIS FALL

HALFAX - June 9, 2010 - Iconic Canadian songwriter and guitar virtuoso, Bruce Cockburn will perform at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on Wednesday, October 20 at 8 pm. Tickets on sale now at the Cohn Box Office.

Cockburn will perform an evening of music from his latest live solo recording "Slice of Life" - a blend of his biggest hits and some lesser known songs - along with selections from his vast repertoire music penned over a venerable 35-year career.

The Ottawa-born musician has recorded almost as many albums in those years, while earning respect for his charitable and activist work. "My job is to try and trap the spirit of things in the scratches of pen on paper, in the pulling of notes out of metal," Cockburn said when he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He was also made an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been the recipient of honorary degrees in Letters and Music from several North American universities, including Berklee and Toronto's York University. His many other awards have included the Tenco Award for Lifetime Achievement in Italy and 20 gold and platinum awards in Canada.

As a songwriter, Cockburn is revered by fans and musicians alike. His songs have been covered by such diverse artists as Elbow, Jimmy Buffett, Judy Collins, the Skydiggers, Anne Murray, Third World, Chet Atkins, k.d. lang, Barenaked Ladies, Maria Muldaur and the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia. As a guitarist, he is considered among the world's best. The New York Times called Cockburn a "virtuoso on guitar," while Acoustic Guitar magazine placed him in the esteemed company of Andrés Segovia, Bill Frisell and Django Reinhardt.

Tickets for Bruce Cockburn in concert are on sale now at the Rebecca Cohn Box Office; by phone at 494-3820 or 1 (800) 874-1669; or on-line at www.artscentre.dal.ca.

CONTACT:
Fiona Diamond
Brookes Diamond Productions
fiona@brookesdiamond.com
(902) 492-1115