Heather Latter
If you haven’t purchased your season passport yet for Tour de Fort’s 2015-16 concert series, you’re in luck—they’re still available.
Although the cost of the passports has increased, Tour de Fort president Tara Hamilton noted it’s still a great deal at $125 for six shows.
“Our lineup is exceptional this year,” she enthused.
“I think it’s going to be a great year.”
The first show of the series—set for Monday, Sept. 21—is Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer.
“She’s performing all over the country this year at different festivals all over the place,” Hamilton noted.
“We’re lucky to have her come to our small community.”
The second performance features Juno Award-winning aboriginal recording artist Susan Aglukark.
“She’s quite famous,” Hamilton said. “She’s one of Canada’s most significant cultural treasures.
“Apart from being a beautiful singer and powerful songwriter, she provides a significant view to the culture of our northern communities,” Hamilton read from Aglukark’s biography.
“She is an inspiration to humanity.”
Hamilton added Aglukark has performed for Queen Elizabeth twice, former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Brian Mulroney, former French president Jacques Chirac, and Nelson Mandela.
“The list goes on and on,” she added, noting Aglukark has won many, many awards and it should be a great show.
“I’m really excited about ‘Mudmen,’” Hamilton said about the third show of the series on Nov. 21 featuring the Canadian Celtic rock band.
“They are very high-energy,” she noted, adding the group will be performing at the Grey Cup Fanfest Convention Centre in Winnipeg right after playing here.
“So that’s pretty exciting to have them here first,” she remarked.
The fourth show of the series is Lindi Ortega on Dec. 5.
“She is an up-and-coming artist,” Hamilton said.
“I don’t know whether she’s really well-known yet but I think it’s just a matter of time before she hits the big leagues.”
Hamilton noted Serena Ryder played here in 2012 before making it really big and she sees the same thing happening with Ortega.
“I think [Ortega] will follow suit with that type of thing,” she remarked.
The final two performances of the series are the Fortunate Ones, a Newfoundland-based folk/pop duo featuring Canadian musician Danny Michel, on March 5 and P.E.I.’s award-winning Gordie MacKeeman on April 17.
All performances are at 7:30 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre, with doors opening at 7 p.m.
“We’re really excited,” Hamilton enthused, noting things are looking good for the upcoming season.
“Our passport sales have improved immensely over the past couple of weeks,” she noted.
In fact, Hamilton said many people purchased passports before Sept. 1 to get them for the $100 sale price.
“So the sales are really growing and we’re happy about that,” she remarked.
Passports can be purchased online by visiting www.tourdefort.com or at From the Grind Up (122 Scott St.)
Hamilton also added the organization always is looking for more volunteers to help out.
“We have about nine board members but we can always use more help and more ideas,” she stressed.
For more information, contact Hamilton or any of the board members listed on the website.
