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From its inception in 1999, Starbelly Jam has been guided by a mission to create a larger than life event where everyone is part of the experience.
This year we are bringing in a spectacular assortment of entertainers for the festival from July 20-22. With a focus on family we are delighted to have Rick Scott of Pied Pumpkin fame perform kids songs on his Appalachian mountain dulcimer. Also for kids is an entire pavilion dedicated to arts and craft making. There will be plenty of time to make a costume for the giant Sunday parade.
As the festival is in the Crawford Bay Park, we are thrilled to showcase the Enchanted Playground. Next to the playground is the Milky Way Yurt. If you’ve got a little one who needs some chill space away from the excitement then the Milky Way is for you. The Milky Way is of course breastfeeding friendly.
The Festival’s artistic directors have tapped into a wide array of Canadian performers. Named one of the ‘Top 10 Artists to Watch’ by CBC Music, Iskwe’ is fostering an unmistakable sound that weaves together her Irish and Cree/Dene’ roots with soulful rhythms, electronic flourishes, and trip-hop breakbeats.
Juno winner Stephen Fearing is an alluring entertainer — heartbreaking, expansive and full of mirth — with a clear, honourable voice that lifts you into his wide world and brings you back home to yourself.
Together, Bill Bourne, Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim are Tri-Continental. They are major players in the Canadian roots music scene who have individually and collectively received four Juno awards and 10 nominations. If latin music is your scene we have Gabo Gonzalez y Groove Capital from Mexico City. Vancouver-based MNGWA is rooted in the Afro-Latin soul of cumbia music blended with elements of psych rock, surf, reggae, salsa, and hip hop into the polyrhythmic pot.
At Starbelly Jam we love the funk! From Niagara/Toronto, My Son the Hurricane is a brass-infused funk beast like no other. No dance floor is safe.
Check out the festival website for more on these and other artists as well as schedules and workshops at starbellyjam.org.
See you at the festival!