BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Iona Heights Inn - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Iona Heights Inn X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Iona Heights Inn REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Halifax BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0300 TZNAME:ADT DTSTART:20220313T060000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0300 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:AST DTSTART:20221106T050000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0300 TZNAME:ADT DTSTART:20230312T060000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0300 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:AST DTSTART:20231105T050000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0300 TZNAME:ADT DTSTART:20240310T060000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0300 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:AST DTSTART:20241103T050000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0300 TZNAME:ADT DTSTART:20250309T060000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0300 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:AST DTSTART:20251102T050000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20241116T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20241116T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240522T103607Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241030T215755Z UID:10003377-1731787200-1731794400@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:David Myles DESCRIPTION:With two Junos to his credit\, David Myles has established himself as a world-class entertainer with an uncanny knack for dispersing profound truths about the human condition through dynamic songwriting. Born and based in New Brunswick\, he’s a sonic shapeshifter with more than 15 albums that run the gamut—in English and French—through classic folk traditions\, impassioned rock ‘n’ roll\, earthy\, existential blues\, cosmic jazz and funk instrumentals\, reflective Americana\, and sweltering R&B. And on stage—whether solo or accompanied by a full band—the music is tight and the vibe is loose\, with Myles able to command\, charm\, and uplift audiences in both intimate clubs and grand theatres. The throughline in his work is a deep understanding of our need for connection and an attempt to reach out and make them through musical collaboration\, live performance\, or deep-digging\, heart-to-heart conversations with fellow artists on his podcast and video series Myles From Home. \nMyles’ latest offering is what he likes to call his “sinnin’ record\,” the spirited Devil Talking—an album that finds him drawing on his many well-honed musical modes to sing about “partying\, making mistakes\, falling apart and trying to pull yourself together again.” Devil Talking builds on a special era of Myles’ career\, a time of creative blossoming during which he’s worked with a core team of musicians to construct some of the most powerful and soul-searching work in his oeuvre. It began in 2021 with the multitudinous That Tall Distance\, which won the 2022 JUNO Award for Instrumental Album of the Year\, and continued on with 2022’s It’s Only a Little Loneliness\, which explored love\, loss\, and faith. These years of close collaboration have found Myles embracing every facet of his self and artistry\, creating a lush\, sophisticated sound that defies easy categorization. \nHis relentless work ethic has earned him numerous awards and accolades; a robust artist profile stateside; and a feature and co-writing credit on “Inner Ninja\,” a cross-genre collaboration with rapper Classified and the biggest-selling rap single in the history of Canadian music. On top of Myles From Home\, his various projects including a 2018 children’s book called Santa Never Brings Me a Banjo\, and Singing For Supper\, a long-running concert series that raises money for local food banks. \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/david-myles/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/David-Myles.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20241031T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20241031T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240604T155556Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240603T151734Z UID:10003380-1730404800-1730412000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Steve Poltz - Nova Scotia Homecoming Tour DESCRIPTION:It might’ve even been last night\, but Steve Poltz just played the greatest show of his life. Guess what?  \nThe next show will be even greater\, making that show the greatest show of his life.  \nAre you starting to notice a trend?  \nHe isn’t shy about it either.  \nEven after most likely thousands of shows (but who’s counting?)\, he hits the stage with the same amount of energy and always makes sure to declare\, “This is the greatest show of my life.”  \nIt’s why he’s quietly emerged as the kind of live phenomenon celebrated passionately by a diehard fanbase worldwide and renowned as a festival favorite everywhere from Bluesfest in Byron Bay and High Sierra Music Festival in California and Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado to Cayamo Cruise (where he actually got married). It’s why his music has crept into pop culture via collaborations with everyone from Jewel and Billy Strings to Molly Tuttle\, Sierra Hull\, Nicki Bluhm\, Oliver Wood\, and even the late Mojo Nixon. It’s why after over a dozen albums\, he’s still creatively firing on all cylinders and critically acclaimed by the likes of Rolling Stone\, Associated Press\, Billboard\, and many more.  \nNevertheless\, the next gig will be the greatest show for him (and maybe for you too)… \n“I started doing it years ago\, because I feel grateful to still be alive\,” he notes. ”Even today\, I still do it\, and I believe my own bullshit. I convinced myself that every show is the greatest show I’ve ever played. They’re all different\, and it depends on my mood each day\, but I know I’m there to entertain people. It always cracks me up when I stumble into some sort of weird thing that’s handed to me like a gift from the freaky deadly heavens above.” \nSteve might as well be “a gift from the freaky deadly heavens above” himself. He was born in Nova Scotia—Halifax\, to be exact. Somewhere along the way\, he began his relationship with the guitar at six-years-old. “We’re joined at the hip and lip and it’s always near my grip\,” he affirms. He grew up in Los Angeles and Palm Springs (where he “met Elvis and Liberace”) and settled in San Diego (where he cut his teeth “under the tutelage of The Beat Farmers”).  \nHe kicked off his musical journey in San Diego-bred underground favorites The Rugburns. However\, the world got to know Steve when co-wrote two tracks from Jewel’s diamond-certified debut Pieces Of You\, including the multi platinum Billboard Hot 100 #2 “You Were Meant For Me” (he’s also in the video). He delivered his own full-length debut One Left Shoe in 1998 and paved the way for an extensive solo catalog defined by what he calls “evocative lyrics mixed with positivity and traces of tragicomedy.”  \nIf you so choose\, you can trace his evolution from “Everything About You” (which popped up in Notting Hill) to the staple “Can O’ Pop”— christened “a fizzy delight” by Rolling Stone. The latter graced his 2022 album\, Stardust & Satellites. Co-produced and created with The Wood Brothers\, it garnered widespread acclaim. HOLLER. hailed it as “a wonderfully energized\, often joyful and wryly provocative release from the charismatic Steve Poltz\,” while No Depression dubbed it “poignant and ultimately uplifting.” Glide Magazine applauded how\, “He takes chances like few others and seems to be increasingly more unconventional as he embraces Americana.” \nSimultaneously\, a myriad of artists continue to seek him out as a collaborator in the studio. Whether it be “Leaders” with Billy Strings or “Million Miles” with Molly Tuttle\, he’s got dozens of cuts with various friends under his belt. He contributed two tunes to Deer Tick’s Emotional Contracts with frontman John J. McCauley going on to profess to Brooklyn Vegan\, “Steve Poltz may be the biggest\, most direct inspiration for me on this record.” \nSteve adds\, “Usually when these folks and many others come over to my house in Nashville we end up with something I love. I try not to overthink it. There are no rules. It’s kind of like fishing. You don’t catch anything if you don’t throw your rod in the water. So I guess I just try to be available for inspiration\, mixed with perspiration and exasperation.” \nSpeaking of perspiration\, he regularly travels far and wide to audiences of all ages and all continents most every day.  \n“I travel from town to town and fool people\,” he grins. “I sing them songs and tell them stories and somehow they decide to pay money to obtain some merch and witness the spectacle. Then I return a year later and fool them again.” \nIn the end\, Steve is probably gearing up for the greatest show of his life as you read this.  \nThankfully\, that will never change. \nHe signs off\, “I’m just a weirdo\, a freak\, a bon vivant\, a rounder\, a rabble rouser\, a workaholic\, a people pleaser\, an idiot and a grateful kid who ran away and joined the circus.”  \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \n  \nOpen in Spotify \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/steve-poltz-nova-scotia-homecoming-tour/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Steve-Poltz.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20241025T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20241025T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20241004T143745Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241004T143745Z UID:10003390-1729886400-1729893600@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Mike McKenna Jr CD Release DESCRIPTION:CANADIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER MIKE MCKENNA JR. HAS BECOME A RISING STAR ON THE EAST COAST MUSIC SCENE: WITH A RASPY\, SOULFUL VOICE\, WARM INDIE FOLK AND AMERICANA TONES\, AND BEAUTIFUL SONGS LADEN WITH CAPTIVATING STORYTELLING. \nBORN IN THE PROUD COAL MINING TOWN OF GLACE BAY AND RAISED ALONG THE MIRA RIVER\, MIKE’S SONGWRITING AESTHETIC POINTS HEAVILY TO HIS ROOTS GROWING UP IN INDUSTRIAL\, EASTERN CAPE BRETON. OVER THE COURSE OF 3 AWARD-WINNING ALBUMS HE’S BROUGHT US THE NOSTALGIA OF HIS HOME\, THROUGH CAREFULLY CHOSEN NARRATIVE\, POETRY\, PROTEST\, AND TRUE STORIES ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH IN NOVA SCOTIA’S COASTAL\, WORKING-CLASS COMMUNITIES. \n \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/mike-mckenna-jr-cd-release/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mike-McKenna-Jr.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240927T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240927T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240613T172723Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240613T172723Z UID:10003385-1727467200-1727474400@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Lookout Tower DESCRIPTION:Lookout Tower hails from memories of days gone by and of moments yet to come. Storytellers inspired by the cultural landscape of Cape Breton and woven from the yarn of hard times – their songs are the culmination of musical paths not commonly crossed. Defying genres with a no holds barred approach\, vintage soul meets modern Americana where footstompin’ old-time harmonies and influences are dashed with Acadian roots\, creating their original Winter Swamp Sound – a sonic palette of soulful ballads\, rousing blues rock and hypnotic funk. \nTheir album ‘Fields’ was nominated for ‘Blues Recording of the Year’ at the 2024 ECMAs and for ‘Americana Recording of the Year’ at the 2023 NSMW. \nRankin MacEachern / vocals\nBryan Picard / guitar\, vocals\nFranzi Habith / bass\, vocals\nJohn Pinnington / drums \n \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/the-lookout-tower-3/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lookout-Tower.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240920T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240920T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240814T185529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240914T122706Z UID:10003388-1726862400-1726869600@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Songwriters Circle - Woody Woodburn\, Steve McIntyre & Dennis Ellsworth DESCRIPTION:Words that make you think. Melodies that get stuck in your head. Steve MacIntyre offers up both in abundance. An East Coast storyteller who makes his home in Cape Breton\, Steve grew up surrounded by the best artists and entertainers in the world. It is here that he honed his craft and ability to capture an audience. It is here that he began writing songs of love and loss\, travel and reflection\, and it is here that you can find him spinning stories that leave people wanting more! \nBorn & raised in Mississauga\, Ontario\, with roots in Cape Breton. Woody now calls the small town of Rockwood Ontario home. He has spent time in Cape Breton every summer of his life. His music gives life to your own struggles. Like listening to an old friend. The kind of melodies that linger in your head well after you’ve heard them. Woody is an unassuming\, humble guy that will surprise you with his powerful voice. A voice that combined with the real & “come from the heart” lyrics will leave you more hopeful & inspired in your life. \nDennis Ellsworth is a songwriter\, performer\, sideman\, and record producer from Charlottetown\, PE. His songwriting career started in high school\, filling notebooks with lyrics and poems. He grew up on the Beatles\, Simon & Garfunkel\, Ray Charles\, Kris Kristofferson\, Roy Orbison\, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. His tastes evolved in grade 6 and he began collecting cassettes. His personal music collection is stylistically expansive. Some might call his love for music an addiction\, but whatever. \nOver the years he has collaborated with Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize from Skydiggers\, Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip\, Joel Plaskett\, Donovan Woods\, Rose Cousins\, John Smith\, and David Barbe (producer of Drive-by Truckers and bass player for 90’s alt rock band Sugar.) \nIn 2015 Dennis signed a publishing deal with Cymba Music Publishing in Toronto and has since written songs in a wide variety of styles His music has appeared in television shows for CBC\, Netflix\, HBO and was featured in the award-winning film\, The New Romantic. \nEllsworth has released 2 full length albums with his previous group\, Haunted Hearts\, an album as a duo with Kinley Dowling\, two EP’s and 10 full length solo albums\, including his most recent triple album project called Bound by Love. URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/songwriters-circle-woody-woodburn-steve-mcintyre-dennis-ellsworth/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Songwriters.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240913T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240913T213000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240814T184051Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240909T233059Z UID:10003387-1726255800-1726263000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen CD Release DESCRIPTION:With more than a decade of making records and touring around the world behind them—as members of the award-winning group Còig—Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen now have their sights set on something new—Home. \nRecorded with award-winning songwriter\, musician\, and producer Dave Gunning\, Home is Rachel and Darren’s long-imagined\, and much-anticipated\, duo album. Highlighting the pair’s outstanding musicianship and vocals\, Home mixes traditional tunes and songs with original co-writes and signature classics. \nRachel and Darren are well-established and respected instrumentalists in the traditional music world and their playing on this album certainly lives up to that reputation. But over the years\, each has also gained recognition for their vocal abilities\, most notably with Rachel receiving a 2020 Canadian Folk Music Award in the Traditional Singer of the Year category for Còig’s fifth album\, Ashlar. While Còig’s repertoire always included songs\, the focus of the group was really on the tunes. Rachel and Darren wanted to shift that focus for this album and feature their vocals more. They take turns on lead vocals and harmonies throughout the 11-track album\, which is split about evenly between songs and instrumentals\, and the result is a cohesive collection of music performed by some of the top musicians of our times. \nFrom the gentle but commanding riff that opens “River and the Road”\, written by Scottish songwriting royalty Archie Fisher\, to the unexpectedly bouncy breath of fresh air that is Laurence Gowan’s 1993 hit “Dancing on My Own Ground”\, to an old standby from their live sets\, “We Remember You Well” by their pal\, Cape Breton Music Hall of Fame writer Buddy MacDonald\, the songs on Home couldn’t be a better fit for Rachel and Darren’s voices and musical sensibilities. \nThe pair also wanted to do more songwriting for this album and they hit the jackpot with recording\, engineering\, and arranging collaborator Dave Gunning and acclaimed singer-songwriter Terra Spencer. Both Gunning and Spencer add harmony vocals to the songs they co-wrote\, with Gunning also playing a variety of instruments on the album. Other musical guests include Margie Beaton (piano)\, Thierry Clouette (bouzouki\, foot percussion)\, and Zakk Cormier (guitar\, foot percussion) taking turns on the tunes\, and English folk singer Jackie Oates who joins Rachel and Darren on harmony for the lovely Cornish folk song “Sweet Nightingale”\, which closes the album. \nListening to Rachel and Darren\, it’s obvious that they’ve been playing together for a while—not just as part of Còig\, but also as a duo\, as guests on each other’s records\, and as part of bigger stage productions and ensembles. There’s an easy way about them\, a sense of comfort that comes through in the music\, in the mix of their instruments\, the blending of their voices\, and how the arrangements leave room for each other. They seem to know just when to lay back and when it’s time to “give’er”. \nRachel and Darren have had the idea of doing a duo project for a long time\, since before Còig took off\, really. They just couldn’t ever fit it in with the band’s busy schedule and the solo work they were each involved with. But when the world-wide pandemic shut everything down for an unknown period of time\, putting everyone’s plans on hold\, some members of the band turned to new opportunities and\, apart from one-off shows and the annual Christmas tour\, Còig basically found itself on hiatus. That was the push that the project needed\, as Rachel and Darren found themselves home together\, and lots of time to experiment with material. \nRachel Davis and Darren McMullen’s debut duo album\, Home\, released in May of this year\, with Archie’s Fisher’s “River and the Road” marked as the first single and video. \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/rachel-davis-darren-mcmullen-cd-release/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Rachel-and-Darren.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240828T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240828T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240506T155409Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240828T201504Z UID:10003374-1724875200-1724882400@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:J.P. Cormier DESCRIPTION:Nobody really knows who J.P. Cormier is for sure. That’s to be expected\, believe me.\nIn 1974 he was a five year old boy\, discovering an innate talent for playing the guitar\, I had a little hand in that\, guiding him through the beginning stages. He learned faster than I could teach.\nBy the mid eighties\, not out of his teens\, he was a sideman for bands and artists of many different genres in Alabama\, Tennessee\, Mississippi\, and all across the deep south. As he travelled and worked he added more and more instruments to his arsenal of capabilities. He became indispensable to the bands he worked for. \nIn the early Nineties\, he became a sideman for one of Canada’s favourite sons\, Stompin’ Tom Connors and also became a staple of the recordings at Studio H in Halifax. His work with the CBC there\, spanned musical\, production and arranging duties. \nAll this before he was 20. \nIn the mid nineties he reentered the musical scene of his beloved East Coast and the Island called Cape Breton. He exploded onto the trad music scene there as a fiddler\, performing some of the most difficult music ever produced by legends like Winston Fitzgerald and Angus Chisholm with a facility that stunned onlookers. Especially those who knew he wasn’t born there\, but born in Ontario to Cape Breton parents. Somehow\, some way\, his music was the real thing\, sounding like he had been steeped continually in a handed-down brew of family tradition from the old country. \nNothing could be further from the truth. \nHis previous gig was in Nashville playing mandolin and banjo in a grammy nominated bluegrass gospel band and performing on the Opry\, and playing television shows with the likes of Waylon Jennings. All those people also thought he was one of them\, American\, reared in the ways of bluegrass\, old time and Americana music. They knew he was from Canada\, but it just didn’t seem possible. \nThen in 1997\, something amazing happened. \nAn album released in Canada\, out of nowhere\, called Another Morning. This time it was him as a songwriter and a lead singer. \nAnd what a songwriter he turned out to be. Some of the performances on that album are literally part of the musical vocabulary today in the East Coast. Songs like the title cut\, and Kelly’s Mountain\, The Molly May (co written with his cousin Gervais) and others. It inspired\, 25 years ago\, some of the biggest names in the business today. People like Dave Gunning\, Matt Andersen\, David Myles\, Joel Plaskett\, all of which will tell you: that record changed things. \nThe Canadian industry thought so too\, and it received a juno nomination and won an ECMA. \nAnd that was just the beginning. \n36 years later after stepping on stage as professional union musician for the first time at the tender age of 13\, JP is still going\, and frighteningly\, still getting better. \n16 albums followed the success of Another Morning\, winning 12 more ECMA’s\, another Juno nomination\, a Canadian Folk Music Award and 5 Music Nova Scotia Awards. Each album was a snapshot of each thing that he can do. There are fiddle albums\, Mandolin\, Banjo\, Guitar\, tribute records\, songwriting collections\, a purely astounding spectrum of talent and musical vision. \nHis catalogue of recordings and the 150 or so records he’s produced on other artists\, resemble the tapestry he weaves in live performance. Where he used to carry 3 and 4 piece bands\, he tours alone now. \nJust him and the instruments. \nPeople still leave his shows confused\, amazed and wondering what they just saw. Did they see a storyteller? A Songwriter? Arguably one of the best guitar players in the business today? Someone who crosses the lines between different instruments like there are no lines? Who was that masked man\, anyway? \nAccolades aside\, and there are many from people like Chet Atkins\, Marty Stuart\, Waylon Jennings\, Gordon Lightfoot; JP sees himself as just a performer. He’s shy\, but has a razor sharp wit and lightning sense of humour. He can be reserved or edgy to the point no return. He speaks for soldiers\, first responders\, other artists\, the forgotten and lost. He speaks sometimes only for himself and refuses rebuttal. \nOf all the things he is\, foremost he is an entertainer. I think one of the best.  After you’ve seen what he does\, I’m certain you will too. \n  \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/j-p-cormier-6/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/JP-Cormier.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240821T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240821T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240528T190654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240608T215251Z UID:10003378-1724270400-1724277600@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Lennie Gallant DESCRIPTION:East Coast songwriter Lennie Gallant has released fifteen albums of original songs which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the JUNOs\, Les Prix Éloizes\, and The ECMAs. His songs have been described as “true slices of life delivered with a poet’s flair and a rugged emotional sensibility”. His multimedia production\, Searching for Abegweit\, ran for 190 shows in Eastern Canada. His song Peter’s Dream\, from that show\, was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. \nLennie is an international artist who has performed all over North America and Europe. His songs have been covered by many artists and he has shared the stage with several orchestras and with performers such as Lucinda Williams\, Patti Griffin and Roger Hodgson. He has performed with the late Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers and with David Foster and his band. Lennie struck up a friendship with Jimmy\, has two co-writes on his upcoming posthumous album\, and was invited to sing on both songs. One of Lennie’s albums also went up to the international space station and circled the planet 248 times. His album\, Time Travel\, was voted a top ten Album of the Year by a panel of Canadian music industry personnel\, and his recent all original Christmas album has received rave reviews. \nHe and partner Patricia Richard also record and perform as the popular Francophone duo\, Sirène et Matelot. Their songs have achieved strong radio play in francophone circuits and have consistently remained on the charts! Lennie Gallant is a member of The Order of Canada and has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts. \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/lennie-gallant-2/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lennie-Gallant.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240807T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240807T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240417T130802Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240417T130802Z UID:10003371-1723060800-1723068000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Willie Stratton DESCRIPTION:For more than a decade now\, Willie Stratton has been building his good name on stellar sonic shape-shifting and a charismatic\, super charged live show.  The Halifax-based singer-songwriter has proven time and again that he can dive into any of rock ‘n’ roll’s various iterations—heartsick blues\, twanged-up country\, hip-shaking rockabilly\, groovy surf\, anything and everything in between—and emerge\, again\, as a maestro of the style. But on his latest album Stratton seeks synthesis: Drugstore Dreamin’ finds him playing alchemist\, melting down the myriad sounds he’s mastered over the years to create singular sonic gold. As Stratton deftly weaves and mixes musical forms\, Drugstore Dreamin’s intoxicating concoction brings his timeless songwriting to the forefront. \n\nLyrically Stratton delivers a dose of gravitas as-yet unheard in his catalogue\, as he and his characters grapple with the pain of loss\, of growth\, of sallying forth; defeats both intimate and grand in scope; and failure to break old habits. \nFrom the tremlo-heavy highway tune\, “The Way She Holds Me”\, to the album’s heart-wrenching piano ballad “Chasing Rabbits” finale and everything in-between\, true blue craftsman Willie Stratton achieves a harmony of style and elevation of substance that remains rare in our modern world\, resulting in his most moving—and grooving—collection of songs to date \nThe award winning album was produced by Carleton Stone and created with contributions from some of the world’s finest musicians\, including Stone\, Brad Kilpatrick\, Aaron Goldstein\, Andrew Boulos\, Laur Joamets\, Robbie Crowell\, Jon Radford\, Melanie Stone\, Todd Lumley\, and Ashley MacIsaac. Recorded in Nashville at Creative Workshop\, and in Nova Scotia at The Sonic Temple in Halifax and The Loft in Cape Breton. \n“Willie Stratton’s Drugstore Dreamin’ Retro-feeling country rock for fans of Orville Peck and early Johnny Cash sees Stratton earn a spot on our list of the year’s best records.” — The Coast \n\nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/willie-stratton-2/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Willie-Stratton.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240731T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240731T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240506T154633Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240506T154633Z UID:10003373-1722456000-1722463200@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Irish Mythen DESCRIPTION:Bio\nIrish Mythen was born in Ireland and now resides in Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada. \n“This Island creates music and musicians\, art and artists. I found a shift to take things more seriously when I moved here.” And she did just that. \nHer latest release\, Little Bones\, gained her recognition around the globe\, including a 2020 JUNO nomination for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year\, seven Music PEI 2020 nominations and two wins — Touring Artist of the Year and Roots Contemporary Recording of the Year\, and a Canadian Folk Music Nomination for Solo Artist of the Year. Her previous self-titled album\, Irish Mythen\, garnered awards and nominations from Music PEI\, East Coast Music Association\, Folk Alliance International and SOCAN. Write-ups in Australian Guitar Magazine\, Rollingstone and a plethora of other print and online media world wide have helped plant Irish firmly on the map of Must-See Artists. \nIrish’s live performances are a thing of raw power\, emotion and a connection with her audience that just has to be seen to be believed. \nRecent Highlights\n\nJuno Awards 2020 – Contemporary Roots Album of the Year nomination\nCanadian Folk Music Awards 2020 – Solo Artist of the Year winner\nMusic PEI Awards 2020 – nominated in seven categories; two wins\nConcert at the Sydney Opera House 2017\nAustralian Tour with Melissa Etheridge 2016\nSaturday night main stage Bluesfest in Australia 2016 and 2017\nClosing the Philadelphia Folk festival 2016\nWinner of Roots Album of the year East Coast Music Awards 2016\nNominated for international folk artist of the year by FAI 2017\n\nDiscography\n\n2019 – Little Bones\n2015 – Irish Mythen\n2012 – Open Here\n2009 – Sweet Necessity\n2006 – Fallen Here\n\nThey Said about Irish\nIrish Mythen is one of the few performers I have seen who bowls me over each time I see her\, she makes me cry with her poignant lyrics and passionate vocals and makes me laugh with her cheeky Irish banter\, I love her work and cannot understand why the whole world doesn’t agree with me. Now living in Prince Edward Island in Canada\, Mythen has played worldwide and at last seems to be gaining the recognition she deserves.\n~ Rachel Griffin\, Brighton and Hove News \nI had no idea what to expect when this five foot nothing lady took the stage\, all smiles and twinkling eyes and guitar. Then\, she opened her mouth and out flew a voice that came straight from the Heavens with all the power and the glory and the truth of someone destined to be a singer. I’ve been blessed with seeing and hearing a lot of talented musicians in my life\, but I have never experienced anyone quite like Irish Mythen. She is a force of nature and a gift from Almighty Herself.\n~ Lisa Schwartz\, Philadelphia Folk Festival \nI was amazed at your ability to hold such a massive crowd as if it were a tiny one.\n~ Dougie MacLean\, Artist \nBy vote\, the three most requested artists to return to Mariposa Folk Festival have been 1) Joni 2) Gordon\, and 3) Irish Mythen\n~ Mike Hill\, AD Mariposa Folk Festival \n  \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/irish-mythen-2/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Irish-Mythen.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240724T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240724T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240417T125401Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240417T125401Z UID:10003370-1721851200-1721858400@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:The Town Heroes DESCRIPTION:Whether a sweaty rock show or an intimate acoustic environment\, The Town Heroes want you to be entertained. \nBorn and raised in small town Nova Scotia\, Mike Ryan and Bruce Gillis have played together for the past 10 years — touring the world\, releasing 5 critically acclaimed albums and winning an array of industry awards. Anthemic choruses\, danceable arrangements\, and tender falsettos highlight their catchy yet thoughtful songs. At heart\, a perfect soundtrack for contemplating life with a bounce in your step. \nMusically\, the band blends their 90’s alt-rock influences with singer-songwriter stylings in the vein of Neil Young or Ryan Adams. On stage they move like intense caricatures – soaked in sweat\, pushing every chord\, note and beat to the limit. A structured wall of sound emerges; familiar yet distinctive. Camaraderie shows in their musicianship\, their song-writing highlights what they are: friends playing music for the love of it\, in it for the long haul. \nThe band released their sixth full length album Home during the summer of 2021. \nHome is a concept album. The entirety of the storyline takes place over a two week period during a summer in Cape Breton. The 9 songs\, told from 3 different perspectives\, tell the chronological tale of coming home\, youth\, summer love\, and ultimately lost love. A father — longing for what he left behind — returns to his hometown after moving to San Francisco for work. A young “local” boy falls for his daughter\, a short romance ensues\, and the romance dies upon her inevitable return home. The album captures the energy and spirit of a youthful summer and coming of age. \n“The songs are filled with beautiful guitars\, great ringing notes over big pulsing washes or strong chords. It’s a post-New Wave sound\, energetic\, melodic and very urgent\, each song filled with drama and the feeling there’s something important being passed on. Topping all this is the passionate voice of Ryan\, often at the top end of his register. He ups the ante on songs such as Only One\, as he grows more intense as the song progresses\, matched by the sharp guitar lines and Gillis’ increased punch. It’s crazy-danceable\, hypnotic and haunting all at the same time\, even euphoric in places.” \n— Bob Mersereau\, The Top 100 Canadian Singles \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/the-town-heroes-5/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Town-Heroes.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240723T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240723T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240426T233447Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240426T233447Z UID:10003372-1721764800-1721772000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:The Town Heroes Redux DESCRIPTION:Whether a sweaty rock show or an intimate acoustic environment\, The Town Heroes want you to be entertained. \nBorn and raised in small town Nova Scotia\, Mike Ryan and Bruce Gillis have played together for the past 10 years — touring the world\, releasing 5 critically acclaimed albums and winning an array of industry awards. Anthemic choruses\, danceable arrangements\, and tender falsettos highlight their catchy yet thoughtful songs. At heart\, a perfect soundtrack for contemplating life with a bounce in your step. \nMusically\, the band blends their 90’s alt-rock influences with singer-songwriter stylings in the vein of Neil Young or Ryan Adams. On stage they move like intense caricatures – soaked in sweat\, pushing every chord\, note and beat to the limit. A structured wall of sound emerges; familiar yet distinctive. Camaraderie shows in their musicianship\, their song-writing highlights what they are: friends playing music for the love of it\, in it for the long haul. \nThe band released their sixth full length album Home during the summer of 2021. \nHome is a concept album. The entirety of the storyline takes place over a two week period during a summer in Cape Breton. The 9 songs\, told from 3 different perspectives\, tell the chronological tale of coming home\, youth\, summer love\, and ultimately lost love. A father — longing for what he left behind — returns to his hometown after moving to San Francisco for work. A young “local” boy falls for his daughter\, a short romance ensues\, and the romance dies upon her inevitable return home. The album captures the energy and spirit of a youthful summer and coming of age. \n“The songs are filled with beautiful guitars\, great ringing notes over big pulsing washes or strong chords. It’s a post-New Wave sound\, energetic\, melodic and very urgent\, each song filled with drama and the feeling there’s something important being passed on. Topping all this is the passionate voice of Ryan\, often at the top end of his register. He ups the ante on songs such as Only One\, as he grows more intense as the song progresses\, matched by the sharp guitar lines and Gillis’ increased punch. It’s crazy-danceable\, hypnotic and haunting all at the same time\, even euphoric in places.” \n— Bob Mersereau\, The Top 100 Canadian Singles \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/the-town-heroes-redux/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Town-Heroes.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240717T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240717T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240613T173635Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240613T173635Z UID:10003386-1721246400-1721253600@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Old Man Luedecke DESCRIPTION:Old Man Luedecke is the recording name of two time JUNO award winning and Polaris prize  nominated singer songwriter Chris Luedecke. A multiple East Coast Music Award winner  known for his high energy banjo driven stompers\, touching guitar ballads and dry humorous  stories\, Luedecke has been making a soundtrack to an authentic life for nearly twenty years.   \nBorn in Toronto and long time resident of the country near Chester Nova Scotia\, Luedecke  began recording in the early 2000’s DIY folk scene of Halifax. He made his two JUNO winning  albums for Black Hen Music in the late 00s with Steve Dawson as producer at Vancouver’s  famed Factory studio. While on a tour of England in 2009\, he met and supported folk roots  legend Tim O’Brien who produced Luedecke’s next two albums. Tender is the Night was  recorded at John’s Prine’s Butcher Shoppe Studio in Nashville in 2012 and 2015’s Domestic  Eccentric was recorded in a cabin Luedecke built himself at his home in NS. 2019 saw  Luedecke recording Easy Money at both the Banff Centre in Alberta and at Hotel2Tango in  Montreal.   \nSongs like I quit my Job at the beginning of his career and the Early Days at the beginning of  his family and dozens of other fan favourites trace a warm line of effort\, sadness and joy and  provide a soundtrack to many peoples’ own progress through adulthood\, touching a rare place  of truth and charm in the holiness of the mundane. His performing style with his easy going  humour and storytelling creates a rare space of hopeful and intimate magic.   \nLuedecke has kept up many worldwide concert appearances\, playing in Europe and around  Canada and the USA and six trips to Australia\, including a memorable tour where his whole  young family travelled with him around rural Queensland for the Festival of Small Halls.   \nIn May 2022 Luedecke was awarded an honorary doctorate from King’s University in Halifax for  his cultural contributions.  \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/old-man-luedecke-3/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Old-Man-Luedecke.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240710T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240710T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240530T142116Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240616T224741Z UID:10003379-1720641600-1720648800@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Rose Cousins DESCRIPTION:Bravado is a record for those who struggle with loneliness and those wishing they had more time alone. It’s for those attempting to make their hearts go in more than one direction and those trying to make it go in just one. It’s for those who present a version of themselves to the world that doesn’t quite match how they feel inside. It’s for those who feel misunderstood or unseen. It’s for those who have a hard time saying what they feel\, who hide or can’t let themselves off the hook. It’s for those asking\, “is this it?” and questioning if the character they play in the movie of their lives is authentic or just a role they’ve accepted. It’s for those who have a hard time asking for help and for those desperate for and terrified of change. \n\n “I think about how we’re so disconnected. I get sucked into my phone and forget to go for a walk because of this sense of obligation that I have that convinces me to get as much work done as possible. It feels like we’re not connecting in person as much as we used to and that we may be the loneliest we’ve ever been. We’re missing what’s actually happening\, like\, the earth being on fire.  We get caught in the spin of comparing our lives to social media depictions\, false standards of a good life. I’ve been thinking about how we must be getting close to a breaking point.” \n\nFor Cousins\, this chapter is a personal and professional metamorphosis. She is in the producer chair\, applying her years of experience\, trusting her own ear and pulling thoughtfully from her network of talented colleagues. \n“I booked some studio days in February with the intention of making a single and working with some Toronto based musicians I’d always wanted to including Joshua Van Tassel on drums\, Robbie Grunwald on keys\, Brian Kobayakawa on bass\, Dean Drouillard on electric guitars and with Chris Stringer as engineer. Soon after I realized I was chasing a theme and a feeling I’d been pondering for months and it turned into a whole record of\, perhaps\, my best writing.” \nThe record is flanked by two distinct renditions of the same song\, The Benefits of Being Alone/ The Reprise reinforcing the record’s examination of emotional duality.  The record starts in bravado’s swagger then drops us into The Fraud which wrestles with the desire to stay hidden and be seen. The Time Being (Impending Mortality Awareness Society)\, reminds and invites us to pay attention to what’s most important\, to be present. The album lifts to its highest level of hope and most pop production in The Return (Love Comes Back)\, solidifying Cousins’ collaborative nature by recruiting an international choir of friends to join in at the end. The Lullaby (My Oldest Love) written with Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta)\, touches the desperate need for affirmation\, The Benediction\, a yearning for acceptance. \nRose Cousins’ newest offering\, Bravado\, is the sound of a heart trying to open. It explores the complication of emotion\, its irrational tendencies and its wisdom.  It invites us to feel the courage it takes to be vulnerable.   \n \n  \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/rose-cousins/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Rose-Cousins-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240703T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240703T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240417T124132Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240417T124132Z UID:10003369-1720036800-1720044000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Carleton Stone DESCRIPTION:Carleton Stone is an award-winning artist\, a songwriter with a growing list of credits\, and a founding member of the hugely successful Port Cities. He has recently added producer to his list of accomplishments with both Willie Stratton’s award winning “Drugstore Dreamin” and his own self produced\, Papercut – a collection of sophisticated singer-songwriter pop with well-crafted lyrics and memorable melodies. \nAn outstanding writer\, Carleton has written songs for and with such diverse artists as Ria Mae\, Matt Andersen\, The East Pointers\, Quake\, Donovan Woods\, Classified\, Bobby Bazini\, and Neon Dreams. \nCarleton has three solo records to his credit\, multiple awards\, and has toured internationally\, most recently in the US with The Crash Test Dummies where he received an outstanding response to his solo show. \n\n\nNOMINATIONS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2024 ECMA SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR\nMNS POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR\nECMA CONTEMPORARY ROOTS RECORDING OF THE YEAR\nCANADIAN FOLK MUSIC AWARD ENGLISH SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR\nTIM CHAISSON\, KOADY CHAISSON\, JAKE CHARRON\, COLIN MACDONALD\, CARLETON STONE (“HOUSE OF DREAMS”) \n\nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/carleton-stone-2/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Carleton-Stone.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240614T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240614T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240510T184353Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240510T184732Z UID:10003376-1718395200-1718402400@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Songwriters Circle DESCRIPTION:Jordan Musycsyn\, Elyse Aeryn & Brian Cathcart\nAfter a sold out songwriters circle in April\, Jordan Musycsyn\, Elyse Aeryn and Brian Cathcart decided to take the show on the road to beautiful Iona. Join us on June 14th for an evening of stories and songs with 3 of Cape Breton’s finest songwriters. \nJordan is a hard-working singer/songwriter and a masterful storyteller\, writing songs about life and love with pathos and humor in a Folk/Americana style. He sustains a busy touring schedule throughout Canada in support of his third album ‘Around The Fire’ which won him an ECMA in 2021. His sophomore album ‘Old State Of Mind’ (2017) was nominated for a Music Nova Scotia award for best Americana album of the year. Drawing on his own life experiences he writes relatable songs of love\, loss and the human condition. A dynamic performer\, Jordan moves the audience from laughter to tears and back again. His first album ‘The Pitch’ (released in the fall of 2014) was nominated for 2 Music Nova Scotia awards.  He has toured across Canada many times playing his songs solo and with his band. He has played the majority of the major music festivals in Atlantic Canada such as ‘Stan Rogers Folk Festival’\, ‘Cavendish Beach Festival’\, Celtic Colours Festival’ and the ‘Evolve Music Festival’.  He also writes\, performs and tours with the ‘Cape Breton Summertime Revue’ and ‘Tis The Season’ annually since 2015. \nSinger-songwriter Elyse Aeryn is known for her fiery and rebellious rock and roll. Her soulful melodies paired with her bold\, warm voice make for an authentic and ageless sound. From supporting names like Amanda Marshall and Blue Rodeo to being named one of five JUNO Wavemaker Ambassadors for the 2024 JUNOs in Halifax\, Elyse is making a name for herself with her dynamic\, high-energy live show. Her debut album “Joy State of Mind” won Music Nova Scotia’s Country Recording of the Year and earned an East Coast Music Award nomination for Rock Recording of the Year. \nBrian Cathcart is the lead singer for the ECMA nominated group Pretty Archie. Known for his high energy performances\, Brian will have you on your feet and singing along. \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/songwriters-circle-5/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SWC.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240517T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240517T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240307T130848Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240307T130848Z UID:10003366-1715976000-1715983200@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Dave Gunning DESCRIPTION:With fourteen albums to his credit\, there’s no denying Dave Gunning’s impressive body of work. Fortunately\, he’s just getting started… \nThe Nova Scotian folk musician has shared the stage with legends like Ron Hynes\, Rita MacNeil\, Stuart McLean\, and Stompin’ Tom Connors\, and has been recognized in his own right as a master of his craft\, both as an award-winning singer-songwriter and a captivating performer. \nKnown for his abilities as a gracious storyteller\, Gunning’s knack for connecting with audiences precedes the skills and experience he’s earned on the road—It is\, for him\, very much a way of life. Gunning shares the same sort of relationship with music as an eagle does with the sky. From a very young age\, music has been Gunning’s way of interpreting the world around him\, the lens through which he sees it\, and the medium by which he engages with his community. \nDave has never needed to look far beyond his Pictou County\, Nova Scotia backyard for inspiration. That’s where the characters live. That’s where the stories come from. Often shining a light on the well-deserving underdogs\, he’s also never shied away from tougher topics\, staying true to the folk music tradition. In recent years\, those topics have tended to be more social and environmental in nature – causes that he holds near and dear. Nowhere has that been more evident\, or public\, than Dave’s strong stance against a local bleached kraft pulp mill – a proven polluter in the community. \nDespite delivering some very important messages in his songs\, audiences should also be prepared to laugh at a Dave Gunning show. His banter is perfectly timed\, self-effacing\, and very\, very funny. It’s this finely-tuned balance of sincerity and impeccable performance that makes him one of the country’s most engaging entertainers. \n“Once I’m out on stage and the audience has had their first couple of good laughs\, it puts me at ease. I believe that’s why I lean toward stories with humour\,” says Gunning. “It makes me less nervous. I love seeing people laugh\, and I love knowing that there are moments when they are feeling emotional.” \n2022 welcomed the release of Gunning’s latest recording\, The Same Storm. Written and recorded mostly at home during the pandemic\, the album continues along a similar path its predecessors walked – celebrating moments big and small\, lending a voice to the folks that need it most\, and indulging in a bit of nostalgia on the way. But always with an eye toward the future and the stories it will bring. \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/dave-gunning-3/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dave-Gunning.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240424T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240424T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20231121T145847Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240424T145009Z UID:10003296-1713988800-1713996000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:The Once DESCRIPTION:Newfoundland has a storied history of stunning songwriters\, poets\, and players. Over the course of the last decade The Once have writ and knit themselves into that story\nWithin the nine songs on their new album Time Enough\, The Once offer some of the most vulnerable and honest material of their career. The up-tempo album opener\, “I Can’t Live Without You\,” reflects on women battling with self-image issues and offers wisened words to be the positive change in their own lives. The gritty guitar driven “Before The Fall” succumbs to the notion that we must accept our past and use those memories to grow. Riff rocker “Any Other Way” reflects the fact that true love accepts us at our worst but insists we do the work to be our best selves to keep it together.\nOn this\, their fourth studio album\, the band stays true to the root strength of their harmony driven sound\, while extending the borders into fresh yet familiar territory. They craft a sonically understated\, but emotionally fulsome sound that accomplishes what they’ve always done so well: stun listeners with what Amelia Curran calls “perfect vocal harmonies\, thick enough to stand on.”\n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/the-once/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/The-Once.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240412T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240412T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240321T164706Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240321T164706Z UID:10003367-1712952000-1712959200@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:SCHALLER & HINES DESCRIPTION:Jon Hines of Cape Breton\, Nova Scotia has toured throughout Canada in his young career as a blues man. Nominated for Music Nova Scotia Blues Recording of the year 2023\, 2022 blues recoding of the year East Coast Music Association and winner of the East Coast Blues Society’s “Maritime to Memphis Blues Challenge”. Jon is a board member of Cape Breton Music and an official artist of Black Mountain Picks\, Godin Guitars\, Wild Dog Stomp boxes. “A Pale Blue Dot” has seen radio play nationally across Canada\, and internationally in UK and the United States of America. Jon Hines & Joe Murphy started a duo after a recording session for “A Pale Blue Dot”. Jon is a semi finalist in the international songwriting competition two years in a row\, 2017 and 2018. \n2023 Music Nova Scotia Nomination Blues Recording of the year \n  \nRG Schaller is a world class songwriter from Canada. A country boy making his way. Writing from the blue-collar point of view about the hard times\, the one that got away\, life and death…and the illusion of freedom. \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/schaller-hines/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Schaller-Hines.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20240315T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20240315T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20240222T130954Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240222T130954Z UID:10003365-1710532800-1710540000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Begley\, Morrison & Whyte DESCRIPTION:Breanndan Begley and Rose Morrison met in 2017 in West Kerry\, Ireland. They have performed together on both sides of the ocean including Town Hall in New York City\, Newport Folk Festival\, Other Voices in Dingle\, and throughout Germany. They’ve recorded on Oscar winner Glen Hansard’s album ‘This Wild Willing.’ \nBreanndan came to Cape Breton for the Celtic Colours International Festival in fall 2018 to build traditional rowing boats for their project ‘Voices of the Naomhóg.’ Rose\, as artistic creator and director\, alongside Breanndan collaborated with other artists and musicians from Scotland\, Ireland and Nova Scotia to celebrate language\, music and dance. Their debut album as a duo will be released March 2024. \nEric Angus Whyte from North Sydney\, Cape Breton released his debut album in 2003 titled ‘Always Home.’ He has lived and performed internationally and is now working on an exciting new duo project with Rose to be released this spring. \nAges 19+ after 10pm \nKitchen open till 9pm \nBar licensed till 2am \n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/begley-morrison-whyte/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Trio.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20231231T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20231231T233000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20231120T155553Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231120T165041Z UID:10003294-1704056400-1704065400@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:New Years Eve with Pretty Archie DESCRIPTION:Tickets include admission\, midnight snacks\, swag\, champagne and whatnot.\n  \nCape Breton Americana band Pretty Archie to released their 6th studio album to mark and celebrate 10 years together\nLong time friends Brian Cathcart (Lead Vocals\, Guitar)\, Matt McNeil (Mandolin\, Guitar)\, Colin Gillis (Harmonica\, Bass\, Vocals)\, Redmond MacDougall (Banjo\, Percussion\, Vocals) and Scott MacLean (Guitar\, Mandolin) starting performing together in 2012. The band’s name is a nod to a Cape Breton local who embodied the love of playing and performing music. No matter where they tour or travel\, Pretty Archie will always be representing their hometown. \nPretty Archie\, their sixth studio album\, is one of which they are justifiably proud. It represents a quantum leap forward in the evolution of the group’s sound. ”I feel each of our other records was a step ahead of the previous one\, but this one is six steps ahead\,” declares Colin Gillis. “We are proud of everything we’ve put out\, but this is at a different level.”\nPinning down the ‘Pretty Archie sound’ hasn’t always been easy. Their style has incorporated elements of bluegrass\, folk\, country\, and had that ‘East Coast vibe’. Describing the new album\, Brian states “it is more focused\, even though you still can’t quite put a finger on it. For us it definitely has way more of a country vibe. This is an alternative country or Americana-style…” \nHelping the group realize the formidable creative achievement that is Pretty Archie was internationally-acclaimed record producer and engineer Mark Howard\, whose star-studded resume includes work with the likes of Bob Dylan\, Willie Nelson\, U2\, Tom Waits\, The Tragically Hip\, Peter Gabriel\, and more. Howard’s fortuitous recent relocation to Cape Breton afforded Pretty Archie the opportunity to take advantage of his skills\, and the band couldn’t be happier with the results.\n“It was all basically recorded live off the floor\, with minimal overdubs\,” adds Colin. “That’s something we had always wanted\, and Mark was able to do that. There’s a certain ambience and energy in recording that way.” \nWith every record and tour Pretty Archie carries a little piece of home a bit farther afield. Since their 2013 debut album\, Steel City\, the band have built an ever- larger following on the east coast\, across Canada and are now set to continue growing their International audience. \nCathcart explains that “as a band\, we wear our East Coast hearts on our sleeves. We are very proud of where we are from\, but our focus now is exposing people internationally to our part of the world.” Gillis adds that “if you are genuine and true to yourselves\, then people will attach themselves to that\, no matter where you are from.” \nPretty Archie have long been regional favourites\, with a stack of Music Nova Scotia and East Coast Music Award nominations to their credit. They are now looking globally\, and with Pretty Archie they have an album ready for international prime time play. \nThe upbeat and joyous “Familiar Feeling” and catchy “Reasons” showcase the band’s instrumental prowess\, while Brian digs deep vocally on the haunting ballad “Feel It In My Bones.” At Howard’s suggestion\, “Someone New” became a duet\, featuring Austin-based Maritime honky-tonker Whitney Rose\, and the contrasting vocals add real resonance. Brian is especially proud of “Maritime\,” a song written right in the studio that features these poignant lyrics – ”If your heart breaks down\, we’ll use mine. It is weathered and weary\, but it is Maritime.” \nPretty Archie’s genuine\, heartfelt writing connects listeners with a saltwater perspective on modern living. Their fun loving and at times heartbreaking music finds common ground in the blurred genres of Country\, Folk\, Bluegrass and Americana. Their unique sound and energetic shows leave listeners with a lasting memory. \nQUOTES: \n“It is hard to pigeonhole Pretty Archie. It encompasses an uplifting myriad of (but not limited to) hillbilly country\, blues\, bluegrass and folk. Throw a banjo\, harmonica and mandolin in and together the foursome offers a different brand of music\, a relentless\, raw\, uncontrived mash of genres that is distinctly Pretty Archie” -Andrew Rankin (Cape Breton Star) \n“Cape Breton\, Nova Scotia has a well known reputation for creating great musical talent. From The Rankin Family to Ashley MacIsaac to the late Rita MacNeil\, this artistic hotbed on the country’s East Coast has produced some of Canada’s best musicians. From this proud region now comes Pretty Archie\, a folk-bluegrass-country group from Cape Breton that will impress audiences with their strong chops…..With their impressive blend of folk\, blues\, bluegrass and country this band has produced a great sound that is oodles of fun to listen to” – Alejandro Bustos (Apt613.com\, Ottawa) \n“While Pretty Archie’s music blurs the lines between multiple genres\, all the ingredients of their sound have been nurtured by the setting they grew up in.” – FYI Music News\, Jason Schneider \n“Pretty Archie always finds some way to encourage listeners to take lean times in stride\, suck it up\, stick it out and just keep going!” – BuzzMusic \nAwards & Recognition:\n5x Music Nova Scotia Awards nominations\n3x East Coast Music Association nominations:\nCountry Album of the Year; North End Sky and Sing Alongs & Love Songs Roots Album of the Year; Running for Cover \nNotable Appearances Include:\nThe Grey Cup Festival (Ottawa ON)\, Rogers Hometown Hockey (Dartmouth and Sydney NS)\, Sudbury Festival of Lights Boreal (Sudbury\, ON)\, Celtic Colours (Halifax\, NS) Stan Rogers Folk Festival (Canso\, NS)\, Roots Night at Royal Botanical Gardens (Burlington\, ON)\, The Ironwood (Calgary\, AB)\, The Dakota Tavern (Toronto\, ON)\, Writers at Woody Point (Woody Point NL)\, Tonder Festival (Denmark)\, Celtic Connections (Glasgow\, Scotland). \nShowcase Festivals & Conferences: Folk Alliance International\, AmericanaUK Fest\, Contact East\, Nova Scotia Music Week\, East Coast Music Week\, Folk Music Ontario\, NXNE and OSAC. \nDiscography:\nPretty Archie (2022)\nRunning For Cover (2020)\nHanging On (2019)\nSing Alongs & Love Songs (2016)\nNorth End Sky (2015)\nSteel City (2013) URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/new-years-eve-with-pretty-archie-6/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Pretty-Archie-2023-Sold-Out.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20231230T210000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20231230T233000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20231120T155729Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231122T130952Z UID:10003295-1703970000-1703979000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:New Years Eve EVE with Pretty Archie DESCRIPTION:THIS IS FOR DECEMBER 30TH. Tickets include admission\, midnight snacks\, swag\, champagne and whatnot.\n  \nCape Breton Americana band Pretty Archie to released their 6th studio album to mark and celebrate 10 years together\nLong time friends Brian Cathcart (Lead Vocals\, Guitar)\, Matt McNeil (Mandolin\, Guitar)\, Colin Gillis (Harmonica\, Bass\, Vocals)\, Redmond MacDougall (Banjo\, Percussion\, Vocals) and Scott MacLean (Guitar\, Mandolin) starting performing together in 2012. The band’s name is a nod to a Cape Breton local who embodied the love of playing and performing music. No matter where they tour or travel\, Pretty Archie will always be representing their hometown. \nPretty Archie\, their sixth studio album\, is one of which they are justifiably proud. It represents a quantum leap forward in the evolution of the group’s sound. ”I feel each of our other records was a step ahead of the previous one\, but this one is six steps ahead\,” declares Colin Gillis. “We are proud of everything we’ve put out\, but this is at a different level.”\nPinning down the ‘Pretty Archie sound’ hasn’t always been easy. Their style has incorporated elements of bluegrass\, folk\, country\, and had that ‘East Coast vibe’. Describing the new album\, Brian states “it is more focused\, even though you still can’t quite put a finger on it. For us it definitely has way more of a country vibe. This is an alternative country or Americana-style…” \nHelping the group realize the formidable creative achievement that is Pretty Archie was internationally-acclaimed record producer and engineer Mark Howard\, whose star-studded resume includes work with the likes of Bob Dylan\, Willie Nelson\, U2\, Tom Waits\, The Tragically Hip\, Peter Gabriel\, and more. Howard’s fortuitous recent relocation to Cape Breton afforded Pretty Archie the opportunity to take advantage of his skills\, and the band couldn’t be happier with the results.\n“It was all basically recorded live off the floor\, with minimal overdubs\,” adds Colin. “That’s something we had always wanted\, and Mark was able to do that. There’s a certain ambience and energy in recording that way.” \nWith every record and tour Pretty Archie carries a little piece of home a bit farther afield. Since their 2013 debut album\, Steel City\, the band have built an ever- larger following on the east coast\, across Canada and are now set to continue growing their International audience. \nCathcart explains that “as a band\, we wear our East Coast hearts on our sleeves. We are very proud of where we are from\, but our focus now is exposing people internationally to our part of the world.” Gillis adds that “if you are genuine and true to yourselves\, then people will attach themselves to that\, no matter where you are from.” \nPretty Archie have long been regional favourites\, with a stack of Music Nova Scotia and East Coast Music Award nominations to their credit. They are now looking globally\, and with Pretty Archie they have an album ready for international prime time play. \nThe upbeat and joyous “Familiar Feeling” and catchy “Reasons” showcase the band’s instrumental prowess\, while Brian digs deep vocally on the haunting ballad “Feel It In My Bones.” At Howard’s suggestion\, “Someone New” became a duet\, featuring Austin-based Maritime honky-tonker Whitney Rose\, and the contrasting vocals add real resonance. Brian is especially proud of “Maritime\,” a song written right in the studio that features these poignant lyrics – ”If your heart breaks down\, we’ll use mine. It is weathered and weary\, but it is Maritime.” \nPretty Archie’s genuine\, heartfelt writing connects listeners with a saltwater perspective on modern living. Their fun loving and at times heartbreaking music finds common ground in the blurred genres of Country\, Folk\, Bluegrass and Americana. Their unique sound and energetic shows leave listeners with a lasting memory. \nQUOTES: \n“It is hard to pigeonhole Pretty Archie. It encompasses an uplifting myriad of (but not limited to) hillbilly country\, blues\, bluegrass and folk. Throw a banjo\, harmonica and mandolin in and together the foursome offers a different brand of music\, a relentless\, raw\, uncontrived mash of genres that is distinctly Pretty Archie” -Andrew Rankin (Cape Breton Star) \n“Cape Breton\, Nova Scotia has a well known reputation for creating great musical talent. From The Rankin Family to Ashley MacIsaac to the late Rita MacNeil\, this artistic hotbed on the country’s East Coast has produced some of Canada’s best musicians. From this proud region now comes Pretty Archie\, a folk-bluegrass-country group from Cape Breton that will impress audiences with their strong chops…..With their impressive blend of folk\, blues\, bluegrass and country this band has produced a great sound that is oodles of fun to listen to” – Alejandro Bustos (Apt613.com\, Ottawa) \n“While Pretty Archie’s music blurs the lines between multiple genres\, all the ingredients of their sound have been nurtured by the setting they grew up in.” – FYI Music News\, Jason Schneider \n“Pretty Archie always finds some way to encourage listeners to take lean times in stride\, suck it up\, stick it out and just keep going!” – BuzzMusic \nAwards & Recognition:\n5x Music Nova Scotia Awards nominations\n3x East Coast Music Association nominations:\nCountry Album of the Year; North End Sky and Sing Alongs & Love Songs Roots Album of the Year; Running for Cover \nNotable Appearances Include:\nThe Grey Cup Festival (Ottawa ON)\, Rogers Hometown Hockey (Dartmouth and Sydney NS)\, Sudbury Festival of Lights Boreal (Sudbury\, ON)\, Celtic Colours (Halifax\, NS) Stan Rogers Folk Festival (Canso\, NS)\, Roots Night at Royal Botanical Gardens (Burlington\, ON)\, The Ironwood (Calgary\, AB)\, The Dakota Tavern (Toronto\, ON)\, Writers at Woody Point (Woody Point NL)\, Tonder Festival (Denmark)\, Celtic Connections (Glasgow\, Scotland). \nShowcase Festivals & Conferences: Folk Alliance International\, AmericanaUK Fest\, Contact East\, Nova Scotia Music Week\, East Coast Music Week\, Folk Music Ontario\, NXNE and OSAC. \nDiscography:\nPretty Archie (2022)\nRunning For Cover (2020)\nHanging On (2019)\nSing Alongs & Love Songs (2016)\nNorth End Sky (2015)\nSteel City (2013) URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/new-years-eve-eve-with-pretty-archie-3/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Pretty-Archie-2023B-Sold-Out.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20231117T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20231117T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20231025T124226Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231028T221244Z UID:10003293-1700251200-1700258400@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Abbey Mullendore\, Steve Luxton & Russ Mathews DESCRIPTION:Abbey Mullendore is a Cape Breton born and bred singer-songwriter. Raised in a musical family\, Abbey’s passion for music and singing began at a very young age. Her style and sound has been influenced by a wide range of female powerhouse artists and bands such as: Fleetwood Mac\, Heart\, Carole King\, Bonnie Raitt\, Janis Joplin\, Alanis Morissette\, and many more. Her sound is often compared to that of vocalists such as Stevie Nicks\, Janis Joplin\, and Ann Wilson. \nOver the past few years\, Abbey’s journey in music has taken shape into more of a profession. She has played in many establishments and events across Nova Scotia including The Careltone (Halifax)\, Strathspey Place (Mabou)\, with Boardwalk Productions @ Bella Rose Theatre (Halifax)\, Blueberry Jam Festival (Mabou)\, as well as opening for acts such as Ashley MacIsac and Jimmy Rankin. Her most recent musical achievement has been performing the lead vocal role of Stevie Nicks with Classic Albums Live’s Fleetwood Mac ‘Rumours’ show across Canada and the US in venues such as Massey Hall (Toronto)\, National Arts Centre (Ottawa)\, and Hard Rock Live (Orlando). \nMeet Steve Luxton\, an alternative folk-rock singer whose music transcends boundaries and resonates with the human experience. With a captivating blend of soulful lyrics and haunting melodies\, Steve Luxton weaves tales of introspection and emotion\, inviting listeners into a world of sonic storytelling.\n  \nRuss Mathewsis a rising singer-musician known for his soulful melodies and crowd pleasing songs. Hailing from the heart of Cape Breton\, his music combines folk and country influences\, creating a fresh\, authentic sound that resonates with audiences accross the Island. With a guitar in hand and a heart full of stories\, Russ is making his mark on the music scene\, one heartfelt note at a time.\n \n \n  \n\n  \n\n  URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/abbey-mullendore-and-russ-mathews/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Abbey-Steve-Russ-Sold-Out.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20231027T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20231027T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20230731T145925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231025T105146Z UID:10003289-1698436800-1698444000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Joel Plaskett Redux DESCRIPTION:From rocking Halifax’s Marquee Club to performing for the masses at Massey Hall or touring the country with his father\, Joel Plaskett has forged a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaging performers and respected singer-songwriters. \nPlaskett’s songs are a perennial part of the national playlist\, a fixture on “best of” lists\, and the soundtrack to the lives of faithful fans across the country and around the world. His accolades over a quarter century include a Juno\, numerous East Coast Music\, Canadian Folk and Music Nova Scotia awards\, and two Polaris short list nominations. \nPlaskett’s new project\, 44\, is his most detailed musical weave yet. A sprawling box set comprised of four\, 11-song albums connected visually and thematically\, at its heart 44 is an imaginative rumination on trying to slow down and grow up in a rapidly accelerating world. \n\nPlaskett began his musical career in the early 1990s as a member of alt-rock favourites Thrush Hermit\, recruiting lifelong fans as the band toured North America in a half-size school bus\, setting up their signature neon ROCK & ROLL sign from show to show. \nIn the early 2000s\, Plaskett started touring under his own name with his band\, The Emergency (featuring Dave Marsh on drums since 1999\, and for the last 14 years\, Chris Pennell on bass). Backed by the Emergency and racking up a growing roster of anthemic singalongs\, Plaskett worked his way up from small clubs to opening for Paul McCartney and the Tragically Hip\, and filling larger venues with his own devoted audience. \nPlaskett is a versatile and ever-evolving artist\, at turns delivering intimate and idiosyncratic singer-songwriter fare (In Need of Medical Attention\, La De Da\, The Park Avenue Sobriety Test); incendiary riff-rock (Down at the Khyber\, Truthfully\, Truthfully)\, left-leaning folk rock (Solidarity)\, as well as conceptual epics and off-kilter feats of musical stamina (Ashtray Rock\, Three\, Scrappy Happiness\, 44). \nRecorded to analog tape\, Plaskett’s records reflect his attention to detail\, his dedication to technique\, musical history and craft\, and a sincere and inimitable lyrical style that runs through his diverse and ever-expanding catalogue. \nIn addition to producing most of his own records since 1999\, Plaskett has also set up shop behind the console at his New Scotland Yard studio in downtown Dartmouth\, N.S. His work with artists like Jimmy Rankin\, Two Hours Traffic\, David Myles\, Sarah Slean\, Shotgun Jimmie\, Dennis Ellsworth\, Old Man Luedecke\, Dave Marsh\, Colleen Brown and longtime collaborator Mo Kenney has led to numerous awards for production\, and turned New Scotland Yard into a popular destination for artists looking to develop and document their sound. \nIn front of the studio is The New Scotland Yard Emporium\, where Plaskett has partnered with Halifax mainstay Taz Records to bring a curated selection of records to his adopted hometown\, providing a spot where music fans can congregate to grab a coffee or beer while they dig for records. \nIn a world increasingly connected—and disconnected — by digital mediums\, Joel Plaskett prefers to make his connections the old-fashioned way\, building community at his studio and shop\, dedicating himself to the art and authenticity of songwriting and analog recording processes\, and moving audiences with the electrifying\, uplifting experience of live performance. \nIn all aspects of his work\, Plaskett embraces both the communal and individual experiences music provides. The ways music and words combine to connect with the listener\, turning a minute into a moment out of time\, reminding us that we aren’t alone. URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/joel-plaskett-redux/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Joel-Plaskett.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20231006T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20231006T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20230731T145826Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230803T163552Z UID:10003290-1696622400-1696629600@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Joel Plaskett DESCRIPTION:From rocking Halifax’s Marquee Club to performing for the masses at Massey Hall or touring the country with his father\, Joel Plaskett has forged a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaging performers and respected singer-songwriters. \nPlaskett’s songs are a perennial part of the national playlist\, a fixture on “best of” lists\, and the soundtrack to the lives of faithful fans across the country and around the world. His accolades over a quarter century include a Juno\, numerous East Coast Music\, Canadian Folk and Music Nova Scotia awards\, and two Polaris short list nominations. \nPlaskett’s new project\, 44\, is his most detailed musical weave yet. A sprawling box set comprised of four\, 11-song albums connected visually and thematically\, at its heart 44 is an imaginative rumination on trying to slow down and grow up in a rapidly accelerating world. \n\nPlaskett began his musical career in the early 1990s as a member of alt-rock favourites Thrush Hermit\, recruiting lifelong fans as the band toured North America in a half-size school bus\, setting up their signature neon ROCK & ROLL sign from show to show. \nIn the early 2000s\, Plaskett started touring under his own name with his band\, The Emergency (featuring Dave Marsh on drums since 1999\, and for the last 14 years\, Chris Pennell on bass). Backed by the Emergency and racking up a growing roster of anthemic singalongs\, Plaskett worked his way up from small clubs to opening for Paul McCartney and the Tragically Hip\, and filling larger venues with his own devoted audience. \nPlaskett is a versatile and ever-evolving artist\, at turns delivering intimate and idiosyncratic singer-songwriter fare (In Need of Medical Attention\, La De Da\, The Park Avenue Sobriety Test); incendiary riff-rock (Down at the Khyber\, Truthfully\, Truthfully)\, left-leaning folk rock (Solidarity)\, as well as conceptual epics and off-kilter feats of musical stamina (Ashtray Rock\, Three\, Scrappy Happiness\, 44). \nRecorded to analog tape\, Plaskett’s records reflect his attention to detail\, his dedication to technique\, musical history and craft\, and a sincere and inimitable lyrical style that runs through his diverse and ever-expanding catalogue. \nIn addition to producing most of his own records since 1999\, Plaskett has also set up shop behind the console at his New Scotland Yard studio in downtown Dartmouth\, N.S. His work with artists like Jimmy Rankin\, Two Hours Traffic\, David Myles\, Sarah Slean\, Shotgun Jimmie\, Dennis Ellsworth\, Old Man Luedecke\, Dave Marsh\, Colleen Brown and longtime collaborator Mo Kenney has led to numerous awards for production\, and turned New Scotland Yard into a popular destination for artists looking to develop and document their sound. \nIn front of the studio is The New Scotland Yard Emporium\, where Plaskett has partnered with Halifax mainstay Taz Records to bring a curated selection of records to his adopted hometown\, providing a spot where music fans can congregate to grab a coffee or beer while they dig for records. \nIn a world increasingly connected—and disconnected — by digital mediums\, Joel Plaskett prefers to make his connections the old-fashioned way\, building community at his studio and shop\, dedicating himself to the art and authenticity of songwriting and analog recording processes\, and moving audiences with the electrifying\, uplifting experience of live performance. \nIn all aspects of his work\, Plaskett embraces both the communal and individual experiences music provides. The ways music and words combine to connect with the listener\, turning a minute into a moment out of time\, reminding us that we aren’t alone. URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/joel-plaskett-4/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Joel-Plaskett-Sold-Out.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20230929T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20230929T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20230707T180408Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230707T180408Z UID:10003285-1696017600-1696024800@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Lookout Tower DESCRIPTION:Winter Swamp Music! \nA groovy mix of bluesy rockers\, soulful ballads and blizzard funks. Lookout Tower hails from Cape Breton Island\, Nova Scotia. Their debut album ‘Smoke Over Sound’ was recorded live off the floor last spring in a century old church in Forks Baddeck and their upcoming follow-up album ‘Fields’ was recorded this winter in a 125-year old farmhouse across the street. This release is a sonically exciting and diverse collection of original songs about the places we leave\, and how we perceive the passage of time. \nVocals / Rankin MacEachern\nGuitars\, vocals / Bryan Picard\nBass\, vocals / Franzi Habith\nDrums / John Pinnington URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/lookout-tower-2/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Lookout-Tower.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20230922T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20230922T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20230727T184043Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230727T184043Z UID:10003287-1695412800-1695420000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Songwriters Circle DESCRIPTION:Steve MacIntyre is a singer/songwriter from Cape Breton Island. Describing the things that move him well enough that they move you is his greatest pleasure. \n“Steve MacIntyre is a rare original. He brings you in\, effortlessly\, to an intensely personal place you may not have expected\, with his heart on his sleeve and a huge\, bear hug of a voice.” – Jamie Foulds\, producer \nTelling stories of love\, loss\, and life\, Steve takes you on a journey; one that is dripping with images of the east coast. The good and the bad take equal footing in Steve’s songs. They are songs that describe the things common to the human experience and do so through beautifully crafted words and music. \nAaron MacDonald \nOut of the woods of Mabou\, a town that beats in the musical heart of Cape Breton\, comes the soulful\, ever captivating\, Americana singer Aaron MacDonald. It’s this small-town lifestyle that inspires songs for this ECMA nominee. Aaron’s matured blend of country and rock\, all lovingly leaning towards roots and blues\, carries the feel of familiarity while experiencing new songs for the first time. The authenticity of MacDonald’s live performances is magically captured as he lays out his life’s story with each song. His music comes across as something between the rhythmic soul of Nathaniel Rateliff mixed with the superb simplicity of John Prine. \nNamed as one of CBC Music Searchlight’s Top 100 Emerging Artists\, showcasing at ECMA 2022\, nominated for NSMW 2022 Americana Album of the Year\, spots at the 2023 Stan Rogers Folks Festival and Halifax Urban Folk Festival\, this seasoned songwriter is making his mark. \nWoody Woodburn \nBorn & raised in Mississauga\, ON\, Canada\, Woody cut his teeth on the Canadian music industry with his band in the mid 90’s. Drawn to the small town lifestyle of his roots in Cape Breton\, NS\, he now calls his home Rockwood\, ON. After many years struggling to find a place in the corporate world\, he has now found a renewed passion & love for music and will not let anything stand in his way. The music is much more than Top 40. The kind of melodies that linger in your head well after you’ve heard them. He gives life to your own struggles. Like listening to an old friend. Woody is an unassuming\, humble guy that will surprise you with his powerful voice. A voice that combined with the real & “come from the heart” lyrics will leave you more hopeful & inspired in your life. \nSteve Luxton \nBlurring the lines between alternative rock and roll and renegade folk\, Steve Luxton captures moments in time and frames them in captivating melodies and haunting harmonic changes. Steve draws his sound from classic lyrical greats like Willie Nelson\, the neo-modern country sounds presented by artists such as Sturgill Simpson\, and the soulful energy & grooves of artists like the Bahama’s. Steve’s unique sound and high energy performances are quickly winning over audience members across the East Coast of Canada. URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/songwriters-circle-4/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Songwriters-Circle-Pub.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20230830T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20230830T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20230613T154745Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230814T135834Z UID:10003283-1693425600-1693432800@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:J.P. Cormier DESCRIPTION:Nobody really knows who J.P. Cormier is for sure. That’s to be expected\, believe me.\nIn 1974 he was a five year old boy\, discovering an innate talent for playing the guitar\, I had a little hand in that\, guiding him through the beginning stages. He learned faster than I could teach.\nBy the mid eighties\, not out of his teens\, he was a sideman for bands and artists of many different genres in Alabama\, Tennessee\, Mississippi\, and all across the deep south. As he travelled and worked he added more and more instruments to his arsenal of capabilities. He became indispensable to the bands he worked for. \nIn the early Nineties\, he became a sideman for one of Canada’s favourite sons\, Stompin’ Tom Connors and also became a staple of the recordings at Studio H in Halifax. His work with the CBC there\, spanned musical\, production and arranging duties. \nAll this before he was 20. \nIn the mid nineties he reentered the musical scene of his beloved East Coast and the Island called Cape Breton. He exploded onto the trad music scene there as a fiddler\, performing some of the most difficult music ever produced by legends like Winston Fitzgerald and Angus Chisholm with a facility that stunned onlookers. Especially those who knew he wasn’t born there\, but born in Ontario to Cape Breton parents. Somehow\, some way\, his music was the real thing\, sounding like he had been steeped continually in a handed-down brew of family tradition from the old country. \nNothing could be further from the truth. \nHis previous gig was in Nashville playing mandolin and banjo in a grammy nominated bluegrass gospel band and performing on the Opry\, and playing television shows with the likes of Waylon Jennings. All those people also thought he was one of them\, American\, reared in the ways of bluegrass\, old time and Americana music. They knew he was from Canada\, but it just didn’t seem possible. \nThen in 1997\, something amazing happened. \nAn album released in Canada\, out of nowhere\, called Another Morning. This time it was him as a songwriter and a lead singer. \nAnd what a songwriter he turned out to be. Some of the performances on that album are literally part of the musical vocabulary today in the East Coast. Songs like the title cut\, and Kelly’s Mountain\, The Molly May (co written with his cousin Gervais) and others. It inspired\, 25 years ago\, some of the biggest names in the business today. People like Dave Gunning\, Matt Andersen\, David Myles\, Joel Plaskett\, all of which will tell you: that record changed things. \nThe Canadian industry thought so too\, and it received a juno nomination and won an ECMA. \nAnd that was just the beginning. \n36 years later after stepping on stage as professional union musician for the first time at the tender age of 13\, JP is still going\, and frighteningly\, still getting better. \n16 albums followed the success of Another Morning\, winning 12 more ECMA’s\, another Juno nomination\, a Canadian Folk Music Award and 5 Music Nova Scotia Awards. Each album was a snapshot of each thing that he can do. There are fiddle albums\, Mandolin\, Banjo\, Guitar\, tribute records\, songwriting collections\, a purely astounding spectrum of talent and musical vision. \nHis catalogue of recordings and the 150 or so records he’s produced on other artists\, resemble the tapestry he weaves in live performance. Where he used to carry 3 and 4 piece bands\, he tours alone now. \nJust him and the instruments. \nPeople still leave his shows confused\, amazed and wondering what they just saw. Did they see a storyteller? A Songwriter? Arguably one of the best guitar players in the business today? Someone who crosses the lines between different instruments like there are no lines? Who was that masked man\, anyway? \nAccolades aside\, and there are many from people like Chet Atkins\, Marty Stuart\, Waylon Jennings\, Gordon Lightfoot; JP sees himself as just a performer. He’s shy\, but has a razor sharp wit and lightning sense of humour. He can be reserved or edgy to the point no return. He speaks for soldiers\, first responders\, other artists\, the forgotten and lost. He speaks sometimes only for himself and refuses rebuttal. \nOf all the things he is\, foremost he is an entertainer. I think one of the best.  After you’ve seen what he does\, I’m certain you will too. \n  \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/j-p-cormier-5/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JP-Cormier-Sold-Out.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20230823T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20230823T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20230613T153256Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230731T175758Z UID:10003282-1692820800-1692828000@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Mo Kenney DESCRIPTION:Kenney’s willingness to unflinchingly pursue their artistic impulses on their own terms has resulted in numerous accolades over the past decade\, including a SOCAN Songwriting Prize\, a nomination for Juno Adult Alternative Album of the Year\, and too many East Coast Music Awards and Nova Scotia Awards to count. \n2021’s “Covers”\, was an acoustic collection that offered a glimpse into the molecular musical composition of the artist interpreting them. 2022 release\, “With You”\, was written\, played\, and produced by Kenney alone. 2023 will see the release of a new album of original material. \nOne of the most refreshing things about Kenney is that their performance and stories are completely raw. Their distinctive vocals and outstanding guitar playing are intensified by the simplicity\, their songs relatable yet mysterious. A unique singer-songwriter\, Mo’s music has been described as both folk and pop. \n2023 touring includes the US\, the UK\, Europe and Canada. URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/mo-kenney-4/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mo-Kenney-Sold-Out.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20230816T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20230816T220000 DTSTAMP:20260422T145800 CREATED:20230613T152510Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230615T143421Z UID:10003281-1692216000-1692223200@ionaheightsinn.com SUMMARY:Dave Sampson Redux DESCRIPTION:Dave Sampson writes heart-on-your-sleeve folk/pop songs\, delivered with a captivating and\nauthentic voice that could blow down a brick house. His knack for crafting simple ear-worms\nand his high-energy shows have been winning him fans across Canada. He has collaborated\nand shared the stage with some of Canada’s top exports such as Classified\, Alan Doyle\,\nDonovan Woods\, and more. His 2019 EP All Types of Ways\, produced and recorded by\nGrammy award-winning songwriter Gordie Sampson in Nashville\, TN\, earned him two 2020\nECMAs for Country Recording and Rising Star Recording of the Year\, as well as a\nnomination for Songwriter of the Year. The album features several singles which received\nhundreds of thousands of streams on DSPs\, were added to many editorially-curated\nplaylists\, and were placed in several national television series and advertising campaigns.\nIn 2014\, Dave released his anticipated debut album “No Pressure\, No Diamonds” with \nproducers/collaborators Carleton Stone\, Gordie Sampson and Dylan Guthro (Port Cities). \nWith the release of this album\, “ No Pressure No Diamonds” was nominated for Music Nova \nScotia’s Pop Album of the Year\, reached #1 on the East Coast Countdown charts twice and \nreceived national airplay throughout Canada. Dave was also invited to Germany in 2014 with \nsongwriters Carleton Stone and Breagh Mackinnon to participate in a songwriting retreat \nfollowed by a tour. \nFast forward to 2015\, his song “No Pressure\, No Diamonds” was interpolated by Canadian \nHip Hop icon Classified and released as his first single (“No Pressure”) on the billboard \ncharts via Atlantic Records. “No Pressure’ features hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg\, and was \nawarded Gold Record status by Music Canada. Dave also received a songwriting nod on \nClassifieds “Oh No” track on his album “Grateful”\, and Neon Dreams’ singles “Find a Way” & \n“Love Experts” which made it to the billboard EDM top 40. \nDave has also been hand-picked as one of Nova Scotia’s most promising young songwriters \nto take part in the prestigious\, invitation-only Gordie Sampson Song camp for the past 10 \nyears. Through this opportunity\, he has been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of \nCanada’s most sought after writers: Gordie Sampson\, Caitlyn Smith (Nashville)\, Sam Ellis \n(Nashville)\, Thomas AWG Salter (TAWGS)\, and many more. \n  \n“Heartfelt\, energized and emotional\, Dave Sampson has obvious natural talent as a Maritime singer-songwriter. \nRecommended for fans of Joel Plaskett\, David Myles and Hawksley Workman. ” – Grant Lawrence (CBC Music) \n  \n“Not only is Dave Sampson a fantastic singer/songwriter\, but his live performance during both shows (as a band \nand as a solo artist) was second to none. The level of comfort that he and his band have on stage oozes with \nevery movement made.” – HalifaxBloggers.ca @ EAST COAST MUSIC WEEK 2016 \n  \n“Dave Sampson writes a great\, heartfelt pop song and has a warm\, inviting\, laid-back style that will no doubt \nappeal to a wide cross-section of people. It’s not hard to imagine his music lighting up the radio and drawing \ncrowds” – The Scope\, St. John’s\, NL \n  \nOpen in Spotify \nOpen in Spotify URL:https://ionaheightsinn.com/eventing/dave-sampson-5b/ LOCATION:The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill\, 4115 HWY 223\, Iona\, Nova Scotia\, B2C 1A3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Events at The Frolic'n Folk,Ticketed Shows ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ionaheightsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dave-Sampson-Sold-Out.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Frolic'n Folk":MAILTO:frolic@ionaheightsinn.com GEO:45.9508304;-60.8147104 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill 4115 HWY 223 Iona Nova Scotia B2C 1A3 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=4115 HWY 223:geo:-60.8147104,45.9508304 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR