Joel Plaskett
2022-07-27 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Halifax) | The Frolic’n Folk Pub & Grill, 4115 HWY 223, Iona, Nova Scotia, B2C 1A3, Canada
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.
Plaskett’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.
Plaskett’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.

Plaskett 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.
In 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.
Plaskett 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).
Recorded 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.
In 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.
In 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.
In 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.
In 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.

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Céilidh Matinee
2022-07-23 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-07-16 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-07-09 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-07-02 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-25 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-18 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-11 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-04 17:00 - 20:00 and 3 more dates
Musicians TBA
Get a taste of local celtic music & culture with our weekly ceilidhs.
Expect to see world-renowned talent & budding entertainers all from our native Cape Breton.
General admission seating ranging from $5-$10
First come first serve at the pub. No reservations

Trivia Night at The Frolic
2022-07-21 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-07-14 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-07-07 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-06-30 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-06-23 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-06-16 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-06-09 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-06-02 20:00 - 22:00 and 3 more dates
Come test your wits & win prizes!
3 Rounds – 12 general knowledge questions each round.
Play solo, or form a team. Funniest team name gets showered with accolades.
Hosted by your man – Ruarí Aonghas Lonce Murphy, every Thursday Night

Dave Sampson
2022-07-20 20:00 - 22:00
Dave Sampson writes heart-on-your-sleeve folk/pop songs, delivered with a captivating and
authentic voice that could blow down a brick house. His knack for crafting simple ear-worms
and his high-energy shows have been winning him fans across Canada. He has collaborated
and shared the stage with some of Canada’s top exports such as Classified, Alan Doyle,
Donovan Woods, and more. His 2019 EP All Types of Ways, produced and recorded by
Grammy award-winning songwriter Gordie Sampson in Nashville, TN, earned him two 2020
ECMAs for Country Recording and Rising Star Recording of the Year, as well as a
nomination for Songwriter of the Year. The album features several singles which received
hundreds of thousands of streams on DSPs, were added to many editorially-curated
playlists, and were placed in several national television series and advertising campaigns.
In 2014, Dave released his anticipated debut album “No Pressure, No Diamonds” with
producers/collaborators Carleton Stone, Gordie Sampson and Dylan Guthro (Port Cities).
With the release of this album, “ No Pressure No Diamonds” was nominated for Music Nova
Scotia’s Pop Album of the Year, reached #1 on the East Coast Countdown charts twice and
received national airplay throughout Canada. Dave was also invited to Germany in 2014 with
songwriters Carleton Stone and Breagh Mackinnon to participate in a songwriting retreat
followed by a tour.
Fast forward to 2015, his song “No Pressure, No Diamonds” was interpolated by Canadian
Hip Hop icon Classified and released as his first single (“No Pressure”) on the billboard
charts via Atlantic Records. “No Pressure’ features hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, and was
awarded Gold Record status by Music Canada. Dave also received a songwriting nod on
Classifieds “Oh No” track on his album “Grateful”, and Neon Dreams’ singles “Find a Way” &
“Love Experts” which made it to the billboard EDM top 40.
Dave has also been hand-picked as one of Nova Scotia’s most promising young songwriters
to take part in the prestigious, invitation-only Gordie Sampson Song camp for the past 10
years. Through this opportunity, he has been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of
Canada’s most sought after writers: Gordie Sampson, Caitlyn Smith (Nashville), Sam Ellis
(Nashville), Thomas AWG Salter (TAWGS), and many more.

“Heartfelt, energized and emotional, Dave Sampson has obvious natural talent as a Maritime singer-songwriter.
Recommended for fans of Joel Plaskett, David Myles and Hawksley Workman. ” – Grant Lawrence (CBC Music)

“Not only is Dave Sampson a fantastic singer/songwriter, but his live performance during both shows (as a band
and as a solo artist) was second to none. The level of comfort that he and his band have on stage oozes with
every movement made.” – HalifaxBloggers.ca @ EAST COAST MUSIC WEEK 2016

“Dave Sampson writes a great, heartfelt pop song and has a warm, inviting, laid-back style that will no doubt
appeal to a wide cross-section of people. It’s not hard to imagine his music lighting up the radio and drawing
crowds” – The Scope, St. John’s, NL

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Dave Sampson Redux
2022-07-19 20:00 - 22:00

Lucy MacNeil
2022-07-13 20:00 - 22:00
The only girl in a family of five boys, Lucy MacNeil can be described as the heart of The Barra MacNeils. Her crystalline vocals are immediately identifiable with the group’s quintessential sound.
For Lucy, music has always had a heartbeat and she recalls it as the centre of her childhood home where family, neighbours and visiting musicians were often known to gather — the perfect rhythm of everyone’s feet tapping with the music would lull her to sleep on many nights.
Lucy’s own musical journey officially began when she was 9 years old, but even before that she was step dancing alongside her mother, a well-known local dancer and teacher. Her career with The Barra MacNeils has seen her opening tours for international stars such as Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers and fellow Canadian Rita MacNeil. Yet, with all the many rich and rewarding experiences Lucy’s fondest memory of performing took place in grade 10 at Memorial High School. A contestant in the winter carnival pageant, she put together a performance for the talent portion that drew on all her talents – singing “The legend of the St. Anne’s Reel” playing the fiddle between verses and then ending with a step dance routine. The remarkable effort would lead to her very first standing ovation.
A devoted mother of two talented young girls, Lucy finds time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, from sharing recipes with her mom, and getting car care advice from her dad, chatting with old friends or dancing to the infectious latin rhythms in her ZUMBA class. Lucy MacNeil looks forward to discovering where music and her extraordinary life will lead her next.
Vocals, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, stepdancing

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Lennie Gallant
2022-07-05 20:00 - 22:00
Canadian East Coast songwriter Lennie Gallant has released fourteen albums (11 English, and 3 in French) of original songs which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the JUNOs, Les Prix Eloizes and The East Coast Music Awards. His multimedia show, Searching For Abegweit, ran for 180 shows and toured Eastern Canada to sold out performances. His song Peter’s Dream was recently inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lennie is an international touring artist, who has performed all over North America, in Europe, for the troops in Afghanistan, and at the Olympics. He is a recipient of the the Order of Canada.
His songs have been covered by numerous artists, including Jimmy Buffett, The Rankins, and Opera superstar Measha Bruggergosman, and one of his albums even went up to the international space station and circled the planet 248 times. Lennie’s recording, Time Travel, was voted a top ten Album of The Year by a panel of Canadian industry personnel. His song and video for Sequoia, from that album, have received many accolades, especially for bringing attention to the need to protect our great ancient forests in this fragile time on the planet. Lennie’s most recent French language album is in collaboration with partner, Patricia Richard, under the name Sirène et Matelot which has been doing extremely well in the francophone world. His last recording was a Christmas album of original songs to celebrate the season and hopefully, a time of healing for this beautiful fragile planet.

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A TUESDAY SHOW**

Robert Bouchard with Nick Boudreau
2022-06-10 20:00
A life-long performing artist, Robert Bouchard has toured this national vast expanse on more than one occasion. He is a bonafide country sensation who has earned many accolades, the most recent being an induction into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame.
With the recent release of his latest CD entitled ‘That’s What I Live For’, we witness the cream rising to top yet again.
His fans have already heard and witnessed what he was placed on this earth to do, sing & entertain! Others are in for the finest country artist to ever emerge from these parts. Robert Bouchard is a must-see & hear!
Dennis ‘Nick’ Boudreau is a most sought after and respected guitarist. Nick toured extensively with country artists Robert Bouchard and Cornelia & Billy. He toured Canada and Germany, work that lasted most of his adult life. Nick was a featured guitarist on a Rankin Family tour. He is modest and humble, yet musical colleagues sing his praises as a player of guitar, banjo, bass, and mandolin. Throughout his entire career, Nick has always partaken in fundraising initiatives, especially for persons with serious illness.
We look forward to welcoming Robert and Nick in Iona.

Mike McKenna Jr. with Special Guest Wayne Bedecki
2022-06-03 20:00 - 22:00
2021 East Coast Music Award Winner Singer-songwriter Mike McKenna Jr. has emerged on the Canadian music scene with a raspy, soulful, intimate voice, his distinct indie folk/Americana tones, and songs laden with captivating storytelling. Originally from Cape Breton Island, he continues to bring 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. Known for his powerful lyricism and intricate musicianship, Mike’s newest record At The Edge of the World (2020) continues to be met with incredible support both in Canada and internationally.
In just over a year since it’s release, Mike’s sophomore album has received a long list of awards and nominations; WINNER of the Rising Star Recording of the Year by the 2021 East Coast Music Awards (along with nominations for for Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year and Fan’s Choice Video of the Year), nominee for Contemporary Album of the Year by the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards, nominee for Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the Year by the Music Nova Scotia Awards, and nominee for 2020 Album of the Year by Blues and Roots Radio. It was also listed on the Bluegrass Situation’s ‘Class of 2020 Playlist, Absolute Best of this Year’s Roots Music Releases’.
Several songs from the record have received high-profile features and recognition, including Spotify Editorial playlists Renegade Folk and Contemporary Folk, Mahogany Sessions’ Acoustic Coffeehouse and Chilled Folk Vol. 3, The Bluegrass Situation’s ‘Mixtape’, Americana UK, Exclaim!, Canadian Beats, Roots Music Canada, The East and many more. Two songs from ATEOTW finished as semi-finalists in the world’s largest songwriting contest, ISC (International Songwriting Competition); the opening song and title track At the Edge of the World in 2019 and the 7th song of the album, High Ground in 2020!
Produced by Berklee graduate, Victoria’s Quinn Bachand (Rosier, Kittel & Co, Brishen), At the Edge of the World delivers a wider, fuller sound than Mike’s previous records, lead by his incredibly raw, confident vocals and surrounded by a beautiful mix of electric and pedal-steel guitar, electric bass, vocal harmonies, strings, piano and drums. During post-production it would then pass through the talented hands of Canada’s top analog specialists; mixing engineer Jon Anderson (Andy Shauf, Rosier, Foxwarren) and Grammy-nominated mastering engineer, Juno/Polaris winner Philip Shaw Bova (Father John Misty, Feist, Bahamas).

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Songwriters Circle
2022-05-20 20:00 - 22:00
An evening of storytelling and songs, featuring Carmen Townsend, Ian MacDougall, & Victor Tomiczek

Carmen Townsend is known for her gunning riffs, soaring vocals, and empowering live shows, Cape Breton’s Carmen Townsend has been performing since the age of 15 and has wowed audiences all over the world with an incomparable sound that is undeniably her own. She is a multi-award winning rock artist in a male dominated genre. In a world full of singer/songwriters, it is her birth right to rock. Carmen’s award winning debut album was named Album of the Year at Nova Scotia Music Week and landed her on stage in front of thousands supporting female rock legends, Heart, all over Canada. She has lent her voice to many projects including Matt Mays’ Juno winning Album, Coyote. Carmen continues to perform regularly and is currently working on a new release.

Ian MacDougall holds a strange and unassuming presence on the East Coast musical landscape. Fronting his internationally acclaimed, musically obese, Cape Breton institution The Tom Fun Orchestra, Ian has spent years touring around the world bringing epic anthems and odes to packed clubs, massive festivals and empty taverns. He has shared the stage with a curious array of musicians ranging from Primus to Fred Eaglesmith; Julie Doiron to The Men of the Deeps. Outside of the successes and excesses of Tom Fun, Ian has developed a catalogue of songs that read like a hazy surrealist commentary of life and lure on Cape Breton Island. By himself, these songs stand truly engaging. His complicated musical lulls of ennui and frustration find solace in triumphant melodies of reckless elation. Sometimes. Sometimes it’s something else all together.

Victor Tomiczek is a singer-songwriter from Dominion, Cape Breton. He plays banjo and guitar in The Tom Fun Orchestra and leads the Sydney-based rock group Ladyslippers. Victor’s songs range from tales of working class strife to whimsical flights of fancy and all the high, low, and in between. Victor is currently working on his first solo album. He lives in Sydney with his wife, daughters, kitties, and dog.

Full Bar till 11PM & Kitchen Service till 9PM
Ages 19+
