We celebrated the festival’s 31st year in style! Perfect weather and late-summer energy made this event one to remember. Nowhere was this feeling more apparent than the TD Market Square Stage, where everyone rocked out together to TEKE::TEKE on Saturday night before dancing to the beats of Bodywaltz until the wee hours. Glass Elephant and TDot Batu made sure the music made it emphatically off the stage and onto the street. Friday night was just as fun, with LAL crooning and SHEBAD swooning. Thank you to everyone who came from near and far to support free live music in downtown Guelph!
The quality of artistry at GJF ticketed concerts left us all walking away expanded and inspired by what live music can be. Darius Jones gave two spectacular concerts during his extended stay in Guelph, one with the singular project fLuXkit Vancouver, and the other with his Trio, who are soon to release a new album.
Angelica Sanchez & Chad Taylor were two other visitors who left a mark on our city with multiple performances, first at Guelph Youth Music Centre, performing together. Later the Sanchez was joined by Nick Fraser & Tony Malaby, and Taylor played as part of Luke Stewart’s Silt Trio.
So many excellent concerts to choose from, it was impossible to see everything! Those who came out early on Saturday were treated to Harmony Holiday & Gerald Cleaver at the ImprovLab, then at Royal City Mission, Matt Brubeck & Caylie Staples, followed by Luka Kuplowsky & The Ryōkan Band, and Splendide Abysse at Guelph Youth Music Centre. Those who braved the heat at TD Market Square Stage enjoyed The Labyrinth Ensemble followed by New Future City Radio, whose band member Rob Mazurek also performed Sunday.
Our community-engaged programming gave the audience an avenue into the art-making themselves. Throughout the weekend, intrepid festival-goers stopped by Silence to see We Made This (With Love), a candy-themed multimedia installation by Germaine Liu & Mark Zurawinski. Saturday played host to the festival’s youngest performers, KidsAbility Play Who You Are Ensemble, who kicked off Market Square, followed by Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble. On Sunday, on the patio of the Guelph Civic Museum, Vinta led a bustle of attendees through traditional European dance steps as part of their Bal Folk workshop. Shortly after, we trekked to St. George’s Square to take part in a high energy workshop with G9 Bhangra Academy. The festival’s final performance, the album release party for Richard Laviolette’s All Wild Things Are Shy was a beautiful tribute and perfect end to a warm, wonderful weekend!
On behalf of all of us who organized the festival, thank you! We have so much appreciation for the artists for making this such a unique experience, the volunteers for their incredible positive energy and effort, and to the audience for creating such wonderful, festive atmosphere together with us.
Photos by Alex Whinton and Marek Lazarski.