Now in its 26th year, the award-winning Stan Rogers Folk Festival, known as Stanfest, is one of Nova Scotia’s signature summer festivals. This gathering of songwriters was named in honour of the great Canadian songwriter, the late Stan Rogers
On July 20-23, over 35 performers will hit the four stages in Canso, Nova Scotia, with over 40 hours of programming.
Today, I want to put some focus on the local talent in our Top Five feature. Be sure to check them out while you’re at the festival!
Aaron MacDonald
Cape Breton, NS-based ECMA and Music NS Nominee Aaron MacDonald recently unveiled his single, “My Heart’s A Little Bit Older Now,” which followed his album, Rights and Wrongs.
Aaron is set to play StanFest on the Hillside stage for the New Faces showcase on Sunday, July 23 from 1 pm – 2 pm.
Connect with Aaron MacDonald:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Morgan Toney
Nova Scotia-based Mi’kmaq folk singer-songwriter and fiddler Morgan Toney released his album, First Flight in 2021, featuring the singles, “Ko’jua” and “Msit No’kmaq.”
Morgan is set to play StanFest on Saturday, July 22 at the Queensport stage for the Sing For Change showcase from 10 am – 11 am, at the Queensport Stage for the First Voice show from 3 pm – 4 pm, and again on Sunday, July 23, also at the Queensport stage for the Keeping Tradition Alive showcase from 4 pm – 5 pm.
Connect with Morgan Toney:
Facebook
Instagram
Jolene Harnish
Nova Scotian Jolene Harnish has recently unveiled her single, “Heart Too Big To Break.” The single follows previous releases, “Home To Me” and “Staycation.”
Jolene is set to play StanFest on Saturday, July 22 on the Hillside stage for the Down East showcase from 10 am -11 am.
Connect with Jolene Harnish:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Steve MacIntyre
Port Hawkesbury-based singer-songwriter Steve MacIntyre unveiled his self-titled EP in 2021, featuring the singles, “Too Small a Town” and “Highland Promise.”
Steve is set to play StanFest on Sunday, July 22 on the Hillside stage at the New Faces showcase from 1 pm – 2 pm and during the Singing Stan showcase from 2 pm – 3 pm.
Connect with Steve MacIntyre:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Slowcoaster
Sydney, Nova Scotia’s Slowcoaster released their new album, Apples and Oranges earlier this month via their Bandcamp page.
Slowcoaster will celebrate the release with a concert at StanFest on Sunday, July 23 at the Pourhouse stage from 12 noon – 1 pm.
Connect with Slowcoaster:
Bandcamp
Facebook
Instagram
There are many other Nova Scotia-based artists playing, as well as Canadian and International. StanFest has something for everyone, and it’s a festival you don’t want to miss.
Get more information about StanFest here.