Words Jo Barnes
Photo Artistic Director Tark Hamilton by Sarah Hartley Photography
Sometimes the name of a band will tell you the genre and musical direction of the artists. When you hear Dead Kennedys, Suicidal Tendencies and Rancid, you know you’re going to hear the rebellious nihilism of punk. But what do you think of when you hear of bands named Mama’s Kitchen, Corner Grass, and Couscous? If you guessed folk music you’d be right, as these names, like the music itself, are deeply rooted in community and everyday experiences.
For folk enthusiasts, they’re fortunate, as these are some of the bands featured at Deep Cove Folk Music Society. “What we do here at Deep Cove Folk is important,” says Bob de Wolff, Society director and President of Sidney’s Seaside Music Festival. “Folk music is community-based. It’s all about building trust in strong communities through the vehicle of music.”
“For me ‘folk’ is any music that circulates within a definable community and serves as a kind of glue to help to hold the community together,” adds Tim Rogers, director and also editor of Deep Cove Folk’s new anthology, Saanich Songs.
Since 1989, club nights have occurred on the second Friday of each month. The evening typically begins with an open stage for local performers, followed by a feature performer. This fall the lineup includes Bijoux du Bayou on September 12, Kevin Dempsey on October 10, One Wheel Band on November 14, and Hoss Mountain Stringband on December 12.
The venue of St. John’s United is well known for hosting community activities of all kinds over the years. “St. John’s is an old war time building with a 100-seat capacity,” says Bob. “The sound in it is remarkably good.”
Both Bob and Tim are veterans of the Canadian folk music scene and have performed and played in various groups. They discovered years ago the joy of community that brings people back to Deep Cove Folk Society time and time again.
“My wife and I arrived here 16 years ago from the prairies. We were actively involved in the folk music scene in Calgary. We were welcomed into Deep Cove Folk Music with open arms; it felt like a big hug,” comments Bob. “I’m 76. The folk music from the 60s was the soundtrack of our lives and the anthems for me personally.”
“I was living in Deep Cove and was thrilled to have a local folk club,” adds Tark Hamilton, Artistic Director. “I got to play the open stage on the third folk night and began volunteering in all kinds of roles.”
Deep Cove Folk dates back to 1989, when founder Jill King was asked by a fellow musician where he might perform. Jill’s response not only resulted in a well-attended show, but it led to the idea of regular folk music events.
“My partner and I were living just down the road from the small St. Paul’s United Church. We had a friend visiting from California, David Lo Vine, and he asked if there was anywhere nearby that he might get a ‘paying gig’,” she shares. “We had been going into Victoria every Sunday night for ‘The Folk’ which just seemed a long way to drive. So, I got in touch with the Church’s committee to see if we might rent the space. I wrote an article for the Sidney newspaper and made posters and pinned them on various poles and places around Deep Cove. Then we crossed our fingers!”
The evening was a roaring success, the first “full house” and one of many to follow. In the years that ensued, community members have regularly gathered to celebrate both local talent and musical artistry from as far away as the United Kingdom and Australia.
A love of folk music and appreciating it communally are the ties that bind everyone. “Folk music means so much to me – the stories it tells, the histories it relates, the people who like listening to it, and those who like singing and playing it. I think that it’s accessible to just about everybody,” says Jill.
Tark attests to the positive impact the group has had on his life. “I am forever grateful for Deep Cove Folk. When it started, I had a local venue and a reason to trot out two or three of my songs. This musical renewal fed my soul and brought it back into my life and that of my kids. It continues to bring me great joy and many new musical friends along the way.”
What began as an opportunity for an artist to share continues to this day. Deep Cove Folk is not only a gathering place of music enthusiasts, but the diversity of music, the inclusion of local talent and the opportunity to foster friendship have made it a cornerstone in the community.
www.deepcovefolk.ca
