Ferdy Belland
Alberta's favorite roots-folk wizard Bill Bourne pulls off another East Kootenay mini-tour this coming weekend with stops at Kimberley's Green Door (Friday April 15) and Cranbrook's Studio Stage Door (Saturday April 16).
Hailing originally from the sprawling metropolis of Red Deer, Bourne has spent over 40 years of his breathing life by breathing life into the world of Canadian folk music as one of the country's most colorful characters...in both his winning personality and by the sheer strength of his soulful songwriting. A multiple Juno Award winner who's more than likely performed at every folk festival you've ever attended (or would hope to attend), the unflappable Bourne has released over 20 albums as either a solo artist or as a member of the Tannahill Weavers, the duo Bourne & McLeod, Tri-Continental (with Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim), the Bop Ensemble (with Wyckham Porteous and Jasmine Olhauser, the Amoeba Collective (with Tippy Agogo and Michelle Josef), and God knows who else. Bourne is a true Canadian legend, and is not to be missed.
Joining Bourne on said East Kootenay mini-tour is Nelson BC's own singer-songwriter extraordinare ALAN KIRK, whose blend of jazz, folk, and blues styles normally see him helming his own crackerjack unit, the Alan Kirk Band; here he'll be strutting his stuff in a rare solo setting. Kirk has a solid reputation all his own as a compelling performer, and is well worth the price of admission just in himself.
Enjoying intimate folk-music entertainment like this is usually the stuff of ultra-pricey weekend summer festivals you'd have to drive many hours to see, so shuffle on down to either the Green Door in Kimberley or the Studio Stage Door Theatre in Cranbrook!