:: '25 artists ::
Adam Baldwin & the Jenny Wren
Friday: July 18
Singer-songwriter Adam Baldwin has been a mainstay of the Atlantic Canada music scene for over a decade. With his sophomore full-length, Concertos & Serenades, Adam Baldwin - born and raised “inside these imaginary lines” that denote Nova Scotia - offers an east coast testimony that challenges the typical tourism marketing gloss. Through eight masterful yarns, the songwriter bears witness and pays tribute to a tradition of desperation: sinners and losers, perpetual failures, and down-and-out phantoms that haunt his home’s coastlines and back roads - without a passing judgement. Some of the tales happened, some didn’t, and most walk a tightrope between truth and fiction.
Starting as a member of rock combo Gloryhound before joining Matt Mays & El Torpedo in 2009, Baldwin’s own music has continued to evolve since his award-winning self-titled solo debut EP in 2013. In 2016 Baldwin released his first full length album No Telling When (Precisely Nineteen Eight-Five) featuring the singles “Daylight” and “Anytime”. In 2019 he released the follow up No Rest for the Wicked, including “Salvation” and “Dark Beside the Dawn”.
In March 2020, with in person performances impossible due to COVID-19, Baldwin launched his Cross-Country Chin Up concert series, almost every Friday evening on YouTube. In addition to making this weekly opportunity to connect virtually with fans, he also raised funds for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, Red Cross Stronger Together Nova Scotia Fund, RCMP Fallen Officer Fund, and the Black Cultural Society for Nova Scotia. The online concert series also produced two digital EPs: Chin Up Sessions (originals) and Songs for the Parlour (covers).
Rankin MacInnis & The Broken Reeds
Saturday: July 19
Music Nova Scotia's Entertainer of the Year comes with a big band and a big sound. Known for their eclectic, high-energy shows, Rankin and the Broken Reeds bring together the region’s top musical talent for a live-music experience unlike anything you’ve seen before -- one that feels like it spans time and genres, from traditional folk to future pop, fueled by a lot of groove and finished with a bit of grit.
Together, the band has built an award-winning music festival (Blueberry Jam), a first-of-its-kind concert series (Rankin’s Winter Warmers), and a community of creative collaborators who are up for anything -- and fans who can’t wait to see what’s next.
Dee Hernandez & D'Fusion
Saturday: July 19
Dee Hernandez is a Cuban artist based in Atlantic Canada, recognized for her fusion of Cuban roots with genres such as R&B, funk, and pop. Her music has captivated audiences and gained support from the CBC, and she has been nominated for East Coast Music Awards and Music New Brunswick Awards.
Praised by artists like Sass Jordan, who described her as a "world-class jazz singer," and recognized by Maritime Edit as "the voice of Cuban-Canadian Jazz," Dee has made a notable presence in the music scene. Her music is inspired by iconic artists such as Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, and the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz.Her live performances are known for their electrifying energy, mesmerizing vocals, and infectious rhythms, offering an unforgettable experience that transcends musical boundaries.
Currently, Dee is working on a new album where she fully embraces her Cuban roots, weaving rich rhythms and storytelling into her sound. Her journey reflects her passion for sharing positivity and cultural authenticity through music.
Elyse Aeryn
Friday: July 18
Fusing a singer-songwriter’s empathy with driving rhythms for high energy, evocative songs, Elyse Aeryn is picking up speed with her own brand of rock and roll. An electric performer, Elyse's live show and relatable story earned her the title of Music Nova Scotia’s 2024 Entertainer of the Year.
After leaving behind a career as an engineer to follow her calling as an artist she has since shared stages with Canadian icons like Blue Rodeo, Amanda Marshall, and Matt Anderson. Her 2023 debut Joy State of Mind—eight tracks of resilience, rebirth, and just a bit of revenge—scored an East Coast Music Award nomination and was awarded Country Recording of the Year by Music Nova Scotia.
Elyse Aeryn’s sophomore album is expected to release in summer 2025, continuing her steady ascent into the Canadian music scene.
Waylon Napadogan
Saturday: July 19
The Waylon Napadogan Band is a 5 piece country/rock band based in New Brunswick. They’ve built a dedicated fan base over the past couple years with outrageous hit songs like “Gettin’ Stoned Behind the Tim Hortons” and “98 Pontiac Sunfire” along with an entertaining, high-energy live show. Best enjoyed after exactly 4 ice-cold tall boys and one fat marijuana cigarette.
Comic Sutra Comedy Club
Thursday: July 17
The Comic Sutra is Fredericton’s first and only comedy club, focusing on the growing New Brunswick standup scene. This special Dooryard Festival kickoff show features three of the club’s most popular comics — Kelly Lamrock, Maggie Estey and Brad Rice — taking on topics ranging from pop culture, relationships, family and current events.
KELLY LAMROCK is Canada’s funniest former Attorney-General and the Comic Sutra’s Chief Comedy Officer. In his twenty year comedy career he has played clubs throughout North America. His new album “I’ve Tried Everything But Comedy, Part One” is due out in late 2025.
MAGGIE ESTEY has appeared at comedy festivals and clubs throughout the Maritimes. Hailing from Sunny Corner, N.B., her sharp wit and talent for storytelling has won rave reviews and been featured on CBC’s “Definitely Not The Opera”.
BRAD RICE is an award winning comedian who has appeared at clubs throughout Canada and the U.S. Well known for his offbeat takes on pop culture and hit specials like his recent show “Not So Smart Now”, Brad has opened for a who’s who of Canadian comedy such as James Mullinger, Nikki Payne and Mike Dambra.
Leandra Gold
Saturday: July 19
Leandra Gold unfolds as the deeply personal and experimental solo project of Colombian-born Canadian singer/cellist Natalia Bohorquez. After two decades of building a classical music career and education, Bohorquez channels her curiosity, innovative spirit, multicultural background, and performance experience into Leandra Gold.
Leandra Gold explores the intersections of immigration, identity and artistry. Her music, layering classical acoustic cello resonance with digital loops, harmonies and percussive textures, opens a portal into a universe where she can experiment beyond the classical music realm. This project is a platform where dualism, multilingualism and culture interplay, unearthing an authentic artistic self.
Andrew Moore Trio
Saturday: July 19
The Andrew Moore Trio is a blues rock group composed of Andrew Moore, Jake Leger and Jeremy Hebert. It is founded and led by Andrew Moore, Canadian guitarist and songwriter from Moncton, New Brunswick. A graduate of the Los Angeles College of Music, Moore has performed internationally with award-winning artists such as Dimash Kudaibergenov and Jolin Tsai. Now back in Canada, Andrew started this trio, blending rock, blues and funk. With his new music Bold Lies, Moore continues to carve out a distinctive voice in the music scene.
In addition to his studio work, the trio recently released Live at Xeroz, a dynamic live album showcasing their raw energy and musicianship. The album captures the electrifying atmosphere of their performances and offers a powerful glimpse into the heart of their live shows.
Mr. Mark
Saturday: July 19
His real name is Mark Cameron but he's been known to countless kids and their families as Mr. Mark, creator of wild and wonderful music for kids to sing and dance to. Armed with a truckload of enthusiasm and a truckload of instruments, his shows are always lively and engaging!
Mark Cameron has been performing as "Mr Mark" since 2002. During this time he has performed his high energy one man show for many festivals, including the Winnipeg International Children's Festival, the Banff Centre for the Arts, St. Alberts International Children’s Festival, Alianait Festival in Iqaluit, the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, the Hillside Festival, and many more festivals across Canada - including Dooryard Arts Festival in 2024.
From 1990 till 2018, Mark Cameron was a percussionist/accompanist for Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, where the kids named him “Mr, Mark”. He has composed music for innumerable dances, on countless instruments, or even things that most people would not consider instruments. A washboard, a turkey baster, or a musical trench coat!
From its inception in 1997, Mr Mark has been a part of the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival’s Circus and Magic Camp, where he creates orchestras out of junk, with the help of the fabulous "Camp kids" in Winnipeg.
So whether you're singing the praises of Macaroni and Cheese or going on an adventure with the symphony orchestra, you'll wind up wigglin' and gigglin' and wantin’ more… Mr. Mark!
Jesse Campbell
Saturday: July 19
Jesse Campbell was inspired, after a single magic trick, by the late, great Perley the Magician. Since that day six years ago, Jesse has performed over 1000 magic shows, including at all the major festivals in the province and for many New Brunswick businesses and organizations. He can't wait to put a smile on your face and some wonder in your mind! His magic is for ALL ages!
Duncan Ireland
Saturday: July 19
Duncan Rowan Ireland has been described as a minstrel, a bard, a
balladeer, a talebearer, a tome keeper, a troubadour, a trouveur, a jongleur, a gleeman, the storybook guy, a story wizard, the keeper of stories, a social and creative alchemist, an oak tree of unforgetting, and the tallest hobbit you’ll ever meet.
He crafts elaborate and unexpectedly unfolding storybooks and scrolls of preposterous proportions, sharing the performance with strangers of all ages and backgrounds in an evergreen effort to meet, foster, and build community.
He is a storyteller.
He is a storyteller of story.
He is a storyteller of our story.
If you have ten minutes of time to spare, please stop for a listen and a unique storytime experience.
Zack Ingles
Friday: July 18
Foot-stompin, banjo driven, folk twang with a splash of pop. That’s the promise of Zack Ingles’ latest project “Get Ahead.” From the rural valleys of New Brunswick comes the singer- songwriter who has drawn sonic comparison to Neil Young, Mumford & Sons, and Noah Kahan.
Ingles is no stranger to Woodstock, having earned top honours as Winner of The Scene’s BIG Battle of the Bands 2024,
Ingles’ refreshing ability to explore complex and often taboo social conversations by packaging them within heart-pumping 4-on-the-floor bluegrass rhythms opens the door for a timeless connection with every listener.
Do I Know You From Somewhere?
Sunday: July 20
A couple's life gradually unravels as their shared memories and experiences start disappearing, leaving them questioning the very foundation of their relationship.
DO I KNOW YOU FROM SOMEWHERE?
Sunday, July 20, 4pm
Atlantic Cinemas
In partnership with River Valley Film Circuit
Following the film, there will be a talkback with the production team - be sure to stick around!
Director: Arianna Martinez
Writers: Arianna Martinez, Gordon Mihan
Stars: Caroline Bell, Ian Ottis Goff, Gillian Salmon
Music: Zachary Greer
79 minutes. Coarse language and sexual innuendo
Chris Donovan
ongoing exhibition
Chris Donovan is a documentary photographer, artist, and educator based in Saint John, New Brunswick. He is a PhD candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University and works on long-term photographic projects which address issues of class and environmental justice primarily in the Canadian Maritimes and the American Midwest. He is the founding director of a new photography festival based in New Brunswick called Photo E(a)st. Donovan is the author of The Cloud Factory published by GOST Books in 2025 and Stay Solid or Move West published by Boreal Collective Press in 2021. His work has been exhibited at galleries across Canada and beyond including The Image Centre in Toronto and the National Gallery of Canada, and regularly appears in newspapers such as The New York Times and The Globe and Mail. His work has been recognized by a World Press Photo Award, the Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant, the Environmental Vision Award from University of Missouri, and the Scotiabank New Generation Photography Award.
Opening - Tuesday July 15
The Big South
Saturday: July 19
The Big South is equal parts traditional fiddle project and contemporary fusion ensemble. The four piece group combines East Coast fiddling with an eclectic mix of funk, jazz, rock, and metal to create a chaotic melding of genres that might best be described as battle jazz, adventure funk, or turbo folk.
Danielle Doiron
Saturday: July 19
Danielle Doiron is a singer/Songwriter based in Fredericton, NB. Jazzy vocals, catchy acoustic melodies and deeply personal lyrics (usually about love, loss and longing), create songs that will make you smile and pull at your heartstrings. Last October she released her debut studio EP, 'Stories that I tell myself.' Notable performances include Fredericton's Own Stage at Harvest Festival (2023) and The Snowdome at Shivering Songs Festival (2023).
The Fog
Saturday: July 19
The Fog is a trio consisting of three seasoned musicians. Rick Connery supplies lead vocals and guitar, along with Gary Wilson on the bass and vocals, and Gwen Wilson on accordion and vocals.
Music has been a part of all their lives for many years. All three became involved in music early, and have played in a variety of settings over the years. Rick Connery is originally from Toronto, Gary Wilson, from Woodstock, New Brunswick and Gwen, from Halifax. It took all three moving to Digby and crossing paths, again through music, to result in this trio coming together. While they’ve only been playing in this configuration since 2022, all three are experienced, seasoned musicians.
They are “A Trio of the Unexpected”. Quite used to playing unplugged in smaller, more intimate venues, they are equally at home on stage. They present an eclectic mix of music, capturing something from a wide variety of time, type and tempo, which includes well and lesser known tunes, from Sublime to Sinatra and just about anything in between. Not quite folk, not quite country, not quite pop, but an unexpected mix of genres. In addition they continue to work on a growing catalogue of original music. They presently have three originals recorded and released available for your listening pleasure on all your favourite streaming services. Several more are in the final stages prior to releasing an EP of all of their current originals during 2025.