The Andrew Rathbun Quartet returns to the Fest this year after a fantastic performance at the inaugural Fest in 2023. A Toronto native, he is an exceptionally creative and accomplished saxophonist, composers and bandleader, and he brought all of that in a compelling jazz set that was a highlight of the afternoon musical lineup. His style of swinging post-bop jazz will catch hold of you and not let go. The frequency with which this group plays together has created a tight knit unit, and this band truly has a group sound. He’ll very likely bring some of the new music written for the quartet’s recent appearance at the Stowe Jazz Festival MainStage last month. Andrew is also a Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University and lives in Kalamazoo with his family. We’re looking forward to this year’s set!

Skye Consort & Emma Björling is a Canadian trad/folk band with Trans-Atlantic Nordic-Celtic-Acadian-Quebecois roots. They offer up the haunting voice of award-winning Björling and gorgeous vocals of renowned shanty artist Seán Dagher, along with multi instrumentalists/vocalists Amanda Keesmaat, Simon Alexandre and Alex Kehler playing fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. They play whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions. Singing in French, English and Swedish, this band will take you back to some of the earliest impact on Canadian culture- through Nordic nuances, French Canadian traditional and Celtic influences. Check them out below!

We’ll be spotlighting each of our six bands appearing at the Fest on 9/21/24 at Arcadia Creek Festival site in downtown Kalamazoo. We’re kicking things off with our headliner, Crystal Shawanda! She is a multiple Juno Award-winning artist from Wikwemikong First Nations on Manitoulin Island, Ontario and the winner of the 2024 Maple Blues Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year. Check her out here!

Gold sponsor Air Canada is bringing back their popular ticket giveaway this year! They’re offering two free roundtrip tickets from any Air Canada airport in the US to any of the 80 locations they serve in Canada! Share this video from our socials to yours (make it public so we can see it!), buy a ticket to the Fest (they’re just $10 in June!), and enter your name at the Air Canada booth on September 21 at Canadiana Fest 2024!

#CanadianaFest #CanadianaFest2024 #AirCanada

Current Musical Lineup:

Crystal Shawanda Blues Crystal Shawanda | Official Twice Juno Award-winning and 2024 Maple Blues Award winner for Indigenous Artist of the Year, powerhouse Crystal Shawanda is coming to belt out her latest studio album, Midnight Blues, on True North Records. Her fiery blues collection showcases her full-throttle raspy voice, unmatched in today’s musical landscape, and an authentic appreciation for the genre dating back to her youth. Born in Wiikwemkoong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, in Northern Ontario, Crystal points to early influences like Etta James, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Her music reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Album chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, the highest charting album by a full-blooded Canadian Indigenous country artist (in the SoundScan-era).

Julius “The Genius” Fisher Julius is a Black musician, singer, songwriter, producer, band leader, and DJ. He is a gifted keyboard player and will be the opener for Crystal Shawanda. He is currently living in Nashville.

Rock Rx Rock Rx (rockrxband.com) Hailing from the Kalamazoo area, like a streaker at a sporting event, you won’t be able  to take your eyes off this high-energy cover band doing their rendition of best Canadian Rock, Pop and R&B. They make the audience feel like they are part of the band, literally. Don’t be surprised if you have a mic in your face during the show, as you sing along to one of your favorite  songs.  

Skye Consort & Emma Björling A Canadian trad/folk band with Trans-Atlantic Nordic-Celtic-Acadian-Quebecois roots offering up the haunting voice of award winning Bjorling and gorgeous vocal of renown shanty artist Seán Dagher joined with multi instrumentalists/vocalists Amanda Keesmaat, Simon Alexandre and Alex Kehler playing fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion riffing on whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions. Singing in French, English and Swedish, this band will take you back to some of the earliest impact on Canadian culture- through Nordic nuances, French Canadian traditional and Celtic influences.

Andrew Rathbun Ensemble Twice Juno Award nominated Jazz musician, featuring songs from his new recording “The Speed of Time” on Steeplechase Records.

Kalamazoo Pipe Band . The Kalamazoo Pipe Band is dedicated to teaching, performing & promoting highland bagpipe music in Kalamazoo, MI. Originating in the 1950’s, they have had the honor of piping at many Michigan ceremonies and events. Their heart thumping drum and heart wrenching pipes will move you and invoke the spirit of Canada’s Commonwealth origins. 

Southern Straight Singers This group of 20+ Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Odawa and Chippewa drummers and singers will share their sacred drum and music at Canadiana Fest, leading our opening ceremonies with a round dance! 

We had a terrific time on a beautiful Saturday at River Saint Joe brewery, restaurant, and farm out in Buchanan MI for their Scottish Fest! We met some nice folks and Kalam A. Moose amused children, dogs, and adults alike.

Kalam also had a chance to get his dancing shoes on to the lovely sounds of a sweet duo from the Grand Rapids Scottish Society, who were playing a lilting tune!

Canadiana Fest 2024 is going to be even better than last year’s inaugural event! Join us at Arcadia Creek Festival Site in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, September 21! Check back for upcoming news and announcements or follow our socials on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads!

Interested in becoming a sponsor of Canadiana Fest? Let’s talk!

Charlie Holleman, you couldn’t get more Canadian and still not be born there;

Charlie was a quintessential Canadian guy, he played hockey (was a goalie right up until his knees wouldn’t work anymore), he played guitar and sang folk songs, he wore plaid often, he sang the “Arrogant Worms”, he loved horses and dogs and wearing big furry hats and poutine and snow and beer! He had a self-deprecating sense of humor and was always quick with a smile. But most of all, Charlie was one of the kindest, most caring people I’ve ever met. If he said “sorry” it was never in jest, he always wanted you to know he empathized with you. And he embodied what Canadiana Fest hopes to offer to the world- fun, joy and kindness. The only thing not Canadian about him was that he wasn’t born there, or lived there, but somehow he became what we call “Canadian Forward” and so we adopted him as one of our own. 

Charlie and his band, The Hen-Pecked Dawgs, played the inaugural Canadiana Fest in 2023 with style. He was immensely proud of that. It was glorious to hear the sea shanties and Celtic Canadiana they played and sang. Not only did he sing and play at the fest, but he worked harder than most people half his age, toting and lifting equipment and tables late into the night to get us ready. 

Like many a good thing, we lost Charlie way too soon, in a tragic car accident this past February. Although we are incredibly sad and already miss him immensely, we’d like to honor his Canadian Spirit by dedicating the festival in his name. 

Here’s to you Charlie!  You’ll always be in our hearts, we’ll never forget your Canuck attitude or your silky voice.  

A Canadian Blessing;

May the spirit of the land grant you peace,

The warmth of the community hold you close,

And the enduring hope of the heart guide you,

Through the seasons of life.