House Of Folk Opens Its Doors & Heart

Firehall Arts Centre has been transformed into the Firehall Coffee House for the world premiere of House of Folk: A Lost Canadian Folk Show by Tracey Power.

With musical arrangement by Van Wilmott, the production brings together a cavalcade of great Canadian folks song of the 60s and 70s. Set in a coffeehouse in the Yorkville village of Toronto, which, before they paved paradise and put up a luxury condo, was a hotbed of the 60s Bohemian counter culture that cultivated some of Canada’s most acclaimed and respected musical and literary talents, like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Ian & Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot, Robbie Robertson, Leonard Cohen and Margaret Atwood. Michelle Bouey, Steve Charles, Ben Elliott, Jack Garton and Caitriona Murphy brilliantly portray five members of the scene, who represent a cross section of the ideals and political views of the day.

The audience settles in to Set Designer Sarah Donald’s homage to the coffeehouse, full of wonderful touches to be recognizable to anyone who has ever spent time in any of these iconic gathering places, before the ubiquitous coffee chains took hold. From the boxes of supplies stored by the backdoor, to regulars’ coffee mugs hanging behind the bar, or the community bulletin boards serving as a social network before Social Networks. Most importantly, the stage, a coveted spot that entertained but also nurtured a generation of talents as they gathered around a 10 cent cup of coffee and literally and figuratively found their voices and poured it into their songwriting.

Each deserving of their own headlining gig, our talented quintet of performers are found reminiscing on their time playing and hanging out with a who’s who of Canadian talents. From crossing paths and working with folk, rock, country and pop artists or the literary luminaries that put Canada on the map, these famous five were in the places where it happened. With the five players singing and playing an orchestra of instruments House of Folk feels part concert, part history lesson that rolls along with a comforting familiarity. Even for those not around at that time these songs and honoured artists are so timeless they’re still performed, sampled and covered today. However, in this setting and under the spotlight of the players’ memories these songs find a new feeling as we are hearing them in the context that they were written. Reflecting the life and trials of the times, whether light or heavy, the vignettes set the scene for the birth of these songs.

From Ian Tyson migrating from Victoria, to Ontario to write his first hit, Four Strong Winds, in just 20 minutes, or Mars Bonfire’s original ballad version of Born To Be Wild which in the hands of his brother’s band Steppenwolf became the iconic rock anthem we know today. Opposition to the Vietnam war influenced a host of musicians and Neil Young being driven to write Ohio after seeing a photo of the Kent State shootings of war protesting students. Willie Dunn wrote about Indigenous issues that are still unresolved decades later. Michelle Bouey’s rendition of Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi perfectly fits the evolution and gentrification of Yorkville Village.

While a lot of heavy issues influenced the music, House of Folk also finds some laughter, Caitriona Murphy peels through a rendition of Vicki Taylor’s, topical in its day but comical now, Birth Control Blues. Steve Charles, Ben Elliott, Jack Garton perform The Brother In Law’s satirical Canada-USA from 1965, a laughably appropriate song for the current relations between the two countries.

From the ups to the downs of a pivotal two decades in Canada’s folk music landscape, Tracey Powers with Donna Spencer and Van Wilmott have crafted a beautiful tribute to timeless talents from our country that will make Canadian audiences swell with pride.

The World Premiere of House of Folk: A Lost Canadian Folk Show plays until March 8 at The Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street. Visit firehallartscentre.ca for details, showtimes, special performances and tickets