I don’t often promote commercial ventures. However when these are in the guise of supporting fair trade, music, fair labour practices and a better life for all, I think otherwise.

The good folks at Fourfold Farms are having musical fundraiser. Its purpose is to raise funds to keep this organic venture going.

If you are around, this is a good way to spend the Sunday of the Labour Day weekend.

It is also a good warmup to the Annual Labour Day Picnic on Monday in Riverside Park.

Treble in the Fields - Fourfold Music Festival and Fundraiser

Sunday September 3rd

Directions: Fourfold Farm is at 7682 4th Line Nichol Twp, between Highway 6 (just south of Fergus) and County road 7 (just south of Elora) From Guelph take Highway 6 north, turn left at the 4th line. ph: 519-843-6822 or email fourfold@golden.net

Who: A whole bunch of groovy Guelph acts and a few imports to spread the love.

Schedule (subject to tweeking):

POI 1:00pm-2:25pm

Dead Pete 2:30pm-2:50pm

Lucid Dream - (an up and comin’ happening band, featuring Nathan Dyck) 2:55pm-3:05pm

Barley & Hops 3:10pm-3:25pm

Mike Sharpe 3:30pm-4:15pm

Martine Wizman 4:20pm-4:40pm

Dave Teichroeb 4:45pm-5:30pm

The Salt Lick Kids 5:35pm-6:20pm

Lisa Bozikovic 6:25pm-6:45pm

Big Smoke 6:50/7:00pm- 7:45pm

Dry Tickle 7:50pm-8:40pm

The Rizdales 8:35pm- 10:30/11:00pm

What Else: Great fresh organic food on a real organic farm! And not only fantastic veggies, wonderfully healthy meat as well.
Rain or shine

More info……
This message; a reminder of the Music Festival / Fundraiser at the farm this Sunday of Labour-day-weekend, September 3rd, 2006 (camping option on the Sunday evening into holiday Monday, is open as well.. ). A mostly local lineup of really good artists/musicians have once again generously donated their time and talents to the local cause here at the farm. (…the only acts that we haven’t gotten final confirmation on are the out of towners, The Rizdales and Gurf Morlix ).

In keeping with the past year’s ‘Treble in the Fields’, we have chosen among a myriad of possibilities another sub-theme / project to fundraiser for. This year the plan is to raise funds for a translucent heavy bale tarp for the bare hoops that are over the ’stage’.

This, is not so much to keep musicians out of the elements ( as it’s usually a good sunny day, and will be this time too, right…?), but to add some life to our old and ailing equipment , as well as transitional hay storage before it comes into the barn…

So it goes something like this ; Treble in the Fields 2006 presents the 7th annual Fourfold Farm Music Festival / Fundraiser : ” the Roof is Rain tight Ruckus”…. That said, it is a rain or shine event, as we have the barn literally behind us for a back up venue.

Donations will be accepted at the door as a pay-what you-can event . Funds from food sales, as is the custom, will also go towards this year’s project, ie. making sure the roof is Rain tight.

So what’s the Ruckus about?

…For some, the ruckus is about a reverence for & reveling-in the life on the farm, good music, friends, food and fun(ds) in support of a needed project; Sandra’s great meals, with vegetarian and meat options, baked treats and beverages ( …anyone who has a favorite dish they would like to add to the saleable buffet options, please do…; if so, you can give Sandra a call to let her know what you might bring…or just show up ) will be available all day. Fourfold’s own Demeter certified grass-fed beef will be on the barbecue as well. Volunteering for the food table etc. ( let us know if you can help in any way on the day of, or in preparation for… ) is most welcome.

We appreciate all of your support offered to the farm over the years and we look forward to sharing in the festivities with you again this weekend.

All the best,

Mark ( farmer and one of the owners)

ph: 519-843-6822 or email fourfold@golden.net

This is a call to join Lewis Melville by helping to sponsor the creation and production of a 2 CD collection of creative statements that reflect upon Canada’s international reputation and its current role in Afghanistan. As many of you already know, Lewis is a nationally prominent musician and producer with such credits to his name as working with the Barenaked Ladies, The Cowboy Junkies and other acclaimed recording artists. Lewis believes passionately in the projects he works upon whether these are with local efforts or with international artists in remote regions of Africa, South and Central America.

So what is this all about? I know that there is a great deal to read below. However, we want to give you a comprehensive look at this proposal and hope you will thereby pledge to support it. So please, keep reading . . .

Title: Afghanistan…On Guard for Thee?

Rationale: The recent shift in the nature of Canada’s military activity in the world is a cause for concern. We are sure that many of you agree.

Why is this happening? Is this the best way for us to deal with the problems in Afghanistan and elsewhere–especially when the military actions are beginning to imperil Canada’s ability to deliver meaningful foreign aid?

Why this project? Artists are free to give voice to ideas and feelings that many others are unable to express, either for political reasons, or because they do not know how. Yet, artists are not often in a position to self finance these efforts. You have
been asked to participate because we believe your financial support can help to spread this important message to other Canadians.

We would be honoured if you would like to contribute to this project of relevant songs, works of visual art, drama, dance, poetry, essays, and literature for “Afghanistan … On Guard for Thee?” You can do so by donating a 100-dollar share in the production costs.

What do you get for your 100 dollars? There will be no financial return. Any profit accrued from this project will be donated to non-partisan, benevolent organisations such as Doctors Without Borders/Médecins San Frontières. However, you are assured that you will receive a copy of the finished work – a 2 CD set which highlights the musical offerings so far contributed. Your name will also be among those on the production credits. Finally, you will also know that you were part of making something happen that will have a positive impact on the future – a demonstration that open and honest dialogue is still alive and well in Canada.

This project is 100% volunteer driven and non profit. If you know others who might be interested in helping to sponsor this effort, please pass this information along.

Sincerely,

Phil Allt
(519) 824-6790
phil@philallt.ca

Lewis Melville
(519) 824-8848
lmelvill@uoguelph.ca

Details:

We will work to attract interest from the media, especially the CBC about this new project. Lew is currently working on this with his many connections at the Corporaton.

Within a few days of announcing the project there were dozens of commitments from renowned local, regional, national, and international artists to offer their talents to this project. These include:

* James Gordon
* Josh Finlayson (Skydiggers)
* Dave Clark (Rheostatics, Gord Downie Band)
* Michael Johnston
* Tannis Slimmon
* NDP MP, Charlie Angus (Timmins, James Bay) - formerly lead hand with The Grievous Angels is on board for this and will be writing and performing a work for this purpose - Thank You Charlie!

Members of Parliament will be informed of the project, with the intention of promoting an open public debate on the issue.