Bet Smith & The Currie Bros band will perform at the Sawdust City Music Festival

The inaugural Sawdust City Music Festival comes to Gravenhurst this August long weekend and promises to cement the town’s already impressive reputation as a centre for great music events (check out the awesome Peter’s Players and you’ll see what we mean).

Festival headliner Jim Cuddy (Photo: Dustin Rabin Photography)

Conceived by acclaimed singer-songwriter and Roaring Girl Records owner Miranda Mulholland, the festival is already garnering great attention thanks to its roster of top Canadian musical talent. Headlining is none other than the great Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo fame (and also a good friend of Mulholland’s).

Mulholland’s timing is perfect. Launched to coincide with Canada’s sesquicentennial – the 150th anniversary of the founding of our confederation – the internationally travelled songstress taps into her family roots and brings a stellar list of big names to the heart of Muskoka for the three-day festival from August 4th – 6th.

It’s not surprising that Mulholland’s original proposal for this momentous cultural festival celebrating Canada’s raw and eclectic, ever-changing music scene was well received by the Town of Gravenhurst.

“We were very excited when Miranda approached us with this idea for a new music festival in town,” says Krista Storey, Gravenhurst’s Manager of Arts and Culture, who was particularly impressed by Mulholland’s ability to corral big names. “We really appreciate that she wants to bring this festival featuring top notch talent back to her roots, and we’re very proud to be a part of it. These are the types of unique, cultural initiatives that attract visitors and help create economic sustainability in small towns like Gravenhurst.”

And Jim Cuddy agrees. “There is nothing more rewarding than supporting young entrepreneurs in this often harsh music biz. I love Miranda’s talent for performing music, and now I get to experience her talent for creating a great community event.”

Continues Cuddy: “I couldn’t be happier to come to Muskoka to play at the Sawdust City Music Festival, put on by my good friend Miranda Mulholland,” he says. “Muskoka holds a special place in my heart with summer days at my aunt’s cottage or out in boats cruising slowly around the beautiful lakes with my teenage friends. Can’t wait!”

Great Canadian Talent

In addition to the Jim Cuddy Family Band, the list of big names that will grace the three-day festival includes a jaw-dropping line-up of some 20 other acts, including:

• Abigail Lapell
• Bet Smith & The Currie Bros
• C&C Surf Factory
• Devin Cuddy
• Jeremy Dutcher
• Ferraro
• Zachary Lucky
• Jessica Mitchell
• NQ Arbuckle
• Benjamin Hermann
• Briar Summers
• Julian Taylor Band
• Justin Rutledge
• Tim Moxam and Liz Stringer
• Mélanie Brulée
• Northern Beauties
• Papa John Witterick
• Winnie Brave

Also performing is Mulholland herself, who’ll be taking the stage with Andrew Penner as the duo Harrow Fair.

The Gravenhurst Connection

Ask Mulholland “Why Gravenhurst?” and she’s quick to share the story of her deep local roots. Her great-great-grandfather, Charles Mickle, owned the lumber mill that was to give the town its nickname of Sawdust City. Twice voted Gravenhurst’s mayor, it was, perhaps fittingly, also Mickle who commissioned the construction of the town’s iconic Opera House.

It seemed quite natural, says Mulholland, to celebrate this heritage at the same time as supporting Canadian music while providing visitors to the region a unique musical experience.

“When I created my record label, I had a hypothetical festival in mind,” she says. “A festival that celebrated collaboration, cross-genre, and musicianship, the cornerstones of the label. It is beyond my wildest dreams that it’s actually happening now and in Gravenhurst.”

Mulholland goes on to share a little of her own experiences of Gravenhurst, and why it holds such a special place in her heart.

“This town has been my favourite spot for my entire life. I was brought there in utero! My great great grandfather believed in the power of the arts when he had the Opera House built on the main street. It was called ‘Mickle’s Folly’ at the time but it is still going strong after 115 years. I’m so excited to be reinforcing his testament to the necessity of

music, art and culture in our society with the inaugural Sawdust City Music Festival.”

To say community and culture are very important to Mulholland is an understatement; cultural engagement in the arts is her life.

VIP Packages and Tickets

The Sawdust City Music Festival certainly has a little something for everyone.

Options include exclusive VIP packages that allow guests to get up-close and personal with the bands, sample drinks from Muskoka’s award-winning Sawdust City Brewery, an evening of music at Gravenhurst’s historic Opera House, the Sawdust Stripped Down acoustic series, a Songwriters’ Workshop, and a free concert on Sunday evening that’s also part of the town’s 50 year old summer music series, Music on the Barge.

Highlights include:

• Super VIP Package: 
  • A ticket to a Star-Studded Cottage BBQ & Concert, including a boat ride to and from the cottage, musical performances by guest artists, complimentary beverages, BBQ and hors d’oeuvres
  • A preferred seating ticket to the Jim Cuddy Family band show
  • VIP reception at the Opera House, including beverages and hors d’oeuvres
  • Meet and greet with Jim Cuddy
  • A ticket to each of the three performances at the Sawdust City Brewery, with front-of-the-line-access
  • Private tour, tasting and performance at Sawdust City Brewery
  • Limited edition screen printed festival posterVIP Package:
  • A preferred seating ticket to the Jim Cuddy Family Band show
  • VIP reception at the Opera House, including beverages and hors d’oeuvres
  • A ticket to each of the three performances at Sawdust City Brewery, with front-of-the-line-access
  • Private tour, tasting and performance at Sawdust City Brewery
  • Limited edition screen printed festival poster

• VIP Package:
  • A preferred seating ticket to the Jim Cuddy Family Band show
  • VIP reception at the Opera House, including beverages and hors d’oeuvres
  • A ticket to each of the three performances at Sawdust City Brewery, with front-of-the-line-access
  • Private tour, tasting and performance at Sawdust City BreweLimited edition screen printed festival poster

 For further details and for tickets, visit the festival website at www.sawdustcitymusicfestival.com