What, the Folk?

On Friday, August 12, four friends will get together on stage together for the first time for a Songwriter’s Circle hosted by Bruce Enloe of the Branch Restaurant and presented at Irene’s Pub in Ottawa. Bruce met these giants of the Ottawa Folk Scene through his recently sold music venue “The Branch” in Kemptville; the evening will be a celebration of that (continuing) music venue where Bruce was the chef, owner, music booker and frequent open stage host and performer for the past decade… Greg Kelly, Pat Moore and Arthur McGregor have each been returning performers in addition to each having hosted or been involved in some of the recurring events that have been a part of the Branch culture through the years.

Greg Kelly has released 2 albums, (currently ‘in production’ on number 3!) performed numerous times throughout the area and is probably best known for constant promotion of the songwriting community through events and projects like Chysalis, Folkrum, and his regular ‘Tunes after Noon’ series that has attracted local legends like Lynne Hanson, Keith Glass, John Carroll and more at The Black Irish in Vanier. He has also hosted the First Sunday Open mics at the Branch for the last several years…

In the 1980’s Pat Moore played dog-house bass and sang lead and harmony in Maple Hill, an award winning bluegrass band. Later, Pat ventured out on her own, writing, and releasing her debut solo CD, The Time’s Never Been Better. In 2003 Pat recorded her second CD, Take it to Heart, and formed her band The Vinyl Frontier. Pat continues to write, and performs solo, and in various combinations with members of the Vinyl Frontier – Pat McLaughlin, Ann Downey, Al Bragg, and Alistair Dennett. She has also returned to bluegrass, with the resurrected Maple Hill Bluegrass. Pat is also the creator and producer of the (annual) Ottawa Opry in support of Amnesty International, as well as producing and presenting the annual Christmas GOOSE concert in aid of the Ottawa Food Bank. Pat is also the author of a not-for-profit children’s book, Clean Water for Lukong, published in 2011, and the organizer behind Bluegrass Mondays at Pressed and along with Maple Hill, a long-runnning bluegrass jam at the Branch…

Arthur McGregor is the founder of the Ottawa Folklore Centre and is an experienced, versatile performer who has played on stage since he was 12 years old. Besides being a member of the Celtic Rathskallions, he leads community singing, writes songs about topical issues, and arranges unusual versions of national anthems. For 19 years, Arthur opened the Ottawa Folk Festival playing his ragtime version of O Canada. He is the recipient of the Helen Verger Award (municipal), the Estelle Klein Award (provincial) and the Canadian Folk Music Award’s ‘Unsung Hero’ award (national) for his work in folk music across Canada… In addition to numerous shows at the Branch with his Celtic group, Arthur was (literally) instrumental in helping start a Ukulele group jam that ran at the Branch and has been a friend and advisor through the years…

Look forward to an evening of songs, stories, harmony and fun banter with friends…

clockwise from top left: Bruce, Greg Kelly, Arthur McGregor and Pat Moore