Aliant StreetBeat Returns
Aliant StreetBeat returns for a fourth season this July and August. This year, there will be seven very special unplugged shows at the City Market on Saturdays and daily weekday performances at lunchtime in the City Market Plaza during July and August.
Saturday, July 8, 11:00 AM:
 Over 200 awards, at 18 Samantha Robichaud is classed as one of Canada's best.
Samantha has evolved a smooth unique feel and sound to her fiddle playing and sweet singing style. Her vivacious personality and lively youthful presentation truly presents her as an exceptionally talented upcoming force to be reckoned with. With the addition of Acadian roots her playing is further enriched through a deep love and respect of her cultural background.
So far in 2005, Samantha’s fourth recording, “Vivacious”, received two East Coast Music Awards nominations in the Instrumental Artist & Roots/Traditional Categories. She also placed 2nd in the Teen Category (Elmo’s Reel) in the International Songwriting Competition 2004, with Honorable Mention in the Instrumental Category (Vivacious).
In 2004 Samantha showcased at the International Folk Alliance Conference in San Diego, Francofete in Moncton and Contact Alberta. In 2005 she has already showcased in New York at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, the East Coast Music Awards and the Folk Alliance/Strickly Mundial in Montreal.
Saturday, July 22, 11:00 AM:
 Aside from his work with the Grapes of Wrath, Kevin Kane has released 2 solo acoustic albums, both met with critical acclaim and enthusiasm from Grapes fans and a whole new audience who have discovered Kevin's quiet, artful song-writing and sparse acoustic arrangements. "Neighborhood Watch" was released in 1996, and more recently, Kevin recorded an album of paired-down covers, called "Timmy Loved Judas Priest" in 2001. (This was named after a scene in the cult indie documentary, "Heavy Metal Parking Lot.") Kevin has also developed a strong reputation as a producer, working with artists like Zumpano, The Salteens, Star Collector, and Wayne Lavallee.
What's remained consistent is Kevin's desire to create music with heart and write songs that capture the essence of his life experience, coupled with his intensely beautiful guitar playing. Kevin has just completed recording a new solo album to be released in 2006. This is Kevin's first full-band recording since the Grapes days and finds him joined by Nelson Bragg (Quarter After, Mockers, Brian Wilson Band) on drums, Stefan Bienz on upright and longhorn bass, and Christina Zaenker's layered cellos and vocals. Entitled "How To Build A Lighthouse", its Kevin's most varied and dynamic collection of music and will be released in late 2006.
Saturday, July 29, 11:00 AM:
 For 33 years Morgan Davis has played the blues in Canada from Victoria, B.C. to St. John’s, Newfoundland, as well as Europe and the U.S. Morgan writes the songs, drives the truck, sets up the gear and performs traditional and original Blues. His venues range from 30 seat coffee houses in the B.C. interior and Annapolis Valley to huge folk and blues festivals, performing for crowds of thousands. Playing with a band for the first 25 years of his career, recent years have seen Davis make a successful transition to performing as a solo artist.
Originally from Detroit, Davis came to Canada from California in 1968. While living in Rochdale College, Toronto’s then-Mecca for the subculture of the late 1960’s; he began his career in the hallways playing the songs of Robert Johnson.
He has played with and backed up such blues greats as Sunnyland Slim, James Cotton, Hubert Sumlin, Snooky Pryor, Mel Brown, Elvin Bishop, Muddy Waters, Johnny Shines, Bukka White and Dr. John. Over his career he has opened for Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, John Hammond, Albert Collins, and many more.
Saturday, August 5, 11:00 AM:
 Stripping the technology off local trip-hop/folk fusion group Zoebliss to one third the ensemble, you have the combination of singer/songwriter Brenley MacEachern’s crooning vocals and acoustic guitar mixed with the earthy fiddle undertones of Lisa MacIsaac. Welcome to the moody and hypnotic music of local duo Mad Violet.
Moving from a larger band and sound has proven successful as they pick up where zoebliss left off gathering more into the fold with their emotionally charged, passionate live performances that has seen them touring clubs and festivals across Canada and the US.
Fusing melodic voicings with luscious fiddle lines around their intimate pop sound, Madviolet transcend their traditional instrumentation to find a balance between the retro and the modern. A dreamy mood both ethereal sweet as it is intense and challenging.
Saturday, August 12, 11:00 AM:
 With her expressive guitar playing, beautiful melodies, and evocative vocals, Cat3herine MacLellan pulls the listener into her world of song. Described as having a "quietly magnetic" stage presence, Catherine's voice stretches out and hovers in a room with a projection that is deceptively low-key, but ends up fisted in the hearts of her audience. They listen, and soon are caught in the skillful, gentle web of her words. Somehow, when she finishes, even her longtime fans are left wanting more. Tall, slender and suddenly shy, Catherine will slip from the stage—as natural and striking as her performance.
Catherine was born in southern Ontario, but from a young age has lived on Prince Edward Island. Coming from a musical family (famed singer/songwriter Gene MacLellan was her father) there was never any doubt in Catherine's mind about her life's work. She began her musical journey early, and now at twenty-five, her strength as a songwriter, confidence on guitar, and unique voice and style set her apart.
Saturday, August 19, 11:00 AM:
 Andrew White originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, moved to New Zealand when he was 16 and quickly established himself as one of NZ's top guitarists and singer-songwriters. He released his first album, Conversations, in 1984 and was immediately signed by the US label Narada Records. So far, he has recorded nine, including Islands, a collaboration with 1995 Grammy-nominated artist David Arkenstone.
Following a live broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland, he was snapped up by Linn Records and recorded Guitarra Celtica, a stunning instrumental album featuring 16 hauntingly beautiful original tracks. His latest recording and Andrew's first vocal album, Pray For Rain, features such artists as Karen Matheson (Cappercaille), Michael McGoldrick (Afro Celt Sound System), and Brendan Power (Sting, Ray Charles).
Andrew White has toured internationally as a soloist and supporting superstars such as Irish folk rock group Clannad, The Corrs, Michelle Shocked, The Indigo Girls, Taj Mahal and many more. He also toured with Scots folk/MOR outfit Capercaillie and took a 50,000-strong German festival audience by storm in a pairing with Brendan Power, the harmonica sensation from the Riverdance Orchestra.
Saturday, August 26, 11:00 AM:
 THE CARSON DOWNEY BAND has been "Burnin' Up" East Coast stages since the early eighties.
A combination of southern soul, Texas blues and pure electric rock n' roll, THE CARSON DOWNEY BAND recorded their debut album, "ALL THE WAY" at Halifax's Solar Studios in the fall of 1999. 17 National Awards and a broken record deal later, the band is still hammering out the tunes on their constant tours of Canada, Japan, Asia, Europe and the US, playing to amazed crowds everywhere.
For this performance, Carson Downey will go acoustic for the first time and he will be joined by fellow Haligonian Mark Raven on the second acoustic guitar.
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