By Jennifer Farwell
With 20 candles on its cake this year, the Great Canadian Theatre Company’s Acoustic Waves series is still thriving on bringing live music to the theatre.
Acoustic Waves is an annual music series, featuring folk musicians from North America.
The shows have grown from small beginnings. Today, the series has a strong following.
Local folk musician Ian Tamblyn recognized Ottawa needed this music series. The singer-songwriter had been showcasing his music in Western Canada, where clubs put on series of acoustic music, he says.
After returning to Ottawa, Tamblyn and other local folk musicians came together in the GCTC to create Acoustic Waves.
“The goal was to try and bring Canadian (folk) artists together, equally men and women from across Canada… and also, to present local opening acts,” he says.
The focus has now shifted. Opening acts are no longer always local artists, and some headliners are American.
“It’s strayed a little bit… but Canada has also changed over the past 20 years. It has become more Americanized,” says Tamblyn.
While the focus has changed over the years, the series hasn’t forgotten its past, says Reilly.
“You want to have a little bit of stuff that ties back to what you’ve been doing, and a little bit of forward-looking, new stuff,” he says.
To mark Acoustic Waves’ 20th anniversary season, one show will revisit the series’ beginnings, Reilly says. Tamblyn, a founder and one-time artistic director of the series, along with other past artistic directors, will once again grace the stage for the season’s last show in April.
One integral part of Acoustic Waves’ history remains unchanged, Reilly says. For the most part, artists find themselves performing against the backdrop of a theatre production set. Artists often adapt their shows to these sets and create an experience unique to Acoustic Waves.
Canadian singer-songwriter Mae Moore finds this setting an attraction.
“It has a warmth that I don’t think larger venues possess,” she says.
Moore, a familiar face from Acoustic Waves’ past, will find herself performing on the set of Bea’s Niece, when she headlines the second show of the 20th anniversary season on Oct. 28.
“I feel very flattered, very honoured and very excited to be a part of it… 20 years is a momentous occasion,” says Moore.