The Newmarket Folk Society is kicking off its 2025 season with Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala for a special evening of music on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Juno nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Walther and Carabine write and sing in harmony best described as angelic, according to a news release.
"These two best friends met in their high school music class in 2002; they have since released five albums and toured extensively across North America. Darlings of the Canadian music scene, Dala are now poised to bring their fresh brand of acoustic pop music to the world," the society said. "The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans."
Dala is equally entertaining between songs, telling funny and down-to-earth stories that make every show unique.
Dala has opened for artists such as Tom Cochrane, Stuart McLean of the CBC’s Vinyl Café, Richie Havens and Arlo Guthrie. No strangers to the festival scene, they have also performed at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, the Edmonton Folk Festival, California’s Strawberry Festival and Mariposa. They were the only Canadian act invited to play at the 50th anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival, and they recently played a sold-out show at Hugh’s Room in Toronto.
Dala’s latest album, Best Day, was nominated for three Canadian Folk Music Awards: English Songwriter of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year and Producer of the Year.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. at the Newmarket Legion, 707 Srigley St. Tickets, $30, can be purchased online (newmarketfolk.com) or by calling 705-431-7182 (leave a message.)
The Newmarket Folk Society will wind up the 2024-25 season with Maggie’s Wake on March 15 and a rousing show with Russell deCarle, Steve Briggs and Russ Boswell on April 26.
