Nanaimo Folk Connection

2011 marked the release of Penny Sidor's second cd, Not One Mile - a collection of 11 originals and one cover (Thimbleberries by Joanna Finch). Not One Mile establishes Penny as one of Canada's most talented and most interesting songwriters.

Over a career spanning 40 or so years, Penny has traversed many musical styles, primarily traditional, but also contemporary singer-songwriter material, improvisation, blues, art song and children's songs. Her musical inspirations include Joni Mitchell, Elizabeth Cotten, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, June Tabor, Big Mama Thornton, Stan Rogers, Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt, Susan Crowe, The Watersons ... and many more.

This diverse musical starter-culture informs her writing and performance. Not One Mile, and her first cd, Days of August (2007), are stunningly eclectic. The songs are exceptionally well-crafted, with not a word wasted nor a chord out of place.

As Penny says, 'There is something to becoming a songwriter at the age of 55. And songwriting is a beautiful creative outlet - a distillation of thoughts, emotions, images and dreams. I love the process.' It was a late blooming of a hidden talent, uncovered at the Red Cedar Songwriter's Camp in 2006, which unleashed the songs and ultimately lead to the recordings of her work.

With the help of fellow camper and creative catalyst, David Essig, a prolific songwriter, as well as a brilliant producer, arranger and recording engineer, Penny laid down her first originals on Days of August. David encouraged her to record the next group of songs, and Not One Mile was laid down in the winter of 2011.

As a live performer, Penny is completely at ease and very much herself on stage, peppering her concerts with tall tales, jokes, personal stories and banter with her audience. Each song is a gem, and the evening is a musical journey through emotions, images and life's dramas.

The listener alternately weeps and laughs, thinks and dreams.

An immigrant from the UK at the unripe age of one, Penny spent her early years in various parts of Ontario. The family eventually settled in Whitby, on the shores of Lake Ontario.

After travelling, working here and there, and performing at many festivals and folk venues, Penny studied music at York University and graduated with honours.

From 1988 or so she began giving voice instruction, specializing in teaching singing for the terrified. In 1995, she founded WomenFriends, a weekend music and creativity camp for women that ultimately generated an international network among singers, dancers, writers, painters, sculptors – artists of any discipline. Many participants considered these weekends a temporary utopia and a life-changing event.

Now semi-retired, Penny lives in the Gulf Islands, west of the west coast of Canada, with dogs, a large garden and a small A-frame cabin. Who knows where the path of the songwriter will take her.

Come join us for an evening of singing & good cheer!

The Nanaimo Folk Connection

Hope Lutheran Church - 2174 Departure Bay Road

Friday, January 20, 2012

Feature: Penny Sidor!