Festival of Small Halls

The PEI Mutual Festival of Small Halls, a traditional music, dance and storytelling festival, returns to rural communities across Prince Edward Island from June 13–22. Over 40 acts across 30 shows will fill community halls and performance spaces from tip to tip.

The signature Shakin’ The Shingles opening show at Historic St. Mary’s, just outside of Kensington, kicks things off June 13. The bill includes Inn Echo, Kellie Loder, Patrick Ledwell, and festival favourite, The Fretless.

For two weeks, Islanders and visitors alike are invited to share in the love of music, dance and storytelling in traditional meeting places steeped with community significance and cultural heritage. Venues like St. Peters Courthouse, Stanley Bridge Hall, and the Stompin’ Tom Centre offer intimate backdrops for these eclectic shows.

Big local acts like Maukin, Vishtèn, Richard Wood, and Joce Reyome will grace the stages alongside rising PEI stars like Noah Malcolm, Shane Pendergast, and Tiffany Liu. Canadian performers include singer-songwriters The Pairs, Nico Paulo, and Wyatt C Louis, and Clerel, Shane Cook, and Les Royal Pickles. Maritime favourites such as Fiddlers’ Sons, Garrett Mason, and Campbell and Johnson are on the bill once again, while comedians Arthur Simeon, Martha Chaves, and Shawn Hogan return to the Festival.

The rich traditions embedded in the artistry of these local and national performers reverberate in the gracious host venues that have been essential to the communities they reside in for years on end. This timeless pairing is a part of why the PEI Mutual Festival of Small Halls has been named Music PEI’s Event of the Year on six occasions.

For the full schedule and list of performers, visit smallhalls.com. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 902-892-2308, and in person at the Maypoint Plaza, 161 Maypoint Rd, Charlottetown. Attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets early, as performances sell out regularly.