Medicine Hat Folk Music Club

Medicine Hat Folk Music Club We are a club dedicated to supporting live music in our community by hosting concerts, singer songwriter nights and our annual winter folk festival TOP.

Fond folk festival memories planted the seed of an idea with the founding members of the Medicine Hat Folk Music Club. They asked "Why couldn't Medicine Hat have folk music concerts and maybe even a folk festival some day?"

So.... In the early spring of 2002, the first meetings of this new folk music family were held and a board of directors chosen. Our vision is to bring to Medicine Hat regular

live concerts showcasing the many different folk genres. These include (but are not restricted to!) Celtic, Native American, Country Swing, Zydeco, Blues, Gospel, Bluegrass, Roots Country, Alternative Folk, Latin, Gypsy, African, Klezmer.... and more. Founding members of the club: Les Pearson, Darla Sawatsky, Betty Aitken, and Donna Robinson. In the spring of 2002, the four of us all came to the same realization at the same time: We needed more live music in our lives. Our dream was to host a folk music festival in Medicine Hat, but after talking to other music clubs, we decided to start off small with 4 concerts in our first year (2002/2003). Fortunately, we chose wisely with Harry Manx, the Billhilly Band, Eileen Laverty and Jerusalem Ridge. To bankroll ourselves, we staged a couple of successful garage sales at Donna Robinson's house (2002 and 2003) and chipped in some of our own money. We formed a society in 2003 and then a charitable society in 2007. A board was formed and our meetings have always been well-attended and lively because we share the belief that “it’s all about the music”. We also continue to ask ourselves “Are we having fun?” (The answer has to be “yes”!)

Things went so well in our first year, that in 2003/2004, we were able to go 5 concerts per year. Then, in January, 2007, our dream of a folk festival was realized when Tongue on the Post was born. Singer Songwriter Night (SSN) started in 2006 at Cafe Caprice, then Prickly Pear then Inspire in 2012. This is a monthly opportunity for any musicians to perform in an “open mic” setting. Our mandate is to encourage local musicians and this has helped us to do that. We often have “featured performers” from other parts of the province for the second half of the night and open mic for the first half. Phyllis Sinclair got Singer Songwriter Night going and it is now being handled by Tina Bannow

Join us in the adventure! Become a member, become a mentor, become a friend!

04/24/2026

📢 OFFICIAL NOTICE: Medicine Hat Folk Music Club Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Board of Directors hereby invites all members and the public to attend our Annual General Meeting(AGM). This is your opportunity to hear about our progress over the past year, review our financials, and help shape the future of live music in our community!

📅 DATE: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
🕖 TIME: 7:00 PM
📍 LOCATION: Stir Studio – 767 6th St SW, Medicine Hat, AB

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS:
* Review and approval of the 2025 Financial Statements (as required by the Alberta Societies Act).
* Report from the Board of Directors on the past year’s successes.
*Election of the 2026-2027 Board of Directors.

🌟 JOIN THE BOARD!
Are you passionate about the local music scene? We are looking for energetic, community-minded individuals to join our Board of Directors. Whether you have skills in event planning, finance, social media, or just a love for folk music, we want to hear from you!

Nominees must be members in good standing. Nominations will be accepted from the floor during the meeting.

LEGAL NOTES:
In accordance with the Societies Act of Alberta and our bylaws:
1. Financials: The annual financial review will be presented for member approval.
2. Voting:Only members in good standing are eligible to vote on club business and elections.
3. Quorum:We require a minimum attendance of members to officially conduct business—your presence is vital!

Questions? Please message us via email at [email protected].

Let’s keep the music playing in Medicine Hat! See you there! 🎶

02/01/2026

🔥 WOW. JUST WOW. 🔥
JJ Shiplett absolutely rocked the stage and stole our hearts with a powerful, unforgettable performance to a sold-out crowd 🙌❤️
We were truly blessed to have him in our lineup for our Thursday night Kiln show—the energy, the songs, the connection… pure magic from start to finish.
What a talent. What a night. One we won’t forget anytime soon 🎸✨









02/01/2026

🎶 ANOTHER ONE OF OUR OWN 🎶
Brandon Thomas—Director with the Medicine Hat Folk Music Club, a huge talent and supporter of the arts within Medicine Hat. Brandon along with Stir Studios was this year’s generous sponsor of our amazing pancake breakfast 🥞👏
This magical instrumental said everything words couldn’t. Just another powerful reminder of the incredible talent living right here in our community and within our Folk Club family ❤️
Thank you, Brandon and company for all you do—for the music, for the breakfasts, and for the community that makes it all matter. We’re so grateful for you ✨








02/01/2026

🎶 THIS is what folk music is all about 🎶
A Valdy sing-along in the Kiln—voices raised, smiles everywhere, and that unmistakable feeling of community ❤️
Up close, heartfelt, and full of moments that give you goosebumps… Valdy absolutely did not disappoint. Just songs, stories, and a room full of people singing together the way folk music was meant to be.
If you were there, you know.
If you weren’t… we’ll see you next time 😉






02/01/2026
Congrats to Noreen Dederer Leach on Winning the Online 50/50 - $355!! Ticket # B-1034 Please contact Shantel Proulx to...
02/01/2026

Congrats to Noreen Dederer Leach on Winning the Online 50/50 - $355!!
Ticket # B-1034

Please contact Shantel Proulx to claim your prize or message us here! Congrats!

02/01/2026

🎶 HOMETOWN TALENT, HEARTFELT MOMENTS 🎶
A truly touching moment of TOP Fest 2026 came from our very own Greg Harman—Director, Singer/Songwriter Coordinator, and all-around legend in our eyes.
Greg shared an incredibly moving song that stopped us in our tracks and reminded us just how much talent we have right here in Medicine Hat and in our Folk Club Family ❤️🎸
Beyond the music, a huge thank-you to Greg for the countless hours of hard work behind the scenes—and for being a gracious, comical, and absolutely perfect Master of Ceremonies throughout the festival. You kept us laughing, listening, and feeling right at home.
We’re so grateful for everything you bring to TOP Fest and to our folk community 👏✨







02/01/2026

🎸 SURPRISE! 🎸
Valdy dropped in at TOP Fest 2026 for an unforgettable surprise show in the Kiln—and wow… what a moment 😍🔥
Up close, unplugged, and pure folk magic echoing off the brick walls. One of those shows that reminds you why live music (and surprises) are the very best kind.
Huge thanks to Valdy for the songs, the stories, and the gift of a truly special Kiln moment 💛
TOP Fest never fails to surprise us… and we LOVE it.






02/01/2026

🎶 WHAT. A. WEEK. 🎶
What an incredible performance from our headliners Terra Spencer and Valdy—thank you for closing out our 20th Anniversary Tongue on the Post Festival in true folk style 🙌❤️
From Medalta Festival Day clips to late-night songs, big harmonies, belly laughs, and lifelong memories… this week was packed with amazing talent, beautiful music, and even better friends.
A massive THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support the Medicine Hat Folk Music Club, our artists, and this special community. And endless gratitude to our legendary volunteers—you’re the heartbeat of this festival and we couldn’t do it without you 💛
Already counting down to next year… because once you’re part of the TOP family, you’re in for life 🎸✨







Medicine Hat Folk Club's Singer Songwriter Night

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