Popular folk band Maggie’s Wake returns to Stratford this Sunday for their Spirit of the Season show.
Hitting the stage at Revival House, the band is promising traditional and original Christmas songs, as well as a few tricks up their sleeves, according to frontwoman Tara Dunphy.
“We did the Spirit of the Season show last year as well and it was a great success,” Dunphy said. “The people in Stratford are wonderful. They're so just naturally creative and drawn to music, drawn to art. So it just feels like a good fit for us.”
Maggie’s Wake is a Canadian contemporary folk group, with Dunphy on tin whistle, flute, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and lead vocals, Lindsay Schindler on fiddle and vocals, Stephan Szczesniak on percussion, Andrew Kosty on bass, Dean Harrison on piano and accordion, and Kenneth Palmer on guitar.
Some Stratford residents will remember the Frost and Fire Christmas show, a holiday show previously put on by local band Rant Maggie Rant that became a tradition for Stratford.
Rant Maggie Rant has since disbanded, but just as Maggie’s Wake is the band's successor, Spirit of the Season replaces the Frost and Fire Christmas show.
They also have an original Christmas song, “Christmas is Coming (for you).”
With Christmas decorations hitting the shelves the same time as back to school supplies, the song is about how Grinch-like the pre-season can make somebody, only for the holiday spirit to eventually take root as Christmas draws closer.
“I don't know, I guess that's our spin on a happy Christmas song,” Dunphy said with a laugh.
Maggie’s Wake’s debut album is scheduled to be released digitally in the new year, but it will be for sale physically at the Spirit of the Season shows.
Additionally, the first single from the album, Bridget O’Brien, will be released on Friday ahead of the Sunday show.
Dunphy said that the band is returning to Stratford because of the welcome they have gotten in the past. They are devoted to playing good music to audiences that appreciate their dedication and Stratford has that in spades.
Additionally, Revival House is a beautiful venue with excellent food, she said.
“Arts, culture, food,” Dunphy said. “That’s the whole point.”
Spirit of the Season runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Those interested can purchase tickets here.
