Your Tickets
Subtotal:
Handling (PayPal only):
Twenty years ago, local folk music enthusiasts and house concert hosts Jack Cole and wife Lori, envisioned a top notch folk music venue in Kitchener. Previously folk music was mostly enjoyed locally at outdoor festivals, busking events, and small house concerts. The Coles dreamed of a fixed venue that would showcase local folkies, up-and-coming national talent, as well as established international folk music stars. They pitched the idea to Kitchener’s Registry Theatre — a refurbished performance venue located within the city’s historic Registry Office. Out of this collaboration, Folk Night @ the Registry was born, holding the first of its now 19 seasons (and counting) on Oct 14, 2006.
Besides the top-notch calibre of the performers, a key to Folk Night’s success these past twenty years is largely due to the devoted efforts of its skilled volunteer staff, many of whom are folk musicians in their own right, and mostly drawn from a folk club hosted for 31 years by Jack & Lori… the Old Chestnuts Song Circle. These talented volunteers continue to devote their efforts to handling all theatrical and technical issues to produce smooth-running and polished shows that cater to the talents, personal needs, and musical demands of its performers, offering them a seamless, polished, and professional concert venue.
Over the years Folk Night @ the Registry has earned a well-deserve reputation as a favoured concert venue for local and international folkies including Valdy, Tom Chapin, Eileen McGann, James Keelaghan, Sylvia Tyson, Connie Kaldor, The Ennis Sisters, Dala, RUNA, John Gorka, Peter Yarrow, Katherine Wheatley, Dave Gunning, Lennie Gallant, and many, many other equally famous folk musicians, as well as hosting tribute concerts in memory of Stan Rogers, Harry Chapin, and John Denver. In 2009, three years after its launch, the series was recognized by the region when it was awarded the KW Arts Award for New Festival or Event. Word of the welcoming reception its performers receive from the Folk Night hosts, volunteer staff, and audiences, has made it a popular stop on many performers’ Canadian tours.
The 160-seat theatre is a comfortable and accommodating facility that provides an intimate atmosphere for both performers and audiences alike. Highly-skilled sound and lighting technicians see to it that all performers are presented to their highest standards, and that audiences experience the concert to their highest expectations. One thrill for our performers is that our audiences love to sing-along, which adds to everyone’s enjoyment of the show.
For the past three years, to address the popularity of online streaming media, Folk Night has simultaneously broadcast its shows live online from the theatre. This viewing option is widely appreciated by regulars who might find it hard to attend in person, or due to inclement weather. Performers likewise express their appreciation for having a professionally-rendered video recording of their performances available for promotion purposes, or for the enjoyment of family or friends. While live audiences get to enjoy a door prize draw during the mid-show break, our live stream audiences get to enjoy our popular recorded interview segment hosted by renowned DJ, interviewer and folk music supporter Jan Vanderhorst of “Just us Folk” as he sits and converses informally with our guest performers.
Folk Night at the Registry, the Registry Theatre, and the Old Chestnuts Song Circle have helped make Jack & Lori’s goal of bringing folk music to appreciative audiences in the KW area, a dream come true for the past 18 years, and ongoing into the future.