Established in 1997, the Heartwood Folk Club is among the longest continually operating folk clubs in Athabasca. It started with a vision by Peter Opryshko and Shirley Stashko to bring a wide variety of live music to Athabasca in a setting that was like listening to live music in your own living room. Today the Heartwood Folk Club hosts two concert series a year – spring and fall – at the Nancy Appleby Theatre in Athabasca.
Over the years, the Club has brought in a wide range of artists from around the world, singing a wide range of genres – everything from Folk, Pop, Rock, Bluegrass, Latin, Jazz and Country. We have hosted Juno Award Winners, Juno Award Nominees, Canadian Folk Music Award Winners, Canadian Folk Music Award Nominees and MORE! Some of the artists have been Judy Collins, Corb Lund, Dervish, Tim Huss and The Ennis Sisters.
Volunteers and Sponsors are the life-blood of Heartwood Folk Club. These dedicated people research and book artists, represent and promote the club at the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta Annual Artist Showcase and actively promote and sell tickets, including seasons ticket passes. Intermission snack and beverages concessions are frequently hosted by local special interest groups as fund raising opportunities.
