Norm Walker doesn't call himself a storyteller but rather a "story-singer". Even so, the storytelling communities, locally and nationally, have embraced what he does as within the realm of what they call "storytelling". Some call him a "contemporary folk singer". Whatever you call him, at the very least he is an "entertainer" who uses music and stories as his main vehicles, often with tongue in cheek.

Norm receives much of his inspiration from folk tales, urban legends, true stories and even internet office jokes. He then tries to find the balance of poetic lyrics best suited to an appropriate melody and style based on the musical influences that have most touched him. Those musical influences cover a broad range of styles, particularly British, Irish and old-timey traditional American song and tune forms. As well, there are other apparent influences from western, cowboy, swing and old popular songs (from 78 records). As a result, he is a bit difficult to pigeon-hole in terms of describing his style of music. Generally, horizons are broadened as the subject matter of the songs he writes is sometimes ... unusual.

Robbie Bankes and Will Lynch are a junior high celtic accordion and guitar duo. In their short year of playing together they have had the opportunity to perform at, among others: Kensington Market Collective, Cochrane Ecological Institutes Fauna Fest and AWA’s Climb for the Wilderness. Their influences include Lau, La Bottine Souriante, Fairport Convention, Dick Gaughan and Le Vent Du Nord. They are also regular buskers at the Calgary Farmers Market. They will be joined on fiddle by the amazing Danielle Lynch. You can contact them at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 I fell in love with the Water Valley Celtic Festival last year and can't wait to return.  I come to celebrate my family connections to this hamlet and bring to light the remarkable story of my great uncle and aunt Fred and Jo McKinnon who ran the general store at Water Valley for more than 40 years.
Fred was of Scottish heritage and Josephine was Icelandic and there's the connection.  She was the adopted sister of my grandmother Struna Sigurdsson.  As well as giving you some tales of local heroism, I will throw in some tales and verses from Uncle Fred and Aunt Jo's combined Celtic and Norse backgrounds.  Lots of fun.

I am president of TALES The Alberta League Encouraging Storytelling and active member of Storytellers of Canada.  See the websites at www.talesstorytelling.com and www.sc-cc.com
Storytelling and the Visual Arts have been at the centre of my life for 25 years and I have traveled across Alberta and Canada sharing my passion for stories.

Performances have included : being a featured storyteller for Kaleidoscope and International Literature conferences in Calgary,  the Edmonton Storytelling Festival, house concerts in Victoria, traveling across Alberta to perform at schools and libraries with the Young Alberta Book Society, circumnavigating the province of Newfoundland to perform again in schools and libraries, taking the stage beside Andy Jones, Elinor Benjamin and Dale Jarvis at the first St. John's NFLD Storytelling Festival in 2004, and performing at countless schools, story circles, street festivals, restaurants, concerts and cafes in Calgary.