This will be a treat for the Acoustic Roots / Blues / Americana / New Orleans and vintage song styles that come out of these two wonderful players.

Doors by 7, Show @ 7:30, fully licensed, great beverages, coffee, snacks, desserts & shareables.

-----

Geoff Arsenault

Nova Scotia’s Geoff Arsenault is widely regarded as one of Canada’s finest roots drummers and a deeply compelling songwriter in his own right. A veteran touring and recording artist, Geoff has spent decades bringing his unmistakable groove, musical intuition, and understated style to stages across North America, Europe, and the UK. Equally at home behind the drum kit or front and centre with a guitar in hand, his music blends swampy blues, folk, Cajun, Tex-Mex, and soulful East Coast storytelling into a sound that is both timeless and distinctly his own.

Over the years, Geoff has collaborated and toured with an impressive list of acclaimed artists including Matt Andersen, Mary Gauthier, Amy Helm, Alejandro Escovedo, Ray Bonneville, Colin Linden, Michael Kaeshammer, and Rita MacNeil. His playing has been heard at major folk, blues, and jazz festivals throughout Canada and abroad, earning him a reputation as a musician’s musician — tasteful, versatile, and deeply soulful.

As a solo artist, Geoff’s recordings showcase rich songwriting, sly humour, and lived-in authenticity, drawing comparisons to the laid-back grooves of J.J. Cale and Tony Joe White. Whether performing solo or alongside fellow masters of the craft, Geoff Arsenault delivers roots music with warmth, depth, and irresistible rhythm.

Manitoba Hal

Manitoba Hal is one of Canada’s most distinctive and entertaining blues artists — a masterful guitarist, ukulele player, and songwriter whose performances effortlessly bridge deep traditional blues with modern roots storytelling. Known for his expressive vocals, fingerstyle playing, and magnetic stage presence, Hal has become a favourite on festival stages, in intimate listening rooms, and at blues gatherings across the country.

Drawing inspiration from blues legends such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters alongside Canadian songwriting greats like Gordon Lightfoot and Stephen Fearing, Manitoba Hal creates music that is earthy, witty, soulful, and unmistakably authentic. His original songs balance humour and heartbreak, while his interpretations of classic blues standards honour tradition without ever sounding dated.

A seasoned performer and educator, Hal has appeared at blues and folk festivals throughout Canada and has shared stages with many respected roots and blues artists during his years on the road. His performances are filled with stories, spontaneity, and remarkable musicianship — whether delivered through slide guitar, fingerpicked acoustic blues, or the warm, surprising voice of his beloved vintage ukulele.

Audiences consistently connect with Manitoba Hal’s ability to make every room feel personal and every song feel lived-in. Honest, engaging, and deeply rooted in the blues tradition, he brings both reverence and fresh energy to the music he loves.