The 20th edition of Medicine Hat's winter Tongue on the Post music festival runs from Jan. 26-31. Suzie Vinnick performs at Mauro's Italian Cafe & Bar to kick off the 2024 festival.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Medicine Hat’s annual Tongue on the Post folk music festival has released this year’s schedule and lineup.
The festival kicks off Jan. 26 with the annual Supper & Song event at the Medalta reception gallery. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a buffet-style Mediterranean meal featuring chicken skewers, falafel, rice, potatoes, grilled veggies, salad and desert by Hometown Culinary Inc.
John Wort Hannam and Moranz & Fremlin will provide the entertainment for the inaugural event. Tickets to the Supper & Song are $65.
Tuesday marks the beginning of a three-night VIP Kiln Series with Jim Bryson. Bryson, a National Folk Award-nominated singer-songwriter, formerly toured as a side player for numerous Canadian artists, including the Tragically Hip.
Seventy seats are available for each show, with tickets on sale for $30. Shows start at 7 p.m. and will feature a bar provided by Medalta.
Other artists performing at this year’s festival include local duo The Prairie Chicks on Wednesday and first-time festival performer and Alberta-born singer-songwriter JJ Shiplett on Thursday.
Friday night will feature Local Singer-Songwriter Night, a free event that promises to introduce Hatters to the latest local talent. That performance kicks off at 7 p.m.
The festival wraps Saturday with a day-long event featuring four stages, a pancake breakfast, a local artisan market and a headliner gala, with breakfast available by donation starting at 8 a.m. and performances scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year’s headliner is Juno award-winning folk and country artist Valdy. Tickets for the headliner gala are $55, and the event starts at 7 p.m.
Tongue on the Post is taking over Medalta from Jan. 26-31, giving music lovers the opportunity to attend live performances inside the Canadian National Historic Site Medalta, including in the beehive kiln once used to fire pottery in the early 1900s.
Celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary with this year’s iteration, the festival has been a highlight of the winter season in Medicine Hat, showcasing a combination of storytelling through history and music.
“Medalta has been a natural home for Tongue on the Post. Both Medalta and the festival are rooted in Medicine Hat, and we’re happy to showcase this crown jewel in the city,” said Rob Pape, the festival’s executive director.
Tickets for all of the Tongue on the Post events are available at the Tourism Medicine Hat webpage.
