Celebrated world artist brings rare and personal concert series to Québec and Eastern Ontario this October
August 29, 2014
Celebrating three decades as Canada’s ground-breaking independent artist, Loreena McKennitt is set to bring a rare tour to Québec and Eastern Ontario this fall. Normally performing with her band in large concert halls around the world, this unique series will feature McKennitt in the trio formation which garnered her a 2012 Grammy nomination for Troubadours on the Rhine.
Joined by her long-time collaborators Brian Hughes and Caroline Lavelle, the evening will feature material McKennitt has seldom played in recent years, with a rare opportunity for audience members to pose questions to Loreena about her storied adventures, self-managed 30-year career, philanthropic projects and civic activities.
“In addition to presenting some songs I’ve not performed for a while, I am looking forward to sharing more of my travels and literary inspirations. I also look forward to responding to questions folks may have about my career and other activities. I always enjoy engaging directly with people.”
McKennitt’s eclectic Celtic blend of pop, folk and world music has sold over 14 million albums worldwide. Her recordings have achieved gold, platinum and multi-platinum status in 15 countries on four continents. She has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won two Junos, as well as a Billboard International Achievement Award.
Loreena has performed in some of the world’s most-respected and historic concert venues.. from Carnegie Hall to the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain and for dignitaries including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and numerous heads of state.
In addition to her musical career, McKennitt has been recognized for a number of noteworthy philanthropic initiatives. In 1998, she founded the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety, and she was instrumental in the transformation of a 1929 neo-Gothic school into the Falstaff Family Centre, a charitable organization focused on families and children.
Loreena is a Member of the Order of Manitoba (2003) and the Order of Canada (2004), and in 2013 she was appointed Knight of the National Order of Arts and Letters of the Republic of France. As a privacy advocate, she won a landmark privacy case in the UK. She has also been awarded four honorary degrees for her non-musical endeavours.
In 2006, she was appointed as the Royal Canadian Air Force honorary colonel of 435 Transport & Rescue Squadron (Winnipeg). In September 2014, Loreena was appointed as the new honorary colonel of the RCAF by the Minister of National Defence, Rob Nicholson.