In The Dead Of Winter Thaws Some Of Halifax's Deep Freeze

Despite Ani DiFranco's last minute cancellation, this year's In The Dead Of Winter festival roused listeners out of their seasonal hibernation.

The wintry festival, which spanned from Jan. 26 to 30, has breathed a little life back into the empty streets of Halifax for the last five years. Instead of incubating at home, In The Dead Of Winter coaxes us into venues usually within blocks of one another.

The festival circuit included The Company House, FRED Salon, Whet Bar and Café, St. Patrick's Church and the Bus Stop Theatre, though the plethora of talent is the nucleus of IDOW's atom. There's an orbit for everyone with over 50 acts in five nights.

Unfortunately, this year's opening night put a slack in the sail. DiFranco bowed out the day of her show, as she was down and out with a cold. But festival organizer Heather Gibson assured us she's working on getting DiFranco back next fall.

Dance Movie's performance the following night restored the festival wind, as Tara Thorne (vocals and guitar), Kinley Dowling (violin) and Craig Jennex (drums) navigated an incredible performance. It was a sneak-peek sampling from their forthcoming EP recently recorded with festival organizer Amelia Curran. Field Assembly, Ryan MacGrath and Luke Doucet also held down the fort at the Company House.

At St. Patrick's Church, the always-reliable Ruth Minnikin warmed the stage for Ron Hynes, while the gorgeous harmonies of The Wooden Sky warmed things up at the Bus Stop. Paper Beat Scissors and CR Avery's performance was later the talk of the fest. Over at FRED, Che Amie kicked things up for lovely chanteuse Pamela Underwater, who gave the stage over to one of the most charismatic performers around, Coco Love Alcorn.

Whether she's singing a sexual ode to riding her bicycle on "Fiori Modena," or giving shouts out to geeks on "Intellectual Boys," Coco Love Alcorn's big voice is taking her places. She's nominated for songwriter and female artist of the year at this year's East Coast Music Awards.

Thursday night up-and-comer Natasha Peach started things at The Company House, while Charlotte Cornfield, Thom Swift and Ken Whiteley kept the good times rolling. A congregation of keen-eared listeners gathered at St. Patrick's Church for The Good Lovelies and Rose Cousins' show.

While The Good Lovelies charmed their way into the hearts of Halifax, performing songs like "Lie Down," "February Song," and "Baby, I Got My Way," from their self-titled album, their rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" reiterated how truly good and lovely they are.

Later, the threesome joined Cousins on harmonies for a few songs, though it was special guests Melissa McCelland and Luke Doucet, who recently produced Cousins' latest album The Send Off, who made the evening spectacular.

"Just to think this is Canada's music power couple," said Cousins of the pair. "Both them of wear tight pants very well. I'm wearing the same pants, just six sizes bigger."

The beauty of Cousins is she tells it like it is. If it's not her beautiful voice that captivates audiences, it's her sense of humour. While her songs are heartbreaking in moments, her persona is resident funny-girl. It's a complimentary contrast that makes Cousins a solid performer, not to mention the songwriting found on The Send Off brings the artists into new creative heights. "I Were The Bird" could very well become Prince Edward Island's provincial anthem.

A few streets over, Jon Bryan, Kim Wempe and Ria Mae kept things afloat at FRED, while Leif Vollebekk, Acres And Acres, The Undesirables and Steve Gates drifted in melody into the late hours of the night at The Bus Stop.

Friday night, Klarka Weinwurm, Del Barber, The Abramson Songs and Melissa McClelland warmed hearts at The Company House, while Cahalen David Morrison, Racoon Bandit, Erin Costelo and Zumbini made musical mayhem at the Bus Stop.

Down at St. Patrick's Church, Carmen Townsend, Toronto's Bahamas and Winnipeg's own John K. Samson filled the house of holy.

The festival started early on Saturday, as organizers Tanya Davis and Don Brownrigg served up a feast of music and brunch at the Company House. There was an open mic that featured some spry newcomers, as well as some seasoned songwriters — Amelia Curran  blew everyone away with a brand new song. Montreal's Gabrielle Papillion had one of her most nerve-racking moments. She later confessed during her set at The Bus Stop that playing for Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland nearly made her toss her eggs.

New Brunswick's Babette Hayward sweetly serenaded a crowd at the Company House. Her artful melodies and earnest sentiment made everything seem warm and fuzzy. Jon McKeil shifted gears, beginning his set with Misfit's cover "Where Eagles Dare."

Across the street, Jenny Omnichord played a stellar set, followed by Dreamsploitation, while two streets down at the church, Prince Edward Island's darling Catherine MacLellan sampled an ethereal collection from her latest release, Water In The Ground. Justin Rutledge and Jim Bryson closed the show.

Over at FRED Gianna Lauren, David Ceila and Brooke Miller shut things down. Back at The Bus Stop Theatre, Toronto's Dinah Thorpe and her queer-centric, sexy, dance-worthy beats played the official last notes of the festival.