The SweetWater Music Festival kicks off this month on Tuesday, September 16 at 7 p.m., with a free event at the Roxy Theatre. You can meet and mingle with SweetWater’s 2025 performing artists, catch a live performance of Mozart, and watch the premiere of two short films about Sweetwater.
In the buildup to and during the 20th anniversary season, local filmmakers Gail Gallant and Michael Allder did several interviews that have become the basis of two short documentaries celebrating SweetWater. SweetWater – How it Began tells the story of how one family and their friends started the festival. The other, Small Town – Big Idea, asks what makes SweetWater unique, with founding Artistic Director Mark Fewer and the current Artistic Director Edwin Huizinga.
Together these two mini docs cover the ingredients necessary for any small town cultural event to come to life – and stay alive: the vision, conviction, and the volunteer support needed to pull it off. (And, in this case, a lot of potluck dinners!)
SweetWater – How it Began takes us back to the very first SweetWater Music Festival in 2003 and tells the story of an audacious suggestion by Jean Medley of Annan at a farmhouse kitchen table. The Medley family, together with their longtime family friend and virtuoso violinist Mark Fewer joined forces. His vision and inspiration, combined with the community volunteers that were game to tackle the practical work, made the idea come alive.
In those early days, the family farm of Keith and Jean Medley became the home base and command post, and the venue for after-concert parties. Jean Medley is no longer with us, but telling the story of SweetWater’s birth is Keith Medley, joined by his two sons, Ian and Evan, and the late Judith Thomson, a stalwart of the community of Owen Sound SweetWater volunteers.
Small Town – Big Idea is a conversation between the two gifted musicians who have led SweetWater – its founding artistic director, Mark Fewer, and his successor and once violin student Edwin Huizinga, now the current artistic director. For 19 years Mark was the heart and mind of SweetWater. What was his vision? And how does his successor Edwin keep that fire going? Listen in on the conversation of two brilliant violinists, both of whom are passionate about building up community fellowship through world class live musical performances.
These two short films, running under 20 minutes each, were produced and directed by Gail Gallant and Michael Allder, and shot and edited by Bill Loucks. All three are retired veterans of CBC Television. Additional camera and sound by Triple Point Media.
Financial support comes from the Grey Bruce Community Foundation and Cynthia and Mark Lemon.
This month, music lovers from across Ontario and beyond are invited to the shores of Georgian Bay for six extraordinary days of world-class performances, community events, and creative connection. The SweetWater Music Festival 2025 returns September 16–21 with Dreamscapes — a bold and inspiring program blending classical masterworks, contemporary premieres, Cuban jazz, and global folk traditions.
Led by celebrated violinist Edwin Huizinga and featuring visionary cellist-composer India Gailey as this year’s Composer-in-Residence, SweetWater 2025 brings an international roster of top musicians into intimate venues in Owen Sound, Leith, and Meaford. Audiences will experience music up close — from the beauty of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante to the soulful songs of Moira Smiley, and the exhilarating rhythms of the Hilario Durán Trio.
- Tuesday, September 16 – SweetWater Mini Documentary Premiere & Artist Meet-and-Greet (free) at the Roxy Theatre, celebrating the festival’s 20-year history through film, live music, and conversation.
- Wednesday, September 17 – Exclusive Pass Holders’ Concert at Meaford Hall Gallery — a special thank you to Festival Pass holders.
- Thursday, September 18 – Folk virtuoso Moira Smiley & The Rhizome Quartet bring soaring harmonies to the Harmony Centre.
- Friday, September 19 – Chamber Music Under a Starry Night at Historic Leith Church, featuring Mozart’s G minor Viola Quintet, the world premiere of India Gailey’s Bristlecone, and Vaughan Williams’ lush Piano Quintet.
- Saturday, September 20 – A full day of music for all ages, from Yoga & Guitar at sunrise to the family-friendly Music for Munchkins, free guitar recital with Brendan Evans, instrument makers exhibit, and Classical & Choral Jam Sessions. Evening concerts include Castle in the Sky, blending Holst, Caroline Shaw, and Elgar, followed by Late Night Jazz with Hilario Durán Trio.
- Sunday, September 21 – Soul Care Sunday (free), the Next Wave Showcase of emerging talent, and the grand finale concert at Meaford United Church featuring Vivaldi, Golijov, and Mozart’s radiant Sinfonia Concertante with Huizinga and violist Keith Hamm.
Festival Passes ($200) include all concerts plus the exclusive Pass Holders’ event. Individual tickets are available via the Roxy Theatre Box Office (519-371-2833, boxoffice@roxytheatre.ca) and online at sweetwatermusicfestival.ca. Many events, including workshops, artist talks, and community jams, are free. www.sweetwatermusicfestival.ca
