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Canadian high
In recent years, Guelph’s Hillside Festival has gone from a crusty hippy throwdown to a major celebration of Canadian music, ranging from pop and jazz to hiphop and indie rock. Confirmed performers for this year include the Barenaked Ladies, Danny Michel and Martina Sorbara, but expect the lineup to dig much deeper as showtime approaches. $30-$80. July 25-27, Guelph Lake Island. www.hillside.on.ca
King of Collingwood
As someone who grew up near the (then) sleepy ski village of Collingwood, let me tell you there is nothing stranger than several thousand Elvis fanatics in bell-bottoms and fake sideburns taking over a country town for a weekend. The annual Collingwood Elvis Festival has grown from a freak show into an international celebration of all things Presleyesque, including special appearances by some who “knew” the King. You can also buy peanut butter and banana sandwiches on the street. Individual events $10-$70. July 25-28. 1-866-444-1162. www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com
Om sweet Om
The Om Summer Solstice Festival, a rural electronic music extravaganza, moves the dancing from the clubs to the fields. Live performers include dub massive the Resinators and underground hiphop upsetters BrassMunk, while DJs like Asian Underground superstar State of Bengal and local selectors Dahlia, Zahra, Chocolate and dozens more spin between sets. $80-$90. June 20-22, Killaloe. www.omfestival.ca
Summerfolk simmers
Like Mariposa, Summerfolk has tried to expand its audience while staying true to its hardcore folk constituency, bringing in singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith (fresh off a tour with Coldplay) to play alongside Bob Snider, Kelly Joe Phelps, the Road Dog Divas and others. $65-$80. August 15-17, Kelso Beach Park, Owen Sound. www.summerfolk.org
All-star Watershed
The fourth incarnation of Watershed, the benefit for victims of Walkerton’s tainted water catastrophe, goes massive, featuring sets from Bryan Adams, Peter Frampton, Chantal Kreviazuk, LeAnn Rimes, Merle Haggard and the beardos of ZZ Top. Pray for an all-star jam at the end of the weekend. $96/day, $146/weekend. August 30-31, Walkerton. 416-870-8000. www.watershedfestival.ca
Downie does Mariposa
If Mariposa, Canada’s oldest folk festival, was looking for a crossover artist to pack the fields, they got one in Gord Downie. The notoriously eccentric frontman of the Tragically Hip leaves the cottage rock of his day job aside to present the offbeat pop of his sophomore solo set, Battle Of The Nudes, alongside more traditional folkies like Bruce Cockburn, Tanglefoot and James Keelaghan. $25-$75. July 4-6, Tudhope Park, Orillia. 416-870-8000. www.mariposafolkfestival.com
