On the brisk evening of January 18, a room full of warm, smiling faces shared songs and stories in a historical home on Charles Street. Sackville local Andrew Ennals took over ownership of the Greenslades building in 2018. Born and raised in Sackville, Ennals moved to Ontario for several years and was drawn back home at the start of the pandemic. Initially intended to turn Greenslades into an Airbnb, the historical home has been given new life as an intimate music venue for artists who are local to the area or just traveling through and in need of lodgings. “When you’re on the road, a warm bed counts for a lot,” he shares.
Songs & Stories was the first all-local show to take place in Greenslades. Although the performers all originated from different places, all have found where they belong in Sackville. From Ontario, Newfoundland, Brooklyn NY, and Cape Breton respectively, four performers—Klarka Weinwurm, Steve Haley, Vin Cacchione, and Tess Poirier—played original songs about love, loss, anxiety, resilience, and cows. They joked with each other and the audience, shared capos and guitar picks, and told the stories that accompanied their songs. For the finale, they collaborated to perform “Handle with Care” by the Traveling Wilburys.
The next Greenslades show, on February 8, will deliver a genre-bending fusion of bluegrass and jazz. Seating is limited, so get there early to save your spot on the big rug by the fireplace.
