Festival Growing, Year by Year

New Hamburg Live! was created in 2009 to organize and present a five-day Festival of the Arts in New Hamburg. Originally, the organization was operated informally by a group of volunteers, but prior to the 2011 season, New Hamburg Live! was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.

In four short years, the Festival has grown to stretch over a full week, with more than a dozen events. Since 2009, the Festival has welcomed performers including The Irish Descendants, The Windemere Strings, Quartette, The Elmer Iseler Singers, The Essentials, Barry MacGregor, Ken Whiteley, David Francey, The Toronto All Star Big Band, and many more. In 2012, headliners will include John McDermott, the Canadian Brass, and Essential Opera.

The Festival has also presented the work of many local musicians, singers, artists and authors, and will continue to foster local talent as part of its mandate.

As well, New Hamburg Live! produces the annual New Hamburg Dickens Christmas Carol in December, which brings internationally known actors and musicians to the community in a fund-raising even that benefits Wilmot Family Resource Centre.

New Hamburg Live! presented a special performance at The Jazz Room in Waterloo, on Thursday, May 3, with "The Stars of New Hamburg Live" performing in a jazz concert in that venue. The event was a sell-out, and New Hamburg Live! has been invited back this fall. Stay tuned.

New Hamburg Live! depends on the support of businesses, individuals and granting organizations, and of course, on the involvement of the Waterloo Region community.

Key organizers of the festival include:

• Vicki St. Pierre, Musical Director
• Paul Knowles, Executive Director
• Nancy Knowles, Producer
• The Board of Directors of New Hamburg Live! Inc. includes:
• David Beattie
• Erik Kuttis
• Anita Hanson
• John Hanson
• Nancy Knowles
• Paul Knowles
• Dr. Susan Seyler
• Dr. David Whitehead
• Linda Whitehead

As well, the following play key roles in the organization:

• Cheryl Gordijk, Treasurer
• Nigel Gordijk, Webmaster and Designer
• Kristen Hahn, Tickets
• Margaret Bennett, Tickets
• David Jutzi, Barrister and Solicitor
• Edwin Lamont, Accountant

A complete list of supporters and advertisers can be found on those pages of this website.