This season the Sweet Grass and Thistle concert series is starting a new tradition in Saugeen, that of an old fashioned kitchen party. This concept has been happening in the Maritimes for some time but it is new to this part of the country.

A sight often seen on the east coast is kitchen sessions with guitar players, someone playing “chin” music and a singer. Often called a “Ceildh”, the sessions boast merriment and good food, something the Sweet Grass and Thistle concert series is becoming known for.

The tasty food served at intermission gives folks a chance to meet and mingle.

This second of six concerts of the Sweet Grass and Thistle series is set to get underway on Saturday, May 27 at 7 p.m. at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Southampton and will feature host Kelly Babcock of Hot Black Coffee. Babcock learned to play at an early age at the kitchen table. Joining him will be Scatter the Cats, a well known Grey Bruce Celtic dance band who have been playing traditional music at church halls, folk festivals and dance halls for over three decades. Scatter the Cats are also long lived members associated with the Glenelg Full Moon Country Dance band.

The concert series, designed to fill the pews at two area churches, is also to build bridges between the aboriginal and non aboriginal communities and raise funds for community projects.

Tickets are $20 and are available at the Saugeen Band Office, Saugeen First Nation; Vincent Jewellers in Southampton; Rabbit Dash, The Pea Pod and Books and Strings in Port Elgin; and the Bus Stop Cafe and the Bleeding Carrot in Owen Sound.