Where there’s a little wine and lots of food, yes, there’s music, too.
The 15th London Wine and Food Show is on at Western Fair District’s Agriplex Thursday through Saturday and while visitors will have a lot to taste, test and learn, several of London’s most talented up-and-coming musicians will play.
Saveria, who starred and won an episode of CTV’s reality-TV show, The Launch, a year ago, the jazz-rock-funk-R&B trio, Great Spirits, Ben Heffernan, Sarina Haggarty, Conor Moran, Melissa Megan, folk trio Northern Clearing and Patrick James Clark will all take to the show’s entertainment stage over the three days.
There also will be a dance showcase by the team at Phoenix Fitness for the Arts and on Saturday, Toronto’s Stacey Kay returns as headliner after wooing audiences at last year’s show.
Haggarty, the London singer-songwriter, opens the show Thursday at 6 p.m. with a solo set likely to include her new single, Meant To Be, being released Friday and produced by her professor and Canadian music icon, Moe Berg. It’s her second single release in two months, following December’s Want You So Bad.
“That was a lot of fun recording,” said Haggarty, who recorded her music at EMAC Recording Studios on Rectory Street.
“Moe is a really cool guy, a very good teacher. I learned a lot from him in the studio and it was cool hearing his ideas and getting his feedback.”
The 20-year-old performer, completing her final year in Fanshawe College’s prestigious Music Industry Arts program, said her music leans toward alternative pop rock, but “I think my music is just a mix of everything.”
“I’m excited and glad to be opening up the Wine and Food Show,” said Haggarty, cousin of award-winning singer-songwriter Julia Haggarty.
Haggarty will be followed by London’s Great Spirits, who are expected to ignite a party.
The music schedule for the three-day show is:
Thursday: Sarina Haggarty, 6 p.m.; Great Spirits, 8:30 p.m.
Friday: Melissa Megan, 6 p.m.; Phoenix Fitness for the Arts showcase, 8 p.m.; Patrick James Clark, 9:15 p.m.
Saturday afternoon: Ben Heffernan, 12:30 p.m.; Conor Morand, 3 p.m.
Saturday evening: Saveria, 6:30 p.m.; Phoenix Fitness for the Arts showcase, 8 p.m.; Stacey Kay, 9:15 p.m.
Event manager Robyn Baker said the Western Fair always tries to showcase local talent, at events like the fair’s I Love Local stage.
“We like to feature the local artists,” said Baker, adding visitors have the option of sitting or listening while as sample, browse or learn about food and wine.
“We get a little of both, people just listening to the music in the background, giving it a nice ambience, but there’s also a chance for people just to sit down and enjoy it.”
Kay, the veteran Toronto-based performer, brings a five-piece band to play her pop, soul and rap covers and original material. She had showgoers dancing last year, prompting a return invitation.
“It was really interesting,” said Kay.
“When we got there . . . the seats were empty and I was wondering what we were going to do. So, I thought ‘Our first song has got to be really big.’ And we started and people started coming and filling the chairs and we filled every seat. That’s when the pressure was on to keep it going. But we had a great time. The audience was really having fun. At one time, I looked to one side and there’s a crowd of young university students screaming and dancing and I looked to the other side of the stage and there was a group of seniors busting a move. It’s a really good time.”
IF YOU GO
What: Western Fair District’s 15th annual London Wine and Food Show
When: Thursday and Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-5 p.m. and 6-11 p.m.
Where: Western Fair Agriplex, 845 Florence St.
Tickets: Thursday and Saturday afternoon, $13 in advance, $16 at the door; Friday, $16 in advance, $18 at the door; Saturday evening, $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Couple packages (two general admission tickets and 30 sample tokens) are $54.99 Thursday and Saturday afternoon, $59.99 Friday, $64.99 Saturday evening. Advance tickets are on sale until Wednesday at 11:55 p.m.
Info: Western Fair District customer desk, westernfairdistrict.com, 519-438-7203, ext. 0, or toll free 1-800-619-4629