The Friends of Leith Church invite you to participate in the maintenance and restoration of this historic 'Auld Kirk' by attending the many events and concerts planned for this year. We have purposely retained our traditional low-ticket prices in order to build an audience for The Leith Summer Festival, which continues to feature some of the finest artists performing today in Canada. From CEILIDH to CHRISTMAS we present a menu of services, performances and activities that will provide a wonderful introduction to the outstanding acoustics and beauty of our heritage church and its surroundings.

Sunday May 22 [2:30 pm] - 13th Annual Memorial Service and Cemetery Decoration Day

This Annual Memorial service presents an opportunity to both honour and remember those who are interred in the Leith Cemetery. It is also an opportunity to attend to the presentation and maintenance of the grave sites. This year we honour Rev. Arthur Reynolds, minister of the Church from 1937-1950.

It has become customary for the Friends of Leith Church to designate the graves of those who have served in Canada's military - from the Fenian Raids of the 1860's to the Armed Forces of the 21st century - with the placement of special flags or markers. Historical tributes to families represented in the cemetery are incorporated into the Memorial Service.

** Saturday July 2nd [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert One - The Gryphon Trio

Saturday July 16th [ 10 am - 4 pm ] 8th Annual Country Market

'Under The Tent' local artists, artisans, authors, and antiques - at the Leith church. Come and visit the Country Market
Vendor's application available here.

** Saturday July 16th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Two - Laura Tucker mezzo soprano with Robert Kortgaard piano

** Saturday July 30th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Three - The Bremen String Quartet

Sunday July 31st [ 11:30 am] - Historic Leith Church Anniversary Service and 'Lunch Under the Oak'

This annual service of worship will celebrate the 146th anniversary of the restored Leith United Church building and the 149th anniversary of its establishment as a Church of Scotland (Auld Kirk) congregation by its pioneer founders in the summer of 1862. Rev. Krystal Magee will be the guest minister and Jack Fearnall the worship leader.
Following worship, the traditional 'Lunch Under the Oak' will be served; a congenial time of food and fellowship. Collection only.

Saturday Aug 6th [ 7 pm - 9 pm] - CEILIDH and Highland Concert

This year’s Historic Leith Church ‘Highland Concert and CEILIDH’ is full of Fiddles, Stepdancing and Celtic song. A wonderful evening of roots music and dance awaits the audience as absolutely the very best performers in these fields ‘strut their stuff.’ For a second year in a row, we are blessed with featuring ‘The Becketts’ who first appeared at this popular Leith outdoor concert event about ten years ago. Since that time, the then precocious Beckett kids have grown to be outstanding performers in the world of fiddle music. Backed, as usual by father and grandfather, Linsey Becket will show how she has since become a dazzling star of the fiddling world.

We are also pleased to announce that Jamie Smith, a Scot tenor, accompanied by Don Buchanan will be entertaining us. At the end of the night all the performers will gather together to jam in the true spirit of a CEILIDH.

Admission to the Leith Church ‘Highland Concert and CEILIDH is free with a collection taken for the continuing restoration and maintenance of the church. This is an outdoor concert held on the church grounds at the rear of the church, so bringing a blanket or portable chairs is advised. In the event of rain, it will be held inside where seating is limited to 180 persons.

** Saturday August 13th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Four - Anne-Julie Caron, marimba, and Marc Djokic, violin

** Saturday August 27th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Five - Monica Whicher - Soprano and Judy Loman - Harpist

Friday September 16th [evening] & Saturday 17th [afternoon] - SweetWater Music Weekend

Saturday Oct 29th [ 7:30 pm ] - Brian Pickell Band

Returning to Historic Leith Church after a three year absence from the area, the incredible Brian Pickell Band is scheduled to appear at Leith's outstanding acoustic space on Saturday evening October 29 at 7:30 pm.

Pulled together by the magnetic, globe-trotting compositions of Brian Pickell and by their shared love of traditional music, the Brian Pickell Band provides an evening stunningly musical and energizing listening. The group showcases the superlative fiddling talents of Shane Cook, multiple winner of the Canadian and Grand Masters Fiddle Contests and the American Grand National fiddle competition. Shane "rates at the top of the short list of the finest fiddlers in the world today" says the Canadian Fiddlers' Hall of Fame. As a member of the touring group BOWFIRE he is often seen performing on the Bravo television network in Canada and on many PBS stations in the United States. Also featured is Ottawa music producer and multi-instrumentalist James Stephens on fiddle, mandolin and viola; Pat O'Gorman, an admired veteran mainstay of the Canadian music scene playing flute, whistles and bagpipes; Julie Schryer, widely considered to be one of the finest piano and keyboard accompanist in Canada; and of course Brian Pickell, the accomplished composer, singer, guitarist, banjo and mandolin player. Brian's fresh sound and fiddle tunes are widely played and recorded by popular solo artists and bands in Scotland, Ireland, USA and of course here in his home country. The music played at a Pickell Band concert ranges from driving and raucous jigs and reels to warm and lyrical tunes and songs, friendly to their old-time, traditional Celtic roots. Although all these players possess impressive individual performing skills, their concerts are very much about the great joy of playing together.

Reserved seating tickets at $22 are available at the Roxy Theatre Box Office, 251 - 9th Street East in Owen Sound, or by calling 519-371-2833 or 1-888-446-7699. Tickets will be on sale at Leith Church one hour prior to the concert at a cost of $24.

Sunday December 18th [ 7:30 pm] - "14th Annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols" Readings, Carols & Advent Music. - Collection only.

Featuring Amati String Quartet - Jennifer Potter (soprano) - Jamie Smith (tenor) - Bert Hood (piano) and Special Guest Readers. Join us in the lamplit beauty and warmth of Leith’s ‘Auld Kirk’ to hear again the story of the birth of Christ in word and song. The lessons will be read by members of the North Grey community and there will be congregational carol singing of many old favourites.

This is a very popular event and as seating is limited to 150 persons, we suggest an early arrival to ensure a place. Tickets are not needed.

Second Tuesday of each month (unless noted) 'Fiddle Jams'

- donations only.
At 1:00 pm - Jan 11th/2011, Feb 8th, Mar 8th

At 7:00 pm - Apr 12th, May 10th, Jun 14th, Jul 12th, Aug 9th, Sep 13th, Oct 11th

At 1:00 pm - Nov 8th , Dec 13th,

[ please note the Jan 10th/2012 and the Feb 14th/2012 jams will be held at Seasons beside the Canadian Tire Store in Owen Sound]