By Tyler Waugh / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Derina Harvey Band (DHB) will double down as headliner of the 41st Annual Shamrock Festival being held July 25-26 in Ferryland.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for the Edmonton-based Celtic rock band as four members hail from Newfoundland. Even more so for singer Derina Harvey, whose father, Ron, hails from Admiral’s Cove and her mother, Sheilagh, from Witless Bay.
“I was fortunate to visit the Southern Shore throughout my childhood and teen years. In later years, it was so very special for me to bring my children here to create lifelong memories,” she said. “They are all grown now, but I have pictures of them dancing on sunny (and foggy) afternoons at the Festival Park in Ferryland to the music of live East Coast traditional bands, just as I had done in my youth.”
Other DHB members include Steve Pinsent on drums, Ed Smith on bass, Scott Greene on guitar, and fiddler Jessica Blenis, who is from New Brunswick.
The group offers a fresh take on traditional folk songs, as well as a few originals, and earned the fans’ choice award for Entertainer of the Year at the 2024 East Coast Awards for what Harvey calls an ‘electrifying kitchen party’ vibe at their live shows.
Harvey herself has been acclaimed for her powerful vocals with accolades that include a Contemporary Singer of the Year Award at the 2025 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
In May of 2023 the band released its third, full-length album titled “Waves of Home,” which features eight original tracks and three re-imagined folk songs.
“When I’m songwriting about ‘home’ — its breathtaking beauty, the kindness and strength of the people — trying to capture its indescribable yet unmistakable magic and charm would be impossible without spending those precious moments with family and friends on the Southern Shore,” Harvey said, adding that the title track from Waves of Home is an invitation to all to come explore and fall in love with the beauty, the music, the landscape and the people of Newfoundland. “Coming back east to Newfoundland and Labrador, an area teaming with talent and legendary musicians we look up to, is both inspiring and rejuvenating,” added Harvey.
DHB will be featured at the opening night dance July 25 at the Arts Centre and take the stage again at Ferryland Festival Park for an all-ages event the next day.
The Shamrock Festival’s weekend lineup also features The Ramblers a visit from Lord & Lady Baltimore, a youth session, a Tribute to Ron Hynes, The Masterless Men and Down Forward.
There will be a beer garden and food truck on site.
Advance tickets for the 19+ dance on Saturday night are available at O’Brien’s Value Grocer & Ultramar in Cape Broyle, Ferryland Foodland, Riverside Restaurant & Lounge in Cape Broyle, and the Tetley Tea Room at the Folk Festival Centre. Doors open at 8 p.m.
