Looking ahead to Westben's 23rd Season!

Announcing our 23rd Season of Live Concerts opening July 1rst, 2022! The month-long festival will feature over 70 artists and twenty-five concerts of classical, broadway, jazz, folk, pop, fiddle, rock, opera, and comedy. New this year is spoken word by Peterborough’s Poet Laureate Sarah Lewis from Curve Lake First Nations, From his home on the Yendinaga Mohawk Territory, David Maracle brings to life the ancestral teachings of the Haudenosaunee People through magnificent stone carving and music around the Westben Campfire.  Musicians Natalie MacMaster, Joel Plaskett, William Prince, and Eve Parker Finley will perform on Willow Hill and Ofra Harnoy, Barbra Lica, Carol Welsman, Karina Gauvin, Queer Songbook Orchestra, Brian Finley, OKAN, Michael Kaeshammer, Mary Walsh, and Canadian Brass will be featured in The Barn.  The broadway revue ABBA Mia will have you dancing in your seats in The Barn and on Willow Hill.  The campfire series features Sarah Lewis and David Maracle hosted by Alderville First Nations Chief Dave Mowat and Suzie Undgerleider and Julian Taylor hosted by Ken Tizzard.  

 But Westben is more than just great performances, it is an unforgettable experience.  Gourmet picnics on the meadows curated wine and beer selections from the Milk Shed, pre-concert chats, guided nature walks on a neighboring Nature Reserve, and a chance to relax by the pond all make Westben a unique place to be. “Westben is where music comes to life amidst breathtaking nature,” says Westben Co-Founder Donna Bennett. 

Westben is located on a 50-acre farm and the original venue, The Barn, seats 400 (pre-COVID) and has doors that roll open onto a beautiful meadow. It was designed to bring nature into the Westben concert experience.  In 2021 Westben removed the first section of seats and put in movable ones to allow flexibility and social distancing.  New circulation fans were installed and with the doors open it feels like an outdoor experience.  Wanting to offer their audience even more freedom of the outdoors, in 2021 Westben created two new outdoor venues.  Willow Hill is a natural grassy amphitheater located north of The Barn by the pond and the grand willow tree.  Audiences bring their own chairs and enjoy the music getting even closer to the beautiful nature. The new Campfire venue, created by Westben volunteer Doug Keene, is an intimate space with music, stories and campfire treats such as smores and baked brie. 

Watching the sunset while listening to music around the campfire is unforgettable.

- Donna Bennett

During COVID Westben kept connected with its communities through its Digital Concerts at The Barn series which continues to feature monthly premieres that are free to the public.  The archive of concerts, podcasts, and behind-the-scenes footage can be found on Westben’s new interactive Digital Venue, Westben’s YouTube channel, and main website westben.ca.  

Tickets are now on sale to Members until January 31 and to the General Public on February 1st. Become a Member today to get priority seating.

 Book online or call us at the Box Office 877 883 5777.

Join us at Westben where music comes to life amidst breathtaking nature.