Songs in the Garden: Community, Creativity, and ‘Common Ground’

 Article and photos by Melanie Macpherson

On a rainy Saturday, June 7th, in the cozy charm of a 1919 character home near Langham, a small but enthusiastic group of aspiring songwriters gathered for Songs in the Garden, a collaborative workshop held in the lead-up to this year’s Art in the Garden festival. United by the 2025 festival theme—Come Together—participants ranging in age from preteens to well-seasoned adults came to learn, connect, and create.

The workshop was led by three outstanding Saskatchewan artists: 

🎶 Earl Pereira – 3-time JUNO nominee, 9-time WCMA award-winner, frontman of The Steadies, and co-founder of Wide Mouth Mason. A veteran performer who’s toured with legends like The Rolling Stones and Van Morrison, Pereira brings decades of experience and has mentored hundreds of Canadian artists. 

🎶 Karissa Hoffart – A powerful country vocalist with a long list of stage credits including Country Thunder, Telemiracle, and the Grey Cup Festival. Known for her dynamic performances and genuine stage presence, Karissa has shared the spotlight with Tenille Arts, Doc Walker, and more. 

🎶 Justin LaBrash – Saskatchewan’s 2023 Male Artist and Songwriter of the Year, LaBrash has played over 600 shows across Canada. A six-time SCMA award winner and the creator of North America’s first drive-in concert tour (#driveinsask), he blends high energy, heart, and innovation in everything he does.

The day began with a relaxed Q&A session where the mentors shared their journeys, songwriting processes, and creative philosophies. From there, we dove into a series of ‘creative kickstarters’—idea-generating exercises designed to get our minds moving and our pens flowing. Whether it was word association, melody mapping, or emotional storytelling, each activity was crafted to spark inspiration and ease us into the collaborative process.

Then came the main event: writing an original song as a group. Split into two teams, participants got to work shaping lyrics, experimenting with chord progressions, and building melodies from scratch. My group’s challenge was to write a song titled Common Ground—a title rich with meaning in a time when connection often feels elusive. What followed was a genuinely inspiring process: sharing personal reflections, finding musical agreement, and layering each voice into something cohesive and honest. With the mentors offering guidance and feedback along the way, the song came to life organically—a true product of collective effort.

After a midday break to refuel and chat, we returned to polish our compositions. The day wrapped with performances from each group—nervous but proud showings that left us feeling energized and connected. We ended not only with lyrics and melodies, but with a shared excitement for what’s to come.

And in this case, what’s to come is the Art in the Garden festival itself, happening Saturday, June 14th, just outside of Langham. Music lovers, art aficionados, and community-minded folks alike won’t want to miss this full-day celebration. The Songs in the Garden Showcase kicks off around 1:00 PM, where you’ll hear the workshop songs performed live—including my first stage appearance since 1997 (fingers crossed I’ll have the lyrics memorized by then).

The artisan market runs throughout the day, offering a wide selection of local painters, potters, jewellers, henna artists, and more. Families can also enjoy the children’s garden, filled with interactive art and music activities for younger visitors. Live music will keep the vibe going from roughly 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with performances by Saskatchewan favourites like The Great Fuss, Skaravan, and headliners The Radiant.

Rain or shine, it promises to be a magical day—filled with creativity, connection, and community spirit. Whether you’re coming to shop, sing, or simply soak in the energy—don’t miss your chance to be part of something special. Come out, and come together.