Serena Ryder Brings Soulful Tunes to Huntsville

Did Serena ever busk in downtown Huntsville?

This July, Huntsville welcomes one of Canada’s most compelling singer-songwriters, Serena Ryder, as part of the prestigious Huntsville Festival of the Arts. With her versatile voice, heartfelt lyrics, and unwavering advocacy for mental health, Ryder is set to deliver a powerful and intimate performance at the Algonquin Theatre on Thursday, July 3, 2025 —a must-see highlight of Muskoka’s summer arts season.

Born in 1982 in Toronto and raised near Peterborough, Serena Ryder comes from a richly musical background—her mother was a backup singer, her father played in a Caribbean folk band, and her uncle, Ojibwe singer-songwriter Bob Carpenter, added a deep cultural dimension to her upbringing.  A gifted child, she began performing at eight in local coffee houses and halls, releasing her first cassette, Falling Out, at just 17.

Her breakout came with Unlikely Emergency (2005), and she won her first Juno for Best New Artist in 2008. Mega-hits like “Stompa” and “Weak in the Knees” cemented her as a national treasure—earning seven Junos, multiple awards, and slots at events like Lilith Fair and the Pan Am Games.

In 2021, Ryder released The Art of Falling Apart, tracing her journey through depression to wellness. Accompanying it was ArtHaus Community, reflecting her commitment to mental-health outreach. Recognized with the Margaret Trudeau Mental Health Advocacy Award, Serena continues to blend her art and activism with unfiltered honesty.

Ryder’s ties to the Huntsville area run deep. She previously headlined at the 2014 Muskoka Sound Music Festival at Lion’s Lookout and has delighted local audiences before, including a packed show at the Algonquin Theatre back in 2009.

Excitement is building not just for her artistry, but amid unconfirmed rumours she once lived in the area and even busked downtown during quieter times—stories that locals remember fondly, though the singer has never confirmed them publicly.

Ryder’s return to Huntsville is more than a concert—it’s an embrace of emotional authenticity and shared humanity. Expect to hear signature melodies like “Stompa,” stirring new tracks from The Art of Falling Apart, and intimate acoustic moments that resonate as deeply as any mental-health keynote she might give.

Listen to Serena's interview with Grant Nickalls, live on The Bay 88.7 at 9.30am on Monday, June 30th.

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Event Details:

•       When: Thursday, July 3, 2025, 7 p.m.

•       Where: Algonquin Theatre, Main Street East, Huntsville

•       Tickets: Youth $25, Member $68, Non-member $80 (+HST)

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Serena Ryder’s performance is not just another stop on her tour—it’s a heartfelt “homecoming” of sorts, bringing her journey full circle inside the vibrant arts community of Huntsville. Whether you're drawn by her soaring vocals, her songwriting soul, or her compelling advocacy, this show promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music, wellness, and hometown pride.

Sources:

•          Concert Archives

•          Discover Muskoka

•          Huntsville Festival of the Arts

•          Wikipedia 

•          Canadian Encyclopedia

•          Exclaim!

•          The Bay 88.7

Image: Creative Commons 2.0

Lisa Gansky from New York, NY, USA