On

The Edge

- a short biography

“On The Edge” is a vocal/instrumental quartet which has enjoyed performing a unique blend of Celtic, folk, and bluegrass music, for the past ten years. Variety is their trademark, as they mix vocals with instruments ranging from guitars and recorders to piano and a near antique accordion affectionately dubbed “the beast”. The members are Bill and Mariette Howatt, who farm near Manitou, and Al and Loretta Thorleifson, who teach in Manitou and Winkler, respectively. They have appeared on stage at numerous summer festivals and fairs in the province, as well as traveling to Grand Forks for occasional engagements. They are also part of the Manitou Coffeehouse Musicians, who are proud to present coffeehouses twice a month throughout the winter. They have enjoyed a busy summer, with performances at the Winkler Harvest Festival, the Gathering of Nations, the Oak Valley Medieval Festival, Cripple Creek Bluegrass Festival, and they were recently featured on the CBC Radio Noon Show hosted by Susan Magus.

Bill & Mariette Howatt Al & Loretta Thorleifson

Box 364 Box 557

Manitou MB R0G 1G0 Manitou MB R0G 1G0

204 242 2531 204 242 2794

bhowatt@cici.mb.ca athorleif@cici.mb.ca