T-minus 3 days to Vancouver Folk Music Festival lift-off
All systems are ready to go for the 41st Vancouver Folk Music Festival this weekend.
The 2018 festival lineup is an exciting, musically rich and eclectic roster of over 50 acts, presenting music with origins in over a dozen countries – with artists coming from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Australia, including from numerous Canadian provinces and territories and US states. It’s a stunning slice of global music and culture, featuring everything from folk, Americana, bluegrass and blues to son jarocho, marrabenta, mariachi, Quebecois, Ukrainian folksong and ancient Moravia melody. The diversity is stunning. The opportunity to discover is unlimited.
Over 35,000 enthusiastic music fans are expected to fill Jericho Beach Park, one of the world’s most beautiful urban festival sites, to experience the special magic of this annual community gathering.
Starting at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, July 13, festival-goers will be treated to an array of concerts and workshops on five daytime and two evening stages. The evening main stage concerts, a brilliant showcase featuring some of music’s brightest lights, run from 6-11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Main stage artists performing each night are
FRIDAY – Darlingside, Three Women & the Truth, James McMurtry, and Neko Case
SATURDAY – Kacy & Clayton, DakhaBrakha, Rodney Crowell, and The Dead South
SUNDAY – Jayme Stone’s Folklife, Wazimbo & Banda Kakana, Ranky Tanky, and Ry Cooder featuring The Hamiltones.
The Twilight Stage (Stage 3) offers a range of concert options each night as well, from around 6 to 9 p.m.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, five daytime stages located around the park site offer up over 50 concerts and workshops – collaboratory gatherings of two or more artists and groups who come together to share music and songs with each other and the audience around particular themes or subjects. The beating heart of the festival experience, these “you have to be there live” experiences often spark the most memorable moments of the weekend.
The full schedule of main stage, Twilight Stage and daytime stage performances can be found online on the festival website at: http://thefestival.bc.ca/2018-weekend-schedule/
In addition to the great music, there is a wide range of Food and Artisan vendors on site along with a Folk Bazaar along the beachfront, the Big Rock Beer Garden, the Little Folks Village full of activities and entertainment for the whole family, the Community Village, where local non-profit organizations share their mission and work, and CD and Merchandise sales. The festival prides itself on its environmental and sustainability initiatives and on making the festival accessible – and lots of fun. Around 1,400 volunteers help to make the festival a success. There is ample bike parking on site, and visitors are encouraged to bike, walk, or take transit rather than drive to the festival. No bottled water is sold on site – audience members are asked to bring their own bottles – and water refill stations are located around the site.
Tickets are available for adults, with discounts for elders, students and youth. Children 12 and under are free.
Folks can purchase single day tickets or full weekend passes.
An adult all-weekend pass is $170 till July 12, and $185 at the gate.
Group ticket discounts are available.
The full ticket details can be found at: http://thefestival.bc.ca/ticket-information/
Full festival information is at: www.thefestival.bc.ca
Follow the VFMF on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanFolkFest | Handle: @VanFolkFest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanfolkfest | Handle: @VanFolkFest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanfolkfest/?hl=en | Handle: @VanFolkFest
Festival Hashtag (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram): #VFMF2018
