Since its inception, the Calgary Folk Music Festival has grown to become one of the most famous folk festivals in Canada and arguably in the world with an attendance of over 50,000. Each year it features performers from over a dozen countries, offering an extensive program with more than 100 concerts and collaborative performances.
The Calgary Folk Music Festival welcomes both established performers and up-and-coming artists. Renowned artists that have performed in Calgary in recent years include Natacha Atlas (fusion of Arabic and Western music; Belgium), The Avett Brothers (folk rock, bluegrass, Americana; USA), Roberta Flack (folk, jazz and soul; USA), Timber Timbre (freak folk and psychedelic folk; Canada), Billy Bragg (folk punk, folk rock, indie folk; England), Al Stewart (folk rock, England), and many others.
Alongside numerous concerts, the program of the Calgary Folk Fest includes other exciting events and activities for attendees of all ages and backgrounds. One of its main highlights is the inclusion of workshops and jam sessions into the programming. They take place throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. Each session involves several artists of similar or different genres playing together on one of the festival’s side stages. Artists generally improvise in a jam format or take turns playing each other’s songs.
In addition to the main festival, the Calgary Folk Fests runs a series of parallel programs. One of them is the Folk Boot Camp, a three-day workshop series held at the National Music Center. Here the world’s finest musicians help emerging performers hone their skills and provide constructive feedback.
The festival’s team also organizes Block Heater, a winter warm-up before the main event. Held at several live music venues in the historic community of Inglewood, it features about 25 local, national and international performers of roots, funk, indie and world music.
Photo: calgaryfolkfest.com
