Calgary Folk Music Festival

[JAS_Photo]

On my way to Stage 5 on Saturday afternoon to see a workshop called "Mazel Tov!" I encountered a young man in a dark suit carrying a small suit case. He asked me the way to stage 5. Lol, it was Geoff Berner, one of the performers I was heading over to see. That was my brush with fame for the day. Actually, this sort of thing happens quite often at Folkfest. Last year Michael Franti showed up unexpectedly at one of the side stages, a treat for us that were there, but I digress.

I managed to get a place at the front of the stage for "Mazel Tov!" and it turned into one of the funnest workshops at the festival thanks in part to the enthusiasm of Rabid Kahalani of Yemen Blues.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5970735354_e160de12ba_b.jpg

Also on stage were Josh Dolgin of So Called on keyboards and Geoff Berner on the accordion.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5970173663_64f8c69f2f_b.jpg

Every year, I find someone new (to me) that are just outstanding performers. This year two examples were The Reverned Peyton's big Damn Band and New Country Rehab.

Here are a couple of videos. Hope you enjoy them too!


http://youtu.be/9Ra0DsbiNs0


http://youtu.be/Vy-cTRr0TvM


http://youtu.be/8VY1XpsuQnI


http://youtu.be/kSVLYP2I194

[Mad Aussie]

Cool pose/action caught in the first shot.

[Matt K.]

Good stuff, JAS .. so are you going to the Canmore one this weekend coming? I'll be there for three days+, for some heavy R&R ... hope to share some shots after that as well... Like the first shot, great action.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks you two! Yeah I was lucky to snag a close seat at that workshop plus Yemen Blues played to the cameras, not just to the official cameras but the audience too. He jumped down to the audience as well.

*Disclaimer- the performers images are copyright and without official credentials you are not allowed to photograph the talent. However, that being said, the workshops are a little more lax.

Not going to the Canmore Festival, Matt. The CFMF was exhausting enough, as I attend all 4 days. The weekend after is Bluesfest at Shaw Millenium Park and I will be attending the Thursday night performance. I'm a big fan of Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.

I just took a look at the lineup for Canmore and it looks really great. Last year Delhi to Dublin rocked Stage 6 as the last side stage show on the Sunday afternoon and they had that tent jumping with an overflowing crowd on a hot afternoon.

Luke Doucet is one of my favourite all time performers along with his wife Melissa McClelland.

[mbrager]

Thanks for posting your photos and the video links. Cool music.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, Mike! It's a great festival for sure and in a beautiful setting!