Folk Fest announces ‘edgy’ line up
For months the Calgary Folk Fest had been slowly revealing the 2010 line up of artists in anticipation of the full lineup being announced. The agonizing tease is finally over – folkies can flock to the website, check out all the artists and buy tickets. http://www.calgaryfolkfest.com/
Now in its 31st year, the Folk Fest has expanded, with the festival starting early on Friday July 23 at 3 p.m. to allow for more programming including a plethora of local acts.
Always challenged with the label of ‘folk music’ artistic director Kerry Clarke commented on the current line up “we include the pioneering grandmothers and godfathers, rebels, romantics and revolutionaries of the current decade.”
The grandmother of soul is none other than Roberta Flack, an early announcement but no less a highlight of the stellar lineup that includes Alberta legend Ian Tyson, folk-punk Frank Turner and North Carolina bluegrass band The Avett Brothers and a return of Michael Franti and Spearhead.
On hand to help the Folk Fest lineup was three Calgary singer songwriters who will also be playing at the festival. J.R. Shore, Samantha Savage-Smith and Chris Gheran shared the stage to give a preview of the mainstay local festival.
Calgary Folk Music Festival runs July 22-25.
