Press Releases

April 13, 2023

Vancouver Folk Music Festival Announces 2023 Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now!

Festival releases a sneak peek at some of the artists on tap to perform this summer.

 July 14-16, 2023 | Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver, BC

Info & tickets: www.thefestival.bc.ca

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival today announced that Early Bird tickets for the festival are now on sale. The festival has also released a “Sneak Peek” at the lineup, announcing four of the artists on tap to perform at Jericho Beach Park from July 14-16.

 Thanks to an outpouring of support from folks far and wide over the last few months, the festival has regrouped, found a renewed energy and enthusiasm, and is looking forward to bringing the music back to the park this summer.  Following last year’s festival’s footprint, many folks are dedicating their time and energy to keep the music playing and the festival flourishing. Many major accomplishments have been made in a very short time. The 46th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival is on!

Held in what is arguably one of the most beautiful locations for an outdoor music festival anywhere around, audiences can expect not only a singular summer festival experience, but also, in keeping with the festival’s 4+ decades of excellence, an eclectic, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable musical experience.

Early Bird weekend passes at Adult, Elder, Student and Youth rates are on sale until June 5. Early Bird’s are the most affordable tickets of the year, with prices going up June 6. Now is the time for folks of all ages to buy early and save.

Full ticket info is here: https://thefestival.bc.ca/tickets-2023/

Pete’s Sneak Peeks: The festival is excited to announce four of the names in the 2023 artist lineup – offering a sample of the brilliant artistry audiences can expect to discover on VFMF stages this summer.

Here they are:
From Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, singer/songwriter Susan O’Neill has been described as “audacity personified, a free spirit, a real performer” with a timeless voice that’s “equal parts balm and blowtorch.”

Celeigh Cardinal is a soul-folk songstress from the northern prairies, and a 2020 JUNO Indigenous Album of the Year winner. It’s been said she’s “quickly becoming one of the great Canadian voices.”

Cameroonian-born singer/songwriter Blick Bassy is a unique voice in African music. He sings in his native Bassa, but his musical travels include the blues, samba, bossa nova, folk, and far beyond.

A Chicano band from East LA., the vibrant music of Las Cafeteras fuses spoken word, an urban attitude and folk music with traditional son jarocho. They sing of civil rights, the United Farm Workers, immigration – their music a tool for inspiring positive change.

The full 2023 festival line up will be announced in early May.

A Message from the VFMF Board

Thanks to your support and a lot of folks’ hard work, dedication and enthusiasm, we’ve made major progress in a very short time. A 46th annual festival is really happening! The board has been busy meeting together, and with many others, to plan, rebuild, finance and organize the presentation of the 2023 VFMF based on last year’s version. Artists are being engaged, festival operations are gearing up, staff is coming on board, and we’re thrilled that tickets are now on sale. We’re looking forward to the exciting work yet to come, and to seeing you in the park again this summer.  We thank you all for your continued support!

– Erin Mullan & Anne Blaine on behalf of the VFMFS Board of Directors

Need additional info?

Media Contact: Gwen Kallio | 604.215.2345 | sisuproductions@telus.net

February 6, 2023, Vancouver
Folk Fest Board Rescinds Motion to Dissolve, Launches Fundraising and Volunteer Drive

The Board of Directors of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society has voted to withdraw the motion to dissolve the society that had been proposed due to the festival’s financial difficulties. The board has also launched a fundraising and volunteer drive to help save the festival.

“The public said they want to us to try to find a way to keep the folk festival going. We listened,” said folk festival board President Mark Zuberbuhler. “The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has long been, and is currently, in a financially dire condition. Our main goal as the board has always been to see a strong, sustainable festival. Because of the strong support that has come from the community and our partners we now see the possibility of building that festival.”

After the festival virtual town hall held last week where nearly 300 participants shared their thoughts and suggestions, the board met and voted to rescind the motion to dissolve the society. “Our funders, our partners, other festivals, our members, and our  audience have said unequivocally that they want to help with the work of saving the festival,” said Zuberbuhler. “The festival really needs that help now so this is very encouraging.”

He recommended going to the festival website: thefestival.bc.ca to find out how to donate, become a member, or volunteer for the festival rebuild. There is also information available from the virtual town hall meeting held last Wednesday along with the full recording of the town hall. The board will continue to take ideas and suggestions on ways to save the folk fest via the link to the Thought Exchange tool, which can be found on the website.

“We want the community to know that the board is dedicated to finding ways to save the Vancouver Folk Music Festival,” said Zuberbuhler. “Now is the time for that support to translate into action so we can build an enduring and sustainable Vancouver Folk Music Festival. We need people to step up now.”

PDF version of press release


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About The Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Founded in 1978, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival has been a unique community-based celebration internationally renowned for presenting the finest traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from around the world. As a non-profit operation, the festival has always relied upon ticket sales, member-donations, and community fundraising to cover the costs of producing their annual state-of-the-art three-day music event. thefestival.bc.ca

 


Media Inquiries

board@thefestival.bc.ca

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