2023 VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 14-16 at Jericho Beach Park

Tickets, schedules, artist info, videos and more: www.thefestival.bc.ca

Follow @vanfolkfest on IG & Facebook

THE 46^TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL – AND WE’RE READY TO GO!

Vancouver, BC:  The Vancouver Folk Music Festival hits the grass at Jericho Beach Park in a few days, and all systems are go!

The full day and evening festival schedule is posted online, some artists are on their way, construction is ramping up on the festival site – and anticipation is hitting new highs for the 2023 festival. This is a special year!

This year’s festival is truly global in spirit, broad and eclectic in range, and with something for every ear. Over 40 music acts with roots in over 12 countries, 10 states and 8 provinces and territories are slated to  perform on three daytime stages and an evening stage over festival weekend. The festival’s gates open at 3pm on Friday, July 14 with music playing from 4-11pm, and music runs on Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16 from 11am to 11pm. On Sunday night, after the traditional finale, a parade of hauntingly beautiful lanterns will lead everyone out of the park.

The EVENING MAIN STAGE concerts will feature:

Friday, July 14 – starting at 5:45pm

A Musqueam Ceremony with Thelma Stogan and family opens the festival, followed by performances from: Amythyst Kiah, Aoife O’Donovan, Calexico and Medicine Singers

The evening includes short performances by Melón Jiménez & Lara Wong Flamenco–World Trio, Tiny Habits and Blick Bassy | MC: Tim Reinert

Saturday, July 15 – starting at 6pm

Toubab Krewe, William Prince, American Beauties: Songs of the Grateful Dead Re-Imagined and True Loves take the stage – with short performances by Cedric Watson & Jourdan Thibodeaux, Susan O’Neill, and Tré Burt | MC: Lisa Christiansen

Sunday, July 16 – starting at 6pm

This evening includes concerts by Joe Henry, Albert Lee, Las Cafeteras and Kalàscima featuring Andrea Ramolo – with short performances from Twin Flames and Don McGlashan w/Anita Clark, and a Festival Finale following the evening’s last performance | MC: Margaret Gallagher

DAY STAGE CONCERTS AND WORKSHOPS

On Friday afternoon from 4-6pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to between 5 & 6pm, audiences can fully experience the abundant and diverse musical talents that have have come together in the park on three day stages

At day stage concerts, audiences can get better acquainted with individual artists and groups on the festival roster.

At workshops, they’ll see and hear unique, one-of-a-kind live gatherings of musicians from varied music genres and cultures coming together around a theme (“Storytellers” or “Globetrotters” to name a couple) – some who have not met any of the others before stepping on the stage. The results are always unpredictable, and on a regular basis, extraordinary – and always good watching.

The full festival performance schedule can be found at:

https://thefestival.bc.ca/2023-weekend-schedule/

Little Folks Village There’s a special place for kids and families on site to be, explore, create and discover in the Little Folks Village. This year, in addition to the Creative Station and Musical Playground, folks can enjoy Redbird and Friends, Sand Northrup’s one woman circus and the North Shore Celtic Ensemble.

Onsite food, beverage, shopping and discovery

Complementing the great music, and adding to that festival vibe, there are lots of choices of places to eat and drink, things to learn and amazing places to shop over festival weekend.

Pete’s Eats outdoor food court offers over two dozen global meal, snack, dessert and beverage vendors.

The Beer and Wine Garden features beverages from Whistler Brewing, Lonetree Cider and Hester Creek Estate Wines.

The Artisan Market’s 28 booths offer shoppers beautiful, useful and unique locally-made items as well as ethically-sourced imported goods.

In the Community Village, festival patrons can visit with local organizations and learn about what they do.

And at the Festival Merchandise & the Artists’ Emporium: Music ‘n’ More tent, folks have a chance to stock up on their 2023 souvenirs and mementos – and even have items signed by festival artists.

Festival Amenities and Services

The festival will, again, offer Accessibility Services for those who need assistance and ASL interpreters on some daytime stages. Services include free drinking water stations (no bottled water is sold on site, so all festival-goers are asked to bring their own beverage receptacles), a secure Bike Lock area, Information Tent, Lost and Found and a fully-realized and extensive plan to minimize the festival’s impact on the park environment and on the planet.

A printed festival program guide will be available on site. The program will also be available for free online in the week prior to the festival dates.

Over 1000 volunteers make it their mission to make the full festival experience enjoyable for everyone.

One day tickets and full weekend passes are on sale now at adult, senior,  youth and student rates at: www.thefestival.bc.ca  Children 12 and under are free (must be accompanied by an adult).

Tickets will also be on sale at the gate over the festival weekend.

Jericho Beach Park is located on 4^th Avenue, just west of Alma Street. Parking is limited near the park at festival time, so bus, bike, taxi/Uber, and ride and car-sharing are recommended.

Follow @vanfolkfest on IG & Facebook

For any additional information and to request interviews, please contact:

Gwen Kallio

Sisu Productions

sisuproductions@telus.net / Office: 604-215-2345  / Mobile: 778-245-4936

The festival greatly appreciates the support from the BC Parks Foundation, Whistler Brewing, Motion, Hester Creek Estate Winery, Long & McQuade, Ecojustice, Event Power, Recycling Alternatives, Kafka’s Coffee, TF Events, Elevation Tents, Telus