Four Strong Winds

There is so much I love about the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. When I describe it to people I always mention the music of course, but I know it's more than that.

One of the main reasons this festival is strong and successful is the people and the fact that they are working for a common goal rather than themselves. I volunteer for many things, and trust me when I say you can certainly tell when the philosophy is not there. I am a volunteer on a rather large crew of about 45, but there is also the staff of the festival itself (seasonal and permanent) that I get to work closely with. These are the people we work for and work hard for. For this pocket of time every year my family grows to almost 100 strong, and regardless of how time passes we are all there for each other and for the same reason. I know I am not alone in my sentiment.

Each year I look forward to seeing old friends and visiting. The festival has a strong social pull for me. It's often the only time I get to see certain people so when the gates open and patrons, guests and artists start arriving there is a certain electricity in the air that is difficult to describe.

This year was another stellar line-up of artists that dazzled the sold-out audiences. Whether you are enjoying the more intimate sessions or the party atmosphere of the main stage everyone I encountered had a story to tell or a favourite musical experience to share. I love when people get excited about music.

Each night had stand-out moments and as much as I could and would love to chat about each, I like to keep my posts short. Let me just say that EVERY mainstage performance was incredible. Sure there are peaks and valleys, and some were better than others, but it's so subjective. I was excited for the opportunity to hear Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Corb Lund, Emmylou Harris, James Vincent McMorrow, Jim Cuddy and a Guthrie Family Reunion (to name a few) was pretty damn awesome.


Lots going on



I saw many concerts on smaller stages also and was blown away. It's always nice to see an artist do well and rediscover artists that you've liked for sometime but are now seeing them in a new light. I also dig the combinations Terry Wickham dreams up for the sessions. Sometimes you look and think, "hmm what's the common thread?" then you see and and think "D'uh it's the music that's the thread", and if the performer approaches it with an open mind, magic is created.



Four Strong Winds, closes each year. Some think it's corny, but I love it. This year, Corb Lund closed the festival in song with help from the amazing Geoff Berner, T. Nile and Kim Beggs.

And of course no festival is quite complete without Don's farewell speech: