The Calgary Folk Music Festival

By Rachel Betts-Wilmot

From Finnish hoers down to spangled hippies with hula hoops, Calgarians flocked to Prince’s Island Park for this year’s Calgary Folk Music Festival. The fans who made it out were treated to stellar performances from the likes of Feist, Broken Social Scene and Kathleen Edwards. Those lucky enough to catch legend-worthy performances from Kris Kristofferson, Ani DiFranco and an inebriated Macy Gray will not soon forget them.

The Gauntlet folks in attendance were able to basque in the almost never-ending sunshine while enjoying the good tunes and complaining about the bad. There was Sangria downed and lines tolerable only for delicious Indian food.

Between mainstage performances, weekend workshops and consuming as many Texas brisket sandwiches as humanly possible, we were able to talk to such characters as John Boutte, Dan Bern, Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet.

Of course, there are certain Folk Fest goings-on which make the weekend what it is. Your faithful Gauntlet team brings them to you now.

Thursday, 5:44 p.m., First conscious spotting of a bearded, barefooted man wandering about, upon closer inspection, they’re everywhere.

Thursday, 6:05 p.m., Shirtless dancing children abound.

Friday, 8:53 p.m., A guy in a skirt wanders by while we complain about Bedouin Soundclash’s lack lustre performance.

Friday, as the gates close, Heads are spinning from the vast amounts of tie-dye

Saturday, We’ve started to ask whoever will answer how they define folk music, answers are vague and varied.

Saturday, 10:30 p.m., Kris Kristofferson plays “Me and Bobby McGee” to wild cries from the audience.

Sunday morning-ish, A lot of time is spent rushing to workshops, between stages there is some confusion and we suddenly discover a new venue.

Sunday six-ish, The good weather finally breaks and the 12,000-strong audience hide under their tarps, waiting out the rain for Ani DiFranco and Matt Good.

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