PLAIN FOLK

by Les Pearson
Act Now for Folk Festival Bargain Passes!

Now that the thermometer has oozed over 20 degrees twice this Spring, folk festival season must be near. And, just like some taxation deadline, May 31 looms as the last day for some 'earlybird' ticket specials. Act now or pay more later!

For the canny folk fan, this is the last minute to budget and plan summer's festival migration. Here is a guide to ticket prices and performers at the best prairie festivals.

Medicine Hat's Spectrum is June 3 to 5. It's a steal of a deal! Admission is free and the performers are all local. Check it out!

Slave Lake's North Country Fair, June 24-26, is our first festival stop. Advance passes are $60 until June 1 and $75 thereafter. It's a decent drive but this year's line-up features Cara Luft, formerly of the Jennies, as well as Po' Girl and old friend, Geoff Berner.

Bird's Hill Park hosts the Winnipeg Folk Festival, on July 7-10. Until June 1, a four-day adult pass sells for $110. Gate price is $150. Big names in this year's line-up of more than 300 performers are Emmylou Harris and Ricky Skaggs.

The Calgary Folk Music Festival runs from July 21 to 24. Early Bird passes are on sale for $110 from May 19 until June 21. Like Edmonton and many other festivals, seniors 65 and over are admitted free! Beside the winners of this year's songwriting contest, their line-up features Steve Earl, Bill Frisell, and the Indigo Girls.

Three festivals run more or less concurrently on the July long weekend. The Jasper Heritage Folk Festival runs July 29 and 30. Early bird tickets are on sale May 24 until June 15 for a mere $45. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are the attractions.

The Regina Folk Festival, the prairie's best bargain festival, has changed dates to avoid conflicting with Regina's Canada Summer Games. This year's festival runs July 29-31. Headliners include Sarah Harmer. Day shows are free. Evening passes cost $40 now, but rise to $60 on June 1. For a $60 Early Bird Pass on the same dates, consider Stony Plain's Blueberry Bluegrass and Country Festival.

Folk Music Club members love the Canmore Folk Festival. It runs from July 30 to August 1. This year's performers include Bill Bourne, Connie Kaldor, Harry Manx, and a personal favourite, Oysterband. Advance tickets are on sale from May 1 to July 2 for $53. The gate price is $65.

Alberta's folk festival granddaddy is the Edmonton Folk Fest, August 4 to 7. Four-day passes go on sale June 1 for  $109 and rise to $150 in August. John Prine is this year's headliner. Other notables include the Bills, David Francey, and Ruthie Foster. If these latter names sound familiar, they should. All were featured at local concerts!

If you can't travel this summer, buy the Folk Music Club's 'Pig in a Poke' concert series pass for $80. Enjoy the festival feeling and performers year-round!