PLAIN FOLK by Les Pearson Alberta's fortunate folk fans have begun a year-long music marathon to catch the best acts and performances. If you are watching, you know that the race has already begun! One great starter has already left the blocks. Last December PBS released a five CD, deluxe, box collection with more than 100 songs from their Blues series. But 2004 is the year it will be a contender for best recording collection. The box set can be ordered on-line from PBS for $70 American. I first saw the set and singles in a Regina store at Christmas. Check the local shops. Encourage them to get into the competition. Connie Kaldor is January's slipstream songster. Her new program, At Wood River Hall, is ON THE MARK. Connie and her stellar guest performers appear each Wednesday at 10:00 p.m. on Vision network's Channel 18. James Keelaghan has already made an appearance and amazing Celtic fiddler, April Verch, is a regular half of the house band. Watch for the Wailin' Jennys who showcase in Medicine Hat on April 16. They appear on one of Connie's future shows. Make this show part of your weekly folk-training regimen. By series end, you will be energized and conditioned for the summer sound olympics! Speaking of which...now is the time to GET SET for summer festivals! Most festival web sites have not listed festival performers or ticket prices yet. They will soon. Still, it is not too early to book your accommodations or warn Aunt Martha that you will be in town next August. All festivals have an established summer weekend that can be found with a simple internet search. Joussard's North Country Fair is the early festival that runs from June 18 to 20. Regina's Folk Festival runs later in the summer from August 13 to 15. The Canmore crowd knows their favourite festival is scheduled for July 31 to August 2. And Calgary's 25th Anniversary Festival--watch for the really big names!--is July 22 to 25. Tickets for tthis festival are not available until May 1. Remember: Calgary's tickets for those aged 65 plus or 12 and under are free. (Makes you glad to be older! Or younger.) But you still have to order tickets, so mark your calendar. My seriously folk friends are mapping their summer festival circuit and keeping a weekly vigil for early bird ticket deals! They are out there. The South Country Festival near Fort Macleod offers a three-day pass for $46 but only until July 9. Already you may have missed the best deal. Regina offered a three-day pass for $30, but only until December 31, 2003. File that date for this year's end. And here is an option to consider. Free passes are given to festival volunteers. An early e-mail or phone call to festival offices is obligatory to register. In urban centres, many volunteer; few are chosen. Remember, anticipation is half the fun. But the real joy comes when you GO! Choose a festival and join the crowd that is on track. |