PLAIN FOLK

by Les Pearson

The Top Ten Reasons to Attend Folk Festivals!

Two down and one to go! Winnipeg and Canmore are warm, fuzzy, blurs in my psyche. The Regina Folk Festival is this weekend, but already I have more than a score of personal interviews and a stack of new CD's to review. Just to add to this summer's festival euphoria, Colin Linden e-mailed his serious intent to honour my interview request in the Queen City!

Something so good needs sharing! This summer's serendipity sparked my TOP TEN reasons to attend folk festivals.

10. Nature, your favourite music, and relaxation. Stage shows in the sunshine top boom boxes in the backyard every time!

9. Exposure to world music. Where else but at a folk fest can you hear Algerian folk star, Hamid Baroudi, on the same program as Austrailia's aboriginal troupe, White Cockatoo, as they perform the world's oldest music and dance?

8. Dancing! There's no need to confess if it was alone or with others. Dancing spontaneously erupts when the spirit moves.

7. Shared families. Everyone is an aunt, uncle, cousin or grandparent to the tikes on main stage tarps. Parents are willing to share their kids' first steps and youth's amazement with air-borne balloons and soap bubbles. There is inclusion. You belong to something bigger than yourself.

6. Festival food. Onion cakes in Canmore, samosas in Winnipeg, but the best is Cowboy Popcorn everywhere!

5. New and renewed friendships. Bruce Rouse is a transplanted Canadian who now lives in Austin TX. We met in Winnipeg at the Corb Lund workshop. In Canmore Bruce introduced me to the Chair of the American Folk Alliance! Wow!! Meanwhile, my wife met her childhood librarian from Regina. It's a small folk world.

4. Surprise performers! Mary Gauthier wowed me in Winnipeg. Ruthie Foster was my soul and gospel surprise in Canmore. Festivals introduce brand new favourites and tomorrow's stars.

3. Workshop Chemistry. Who will forget the "Continuous Sound Challenge" between the Duhks and Bill Hilly Band on a workshop stage in Canmore! Or the moment that Eric Bibb's daughter joined dad and grandad for a three-generations version of "Let Me Fly." Magic, pure magic!

2. Impromptu Humour. Two zingers from Winnipeg: Bob Geldof asked the million dollar question. "Why do they give smart bombs to dumb people?" And when someone asked an aging Leon Redbone if he was having fun at the festival, his reply was a classic: "I've learned fun is like insurance. The older I get, the more I pay."

1. But the number one reason to attend a folk festival is the dawning realization WE CAN DO IT HERE!

If you are a believer, join the Medicine Hat Folk Music Club and make it happen! Call 526-4676 for details.