IMHO, Amy Millan, Joel Plaskett and Michael Franti/Spearhead alone are enough to justify going. And that doesn't include all of the other great musicians they have lined up.
The WFF shouldn't be about the big name acts (although it helps). I've always had the most fun finding an undiscovered (by me) band or watching different artists playing together during the workshops. If you go only for the big names at night, you're missing the point.
And you know they'll add more artists to the lineup before July rolls around.
Oh I like seeing the smaller acts myself too... but $170 seems a bit steep to me. Hopefully they can add some bigger headliners, since my wife and I were planning on going after our canoe trip.
London, ON has three weekend outdoor festivals each summer and they are all free (i.e. financed by sponsors, donations, volunteers, vendor fees etc). Each weekend attracts 40,000+ visitors, and the festivals have been financially viable for decades. Looks like another ripoff for Manitobans here.
The only names I recognize are Leo Kottke and Randy Newman had a few hits in the 70s (e.g. Short People).
[quote][cite] Sputnik:[/cite]I agree even the Calgary Folk Fest is cheaper at $120 and they bring in bigger acts.[/quote]
Calgary's FF prices seem very similar to Winnipeg's: $120 for early bird weekend passes (2006 prices), compared to $136 for Winnipeg's 2007 prices. The daily prices are also very comperable.
They are considered one of the best rock'n'roll bands on the planet. You won't hear them on the radio, save for CBC and college radio, but they are highly regarded by those who are familiar with them.
Los Lobos played to rave reviews at one of the City's street parties and won over many Winnipeggers.
Yes, to the public, they are the band that did "La Bamba" about 20 years ago.
Los Lobos also played the Jazz festival a year or two ago and I agree, they are one of the best live bands on earth.
The Folk Festival lineup is pretty great..it's not just about headliners, but about amazing artists from all over the world. Toumani Diabate and Lubo Alexandrov are both on my playlists of late. Plus it's a chance to see some songwriters that would otherwise never make it to Winnipeg, like Todd Snider, or The Flatlanders.
Indeed. They're a fabulous band of great musicians that have never forgotten their hispanic roots. Amazon lists 16 albums and i think there's still a few more.
KGSR is an Austin TX radio station that plays the likes of Los Lobos, Bela Fleck, and a real assorted mix of other great music. Tune in.
[quote][cite] casualchris:[/cite][quote][cite] Sputnik:[/cite]I agree even the Calgary Folk Fest is cheaper at $120 and they bring in bigger acts.[/quote]
and cowtown is hella expensive in the oil era...so where do get off charging that much??
cc[/quote]
Find me a folk festival that runs huge profits and is flush with cash. Organizers for annual festivals are typically challenged to keep their heads above water and the operation sustained for another year. And then there's the chance of a heavy rainstorms to reduce crowds considerably. There's always a balance between bringing in some headliners (who cost more) that the masses may recognize and maintaining the integrity of introducing worthy new (or unknown) artists. It's a tough balance.
[quote][cite] hbob:[/cite][quote][cite] casualchris:[/cite][quote][cite] Sputnik:[/cite]I agree even the Calgary Folk Fest is cheaper at $120 and they bring in bigger acts.[/quote]
and cowtown is hella expensive in the oil era...so where do get off charging that much??
cc[/quote]
Find me a folk festival that runs huge profits and is flush with cash.[/quote]
Are you with the festival?
If the goal of the organizers is to run huge profits and have money to burn is the goal I may have seen my last Winnipeg folkfestival......
A friend of mine went to brandon FF and said she saw all the things that brought her to the wff in the first place.
Smaller, more community, realistic costs....
If a concert is what your after sure, shell out for it, I've got no issue with that and have done so myself, but the folkfest shouldn't set you back 500 (2 tix pls food an a couple cds) which is what it did for me in 05.
It doesn't have to cost you anything if you volunteer. When I've done the full weekend, I usually just volunteer. Haven't done it for awhile, but I got my camping and pass covered, and got fed (very well) too.
If the goal of the organizers is to run huge profits and have money to burn is the goal I may have seen my last Winnipeg folkfestival......
cc [/quote]
Read my response again. I was suggesting any folk festival runs on thin margins and for many it can be a challenge to keep operating.
This from the WFF website....
[quote]Originally incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization, the Festival continues to operate on this basis. However, rather than being wholly funded by government and other organizations, it generates 42% of its budget through ticket sales, 21% through merchandise sales and other services, and 13% through the Festival Music Store, concerts and other year-round operations. Another 16% is raised through donations, sponsorships and fundraising activities, with only 8% of funding from Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments. [/quote]
By 2005 the Vancouver folk Festival was $390,000 in debt.