Calgary Folk Fest ...

Calgary Folk Fest ... third time around

The Calgary Folk Festival is always a highlight on the summer event calendar here in Calgary and as soon as I found out that Mum was going to be here for it, I jumped online and bought us a couple of 4-day passes for the event.  The festival is always a great place to discover new musical artists as well as enjoy some quirky artists whose music you wouldn't necessarily purchase.  This year was no exception ... over two evenings and two full days/nights, we saw a grand total of 39 bands play!  Some more than once and some more than twice.  What great value for $130 each!  If you're interested in discovering some new music (and have similar tastes to mine), here were our favourites of the festival ... Reuben and the Dark (Reuben looked identical to and had the same mannerisms as my little brother, Rob ... it was quite unbelieveable and made me a little homesick), Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, John Doe, Mark Beirube, Gillian Welch (already a favourite), Lindi Ortega and of course there were many more great artists too.  A highlight of the first night was seeing Chris Isaak live ... wow, does that man have some sex appeal or what?!  Especially in a red rhinestone suit!  Each day, Mum and I had a lot of fun hanging out at the smaller stages during the day before making our way to our tarp (which was in a prime spot thanks to C and his volunteer friends) at the main stage for the evening entertainment.  It was my third Calgary Folk Fest and Mum's first ever festival and it certainly didn't disappoint either of us!

Us on our tarp ... we were lucky to get such a great spot on the lawn

Gourmet salted caramel donuts ... possibly the only time I have ever eaten a whole donut (and definitely the last!)

Rob?!  This guy (Reuben Bollock) looked absolutely identical to my little bro Rob!

... and there he is again!  This time with Lindi Ortega

Reuben and his band ... Reuben and the Dark ... definitely the favourites of the festival

Another favourite ... Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three

One of Mum's favourites, John Doe

Another favourite, Mark Beirube

Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three in a workshop

Reuben and the Dark

     John Doe (check out that leg move!)

Mark Beirube

Gillian Welch

Matching Calgary Folk Fest caps ... it was great to share the folk fest experience with Mum