EFMF E-News – September 2022
Festival recap and upcoming concerts
View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/efmf/efmf-
Thank you for your tremendous support this year. We look forward to being back on the hill with you next year, August 10 – 13, 2023
It’s been a month since the festival, and it was wonderful to be back on the hill together this year – we appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm.
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A View from the Hill Part 2
I understood this year just how fragile the folk festival is in advance.
And how strong it is when it is up and running.
I couldn’t be happier about our return. Due to the hard work and the continuing excellent support from all three levels of government, well, we made it.
I can honestly say that of the 44 major folk festivals that I have been Producer of, this was by far the hardest. And yet, it was also the most anticipated and the most rewarding of all the festivals.
Our volunteers did not miss a beat after three years away. All of the big jobs of feeding, transporting, building, selling and securing were all accomplished with aplomb. It was standing ovation time.
Our experienced staff carefully handled the extra challenges of Covid, inflation, supply chain problems, and airline changes, in addition to the usual heavy loads.
And we finally had a year where we could say, “we will take that weather every year”.
The all-site license worked, after the kinks were worked out on Thursday. We had 75% fewer alcohol related security issues. Our on-line ticketing and 50/50 Raffle were two more successes. Our winner took home around $79,500. Our engagement with our Indigenous peoples was stronger and will deepen in the years to come.
And our community came together again in celebration. And what a joyous celebration we had, with brilliant artists around us all weekend. Is there anywhere you would prefer to be on the weekend after the August holiday?
And yes, it felt more crowded than usual. We aren’t selling any more tickets (14,000 a day) than we did for the Thursday and Saturday of the 2019 festival, and we have capped our free tickets, so why is that?
One theory is that with 4,000 people no longer in the beer tent, there were more people walking around. Or possibly patrons are spending longer on site. We also moved Stage 2 down the hill and this made room to spread out the Main Stage audience to the East.
Whatever the reason, we will be working to shorten lineups next year.
In the words of Natalie Merchant “ I want to thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you………” and we will see you again on August 10-13 next year.
Slainte ( to your health )
Terry Wickham, Producer
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Be sure to visit edmontonfolkfest.org (http://www.edmontonfolkfest.o
Tickets for festival 2023 will go on sale June 3, and the full line up will be announced in May.
Upcoming Concerts
Enjoy some great music year round at venues in Edmonton and area.
GRAMMY-nominated indie folk duo The Milk Carton Kids (TMCK) return to the Winspear Centre for the first time since 2018 for a special co-headlining show with singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt.
Tickets start at $38, available now at the Winspear Centre box office https://bit.ly/3oDoO2J
Live at The Winspear presents Bruce Cockburn’s 50th Anniversary concert on Wednesday, February 8.
One of Canada’s finest artists, Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity.
Tickets start at $44, on sale September 16 at The Winspear Centre box office (https://www.winspearcentre.co
