Folk Music Festival, Vancouver BC

Posted by Lori Henry Jul 22, 2008

Well, the Vancouver International Folk Music Festival is finished for another year. I spent the weekend there again this July listening to the wonderful bands from all over the world.

There were headliners like Ozomatli, Hayley Sales, Aimee Mann, and Spirit of the West, but the majority were lesser-known groups that were fantastic. Particularly delightful was Kobo Town. They hailed from Ontario but are originally from Trinidad (and had the accents to prove it). Their blend of Anglo-Caribbean, reggae and calypso were totally intoxicating.

Also fun was the (what I thought) impromptu drum circle by Vancouver Rhythm and Dance, who had small performances and drum circles daily at their tent. It was amazing to walk by and we swept away by a circle of people with lent-out drums all making beautiful music. That’s the spirit of the Vancouver International Folk Music Festival.

My coverage of the event this year will be published in the next couple of weeks.