Like I mentioned in the full recap post about the 30th Folk on the Rocks, I got a lot of content from the event and wanted to release it as I put it together. Well I’m just now getting around to posting these two videos below. I got a couple of hours worth of video footage from the festival, a lot of little clips of a lot of the artists throughout the weekend. The two videos below each spotlight a different act. The first is Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and the second is Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo.
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
MBF, as a lot of his fans know him as, is a talented musician of 24. From Calgary, AB, he has toured Canada this summer. Just after he left Yellowknife, he flew to Toronto to perform. He is a loving and genuine guy. I got to talk to MBF before he came up to Yellowknife and while he was here and just from what he said, I could tell he was passionate about what he does and has a knack for taking on a big challenge.
Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor
These fine gentlemen were the headlining acts for Folk on the Rocks, this year and did a bang up job. I have to admit I didn’t actually know who Greg Keelor was when they were announced, but definitely knew who Blue Rodeo was and Jim Cuddy, as he has had a successful solo career. I enjoyed watching these guys because, in my mind, they were authentic, they didn’t go up acting like rock stars. They were just two talented guys, who were there to have fun. You could tell as they played through their set that not only were they playing for the crowd, but for each other as well. Other than a random flying coke bottle at Jim Cuddy, the crowd got really in to the music and even sang along for a lot of them.
Yes, they maybe a little long in length, but worth it I think. If you like these videos spotlighting each artist/band let me know and I will try to get more edited together.
I don’t know if you noticed or not, but while Grant Lawrence was here in Yellowknife, emceeing Folk on the Rocks, he had a Flip Camcorder on him. He went out and around capturing different aspects of the festival and of Yellowknife in general. For those who don’t know who he is, he is a CBC Radio 3 host and you can find his website here.
Take a look at Folk on the Rocks from his perspective.
Along with the music at Folk on the Rocks, there was food. Glorious food. It seems these days food goes well with any event, so why should this one be any different.
Of course you know about Ecology North’s Rent-a-Plate operation that took place once again at the festival. Approximately 200 plastics plates circulated over the weekend.
Once you got your plate there were several different food vendors you had to choose from. There were many different types of food to choose from, as well. From you basic cheeseburger to Thai food, pizza to hot dogs, chicken wraps to Armenian food. There were smoothies, coffee and lemon-aid to drink as well the Fry Guy and Ice Cream truck were there.
For those who wanted to try an authentic northern dish, there was fresh White Fish with a corn cob.
Needless to say there was tons of food and everyone must have been fed well, budget depending. Speaking to some vendors, they told me that they were seeing lines like they hadn’t seen in 5 years. Partly I think, the cloudy weather drove people to eat more.
Did you try any of the food out at Folk on the Rocks, what was your favourite dish? Mine would have been the Beef on a Bun in support of the Arthritis Society.
So there is this folk fest that happens in Yellowknife, every July, on the shore of a lake. Maybe you have heard of it? You know, it is nothing special just a bunch of crazy people hanging out and shooting the breeze, while listening to some music.
Are you kidding me! Of course you have heard of Folk on the Rocks. A matter of fact, you are probably sick of reading about me go on about it. Well I am sorry to disappoint you, because we have a lot of content on Folk on the Rocks 2010 to pump out over the next week. Photos, video and more. By more I mean me writing about the food, spirit and, well, the music too.
The weather was up in the air for the weekend and we were all anticipating the worst, but that never happened. It was cloudy for a good portion of the weekend, yes, but we only ended up with short spats of rain. I saw people huddling together in rain jackets under umbrellas as they sing along to acts like Buffy Saint-Marie and Leela Gilday. I did hear some complaints, but the number of people having a good time out weighed them.
This was my first year covering the whole event, last year I did a quick post, nothing near what I have this year. I thought about how I wanted to approach the festival this year and I always seemed to come back to how it makes me feel.
While watching a lot of the sets and crowd from the right of the stage, I feel free and energized. It is an odd feeling to explain, yes. So let me try and paint you a picture, figuratively. Several times throughout the weekend while watching a performance, the energy of the music would just climb, up, and up. It would be overwhelming and what would happen is I would end up with a huge smile on my face, unintentionally, as I tried and capture that moment.
Although there were many things to make this event worthwhile, there were two that I think really did it, the people and the musicians.
The musicians, obviously being who everyone is coming to see, always seem to have just as much fun or more than the crowd they are playing for. The one thing that makes a festival like Folk on the Rocks better than a CD or seeing the artist live, is the collaboration. When are you ever going to see our own Digawolf and Greg Keelor jamming together with Pat Braden and friends, where I ask. Or Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, a banjo playing room mate, and the drummer from BAM (Caleb Harrison) just all of a sudden halfway through a set get together and jam. No where, that’s where. This is where they shine as artists in my opinion, when without any practice or warning, they just breakout in song together and make amazing sounding music. One of the final day collaborations of the event, when The Dudes invited at least half the other performers up on stage during their set to show their appreciation for the weekend and each other, even had the crowd involved singing along. I am on the edge of saying that these collaborations make events like this priceless and memorable.
Although a music festival like this one is traditionally all about the music and it definitely sets the mood, I think it is only part of the experience. One of those other parts is the people. Hands down this is Yellowknife’s biggest party. Everyone I met or saw throughout the two long days out there, seemed relaxed and mellow. Not mellow like they are dragging their feet, but more like they have forgotten all about real life and just wanted to have fun. Isn’t that what it is suppose to be all about? People would gather with those they hadn’t seen in ages and rock like they’d never been apart. Personal space was no longer an option for many as they came to the stage area to jump up and down along with the bands. It’s the spirit of the event which makes even the grumpiest looking people, like myself, smile. Yellowknife has awesome people, you are truly amazing!
The days were long, musicians played hard and the crowd partied harder, actually I’m fairly certain the musicians also partied just as hard. So the the question is, how did you enjoy the 30th annual Folk on the Rocks? My time was amazing, and something I wanted to note was how few bugs I noticed. Am I just a seasoned northerner and didn’t notice them or were there really just that few? Have anything to add, by all means. Now lets relive it.
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Another Rock the Folks was a success or you could say they did Rock the Folks. I even have proof, see the picture of the guy reading his book, he put ear plugs in half way through.
As the crowd started to gather Hello Paisley took to the stage and did was they do best. You might remember them from Music in the Park 2009, they took first place. The night consisted of several great local acts, but there were two from out-of-town. Atisa and Scott Walker, who ironically both played solo with their acoustic guitars. Atisa, who is from Vancouver, shared a couple of original songs as well as a couple Tegan and Sara songs, stating that they are her influence. Scott, who is from Barrie, Ont, played a cover of a Jack Johnson song, and did well at it too.
It was then taken up a notch when the Beat Officers, Flaherty’s Wake and Whiskey Jack performed. Each with their own style. Beat officer very punk/rock/I’m not really sure. Flaherty’s Wake was very Celtic/ East Coast/Irish with they fiddling. Then Whiskey Jack with their cover of Rock Banks like ZZ Top.
Then there was Billy Bangarang, how do I write about them. They got skills, I’ll say that. Although rap at a Folk Fest, I’m not really sure about that one. Tina Roy was also there and did her thing, as per usual. She has a cool, jazzy style which makes it really easy to listen to her play.
To finish off the night was the quickly rising in popularity, David Strauss. The 3 member band still hadn’t gotten another keyboard, but I think I’m finally coming around to them and their cocky ways. I mean they have been together forever, for 8 months. The band also took home first place, but unfortunately won’t be performing on Saturday. The runners-up, The Beat Officers, will get the honor of performing in front of a crowd in the Beer Garden at 1pm.
I think everyone had a good evening, and the turn out seemed decent. Although I have to comment on the crowd. There was no dancing this year. Last year people were on table givin’r, this year nuttin’. What gives?
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The 2010 Folk on the Rocks Schedule has just been made available online, on their website, FolkontheRocks.com.
I have to say at first it was a little hard to understand, and I’m still not sure if I understand it correctly, but nevertheless it is there.
I did finally figure out that you have to select which schedule you want to see. Beer Garden, Daytime, Evening, Warm the Rock. Once you have selected the one you want, you can then see it displayed below in a table format. Or you can click on either of the two printable version. I would recommend you click on the Printable Version (no tables) it seems to be the easiest to understand, for me at least.
I will not be posting the schedule here, like I did last year, as it seems they have a better setup. If you would like to read more about Folk on the Rocks see all our past posts on the events here: http://ykonline.ca/category/coverage/folkontherocks/. As the festival is less than two weeks away, I will be posting more information about this big event soon (I keep procrastinating).
Yk Quick Tips is your guide to Yellowknife, NT. Whether you are moving to the city, just visiting or live here, we can offer information about all the best things. The show will contain info about what to do while visiting, things to know about moving to the City and everything else interesting about Yellowknife.
Folk on the Rocks is the topic of episode 8 of Yk Quick Tips. I talk about some general info about this festival.
If you don’t know by now, Folk on the Rocks, is Yellowknife’s biggest Folk Festival. It was started 30 years ago on the shore of Frame Lake and then moved to the shore of Long Lake, where it remains today.
It now has its own properly, still on the shore of Long Lake, just off Highway 3, past the Airport. With in the festival grounds there are 6 stages in total. One main stage, a right and left stage, the beer garden stage, a culture and children’s stage. The Festival is normally over a weekend in July and features over 24 hours of music and entertainment.
When Folk on the Rocks is on, the town becomes alive. There is so much energy just bursting through the streets. Along with what happens at the main site, local bars have pre-shows. Musicians from all across Canada come to play at Folk on the Rocks. Past artist include Tegan & Sara, Sam Roberts and Leila Gilday.
Learn more about Folk on the Rocks in Ep. 8. If you have any question about Folk on the Rocks or anything, email YkOnline – info@ykonline.ca
When Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor were announced to play at this years Folk on the Rocks, I instantly knew this year was going to be a blast. Blue Rodeo and Jim Cuddy have an amazing sound that is not to be missed and one that will stick in your head days after.
That being said, when I found out some of the other performers, which were announced by Folk on the Rocks artistic director Lynn Feasey on CBC Radio 3 yesterday afternoon, I became even more excited. Along with Cuddy and Keelor, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Justin Rutledge, Basia Bulat, and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald will be performing at this years festival.
Browsing through their music on iTunes and YouTube, I’m really started digging Michael Fitzgerald but also think so far there is a good mix of performers. Something for everyone. On CBC Radio 3 yesterday afternoon, Feasey also announced that Grant Lawrence, the host of the show she was on, will be emceeing the festival this year. So although we did not get voted the best festival in the country this year, we still have an amazing line-up so far, with an awesome emcee.
I had a really good time at Folk on the Rocks 2009 and I will definitely be going again next year. I will also be able to enjoy the performances in the Beer Garden a little more.
All the bands that played were awesome and really opened my eyes to the great talent not only those from the north but also from the rest of Canada. My itunes library will be growing over the next couple days. How did you find the bands/ performers? Who was your favorite?
I’m not a photographer by no means but I was taking some pictures while I was there during the day. Unfortunately while Sam Roberts was playing the there was a horrible haze in the air and I was not close enough to get any good photos. Here are just some of what I got:
You can find all Folk on the Rocks photos HERE or maybe HERE
A Big thanks go out to all the organizers, volunteers and of course performers. If you didn’t have a chance to get out there this year I definitely suggest you make it a point to attend next year.
If you want to share the photos you took please share the link in the comment section.
Well today is the Friday before Folk on the Rocks, which means it is the last day that tourists and performers will be trickling in for the festival. Folk on the Rocks is one of the big sellers for coming to the end of the road (Yellowknife) in the summer, so for the couple days the festival is on, the streets seem that little bit busier as well as musical.
I have posted about the festival, the line up, and the schedule for each day and they all can be found here:
Taking a quick glance at the weather forecast for this weekend it looks to be a good one. As you all know this summer definitely hasn’t been an outstanding one.
Having never been to Folk on the Rocks personally I am probably not certified to be giving advice about what you should know about attending the festival but I thought I should mention a couple things you might want to consider.
As this event runs for two full days and chances are you are going to be sitting in one spot for the majority of it I must remind everyone, that although it wont be overly hot outside during the afternoons. The suns rays will still get to any exposed skin, so don’t forget that sun screen or at least a hat. While on the topic of exposed skin, do I really need to remind anyone that the bugs are out. And in full force. I suggest you pick up a can of Muskal for yourself, you may just use the whole can in two days.
The Folk on the Rocks site is a big place and there will be a lot happening, which means there will be a lot of people all over the place. As far as I am aware there will be some seating provided in some areas but as the amount of people will be so great, it would be a very good idea to bring your own foldable chair. If you do not have the use of a foldable chair or you purely don’t want to take one, maybe a blanket is more your style.
There will be food and drinks for sale at the festival but bringing your own water bottle is a good idea as well, especially if it is going to be sunny.
If you have any tips or tricks for Folk on the Rocks let everyone know in the comment section.
Finally, If you are taking any photos and upload them to Flickr, make sure to tag them with fotr2009 for everyone to see. Hope to see you all there.
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