Green light for cannabis at the folk fest
Within today’s announcement for Hozier, Ani DiFranco, Brandi Carlile, Bruce Cockburn and other acts we already knew were coming to the 40th annual Edmonton Folk Music Festival was a big green light for marijuana.
Oh, yeah, cannabis is legal now. Almost forgot. Producer Terry Wickham addressed the issue at the annual media launch, where there was a representative from Aurora: “Not sure if they’re a supplier or a sponsor.” That got a few laughs. On site at Gallagher Hill Aug. 8-11, there will be special smoking areas “divided between cigarettes and pot.” He paused, adding, “I can’t believe I’m saying that … this could be the first time!”
And the media people laughed and laughed.
Not quite so funny is news that the folk fest is already allowed to have an “all site license,” meaning you’d be able to walk freely around with your beer, a perennial wish for many attendees – but they’re still holding off. “I’m not saying we won’t do it, but we want to look into it in more detail. There are gains, but also losses,” said Wickham, noting that one of the issues is the noise that sometimes accompanies people drinking. So for this year it’s the same as it ever was: Consumption in the beer tent only.
On whether the LRT construction will impact the festival, Wickham said the city has promised not to do any construction Thursday and Friday (Aug. 8-9) after 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 10-11) all day to not interfere with the music. It’ll be the same situation next year – the hardest-to-get-to festival in town for one more year – with the LRT line expected to be running by 2021.
Along with a few tweaks and improvements announced, all of this is meant to put the focus where it belongs: On the music.
Kay & Martinez perform at the folk fest media launch on Wednesday
For the first time in recent memory, Wickham didn’t do his annual folksy mini-blurbs of all 66 acts, preferring instead to hit general points.
Brandi Carlile – “Did you see her at the Grammys? She out-polled Lady Gaga the next day, if you can believe that” – is expected to be a hit on the Friday. Hozier (top photo), probably the biggest name on the bill, will close the opening night Thursday. No luck booking Mavis Staples just so they could do that one song.
Other special plugs went to Ani DiFranco (mainstage Saturday) – and maybe she’s the biggest name – “the legend.” It will be Bahamas’ first time on the main stage (Saturday), and the first folk appearance ever from The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer (sessions stage TBA). Ditto Colter Wall, part of the “new crop” of country artists. John Prine (mainstage Sunday) was the first act booked this year because his booking agent was the first to call. A couple of mainstage acts that were rained out last year will be back: Including the Southern soul duo War and Treaty (Sunday), and St. Paul and the Broken Bones (Thursday). And there are notable indigenous acts – including Digging Roots, and Edmonton’s own Jay Gilday (sessions TBA) – part of the folk fest’s new policy of “deep engagement” in indigenous culture. Fans will notice a new attraction on that theme, where Stage 4 used to be.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 1. In person at the office (10115 – 97A Avenue) starts at 9 am, online sales start at 10 am. Adult personal passes are $189, $149 for “young adult” (18-24), and $129 for seniors (65-79). People 80 and older, or 11 or younger, are free.
