Jane Siberry to Gnawa rock: Vancouver Folk Music Festival announces program

Tanzania’s Zawose Queens and Congo’s Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin rub shoulders with Canadian names like Elisapie and Ocie Elliott at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park, July 18 to 20

By Janet Smith

Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Photo by Chris Randle

Jane Siberry.

Zawose Queens.

VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL has just announced a program that spans acts from across Africa as well as across Canada for the celebration July 18 to 20 at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park.

Musicians are coming from all over Africa, including Tanzania’s Zawose Queens, Congolese collective Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin, Mali’s Bamba Wassoulou Groove, and South Africa’s Derek Gripper & Guy Buttery; joining the roster is Moroccan-French Gnawa-rock sensation Bab L’ Bluz.

Other world entries include Scotland’s Shooglenifty, Scandinavia’s VÍÍK, Ireland’s Ye Vagabonds, and Australia’s Emily Wurramara, whose music celebrates her Indigenous heritage of Anindilyakwa.

Among the Canadian standouts are celebrated Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen, Elisapie, Jane Siberry with Rebecca Jenkins, Julian Taylor, and Victoria’s Ocie Elliott.

For folk-inflected-bluegrass fans, there’s The Milk Carton Kids, while indie-folk duo Watchhouse has built a fan base from its earliest incarnation as Mandolin Orange.

“In a world that sometimes feels like it is being pulled apart, there’s comfort in knowing that we’ll again be gathering to feel the positive power of music and community, and their ability to change us all for the better,” Vancouver Folk Music Festival artistic director Fiona Black said in the announcement today.

There’s much more: find the full lineup, as well as Early Bird weekend passes and tickets, at the website.

Entry also includes artisan markets, world-ranging food vendors, interactive artist workshops and panels, family-friendly zones, and sunset sing-alongs.  

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