1. Mission Folk Festival update!

If you're like me, you left your taxes until the last minute, and maybe you rued the lack of charitable donations you could file. I know that there are many causes you could support, but I'd like to draw your attention to a couple of causes that are very dear to me. The first one is the Mission Folk Music Festival - that special July festival with camping and jamming and a beer garden and incredible music that you won't hear at any other event. After a couple of rainy years and the sudden retirement of artistic director Francis Xavier, combined with an annual reduction in funding from government sources, the festival looked to be in grave danger. However, a dedicated group of supporters has rallied round to keep the event alive and create a bridging year festival to keep it going to its 30th year in 2017. You can help to keep the music going, too. They have launched a 300 x 300 campaign, to find 300 people to contribute $300 and to receive a tax receipt for the full amount. Go to www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca, click on the Canada Helps link, and please give what you can to help. It doesn't have to be $300. Every donor will receive a tax receipt. Then keep it safe for next year's tax return!

N.B. To purchase your tickets go to the Mission Folk Music Festival site. There are no discounts for Rogue members this year. All tickets are at a fantastic price! Please support the festival any way you can! www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca

2. Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Wed. May 11th, 8pm at St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

Michael Cleveland is one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation and, with TEN International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Fiddle Player of the Year awards under his belt, he is one the most awarded and celebrated fiddlers in the history of the music. Cleveland plays with so much fire, drive and virtuosity that audiences are left shaking their heads in amazement. After picking up the fiddle at age 4, Michael’s musical momentum began to propel him forward towards early success. He debuted at the Opry as a guest of Alison Krauss and was hand picked for the IBMA Bluegrass Youth Allstars before he was 14. The Rogue teams up with Pacific Bluegrass & Heritage Society to bring you Michael Cleveland and his fine band Flamekeeper (four-time IBMA Instrumental Band of the Year Award winners) at St. James Hall on Wednesday May 11th. Cleveland delivers some of the most powerful, exciting and authentic bluegrass you can find. www.flamekeeperband.com

Click here for tickets and information

3. Songwriters' Night, Thursday May 12th, 8pm at St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue)

On May 12th The Rogue presents a unique evening of songwriting and storytelling that you don't want to miss! Acclaimed Nova Scotia songwriter Ian Sherwood brings the charm of the East Coast, Alberta's Maria Dunn (above) brings social and historical commentary from her brand new CD The Gathering, Khari McClelland (top photo. Of The Sojourners) resurrects songs of the underground railroad that brought escaped slaves to freedom in Canada, and our own Lydia Hol brings songs of the sea. Lydia launched her new album - Heading North - to a packed house at The Rogue in January and she also hosted The Acoustic Guitar Project in the Fall, a fantastic songwriter's night that really showcased our city's talent. $1 from each ticket will be donated to support local charity Music Heals. We will also be collecting old iPods/MP3 players to donate to Music Heals. These iPods are used by music therapists across BC. For tickets and information click here

4. Saving St. James Hall - the most important part is yours!

The City of Vancouver's purchase of St. James Hall to save it from developers stands out as one beacon in an ever-darkening world of music in Vancouver - and beyond. Now that the building has been saved, and leased back to the Society that has run it for over two decades at break-even, there is still much work to be done. The City will make whatever repairs to the building "envelope" that may be required (notably the roof, whose warranty expires next year). But there are many repairs and enhancements that still need to be made. The floor in the hall needs to be replaced, washrooms need to be renovated, and ventilation and air circulation are critical. St. James Community Square Society is a registered charity and is resposnsible for making these other crucial venue improvemenrts. Alll donations $10 and up will generate a tax receipt - and The City will match every dollar raised! The fundraising campaign to improve and maintain St. James Hall gets underway this month. Please visit www.sjcommunitysquare.org or call 604-739-9373 to make your contribution.

5. Great deal on Vancouver Folk Festival tickets for Rogues!

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July 15 - 17, Jericho Beach Park) features a wonderfully eclectic line-up, this year featuring several Celtic and related artists including Oysterband (Wales, Scotland, England), Eliza & Martin Carthy (England), Lucy Ward (England), I Draw Slow (Eire), Ten Strings & A Goatskin (PEI), The Young 'Uns (England), and The Bills (BC). Moulettes are described as "Pentangle meets Kate Bush and early Pink Floyd" and there are heaps of amazing artists from all over the planet. Check out the line-up on www.thefestival.bc.ca

Rogue Folk Club members can purchase Early Bird tickets at a discounted price up to Friday June 3rd on our website or at our events at St. James Hall. Early Bird tickets are $155 plus $7.40 service charges. You can buy them from us for $140 plus that $7.40 service charge, so $147.40 as opposed to $162.40. A saving of $15, which would buy you most of a CD or 3 beers or gourmet coffees on site.

6. Connect with The Rogue on Social Media!

 We are now sharing photos of concerts and letting you know about upcoming events via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Hope to see you online!

7. Radio Waves

Tune in to The Edge On Folk every Saturday from 8am to noon on CiTR fm 101.9 and www.citr.ca to hear music from all these performers - and more.