Steve's Blog
Maria Muldaur at The Rio / Mission Folk Festival ticket deal / Two Shows at the WISE / Steve's VFMF photos
Thursday July 20, 2017

1. Maria Muldaur, Wednesday September 13th 8pm, The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway)

Maria Muldaur is best known world-wide for her 1974 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received several Grammy nominations, and enshrined her forever in the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere; but despite her considerable pop music success, her 50-year career could best be described a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. During the folk revival of the early '60s, she began exploring and singing early blues, bluegrass and Appalachian “Old Timey” Music, beginning her recording career in 1963 with the Even Dozen Jug Band and shortly thereafter, joining the very popular Jim Kweskin Jug Band, touring and recording with them throughout the '60s.

In the 40 years since “Midnight at the Oasis,” Maria has toured extensively worldwide and has recorded 40 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots Music, including Gospel, R&B, Jazz and Big Band (not to mention several award-winning children’s albums). She has now settled comfortably into her favorite idiom, the blues. Often joining forces with some of the top names in the business, Maria has recorded and produced on average an album per year, several of which have been nominated for Grammies and other awards. 

Don't miss this rare chance to see Maria Muldaur with her band at The Rio! For tickets and information click here

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2. Mission Folk Music Festival, July 21st - 23rd

The 30th annual Mission Folk Music Festival starts on Friday with an evening concert featuring Barney Bentall, The Boom Booms, and more! 

I'll be MC-ing on Saturday evening, with performers including Locarno, Jim Byrnes, Doug Cox, 3Tir, Cleia, Tim Readman, Andy Hillhouse, and more. 

Sunday highlights include Valdy, T. Nile, Pacifika, Mazacote, Crow Quill Night Owls, Marcus Moseley Chorale, and The Starbirds. I will also be MC-ing on Sunday.

There will be camping, jamming, workshops, a kids area, and three stages. 

Rogues can still purchase tickets at a discount by applying the discount codeRFC30 right up until noon on Friday July 21st from the Mission Folk Festival website.
 

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3. David Francey cancels his tour. 

It is with very heavy hearts that we have to announce the cancellation of David Francey's upcoming national tour. David has just received word from a vocal specialist that he must stop singing now or do permanent damage to his voice. 

David started experiencing issues 3 years ago and began seeing specialists. On their recommendations we had to cancel some tour dates and slow down his schedule to allow for periods of rest between performances. The vocal issues, however, have persisted. David would have some good days and some bad. Recently though his voice is consistently hoarse. He is unable to deliver his songs to his audiences without great effort and strain. David’s specialists have said he must stop singing until his voice has fully recovered.

David and all of us on his team are absolutely devastated about letting you down.  David does not make these decisions lightly. He does not want to deliver a show that is in any way inferior to the 100% his fans are used to. We are very aware of the problems this will cause you, and for that, we are truly sorry. 

Please bear with us while David actively works toward regaining his voice. David will be making a statement on his Facebook and Twitter page in a few days. Thank you for your understanding.

Mark Watson, Manager of David Francey.

N.B. If you have already purchased tickets we can either exchange them for other shows, or issue refunds (we prefer to make exchanges, since these are a lot less complicated and it also saves us money.) 
 

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4. Memories of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival 40th anniversary weekend

I had a great time at Jericho Beach last weekend, and heard some amazing music! My highlights were Rhiannon Giddens (above. I honestly think this was the best show I've ever seen pretty much anywhere!), Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, Ellika-Solo-Rafael, Eilen Jewell, Aoife O'Donovan & Noam Pikelny, Rura, Delgres, The Mae Trio, and Grace Petrie. I was disappointed that Sidestepper didn't make it (they applied for their Canadian visas too late) and I would love to be able to forget about Thursday's free concert - which was worth every penny. Actually it was worth even less cos I reckon it cost all folk musicians and presenters countless credibility dollars. Such a shame. The Revivalists and the Roy Forbes & Ferron finalerounded off a great weekend though, and the great memories far outweigh the bad ones.

I've put up a FlickR Page with some photos of the weekend.
 

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5. No Shorefest for Rogues this year
For the past 8 years we've been presenting great Canadian roots music for free at Sunset Beach before the Celebration of Light fireworks nights. Our media sponsors for the event - first Shore FM and latterly LG104 - no longer have to support non-profits to retain their broadcast license so we have lost their support and any music that may happen before the fireworks has nothing to do with us. Kinda sad, really. But we have some amazing memories from the last few years, and heard some incredible bands we wouldn't have heard were it not for Shorefest.
 

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6. Two great shows at the Wise Music Hall in August!

While St. James Hall is being renovated we are presenting Steve Dawson & Daniel Lapp at the Wise Music Hall (1882 Adanac Street, at Victoria Drive) on Thursday August 10th. Click here for details and tickets.

Mary Gauthier is also playing the Wise Music Hall. Friday August 4th is the date. Whilst this is not one of our concerts, there is a really great deal for Rogues! Tickets are $20 ($10 off the regular price.) Click here for tickets and information.
 

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7. Radio Waves
I'll be spinning tunes from the Mission Folk Festival performers this Saturday on The Edge On Folk on CiTR fm 101.9 and www.citr.ca from 8am to noon. Plus some tasty new releases from the likes of Rev. Sekou, Trio Da Kali, Kronos Quartet with Natalie Merchant, Rhiannon Giddens etc., Coig, Usher's Island, Trad. Attack!, Luka Bloom, Vieux Farka Toure, the latest fRoots sampler and much more. I hope you can join me! 

Radio Rogue is always on, 24/7/365 and podcasts of my radio shows can also be found here