Giant Sand’s leader Howe Gelb has defied musical conventions for 30 years and been called the “godfather of alt-country and Americana" and "elder ambassador of desert rock."

It’s the band camp that indie musicians dream of. The 2011 Banff Indie Band Residency at The Banff Centre is an intensive writing, recording, and performance opportunity for three up-and-coming bands – this year, Mise en Scene (Winnipeg), the Abramson Singers (Vancouver) and Doldrums (Toronto / Montreal). The whole thing wraps up with a concert showcase in the Centre’s Eric Harvie Theatre October 1.

Our friends at the Fish Creek Concert Series have a swack of upcoming events of interest to the folk fest audience, including Dan Hicks, David Francey, Bluebird North songwriters concert and James Hill and Anne Davidson. 

Sandpaper-sweet, powerhouse vocals + virtuosic guitar playing = raw and transcendent country-infused blues.

Montreal’s Socalled is an innovative multi-media artist (pianist, producer, composer, journalist, photographer, filmmaker, magician, cartoonist and puppet maker) and sardonic hip-hop maestro who mashes up funk, klezmer and 1930s Yiddish music.

Vancouver’s funky force of nature plays an energetic Bhangra/celtic/dub/reggae/electronica mash-up with global rhythms and club beats.

CAFF represents the diversity of people, regions and perspectives in the Arab world, providing realistic perspectives on Arab people, culture, art, history and politics.

Iris Dement’s beautiful, understated folk-country melodies and soaring voice turn plain-spoken verse into poetic revelations and universal truths that celebrate faith, love and rural simplicity.

Men at Work frontman Colin Hay is an endearing raconteur whose solo shows intersperse classic and new songs with hilarious, poignant and downright surreal stories drawn from 3 decades of often unbelievable experiences.

His trademark rootsy laments use razor-sharp phrasing and sage poetry to evoke the wonder and absurdity of everyday life.

Alex Cuba's sugarcane-sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and rock chords subtly subvert commonly held notions of what Cuban music is.

The Calgary Folk Festival and CANTOS Music Foundation welcome Newfoundland's THE ONCE on their national CD release series of shows.

Cal Cavendish, legendary Alberta songwriter and pilot, and subject of the CFMF co-produced 2009 hit musical 'Buzz Job', is releasing 'Rough Around the Edges', a recording of brand new material recorded with a fantastic Montana session band, and will be backed up at the Ironwood by Kris Demeanor and his Crack Band.

From her modest beginnings as a shy acoustic folkie on the local coffeehouse stage, Jill Barber’s evolution to confident chanteuse is complete.

Our funding drive for Festival Hall - 12 days of pledges, artist testamonials and events!

Our seasonal celebration returns! Join us and a bevy of local artists December 17 for a bit 'o wassailing and bring the kids! Tickets on sale November 1.

Steve Dawson and his all-star band, including blues masters Jim Byrnes, Del Rey and Alvin Youngblood Hart, will bring to life classic, memorable blues rants and square dance hollers for a marvelous, sublime celebration of formative American 20th-century string band music. 

This event is open to all SAIT students, staff and guests.

Buffy is a life-long community catalyst, one-woman revolution and prodigious songwriter whose powerful pen has spanned decades and genres. 

A beautiful documentary about Andrew Bird, presented as part of Doc Soup. Director/Producer Xan Aranada in attendance.

The Idan Raichel and Vieux Farka Touré Quartet features Vieux Farka Touré (Mali) and Idan Raichel (Israel), virtuosic superstars from very different backgrounds, creating masterworks of collaboration and improvisation.

Celebrate the launch of New Wild Everywhere, the Great Lake Swimmers’ 5th album (to be released April 3, 2012), which reveals a depth and maturity previously only hinted at by lead singer and songwriter Tony Dekker, who has spent the last decade entrancing listeners with his unforgettable voice and compelling songwriting.

Some four decades since his remarkable debut, John Prine has been elevated from the annals of songwriters into the realm of bonafide American treasures. With Dustin Bentall and Kendel Carson.

Join NMC and the Calgary Folk Music Festival for a lunch hour presentation all about Boot Camp with special guest Shakura S'Aida.

3-day intensive workshops featuring festival artists, held at the National Music Centre

A screening of Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus with its narrator, Gonzo folk troubadour and existential anti-folk artist Jim White in attendance for an acoustic performance and Q & A.

With special guest Audio/Rocketry

The Calgary Folk Music Festival is proud to present Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang, two artists who together represent the history and the future of the blues.

Festival Hall Open Doors YYC weekend September 28-30
1215 10 Ave. SE.

Israel’s troubadour Broza delivers charismatic and energetic performances featuring his flamenco-flavoured rhythmic and percussive and whirlwind guitar finger picking.

Delhi to Dublin’s new album Turn Up The Stereo aims to drown out the world’s noise and amp up their efforts. On their 10th anniversary, this ‘United Nations of rock ‘n’ roll’ evolves their signature urban music-challenging Bhangra/celtic/dub electronica sound.

The Wilderness of Manitoba are a happy addition to the bill, and are riding high on their critically acclaimed new album Island of Echoes. From its inception, The Wilderness of Manitoba has been known for its three and four part harmonies. Vue weekly says "The Wilderness of Manitoba sounds like a cross between Neil Young and the Decemberists, and the anthemic “Morning Sun” would make for a nice, relaxing wake up call with its impressive chorus, increasing energy.”

Songwriters Tippy Agogo and Bill Bourne team up with virtuoso guitarist Magagascar Slim and veteran drummer Michelle Josef for the release of their new CD Amoeba Collective. 'Amoeba Collective' is a certified organic project featuring 10 songs rife with improvisation. It's a brilliant and compelling blend of Blues, Rock, World Beat Hip Hop, Electro-Acoustic with a dash of country. It's an electric blues-based romp with a celebratory sense and global reach.

Their reverence-turned-subversion of classice Americana-based music have made them tireless innovators, always finding new wrinkles within the folk/rock genre.

Marked by elegantly stylized field hollers, her haunting, minimalist and layered ‘doom-soul’ music has an old-time blues singer’s raw urgency and an indie folk spirit, sung in a compelling dark alto.

Kings and Queens Tour, with Harlan Pepper

Blackie and The Rodeo Kings are proud to announce the Kings and Queens Tour, named for the band’s impressive collaboration album entitled Kings and Queens. The release paired the band with some of their favorite female singers and friends – and some of the biggest names in roots, blues and jazz - Roseanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis, Serena Ryder, Lucinda Williams, and more. The performance includes appearances from Amy Helm, Janiva Magness, Murray McLauchlan, and Kendal Carson.

Festival Hall's grand opening is January 26 from 2 - 11pm. Come down for a tour, entertainment and a cash bar.

The Calgary Folk Music Festival and The High Performance Rodeo present SonicWaves

The Calgary Folk Music Festival and The High Performance Rodeo present SonicWaves

The Calgary Folk Music Festival and The High Performance Rodeo present SonicWaves.

Music Calgary is presenting a Soundoff with 6 fabulous indie folk artists - Samantha Savage Smith, Reuben and the Dark, Raleigh, Clinton St. John, Kris Ellestad and Dojo Workhorse - who have all performed at the Calgary Folk Music Festival in recent years. 

The Calgary Folk Music Festival is proud to present The Idan Raichel Project February 12, 2013 at Temple Bnai Tikvah. Advance tickets are $36 or $40 at the door. 

Shakura S’Aida February 22, 8:00 pm, Festival Hall 1215 10 Ave. SE

An acoustic evening Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin April 22, 8:00 pm Grace Presbyterian Church

CKUA and Swerve present Taj Mahal with special guest Shemekia Copeland at MacEwan Hall, Saturday April 27, 2013. CABARET SEATING - First come, first served.

Two-time GRAMMY® winner, composer and multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal is one the past half-century’s most loved and influential American blues and roots artists. 2013 GRAMMY® nominee Shemekia Copeland’s huge voice creates music with a timeless power and a heart-pounding urgency.

Licensed: Age ID Required 
Tickets at Prime Box Office