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.