News Archives
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
6 JULY 2011
RYAN'S FANCY TRIBUTE TO CLOSE OUT
THE 35TH ANNUAL NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK FESTIVAL
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is proud to announce that the event will close out on Sunday evening, August 7, 2011 with a very special tribute to Ryan's Fancy. To salute the fortieth anniversary of the formation of Ryan's Fancy, some of Newfoundland and Labrador's finest talent will come together to pay tribute to the band, including Connemara, Mark Hiscock, Chris Andrews, Larry Foley, Anita Best, Gerry Strong, Fergus Brown O'Byrne and Mike Hanrahan. While they will be the guests of honour, Fergus O'Byrne and Denis Ryan will also be performing during this incredible tribute.
"We are glad to pay tribute to Ryan's Fancy at this year's festival. Through their live shows at the Strand Lounge, their appearances on television and almost constant airplay this group became synonymous with traditional music across the country during that era" says Anita Best, President of the Folks Arts Society. "Ryan's Fancy made Newfoundland songs and tunes popular with a whole generation and their respect for the roots of this music was always clearly evident, even in the songs that Dermot composed himself"
Ryan's Fancy was formed in 1971 when Denis Ryan, Dermot O'Reilly, and Fergus O'Byrne came together and a musical revolution was unleashed, not only on Newfoundland and Labrador, but all of Atlantic Canada. Through their 12 albums, numerous television series and appearances, both Regional and National, and energetic live shows, they helped make it fashionable to have enthusiasm for traditional music. By showcasing the songs and talent they found on their travels through the region, Ryan's Fancy brought local music out of the kitchens and forecastles of Atlantic Canada and placed it in the spotlight for a larger audience to appreciate. Though they disbanded in 1983, they influenced an entire generation of traditional musicians. It is hard to imagine what the musical landscape of Atlantic Canada would be today without the impact made by Ryan's Fancy. For more information on the band, visit: www.ryansfancy.com
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
9 JUNE 2011
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS FOR THE
35TH ANNUAL NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK FESTIVAL
Do you love the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival? Would you like to become more involved? The 35th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, is taking place August 5 - 7, 2011 in Bannerman Park, St. John's, NL and volunteers are needed for the entire weekend.
"Volunteering at the festival is a great way to become more involved in your community and contribute to the success of the festival. From selling programs to billeting musicians, volunteers help make our festival possible" says Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Festival Assistant, Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. Last year, we were voted the best volunteer opportunity of 2010 by readers of The Scope in their Best of St. John's Readers' Survey. This year, volunteering at the folk festival is going to be an even better experience"
This year all the registration of volunteers will be done through an online system and can be found at www.nlfolkfestival.com. Volunteers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis and no submissions will be accepted after July 8, 2011. If unable to complete the online form, you can do so by telephone. Please call the office at (709) 576-8508 by June 20th and ask to speak to Charlotte.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
25 MAY 2011
MAIN STAGE LINE-UP ALMOST COMPLETE
ONLY TWO DAYS REMAIN FOR EARLY BIRD TICKET SALES
FOR THE 35TH ANNUAL NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK FESTIVAL
Another stellar year is on the horizon and the line-up is almost complete for the upcoming 35th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, August 5 - 7, 2011 in Bannerman Park, St. John’s, NL. Over 20 additional performers were recently posted to www.nlfolkfestival.com and features heavy hitters from around the province and beyond. While the line-up is near complete, so are discounted early bird advance tickets which are only available for two more days, ending May 27th.
“While we still have a couple of acts to confirm and a surprise or two to announce, we are excited to be able to release the remainder of the main-stage line up” says Roger Lockyer, Artistic Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. “The talent that will grace our stage this year from around the province and beyond is world class and we are also working on some outstanding sessions for our small stages. In addition, the performers for the Neil Murray Stage (dedicated to youth) this year are amazing. I would encourage everybody to purchase their weekend pass soon as they are selling fast and you won’t want to miss out as we celebrate our 35th anniversary in style”.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
11 MAY 2011
SEAN MCCANN & ANDY MCKEE ADDED TO THE LINE-UP OF THE
35TH ANNUAL NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK FESTIVAL
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is excited to announce that Sean McCann and Andy McKee will be performing at the 35th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, August 5 - 7, 2011 in Bannerman Park, St. John’s, NL.
As a follow up to last year’s release, Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes, Great Big Sea’s Séan McCann returns with the release of his second solo effort, Son of a Sailor. Having grown up in Newfoundland and spending nearly 18 years touring with the band, it’s not difficult to hear the musical and maritime influences on songs like “Rather Be a Sailor” and the title track. Drawing inspiration from the road, family, home, love and longing, Son of a Sailor provides the listener with a collection of first person narratives. For more information, visit greatbigsean.com.
Andy McKee, is one of the world’s finest acoustic soloists. After receiving over 20 million views collectively for his Youtube videos, which were posted by the independent record label “Candyrat”, Andy’s success is a testament to the changing nature of the music industry as well as people’s desire for something new and interesting to listen to. At one point, Andy held the #1, #2 and #3 positions for Top-Rated Videos of All Time on the hugely popular website. For more information, visit andymckee.com
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
12 APRIL 2011
SARAH HARMER, CATHERINE MACLELLAN & BASIA BULAT ADDED TO THE LINE-UP OF THE 35TH ANNUAL NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK FESTIVAL
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is pleased to add Sarah Harmer, Catherine MacLellan & Basia Bulat to the talented line-up that will be performing at the 35th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, August 5 - 7, 2011 in Bannerman Park, St. John’s, NL.
“The Folk Arts Society is delighted to have these wonderful performers at our Festival. Their warm voices and intelligent lyrics are putting them in the forefront of this country's amazing songwriters. They are following the trail that amazing songwriters like Pamela Morgan and Rose Vaughn blazed in the past few decades,” says Anita Best, President of the Folks Arts Society.
Three-time 2011 JUNO award nominee Sarah Harmer will perform in St. John’s for the first time since 2006. On “Oh Little Fire”, her first album in five years, Harmer sounds reinvigorated and positively charged. Sonically Harmer’s most fully realized album, its layers of textures, from ear-tingling atmospherics to gut kicking power chords, complement the deceptive complexity of her songs. For more information, visit sarahharmer.com.
Matching pure and ethereal vocals with poetic lyrics and her uncompromising songwriting craft, there is no doubt as to why Catherine MacLellan has become one of the most celebrated new singer/songwriters in Canada. Her latest album “Water In The Ground” gained critic acclaim and received multiple East Coast Music Awards. MacLellan is set to release her next album in June of 2011. For more information, visit catherinemaclellan.com.
2011 JUNO award nominee for Best New Artist of the Year, this will be the first visit to Newfoundland for Basia Bulat. Her 2010 release, “Heart of My Own” was born after over a year of touring that took Bulat across Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States several times over. You may have heard her song “Before I Knew” as it was the feature song in a North American Subaru commercial. Visit basiabulat.com for further information.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
29 March 2011
GOOD LOVELIES, RON HYNES & THE DARDANELLES TO PERFORM AS NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 35 YEARS
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is pleased to announce that the Good Lovelies, Ron Hynes and The Dardanelles will be performing at the 35th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, slated for August 5 - 7, 2011 in Bannerman Park, St. John's, NL.
"The Folk Arts Society is very excited to kick off the celebrations as the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary. After the success of last year's Festival, we have had a busy year of planning to ensure we deliver another great festival but we are confident the people of the province and visitors from all over will be delighted with this year's event" says Anita Best, President of the Folks Arts Society.
2010 JUNO award winners The Good Lovelies are sunny and upbeat, with just a pinch of sass. Their textbook three-part harmonies, constant instrument swapping and witty on-stage banter have enlivened the folk music landscape since they joined forces in 2006. For more information, visit goodlovelies.com.
One of Canada's premiere singer-songwriters, Ron Hynes has created beautifully crafted signature songs for more than 35 years. His Fall 2010 release Stealing Genius marks his eighth solo recording. It's a collection of remarkable songs that not only echo a life in Newfoundland and Labrador, but resonate with people everywhere. Visit sonicbids.com/ronhynes for further information.
The Dardanelles are armed with a love of jigs, reels and ballads honoured in Newfoundland and an energy found more often in 3 piece punk rock bands than 5 piece folk acts. Their accordions, fiddle and talent have shaken National festivals including Winnipeg, Mariposa, Lunenburg and this year, Vancouver and St. John's are about to bear witness. Visit thedardanelles.com for further information.
For NLFF information, please contact:
Gord Delaney
Marketing Coordinator
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival
709-746-3023
marketing@nlfolk.com
