Folk Fest Finale

Yet another great day and evening on Sunday the last day of Folk Fest...Te Vaka and their great South Seas sounds and visuals....check out the dancers, visceral drum beats and some more "modern" tunes - they also entertained at the volunteer party later....a lovely evening shot of the sky from the backstage area....and below a lovely dancer from Te Vaka.

The delightful duo of Aterciopelados - Columbian superstars with a social conscience was a major crowd pleaser for the Latin contingent in the audience. They also tossed out frisbees - made of recycled materials and each one with a unique artisan design...how sweet.

Four Men and A Dog got all the dancers up and bopping along to their Celtic rhythms and someone I wasn't expecting to like - Jakob Dylan really, really drew me in...perhaps it's those hypnotic eyes - maybe some genetic charisma from Mr. Bob? Finally it was time for the legendary John Prine who definitely didn't disappoint - it was interesting watching singer/songwriters Dan Wilson and Chris Tupper listening reverently in the backstage area.

Dan Wilson at his concert and Lunch at Allen's

which features Murray McLaughlin, Ian Thomas (sounds exactly like his brother Dave and is also funny) Cindy Church and Marc Jordan. Again -  more Dailey and Vincent, their bass vocalist Christian is second from the right - and a hottie, I might add.....by the way Dan Wilson had one of the most exquisite lines I have ever heard in a song "I opened up to you like wings on a warm day"....folk artists are amazing....



With a twist to Folk Fest tradition - before the usual "Four Strong Winds" - with the composer himself onstage -  Ian Tyson,  Melanie recalled a certain festival of some 40 odd years ago with "Candles in the Rain" sing along (that's Woodstock for you young folks).

It's with some sadness I leave Edmonton today and return to Toronto - part of what makes the city and the festival great is the genuine warmth of people here - thanks to all the incredibly hard working staff and volunteers who make this miracle of music happen.