Sweet Peter, Paul and Mary!
For any music fan with even a fraction of taste, one look at yesterday's lineup announcement for the 42nd Winnipeg Folk Festival (July 9-12) had you yelling, "what, Wilco's headlining? Shut up!"
Along with, "What Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are also headlining? Shut up, that's just crazy!"
Followed by, "oh, my god, Bahamas, Jenny Lewis, Donovan Woods, Shakey Graves, Dawes, and Kurt Vile are all playing too!"
"Are you sure this is not the Coachella website? Because this is an embarrassment of musical riches."
When Missus Peg and I were reading this lineup, which was delivered yesterday at Maw's Garage, replete with a tabletop performance from Vancouver's Dan Mangan (classy move organizers), who will also be playing Folk Fest with his band Blacksmith, we agreed that we had to buy tickets asap.
Our reaction was akin to those Wiser's guys.
Tickets went up today at 10 a.m., with early bird sales going until April 30th featuring a four-day pass for only $185.
If you haven't been to a Folk Fest, then there is no time like the present as Winnipeg always has one of the best ones in the world boasting music for nearly all tastes and genres.
Not to get all wussy on you here, but it really is one big love-fest, one where kids and adults can really just lose themselves in the music. (Plus there is awesome international food from some of Winnipeg's tastiest restaurants and food trucks). The whole atmosphere in Bird's Hill Park for the four days is one of pure bliss -- heck they don't use #FolkFestHappy for nothing.
And for the thousands of you that will be coming in from out of town, FF also offers a great opportunity to explore everything that a Winnipeg summer has on offer.
If you are camping at the Fest, be sure to swing into Winnipeg first for the Downtown Farmer's Market on Thursday, July 9th to get all your local and organic goodness. Because, let's face it, anything not locally-sourced, super tasty and organic at the Festival campgrounds would be akin to wearing a Beiber shirt (no offence Justin, but FF peeps just aren't into you).
Loading up on local kale will be a must for the 42nd Winnipeg Folk Festival (Downtown Winnipeg Farmer's Market)
Looking to get the family out of the sun, or possibly the rain for a day? Then the Winnipeg Art Gallery offers the ultimate in culture capital with its monumental Olympus: The Greco-Roman Collections of Berlin exhibit, which will be absolutely stunning.
As well, there are two Winnipeg Goldeyes games (the 10th and 13th) happening around the Festival which are perfect for the whole family, with their cheap tickets and excellent seats.
So make a week of it and come early or stay late. Downtown Winnipeg is pumping in July with daily events at the Forks, great times to be had at Assiniboine Park Zoo's Journey to Churchill (because what could make a better trip than seeing the legendary Wilco followed by watching polar bears swim and play), and of course, the Canadian Museum of Human Rights is absolutely outstanding in the summer, with its odyssey-like exhibits bathed in sunlight.
So get those Folk Fest tickets today, and plan to come early or stay late to see how our wold-class city compliments this incredible music festival.
Now watch this beautiful tune by Donovan Woods, who as I mentioned before, will be playing at the Festival. You'll thank me later.
