By Shelley Arnusch
Obviously last yearÕs wet weather didnÕt wash away the determination to stage another Pemberton Folk Festival.
The event is back for its sophomore year with a strong lineup of folk, funk, First Nations, bluegrass, rock, reggae and world music, June 11-12 at Pioneer Park.
First Nations artists are a focus this year. On the roster is headliner Wayne Lavallee, a Juno Award-winning Cree-Metis singer/songwriter from the Lower Mainland who wowed Whistler crowds at FebruaryÕs Cultural Cabaret night during the Celebration 2010 Whistler Arts Festival. The festival will also feature local First Nations talents The Tzo'kam Singers, Turtle Shell Dancers and three-time World Champion hoop dancer Alex Wells.
Artists new to the roster this year include beloved Canadian folkies Mae Moore and Lester Quitzau and funky Vancouver jam band Themasses. Last yearÕs headliners from The Mike Weterings Band are also returning with their African rhythm-infused folk-rock.
The festival will also feature a wide range of home-grown talent including flamenco guitarists Lolo & Gerardo, Archie Pateman and perennial Whistler performers The Bowen Boys with fiddler Moritz Behm.
Other acts confirmed include Sangha, John Bottomley, Fargo, Blu Hopkins, Joslin Petit, The Mountain Bluebirds, Don Alder, The Bruce Knauer Band and The Blues Berries.
The festival will be offering food kiosks, an artisan market and a kids activity tent as well as de rigeur folk festival singer/songwriter workshops.
Tickets are being offered at a discounted rate of $30 for an adult weekend pass and $80 for a family weekend pass until May 30, and can be bought directly by e-mailing tickets@pembertonfolkfestival.com. Tickets are also available at Char-isma Emporium and Pemberton Therapeutic Massage in Pemberton, BlackÕs Pub and The Question Newspaper in Whistler, Brackendale Bistro and the Brackendale Art Gallery in Brackendale, and Mostly Books in Squamish.
The festivalÕs website Ñ www.pembertonfolkfestival.com Ñ is currently under construction. For more information contact organizer Richard Doucet at 604-905-8215.
