This is a call for people living in the Brandon area to lend assistance and support to the Brandon Folk, Music and Art Festival by opening their homes to some of our performers at this years Festival, running from the 21st of July, to the 24th. Some of the artists coming to perform at our festival have families with them, or would like to experience some of Brandon’s hospitality first hand by staying with some of its residents. If anyone would like to host a musician for a few days in July, or is interested in knowing more about who is looking for a bed, please contact Alex at production@brandonfolkfestival.ca

There will be something new for everyone to discover at the Brandon Folk, Music and Art Festival’s 27th annual event, happening this year from July 21st to the 24rd.

The festival repeats last year’s format with a solid line-up of amazing music Friday and Saturday nights, presenting musicians from British Columbia to Quebec.  Brandon’s urban forest comes alive with the sights and sounds  generated by musicians and artists from across Canada. From the “gypsy-ska” sounds of The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, Latin American performance theatrics of Mariachi Ghost, to heartbreakin’ blues from the Romi Mayes Electric Trio, the  contemporary bluegrass as performed by BC’s dynamic Fish and Bird, the frenetic Alt-country stylings of the Magnificant 7’s and the Klezmer-Pop of Quebec’s The Burning Hell, there will be undoubtedly something for everyone to discover.

“We’ve been lucky enough to work with the legendary Mitch Podolak who told me – daytime is about folk, night time is all showbiz.  That’s what we’ve set out to do again this year.”  Wrapping up the festival is a stellar Sunday night concert featuring Festival Head liners The Sheepdogs, legendary folk singer Ferron, along with critically acclaimed American singer/songwriter/rebel Dan Bern.

Saskatoon heroes The Sheepdogs are generating huge public recognition by making the final two in Rolling Stone’s Choose The Cover competition that sees the winner receive the cover of the venerable music publication.

“We’re extremely excited to bring The Sheepdogs back to Brandon after their recent success” says Shandra MacNeill, acting Artistic Director. “Tight harmonies and a laid back classic rock feel are a perfect fit for Brandon.”

Ferron may be a unfamiliar name to younger music audiences but they will know the artists that count the Canadian Music Pioneer as an influence.  Ani DiFranco, Tracey Chapman,Tori Amos and Indigo Girls have played on her albums and covered her songs.  Music fans will love this rare opportunity to see one of folk music’s greatest songwriters, who’s lyrics have been compared to Leonard Cohen and Bruce Springsteen by Rolling Stone magazine.

There is already a similar buzz of excitement among those in the know about veteran performer Dan Bern. A brilliant and cutting lyricist, he is dryly comedic and has experienced viral internet success with songs like ‘Tiger Woods’ and ‘President’.

Visual Artists, word@folkfest Literary Retreat, Dance and Emerging Artist Program participants will be announced in the coming weeks.

Limited discounted advance tickets are now on sale in Brandon, Winnipeg and Onanole. A limited number of Campground passes with also be on sale this year.

Dan Bern (USA)
http://www.danbern.com
http://www.myspace.com/29779135
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDdAM9zBIbw

The Sheepdogs (Saskatchewan)
http://www.myspace.com/37049704
http://www.thesheepdogs.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4JR6aw_Uqo

Ferron (British Columbia/Michigan)
http://www.myspace.com/ferronmusic/music
http://www.ferrononline.com/
http://www.augustaproductions.com/films/ferron/

Romi Mayes Electric Trio (Manitoba)
http://www.romimayes.com/bio.html
http://www.myspace.com/romimayes/music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIT179Cr3v8

Wax Mannequin (Ontario)
http://www.myspace.com/waxmannequin/music
http://www.waxmannequin.com/
http://youtu.be/HyRh15oifFk

Christa Couture (British Columbia)
www.christacouture.com
http://www.myspace.com/18509758
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp0T5BMMznw&feature=youtu.be

Mariachi Ghost (Manitoba)
http://www.myspace.com/mariachighost
http://youtu.be/DWTuGzuVjzM

Adrian Glynn British Columbia)
www.adrianglynn.com
http://www.myspace.com/adrianglynn/music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c50cLSHMGc
http://youtu.be/3XkZPxCGz9Y

The Burning Hell (Newfoundland/Ontario)
www.wearetheburninghell.com
http://www.myspace.com/135942041
www.facebook.com/theburninghell

The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra (British Columbia)
http://www.myspace.com/tequilamock/music
http://www.thetequilamockingbirdorchestra.com
http://youtu.be/uvRQ6sP0toQ

2 Dope Boyz in a Cadillac (British Columbia)
http://www.myspace.com/2dopeboys

Ben Sures Trio (Alberta)
http://www.bensures.com
http://www.myspace.com/bensures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdgbzpKn5l8

Fish and Bird (British Columbia)
http://fishandbird.ca
http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20110210fishb

The Sweet Alibi (Manitoba)
http://www.myspace.com/thesweetalibi/music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiM7RcWS3yU

Son Latino Band (Manitoba)
http://www.myspace.com/sonlatinoband
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfZZEA-9yss

The Fugitives (British Columbia)
http://www.fugitives.ca/music
http://www.myspace.com/canadianfugitives/music
http://youtu.be/uxS56KobsuM
http://youtu.be/41RsTkIllsk

Magnificent Sevens (Manitoba)
http://www.mag7s.com
http://www.myspace.com/themagnificent7s/music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4hR4Nw0e_4

Jeremy Loveday (British Columbia)
http://www.myspace.com/jeremylovedaypoetry
http://www.myspace.com/jeremyloveday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bM8j7sEv_w

Sebastian Owl (Manitoba)
http://www.myspace.com/sebastianowl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcU0G6M-9cA

Shelley Lynne-Hardinge (Manitoba)

www.hipshakinmusic.com

www.hipshakinmusic.ca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okMUVNCtc8k

Ingrid Gatin (Manitoba)
http://www.myspace.com/ingridgatin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsFnEe5fezE

Kirby (Ontario)

www.kirbysings.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03XdWKbOUj8

Alphabet Soup

http://www.alphabetsoup.ca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxgiDaOd6tE

Paul Bellows

www.paulbellows.com

http://www.myspace.com/paulbellows

Join these artists’ FACEBOOK Pages and find out more about them!

Dan Bern: https://www.facebook.com/#!/danbern

The Sheepdogs: https://www.facebook.com/thesheepdogs

Ferron: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ferron/109768185715520

The Burning Hell: https://www.facebook.com/theburninghell

Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Tequila-Mockingbird-Orchestra/34538586660

Shayne avec I grec – Two Dope Boys in a Cadillac: https://www.facebook.com/shayneavecigrec

Ben Sures Trio: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Sures/8659562468

The Sweet Alibi: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fish-Bird/8357264891?ref=ts#!/pages/The-Sweet-Alibi/102267947535

Fish and Bird: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fish-Bird/8357264891?ref=ts

Wax Mannequin: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_18241723896&ref=ts

Christa Couture: https://www.facebook.com/officialchristacouture

Mariachi Ghost: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MARIACHI-GHOST/297853142240

Adrian Glynn: https://www.facebook.com/adrianglynn

Son Latino: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fish-Bird/8357264891?ref=ts#!/SONLATINOBAND

The Fugitives: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fish-Bird/8357264891?ref=ts#!/TheFugitives

Magnificent Sevens: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20718744868

Sebastian Owl: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sebastian-Owl/127590133968983

Hip Shakin’ Mama: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=526985708

Ingrid Gatin: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ingrid-Gatin/185722891460143

Alphabet Soup: https://www.facebook.com/souperpage

Kirby: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirby/8035353485?sk=wall

Join us on the 20th of May as we announce the exciting line up for this years Brandon Folk, Music and Art Festival. “Like” our Facebook page before then and be entered into a draw for one weekend pass and one campground pass!

Our Facebook page can be found Here!