Folk, Fun & Festival Vibes: A Q&A With Folk Fest Artistic Director Fiona Black

As the Vancouver Folk Music Festival returns to Jericho Beach Park from July 18–20, we’re catching up with Artistic Director Fiona Black for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this beloved beachside tradition sing. With over 40 acts from around the globe, a legendary Saturday gate-opening ritual, and music echoing through the trees and ocean breeze, this year’s fest is ready to strike a chord with folk fans old and new. —Noa Nichol

What’s the vibe you’re hoping people feel the moment they walk through the gates at Jericho Beach Park this weekend?

A welcome vibe.  This is one of the most inclusive and welcoming gatherings that I know.  Our audience literally ranges in ages from 0-100.  Families have the little folks area for lots of fun for our youngest audience members and there’s music for everyone’s tastes from traditional, old-timey to more modern indie bands, including global music from Africa, Europe, Australia, etc.  Join our community – we’re waiting for you!

Can you give us a sneak peek at one artist or act you think is going to blow the crowd away this year—and why?

Ocie Elliott!  This very special duo from Victoria, BC who are gaining fans fast around the globe with their pure, sweet harmonies and heartfelt lyrics that will give you goosebumps and make you feel like you’ve had the best hug all day.  We’re thrilled to have them making their VFMF debut and couldn’t be prouder of these talented homegrown artists.  

The Vancouver Folk Fest has been going strong for nearly five decades—what’s the secret to keeping it fresh while staying true to its roots?

The Jericho Beach site has been a part of the festival’s identity since the second edition in 1978 (The first edition was in Stanley Park in 1977).  The site is regarded as one of the most beautiful festival venues in the world and has been a part of keeping our legacy true to its roots.  We still program ‘folk’ artists but I believe that folk music has certainly evolved and broadened in its scope over the years.  I prefer to call it global music and consider music with some connection to the tradition of where it has come from an appropriate fit for our festival.  Indie folk is certainly having a moment now with younger audiences who crave this authentic, acoustic music that they relate to and find comforting in our rather challenging world.  I believe we’ve remained a relevant and dynamic festival by being responsive to the evolving tastes in our audience as well as expanding to programming more youth driven and global acts to attract the widest and most diverse demographics.

Describe the festival in three words—go! 

Beats, Beach, Belonging 🙂

Do you have any pre-festival rituals or superstitions before the gates open on Saturday morning?

I have certain clothes that I always wear for VFMF.   My green boots are the best for running from stage to stage and needed as the temps cool later in the day.  They are so comfortable that I can dance the night away!

This fest is known for magical musical collaborations—have any surprise on-stage mashups happened in past years that still give you goosebumps?

Yes, my first VFMF had a song writer’s circle entitled the Storytellers with Ferron, Joe Henry, Susan O’Neill and Joey Burns from Calexico.  The artists all shared such poignant and emotional songs that everyone was in tears and each artist had to take a moment to compose themselves before they could continue with the next song.  It was a beautiful session that felt cathartic for everyone there and easily one of my most memorable performances. 

For the first-timers: what’s your ultimate pro tip for making the most of a day at Folk Fest?

Come early! The first bands take to the stage at 10am.  You won’t want to miss our participatory square dance session on Saturday morning with Willi Carlisle and his band.  Even if you’re not an early bird, it’s a lovely time of the day to experience the cooler morning temperatures.  You can find a shady spot later in the day for a nap in the afternoon to recharge you for the evening.  Bring warm clothes for the evening as it cools down; it’s a beach festival. There’s plenty of food options with our array of food trucks.  As well we have site wide alcohol now so you can wander all day and see all the bands with no need to tie yourself to a beer tent.   Be sure to spend some time in the artisan market and merch tent, lots of goodies and unique items to treat yourself or a special friend/family member.

How do you balance curating local talent with the big-name international acts? Is there a special moment in the planning process where it all comes together?

Programming VFMF is all about trying to achieve the right balance of gender parity and mix of styles and cultures.  We ‘walk the walk’ with our mandate of diversity and inclusion.  VFMF will always be a festival to discover new artists as many will be making their Vancouver debut from various parts of the globe.  You will find your new favourite band!  It’s important too to have artists that our audiences are familiar with as well as the effort involved with getting the hottest, up and coming acts to attract new attendees and get the buzz happening.  The process takes a while, a full year’s effort with many twists and turns from your original wish list.  In the end, once the line-up is fully confirmed, it’s definitely a eureka moment. 

Jericho Beach is such a stunning setting—do you have a favourite time of day when the music and the view just hit differently?

I love the sunsets during the evening stage performances, of course.   It’s a magical moment that takes everyone’s breath away upstaging our acts on stage on occasion.  I’ve heard artists marvel at their sunset view and say, “Why are you looking at us when you could be looking at that!”  It never gets old.

Looking ahead, what’s your dream for the future of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival—and how can the community help keep it alive and thriving?

My dream for VFMF is not only to survive but thrive.   We need this festival more than ever as a safe place for our community to gather and be reminded of all the good that is still in our world.  What our community can do to keep our festival strong is show up, don’t take it for granted.  Make it an annual tradition as it is for so many of our attendees.  Word of mouth is still one of our most powerful mediums so in that spirit, tell your friends.  If you have friends who you think would enjoy VFMF but have never been, tell them about it.  Invite them!  It’s a powerful community to belong to.  You can come for the weekend, for one day or one evening even.  There are price levels for all points of entry whatever your budget may be.  We’re in our 48th year, we’re an iconic Vancouver festival and a pioneer in the Canadian folk festival scene.  We have lots to be proud of and many more great memories to make.   See you at the beach!