Setting the stage
Preparations are underway for the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, held on the weekend after the St. John’s Regatta. The festival will take place in Bannerman Park the weekend of Aug. 4-6.
Preparations are well underway for the 41st Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, held annually the weekend after the St. John’s Regatta. The festival will take place in Bannerman Park the weekend of Aug. 4-6.
The festival features a packed schedule of talented performers of all ages on different stages over the course of the weekend, including a stage — the Neil Murray Stage — designated for young performers to help launch their musical careers.
The festival will also host the fourth Statoil Musicnl Newfound Talent Contest for musicians 19 and under. The contest hopes to serve as a catalyst for young musicians, offering $6,000 worth of prizes to help develop and propel their artistic careers.
“The folk festival celebrates young musicians and artists who show a keen interest in the arts and who demonstrate extraordinary potential — we like to call them the heroes of tomorrow,” says Gisle Stjern, vice-president of Offshore Newfoundland for Statoil.
This year will not only celebrate the 41st folk festival, but the 25th anniversary of Musicnl. Statoil has decided to honour this by showcasing the 2016 contest winners, Rachel Cousins, Bailey Jordanneil, Bridget and Dahlia, and Paige Penney & The Old Souls on the TD Main Stage on Saturday, Aug. 5. The 2017 contest winners will perform on the TD Main Stage on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 6.
The festival was officially designated as fully accessible, and hearing and sight accessible in 2016, and measures have already been taken in order to ensure this year’s festival will again be accessible.
There will be an on-site inclusion team and dedicated inclusion line (709-765-2232), as well as blue zone viewing areas at the TD Main Stage and TD Neil Murray Stage, listening devices, an accessible ticket line, a quiet tent, loanable wheelchairs and a festival schedule in braille. The inclusion program is being supported the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and the Canadian Red Cross. Festival volunteers will have access to inclusion training.
“The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival showcases the skill, talent and ingenuity of some of the finest artists in our province, and everyone should have a chance to enjoy their magic.
Our continuing work with our partner Inclusionnl is aimed at offering a great experience to anyone and everyone who wants to experience the festival” John Drover, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society, stated in a news release.