Plenty to like in Young's familiar fictions
Young has now released her second collection, 13 lively stories with many featuring people who are in their late 30s and early 40s.
The title story is exemplary of Young's ability to present, in an entertaining way, distinctive three-dimensional characters and their immediate concerns. At a local gathering, Erik is unaccompanied by his wife Amanda when he meets a couple that's new to the neighbourhood and already featured in local gossip.
Welcome to the Neighbourhood
Erik invites Ross and Leah to his home: ''Come by for a little Christmas cheer tonight, if you fancy. The wife would love to meet you.' The wife! Amanda would murder him if she heard him refer to her as the wife. He might as well have called her the old ball and chain.'
Close to where Erik and Amanda live, a fellow has put up a tent and is living in it. Though they dislike it and believe it shouldn't be there, they do nothing about it. When the new couple comes to visit, Ross is revolted by the tent and vows immediately to tear the thing down. Erik needs to react, but he's suffering from a back pain that just gets worse.
In the highly relatable Hyacinth, Cameron Hornby regularly shops for groceries at the same store, making sure he checks out via the same young cashier named Jane; she has become his favourite.
Young cleverly gives the reader the contrasting points of view of both Cameron and Jane, who has become quite bothered by Cameron's interest in her, especially since he's twice her age.
He 'is nobody, harmless, but something about how much he cares, his premeditated jokes, his stunning recall of the little she's revealed about herself… makes her uneasy. She's begun to anticipate, if not dread, her Saturday morning encounter with him,' Young writes. It even affects her relationship with her new live-in boyfriend.
Though Jane almost becomes afraid of Cameron, the story is both funny and heartwarming, showing how an interaction can affect the thoughts and imaginations of two likable people who have nothing in common except the weekly encounter.
The first three stories in the book deal with mothers and their relationships with their children. The story Crows, Kittens, Mint Juleps shows what 13-year-old girls do as friends, taking turns living in each other's house, and how they get to dislike their mothers.
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The narrator recalls how she and her friend Aurora drank too much one evening: 'What did Aurora and I love about being drunk? The feeling of shedding ourselves, bodies that were becoming increasingly confusing to inhabit day by day, not that we articulated it that way.'
Given the book's title, it's fitting that one of the appealing aspects of Welcome to the Neighbourhood is in the settings, which are often picturesque parts of British Columbia. The story Shred features a lone 68-year-old widow named Margot who continues to live and walk in the mountains. Cyclists often encounter her on narrow paths and threaten to run her down.
The story Rescue takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Riley has taken in a dog named Jeju who was shipped to her all the way from Korea. Given that her husband Brock and nine-year-old daughter Lola don't particularly want a dog, Riley wonders if she's done the right thing. 'What had I done? I'm working from home, let's get a dog! Stupid, kneejerk woman.'
These are but a few highlights from a vivid, often funny, completely engaging collection that captures many facets of contemporary life. Clea Young's Welcome to the Neighbourhood is probably best enjoyed at the rate of one enticing short story per day.
Dave Williamson is a Winnipeg writer after whom the Manitoba Writers' Guild has named their annual national short story contest.
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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fringe reviews #7: You misread the venue number. The door locks behind you.
THE BEST (?) NON-DENOMINATIONAL HOLIDAY CONCERT EVER! Rem Lezar Theatre Tom Hendry Warehouse (Venue 6), to Saturday, July 26 ⭐⭐⭐ ½ A well-rehearsed kid-friendly gem that gently pokes fun at the current predilection to rebrand Christmas with terms that don't necessarily mean anything. While the subject matter may seem odd at this time of year — Christmas in July, anyone? — at heart this is an hour-long ode to the teaching profession, and the teachers who take on the thankless task of corralling sometimes recalcitrant kids and engaging them long enough to put on performance for their families. It's a shrewd act, this: putting on a play about the trials of putting on a play — and the resulting shambolic affair — at fringe. Is the audience witnessing an actual disaster of a show or are we watching a comedy of errors played with aplomb by the cast of seven who tackle their parts with gusto? With plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and a soft centre espousing the values of the holiday season, here's a show that lives up to its name. — AV Kitching CONTROL: A PSYCHOLOGICAL MAGIC SHOW Gregoire Entertainment CCFM — Antoine Garborieau Hall (Venue 19), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ The audience arrives to a purple-lit screen, displaying a selection of sinister verse: 'Eyes Wide open/But they're not Yours/Walking paths through Unseen Doors.' Winnipeg magician and mentalist Patrick Gregoire strolls onstage with a wry, confident grin as he surveys his victims — er, audience — and asks the crowd how many believe they're in control of their thoughts. As many hands raise, he murmurs, 'Oh, that's cute.' What follows is a string of perplexing but entertaining tricks: holding up a magazine so the audience can see the words on the page, but the onstage volunteer sees something different; compelling spectators to see a randomly selected playing card in an old photograph; and hear specific names in backwards recordings made live onstage. While similar tricks can be seen in any mind-reading show, Gregoire's rapport and fun/sinister vibe truly elevates this example of the genre. — Janice Sawka EMIL AMOK, 69: EVERYTHING'S FLIPPED Emil Amok Guillermo MTC Up the Alley (Venue 2), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐ ½ We're living in a topsy-turvy time, that's for sure. In his Winnipeg fringe debut, Filipino-American journalist Emil Amok Guillermo, a former host of NPR's All Things Considered, unleashes a stream of consciousness about current events, personal history and … laugh yoga? The top of the hour is frantic. The cheesy localized jokes (poutine-based and otherwise) don't always land, and the frenetic delivery of the day's headlines (the Epstein files) is hard to follow — although perhaps a good analogy for the chaotic daily U.S. news cycle under the Trump administration. The one-man show works best when the host settles into a quieter rhythm of personal storytelling. By invoking the ghosts of his immigrant parents and sharing about his transgender daughter, Amok underscores what it's like to live in the crosshairs of American politics, past and present. There are smart, discomforting punchlines throughout, but the ending feels forced. Literally. — Eva Wasney THE FUNNY THING ABOUT MEN Olive Productions Rachel Browne Theatre (Venue 8), to Saturday, July 26 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ British-born Mandy Williams loves her husband — even though sometimes he really gets on her nerves. Deploying a healthy dose of witty sarcasm and knowing glances, Williams explores a list of topics including household chores, mental loads and relationship dynamics in this 50-minute musical comedy. The emphasis is on the musical side, with a raft of catchy songs that pack a punch, musically and message-wise — think Glennon Doyle with a ukulele. Standout singles like Things I Know Against My Will earned a healthy dose of laughs, mostly at the expense of men. It's a good-natured ribbing against traditional gender norms, but Williams interjects more enough humour to keep everyone in on the joke. Although many of the jokes are at the expense of the patriarchy and the sometimes-inept men it enables (we deserve it, fellas!), the content is relatable for anyone who has ever been in a long-term relationship. Certainly, it seemed to resonate with the audience, who were quoting back some of the lines post-performance. — Matt Schaubroeck LAST DAY AT WHOOPEE KINGDOM MTYP's Summer Studio MTYP Main Stage (Venue 21), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐ ½ The 13-strong local cast of teenagers tackling playwright Alan Haehnel's script about a show at amusement park Whoopee Kingdom — yes, a play about a play — make a valiant effort to vitalize the rather lacklustre material they've been saddled with, and at first it seems as if they will succeed. Engaging at the start, the action falters quickly as hefty swathes of unnecessary dialogue get the better of the young thespians. At times it feels as if there are just too many people onstage hanging about doing nothing when the focus shifts to scenes involving just one or two actors. No shade to the cast; all of them are really acting their socks off during this long, rambling mess, which could have been saved with a tighter edit. Things really only get going again in the last 15 minutes, which leads one to the conclusion this could have all been done in a snappy half-hour instead of 60 minutes. — AV Kitching MULTIPLE NEUROSIS Karin Fekko Productions Son of Warehouse (Venue 5), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐½ Toronto's Karin Fekko tackles a deeply personal topic in her solo fringe debut — her own decades-long experience with multiple sclerosis. Her navigation over hurdles, from career barriers to self-coping mechanisms, are the focal points of this 60-minute journey, as she does her best to come to terms with, and accept, her new reality. The storytelling format effectively allows Fekko to deploy dark humour and no small level of vulnerability. For so personal a topic, it feels relatable and accessible for any body or mind. It's also cathartic for the narrator, who spent 17 years trying to hide her reality from everyone around her — quite a switch to performing on a public stage in front of strangers. As the curtain falls, the audience may feel they better understand not only this one lived experience, but anyone else who may be struggling with their physical abilities. As Fekko herself says: the only thing that separates the healthy and the sick is time. — Matt Schaubroeck PAPA UBU Theatre Incarnate Theatre Cercle Moliere (Venue 3), to Saturday, July 25 ⭐⭐ ½ Papa Ubu is an adaptation by local artist Eric Bossé of French playwright Alfred Jarry's Ubu Roi, a seminal play of modern theatre. Local company Theatre Incarnate's 65-minute production, directed by Brenda McLean and Christopher Sobczak, is energetic enough, but the glaring problem is that Bossé's reworking of the text tries to turn Ubu, a cowardly, vulgar, boorish fascist, into a Shakespearean tragic figure like the Macbeth that inspired Jarry's original. The text is riddled with lines from Hamlet, King Lear, Richard III, and more. Shakespeare's words stand out not to enlighten the original but overwhelm it. The show is a messy conflation of absurdist comedy and the latest trendy Shakespeare offering. A few things work well when they highlight the play's symbolist roots — using pop cans as soldiers, for example. The three-member cast presents the text well but unfortunately this adaptation annoys more than it entertains. — Rory Runnells RANDY & ELIZABETH: A SAVAGE LOVE STORY Macho MANitoban One88 (Venue 23), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This storytelling piece takes the form of a 45-minute 'promo,' as pro-wrestlers call it, focusing on the love story between Randy Poffo and Elizabeth Hulette, better known as Macho Man Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth, the First Lady of Wrestling. The story is told by Geoffrey Owen Hughes, a.k.a the Macho Manitoban, in a one-man show. His earnestness, passion, and love for professional wrestling shine through, captivating the audience with the high highs and devastating low blows of Randy and Elizabeth's tumultuous TV and real-life marriage. Seeing under the Macho Manitoban's sunglasses is the real highlight of the show, particularly his expressed adoration not only for Miss Elizabeth but Sherri Martell and their contributions to pro-wrestling, especially since those contributions are often forgotten or belittled because of their gender. Even if you are not a wrestling fan, this unique show is not to be missed. — Sonya Ballantyne A SPOONFUL OF MAGIC Krol Entertainment Tom Hendry Warehouse (Venue 6), to Saturday, July 26 ⭐⭐ Mary Poppins pops back into the now-grown-up Micheal Banks' life to help him face the adversities of adulthood with her sleight-of-hand magic tricks and wholesome homilies. A Spoonful of Magic (Supplied) This magic parody of the Julie Andrews classic raises one question: why? There is no need for such a conceit when the magic tricks themselves aren't half bad. It could've all been so good, but instead we get stilted dialogue and clunky amateur dramatics from the cast — Canadian Lisa Krol and Jordan Rooks from Las Vegas — who display neither charm nor chemistry. More magic tricks and less inane chat would've made this far more enjoyable. As it is, it's likely we will all need more than a spoonful of sugar to make this medicine go down. These magicians should stick to tricks and leave the acting to professionals. — AV Kitching TYCHO FREAKING BRAHE! Kiss the Giraffe Productions John Hirsch Mainstage (Venue 1), to Sunday, July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tycho Freaking Brahe! (Supplied) Taking as its subject the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, this 75-minute musical's reach for the stars slightly exceeds the grasp of a huge cast, mostly owing to the muddy, tone-shifting material, and music and lyrics so derivative they could have been created by AI. (But then, so is most Broadway fare, to this reviewer's ears.) Written by fringe regulars Joseph Aragon and Heather Madill (Bloodsuckers!), it's a modern riff on the politics of late 16th-century astronomy — and that's as exciting as it sounds. The good news: This local company has assembled sets and costumes and choreography as top-shelf as any touring company; this laboratory for young talent should be enthusiastically supported. Major mixing and pitch issues should settle through the run. Warning: A dozen-plus Madonna microphones in a concrete bunker can be a strain on the eardrums. — Lara Rae
The Province
5 days ago
- The Province
Vancouver Folk Festival: A classic Neil Young album reimagined, plus 5 must-see performers
The tribute is part of a continuing series of performances at the Folk Festival that explore the work of iconic acts July 10, 1974: Neil Young performs with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum. Photo by Rob Straight / PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors On July 19, 1974, Neil Young previewed his fifth solo album, On the Beach, at a surprise concert in Los Angeles. As a nod to that event, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival presents On the Beach: Neil Young Reimagined on July 19 at Jericho Beach. Featuring the Hen House All-Stars backing band led by Juno Award-winning guitarist and producer Steve Dawson, the lineup of musicians honouring Young's legacy includes Krystle Dos Santos, Sue Foley, Margaret Glaspy, Rich Hope, Marcus Mosely, Marin Patenaude, Samantha Parton, Kenneth Pattengale and Julian Taylor. This is part of a continuing series of performances at the Folk Festival that explore the work of iconic acts, such as Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan, as interpreted by artists who put their own distinct twist on material considered part of the classic-rock canon. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While the focus is on Young's seminal 1970 record After the Gold Rush, it draws from across his prolific career. Dawson says the fact that such an oddball could arrive in Los Angeles in the early 1960s and become the toast of the town is something that defies all music industry conventions. Mining his own distinct brand of guitar playing and songwriting to great success is something that can't be copied and has made Young a role model and inspiration for generations of Canadian musicians. Steve Dawson supplied 'He's not like other iconic Canadian songwriters who reference the country a lot in their material either, like The Tragically Hip,' said Dawson. 'But anyone, in any country, would have a huge amount of respect for what he's done and how he's done it. It's one of the reasons so many amazing voices have taken on his songs, and hearing them interpreted by the singers we have for this event is really exciting.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Award-winning Black Canadian/Mohawk artist Julian Taylor, who also appears as a feature act at the folk festival and at the incredibly popular gospel workshop on Sunday morning, admits that Young is an inescapable presence. 'There are some records that resonate with me and are personal favourites, such as On the Beach and Tonight's the Night, but he loses me a lot of the time as well,' said Toronto-based Taylor. 'For musicians working in my area, his influence is everywhere, and trying to think of another artist who has that definitive folk style but isn't afraid to really crank it up is rare. 'I'm always up for trying out a project like this, but honestly I'm more of a Robbie Robertson of the Band or Bob Dylan type of guy.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Musician Julian Taylor. Photo: Lisa MacIntosh/Handout Having performed at the folk fest numerous times with the Sojourners and the Good Noise Gospel Choir, Vancouver vocalist Marcus Mosely estimates he has played the event five or six times. Singing Neil Young songs has never been on his bucket list of material to perform, but he's excited to be involved in the reimagining project, as well as hosting the gospel workshop featuring one of his idols, Texas belter Ruthie Foster. 'Like anyone else who is a child of the '60s, I grew up listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and his solo work,' said Mosely. 'While I've not followed every stage of his career, so much of his solo material has been a part of my upbringing. The song I'm doing is Tonight's the Night, which is completely outside my wheelhouse. But I love the way that Steve has brought his 'Steve-isms' into it, making it very fresh.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That 'fresh' approach to what can sometimes be a little too-classic material is what makes these reimaginings different from a tribute show. Vancouver Folk Music Festival artistic director Fiona Black says she wouldn't be interested in presenting that kind of a show, mixing local talents with national and international performers. 'Tributes conjure up images of a band trying to be the original artist and that is definitely not what we are doing here,' said Black. 'When you have a different, unique vocalist performing songs they want to put their stamp on, it's very much in Young's style, which is to never do a song the same way twice. We have a few new additions from the show at the Kay Meek centre last year, which was more of a focus on After the Goldrush.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. These shows, Black notes, also allow people to discover new talents and launch themselves into embracing the diverse artist offering over the festival weekend. For full artist profiles and samples as well as the packed workshop and individual concert program, visit Don't miss these 5 artists at the 2025 Vancouver Folk Music Festival With three nights of evening main stage performances and several different workshops and individual concerts on the east, west and south stages, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival packs in a lot of music over a short period of time. From Appalachian and Atlas mountain music to blazing blues guitar and raw soul vocals, the 2025 edition of the festival provides the opportunity to check out sounds that suit your personal preferences, as well as find something wonderful and new to your ears. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The best advice: Pick a few specific concerts and workshops and then leave yourself room to wander and wonder what you'll discover. Here are five acts not to miss: Bab L' Bluz When/where: Sat., 10:05-11 p.m., Main Stage; Sun., 12:30-1:30 p.m., West Stage Website: Latest album: Swaken About: This Moroccan-French crew's name translates as 'door of the blues,' and it's opening the way for women-fronted acts in the macho world of the desert blues sound that has captivated global audiences in recent years. Lead singer Yousra Mansour is a serious badass on her custom electric guembri (bass lute) and has a piercing wail that just rocks. Ruthie Foster When/where: Sun., 10-11:30 a.m., South Stage; Sun., 7:15-8:10 p.m., Main Stage This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Website: Latest album: Mileage About: Texas musician Foster is a dynamo whose work encompasses gospel, blues, folk, country and more. In songs such as the title track on her latest release Mileage, Foster serves up confessional songs of Black womanhood and LGBTQ+ issues with heart-stopping intensity. Sue Foley When/where: Sat., 11:10 a.m.-noon, East Stage Website: Latest album: One Guitar Woman About: Fingerpicking stylist Foley plays with passion, grace and fire. An absolute guitar hero, her latest release finds her unplugging and showcasing her amazing acoustic playing while paying tribute to legends such as Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and more. Take::Teke When/where: Fri., 3-4 p.m., West Stage This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Website: Latest album: Doppleganger About: Japanese Canadian psychedelic crew Teke::Teke really rocks to a sound of its own. Incorporating everything from piccolo and brass alongside shredding surf guitar and pop hooks, the Montreal septet is one of a kind. Owing to being so in-demand globally, they don't play here often. Don't miss it. The Zawose Queens When/where: Fri., 10-11 p.m., Main Stage; Sat., 11:10 a.m.-12 p.m. West Stage; Sat., 12:25-1:15 p.m., South Stage Website: Latest album: Maisha (coming soon) About: Taking the music traditions of the Wagogo, or Gogo, people of Tanzania into contemporary realms, Pendo and Leah Zawose come from a musical dynasty. Pendo's father, Hukwe Zawose, recorded for Peter Gabriel's Real World Records, and now Pendo and her niece are leading the way for women playing Gogo music. sderdeyn@ Read More Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances. Crime News News News News
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Folk Festival: A classic Neil Young album reimagined, plus 5 must-see performers
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. On July 19, 1974, Neil Young previewed his fifth solo album, On the Beach, at a surprise concert in Los Angeles. As a nod to that event, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival presents On the Beach: Neil Young Reimagined on July 19 at Jericho Beach. Featuring the Hen House All-Stars backing band led by Juno Award-winning guitarist and producer Steve Dawson, the lineup of musicians honouring Young's legacy includes Krystle Dos Santos, Sue Foley, Margaret Glaspy, Rich Hope, Marcus Mosely, Marin Patenaude, Samantha Parton, Kenneth Pattengale and Julian Taylor. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. This is part of a continuing series of performances at the Folk Festival that explore the work of iconic acts, such as Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan, as interpreted by artists who put their own distinct twist on material considered part of the classic-rock canon. While the focus is on Young's seminal 1970 record After the Gold Rush, it draws from across his prolific career. Dawson says the fact that such an oddball could arrive in Los Angeles in the early 1960s and become the toast of the town is something that defies all music industry conventions. Mining his own distinct brand of guitar playing and songwriting to great success is something that can't be copied and has made Young a role model and inspiration for generations of Canadian musicians. 'He's not like other iconic Canadian songwriters who reference the country a lot in their material either, like The Tragically Hip,' said Dawson. 'But anyone, in any country, would have a huge amount of respect for what he's done and how he's done it. It's one of the reasons so many amazing voices have taken on his songs, and hearing them interpreted by the singers we have for this event is really exciting.' Award-winning Black Canadian/Mohawk artist Julian Taylor, who also appears as a feature act at the folk festival and at the incredibly popular gospel workshop on Sunday morning, admits that Young is an inescapable presence. 'There are some records that resonate with me and are personal favourites, such as On the Beach and Tonight's the Night, but he loses me a lot of the time as well,' said Toronto-based Taylor. 'For musicians working in my area, his influence is everywhere, and trying to think of another artist who has that definitive folk style but isn't afraid to really crank it up is rare. 'I'm always up for trying out a project like this, but honestly I'm more of a Robbie Robertson of the Band or Bob Dylan type of guy.' Having performed at the folk fest numerous times with the Sojourners and the Good Noise Gospel Choir, Vancouver vocalist Marcus Mosely estimates he has played the event five or six times. Singing Neil Young songs has never been on his bucket list of material to perform, but he's excited to be involved in the reimagining project, as well as hosting the gospel workshop featuring one of his idols, Texas belter Ruthie Foster. 'Like anyone else who is a child of the '60s, I grew up listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and his solo work,' said Mosely. 'While I've not followed every stage of his career, so much of his solo material has been a part of my upbringing. The song I'm doing is Tonight's the Night, which is completely outside my wheelhouse. But I love the way that Steve has brought his 'Steve-isms' into it, making it very fresh.' That 'fresh' approach to what can sometimes be a little too-classic material is what makes these reimaginings different from a tribute show. Vancouver Folk Music Festival artistic director Fiona Black says she wouldn't be interested in presenting that kind of a show, mixing local talents with national and international performers. 'Tributes conjure up images of a band trying to be the original artist and that is definitely not what we are doing here,' said Black. 'When you have a different, unique vocalist performing songs they want to put their stamp on, it's very much in Young's style, which is to never do a song the same way twice. We have a few new additions from the show at the Kay Meek centre last year, which was more of a focus on After the Goldrush.' These shows, Black notes, also allow people to discover new talents and launch themselves into embracing the diverse artist offering over the festival weekend. For full artist profiles and samples as well as the packed workshop and individual concert program, visit . With three nights of evening main stage performances and several different workshops and individual concerts on the east, west and south stages, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival packs in a lot of music over a short period of time. From Appalachian and Atlas mountain music to blazing blues guitar and raw soul vocals, the 2025 edition of the festival provides the opportunity to check out sounds that suit your personal preferences, as well as find something wonderful and new to your ears. The best advice: Pick a few specific concerts and workshops and then leave yourself room to wander and wonder what you'll discover. Here are five acts not to miss: When/where: Sat., 10:05-11 p.m., Main Stage; Sun., 12:30-1:30 p.m., West Stage Website : Latest album : Swaken About : This Moroccan-French crew's name translates as 'door of the blues,' and it's opening the way for women-fronted acts in the macho world of the desert blues sound that has captivated global audiences in recent years. Lead singer Yousra Mansour is a serious badass on her custom electric guembri (bass lute) and has a piercing wail that just rocks. When/where : Sun., 10-11:30 a.m., South Stage; Sun., 7:15-8:10 p.m., Main Stage Website : Latest album : Mileage About : Texas musician Foster is a dynamo whose work encompasses gospel, blues, folk, country and more. In songs such as the title track on her latest release Mileage, Foster serves up confessional songs of Black womanhood and LGBTQ+ issues with heart-stopping intensity. When/where: Sat., 11:10 a.m.-noon, East Stage Website : Latest album : One Guitar Woman About : Fingerpicking stylist Foley plays with passion, grace and fire. An absolute guitar hero, her latest release finds her unplugging and showcasing her amazing acoustic playing while paying tribute to legends such as Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and more. When/where: Fri., 3-4 p.m., West Stage Website : Latest album : Doppleganger About : Japanese Canadian psychedelic crew Teke::Teke really rocks to a sound of its own. Incorporating everything from piccolo and brass alongside shredding surf guitar and pop hooks, the Montreal septet is one of a kind. Owing to being so in-demand globally, they don't play here often. Don't miss it. When/where: Fri., 10-11 p.m., Main Stage; Sat., 11:10 a.m.-12 p.m. West Stage; Sat., 12:25-1:15 p.m., South Stage Website : Latest album : Maisha (coming soon) About : Taking the music traditions of the Wagogo, or Gogo, people of Tanzania into contemporary realms, Pendo and Leah Zawose come from a musical dynasty. Pendo's father, Hukwe Zawose, recorded for Peter Gabriel's Real World Records, and now Pendo and her niece are leading the way for women playing Gogo music. sderdeyn@ Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.
