Latest news with #JulieVogt
CBC
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Final bow? N.L. Folk Festival ends with uncertain future
Bannerman Park in St. John's was filled with jigs and reels on Sunday, as the 49th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival drew to a close — possibly for the final time. After a year of dire financial problems, Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society board president Julie Vogt told CBC News the organization needed more money and more tickets sold to make the push to its golden anniversary next year. "It's heartbreaking. It is gut-wrenching. It is wrong in our opinion. It is the most devastating thing, I think, in my career," said Vogt on Sunday. Many attendees had mixed feelings, too, as they hoped this year's festival wouldn't be the last. Volunteer Carole Moody said she'd like to see more local talent. "I don't think that necessarily the huge artist from away [is needed]. I mean, there's lots of other festivals locally that offer those [opportunities]," she said. Volunteer Tom Power is remaining optimistic that this year wasn't the last. "I know there's not a lot of people here this year but, you know, in the past years they've been here," said Power. "I think they just need to go back to their roots … something a little smaller." For 16-year-old fiddle player Sadie Greene the folk festival is an exciting opportunity. "They had Serena Ryder … [Saturday] night, and that was great, but I think they should have Newfoundland singers headlining each night," she said. Finances under scrutiny Vogt shared publicly the society's financial hardships earlier this year, which resulted in fundraising efforts to keep the festival going. Former board member and society vice-president Anthony McDonald has been a vocal critic of the operations, and said he has even been banned as a member and from attending the festival. The Canada Revenue Agency reported that the festival earned around $1.2 million last year, but spent around $1.4 million. McDonald said that money was overspent on staff. "As culturally important to Newfoundland as this [is] … we've probably overspent into oblivion now," he said. CBC News obtained a copy of a financial audit conducted by Bartlett Chartered Professional Accountants. The audit found that the society used restricted funds, meant to be held for unexpected events, without the board's approval. It also criticized the appointment of three roles — board chair, treasurer and executive director — to one person, Julie Vogt. Accountant Richard Bartlett wrote in a letter that the society faces high financial, operational and reputational risks due to "inadequate segregation of key responsibilities." "This lack of separation has compromised several internal controls, thereby increasing the organization's vulnerability to errors, fraud, and collusion," Bartlett wrote. WATCH | The folk festival exits stage left — potentially permanently: The N.L. Folk Festival takes a bow for this year — and could be turning out the stage lights 14 minutes ago Duration 2:59 The 49th annual Folk Festival wrapped up in Bannerman Park on Sunday, with lead organizers saying its days are likely numbered. The CBC's Abby Cole was there to take the temperature of festival goers. The audit also found that bank reconciliations were not performed, and that the society's financial policies manual was outdated. Vogt acknowledges the society's shortfalls, but said nobody stepped up to fill the treasurer role, which resulted in eight months of no financial statements and poor decision making. As for the money spent on staff, Vogt said they deserve to be paid. "Just because we work for a not-for-profit does not mean we don't have bills to pay. We have children to raise, we have food to put on our table," she said. Vogt chalked up the festival's demise to people not being interested in going anymore. "We are not the chosen ones, unfortunately. They would rather see others," said Vogt. Grim future for folk society Vogt gives the society about one more month, unless an angel donor steps in. If by some chance the festival continues into its 50th year, McDonald said he'd like to see more folk artists on the board itself. "I'd like to see some more open mindedness, more consultation with the community, less happening behind closed doors," he said. "I like to see it get back to the way it was. A board of people who really care about the organization, and are there just because they want to see it survive."
CBC
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Money problems forcing N.L. Folks Arts Society, annual festival to likely shutter
Due to financial strain, the upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival will likely be the last, says board president Julie Vogt. (Mark Cumby/CBC) After nearly 50 years of highlighting the arts, along with traditional and folk music, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival could be taking its final bow — along with the folk arts society that runs it. Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society board president Julie Vogt told CBC News financial constraints continue to hamper the effort this summer, and it's looking likely that year's festival will be the final one, and the society itself will also shutter. "I encourage everyone to allow us to go out with grace, get your tickets for this last folk festival. Remember all the wonderful feels that you've ever had and come celebrate with us because that's what it's going to be — a celebration," she told CBC News on Monday. The tipping point was missing out on a multi-year ArtsNL grant that the society had hoped to land to sustain its operation. In an email to members on Friday, Vogt wrote the new board found it highly unlikely it could raise an additional $75,000 to fill the gap left behind from the ArtsNL money. The board also assessed an "extremely low" probability that ticket sales for this year's festival would meet even a "modest budget." But this summer's event will go ahead as planned, running from July 11 to July 13 in Bannerman Park in downtown St. John's. Vogt said the society had a $140,000 fundraising goal, and landed just $8,000 short. "We were that close," she said. The festival itself costs about $192,000 to pull off. That's before a ticket is sold or performers are paid. The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society could likely shut down after this year's festival. (Submitted by Alick Tsui) Vogt said she's disappointed the festival couldn't reach its 50th year, and big plans were in the making. "It's gut-wrenching, but we are going to give you the best folk festival we can with the small number of people that we have to do it," she said. Vogt also offered reassurance that performers scheduled to perform will be paid and the festival will be the same festival people are familiar with. As for the future, Vogt said there would need to be a miracle to keep the society and festival going, such as an angel investor and support from the public. While small donations are welcomed, she encouraged people to buy tickets for this year's event, too. It's not the first time the society and its festival have been on shaky ground. In January, then-president Deborah Coombs announced temporary layoffs of five staffers due to rising costs having an impact on the bottom line. Members of the Salt Beef Junkies are hoping enough people buy tickets to keep the festival alive. (CBC) Then, Vogt revealed in March, the festival was in danger of closing due to heavy financial strain, as the 2024 event left the society with over $100,000 in debt . In response, the society appealed to the public to help raise funds, and launched a "Save our Festival" campaign. In April Vogt said $23,000 was raised, the 2025 event would go ahead and they were pursuing more corporate sponsorships. Youth programming impacted The society also has youth programs that support young people interested in traditional music. Those include members of the musical trio the Salt Beef Junkies, who learned to play from older mentors through the society's Young Folk at the Hall program. "That's the sad part about this news, about today, is that well, it's been our childhood," Ty Simms told CBC News on Monday. "That's how a lot of young musicians get their first big gig in Newfoundland." The trio is opening up the festival on the main stage this year, and are hoping they can draw enough people to keep the society alive. "Hopefully more funding does come, because the Folk Festival is probably one of the best festivals in the province," said accordion player Luke Mercer. Simms said the festival helps keep young people interested in Newfoundland music. "If you have kids, if you have even teenagers, who are looking into new music or even just want to come hear in Newfoundland music … go support the Newfoundland Folk Festival." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page
CBC
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Looming fate of troubled N.L. Folk Festival is 'disappointing,' says tourism minister
As the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival faces what could be its last season, the province's tourism minister says he's willing to work with organizers to see if there is a way forward to save it. Last week, Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society board president Julie Vogt said financial constraints and missed core funding meant it was likely this year's festival would be the last, and the society itself would also shutter. The festival runs from Friday to Sunday at Bannerman Park in St. John's. Tourism Minister Fred Hutton called the situation "disappointing." "At the end of the day, while it is a, you know, sort of a staple, if you will, in the music industry in the province and has been for 49 years … we were dealing with tax dollars here," Hutton told CBC Radio's Weekend AM. "I've told others we're willing to work with them to see if we can get through this." Prior to taking over his current portfolio, he said the Crown corporation Celebrate N.L., which is overseen by the tourism department, gave the Folk Arts Society $100,000 so the festival could go ahead. Since 2022, he said, the department has given the Folk Arts Society approximately $475,000. Hutton said he's meeting with the society and ArtsNL sometime this week to discuss the problem "to try to find a path forward." "We don't want to see this go away. We want to work with them to see if there's some solution to save it and to keep this, you know, this almost 50-year-old event going," he said. Hutton said the province has many festivals and groups who request funding from the government, adding it was similar to his previous post as minister of transportation and infrastructure. "We would need trillions of dollars to do everything that would be asked for. And maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but [it's] a lot more than we actually have to allocate each year," he said. "We operate within a certain amount of money and we got to make sure that what we're spending is in the best interest of the taxpayers who are footing the bill." Hutton said he needs to see a more "viable" structure in place at the Folk Arts Society, and that Vogt has said the society doesn't have that in place at the moment.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Money problems forcing N.L. Folks Arts Society, annual festival to likely shutter
After nearly 50 years of highlighting the arts, along with traditional and folk music, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival could be taking its final bow — along with the folk arts society that runs it. Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society board president Julie Vogt told CBC News financial constraints continue to hamper the effort this summer, and it's looking likely that year's festival will be the final one, and the society itself will also shutter. "I encourage everyone to allow us to go out with grace, get your tickets for this last folk festival. Remember all the wonderful feels that you've ever had and come celebrate with us because that's what it's going to be — a celebration," she told CBC News on Monday. The tipping point was missing out on a multi-year ArtsNL grant that the society had hoped to land to sustain its operation. In an email to members on Friday, Vogt wrote the new board found it highly unlikely it could raise an additional $75,000 to fill the gap left behind from the ArtsNL money. The board also assessed an "extremely low" probability that ticket sales for this year's festival would meet even a "modest budget." But this summer's event will go ahead as planned, running from July 11 to July 13 in Bannerman Park in downtown St. John's. Vogt said the society had a $140,000 fundraising goal, and landed just $8,000 short. "We were that close," she said. The festival itself costs about $192,000 to pull off. That's before a ticket is sold or performers are paid. Vogt said she's disappointed the festival couldn't reach its 50th year, and big plans were in the making. "It's gut-wrenching, but we are going to give you the best folk festival we can with the small number of people that we have to do it," she said. Vogt also offered reassurance that performers scheduled to perform will be paid and the festival will be the same festival people are familiar with. As for the future, Vogt said there would need to be a miracle to keep the society and festival going, such as an angel investor and support from the public. While small donations are welcomed, she encouraged people to buy tickets for this year's event, too. It's not the first time the society and its festival have been on shaky ground. In January, then-president Deborah Coombs announced temporary layoffs of five staffers due to rising costs having an impact on the bottom line. Then, Vogt revealed in March, the festival was in danger of closing due to heavy financial strain, as the 2024 event left the society with over $100,000 in debt. In response, the society appealed to the public to help raise funds, and launched a "Save our Festival" campaign. In April Vogt said $23,000 was raised, the 2025 event would go ahead and they were pursuing more corporate sponsorships. The society also has youth programs that support young people interested in traditional music. Those include members of the musical trio the Salt Beef Junkies, who learned to play from older mentors through the society's Young Folk at the Hall program. "That's the sad part about this news, about today, is that well, it's been our childhood," Ty Simms told CBC News on Monday. "That's how a lot of young musicians get their first big gig in Newfoundland." The trio is opening up the festival on the main stage this year, and are hoping they can draw enough people to keep the society alive. "Hopefully more funding does come, because the Folk Festival is probably one of the best festivals in the province," said accordion player Luke Mercer. Simms said the festival helps keep young people interested in Newfoundland music. "If you have kids, if you have even teenagers, who are looking into new music or even just want to come hear in Newfoundland music … go support the Newfoundland Folk Festival." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Save our Festival': Folk Arts Society works toward $140k fundraising goal
Board president of the N.L. Folk Arts Society, Julie Vogt, was thrilled to see Quidi Vidi Brewery packed full for the benefit concert. (Julia Israel/CBC) The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society is feeling more optimistic about its future after receiving an outpouring of support from the community. On April 19, the festival held a benefit concert to "Save Our Festival," at Quidi Vidi brewery. The brewery was packed full of guests and featured musical acts all day long. Board President Julie Vogt, who stepped out of retirement to volunteer for the society, was thrilled to see the community come together to support the festival. "It's not just about the money today," said Vogt. "It's also about community. Bringing the community together to support something that can't be lost in this province." Vogt is a former executive director of the Society. When she saw the financial problems the society was experiencing, Vogt said she felt it was important that she return and try to help it continue as much as she could. Knowing how important the N.L. Folk Festival is to the province, Vogt said before shutting the doors they should let the community decide if the festival should live on. "Look at this. It's packed. There's not a seat available," said Vogt. "People are here to support us, listen to this great music and have a party and say, 'yeah, you're gonna be around.'" Justin Fong, co-owner of Quidi Vidi Brewery, said he jumped at the chance to host the fundraising event. When he heard about its financial issues, he wanted to support the folk festival. "I couldn't really picture a Newfoundland summer without having a folk festival weekend," said Fong. $140k needed In January, the society announced they were having financial difficulties and as a result laid off 5 staffers. Folk band, The Old Contemporaries, played for three hours during the benefit concert to save the Folk Festival. (Julia Israel/CBC) Since then, Vogt said they were able to rehire their logistics coordinator, however the board members are still all volunteers. "We all felt that the rest needed to be volunteers until we can be assured that we are financially sound and delivering the products that we need to be delivering," said Vogt. She said she was also "gobsmacked" to see donations roll in from all over the world, including Switzerland and the United States. In a follow up email, Vogt said their goal was to raise $7,000 at the benefit concert. While they don't know the numbers yet, she expects they succeeded that goal due to the massive attendance. Their ultimate fundraising goal is $140,000, which they'll reach in two phases. Phase one involves fundraising $40,000 themselves, and phase two involves raising $100,000 from corporate and foundation sponsors. Vogt said the benefit concert puts them at around $30,000, and now, they have 10 days to raise the final $10,000 from private donors before moving on to phase two. Festival plans underway As for the festival, a date has been set for July 11-13, with passes going on sale April 30. Quidi Vidi Brewery co-owner, Justin Fong, says he can't imagine a summer without the Folk Festival. (Julia Israel/CBC) Despite the financial setbacks, Vogt said the event will be happening as performer deposits have already been sent. While the full festival lineup will be out April 23, Vogt said up and coming folk group Salt Beef Junkies will be opening up the festival. They will also be keeping the alcohol consumption rules the same as last year, with a license to drink alcohol in the entire main stage area. Fong also said he is excited for Quidi Vidi Brewery to have a beer tent at the festival for the fifth year in a row. "If ever you were going to buy a ticket to the folk festival, please let it be this year," said Vogt. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
