Latest news with #ValerieShantz
CBC
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Bruce Cockburn gets standing ovation at Winnipeg Folk Festival as he's given key to the city
Social Sharing Music legend Bruce Cockburn has played for crowds at the Winnipeg Folk Festival for five decades, but before taking the stage Saturday, he received the city's highest honour. Mayor Scott Gillingham presented the key to the city to the Canadian singer-songwriter, who was written more than 350 songs and released around three-dozen albums. Cockburn is also an advocate for human rights and the environment. The key to the city recognizes the significant contributions of dignitaries visiting the city. Valerie Shantz, the festival's executive director, said the crowd gave Cockburn a standing ovation. "It was a really beautiful moment," said Shantz. Some of Cockburn's best-known songs include Lovers in a Dangerous Time, Wondering Where the Lions Are and The Coldest Night of the Year. Cockburn, who turned 80 in May, made a special detour from his tour to be part of the celebration for the festival's 50th anniversary. Cockburn performed at the first Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1974, which was organized to mark Winnipeg's centenary. "He was so really important in that first year," said Shantz. "He's just been an incredibly important artist for our festival." Shantz said Cockburn also performed at the festival in 1975, 1978, 1984, 1998, 2006 and 2017. "He, too, shares that affinity with the Folk Festival and he feels like this is a really special place for him," she said. Cockburn is an officer of the Order of Canada, recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and 13-time Juno Award winner, the city said in a news release. This is the second time Gillingham has given out the key to the city. "The mayor's choice to honour the festival by honouring one of our artists, I thought that was a really lovely touch," said Shantz.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Crowds arriving for 50th edition of Winnipeg Folk Festival
CTV's Ainsley McPhail learns what people can expect from Winnipeg Folk Festival in its 50th year Crowds have started lining up for a milestone edition of a popular Winnipeg summer tradition. Gates opened Wednesday morning for the first campers to move into Birds Hill Provincial Park for the 50th edition of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. The festival runs from July 10 to 13. 'We take well over a year to plan every festival, and this is our Christmas morning, when everybody turns up and is so excited to be here and showing such passion for just being at the festival,' said Valerie Shantz, the executive director of the festival. Expand Autoplay 1 of 10 Folk Fest 2025 A cyclist arrives at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) Folk Fest 2025 Campers arrive at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 A camper arrives at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 Musicians play instruments at Birds Hill Provincial Park as campers arrive for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 A camper arrives at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 Musicians play instruments at Birds Hill Provincial Park as campers arrive for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 Campers arrive at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 Campers arrive at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 Campers arrive at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) folk fest 2025 Campers arrive at Birds Hill Provincial Park for the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 9, 2025. (Ken Gabel/CTV News Winnipeg) Shantz said each night before mainstage performances take place, videos and photos from the previous 50 years will be shown to the audience. She added that the event has become a tradition for some families over the years. 'It's not unusual for us to see four generations at the festival,' Shantz said. 'So many people have grown up at the festival. It's an important part of their family tradition to meet here.' More than 2,000 volunteers help the festival run over the four days. 'The Folk Fest community is wonderful,' said Trie Truttman, a volunteer for the festival. 'Everybody is caring and giving and selfless, and we're all here for the same reason. We want everybody to have a happy Folk Fest, and we want the Folk Fest to be successful.' Headliners at this year's festival include Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit on Thursday, Peach Pit on Friday, The Cat Empire on Saturday and Lake Street Drive on Sunday. Other performers include Mavis Staples, Fred Penner, Bruce Cockburn, Ani DiFranco and Waxahatchee. There are 78 acts playing the festival this year. A full schedule and single-day ticket information can be found on the Folk Festival's website. -With files from CTV's Ainsley McPhail.
