Dear Readers,
We have a festival just outside =
Winnipeg every
summer called the Winnipeg Folk Festival. It is the largest festival of =
its kind
in North America, perhaps the world. It is now in its 26th year, I =
think. So,
it's organized.
It features really interesting =
music, with both
well-known and little known artists, all are considered to be tops in =
their
respective genre. There are several stages going on at all times, from =
large
ones to intimate workshops. Huge evening stages. Plus, there is a =
childrens
festival area, with excellent activities. It lasts for 4 =
days.
The styles range from Celtic, to Gospel, to R&B, =
Reggae,
Jazz, traditional etc. Some with a "beat", some not. Folk =
music is
really music made by people for people, not packaged by corporations. We =
get
artists coming from all over the world.
In any case, it really is a ton of =
fun, is held
in a provincial park with different camping experiences for your tastes. =
Lots of
ethnic food etc. Liquor, I believe is banned in the park site for this =
festival.
No random acts of violence or anything like that, (possession of =
prohibited
weapons is treated seriously) people seem to have a
"glow" during the festival, it's true!
Therefore, I think it is the ideal =
setting for a
Westy gathering, and a perfect short summer vacation for the whole =
family.
Winnipeg is about 8 hours from the Twin Cities, I think (in the =
Mid-West). Plus,
our dollar is now aproximately $1.00 US = $1.50 CDN, so it's =
cheap.
So, if you are interested, let me =
know, and I'll
try to get something organized, (if there is interest). I will also try =
to point
you to good resources on the Folk Festival. (Volk =
Festival)?
Cheers!
Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy
Canadians for Global =
Warming