The Folk’n COVID-19

June 6, 2020
How about that, another month of empty Sunday nights gone by … songs unsung, tunes unplayed, friendship unshared. We do so hope everyone continues to be well and to be hopeful in such trying times and that you are finding ways to tap into whatever joy comes within reach!

Regrettably (but not surprisingly?) the Victoria Folk Music Society is having to cancel our regular Sunday night gatherings until at least September. As BC begins its restart plan, approval for larger inside gatherings remains a long way off — especially for ones like ours that involve high-risk activities like singing! The Sons of Norway have themselves found it necessary to cancel all of their own activities for the foreseeable future, and in spite of huge financial losses, they will not be opening Norway House to any renters for the foreseeable future, either.

Folks are finding all kinds of creative ways to connect at a distance, to share their music and sustain each other, and the VFMS is exploring opportunities to get together safely over the summer as well. Informal gatherings to jam and sing in local parks seem the most promising and details will be emailed or otherwise communicated to members when confirmed. Ron Gillmore, our steadfast newsletter editor and webmaster, continues to maintain this website and our Facebook page, both worth checking regularly as excellent sources of current news and musical connections…thanks Ron!

In the meantime, with musicians and other artists being among the hardest hit by the current social/economic shutdown, anything we can do to support them will be invaluable! Links to all manner of festivals and performers are maintained on the Links page of this website, including for feature musicians we have had to cancel since March 22. If you are financially able to do so, please consider any of the following:

1. Buy songs, albums, and merch from your favourite artists
2. Donate to musicians and venues who have set up a fundraising page
3. Sign up for Skype lessons and develop your own playing
4. Rather than seeking a refund, donate all or part of your tickets to cancelled concerts and festivals back to the musicians and organizers

Below are a few other opportunities for keeping music and community alive:

*** Longtime VFMS member and local choir leader Denis Donnelly has been hosting on-line singing evenings on Sunday nights starting at 7:30pm. (Doesn’t that just fill a gap!) Sometimes featuring songs of Bob Dylan or Pete Seeger, sometimes with guests like Rick Scott, Shari Ulrich, Coco Love Alcorn, and Marc Jenkins — all great fun! He uses a Zoom webcast so if you’d like to join, the link to register is below. After you register you’ll be emailed the link to the actual Zoom event.

*** Another opportunity for song-sharing comes courtesy of the folks at Washington Revels. One song, each day, led by a rotating group of fine song-leaders including people like Peggy Seeger and Ysaye Barnwell, as well as a variety of other great folky performers. 9:00am Pacific Daylight Time, every day through to the end of August. Each session lasts about 20 minutes and is a great way to get the morning going!

*** From across the pond, Folk on Foot enlisted the help of over thirty of the UK’s finest folk performers to stage two memorable Front Room Festivals. The first event raised £110,000 and the second more than £80,000! Both streams are still available to watch here: https://www.folkonfoot.com/festival

*** Another venerable Victoria institution, Herman’s Jazz Club, may be closed to the public, but in support of musicians and community, it is livestreaming many performances that would otherwise have had to be cancelled. As well as being treated to some fine music, you can also donate directly to musicians and to the venue through this link: http://hermannsjazz.com/upcoming

*** And from up-island, The Duncan Showroom has begun hosting small shows and livestreaming them to the wider community. Check their website for upcoming performances including folk favourites like Rick Scott and Nico Rhodes on June 12. showroomproductions.ca

Wishing everyone peace and strength in the times ahead. Financially, the VFMS is in a state of suspended animation, no money coming in but none going out either, so no worries there. What does need support is our community. Please reach out to each other as best you can and please feel welcome to email the Folk with questions or comments whenever you’d like. info@victoriafolkmusic.ca

Be safe, be well, keep playing and singing!

with kind regards,
Carol Aileen
Victoria Folk Music Society

Sundays in April & May 2020 —