1. Mama's Broke, Tuesday March 28th, 8pm, Mel Lehan Hall at St. James (3214 West 10th Avenue)


Mama's Broke are Lisa Marie and Amy from Nova Scotia. They released their second album, Narrow Line, last summer and it's been nominated for a Juno and a Canadian Folk Music Award. Last September they performed at The Rogue in my favourite show of 2022. Their unique blend of fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo - and their spine-tingling vocal harmonies - is spellbinding. With influences ranging from Celtic to Balkan to Bluegrass and Old Time, their original songs are totally compelling. We are delighted to be able to bring them back tonight!! In fact, I am SO delighted that I chose to Sponsor this show (on behalf of my radio programme, The Saturday Edge On Folk on www.citr.ca every Saturday from 8am to noon). 

Tickets are going fast, and are $5 cheaper if you buy them in advance here (only available until 2pm today. After that tickets will be on sale at the door from 7pm).

Sadly, due to scheduling difficulties, Hubcast Media will not be streaming tonight's concert. However, you will have another chance to see this amazing duo on Sunday night (April 2nd) when they will perform a short set at the Canadian Folk Music Awards 

2. B.C. Showcase, Thursday March 30th, 7pm, Mel Lehan Hall at St. James (3214 West 10th Avenue)

The Rogue presents an extraordinary and exciting opening night for the Canadian Folk Music Awards, with no less than TEN of B.C.'s finest folk and roots acts on our stage! Headlined by Vancouver's most beloved blues and roots singer Jim Byrnes and his fine band, the event will also feature two sessions of singer songwriters in the round, with performances by Stephen Fearing, Valdy, Yael Wand, Meg Tennant, Pat Chessell, Lydia Hol, Tom & Kalissa Landa (Paperboys), and Kathleen Nisbet & Steve Charles (Viper Central), plus a first half closing set from Vancouver's brilliant Celtgrass / Jazz / Folk combo Early Spirit.

Lydia Hol


Kalissa & Tom Landa


Yael Wand


Stephen Fearing

We wanted to show the world what a vibrant and creative music scene we have out here on the left coast, so we chose these fabulous performers from a host of submissions and are proud to show them to the world!! There will be visiting delegates, and media types, as well as festival and concert presenters from across Canada, USA, and as far afield as Europe and Australasia in attendance, and this show will also be streamed LIVE so, if you can't be there in person, you can still catch the show by purchasing a ticket to the live stream


Meg Tennant


Early Spirit


Valdy


Pat Chessell


Kathleen Nisbet & Steve Charles

But we really want you to be there in person, so grab your tickets while you still can. There aren't many left, folks - and there won't be any on sale at the door ....

Please note the earlier start time. This concert starts at 7pm and runs until 11pm.

3. The Canadian Folk Music Awards, Friday March 31st, 6pm, to Sunday April 2nd, 6pm, at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James (3214 West 10th Avenue)

The 18th edition of the Canadian Folk Awards moves further west than ever before, and we are so honoured to be the presenting sponsors of a fabulous weekend of Canadiana! 

The event kicks off on Friday evening with a Trad Showcase, featuring the following CFMA Nominees:

• Ken Whiteley (ON)
• Jaffa Road (ON)
• Jocelyn Pettit (BC) - above photo
• Shannon Quinn & Tony Quinn (NS) 
• Li'l Andy (PQ)
• John Reischman (BC)

On Saturday afternoon (1pm), the Songwriters Showcase features: 

• Ken Yates (ON)
• Amanda Rheaume (Metis, ON)
• Sébastien Lacombe (PQ) 
• Suzie Ungerleider (BC) - above photo
• Adrian Sutherland (Attawapiskat First Nation)
• Ancolie (PQ)

Hosted by Chelsey June (Twin Flames) and Benoit Bourque, the bilingual CFMA 2023 Award Concerts will feature a total of 20 awards being presented, including the Unsung Hero Award, over the course of two nights, as well as performances by an exciting and diverse selection of 10 of this year’s nominees from across the nation.


Saturday Evening (6pm) Awards Night 1 will feature 10 awards and performances by:

• Geneviève & Alain (PQ)
• Angelique Francis (ON)
• Kyle McKearney (BC)
• Camie (ON)
• Barney Bentall (BC) - above photo

Sunday Evening (6pm) Awards Night 2 will feature another 10 awards and performances by:

• Abigail Lapell (ON)
• Wesli (PQ / Haiti) - above photo
• Mama’s Broke (NS)
• Digging Roots (ON)
• John Wort Hannam and T. Buckley (AB)

There are other ancillary events ranging from an April Fools Masked Square Dance on Saturday night to a Trad Jam (open to local musicians as well as nominees) on Sunday afternoon, and a Children's Entertainers Showcase at The Waterfront Theatre on Sunday at 11am.

Full details of all these events are on folkwards.ca 

4. Rogue 50/50 Draw 2023

We have just launched a new 50/50 Draw! As you can see, we haven't sold many tickets yet, but the draw won't take place until May 18th. Please support The Rogue and buy your tickets here. You could win as much as $10,000 in May. And The Rogue needs your support now more than ever ...

5. Radio Waves

On this week's edition of The Saturday Edge On Folk I'll be featuring some of the nominees for CFMAs, as well as new releases by the likes of Irish singer songwriter Bernadette Morris, African American troubadour Dom Flemons, newgrass supergroup Nickel Creek, Nova Scotia's Gunning & Cormier, Quebec's Le Vent Du Nord, Maritime bluesman Matt Andersen (who plays two sold-out nights at The Hollywood next week), and BC's Steve Dawson, Colleen Rennison, and Chris Frye & The Analog Ghosts. A few April Fools tracks, and who knows what else? Tune in and turn on to find out, 8am to noon, this and every Saturday on CiTR fm 101.9 and www.citr.ca