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Music - Cover by FFWD Staff What to expect when expecting the unexpected at the folk fest Those who’ve been to previous Calgary Folk Music Festivals know to expect the unexpected. Sometimes the best memories come from stumbling upon a Mainstage performance or workshop that you’d never intended on catching – be it a blues showcase or a world music act from halfway across the globe. While we would never claim to be experts on the event, we have to at least keep up the pretense. So here, from music writers Martin Kemp and Mike Bell, are what we expect to be 10 performances that will have people talking. Whether it be the more traditional approach to folk ye be after or music that lands on the outside – these picks should satisfy your musical cravings. Don’t misses from the more traditional folk side by Martin Kemp · Richard Thompson: Mainstage, Thursday evening Is it too cheesy to call Richard Thompson the "Godfather of Folk"? Perhaps. But whatever you call him, Thompson is a true legend. Whether he’s rockin’ out with a full band, or strumming solo (as he’ll be doing in Calgary), he is a true symbol of the folk re-revival, crossing generational borders with songs that have been covered by the musical elite worldwide. He’s not participating in any workshops at this year’s festival, so your only chance to see him is Thursday night. · Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir: Mainstage, Thursday evening Kind of like going to school, but fun. Not only are Linda Tillery and her group incredibly entertaining, but their lyrics and banter are actually educational. Plus, you get to sing along. And while you’re at it, check out LT and Choir along with Kelly Joe Phelps, Richie Havens and Kev Carmody at the South of the Border workshop, Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on Stage 5. · BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet: Mainstage, Friday evening There’s a fantastic Francophone component to this year’s festival, with a wide range of groups, including the legendary BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet. In addition to heating up the Mainstage, BeauSoleil will take part in a number of cookin’ workshops, including Roots Americana on Saturday at 4 p.m. on Stage 5, where they will be joined by Kevin Welch and Kieran Kane, Martin Sexton and Jesse Winchester. Mais oui! · Altan: Mainstage, Saturday evening Described as "arguably the best band in Irish traditional music," Altan is the real thing – moody, beautiful Celtic music performed by consummate musicians. After the passing of founding member Frankie Kennedy in 1994, the group has continued to represent the traditional side of Irish music, with almost a quiet strength about them. You want Irish music? Here it is. · Blackie and the Rodeo Kings: Sidestage concert, Saturday, 3:40 p.m. on Stage 3 Okay, so they’re not all that traditional. Truth is, this who’s who trio of Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson (who scares the crap out of me, by the way) do it all, from gentle folk ballads to honest-to-gosh country, to full-on rock and roll. It is a little disappointing that these boys aren’t storming the Mainstage this year (what with their brand new Juno Award and all), but it’s certainly worth catching their sidestage concert. Don’t misses from the less traditional folk side by Mike Bell · Blue Rodeo: Mainstage, Thursday evening Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. After a one-year absence – in which they released a glorious live CD, and perhaps their finest studio album to date, The Days In Between – Canada’s pre-eminent roots rock band returns to the Island. Sure, you may have seen them at one of their two sold-out shows earlier this year, but at the folk fest, under the open sky with twilight sneaking into view, they’ll truly be in their element. · Mary Chapin Carpenter: Mainstage, Friday evening An intelligent and engaging contemporary country artist whose appeal reaches well outside of the mainstream C&W and pop music confines. The perfect way to wind down Friday night and ease into a frantically lazy weekend of eclectic music. · Capricious Youth: Workshop, Saturday at 12:40 p.m. on Stage 2 Local urban folk oddity Kris Demeanor joins fellow upstart youngsters (relatively speaking, of course) Oh Susannah (she who runs with the Scrappy Bitch pack) and former Calgarian Lullaby Baxter for a look at what the hip kids from the Canadian singer-songwriter scene are up to. · Trance Planet: Workshop, Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on Stage 3 As far away from the world of Dylan, Guthrie and Seeger as you could possibly get – expand your horizons as electronica combines with world music for some late-afternoon head-nodding noodling. Fast Forward’s resident dance music guru, DJ Rob Faust, guides the trip which also features members of India’s Musafir, Mali’s Tartit, and Canadian acts Finjan and Cordes En Folie. An event like this is why the festival exists. · Don’t Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes at Me: Workshop, Sunday, 2:30 p.m. on Stage 3 Superb hanky tonk sweetheart Neko Case joins Bloodshot Records – the record company at the head of the alt. country insurgence – labelmates Jon Langford and Sally Timms (both of Mekons fame), as well as folk weirdoes Bad Livers for what should be a crazed dose of cool.

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