The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society (NLFAS) announces a weekly digital series that will run online all summer long – rain or shine.
In May, 2020, the NLFAS announced the cancellation of the 44th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Festival was scheduled for July 10 – 12, 2020 in Bannerman Park in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Since 1977, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival has been the premiere summer cultural event to celebrate the province’s music, dance and storytelling traditions, regularly drawing thousands of participants.
Like so many other festivals and public events across the globe, the organizers of the Festival were disappointed by the cancellation, but quickly began work on alternate programming.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival 2020 Digital Edition presented by Equinor is a weekly online series that will feature a variety of music, story, dance and more, available to viewers across the globe free of charge.
The first episode premieres at www.nlfolk.com on Thursday, July 16th at 8:30pm, with featured performer Amelia Curran. New episodes premiere each Thursday through the summer.
The series lineup also includes Oral Traditions and Instrumental sessions, the Lifetime Achievement Award, programming from established partners such as DanceNL, Le Reseau Culturel Francophone du Terre Neuve et Labrador, First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre, children’s programming, and much more.
Programming will be revealed as it is confirmed at www.nlfolk.com.
The Festival is usually dedicated to a member of the folk community who was lost in the previous year. Given the circumstances, this year’s Digital Festival is dedicated to the essential workers who have worked so hard for all of us, and to the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians we lost to COVID-19.
QUOTES
“Moving our festival to a digital platform is a way for us to continue reaching our loyal audience and gain new fans from around the world. We have an excellent and diverse festival on the books for all to enjoy and we hope to meet again in person in 2021.”
–Anna Brophy, President of the NL Folk Arts Society
“The past few months have been such a whirlwind for us all as we adjust to new ways of living, of interacting, of enjoying culture and performance. I’m so proud and appreciative of the board and staff of the NLFAS for coming together and pulling something totally new out of our hats. It was important to us all that we keep celebrating the traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
–Erin Whitney, Executive Director of the NL Folk Arts Society
“Equinor is happy to support the Newfoundland Folk Festival again this year and we applaud their innovation and determination to continue the long-standing tradition of celebrating the province’s music and culture with a new approach.”
–Unni Fjaer, Acting Country Manager, Equinor Canada Ltd.
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society wishes to thank the sponsors and funders of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival 2020 Digital Edition presented by Equinor.
Our major sponsors and funders are Equinor, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Government of Canada, City of St. John’s, and ArtsNL.
