2018 ANNUAL REPORTTHE FOLK FESTIVAL SOCIETY OF CALGARY

WHO WE ARE

OUR PILLARS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF

The Folk Festival Society of Calgary is a year-round, charitable arts organization that promotes community engagement and city building through the presentation of live musical programming spanning genres from local, national and international artists. The FFSC has grown from its primary event, the Calgary Folk Music Festival, a four-day summer festival (est. 1980) to include: ownership and operation of Festival Hall, a 200-seat performance venue in Inglewood; producing a year-round concert series; and Block Heater, a multi-venue winter music festival. The Society is run by thirteen staff, twelve board members and is powered by 1,850 volunteers.

Chantal Vitalis Artistic Associate, Chelsea Boutilier Box Office Coordinator, Elyse Bouvier Marketing Coordinator, Emily McCormick Volunteer Resources Manager, Ingrid Mosker Development Associate,John Hiebert Production Manager, Jordan Schroter Festival Hall Rentals Manager, Katie Neelin Accountant, Kerry Clarke Artistic Director, Matt Olah Marketing Director, Peter Kaminski Site Operations Manager, Sara Leishman Executive Director, Stephanie Mok Development Manager

1. Share our passion for music

2. Create exceptional experiences

3. Maintain a vibrant and sustainable organization

4. Foster community spirit

Board members, left to right: John Smiley, Rob Pritchard, Shayne McBride, Jennifer Allford, Lisa Hari, Brian Pincott, Karin King,

Jaci Lyndon, David Frid, Sheldon Lachambre. In memoriam: Joseph Schuck. Photo by Peter Moller.

Cover images from left to right: A Tribe Called Red at Calgary Folk Music Festival 2018, photo by Mike Tan; Guitar Boot Camp 2018

with Kevin Breit at National Music Centre, photo by Lucia Juliao; Carmelo Torres at Calgary Folk Music Festival 2018, photo by Joe

Miles; audience at Calgary Folk Music Festival 2018, photo by Mike Tan; nêhiyawak at Block Heater 2018, photo by David Kenney.

FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES:WWW.CALGARYFOLKFEST.COM

@CALGARYFOLKFEST

The Folk Festival Society of Calgary1215 10 Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 0W6

403.233.0904

Registered Charity #127909141 RR0001

YEAR IN REVIEWThe Folk Festival Society of Calgary’s past year was filled with growth and success. Business as usual was approached with fresh sets of eyes and continued commitment to sustainable development in everything that we do. Artistic programming continued to be relevant and diverse, marketing efforts resulted in strong ticket sales and increased community engagement, and our fundraising efforts were fortified with our first ever presenting sponsorship, a collaborative partnership with ATB. All of this was done with the bedrock support of our finance, production, site operations and volunteer departments honing their respective practices and continuing to set a high bar in our industry. While we forwarded our own presenting mandate, Festival Hall remained in demand and had a record number of community and private rentals. Our spring and fall concert series averaged 85% sold, Block Heater sold out before our doors opened and the event at the root of it all - the Calgary Folk Music Festival - set a ticket revenue record of just over $1.5 million. The financial benefits of these successes are a wonderful thing, but what they really demonstrate is a strong connection with our community.

Over 39 years we have grown and evolved into a leader in the Calgary arts community and nationally among our peers. Our sustainability as an organization has strengthened partnerships with organisations such as the National Music Centre, historically our partners for Folk Boot Camp and now Block Heater’s anchor venue. Our position has also opened up incredible opportunities for collaborations with fellow Cornerstones such as the CPO as well as local presenters and upstart community initiatives like Major Minor Music Project.

As we enter our fourth decade, we strive to keep the organization creative and relevant, while holding on to the traditions that set us apart. We commit to sharing our passion for music and doing so through exceptional experiences year round. We couldn’t do this without the support of a strong board and their acute focus on sustainability; our amazing corps of volunteers who come from all walks of life; and our sponsors, donors and funders who place such great value in this community.

The Deep Dark Woods play Calgary Folk Music Festival in 2018. Photo by Melanie Boisvert.

CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

PROGRAMMINGSeventy-one artists from thirteen countries, seven Canadian provinces and eight Indigenous nations performed on seven stages July 26–29, 2018. Marquee artists included The Milk Carton Kids, Passenger, Alvvays, Joe Jackson, Rhye, Stars, Lee Ann Womack, Reuben and the Dark, Shovels & Rope, Neko Case, and Bahamas. The excellence and depth of Indigenous cultural expressions was exemplified as Canadian and Australian artists Archie Roach, The Mission Songs Project, Jeremy Dutcher, Quantum Tangle, and Michelle Thrush shared their art and celebrated links between nations, countries, genres and perspectives.

As always, artists shared enticing stories and songs at curated sessions, creating magic for the artists and audience. Complementing these performances were the Talk Tent, which provided a fun, shaded tent alternative as multicultural comedy, beatboxing and panels animated this cool space and two articles in the program book that highlighted Latin American music and the African diaspora. Family programming was elevated from sing-a-longs to cultural adventures: hip hop fusion, the human form through cross-cultural rhythms and an Aboriginal healing clown.

A Tribe Called Red enhanced the annual Boot Camp educational program as they mentored keen Indigenous youth songwriters and DJs plus gave an intimate open-to-the public talk.

Top to bottom: Quantum Tangle, photo by Joe Miles; backstage volunteers, photo by Ron Sparrow.

VOLUNTEERS1,766 TOTAL VOLUNTEERS

TOTAL HOURS: 48,950

AREA MANAGER HOURS: 8,400

CREW COORDINATOR HOURS: 10,500

FRONTLINE VOLUNTEER HOURS: 30,500

28 AREA MANAGERS, 11 AREAS

201 CREW COORDINATORS, 76 CREWS

1,537 FRONTLINE VOLUNTEERS9,124 MEALS SERVED TO HUNGRY VOLUNTEERS Nearly every volunteer that I ran into, or talked to, was so friendly and I could find at

least one thing in common. The passion of so many of these volunteers was amazing. Count me in for next year! — Backstage Production Security volunteer

CONCERTS & EVENTS

PROGRAMMING

VOLUNTEERS

This team has been at capacity over the last 4 years, so we have not been accepting new candidates. We have been letting the program shrink by attrition.

Top to bottom: The East Pointers at Festival Hall, photo by Chelsea Lees; Festival Hall volunteers, photo by Lisa Amos.

“I feel very valued by the FH staff because you are very genuine in recognizing our efforts and giving thanks for our help. You really make me feel like part of a team versus just another volunteer.”

Throughout our thirty-nine years of existence, our festivals, concerts and events respected both history and new trends and made links between artists, genres, cultures and generations.

The Society presented many sold out shows at our own Festival Hall and other venues—from East Coast traditional virtuosos The East Pointers to theatrical comedians The Arrogant Worms, the country sounds of Lindi Ortega and Mariel Buckley to indie-darlings Great Lake Swimmers, Blitzen Trapper, the soulful Birds of Chicago and more. We celebrated the Calgary-bred artists Reuben and the Dark’s success at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, along with fellow Alberta Arts & Crafts label mates nêhiwayak, following their debut Calgary performance at the 2017 CFMF. We continued to mark Black History/Futures Month through a wonderful partnership with innovative local black collective Soul in the City to co-present a special themed multi-disciplinary extravaganza featuring Lynn Olagundoye. The Society cemented its role as this city’s go-to music organization by collaborating with many partners, including Tourism Calgary, Tooth Blackner, One Big Jam and Dave Kelly Live.

46 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS

WORK AT 2–4 SHOWS

A SEASON

PROGRAMMINGProgramming evolved for the third annual festival at the majestic Studio Bell and the historic King Eddy, creating a festival-in-a-box that mirrored the summer festival...with a few more permanent physical structures. 26 artists, including Justin Townes Earle, Iris Dement, The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, Ndidi Onukwulu, Delhi 2 Dublin and Dan Bern shook the Skybridge and serenaded Performance Hall audiences.

The debut screening of the Canadian independent film Brown Girl Begins along with live music by Yolanda Sargeant, hosted by the film’s star Shakura S’Aida, was featured at Festival Hall, intentionally dovetailing with Black Futures Month.

VOLUNTEERS

VOLU

NTE

ERS

2016 2017 2018 2019

52 47

60

82

1,002 TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS

“Once again I am amazed by the passion and commitment of all who make these events happen. Congratulations and let’s keep live music a strong part of our city experience!!!”

BLOCK HEATER

Top to bottom: Dan Bern at Studio Bell, photo by Ron Sparrow; volunteers at King Eddy, photo by David Kenney.

RENTAL BREAKDOWN

Revenue: $4,857,358 Expense: $4,542,689

The Small Glories at Festival Hall, photo by Ron Sparrow.

FINANCIALS AT-A-GLANCEOur positive financial position throughout 2018 was a result of strong ticket sales for all activities, festival beer garden sales, adjustments to vendor fees, additional programming grants and bolstered fundraising income through the ATB partnership. We also kept an eye on expenses and trimmed wherever we could. We were able to pay down the mortgage of Festival Hall by an extra $250k, and the Society’s surplus of $218,248 funded some repairs and maintenance and renovated the office space in our new warehouse to create a meeting space for volunteers, thereby freeing up Festival Hall for rentals. We were also able to cash plan, ensuring a healthy emergency fund with money set aside for future capital replacement.

FESTIVAL HALLUsage of Festival Hall continues to increase year over year. There’s a roster of repeat renters includes Camp Hoo-Ha!, The City of Calgary, Calgary Fringe, EMMEDIA, New Works Calgary, Calgary Men’s Chorus and Sonnabelles. Wedding and corporate rentals are on the rise, however the bulk of our rental business is attributed to community groups and performances.

Rentals have increased by 21% since 2016

PERFORMANCE & NON-PROFIT 83% WEDDINGS & CORPORATE 17%

SURPLUS OF $218,248

SUMMER FESTIVAL

SUMMER FESTIVAL

FUNDRAISING

PROGRAMMING

ADMIN

FESTIVAL HALL / EXTERNAL EVENTS FESTIVAL HALL / EXTERNAL EVENTS

OTHER

BLOCK HEATER

BLOCK HEATERFUNDRAISING

GRANTS

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

AB Climate Change

ABC Waste Potties

Alberta Beer Festivals

Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Amazon Springs

Arc Energy

ATB

ATCO Structures & Logistics

Avatara Pizza

Avenue Magazine

Big Rock

Bite

Blundstone

Bonterra Trattoria

Bucars

Calgary Arts Development

Calgary Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts

Calgary Economic Development

Calgary Herald (Postmedia)

Calgary Public Library

Calgary Sun (Postmedia)

Canada Council for the Arts

Canadian Heritage

Christie Lites

City of Calgary

City Wide Towing

CJSW

CKUA

Community Natural Foods

CTV

Devour

ENMAX

Exclaim! Media

FACTOR

FARE Community

Fellow

Fiasco Gelato

Field Law LLP

Fire & Flower

Forward Level Marketing

Glean Productions

Good Time Party Rentals

Harvard Broadcasting (X92.9)

Highlander Wine Spirits

It’s Date Night

JUSU Bar

KIND Snacks

KLM

Leading Outdoor

Lifesport YYC

Long Weekend Wine

Lumina Management Consultants

Martini & Pizza

MNP

National (Concorde Group)

Newad

NuTV

Openhwy

Parker PR

Pattison

Post Media

PrintThree

Production Transport Logistics

Red Events

Red Seal

Rigstar Industrial Telecomms

River Café

RJC Engineering

Rosso Coffee Roasters

Signal Creative

Skyfire Energy

SOCAN Foundation

Soundart

South By South West Wine

Spolumbos

Springbank Cheese Co.- Marda Loop

Stand & Command

Star Metro Calgary

Stonebridge Crafted Homes

Sunbelt Rentals

Suncor Energy

Sunnyside Natural

Sunrise Records

Swizzlesticks Salon Spa

Taiko Taco

The Camera Store

The Michelle O’Reilly Foundation

TruBuch

Twelve Oaks

UVS

Vereburn

Virtuo

Westin

WestJet

Winters Turkey

YYScene

Zoom Painting

Adam Drew

Albert Walle

Aman Adatia

Andrew and Ingrid Mosker

Art Slingsby

B & K King Fund

Bob and Thu Duncan

Bree Rooke

Brian and Brenda Lenzin

Brian Mills

Brian Myziuk

Brian Pincott

Calgary Folk Club

Carol Tapanila

Chad Saunders

Cheryl Shore

Christine Macken

Christine Mihailedes

Colleen Brennan

Connie Erickson

Dan Evans

Dan O’Reilly

Dane Lagasse

David Anderson

David Frid

David Severson

Dean Prodan

Donna Pahl

Ev Rossi

Gavin Jones

Glenn Stevenson

Grant Burns

Heather Flanagan

Herbert Robertson

Ian Menzies

Jacquie Farquar

Janet Boydol

Janine Douglas

Jeff Gruttz

Jennifer Allford

Jennifer Kot

Jennifer Willans

Jesse Yip

Jessica Cummings

Jillian Neilson

Jocelyn Laing

Joel Browning

John (Jay) Nelson

John Lund

John Smiley

Judith Berzins

Julie Graham

Justin Charbonneau

Kaitlyn Alonday

Karin King

Kate Diteljan

Kerry Clarke

Krysten James

Kyle Friedman

les siemieniuk

Lindsay Dann

Lindsay Hood

Lisa Hari

Lynne Darlington

Marilyn Field

Matthew Caddell

Melanie Sicotte

Mike Dever

Mike Little

Paula Fayerman

Peter and Denise Stone

Rob Pritchard

Sandra Hamilton

Sara Leishman

Sarah Neilson

Shayne McBride

Sheree Boyer

Stephanie Mok

Stephanie Pahl

Susan Marks

Tania Alekson

Tina Wolfe

Tom and Sue Emerson

Tony Little

Tracey Rumig

William Ptacek

Abigail Harker

Aisling Mahalingham and Nolan Hindmarsh

Andrew MacPherson

Anne Charlton

Brian Mills and Susan Tyrell

Chris Adams and Leslie Ring Adams

Deidre Horn and Danica Mansell

Donna Pahl

Elizabeth Reade

Erin and Travis Davies

Kanako Hiratsuka-Earle

Leigh McLachlan

Mark Teare and Irene de Bruin

Nadine Kallen

Peter Warne

Shannon Dwinnell and Rob Patterson

SPONSORS & FUNDERS

DONORS

INSIDERS’ CLUB