Dear Folks,
Hoping this long overdue email finds you well and looking forward to better times ahead!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Jam in the Park a month ago -- it was so wonderful to finally get together to sing and play again!! At that time, we were also looking forward to the Great Reopening of the folk club itself, but alas that has not come to pass … yet!

The Covid rollercoaster ride continues with no end in sight. Things were looking so good back in July, eh? Vaccination rates were on the rise, infection rates were falling, public health restrictions were being lifted … in fact things were looking so darn good, we even got busy organizing our restart! That was until it all stopped looking good again. Deep sigh

Rather than a lifting of restrictions, there's only been a tightening of them, especially for public gatherings involving such high-risk activities as socializing and singing! Clearly we cannot and will not be resuming our Sunday night gatherings until it is safe and comfortable to do so, but be assured when that day comes, (maybe even sometime in October??) you'll be the first to know! For now, the folk club continues on in a state of suspended animation, maintaining close contact with Norway House which also remains closed, and following all updates and announcements from BC health officials, waiting to get the go-ahead.

While some venues have begun limited openings and live music offerings, many clubs and organizations remain closed like us, including the Deep Cove Folk Club, the Victoria Bluegrass Association, and Beacon Ridge Productions. However, our sister club, the Sooke Folk Music Society (SFMS)is boldly forging ahead with their 2021-22 Coffee House Season, kicking off live at 7 pm on Saturday, September 18th at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church at 1962 Murray Road in Sooke. Obviously safety is also of paramount concern to SFMS, so full Covid protocols will be in place. The audience will require proof of vaccination along with indoor audience masking. There'll be no food or beverage sales, and there will only be a short parking lot break between the Open Stage & Feature Performance. SFMS is planning for a consistent 3rd Saturday monthly routine with doors opening at 6:30 pm (sign up), the Open Stage from 7-8 PM followed by a one hour paid feature. General admission for audience members is $7.50 while open stage performers get in free. They are happy to answer any questions as well as receive admissions in advance via e-transfer at sookefolkmusic@gmail.com (no password required) More info is also available on their webpage: http://sookefolkmusicsociety.com/wp/

Please do take good care of yourselves and each other. And please do keep in touch. Ron Gillmore continues to post music events of interest on the VFMS Facebook page. If you have any questions in the meantime, or would just like to chat, please also feel welcome to call or email or drop me a line anytime.

in hope and harmony,
Carol Aileen
3483 Lovat Ave.
Victoria, V8X 1T8
250-475-1355

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 —