CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect date. The Battle Royale is May 29.
Bands, solo artists and duos will take the stage at the Jasper Legion, May 29, to compete for a spot in the Jasper Folk Music Festival.
This is the third year the festival is hosting the Battle Royale. To spice things up, this year it’s expanding its scope, in an attempt to attract bands from as far away as Edmonton and Banff.
To do that, festival organizers have hung posters in Hinton, Banff and Canmore and advertised in Vue Weekly, said Wendy Copp, one of the event organizers.
Last year, seven acts competed for two spots in the festival, with Hinton’s Doug MacNearney winning the solo category and 100 Miles Across winning the band category.
Copp said, ideally, there would be between six and 10 bands competing this year from a wide variety of genres.
Bands and artists interested in competing in the Battle Royale are asked to register on the festival’s website at www.jasperfolkmusicfestival.ca.
The winning musicians—who will play the first slot on Friday afternoon and the first slot on Saturday morning—are selected by a panel of local judges. Last year’s judges included past Battle Royale winners, Emma Acorn and members of Some Irish Pirates, as well as Randal Riddell of the Randal Scott Band and the Legion’s own Sean McGrath.
Copp said this year’s judges haven’t yet been solidified, but there could be some familiar faces.
For the past two years, the event has been a sold out affair, packing the Legion to capacity, and Copp said she hopes this year will be no different.
As well as the battle, there will also be a silent auction. All of the funds raised through ticket sales and auction items will go toward the festival, allowing organizers to pay for everything from the cost of bands to the rental of Centennial Field.
This year’s Jasper Folk Music Festival is Sept. 11–13.
Check back with the Fitzhugh for details on the festival lineup.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
