Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society survives: board withdraws motion to dissolve
Due to overwhelming opposition to a proposed vote that could have seen the fest come to an end, board reverses course, launches fundraising and volunteer drive

THE VANCOUVER FOLK Music Festival isn’t going anywhere without a fight. The VFMF Society may still be facing financial strife, but the fest is not facing imminent collapse, as could have been the case had a proposed vote resulted in its dissolution.
The VFMF Society’s board of directors has just announced that it has voted to withdraw the motion to dissolve the society, which was proposed due to the festival’s financial difficulties. The board has also launched a fundraising and volunteer drive to help save the festival.
After the festival virtual town hall on February 1—where nearly 300 participants shared their thoughts and suggestions—the board met and voted to rescind the motion to dissolve the society.
“The board has listened to the feedback from the community, VFMF board president Mark Zuberbuhler tells Stir. “We are also aware of the incredible support and passion that people have for the festival. We have received countless communications with ideas and willingness to help in any way possible. As a result we want to harness the energy and see what can be accomplished.”
As reported by Stir, the VFMF Society’s board has stated the organization needs anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000 per year going forward to sustain the fest. The board’s proposal for a vote among members to dissolve the society met with swift public response. The board then delayed its annual general meeting to try to find ways to save the fest and ended up holding the town hall on February 1.
“The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has long been, and is currently, in a financially dire condition,” Zuberbuhler said in a February 6 release. Our main goal as the board has always been to see a strong, sustainable festival. Because of the strong support that has come from the community and our partners we now see the possibility of building that festival.
“Our funders, our partners, other festivals, our members, and our audience have said unequivocally that they want to help with the work of saving the festival,” Zuberbuhler said. “The festival really needs that help now so this is very encouraging.”
While the 2023 festival has been cancelled, Zuberbuhler recommends people interested in helping the fest move forward go to website to find out how to donate, become a member, or volunteer for the event’s rebuild. There is also information available from the virtual town hall meeting along with event’s full recording. The board will continue to take ideas and suggestions on ways to save the folk fest a Thought Exchange tool on the website.
“We want the community to know that the board is dedicated to finding ways to save the Vancouver Folk Music Festival,” Zuberbuhler said. “Now is the time for that support to translate into action so we can build an enduring and sustainable Vancouver Folk Music Festival. We need people to step up now.”
Related Articles
Tio Chorinho and Flávia Nascimento’s vibrant Brazilian rhythms, Shpilkis’s brass-driven klezmer, Julian Taylor’s soulful voice, and more
From an indie garage-pop concert by Twin River to a plant pot–decorating workshop, here are just a few of the free offerings in store
As if haunted by centuries of hits and flops, the three figures in this Bard on the Beach comedy take jabs at the self-consciousness and shaky footing of being an actor
Indigenous multidisciplinary artist will share responsibilities with founding artistic director Heather Lamoureux
Vancouver-based Drew Tarves takes his music out of the bedroom and across the country
Over two dozen vendors are selling handmade wares at Jericho Beach Park during this year’s Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Ontario-based aficionados of vintage gear and saucy slang bring Prohibition-era daring to this year’s event
Ahead of her Vancouver Folk Music Festival sets, the award-winning singer-songwriter reflects on the power of performing in her Nation’s language and representing her community
Belle Spirale’s backyard shindig features performances by Action at a Distance’s Vanessa Goodman, Paper Rabbits collective, Ballet BC dancers, and more
Headlining at this year’s Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the electrifying Marrakesh-born outfit plugs in traditional instruments and rocks out
Multimedia artist Henry Tsang’s project allows Vancouverites to see how the city looked in 1907, when an act of anti-Asian violence occurred
Free events will take place in seven Vancouver parks from August 6 to 16
Event’s artistic director recommends under-the-radar discoveries, from Tanzanian polyphony to a smashing trad Irish trio
Performances take place Thursdays at 5 pm, featuring co-presentations with Indian Summer Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and more
The premiere of a Dorothy Chang composition and a guest appearance by harpist Rita Costanzi are among the highlights
This year’s event, on from August 7 to 17, also features a standup comedy show by YouTube star Manpreet Singh and all-ages dance workshops
At this year’s Indian Summer Festival, the sarod virtuoso draws on generations of musical mastery to create improvisations that reflect everything from audience response to the time of day
Bassist-vocalist will be joined by a special group of musicians to play tracks off her past albums and forthcoming project
From legendary names in Vancouver’s music scene to ice-cold craft beers and a bangin’ kids stage, here are a few features to hit on West 4th Avenue on July 5
In Bard on the Beach’s new production, retro pastels and power suits map surprisingly well onto the chaos of Shakespeare’s sometimes troublesome original
Music director Jacques Lacombe leads the Vancouver Opera Orchestra in an evening of Italian arias and duets
Waacking-infused world premiere co-created with Justine A. Chambers draws on a 1990 indie Bollywood film choreographed by Sachar’s mom
An exhibit dedicated to Patkau Architects, a film about Arthur Erickson, and a jazz concert round out the celebration
Audience members will hear tracks off her latest album Odyssey, which honours her reignited love for composing
Performance of the legendary work features the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Cantata Singers, and four vocal soloists
Marking 400 years since the death of Ōmori Sōkun, shakuhachi master Alcvin Ryūzen Ramos leads a series of programs about an instrument making a quiet return
Headliner at Khatsahlano Street Party’s Burrard Stage takes a decidedly modern approach to getting its music out into the world