Not being from Canada, I’m not exactly clued in to the musical going-ons of our gigantic neighbor to the north.  But the Winnipeg Folk Festival, scheduled for July 7 through 11, is definitely something I should know about, despite the fact that it’s far away… oh, wait, Winnipeg is only a two-hour flight away.  Never mind, it isn’t that far.  Huh.

The festival, which has been around since 1974, recently released their 2010 lineup, and what a lineup it is.

Blog favorite Andrew Bird is who first caught my eye, but the rest of the lineup is incredibly solid.  Other featured acts include the Avett Brothers, Colombian rock band Aterciopelados, Debashish Bhattacharya, The Duhks, The Dodos, Emmylou Harris, Geoff Muldaur, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Sarah Harmer, a tribute to the Mississippi Sheiks (ever wonder where Bird’s line of “she’s got blood in her eyes for you” come from? do some Googling), The Swell Season, Tao Seeger, The United Steel Workers of Montreal, The Wailin’ Jennys, William Elliott Whitmore, and Works Progress Administration.

In addition to five days of music, the festival also has an outdoor art exhibition, art throughout the campgrounds, and a handmade craft village.  Oh, yeah, and there’s a “quiet campground”, too, for  people who don’t want their  sleeping area to be an all-night party.

Single day, five day, and camping passes are available for sale now.

BRB, guys, trying to figure out how to get to Canada.

Related posts:

1. Newport Folk Festival: July 30 – August 1
2. This Weekend’s Summer Street Festivals
3. This Weekend’s Summer Festivals

A little bit of everything in Chicago this week. Rock, electronica, folk, rap, and my guilty pleasure, cheesy pop music.  I kind of can’t handle all of the different choices for shows on Thursday, and I have never been so disappointed to have to go to a Halloween party rather than a show on Friday. Sigh, my life is so difficult.

Monday, October 26
Ingrid Michaelson, Park West. 7:30 pm, $20
Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard, Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, sold out

Tuesday, October 27
The Gaslight Anthem, House of Blues. 5:30 pm, $18-20
Kelly Clarkson, Rosemont Theatre. 7:30 pm, $25-$59.50
Saul Williams, Double Door. 9 pm, $20

Wednesday, October 28
Mae with Jenny Owen Youngs, Reggie’s Rock Club (2109 S. State). 6 pm, $13-15
Taking Back Sunday with Anberlin, House of Blues. 6:30 pm, $23
The Gaslight Anthem, Double Door. 8 pm, $20
Great Lake Swimmers, Lincoln Hall.  9 pm, $14

Thursday, October 29
Bob Dylan, the Aragon. 7:30, $52.50
Richard Thompson and Loudon Wainwright III, the Vic. 7:30 pm, $35
David Gray with Lisa Hannigan, Auditorium Theatre. 8 pm, $39.50-65
Leonard Cohen, Rosemont Theatre. 8 pm, $29.50-250
Noah and the Whale, Lakeshore Theater. 8 pm, $15
Gringo Star, Schubas. 9 pm, $8-10
Joe Firstman, Martyrs’. 9 pm, $10
Herman Dune and Julie Doiron, Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $12-14

Friday, October 30
Mason Jennings with Anni Rossi, House of Blues. 7 pm, $21.50-24
Five for Fighting with Angel Taylor, Lakeshore Theater. 7 pm, sold out
Bob Dylan, the Aragon. 7:30, $52.50
Monsters of Folk, Auditorium Theatre. 7:30 pm, $36-51
Chris Smither, Old Town School of Folk Music. 8 pm, $18-22
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Empty Bottle. 10 pm, $13

Saturday, October 31
Bob Dylan, the Aragon. 7:30, $52.50
Tiesto, Congress Theater. 8 pm, $75

Sunday, November 1
Chicago Licorice Sticks, Chicago Waldorf School. 3 pm, free (donations accepted)
Los Lobos with the Duhks, Symphony Center. 7 pm, $25-50
Leo Kottke, Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 pm, $36-40

Related posts:

1. This Week in Great Music: 10/11 – 10/17
2. This Week in Great Music: 10/18 – 10/24
3. This Week in Great Music: 10/4 – 10/10