Vernon Folk Roots Music Society

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The Vernon Folk-Roots Music Society (VFRMS), formed in the spring of 2014, is dedicated to bringing quality folk musical acts to the North Okanagan. Folk-Roots encompasses folk, blues, roots, Canadiana, Americana, country and more.

Season Events

The Once
Vernon Folk Roots Music Society

The Once

Doors 6:45PM - Show 7:30PM
24 09 17 The Once 320

$40.00 Per Person (No Minors 19+)
Including fees & charges

A modern indie folk trio from Newfoundland, The Once have collected a trio of Canadian Folk Music Awards, numerous ECMA awards, and was named Artist of the Year by the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council. They have earned not one, but two JUNO nominations for Roots Album of the Year and continue to take their music around the world.

The group formed in the tiny ex-fishing village of Trinity, Newfoundland and 'the once' means 'imminently, but not necessarily so' in local vernacular. “We wanted something that would embody who we are, where we’re from, and would elicit a smirk and a nod amongst Newfoundlanders back home but would forever require an explanation literally anywhere elsewhere” Andrew Dale offers. It is a story well worth explaining.

Scarlett Butler
Vernon Folk Roots Music Society

Scarlett Butler

Doors 6:45PM - Show 7:30PM
25 11 22 Scarlett Butler 320

$40.00 Per Person (No Minors 19+)
Including fees & charges

Scarlett Butler is a new Canadian music duo comprised of Troy Kokol and Joni Delaurier. But ask anyone in the Canadian country music industry and they would be known better individually for crafting songs you have probably heard on the radio.

After a decade of writing songs for country artists (300+ songs over the last decade) with and for artists like Shane Yellowbird, Brett Kissel, Tenille Townes, The Higgins, Mike Plume, and others, this talented duo stands on a solid foundation of well-crafted songs backed up by a soul-warming blend of familial harmonies.

The Woodshed (John Wort Hannam & T. Buckley)
Vernon Folk Roots Music Society

The Woodshed (John Wort Hannam & T. Buckley)

Doors 6:45PM - Show 7:30PM
26 03 21 The Woodshed 320

$40.00 Per Person (No Minors 19+)
Including fees & charges

Acclaimed roots songwriters John Wort Hannam and T. Buckley make up the woodshed, a modern folk duo based in Alberta, whose name refers to the beginning of Buckley and Hannam’s collaboration - woodshedding songs together during a residency at the Banff Centre for arts and creativity in 2017.

After a captivating performance at the 2023 Canadian folk music awards, Buckley and Hannam finally decided to ratify their collaboration and bring the woodshed to life. Together they bring a beautiful vocal blend of brotherly harmonies combined with gutsy and sophisticated song writing alongside intricate guitar playing.

Morgan Toney
Vernon Folk Roots Music Society

Morgan Toney

Doors 6:45PM - Show 7:30PM
26 04 03 Morgan Toney 320

$40.00 Per Person (No Minors 19+)
Including fees & charges

In just a short amount of time, Toney’s been able to invigorate both the Atlantic music communities and Mi’kmaq communities by bringing together the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island with the old songs of the Mi’kmaq, one song dating back up to 500 years. He calls this fusion Mi’kmaltic (Mi’kmaq + Celtic) and it’s his way of celebrating his language and heritage. He’s honouring the Elders who’ve taught him the songs and the language, and he’s taking his place on the front lines of Eastern Canada’s cultural divide.

Ray Lemelin & The Matinee Kings
Vernon Folk Roots Music Society

Ray Lemelin & The Matinee Kings

Doors 6:45PM - Show 7:30PM
25 05 16 Ray Lemelin 320

$40.00 Per Person (No Minors 19+)
Including fees & charges

Ray Lemelin was born and raised in Quebec and now lives in Calgary, Alberta. Ray was inspired early on by musicians such as Willie Dixon and Clarence Gatemouth Brown to pick up a Stratocaster and play the blues. Over the decades, Ray has performed with Jimmy Payne, Tim Williams, Ron Casat, Amos Garrett, Rusty Reed, Back-alley John, Johnny V, Harp Dog Brown and now plays with The Matinee Kings. Ray’s most recent album, THANGS is now available on all streaming services. Dark/Out of Phase released in 2023, was nominated for best Blues Album of the Year and Ray was granted guitar player of the year by the CBMA Blues Awards in 2013.