The Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival will kick off its historic 25th anniversary season with the seventh annual Folk Fiesta, slated to take place at Lunenburg's Pearl Theatre March 27 at 7 p.m.

 First held back in 2004, the fiesta not only serves as a major fundraiser for the annual summertime festival, but also gives the audience an opportunity to play a small role in the selection process that decides who will perform at that event.

 Traditional and contemporary musicians of the folk-roots genre are invited to apply to become one of three finalists who will perform at the fiesta, with the audience choosing by ballot which one will earn the right to take the stage later in the year at the festival.

 Applications for the Folk Fiesta will be accepted up until February 12, with full details available on-line at www.folkharbour.com.

 In honour of their 25th anniversary, organizers of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival are planning on bringing back a number of longtime audience favourites who have performed at the event over the years.

 That will give the winner of this year's fiesta, as well as other up-and-comers performing at the festival, an opportunity to work with some of this country's top musicians, as well as allow them exposure to an audience from across Canada and beyond.

 The 2010 Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival will be held August 5 to 8 and a complete list of this year's performers will be available in March.

posted on 01/19/10