Verbatim from Facebook as I try to learn more:
Casey Peart
So brutal. Without recognition and civic bolstering of these cultural events, our city becomes a less desirable place to live, and all the cash being injected into RDBID, REAL, Frost etc is all for not. They just can't seem to figure that out and continue chasing their tails.
Skip Kutz
This is very sad, but not surprising. If cities and provinces want five star events to attract tourists and entertain local residents, they need to ramp up financial support in the same way they contribute to building sports stadiums and arenas. Not unlike other enterprises such as potash and oil, the professional arts require subsidies to thrive. Those investments yield a significant return for our cities and province.
Gerry Ruecker Artworks·
A heavy heart indeed. I am in shock and mourning... and so angry.... that we have been robbed of such a beautiful thing that we all looked so forward to in the summer. The demise of the Regina Folk Festival, is not solely due to Covid or dwindling sales, as is the common excuse, but mainly due to the underhanded workings of a group of people who dragged down the entire organization due to their grudge against one person. In their farewell 'gratitude' message, the current Regina Folk Festival neglects to thank the one person who built the organization into a world class, internationally respected musical event. Thank you Sandra Butel, and thank you to what used to be the Regina Folk Festival.
Ron Podbielski
This is the sad reality of the post-COVID word. It seems people are still eager to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars to see a Jelly Roll or Taylor Swift but will no longer take chances on lower profile artists they may not have seen. Memories of so many artists the Folk Festival opened my attention to. While this is hitting Regina, this is happening to artists, events and venues all across Canada.
Ron Gall
That's a tough one for sure. At least there's lots of music in the new stadium and warehouse district refresh....oh ya....nevermind.