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Welcome to the official site of the Vancouver Folk Song Society, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The VFSS is for singers, musicians, and people who like to sing with others. We welcome performers and listeners of all ages and abilities and from all cultures.

Upcoming Events

Note: The VFSS takes the risks of Covid-19 seriously. We cannot eliminate all risk of exposure, but we do try to limit the risk by caring for each other through our Covid safety measures.

We ask that everyone screen themselves for Covid symptoms before each VFSS in-person event, and attend only if you are symptom-free. Each event has additional safety measures in place, such as masking, ventilation, and distancing.
The VFSS Song Circle — first and third Wednesday of every month

In-person at the Friends’ Meeting House, online via Zoom, or both!
See Calendar for details.

Celebration of the 64th Anniversary of the VFSS — June 21, 2023

Check back later for details!

Recent POSTS

  • Changes to our Event Schedule

    posted

    There are lots of changes to our event schedule and formats starting in May:

    • More live events at the Friends’ Meeting House.
    • More opportunities to hear and perform 15-minute sets at the live events.
    • Monthly online song circles combined with live-streamed performances from the Meeting House.

    Read on for the nitty-gritty details, and consult our Calendar page for info on specific upcoming events.

    (more…)

  • Roger Howard

    posted

    This week we received sad news about one of our members.

    I’m writing to let Roger’s friends, colleagues, comrades, and neighbors know that he died yesterday (April 26) of complications from covid. I do not want folks to feel sad or sorry for me. I feel I have been incredibly blessed to have loved and been loved by this beautiful and brilliant companion for more than half a century. The last decade of his life was difficult because of the challenges of living with progressive dementia and physical disability and I am rejoicing that that long struggle is over. I am full of gratitude for the life he shared with me and I am also looking forward to what I may be able to learn, enjoy and share with others in the coming years…pat

    Roger was Pat Howard’s husband, and together they have been long-time members of the VFSS. While Pat served on the board for many  years, Roger preferred to contribute quietly behind the scenes, especially with his cameras at the retreats, slipping in and out of sessions to capture some wonderful and candid moments. At one retreat, he presented a memorable workshop on the music of Woody Guthrie with friends to lead the featured songs. Roger was also an enthusiastic honorary member of the Lazy Jacks shanty crew.

  • From the Archives: Queen Eleanor’s Confession

    posted

    During this evening’s online song circle, we played the first minute of a recording of Allan Davison singing Queen Eleanor’s Confession (Child ballad 156) at the Christmas Song Circle on December 17, 1973. And, we were honoured to have the song introduced by Allan himself, despite his claim to not remember ever singing it! The photo of Allan, above, is a bit more recent than the recording.

    Here’s the full recording:

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