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The Winnipeg Folk Festival presents the 2009 Fall/Winter Concert Series, with concerts by Ani DiFranco, Gogol Bordello, the Deep Dark Woods, Chad vanGaalen, Alex Cuba, Harry Manx, Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the Cat Empire, and Billy Bragg.

Ani DiFranco, September 19, at the Burton Cummings Theatre

Fiercely independent “Little Folksinger”, guitarist, songwriter, and founder of Righteous Babe Records Ani DiFranco returns to Winnipeg this fall, on Saturday, September 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m.

With special guest Gregory Alan Isakov.

Tickets are $40 plus fees at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Ani DiFranco tickets at Ticketmaster.

Gogol Bordello, October 3, at the Burton Cummings Theatre

Gogol Bordello uses Gypsy cabaret and punk traditions to provoke the audience out of the post-modern swamp. Fronted by Ukrainian-born D.J. and actor Eugene Hütz, these troubadors of the neo-authentic have been called “the world’s most visionary band.” Gogol Bordello’s concert on Saturday, October 3, 8:00 p.m. at the Burton Cummings Theatre will be their second show in Winnipeg (they played here in February, 2006).

With special guests Apostle of Hustle.

Tickets are $35 plus fees at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Gogol Bordello tickets at Ticketmaster.

Gogol Bordello: Non-Stop Film Screening

The Winnipeg premiere screening of the Gypsy-punk documentary Gogol Bordello: Non-Stop, will take place on Friday October 2, 8:00 p.m. at the Lo Pub, 330 Kennedy Street (in the HI Winnipeg Downtowner hostel). Presented in association with Big Smash! and Lo Pub. RSVP for this event on Facebook.

The Deep Dark Woods, October 8, at the Park Theatre

The Deep Dark Woods brings playfulness, human warmth, and an utterly fun rhythm section to the shadowy traditions of roots music. Nowhere is this more obvious than on their previous album, the uplifting Hang Me, Oh Hang Me (nominated as Roots Group Recording of 2008 in the Western Canadian Music Awards). They will play Thursday, October 8, 8:00 p.m. The 2009 Winnipeg Folk Festival artists from Saskatoon return to Winnipeg on Thursday, October 8, 8:00 p.m. at the Park Theatre. Presented with CKUW and UMFM.

With special guest Mayor Matt Allen.

Tickets are $15 plus fees at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Deep Dark Woods tickets at Ticketmaster.

Free special acoustic set at the music store

The Deep Dark Woods will perform a special acoustic set, free to all, at 4:30 on Thursday, October 8, in the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, 211 Bannatyne Ave at Albert St (the afternoon before their concert).

Chad vanGaalen, October 9, at the Park Theatre

Chad vanGaalen emerges from making art and animation in his Calgary basement to play for the Winnipeg Folk Festival audience. The Sub Pop Records artist and 2007 Polaris Music Prize short listee creates music which is sweepingly beautiful and undeniably genuine. Chad vanGaalen will play Friday, October 9, 8:00 p.m., at the Park Theatre. Presented with CKUW and UMFM.

With special guest Castlemusic.

Tickets are $17 plus fees at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Chad vanGaalen tickets at Ticketmaster.

Harry Manx, October 27, at the West End Cultural Centre

“Mysticssippi” blues man Harry Manx is the essential link between the music of the East and West. He plays lap steel, banjo, harmonica, and his custom-made Mohan veena, a 20-stringed combination sitar–guitar, to create musical short stories informed by blues tradition and classical Indian ragas. Manx, from the Isle of Mann, has made a home in Japan, India, Europe, and most recently on Saltspring Island, B.C. Harry Manx will play Tuesday, October 27, 8:00 p.m., at the West End Cultural Centre.

Tickets are $25 plus fees in advance, $30 at the door, at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Harry Manx tickets at Ticketmaster.

Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars, November 1, at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre

Directed by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, the Afro-Cuban All Stars have been essential to the growing worldwide popularity of Afro-Cuban music. This multi-generational big band incorporates the full spectrum of Latin dance music. Their 1997 album, A Toda Cuba Le Gusta, was the first to be recorded during the now legendary Buena Vista Social Club sessions. Their concert Sunday, November 1, 8:00 p.m., at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre, will be the first time playing Winnipeg since 2004.

Tickets are $39.50 plus fees, at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Afro-Cuban All Stars tickets at Ticketmaster.

Alex Cuba Thursday, November 19, at the Park Theatre

From Artemisa, to Smithers, B.C., Alex Cuba has brought his Cuban roots into twenty-first century Canada (and to the 2009 Winnipeg Folk Festival). The Juno and Indie award-winning musician’s surprising new grooves and electric guitar riffs already grace two albums, and will escape again in the fall on Nelly Furtado’s Mi Plan, and on Alex’s upcoming third, self-titled album. Alex Cuba played at the 2009 Winnipeg Folk Festival, and returns to Winnipeg Thursday, November 19, 8:00 p.m., at the Park Theatre. Presented with CKUW and UMFM.

A bonus for you: download a free track from Alex Cuba!

Tickets are $22 plus fees at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Alex Cuba tickets at Ticketmaster.

The Cat Empire, November 24, at the Garrick Centre

The Cat Empire first established their authority over the Winnipeg Folk Festival crowd on a warm Saturday night in 2007. After a two-year absence, the smokin’ good party band from Melbourne, Australia, is back to quell any remaining opposition with a fur-lined boot and a horn section. Prepare to be colonized November 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m., at the Garrick Centre.

With special guests Jon and Roy.

Tickets are $29.50 plus fees at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get The Cat Empire tickets at Ticketmaster.

Billy Bragg, November 28, at the Burton Cummings Theatre

Billy Bragg was described by the Times as a ‘national treasure’ of Britain. In the two and a half decades of his career, he has certainly made an indelible mark on the conscience of British music, becoming perhaps the most stalwart guardian of the radical dissenting tradition that stretches back over centuries of the country’s political, cultural and social history. Billy Bragg plays Saturday, November 28, at 8:00 p.m., at the Burton Cummings Theatre. Presented with CKUW and UMFM.

With special guest Ron Hawkins.

Tickets are $35.00 plus fees at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, or get Billy Bragg tickets at Ticketmaster.