About Us

Who are we?

Artistic Director… Arnie. Arnie has been doing the enormous task of booking the artists for the house concerts and Library shows. If you’re an artist on tour, or you’re going to be in the Toronto area and you want to experience a Barrie house concert audience, let Arnie know. Arnie also participates on the BFS Board of Directors as a Director of Programming and is the Artistic Director for the BarrieFolk: Roots Music Festival. Please see performer application info on the website.

Promotions… Elaine. She gets the word out with flyers, e-mails, newsletters, and press releases. Elaine is always looking for fresh ideas for the BFS newsletter – FolkSpoke so if you want to write a review on a concert, performer or CD, get in touch with her. Elaine is the Vice Chair for the BFS Board of Directors. She also is in charge of promotion for the BarrieFolk: Roots Music Festival.

Information and Membership… Jill. If you would like regular e-mail updates, submit your info through the “Join our email list” link and visit our “Membership” link to join the BFS. Jill is the Administrative and Finance officer for the BFS Board of Directors and is in charge of merchandise sales and administration responsibilities for the BarrieFolk: Roots Music Festival.

Volunteer Coordinator . . .Andrea. If you would like to host a house concert or find out more details on what’s involved in hosting, contact Andrea!
Andrea is the Director of Logistics for the BFS Board of Directors; she is also in charge of co-ordinating volunteers for the BarrieFolk: Roots Music Festival.

Director At Large… Jennifer. Jennifer has become a valuable asset to the BarrieFolk: Roots Festival Committee and co-ordinates the Youth Song Competition. She helps out wherever needed despite her own very busy schedule which includes promoting folk music all across the province and performing in Lead Pipe Cinch.

Festival Chairman . . . Rick sits in his CHAIR and tries to maintain a certain amount of order amongst everyone on the BarrieFolk: Roots Music Festival committee (not an easy job sometimes). He offers up his two cents worth once in a while, just to keep a debate honest and ongoing. This is his first experience in this position and it has been a learning adventure thus far. Rick is also an active volunteer with all Barrie Folk Society events.

There are a few other important people involved with the BFS. Linda Ivsins is the Chair of the BFS Board of Directors; chairs the BarrieFolk: Roots Music Festival committee, and KC Patterson is our Open Stage Co-ordinator for Unplugged Saturday Nights at the Barrie Public Library (60 Worsley St.). The open stage is held the fourth Saturday of every month.