April 3-6, 2025 | National Arts Centre & Canadian Museum of History
Ottawa, ON – September 18, 2024 – The Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA) proudly announce the dates and venues for their milestone 20th-anniversary celebration. The 2025 CFMAs will take place from April 3 to 6 in Ottawa and Gatineau, marking a special return to the birthplace of the awards.
Details of the 2025 Awards Week were unveiled at a press conference held on September 18, 2024, at the National Arts Centre. During the event, two key figures in the Ottawa folk music community—Mark Delorme (Gatineau) and Alison Bowie (Ottawa)—were inducted into the CFMA Order of Folk.
- Mark Delorme has been involved in the folk music community, starting in 1970 in Sudbury, Ontario with Northern Lights Festival Boréal, was a member of the band CANO, came to the National Capital Region to work at the Canadian Museum of History, and says “music helped me, and now I help music.”
- Alison Bowie is a lifelong supporter of musicians and music, and as the Producer/Director of the Ottawa Grassroots Festival, she continues her support through inclusivity, fostering an environment where artists of all backgrounds are celebrated.
The Order of Folk, initiated in April 2024, was created to honour individuals across Canada who have made significant, often unrecognized, contributions to the folk music community. These individuals are community builders, keepers of tradition, and advocates for folk music, working tirelessly to support the folk music scene, frequently in volunteer capacities. Nominations are made by folk clubs, venues, festivals, and other grassroots community organizations. A full list of inductees is available on the CFMA website at https://folkawards.ca/projects/order-of-folk.
Since 2005, the CFMA has been dedicated to showcasing the rich diversity of Canadian folk music. This year’s event will highlight the artists and communities that have shaped the genre for two decades, featuring an Awards Gala at the National Arts Centre on April 4th on April 4 and three concerts with awards presentations at the Canadian Museum of History.
Awards Week Schedule
CFMA 2025 promises numerous events including an awards gala and three bilingual concerts, each featuring performances by nominees and award presentations that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the Canadian folk music scene today:
- Songwriter Concert – Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Canadian Museum of History
- Gala Awards Show – Friday, April 4, 2025, at the National Arts Centre
- Traditional Music/Global Roots Concert – Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Canadian Museum of History
- Family Music Concert – Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Canadian Museum of History
The 20th anniversary is a testament to the thriving folk music scene across Canada. CFMA President Graham Lindsey remarks, “The CFMA has always been about more than awards. It’s about bringing together our folk community, celebrating our stories, and honouring the incredible talent that defines Canadian music.”
From its humble beginnings, the CFMA has evolved into a pillar of Canada’s cultural landscape, recognizing artists across various genres, including traditional folk, global roots, and contemporary folk. As we look back on 20 years of history, we also look forward to a future filled with more inspiring artists, performances, and stories.
Join us as we celebrate 20 years of folk music excellence and community!
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Photos
Media Contact
Briana Doyle
Communications Director
[email protected]
438-926-4397
Ticket information:
The list of CFMA nominees for 2025 will be announced in October, and further details on ticketing will be shared at that time. This information and more will be made available on the CFMA website at folkawards.ca as well as Facebook and Instagram. If you would like to receive this information early (under embargo), please reach out to Briana.
Event Photos
Credit:
Ryan Lindsey – Wavelength Media
