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Somewhere, in some land, in some country, in some city, in some village far, far away — maybe a people represented by one of international artists on the bill? — the beginning to last night would be considered a good omen for the Calgary Folk

Lighter than normal attendance (5,500), dark, foreboding clouds, a brief but heavy early evening downpour, thunder, lightning — there has to be a culture that can look upon those things and predict great things ahead for the Prince’s Island event.

(Oh, wait, it’s probably wherever A-Channel personality Dave Kelly — the infuriatingly optimistic and happy emcee for the night — comes from. By the way, it’s a little known fact, but he isn’t really that nice. I heard he hates kitties.)

The main positive to take away from the evening, though, is that out of everything that went wrong on the first day of the four-day festival, none of it was controllable by organizers.

They did their jobs, and put a remarkably diverse and even challenging group of performers up on the brand new Enmax Main Stage.

For the small group of faithful who, by the 5:30 p.m. starting time, had their tarps laid out in front of the new permanent Island fixture, it got off to a nice (dry) start.

Juno-nominated Ontario act The Brothers Cosmoline kicked off the music with their light country and bluegrass approach.

Granted, in a city where what they do isn’t all that unique, they weren’t a revelation, but they are nonetheless a tight, pleasant outfit and a good way to ease into things.

Next up was Moroccan vocal group B’Net Marrakech, but not before local performer Anne Loree gave the crowd a taste of her wise and perceptive folk pop.

That’s actually one of the best things about the main stage evening shows. The music is kept constant, thanks to smaller acts — often local artists — willing to play a couple of songs while a set change is made.

It’s one of those win-win-win situations: Performers get heard by larger crowds, the crowd gets exposed to more music and organizers look good giving each group the opportunity for both.

Also appearing last night in a co-starring role was gritty Calgary roots troubadour Ralph Boyd Johnson, T.O. swinging folk pop performer Martina Sorbara, and Scotsman Rory McLeod.

Back to the headliners and B’Net Marrakech’s colourful, exceptionally exotic performance.

Led by twisting and twirling and thoroughly captivating Malika Mahjoubi, the female group put on a set filled with traditional and contemporary Moroccan sounds that had many audience members making weekend reservations for The Sultan’s Tent.

Up next was Calgary supercool country supergroup, The Co-Dependents, which features Billy Cowsill, Steve Pineo, Tim Leacock and Ross Watson.

The quartet’s oldie, roadhouse set provided some of the most stylish sounds you’re likely to hear.

It’s no wonder the band’s CD, Live Recording Event, is one of the most successful released in the city.

Their sounds gave way to bright and bouncy Quebecois crew La Bottine Souriante, who lifted the energy with French reels and jigs infused with a little brassy jazz.

They put on an infectious set that at one point brought the audience to its feet to dance.

By the time opening night closer Chantal Kreviazuk took to the stage, the bad weather looked like it was about to return in earnest.

But as the Winnipeg singer-songwriter worked magic with her piano and voice, the rain abated and the clouds fittingly began to glow a gorgeous pink.

Kreviazuk, a last-minute festival replacement and a month away from releasing a new album, could have mailed in her performance, but she didn’t.

If anything, the nothing-on-the-line atmosphere allowed her to loosen up, as she took song requests, and offered casual banter.

It was a beautiful set, the perfect ending to the first night of the festival.

Now that’s an omen we can all take heart in.