Here’s a look at a few music festivals taking place in and around New England in July: Greater New Bedford Summerfest (July 4-6 in
Greater
July 4-6, 2008
One of the Northeast’s most pleasant and enjoyable music festival takes over the cobble-stoned streets of this historic New England port city for one weekend each July, enabling visitors to soak in the city’s rich maritime history (Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick here) by strolling its streets while listening to world-class contemporary and traditional acoustic performers under tents set up along them, and in the air-conditioned comfort of the fabulous New Bedford Whaling Museum’s auditorium. As in years past, this year’s schedule includes a wealth of talented performers, many of them performing in song-swap style workshops with folks whom they may have never even met, making for unique musical pairings. It also poses a dilemma of choices that may prompt you to consider running from one stage to another to catch certain artists.
The festival kicks off on Friday night with a concert inside the whaling museum (for which there’s a separate $15 ticket) featuring Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, Lucy Kaplansky and Red Molly. Six stages, ranging from intimate ones with seating for 100 or less to the 1,200-seat “Custom House Stage,” will be running throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Featured performers include Greg Anderson and Sara Milonovich, Bearfoot, Beaucoup Blue, Benoit Bourque, Laura Cortese Band, Ramblin Jack Elliott, Finest Kind, David Jacobs-Strain, David Jones, Lucy Kaplansky, The Kennedys, Malinky, Guy Mendilow Band, Mike & Ruthy (from The Mammals) Bruce Molsky, Pete Morton, P.J. Wright and Dave Pegg, Red Molly, John Roberts, Candida Rose Band, Chris Smither, Art Tebbetts, Gareth Turner, Brooks Williams, Women in Docs (from Australia) and Natalia Zukerman.
In addition to the music, more than 80 artisans and arts and crafts vendors will set up booths along the cobble stoned streets, as well as inside the
While in
July 17-19, 2008
Launched as a balloon festival in 1986 and expanded over the years to include lots of musical entertainment, this year’s event gets under way Thursday night with a free Signature Sounds kick-off concert featuring talented singer-songwriters Mark Erelli, Caroline Herring and Richard Shindell. Friday evening’s performers are Eilen Jewell, Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade, Red Stick Ramblers, Jimmy Vaughan with Lou Ann Barton, and
Advance weekend passes are $40 until July 11, $60 at the gate. Daily tickets also will be sold at the gate. Children 12 and under will be admitted free to the rain-or-shine festival.
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
July 24-27, 2008
Dodds Farm in
866-325-2744
Now marking its 20th anniversary, this four-day festival in the foothills of the Berkshires, near the tri-state corner of
Besides the Emerging Artists Showcases on Friday afternoon, numerous Mainstage concerts, musical workshops and song swaps galore, Falcon Ridge features a swingin’ dance tent with an all-wood floor, children’s music and activities, and an array of crafts, food and other vendors. However, one of the true highlights of Falcon Ridge, for those who opt to camp on-site and stay up through the wee hours of the morning, are the informal jams and the after-hours song circles (some planned, others more spontaneous). These late-night sessions and group camping areas — informally established to bring together folks from particular geographic regions or fans of particular artists — help foster a sense of “folk” community and a different kind of festival experience than that of those who just attend the Mainstage concerts and other officially sanctioned parts of Falcon Ridge. AcousticMusicScene.com and Tribes Hill will host late-night music (under a big white tent) this summer, as will folks associated with Big Orange Tarp and Budgiedome, among others.
Four-day festival tickets are $140 with camping and $115 without after July 1; $20 less if purchased before then. Children under 12 are free, while those ages 12-16 are $55 with camping and $40 without.
In addition, bluegrass fans might want to check out the following festivals:
Foot-Stompin
July 4-6, 2008
Mineral Springs Family Campground
www.mineralspringscampground.com
Slated to perform at this 25th annual festival at Mineral Springs are Adam Dewey & Crazy Creek, Amy Gallatin, Grassroutes, Northern Bound, Old Tyme Bluegrass Singers, Red Stone Ridge,
July 19, 2008
Buttery
The Buttery Brook lineup features The Bristol Boys, Travis Chandler and
Podunk
July 31-August 3, 2008
Martin Park
Now in its 13th year, the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival will feature an array of regional and nationally touring bluegrass artists, some of whom also will conduct instrumental and vocal workshops; as well as storytelling, traditional crafts, jam sessions, open stage band time, family fun activities (including crafts, face painting, moon bounce and swimming), and plenty of opportunities for field pickin’ into the wee hours at the camping grounds.
Performing this year will be Auldridge and Ferguson; Blistered Fingers; Blue Moon Rising; Dale Ann Bradley Band; Cadillac Sky; Cherryholmes; Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson & Jerry Salley; Dailey & Vincent Band; Gravity (all the way from Sweden); The Infamous Stringdusters, Joy Kills Sorrow; Claire Lynch Band; The Muellers; Nothin’ Fancy; Dan Paisley & Southern Grass; Pine Mountain Railroad; Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show; Steeldrivers; The Larry Stephenson Band, and Tony Trischka Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular. A Sunday afternoon band competition will feature 20-minute sets by six bands: Adirondack Truegrass (
Family fun activities will include crafts, face painting, moon bounce and swimming in the park’s pool, while the Podunk Bluegrass Academy will provide instruction and performance opportunities for budding young musicians, ages 8-18.
If purchased in advance, four-day passes with camping are $99 for adults, $90 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $57 for children ages 13-17. Children under 13 will be admitted free with a paying adult. Daily tickets also are available.
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