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 New Bedford, Massachusetts), Green River Festival (July 17-19 in Greenfield, Massachusetts) and the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (July 24-27 in Hillsdale, New York).  In addition, bluegrass festivals are slated for July 4-6 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut; July 19 in South Hadley, Massachusetts; and July 31-August 3 in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Greater New Bedford Summerfest

July 4-6, 2008

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

New Bedford, Massachusetts

www.newbedfordsummerfest.com

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 Whaling Museum.  Admission to the festival is quite affordable at $15 for a two-day wristband or $10 for one-day. 

While in New Bedford, you also can enjoy fresh seafood and sample some tasty Portuguese cuisine at one of the whaling city’s many Portuguese restaurants.  Parking is free at the municipal garage.

Green River Festival

July 17-19, 2008

Greenfield Community College (I-91, Exit 26)

Greenfield, Massachusetts

www.greenriverfestival.com

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 Louisiana’s Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys.  Saturday’s lineup includes Big Sandy & The Fly-Rite Boys, Crooked Still, The Greencards, Caroline Herring, Los Straitjackets, Mavis Staples, Lucinda Williams, and more.  Besides the music and hot air balloon rides (priced at $200 in advance and $225 at the festival), artisans will exhibit their original work, and there will be games, music and other activities for children.

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 Hillsdale, New York

866-325-2744

www.falconridgefolk.com

Now marking its 20th anniversary, this four-day festival in the foothills of the Berkshires, near the tri-state corner of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, features an impressive lineup, as usual.  Among the nearly 50 acts on four stages will be Crooked Still, Eddie From Ohio, Bill Evans Soulgrass, The Folk Brothers (David Massengill & Jack Hardy), Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Vance Gilbert, Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka, Tracey Grammer, The Horse Flies, Janis Ian, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, Patty Larkin, Lowen and Navarro, Lori McKenna,  Guy Mendilow Band, Nerissa & Katrina Nields, Nightingale, Railroad Earth, Red Molly, The Sevens, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Chris Smither, The Strangelings, Dar Williams, and the audience’s choices for the top four “Most Wanted to Return” acts from last year’s Emerging Artist Showcase – Anthony da Costa, Joe Crookston, Lindsay Mac and Randall Williams [Photos of whom, taken during the Falcon Ridge Preview Tour, appear in the Photo Gallery section of this site.] 

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 Bluegrass Festival

July 4-6, 2008

Mineral Springs Family Campground

Stafford Springs, Connecticut

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, Second Circle, and Gail Wade & Turning Point.  Weekend family passes, which include camping, are available, as are daily tickets.

Bluegrass at Buttery Brook

July 19, 2008

Buttery Brook Park

South Hadley, Massachusetts

www.countrycornermusic.com

The Buttery Brook lineup features The Bristol Boys, Travis Chandler and Avery County, Crabgrass, White Mountain Bluegrass, and Joshua Williams and North Country Bluegrass. Dave Helman, host of WTCC-FM’s “Country Corner,” emcees the day-long festival that extends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Folks are advised to bring lawn chairs.  Tickets are $20 at the gate, while children 12 and under will be admitted free with an adult.  The park features a playground and zoo.

Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival

July 31-August 3, 2008

Martin Park

East Hartford, Connecticut

www.podunkbluegrass.net

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 (New York), The DeWayne Brothers (Kansas), Fortynine Fingers (Connecticut), Gold Heart (Virginia), and Green Mountain Grass (Texas).   

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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