A couple of music festivals of note take place in Massachusetts next month: The Greater New Bedford Summerfest, July 3-4, along the cobblestoned streets of the old whaling city, and the Green River Festival featuring music, hot air balloons and more at the community college campus in Greenfield, July 17-18.

The Greater New Bedford Summerfest 2010
July 3-4
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford, Massachusetts
www.newbedfordsummerfest.com

One of the Northeast’s most pleasant, refined and enjoyable music festivals 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 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.

Preceding the festival will be a special concert on Friday night, July 2, for which there’s a separate $15 admission at the gate. The concert, a musical celebration of the festival’s 15th anniversary, will feature Caroline Aiken, Vance Gilbert, James Keelaghan, The Kennedys and Little Johnny England.

Seven sound stages, ranging from intimate ones with seating for 100 or less to the 1,200-seat “Custom House Stage” (where Friday night’s concert also takes place), will run throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Featured performers, in addition to the aforementioned, will include Jake Armerding, Sally Barris, Beaucoup Blue, Benoit Bourque, Andrew Calhoun, Ronny Cox, Caroline Doctorow, John Gorka, Jack Hardy, Anne Hills, Jeremy Kittel, Joel Mabus, Anais Mitchell, Peter Mulvey, Mustard’s Retreat, Po’Girl, Chris Smither, Art Tebbetts, Sloan Wainwright, Jeff Warner, Susan Werner and Chuck Williams, among others.

In addition to the music, some 90-artisans and arts and crafts vendors will set up booths along the cobblestoned streets, as well as inside the Whaling Museum. Admission to the festival is quite affordable at $20 for a two-day wristband or $15 for one-day. Children under 12 will be admitted free with an adult. Discount tickets are available online through June 26.

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

2010 Green River Festival
July 17-18
Greenfield Community College
(I-91, Exit 26)
Greenfield, Massachusetts
www.greenriverfestival.com

Launched as a balloon festival in 1986, the Pioneer Valley’s largest outdoor festival has expanded over the years to include lots of musical entertainment. In addition to two stages of music throughout the weekend, balloon illuminations and hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), artisans exhibiting their original work, plenty of food vendors and an array of children’s activities, a dance tent was added last year.

Among the artists slated to perform over the weekend are Calexico, Donna The Buffalo, The Felice Brothers, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Joy Kills Sorrow, Low Anthem, Anais Mitchell, Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Nerissa and Katryna Nields, Old Crow Medicine Show, Red Stick Ramblers, The Sweetback Sisters, Allen Toussaint, and Brooks Williams.

The Felice Brothers (Photo: Pieter M Van Hattem)

Ticket prices have risen a bit since last year. Until July 16, daily tickets may be purchased online for $39.95 + a small handling fee, while weekend tickets (available only in advance) are $59.95. Ticket prices are $10 more at the gate. Children 12 and under will be admitted free to the rain-or-shine festival.

Preceding the festival, independent label Signature Sounds presents a free concert at Greenfield’s Energy Park on Friday, July 16, featuring High Country Lo-Fi (Jeffrey Foucalt, Kris Delmhorst & friends), Joy Kills Sorrow and The Academy Freightshakers.