2016 Connecticut Folk Festival and Green Expo Set for Sept. 10

Susan Werner, a very versatile and witty singer-songwriter, headlines CT Folk’s 11th annual Connecticut Folk Festival and Green Expo. The free, day-long event is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, in New Haven’s Edgerton Park.

Here’s a link to a short YouTube video promoting the festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc0z7gKXBpc

The festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., kicks off with performances by the five top finalists in the 2016 Grassy Hill CT Folk Songwriting Competition: Arms and Voices, O’hAnleigh, Amy Soucy, Mike Vial, and Ira Wolf. One of them will be selected to perform on the main stage later in the day and also is guaranteed a performance slot in next year’s festival, as well as a $150 cash prize. The Young Novelists, a Toronto, Ontario-based duo who won the competition last year, will also perform a set in the late afternoon.

Preceding that will be an hour-long Grassy Hill Song Circle featuring singer-songwriters Brad Cole, Matt Nakoa and Robinson Treacher and a short set by current Connecticut State Troubadour Kate Callahan.

Other artists slated to perform on the Main Stage include Stacy Phillips and His Bluegrass Characters, The Grebes, Cricket Blue and Jim Trick. Yonkers, NY-based high-energy alt-roots ensemble Spuyten Duyvil and Boston area singer-songwriter Ryan Montbleau will perform early evening sets, while Susan Werner, accompanied by Trina Hamlin, will close out the festival.

Werner is a consummate entertainer who has never been one to adhere to just one musical style. A gifted singer-songwriter, who accompanies herself on both guitar and piano, she is known for her musical versatility and for her witty repartee during live performances. The classically trained and jazz-inspired Iowa native, who now calls Chicago home when not on tour, has been delighting concert and festival audiences for more than two decades. She composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop – all delivered with sassy wit and classic mid-western charm

Throughout the day, CT Folk’s 11th annual Green Expo will feature a wide array of exhibitors, informational talks and demonstrations, workshops, and activities to promote sustainable lifestyles. There also will be contra dancing and plenty of activities for children in the Green Kids Village. A Green Kids Acoustic Corner will feature performances by Jay Mankita, Robert Messore, Benny Mikula (The Lone Gnome), Liz McNicholl, and Shawn Taylor.

Edgerton Park is located at Whitney Avenue and Cliff Street. Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs or blankets and plan to picnic. A wide variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase on site.

CT Folk is a nonprofit organization dedicated to traditional and contemporary roots music, introducing listeners to emerging singer-songwriters, and to caring for the earth. Although the festival is free, donations will be graciously accepted. Besides presenting the festival, CT Folk also hosts a Folk Fridays concert series that runs from October through May and promotes folk music throughout Connecticut. For more information, click here or visit www.ctfolk.com.

Editor’s Note: It is my honor and pleasure to help judge this year’s Grassy Hill CT Folk Songwriting Competition finals that extend from 11 a.m. -12 p.m. on the Main Stage.