Music & More for Mothers & Others This May

By Michael Kornfeld

Now in its sixth year, the Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival (SMAF) takes place at the rustic Ramblewood Resort in Darlington, Maryland (near Havre de Grace), not far from, you guessed it, the Susquehanna River.  

Featuring more emerging and lesser-known artists than some of the northeast’s larger folk festivals, SMAF also does not attract people in large numbers like Clearwater, Falcon Ridge, Greater New Bedford Summerfest and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.  SMAF organizers, fans and performers like it that way.  Its smaller size provides performers and fans increased opportunities to connect with each other and is a big part of SMAF’s appeal. 

“The secret is OUT!” exclaims Baltimore-based singer-songwriter SONiA, who has been to SMAF each May since its inception. “There is only one place that has green rolling hills less than an hour south of Philly and one hour north of Baltimore, where the atmosphere is not judgmental so you can wear absolutely whatever you like and you can sing and dance or play volleyball or take a walk in a serene climate or get very affordable munchies like crab cakes or espresso or adult beverages and be around some of the most talented, unknown folk-rock musicians on this side of the Atlantic … for two days and three nights… where you can stay up all night and trade songs around a campfire or huddle around a mug of homemade mushroom soup, where you can camp or just stay all day,” she says. 

SMAF features what SONiA calls “real music, music so original that you can only hear it on XM radio.”  Professing her love for the festival, she continues, “It doesn’t cost much, and every single act gets paid the same so the performers come to be part of the whole experience, to share their ideas and meet folks.  You can bring a blanket, a guitar, a trumpet, or even your mother because it is mother’s day weekend…  It is the smallest, most beloved festival on earth.  Ask anybody who has come to it.  (I think that is why it has been kept such a secret).”

In addition to SONiA & disappear fear, among the other featured artists performing in concerts, workshops and song swaps are Terri Allard, a Virginia-based singer-songwriter whose music fuses folk, country and acoustic pop; Danny Bakan, a talented “Americanadiana” singer-songwriter and clawhammer-style banjo player; Jonathan Byrd, a top-notch North Carolina roots-based singer-songwriter and 2003 Kerrville New Folk winner; Spook Handy, a socially conscious New Jersey-based singer-songwriter; Kim & Reggie Harris, a spirited and soulful husband and wife duo who frequently participate in song nights celebrating the music of Phil Ochs; Jess Klein, a folk-rockin,’ genre-bending, northeast singer-songwriter; Small Potatoes, an entertaining Chicago-based folk duo; Spirit Wing, a spirited Native American group; Annie Wenz, an adventurous, globetrotting singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; and Wishing Chair, a female folk roots duo. 

Another highlight of SMAF, and a reason to get there on Friday if you can (the front gate opens at 3 p.m.), is the finals of its annual singer-songwriter contest, an opportunity to hear some talented artists and lyricists who may be new to you.  John Seay, last year’s first-place winner, is a featured performer this year.  Informal late evening song circles and jams also are on tap. 

Tickets for the full festival are just $60; $80 with camping and $110 if staying in a dormitory-style cabin.  Children under 10 will be admitted free to this family-friendly festival. 

For more information, visit www.smaf.info.

With attendance limited to 250  (including performers and staff), the Folk Project’s  Spring Festival, also slated for Mother’s Day Weekend, is even more intimate than SMAF – really affording folks an opportunity to get to know each other. 

“As both a fan and an amateur performer, I thought the Folk Project weekend was about as close to folk heaven on earth as one can get,” says Gary Schoenberger of East Meadow, New York, who was a first-time attendee last year.  “Forget about sleeping,” he adds; “the only time I was not jamming or listening was during the meals, which, by the way, were very good.” 

Held at a YMCA camp in mountainous northwestern New Jersey, the Folk Project’s  Spring Festival runs Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, May 11-13, and features several concerts, dances, more than 30 participatory workshops, pick-up jams galore, and plenty of informal music making.

The weekend’s featured performers include David Buskin, George Wurzbach and Rob Carlson, those delightfully talented masters of musical parody collectively known as Modern Man; Carla Ulbrich, another funny folkie whose witty topical ditties have been  spun on the nationally syndicated Dr. Demento radio program; John Roberts and Tony Barrand, a harmonious duo whose repertoire of English folk songs are often sung a cappella and well; and Joe Crookston, a gifted and engaging singer-songwriter from central New York who is an emerging talent on the contemporary folk scene. 

Also slated to perform are singer-songwriter Christine DeLeon, family band Dugan’s Hooligan, storyteller Ellen Musikant, dance band Elixir; and, perhaps, you.  According to the Folk Project’s Web site, “activities are geared both to hot musicians, not musicians and everyone in between” – meaning this could be your time to shine or shudder at the thought of performing (all in a friendly atmosphere).

Since attendance is strictly limited, pre-registration is required.  The full weekend rate for adults is $195, which includes lodging in heated, dormitory-style cabins and meals on Saturday and Sunday.  Discounts are available for children, Folk Project members and those providing their own food and lodging.  While the registration deadline is May 4, a $10 discount is available for those who register online by April 22.

For more information or to make reservations, visit www.folkproject.org/festivals.

 

Held at Camp Rockmont at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, the Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) is a family-oriented weekend that aims to “connect cultures and create community through music and art” in the great outdoors.

LEAF performers will present a cultural mélange of musical styles.  These include African-American string band (Carolina Chocolate Drops), bluegrass and soul-grass (Chatham County Line and the Dukhs, respectively), acoustic folk/roots with nice three-part harmonies (the Be Good Tanyas), zydeco (Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys), and other genres that might fit under the broad canopy of roots music. 

Among the more unique artists slated to perform at LEAF is Billy Jonas – an adventurous (to put it mildly), sonically charged and highly energetic, self-described “industrial re-percussionist” who plays an array of instruments made from found objects, along with more traditional ones.

The Guthrie Family Legacy Tour (featuring Arlo Guthrie, his son Abe, his daughter Sara Lee with Johnny Irion, and multi-instrumentalist Gordon Titcomb) closes out the festival early Sunday evening with songs by Woody and other members of this musically gifted clan.

Now in its 12^th year, LEAF also features healing arts workshops, folk art and juried handicrafts shows,  fiddle and talent contests, jam sessions, a poetry slam, mountain-trail runs and hikes, and West African mountain-drum circles. 

Reduced prices for LEAF weekend and day tickets extend through May 5, although steeper discounts are available online up to April 4.  To purchase tickets and for additional information, visit www.LakeEdenArtsFestival.org.