Festival Focus – Page 19 – AcousticMusicScene.com

MerleFest Lineup Announced; Early-bird Ticket Prices in Effect

Post published:March 25, 2010
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Bluegrass & Beyond Festival Focus

Most of the lineup for MerleFest is now set, and early-bird ticket prices for one of America’s most popular roots-oriented music festivals are available through April 6. Celebrating the music of the late instrumental virtuoso Merle Watson and his father Doc Watson, the “traditional-plus” music festival features sounds of the Appalachian region and beyond -- ranging from bluegrass and Americana to old-time, country and roots music. It takes place April 29 – May 2 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. [To view the entire article, click on the headline.]

Old Settler’s Music Festival Set for April 15-18 in Driftwood, Texas

Post published:March 20, 2010
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus

The roots and Americana-oriented Old Settler’s Music Festival returns to the Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas, April 15-18. Now in its 23rd year, the festival is not as well-known outside the state as some others in the Austin area – and that’s part of its allure. Old Settler’s Music Festival also takes place during what’s usually the height of Texas Hill Country’s wildflower season. [To read the rest of this short festival preview, click on the headline.]

Joe Val Bluegrass Festival Near Boston Set for Feb. 12-14

Post published:January 14, 2010
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Bluegrass & Beyond Festival Focus News - Northeast U.S.

The Boston Bluegrass Union hosts the 25th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, February 12-14, at the Sheraton Framingham in Framingham, Massachusetts. The indoor festival, located 18 miles west of Boston, will feature regional and nationally touring bands, more than 40 master classes and workshops (for which pre-registration is required), directed slow jams and plenty of picking opportunities throughout the weekend. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

South Florida Round Up Set for January 17

Post published:January 9, 2010
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus

The Broward Folk Club hosts a one-day special event featuring nine continuous hours of music on Sunday, January 17. Called the South Florida Round Up, and held in place of a South Florida Folk Festival this year, the event is set for noon to 9 p.m. at The Round-up, 9020 West State Road 84 in Davie, Florida. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Boston Celtic Music Fest Set for Jan. 8-9, 2010

Post published:December 30, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Celtic Corner Festival Focus News - Northeast U.S.

The annual Boston Celtic Music Fest (BCMFest), now in its seventh year, returns to its roots January 8 and 9 with a “back-to-basics” focus on dyed-in-the-wool core traditions of Celtic music and those who help keep the Boston area’s rich heritage of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and other Celtic music and dance traditions alive. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Ann Arbor Folk Festival Slated for Jan. 29-30

Post published:December 17, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus

Tickets are currently on sale for the Ann Arbor Folk Festival that takes place January 29-30 at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now in its 33rd year, the two-night event featuring traditional and contemporary artists is a fundraiser for The Ark, Ann Arbor’s nonprofit home for folk, roots and ethnic music. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Initial Artist Lineup Announced for DelFest

Post published:October 28, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Bluegrass & Beyond Festival Focus

The third annual DelFest at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland does not take place until next Memorial Day Weekend. But bluegrass patriarch and nine-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Entertainer of the Year Del McCoury joined IBMA Broadcaster of the Year Katy Daley yesterday on WAMU’s “Bluegrass Country” to announce the initial lineup for the event and take calls from fans. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

MerleFest 2010 Artists to be Announced on Oct. 22

Post published:October 15, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Bluegrass & Beyond Festival Focus

MerleFest, one of America’s most popular roots-oriented music festivals, will announce its artist lineup for 2010 during a one-hour radio special on North Carolina public radio station WNCW (streaming online at www.wncw.org) on Thursday, October 22, at 8 p.m. EDT. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

KVMR Celtic Festival Takes Place in California, Oct. 3-4

Post published:September 17, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves Celtic Corner Festival Focus

Strains of “Caledonia” will fill the air in Grass Valley, California, Oct. 3-4, where leading Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean is among the headliners in the 13th Annual Celtic Festival & Marketplace. Produced by and benefiting KVMR Community Radio (89.5 and 101.5FM in Tahoe/Truckee and streaming at www.kvmr.org), the festival takes place at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Celtic Classic Returns to Bethlehem, PA, Sept. 25-27

Post published:September 14, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Celtic Corner Festival Focus

Throngs of people are expected to converge on Historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Sept. 25-27, for the 22nd annual Celtic Classic. Presented by the nonprofit Celtic Cultural Alliance, the free event is a celebration of the Irish, Scottish and Welsh cultures and heritage. Its six stages of continuous entertainment will feature performances by Albannach, Barley Boys, Barleyjuice, Blackwater, Bua, Burning Bridget Cleary, Fil Campbell, Gaelic Storm (who close out the festival on Sunday night), Ontario’s Glengarry Bhoys, Kane & Beatty, Seamus Kennedy, Malinky, McPeake, Timlin & Kane, Town Pants, and Robert Watt & Charlie Zahm. Other musical attractions during the weekend include The Celtic Classic Invitational Pipe Band Competition and a fiddle competition. Irish and Highland dancers also will take part in the festivities. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Philadelphia Folk Festival Set for Next Weekend

Post published:August 9, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus News - Northeast U.S.

Buskin & Batteau, The Decemberists, John Flynn, The Folk Brothers, Sara Hickman, Sonny Landreth, Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink, the Del McCoury Band, Ellis Paul, Rebirth Brass Band, Tom Rush, Jill Sobule, Tony Trischka and the Derek Trucks Band are among the dozens of acts slated to perform during the 48th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, August 14-16, at the Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. Featuring an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary music, as well as dance, crafts, an array of children’s activities in the shady Dulcimer Grove, and a unique late-night scene (with jamming into the wee morning hours in the 40-acre campgrounds), the Philadelphia Folk Festival is the longest continuously running U.S. festival of its kind. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Two New One-Day Festivals Slated for This Month in Massachusetts; 16th Annual Essex Music Festival Goes Riverside; Boston Folk Festival is Back for September

Post published:August 5, 2009
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus News - Northeast U.S.

Despite the tough economy, two new one-day music festivals are slated for this month in Massachusetts, while the previously cancelled Boston Folk Festival is back on again for September. And the Essex Music Festival, now in its 16th year, moves to a new downtown location, along the Essex River, on August 29. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]