Published: Page 20, ROP, 6/17/2005
Here is a sampling of upcoming Northeast folk and bluegrass festivals. Be sure to check the web sites or call for last-minute changes or specifics regarding particular shows. Some ticket prices rise the closer you get to the festival.
June 24-26: The Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance, Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, N.Y., 518-765-2815, e-mail: oldsongs@oldsongs.org, oldsongs.org/festival. Performers include old-timey player Bruce Molsky, banjo great Tony Trischka, funny folks The Arrogant Worms and Peter & Lou Berryman, and blues great Gary Davis. On-site camping. All festival tickets $85, youths $50. Per-day prices available.
July 2-3: New Bedford Summerfest Folk Festival, New Bedford Historical Whaling National Park & State Pier. E-mail: helene@barrel-of-music.com, barrel-of-music.com. More than 35 acts, including Paul Geremia, Sara Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Jack Hardy, Catie Curtis, The Nields, John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee. The festival wristband price is $10 a day or $15 for an all-festival wristband. Separate admission required for Whaling Museum, but not for festival-related shows.
July 14-17: Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Rothvoss Farm, Ancramdale, N.Y., 1-888-946-8495, greyfoxbluegrass.com. More than 35 acts, including David Grisman Quintet, Peter Rowan’s All-Star Bluegrass Jam, the Seldom Scene, Sam Bush Band, Tim O’Brien Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Del McCoury Band, John Cowan Band, Mountain Heart and more. On-site camping. Full-festival tickets: $150, $135 by June 30; 12 and under free. Seniors 60+, $5 off per day. Day tickets available.
July 15-16: The Green River Festival, Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, 413-586-8686, greenriverfestival.com. More than a dozen acts, including Steve Earle, Donna the Buffalo, The Duhks, Tracy Grammer, The Mammals, Jeffrey Foucault, Allison Moorer and others. Tickets $35 until July 10, under 12 free. Day tickets available. Balloon rides $200-$225, includes festival admission.
July 21-24: The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Long Hill Farm, Hillsdale, N.Y., 860-364-0366, e-mail: info@falconridgefolk.com, falconridgefolk.com. More than 50 acts, including The Kennedys, Vance Gilbert, Eliza Gilkyson, Lowen & Navarro, Dar Williams, Jesse Colin Young, Crooked Still, Railroad Earth and more. On-site camping, $115; $95 through July 1; ages 12-16, $45. Under 12 free. Day and no-camping tickets available.
July 29-31: Lowell Folk Festival, 67 Kirk St., Lowell, 978-970-5000, 978-970-5002 (TDD), lowellfolkfestival.org. More than 15 acts including Susan Watts and the Fabulous Spheilkehs (Klezmer), Nora Jean Bruso (blues), Dale Ann Bradley (bluegrass), Kevin Naquin & The Ossun Playboys (cajun), Dave Bourne (Old West Saloon piano) and more, plus crafts and activities. Free.
Aug. 4-7: Dunkin’ Donuts Newport Folk Festival, Jane Pickens Theater, Newport Casino and Fort Adams State Park, Newport, R.I., 401-847-3700, newportfolk.com. Events include the screening of the film “Festival,” which chronicles the festival from 1964-’66, at the Jane Pickens Theater, $15. Arlo Guthrie with The Mammals celebrating the “40th Anniversary of the Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” and Nanci Griffith at the Newport Casino, tickets $30-$75. And at Fort Adams: Patty Griffin, Odetta, Del McCoury Band, Elvis Costello, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jane Siberry, Emmylou Harris and many more. Three-day tickets, which include lawn seating for the Guthrie/Griffith show and full access at Fort Adams, are $120. Aug. 6-7 tickets to Fort Adams are $90; children 2-12 are $5 per day; children under 2 free. Day tickets available.
Aug. 4-7: Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival, Martin Park, East Hartford, Conn., podunkbluegrass.net, 860-291-7350. Acts include Doc Watson, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Mountain Heart, Vassar Clements, Pine Mountain Railroad, Dale Ann Bradley and more. Four-day festival ticket with camping $75. Youth tickets available (check web site). Children 12 and under free with paid adult. Day tickets available.
Sept. 2-4: Rhythm & Roots Festival, Ninigret Park, Charlestown, R.I., 1-888-855-6940, rhythmtix@aol.com, rhythmandroots.com. On-site camping. More than 25 acts, including Donna The Buffalo, Keb Mo, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Slaid Cleaves, Sonny Landreth, Marcia Ball, Little Feat and many more. Full-festival camping tickets $140, $110 through June 30. Non-camping tickets available and day tickets available; 12 and under free with adult ticket buyer. Senior discount (60+) $5 off per day.
Sept. 24-25: Boston Folk Festival, University of Massachusetts, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, 617-287-6911, folkfest@umb.edu, bostonfolkfestival.org. More than 20 acts, including Suzanne Vega, Janice Ian, Lori McKenna, Modern Man, Patty Griffin, Eric Andersen, Greg Greenway, Jennifer Kimball, Guy Davis, David Massengill, Alastair Moock & Pastures of Plenty and more. Tickets: $50, 2-day; ages 6-14, $10; under 6 free. Day tickets available; discounts for WUMB members.
STEPHEN A. IDE
The Patriot Ledger