In addition to all of the tremendous traditions, campground experiences and amazing performers at each year's Philadelphia Folk Festival, the 50th - this August 18-21 - will have some special new initiatives and events! Buy your tickets now for 10% off until August 12 at midnight, and check out what you have in store:
Local Artists and Activists Rally for a Greener Festival
The Festival will introduce a compost program, a solar power stage, more local foods, and an eco-village and green area hosted by the troubador Sustainable Living Roadshow. There will even be a plant walk and tree planting with the PA Horticultural Society and recyclable brick-making workshops with Earthship Builders. Don't miss the RUNbus stage in the campgroud- a bus/stage combo that runs on veggie oil (right)- featuring James McCarthy and other performers every night!
The initiative is led by regional artists and activists The Great Unknown, Chris Kasper, Dr. Dog, The Spinning Leaves, Birdie Busch, Hoots and Hellmouth and Nic Esposito!
Check out the video they made to execute these programs and more- to see just how carbon-free the Fest can be!
Focus on Philadelphia
This year at the PFF, the spotlight is truly on Philadelphia. Area phenomena US Rails, Birdie Busch, and Hoots and Hellmouthtake on the main stage Friday afternoon. They are joined for that afternoon concert by winners of the Unsung Heroes Campground Competition- The Philadelphia Jug Band and HogMaw.
XPN's Helen Leicht is back with the Philly Local Showcase at 1pm Saturday on the Camp Stage, featuring Suzie Brown and Jim Boggia.
The PFS sponsored Philly Music Co-op brings Brad Hinton, The Berrys, Wes Mattheau and the New Way Down, and Burning Bridget Cleary to the Lobby Stage at 2pm. Co-opers James McCarthy as well as The Turnips will be featured in the Dulcimer Grove- which will have expanded workshops and kids programs this year! And don't miss The Berrys pre-Fest concert party this Sunday at Woodstock Trading Company Lawn Concerts (you could win a pair of Folk Festival tickets!)
Friday at Festival: VIP Performer Meet & Greet with Local Beer, Food, and Wine Tasting
Friday, August 19; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Philadelphia Folk Festival- In the Hospitality Tent of the Backstage area
$125; limited to first 150 VIP patrons (50% off for Friends of Fest)
This is your chance to hang with Roy Book Binder, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Alexis P. Suter, Tempest, Hoots and Hellmouth, Birdie Busch, and more! Local breweries being featured include Flying Fish, Stoudts & Troegs. Soft drinks and local farm-fresh food will also be served. A commemorative VIP bag will be given to each participant. Get a ticket now while supplies last!
Click here to learn more information. And don't forget to purchase your PFF/Yards brand bottle (click here and scroll down)- a beautiful, silver 20-ounce bottle that you can refill for cheaper beverages!Main Stage Collaborations and Phenomenal Workshops
Each year, the Folk Festival brings you unique opportunities to hear artists in contexts outside of the typical, wham-and-bam 30-minute concert. But this year, as part of the 50th celebration, the Festival will offer a rare taste of main stage collaborations, curated in part by David Bromberg and his Big Band. Expect surprises from any of the main stage headliners: Trombone Shorty, Levon Helm, The Wood Brothers, Jorma Kaukonen, Arlo Guthrie, Alexis P. Suter, The Campbell Brothers, Tom Paxton, and more. With special tributes to our founders and friends, and a special 50th toast to Gene Shay!
Click here (and scroll down) to check the whole workshop schedule, including: Husbands and Wives (David Bromberg and Nancy Josephson, The Kennedys...) and Acoustic Blues Workshop (Jorma Kaukonen, Bromberg, The Wood Brothers, Tom Rush...).
If you haven't viewed it yet, the Philadelphia Folk Festival website has the listing of performers and workshops by time and day. Because of the collaborations and unique sets, it will be difficult to list each slot with beginning and end times. But www.folkfest.org lists all start times for each particular concert (to help guide you in your ticket purchase). See the full list by clicking here, and check back for additional artist info added to the workshops. For instance, Full Frontal Folk will be joining us for a few workshops and Wes Mattheau and the New Way Down will be featured on the Philadelphia Music Co-op showcase on Friday afternoon on the Lobby stage. Make your daily plans now and check back as we continue to add workshop artists, videos, and more!
