Unless you’re agoraphobic, a vampire, or a heroin addict, you know that the Lowell Folk Festival is a big deal for the Mill City. Showcasing more ethnic musical styles than a satellite radio scan, the LFF brings people from all over the world, not only to participate in but also to enjoy the festival. Three days, six stages of music, and a crapload of ethnic foods – this is the Festival I can’t help but count down to. One look at the schedule and you, too, will marvel at the diversity of the artists.
This year, it all goes down July 25-27, and those nice folks over at the Folk Fest already have the full schedule of performers posted on their web site. Here’s the list of acts scheduled to perform:
- Kontiwennenhá:wi, Carriers of the Words – female singers from the Mohawk Indian tribe
- Alex Meixner Band – Polka from Allentown, Pa.
- Balla Kouyaté – Balafon music from Bali
- Don Roy Trio – French fiddle masters from Gorham, Maine
- Gund Kwok – Chinese Lion Dance troupe from Boston
- Helder Moutinho – fado singer from Lisbon, Portugal
- Henry Gray – blues pianist from Baton Rouge, La.
- The Jerry Grcevich Tamburitza Orchestra – Slavian string music from North Huntingdon, Pa.
- Lonesome River Band – bluegrass from Virginia
- Sister Marie Knight – gospel from Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Mighty Sam McClain – soul/R&B from New Hampshire (yes, it’s possible)
- Penpa Tsering – traditional Tibetan music all the way from Somerville, Mass.
- Pilon Batuku – Cape Verdean funana music from Pawtucket, R.I.
- Redd Volkaert Band with Cindy Cashdollar – Twang/steel guitar music from Austin, Tex.
- Réveillons – Quebecois music and dance from Montreal
- Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys – Zydeco from Iota, La.
- Skordalia – Greek dance music from Massachusetts
- The Skatalites – Jamaican ska music
- Tread – Celtic music and step dancing
- The Whitetop Mountain Band – Old-time string band from Virginia
A full schedule appears on the Festival web site, so start making your plans now. I’ve always found the hardest part of this festival is seeing everyone I want to, even when they play multiple times over the weekend. It's fun trying, though.
See you there.
