The
following article appears in the June - August '98 issue
of FolkNotes.
You Know It
Must Be Summer if They're Folking at the Festivals!
By Larry Hoyt
It's
been suggested that Syracuse already has its own folk
festival, but unlike weekend folk festivals in other
locales, the one held in Syracuse is spread out over 52
weeks of the year. A debatable premise, perhaps, but what
can't be debated is the fact that a large number of high
quality folk and acoustic music festivals are happening
around Central New York this summer. A listing of all
area concerts appears in this issue's FolkNotes calender,
but here is a quick rundown of information for some of
this summer's Upstate New York folk and acoustic music
festivals.
Falcon Ridge
Folk Festival
July 24, 25 ,26
www.falconridgefolk.com
Celebrating
its 10th anniversary this summer, the Falcon Ridge Folk
Festival has earned a national reputation as one of the
premier showcases for folk and acoustic musicians,
bringing together many of the genre's best
singer/songwriters.
Presented at the Long Hill Farm, just  outside of Hillsdale, NY, the
Festival site is located about one hour's drive southeast
of Albany on Route 23.
One highlight of this year's three-day festival will
be the Summer's Eve Song Swap on the Main Stage,
scheduled for Friday evening, July 24. Sharing the stage
and their songs at that time will be Greg Brown, John
Gorka, Richard Shindell, and Dar Williams.
The Festival begins at noon on Friday with the New
Artist Showcase, giving 26 new-on-the-scene artists the
opportunity to perform two songs each on the Main Stage.
This year, CNY Friends of Folk member Thom Rayne has been
selected to perform at this prestigous forum, along with
a host of up-and-comers, such as Terri Allard and Mindy
Jostyn. Other artists who will perform on the Falcon
Ridge Main Stage this year include Central New York's own
Karen Savoca, along with Brooks Williams, Sloan
Wainwright, Vance Gilbert, Patty Larkin, Bill Morrissey,
Mustard's Retreat, and the Bobs. Other acts slated to
perform include Lisa McCormick, the Nudes, and Tom
Prasada-Rao.
Those seeking more rhythmicly propelled music can find
it at the Dance Stage, where acts such as the Freight
Hoppers and Nightingale entertain before an expanded
8,000 square foot wooden dance floor under the Big Tent.
The Camp Hoboken Revue will hold forth at the Workshop
Stage, with a variety of acts, including Hoopoe the
Clowne bringing laughs to the Family Stage.
A "quiet camping area" is available, but
those wanting to carrying the music into the night can
take advantage of the Nite Owl Swap and the Nite Owl
Hoot. Before July 15, a 3-day pass with camping is $65;
without camping, it's $55. After July 15, add $10 to
each. The Festival has its own website, and can be
reached by phone for ticket info at 860-350-7472.
Those interested in volunteering at the Festival
should contact the volunteer coordinator, Michael
Schwartz, a volunteer@falconridgefolk.com.
Old Songs
Festival
June 26, 27, 28
www.crisny.org/not-for-profit/oldsongs
The
18th Annual Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and
Dance takes place "in the grove" at the
Altamont Fairgrounds on Route 146, about 10 miles west of
Albany.
As the name implies, the Old Songs Festival features
artists whose repertoires focus on traditional songs.
More than 35 acts perform, with songwriter Bob Franke
among the best known of this year's scheduled acts.
Others include Ken Whiteley, Jackie Washington, Mose
Scarlett, Gordon Bok, Cindy Kallet, and Paddy Keenan.
What the performers at the Old songs festival may lack in
marquee value, they make up for in their varied styles
and quality presentation. Here's a sample of the musical
themes at Old Songs: Sea Chanties; Songs of the 20's; the
Music of Prince Edward Island; Contra Dance; Shape-Note
Singing; Hammered Dulcimer Jam Session.
An all festival ticket is $55; with camping, it's $65.
Old Songs has their own website, and be contacted by
phone at 518-765-2815.
The Bluegrass
Ramble Festival
July 31 - August 2
The grandaddy of area acoustic music festivals, the
Bluegrass Ramble, has enjoyed more than a quarter century
of recognition as one of the Northeast's finest bluegrass
get-togethers.
Organized by Bill Knowlton and the CNY Bluegrass
Association, and taking place at the LaFayette Apple
Festival Grounds on scenic Route 20, this year's Ramble
will feature Bill Harrell, Bluegrass Patriots, 40 West,
the Delaney Brothers, and the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys,
among others. Advance tickets are $17.
For more information, call 923-7214. For more
information on the CNY Bluegrass Association and other
area bluegrass festivals, call 457-6100.
The Finger
Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance
July 23-26
Taking place the same weekend as the Falcon Ridge Folk
Festival, the GrassRoots Festival offers more in the way
of world and alternative roots music.
Among this year's performers: King Sunny Ade; Donna
the Buffalo; Samite; Preston Frank & His Zydeco
Family Band; Soweto Soliel; the Colorblind James
Experience; Kathy Ziegler; Kinfolk.
The Festival is located at the Trumansburg
Fairgrounds, about 10 miles north of Ithaca on the west
side of Cayuga Lake. Tickets are $45 in advance; $60 at
the gate. Tickets can be ordered by calling 607-387-5098.
The Festival's website is located at:
www.grassrootsfest.org
Other upcoming festivals are regularly listed in the
weekly Syracuse New
Times (Wednesdays) and in the Syracuse Newspapers
Weekend section (Fridays) and Stars Magazine (Sundays).
And here's the URL for a fairly comprehensive music
festival guide: http://www.festivalfinder.com/.
This page
maintained by Dana Cooke. E-mail me at djcooke@aiusa.com.
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