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...with the latest updates! Most recent update: JUNE 13, 2017, 2:06 pm.
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Congratulations! You've found the
✔ CURRENT & FUTURE FESTIVALS EDITION.
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♪ Welcome to "ENCYCLOPEDIA FESTIVANICA"
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide's series of THREE special editions covering the Folk-Americana Music Festivals of 2017
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This is the
✔ "CURRENT & FUTURE FESTIVALS EDITION"
— where the NEXT UPCOMING FESTIVALS are always right up top. Here, we delete things after they happen, so what's on top is what happens next.
This GROWS as well as shrinks —
Any festival ADDED LATE gets added here, AND it also appears in
✔ "FESTIVALS — LATE ADDITIONS"
so you won't need to scroll and hunt and wonder if you've seen something before. That little catalogue of additions is at:
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-late-additions.html
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There's also the
✔ "FULL SEASON EDITION"
That's the "forever reference" on what is, what was, and what will be in 2017 festival lore and fact. In that one, nothing ever gets deleted just because it already happened. And any new additions (late additions) get added there, too, so it really is A COMPLETE RECORD. That means it's all there for you to reference who was playing at that festival three months ago (or three years ago, when we get there) and you can use that one to PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR. It's a LIBRARY and living archive of 2017's classic memories and revelry yet to come. All that is at:
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-festival-guide-spring-thru-fall.html
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✔ GAD STRUMMIN' ZOOKS, 2017 is LOADED with festivals!
THIS is, without doubt, THE most complete catalogue of festivals with Folk-Americana and/or Acoustic Music that exists anywhere — at least without you having to make hundreds of clicks to unearth each lil' shard of vital info, getting one isolated detail at a time.
It's ALL HERE in one, single, date-chronological, scrollable, look-see. Meaning there's no damned annoying waits for things to cyber-percolate and (maybe) connect. We have no need to drown you in pop-ups or assorted ads that block what you were trying to read with each new click and force you to confront consumerism addictions or intrusive marketing of crap you aren't looking for, anyway, 'cause NONE OF THOSE annoying things are here.
Plus, we give you what you're looking for, all in one place. There's no frustration that part of what's vital is on yet another pulldown on some other page (of more and more esoterically arranged pages) on a site that scatters all the stuff you need to know like some kind of cyber 52 pickup.
NO ads, NO popups, NO waiting for evermore connections to someplace else, AND, it's right here in our all-in-one scrollable encyclopedia of festivals.
Proving that it can be done where nobody is trying to exploit you.
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✔ DOWNLOADABLE? WELL, YEAH!
It costs nothing (except some memory megabytes) to download ANY of our entire Festival Guide editions to any device. There's a great reason to do that, too — so you won't find yourself camping-out online later, some place where the signals are poor. (You can print it, too, if you've got that much paper and ink.)
So grab your board for a great ride — or man the sails — or put a leg over the saddle — or double-tie your boots for where the trail leads — or stoke the fire so the steam pressure rises and we can whistle this train out of the station — and quick, grab some extra strings — we're fixin' to commence to get ready to begin.
What's that you said? They're fiery and snuffy and hoovin' the turf and rarin' to go?
Well, alright then!
Let's get started! As a long-gone showman used to say.... A-waaaaay we go!
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♪ "ENCYCLOPEDIA FESTIVANICA"
SPRING THRU FALL 2017 MUSIC FESTIVAL GUIDE
from the Acoustic Americana Music Guide
Entire contents copyright (c) 2017, Lawrence Wines and Tied to the Tracks.
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HELPFUL LISTS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
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LOCAL festivals, June 15-18 weekend, 2017...
✔ "HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL" Jun 8-25 (34 venues in Hollywood / L.A., CA)
✔ 3rd annual "ROUTE 66 BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" Jun 15-18 (Victorville, CA)
✔ "LIVE OAK MUSIC FESTIVAL" Jun 16-18 (inland from Santa Barbara, CA)
✔ "HUCK FINN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" Jun 16-18 is kaput (was in Ontario, CA)
✔ 1st annual "BOOTS & BREWS COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL" Jun 17 (Santa Clarita, CA)
✔ "DISCLOSUREFEST" with California State Parks, Jun 17 (Los Angeles, CA)
✔ 31st annual "LONG BEACH BAYOU" Zydeco, Blues, Creole & Cajun Festival, Jun 17-18 (Long Beach, CA)
✔ 1st annual "LOS ANGELES DJANGO REINHARDT FESTIVAL" Jun 17 & 18 (Los Angeles CA)
✔ "MAKE MUSIC PASADENA" is on hiatus in 2017; see listing for "MAKE MUSIC LOS ANGELES" on Wed., Jun 21.
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OUT-OF-TOWN festivals, June 15-18 weekend, 2017...
✔ "NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS’ CONTEST & FESTIVAL" Jun 14-24 (Weiser, ID)
✔ 42nd annual "FATHER'S DAY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" Jun 15-18 (Grass Valley, CA)
✔ "TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" Jun 15-18 (Telluride, CO)
✔ "COUNTRY JAM COLORADO" Jun 15-18 (Grand Junction, CO)
✔ 22nd annual "LEAVENWORTH INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CELEBRATION" Jun 15-18 (Leavenworth, WA)
✔ "MONTREAL FOLK FEST SUR LE CANAL" Jun 15-18 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
✔ 3rd annual "EAUX CLAIRES FESTIVAL" Jun 16 & 17 (Eau Claire, WI)
✔ "COUNTRY SUMMER" Festival Jun 16-18 (Santa Rosa, CA)
✔ "SIERRA NEVADA WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL" Jun 16-18 (Boonville, CA)
✔ "WHAT THE FESTIVAL" Jun 16-19 (Dufur, OR)
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The listings following this one start with the June 15th-18th weekend. But...
There's still one CONTINUING FESTIVAL, listed first, and it'll be with us until its final note fades.
Continuing Festival, June 8 through June 25...
"HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL" at 34 theatres, stages, and other venues in Hollywood / L.A., CA; www.hollywoodfringe.org
✔ TIX: Available online, starting May 1. Don't dawdle, because many events sell-out early.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Billed as "L.A.'s largest performing arts festival" and with over 360 events at 34 venues, this is the ultimate multi-venue, multi-genre, multi-medium immersion in the arts. Categories include "absurd • acting • adult themes • comedic • comedy • compelling • contemporary • dance • dark comedy • dark humor • drama • dramedy • edgy • ensemble • female • feminist • fun • funny • hilarious • historical • inspiring • lgbt • musical • musical theater • one woman show • original • political • powerful • relationships • solo show • storytelling • theatre • true stories • women • world premiere."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
The best we'll do is show a few of the music and musical theatre offerings. Here goes.
- - - -
♪ GIRL, BOUND • solo performance • world premiere • 45 mins • A girl and her harp. She must escape her inner trappings through her music. Experiential theatre. Stars Alexandra Winter.
♪ OFFICE BEAT - A TAP DANCE COMEDY • dance & physical theatre • 80 mins • Winner HFF16 "Best in Dance & Physical Theatre."
♪ BLACK & WHITE IN PARIS: A CABARET MUSICAL • musicals and operas • world premiere • 90 mins.
♪ THE SPIDEY PROJECT • musicals and operas • 90 mins • Had a completely sold-out run in 2012. "This scrappy, smart and hilarious parody of the Spider-Man origin story features an original score..."
♪ NARSOCIETY - THE SOCIAL MEDIA SHAMING MUSICAL • musicals and operas • world premiere • 150 mins • The Guide has long been impressed with Chris Valenti, the talented musician/comic/writer/filmmaker who wrote and performs this.
♪ A HARMONY BOYS CHRISTMAS • musicals and operas • 1 hr • "Nobody spreads Christmas Cheer all over your face quite like legendary singing sensations and amateur turtleneck models the Harmony Boys in this raunchy 1960s ode to holiday specials of yore."
♪ A JINGLE A GO-GO: THE MUSICAL • musicals and operas • 50 mins • "campy musical comedy..."
♪ WRITE YOUR OWN FRINGE MUSICAL WITH NMI • events & workshops • 1 hr • "Do you want to write a musical for next year's Fringe Festival? Or Broadway? Come to a free workshop on writing and marketing musicals..."
♪ SLIGHTLY-OFF BROADWAY • cabaret & variety • world premiere • 1 hr • "A hilarious and irreverent cabaret featuring parodies of your favorite Broadway hits of yesterday and today."
♪ METALHEAD • musicals and operas • world premiere • 80 mins • "A folk rock musical about robots and the human people who hate them."
♪ SPRINGLOADED • solo performance • world premiere • 110 mins • "a musical meditation on disappeared years, discarded dreams and delinquent DNA."
♪ 1001 MINUTES OF NEW MUSICALS • musicals and operas • world premiere • 1 hr • "24 writers; 12 shows; 4 evenings of 5 perfs each; all musicals all the time."
♪ MY MID 20'S CRISIS THE MUSICAL • musicals and operas • world premiere • 90 mins • "An outrageous slapstick ensemble musical comedy about getting through your mid 20’s. Watch them deal with the anxieties and complexities of life after college; Broadway style. With dancing ovarian eggs, evil creditors, tinder dates, and insane acting teachers."
♪ FERGUSON THE TAILOR AT THE DOOR TO AMERICA • musicals and operas • world premiere • "A young Jewish tailor and his wife come to America in 1912. They face hardships, find friends and have many sweet and comical adventures as they travel the road to eventual success and learn to be 'real' Americans - an old-fashioned story with a wonderful old-fashioned musical score."
♪ TRUMP IN SPACE- THE MUSICAL • musicals and operas • world premiere • 1 hr • "Star Trek meets Rent meet Battlestar Galactica meets Trump, is battle of good vs bad, ideals vs opportunism, Trump vs Trump, plus music. 400 years in the future, the fallout of the Trump administration has left humans stranded in search of a new planet. Campy political musical comedy in space!"
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Jun 14-24, 2017:
"NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS’ CONTEST & FESTIVAL" at Weiser High School, Weiser, ID; 208-414-0255; http://www.fiddlecontest.org
✔ TIX: Tix are available in various event combos at: https://www.ticketsource.us/notfc/events. On the festival site, only V.I.P. All-Access Tickets are now available in an exclusive pre-sale offer. Regular tickets have not been available until after February 15th, 2017.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE 1: Contestant packets are available online.
✔ NOTE 2: "If you want to be on the entertainment lineup, please contact Sandra Cooper at director@fiddlecontest.com or call 208-414-0255." They say, "We love seeing new acts each year and welcoming back old favorites."
✔ THE SCENE: There are NATIONAL COMPETITION OLD TIME divisions as well as TWIN FIDDLING and SWING FIDDLING competitions. They have announced "the contest’s new, improved venue! Better acoustics, more comfortable seating, and a cozier atmosphere awaits contestants and spectators." Campground jams here go all night. There is daily live music from scheduled perfomers on the City Park Stage, next to Washington County Courthouse. Organizers say, "In addition to the terrific food court and craft and merchandise vendors, we have live entertainment each day Tuesday through Saturday," noon-10 pm.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced; due in early June.
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Jun 15-18, 2017:
3rd annual "ROUTE 66 BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 7th St, Victorville, CA 92395; www.route66bluegrass.com
✔ TIX: 3-day pass $51.50; Friday only $18.54; Saturday only $20.60; Sunday only $18.54; active duty military tix are 1/2 price at Festival Gate. Kids age 15 and under are free. Tix available online; 3-day passes sell-out early.
✔ CAMPING: Yes. Camping purchase must include at least one 3-day festival ticket.
✔ THE SCENE: "Marathon Productions, LLC brings Route 66 Bluegrass back to the High Desert of Southern California. Featuring national & West Coast bluegrass bands along with all the things you want in a first-class bluegrass festival. A family friendly festival with a covered audience area, Corn Hole Tournament, workshops, kid’s activities, craft and food vendors. Plenty of dry and tent camping sites, Incl. full hook-up sites with lots of jamming in the campgrounds."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Nu-Blu
♪ Bud Bierhaus & Eric Uglum
♪ The Vintage Martins featuring Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station
♪ Austin & Christian Ward
♪ Lawrence and Cassidy of the Hillbenders
♪ James Reams & The Barnstormers
♪ Chris Cerna & The Bluegrass Republic
♪ Out of the Desert
♪ Grasslands, Southern California Bluegrass
♪ Bluegrass Brethren, celebrating Forty Years
♪ “The Colonel’s” String Band Show featuring Brother Leon
♪ Desperado Bluegrass
♪ Stillhouse Road
♪ SWBA Bluegrass Kids
♪ Back Porch Bluegrass Band
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Jun 15-18, 2017:
42nd annual "FATHER'S DAY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" in the Nevada Co. Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA; http://fathersdayfestival.com/
✔ TIX: Discounted advance tix available until May 31, 2017: $15-$155. CBA "Youth Academy" regis. is sold-out.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: California Bluegrass Association presents "A legendary bluegrass, old time, and gospel music festival."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(main stage:)
♪ Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver
♪ Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top x-press
♪ Molsky's Mountain Drifters
♪ Tony Trischka Territory
♪ Becky Buller Band
♪ Mipso
♪ Piedmont Melody Makers
♪ Sawmill Road
♪ Darin & Brooke Aldridge (2017 CBA Emerging Artist)
♪ The Freight Hoppers
♪ and lots more on 3 other stages
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Jun 15-18, 2017:
"TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" in Town Park Telluride, CO; www.bluegrass.com/telluride
✔ TIX: $82-$235 and the multi-day tix sell-out earliest.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE 1: There is no better setting on Earth for a music festival that resonates with acoustic strings and lots of mountain music. And the weekend of the Summer Solstice in the high Rocky Mountains is when this alpine wonderland is at its best. Telluride isn't all bluegrass, and hasn't been for decades. But it's all wonderfully and musically memorable.
✔ NOTE 2: If you're thinking of driving via I-70? Or riding Amtrak to Grand Junction or flying there, either of which requires renting a car to drive to Telluride? Or getting a room in or anywhere remotely near Grand Junction? Note that another giant music fest, "Country Jam Colorado" (see listing) happens in Grand Junction at the same time, so arrange everything well in advance or risk getting seriously stuck. (If driving from Southern Cal, take I-40 and turn north on old US 666 into Colorado.)
✔ THE SCENE: "Camping in the Rocky Mountains during the summer is an enlightening experience especially when surrounded by one the jewels of summer – the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. If you manage to snag tickets to this sold out event, Town Park Campground is the Valhalla of camping with permanent bathrooms, waterfalls, and a location so close that you can listen to music from your tent."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Sam Bush Band
♪ Brandi Carlile
♪ Dierks Bentley
♪ The Travelin’ McCourys
♪ Dispatch
♪ Yonder Mountain String Band
♪ Greensky Bluegrass
♪ Béla Fleck & Chris Thile
♪ Elephant Revival
♪ Punch Brothers
♪ Hot Rize
♪ Peter Rowan
♪ Jerry Douglas Band
♪ Tim O’Brien
♪ Chris Thile
♪ Sarah Jarosz
♪ The East Pointers
♪ Fireball Mail
♪ "Telluride Troubadour" winner
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Jun 15-18, 2017:
"COUNTRY JAM COLORADO" in Grand Junction, CO; http://countryjam.com
✔ TIX: $145.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: The presence of this giant festival, concurrent with the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (see listing) to the south, complicates lodging, food and supply stops for miles, and travel plans in general to/from both festivals. That's because attendees of both will pass through and want rooms, etc., coming and going through the same areas. It effects more than is obvious: especially for those arriving via I-70 or by Amtrak, tangling with those journeying south to reach Telluride. So prepare and sort it out.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Kenny Chesney
♪ Jason Aldean
♪ Justin Moore
♪ Randy Houser
♪ Chris Young
♪ Old Dominion
♪ Gretchen Wilson
♪ Parmalee
♪ Smithfield
♪ Cody Johnson
♪ Sammy Arriaga
♪ Sasha McVeigh
♪ Devon Worley Band
♪ Thomas Rhett
♪ Frankie Ballard
♪ Kane Brown
♪ Sammy Kershaw
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Jun 15-18, 2017:
22nd annual "LEAVENWORTH INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CELEBRATION" in Leavenworth, WA; www.accordioncelebration.org
✔ TIX: $15 for each evening's multi-artist concert, $40 for all three nights' concerts; 8 workshops are $13 each, others workshops free.
✔ CAMPING: No, but available locally.
✔ The Festival has accordion competitions, workshops, concerts with world class performers, free performances at the gazebo, grange, and restaurants, free accordion lessons, an Accordion Parade on Saturday, accordion vendors, opportunities for all accordion players to play, jam sessions, and more.
✔ The Northwest Accordion Society is now responsible for the festival's planning and support. They've awarded accordion scholarships, hosted accordion events in the Northwest for over 25 years including monthly accordion socials and the annual "Day of the Accordion" at the Seattle Center, and they have an elegant quarterly publication, "The Northwest Accordion News."
✔ THE SCENE: "Leavenworth is Washington’s 'Bavarian Village' and a perfect setting for this celebration. Nestled in a cozy narrow valley at elevation of 1100 feet surrounded by wilderness of rugged, majestic mountain ranges, over 2 million visitors per year from all over the world come to experience magical Leavenworth."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(Thursday:)
♪ Lyle and Toby Polka Parade
♪ Sergei Teleshev (Bayan)
♪ Steve Albini (Roland)
- - - -
(Friday:)
♪ Northwest Accordionaires
♪ Kim and Dan Christian
♪ Music and Dancing Zydeco Rex
- - - -
(Saturday:)
♪ Performance by winner of Leavenworth Open
♪ The Portatos
♪ Stas Venglevski
♪ Music and Dancing by LIAC Jam Dance Band
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✔ NEWLY ADDED LISTING 05/30/17.
Jun 15-18, 2017:
"MONTREAL FOLK FEST SUR LE CANAL" at Centennial Esplanade, corner of Saint-Patrick & Pitt streets, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; http://montrealfolkfest.com
✔ TIX: The basic festival is FREE. A VIP Weekend Pass is $100 and includes special outdoor seating, perqs and a ticket to either of the 2 Thursday night indoor concerts; VIP Day Pass (any one day) has a special outdoor seating area and perqs, and is $40; the Thu night concerts indoor require separate tix (see "2017 Lineup" section, below); everything is available at http://montrealfolkfest.com/tickets
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Presenting FREE outdoor music all three days in the south-west borough of Montreal, an "Artisan Alley," and plenty that's tuneful, it's one of Canada's most massive and celebrated folk festivals, run by a not-for-profit organization. There's a full "youth festival" lineup and substantial program that supports it, along with the main lineup, a pair of Thursday night theme concerts, and other special musical events (see "2017 Lineup" section"). The Folk Fest sur le canal was founded in 2008 by Hello Darlin’ Productions and Hyperbole Music to showcase folk, roots, and bluegrass music at a summertime event. The inaugural Folk Fest on the canal was a one-day event that attracted approximately 500 festivalgoers. The Festival has since evolved into a five-day event, complete with free outdoor programming and ticketed indoor concerts. In 2016, the Folk Fest attracted more than 30,000 music fans. Over the years, the Folk Fest has brought in folk pioneers such as John Sebastian (The Lovin’ Spoonful), Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary), Tim O’Brien, Jim Kweskin, Tom Rush, Eric Andersen, and Roger McGuinn (The Byrds). Family and community have always been an important part of the Folk Fest sur le canal. Local musicians, both emerging and established, are always featured throughout the festival. In 2012, the Lhasa de Sela Youth stage was added, giving young folk musicians, dancers, and storytellers the chance to perform in a semi-professional environment. In 2013, the Folk Fest created the "Lhasa de Sela Youth Bursary for Excellence in Music" as a grant program to encourage young local musicians to pursue their dreams. The bursary has since been awarded to 10 deserving recipients. Organizers say, "The Folk Fest is sustained by the herculean effort of a crew of upwards of 100 volunteers from all labour segments. Volunteers come back year after year to relive this rewarding experience. It’s no wonder that the Folk Fest sur le canal is considered a fixture on the Quebec music scene and the most family-friendly music festival in town!"
✔ NOTE: Volunteers are recruited at: http://montrealfolkfest.com/partners-partenaires/volunteer-benevole/
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
♪ WEDNESDAY NIGHT 7 pm FREE opening party at the festival's "official after-hours venue," Bar de Courcelle. There, you can pick up your festival "programme," have a drink, "and dance the night away with one of Montreal’s finest party bands, The Off-Whites."
- - - -
♪ THURSDAY NIGHT, June 15, has two competing 8 pm indoor concerts that require tickets:
♪ (1) "Ain’t Life Sweet – A tribute to Penny Lang, Montreal’s queen of folk" with Annabelle Chvostek, Eve Goldberg, Durham County Poets, Michael Jerome Browne, Jason Lang & Skudfux, Bobby Dove, Connie Kaldor, Bill Garrett & Sue Lothrop & Roma Baran, Dana Whittle & Béatrix Méthé, at the Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay. Advance tix are $20 adult, $10 student, and will sell-out in advance; day of show $25 gen'l, $15 student.
♪ (2) "Always on My Mind – The Songs of Willie Nelson" with Joe Grass, Jim Bryson, Li’l Andy, Katie Moore, Andrew Horton, Sin and Swoon, Thus Owls and more, at Théâtre Paradoxe. Tix are $20 advance, $23 day of show, but expect it to sell-out in advance.
- - - -
OUTDOOR FEST, 3 DAY LINEUP, June 16-18, is FREE to attend, and features theses acts:
♪ All Day Breakfast Stringband
♪ Amanda Rheaume
♪ Anthony D’Amato
♪ Beyond the Pale
♪ Beyries
♪ Birds of Chicago
♪ Bud Rice
♪ Camille Delean
♪ Donovan Woods
♪ Eddy Blake
♪ Ever-Lovin' Jug Band (Sponsored by Bruce Case and Pat Riley)
♪ Filly and the Flops (Sponsored by Billy Bob Productions)
♪ Guy Donis Trio
♪ Henri Godon
♪ HuDost
♪ Ian Kelly
♪ Jabbour
♪ James Keelaghan
♪ John Jacob Magistery
♪ Les Poules à Colin
♪ Les Tireux d’Roches
♪ Marie-Eve Roy
♪ Michael Jerome Browne
♪ Sarah Harmer
♪ Slim Sandy and the Hillbilly Boppers
♪ Steve Poltz
♪ The Mae Trio (Sponsored by Amalgamated Culture)
♪ The Muddy Wheel (Sponsored by Yelp)
♪ The Off-Whites
♪ William Prince
- - - -
Youth Lineup:
♪ Alexandrine Morin
♪ Caribou Stew
♪ Esther Laurent-Girard
♪ Gina and the Inner Circle
♪ Jack Etok
♪ "Lhasa Bursary" winner
♪ Noah Lambert
♪ Pénélope Carbonneau
♪ Possums
♪ Talya Gad Band
♪ Tyler Watson
- - - -
Special Events:
♪ "Ain't Life Sweet: A tribute to Penny Lang"
♪ "Always on My Mind: The Songs of Willie Nelson"
♪ Old-time Square Dance
♪ The Yellow Door Troubadours
♪ Veillée au bord du canal
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Jun 16 & 17, 2017:
3rd annual "EAUX CLAIRES FESTIVAL" at Foster Farms in Eau Claire, WI; www.eauxclaires.com
✔ TIX: one-day, either day, $90; two-day pass $169. Free for children age ten and under.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "Eaux Claires is a multi-stage experience featuring live music, performance art, visual art, food and more. Produced by Eau Claire native Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, in collaboration with Aaron Dessner of The National. All ages are welcome. "this scenic Wisconsin experience is held along the banks of the Chippewa River and is a true celebration of music and art."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Bon Iver presents John Prine and The American Songbook
♪ Paul Simon with yMusic
♪ Feist
♪ Tweedy
♪ Wilco
♪ The Autumn Defense
♪ Big Red Machine
♪ Chance The Rapper
♪ Collections of Colonies of Bees
♪ Cup
♪ Danny Brown
♪ Francis and The Lights
♪ Happy Apple
♪ Julieta Venegas
♪ Mountain Man
♪ Mouse on Mars
♪ Music for The Long Emergency
♪ Perfume Genius
♪ Quindar
♪ S. Carey and Glenn Kotche
♪ Spank Rock
♪ s-t-a-r-g-a-z-e
♪ Sylvan Esso
♪ This Is The Kit
♪ Velvet Negroni
♪ Zebulon Pike
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✔ ADDED INFO: late additions to lineup, 05/13.
Fri-Sun, Jun 16-18, 2017:
"LIVE OAK MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Live Oak Camp, about twenty minutes inland from Santa Barbara, CA; www.liveoakfest.org
✔ TIX: 3-day Full Festival Pass is $130 adult, $80 teen, $40 child, free under age 4. Single-day adult/teen $55 adv, $65 gate; $20 child (4-11); day parking is $15. VIP add-on pkgs are available. Full festival, camping and day tix available at 805-781-3030.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: This fine festival finances the wonderful Central Coast public radio station KCBX. (While the rest of public radio browbeats listeners with endless pledge drives...)
✔ THE SCENE: It's prominently inclusive of Folk-Americana and acoustic singer-songwriters — plus various other acts that make it an eclectic musical experience. There are lots of fun folks, a happy, friendly vibe, and plenty of free-form dancing as a kinetic certainty to the sides of the main stage. It can get hot or the daytime temps can be delightful. That's a year-by-year thing. "Nestled in the river valley that feeds Cachuma Lake, the site is filled with old oaks that provide restful shade and pristine beauty. The focus of the Live Oak Music Festival is, of course, the main stage performances. With musicians from all over the United States and across the globe performing, this hub of the festival is the gathering place for everyone to hear and see some of the finest entertainers anywhere do what they do best: play music. Ranging from traditional, folk, bluegrass and gospel, to blues, jazz, classical and world music, and touching most genres in between, the main stage provides cultural entertainment and education. The music on the main stage is engineered by a top-notch crew, so the sound is second to none for an outdoor venue. Adding to the fun of the main stage music is a collection of arts and crafts booths, music workshops, fireside jamming, and rowdy barn dances on Friday and Saturday nights." Campgrounds accommodate RVs and tent campers and have access to showers at no extra charge. "A variety of daytime activities for small children, from a fairie garden, to arts & crafts, to a major talent show, offer any youngsters who are not-so-interested in the main stage's music plenty to do;" plus, "craft passes" are available for advance purchase. Added late, the Something Ridiculous Jugglers will perform daily shows and workshops at the Children's Camp.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek) & Langhorne Slim
♪ Jessica Fichot
♪ Donavon Frankenreiter
♪ Ozomatli
♪ Jackie Greene
♪ The Paul Thorn Band
♪ Nick Waterhouse
♪ Birds of Chicago
♪ The Brothers Comatose
♪ Sam Outlaw
♪ Vaud and the Villains
♪ Joe Craven & The Sometimers
♪ Moonshiner Collective
♪ The Tipsy Gypsies
♪ Rey Fresco
♪ Liz Vice
♪ Alec Lytle
♪ Dan Curcio
♪ Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan
♪ Wordsauce
♪ Carolyn Sills Combo
♪ Joe Koenig and the Homewreckers
♪ The Monroe
♪ The Turkey Buzzards
♪ Mama Tumba
♪ Mark Adams & His Band
♪ Ozokidz
♪ more to come
- - - -
(late additions to the Saturday lineup, announced May 12:)
♪ Lee Fields and the Expressions (Soul, Funk, R&B)
♪ Bryan Titus Trio (Post Modern Barn Dance Band)
♪ Mama Tumba (World Indigenous Rythms)
________________________________________
✔ LISTING ADDED 06/09:
Fri-Sun, Jun 16-18, 2017:
"MONTEREY INTERNATIONAL POP 50th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL" at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Rd, Monterey, CA 93940; www.montereypopfestival50.com
✔ TIX: Festival schedule and ticket info: https://montereypopfestival50.com/schedule
✔ CAMPING: Off-site camping is available at Veteran’s Memorial Park and Laguna Seca ✔ ✔ THE SCENE: This happens exactly 50 years to the day and on the exact same spot of the legendary festival in 1967 that launched the "Summer of Love."
Recreation Area (see the event's website).
✔ 2017 LINEUP (day by day):
= = = =
Fri, Jun 16:
♪ Leon Bridges
♪ Father John Misty
♪ Regina Spektor (solo)
♪ Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
♪ Charles Bradley & His Extraord..
♪ Eric Burdon & The Animals
♪ Langhorne Slim & The Law
♪ Sara Watkins
= = = =
Sat, Jun 17:
♪ Jack Johnson
♪ Norah Jones
♪ Jim James
♪ Dr. Dog
♪ Jamtown, featuring multiple artists
♪ Jackie Greene
♪ North Mississippi Allstars
♪ Jacob Banks
= = = =
Sun, Jun 18:
♪ Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band
♪ The Head and The Heart
♪ Gary Clark Jr.
♪ Kurt Vile & The Violators
♪ Booker T’s Stax Revue
♪ Nicki Bluhm & Dirty Dozen Brass Band
♪ Hiss Golden Messenger
♪ Alo
________________________________________
Fri-Sun, Jun 16-18, 2017:
"COUNTRY SUMMER" Festival in Santa Rosa, CA; http://countrysummer.com
* TIX: $69.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ Billed as "Nor Cal's Largest Country Music Festival." You can weigh what's trad country vs what's modern Nashvulle country weth thet fahke acks-scent.
* 2017 LINEUP:
(Fri:)
♪ Thomas Rhett
♪ Maddie & Tae
♪ Michael Ray
♪ William Michael Morgan
♪ Ned LeDoux
- - - -
(Sat:)
♪ Darius Rucker
♪ Montgomery Gentry
♪ A Thousand Horses
♪ Aaron Watson
♪ Clare Dunn
- - - -
(Sun:)
♪ Justin Moore
♪ Randy Houser
♪ Cam
♪ Canaan Smith
________________________________________
Jun 16-18, 2017:
"SIERRA NEVADA WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL" at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville, CA; www.snwmf.com
✔ TIX: check their site.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: Not being a source for "world music," we can't tell you what constitutes "folky" world music, and what constitutes whatever-else that gets put in the bin as world music. Maybe you know, and maybe you'll see sumpin' here that excites you.
✔ THE SCENE: "SNWMF is an annual family reunion for many and is known as being one of the most positive festivals with an incredibly irie vibe." And this: "The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival promotes 'conscious' music. Conscious music is music with a message of peace, unity and brotherhood, which transcends the divisions of race and culture."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Gentleman
♪ Tarrus Riley
♪ Chronixx
♪ Capleton
♪ Anthony B
♪ Macka B
♪ Mellow Mood
♪ Gappy Ranks
♪ The Black Seeds
♪ Sinkane
♪ Lakou Mizik
♪ Ranking Joe
♪ Christopher Ellis
♪ The Skints
♪ Exco Levi
♪ Marla Brown
♪ General Roots
♪ Saritah
♪ I-Taweh
♪ Arden Park Roots
♪ The Elovaters
♪ Paolo Baldini Dubfiles (in the dancehall)
♪ more acts tba
________________________________________
Jun 16-19, 2017:
"WHAT THE FESTIVAL" at Wolf Run Ranch, 78889 Dufur Valley Rd, Dufur, OR 97021; www.whatthefestival.com
✔ TIX: $325-$425.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: Parking at this one is reeeeeally expensive. But you can ride a $5 (each way) shuttle from Portland.
✔ THE SCENE: Frankly, it's tough to see how all the advertised "jamming in the woods" — obviously an acoustic experience — is facilitated by the festival's lineup. "Described as 'summer camp for adults,' you'll find yourself camping and jamming out in the Oregon forest by night and cooling off at the daily pool parties by day." And, "This premiere boutique festival experience is located on the edge of the Mount Hood National Forest..." for a "weekend of interactive art, 8 stages of electronic and live music, speaker series, movement classes, and more!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Zhu
♪ Cut Copy
♪ Gramatik
♪ Bakermat
♪ Barclay Crenshaw
♪ Big Wild
♪ Brasstracks
♪ Chet Porter
♪ Classixx (DJ Set)
♪ Climbing PoeTree
♪ Desert Hearts Crew: Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, Marbs, Porkchop
♪ ediT
♪ Electric Mantis
♪ Falcons
♪ Fort Knox Five feat. Q Dup
♪ Giraffage
♪ Haywyre
♪ Hoodboi
♪ Hotel Garuda
♪ ill.Gates
♪ Kittens
♪ Lafa Taylor
♪ Mad Zach
♪ Manic Focus
♪ Manila Killa
♪ NastyNasty
♪ Ott
♪ Ozzie
♪ Paper Diamond
♪ Plastician
♪ Promnite
♪ Reva DeVito
♪ Rezz
♪ saQi
♪ Shiba San
♪ Sofi Tukker
♪ Sorrow
♪ Stööki Sound
♪ Stylust Beats
♪ The Funk Hunters
♪ The Last Artful, Dodgr
♪ The Russ Liquid Test
♪ Touch Sensitive
♪ Whethan
♪ Wingtip
♪ Woolymammoth
♪ 1,000 Fuegos
♪ Aabo
♪ Abouav
♪ Anna Langley
♪ Area54
♪ Asher Fulero Band
♪ Aztek
♪ Band of Comerados
♪ Bang Bang Boogie
♪ Barisone
♪ BläpDëli
♪ Chris Bower
♪ Chrome Wolves
♪ CobraWolfShark vs. And/Or
♪ Cosmos
♪ Danny Corn
♪ ĐåR
♪ Devadasi Dance Collective
♪ Diablo
♪ Doc Riz
♪ Don Disko
♪ Drumspyder
♪ Dubblife
♪ Eastghost
♪ Exodub
♪ Fine Animal
♪ Geno Cochino
♪ Goldfoot
♪ Graff
♪ Heather Christie
♪ High Step Society
♪ iLko
♪ Jefe
♪ Kepi
♪ Kozmo
♪ Laura Lynn
♪ Lost City
♪ Manoj
♪ Marv Ellis & WE Tribe
♪ Mashimon
♪ Matt Wax
♪ May Picard
♪ Michael Manahan
♪ Mienne
♪ Montel Spinozza
♪ Mr. Moo
♪ Mr. Wu
♪ N.O.X.
♪ Octabän
♪ Onhell
♪ Out West
♪ Ozgood
♪ Pacific Patterns
♪ Paranome
♪ Pressha
♪ Proko
♪ Prsn
♪ Quarry
♪ Santi & Tuğçe
♪ Scottie Soul
♪ Sesqui
♪ Soul Trigger
♪ Soulular
♪ Spekt1
♪ Subduktion
♪ Tah Rei
♪ Takimba
♪ Tiger Fresh
♪ True Blue
♪ Tyler Tastemaker
♪ Vndmg
♪ WoW MoMs
♪ Yak Attack
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED 05/19.
Fri-Sun, Jun 16-18, 2017:
"HUCK FINN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" is kaput. The Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau bought the festival, moved it from the Mojave River in Victorville to a fine regional park with a lake in Ontario, continued to book great national acts, and then concluded it was too much for 'em. Thanks for the memories!
✔ So, we suggest you catch the 3rd annual "ROUTE 66 BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" in Victorville, or the 31st annual "LONG BEACH BAYOU" Festival, or the "LIVE OAK MUSIC FESTIVAL" above Santa Barbara. (See listings.)
________________________________________
Jun 17, 2017:
1st annual "BOOTS & BREWS COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL" in Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350; https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boots-brews-country-music-festival-santa-clarita-june-17th-tickets-33535572801?aff=erelpanelorg
✔ TIX: $20-$50; prices will increase after lineup is announced.
✔ THE SCENE: The promo says "Saturday is all about celebrating friends, beer and great country music. Grab your best dancing boots and get ready for an amazing country lineup. Food from local food vendors and ice cold beer will be available for purchase."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Maddie & Tae - headliners
♪ Full lineup was due to be announced on April 25, 2017
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED 05/19.
Jun 17, 2017:
10 am–6 pm "DISCLOSUREFEST" with California State Parks, Disclosurefest presents the "Mass Meditation Initiative" at Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
✔ TIX: FREE with advance free tix, available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mass-meditation-initiative-tickets-32835079607
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: The event features live music, internationally renowned speakers, workshop leaders, yoga teachers, sound healers, 100% vegan food, and "conscious products and services." Organizers expect over 3,000 people to meditate simultaneously at the event and globally through a live stream (at http://disclosurefest.org). Full info: http://DisclosureFest.org
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
Not announced by press time (mid-May, 2017).
________________________________________
Jun 17-18, 2017:
31st annual "LONG BEACH BAYOU" Zydeco, Blues, Creole & Cajun Festival at Rainbow Lagoon Events Park, N side of Shoreline Dr, at Shoreline Village Dr. & Linden Av, Long Beach, CA; 562-912-4451; http://longbeachbayou.com
✔ TIX: advance tix online or by phone, $26 adult, $21 seniors & students; last day these are mailed-out is June 1. At gate, tix for all are $31. Children age 12 and under are free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Splendid event, delightful setting in a 12-acre park around a lagoon, plenty of Lou'siana music on two stages, both with dance floors. There's lots of tasty regional food. It's a friendly and fun atmosphere to hear and, if you have happy feet, to dance to top bands from Cajun country. Plenty happening all day, including a daily Mardi Gras Parade led by a brass band and multiple daily Crawfish Eating Contests. This year brings expanded areas for young children and teens with free arts and crafts, a Kid’s Corner featuring a very active and popular Children’s Stage hosting fun activities all day long, including a reptile show. Pay parking is across the street. Or avoid traffic — from the end of the Blue Line light rail, it's walkable, or there is an obscure local bus that serves the Blue Line station and stops across the street from the festival. ✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(Zydeco Stage:)
♪ Mark St. Mary Louisiana Blues & Zydeco Band
♪ T Broussard & The Zydeco High Steppers
♪ New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band
♪ Pine Leaf Boys; Grammy noms
♪ Dennis G & The Zydeco Trail Riders
♪ Brian Jack & The Zydeco Gamblers
♪ Bonne Musique Zydeco
- - - -
(New Orleans Stage — formerly the Blues Stage:)
♪ Bernie Pearl
♪ Whiteboy James
♪ Café R&B
♪ Jimbo Ross & The Bodacious Band
♪ Louie Cruz Beltran
♪ Seville & Company
♪ MJ Brass Band
♪ Jumpin' Jack Benny
♪ Soulicious
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED 05/19.
Jun 17 & 18, 2017:
1st annual "LOS ANGELES DJANGO REINHARDT FESTIVAL" at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W Pico Bl, Los Angeles CA 90064; 310-286-0553.
✔ TIX: Weekend Pass, $154, includes film screening, lecture and concerts, but NOT the Master Classes; individual events are $15-$40. Tix at: www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com/2016/01/26/los-angeles-django-reinhardt-festival
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Featuring French Manouche musicians in the style of Django, Yorgui Loeffler, Samy Daussat, Noé Reinhardt, Frank Anastasio, Aurore Voilqué, Claudius Dupont, and LA-based band Trio Dinicu. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, the innovative performance space at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, presents the first edition of "The Los Angeles Django Reinhardt Festival." Named after legendary Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, the pioneer of jazz guitar and the originator of “Gypsy Jazz,” the festival carries on his profound legacy with an all-star list of instrumental artists. The weekend includes Master Classes, Film Screening, Lecture, Alfresco Open-Jam, Guitar Displays and Vendors, Live Concerts and All-Star Finale Performance. Schedule at: http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com/2016/01/26/los-angeles-django-reinhardt-festival/
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(all from France)
♪ Yorgui Loeffler, headliner, French Manouche guitarist in the style of Django
♪ Samy Daussat
♪ Noé Reinhardt
♪ Frank Anastasio
♪ Aurore Voilqué
♪ Claudius Dupont
♪ Trio Dinicu
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED listing, 05/23:
Wed, Jun 21, 2017:
6th annual "MAKE MUSIC LOS ANGELES" (MMLA), "eleven hours of musical creativity," is FREE and the enormous local expression of "MAKE MUSIC DAY," a citywide festival; but it's much bigger than L.A. — It's grown to global proportions in a very short time from its start in one country in Europe. Now, it happens every June 21st (regardless of the day of the week) in MORE THAN 800 CITIES in 130 COUNTRIES around the world. Local info, http://makemusicla.org
✔ TIX: It's free, and the history of it pretty much mandates that it stays that way.
✔ CAMPING: Not specifically, and not allowed at the L.A. or Pasadena expressions of the day.
✔ THE SCENE: It all began in France, where busking can get you arrested. Seems that when France elected a musician — François Mitterrand — as their president, musicians assumed he would change that law. Well, he couldn't, but he compromised with his legislature, and they let him designate one day a year when making music outdoors, everywhere, would be legal. So ol' François chose the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice, as that one day. Obviously, no other country wanted to be left out of something that brings a spontaneous celebration of all-things tuneful, so the French "Fete de la Musique" became the world's "Make Music Day." Pasadena, California, was one of the first places in North America to adopt it; within a couple of years, L.A., not wanting to play second-fiddle to Pasadena, as it already must to the Rose Parade and Doo Dah Parade, adopted it, too. Once all the Chamber of Commerce types realized it draws a crowd? Uh-huh. Now you can find lots of organized, pre-approved "Make Music" events on indoor and outdoor stages and street corners and parks that blossom into performance spaces. When it takes to the streets, it's especially true to its origins in France. And yes, the Guide has been on top of this, as a backer, proponent, and participant, since the first one in Pasadena.
✔ NOTE 1: In Los Angeles (as in many "Make Music" cities and towns) applications are taken to play at recognized performance spaces and those include some prestigious venues! All the info to perform June 21st at any of many officially recognized places in L.A. is at: http://makemusicla.org
✔ NOTE 2: It's great to get registered so your friends can find you and come out and support you, and so you can brag (with verification) about having played the world's largest day of music-making. But it's part of the "Fete de la Musique" roots to just play, somewhere — "officially" or not.
✔ NOTE 3: It's a great excuse to pre-print some maps and hop on your bike, or if you're carrying an instrument, to roam the light rail lines that are not-quite-a-system, but will get you to many places where music is being made on the one special day. As for geographically compact expressions? It's not hard to plan a walking or bike route that'll let you take-in a dozen or more "venues." There's one of those compact beehives of "Make Music" downtown, and another one that's separately organized in Downey.
✔ NOTE 4: There are so many L.A. venues that we'll augment this as the date approaches.We'll start with what's happening at one of the first venues to publish its schedule AND to issue a participatory invitation to musicians — the Skirball Cultural Center & Museum, atop Sepulveda Pass.
✔ NOTE 5: At the Skirball, just off the 405 Freeway, 2701 N Sepulveda Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90049; 310-440-4500, "Make Music" runs Noon–5 pm, and admission for the day is FREE. That includes free admission to the Museum galleries, including their popular "Noah’s Ark at the Skirball™" (though you'll need to reserve your free tix in advance for that one, because of capacity. No reservations needed on the free day, June 21st, for anything else there.) Children must be accompanied by an adult. Now, the good stuff: they tell us, "Dance, sing, make art, and jam along at the Skirball’s celebration of 'Make Music Day,' a FREE festival of music... All ages and levels of musical experience welcome!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
• It's not yet announced, because artists and venues can still apply to participate. (See Note 1.)
• Any venue can announce its lineup at any time.
• Here's the announced participation by one of many venues,
The Skirball:
♪ Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward, ukulele virtuosos, at Noon
♪ Rhythm Child, 1 pm
♪ Mia Doi Todd, 2 pm; "Enjoy the entrancing sounds of one of Los Angeles’s most treasured singer-songwriters"
♪ Masanga Marimba, 3 pm
♪ The World Wind Ensemble, 4 pm
(You can also enjoy Skirball's current exhibition, running Apr 27-Sep 3, "Paul Simon: Words and Music.")
- - - -
• OTHER VENUES...
♪ There will be literally THOUSANDS of musicians ranging from iconic pros to occasional amateurs taking part.
♪ You'll find performances in dozens and dozens of venues, from the permanent to the impromptu.
♪ The full "official" online program, listing not-quite-all the musicians, bands, and venues, will evolve as the date approaches; it never manages to include everyone and everything. But it's where you should start formulating your game plan. It's at:
http://makemusicla.org/
________________________________________
Wed-Sat, Jun 21-24, 2017:
"ROMP FEST" in Owensboro, KY; http://rompfest.com
✔ TIX: $135-$155.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Truly great acts at this one. But fewer acts, overall, than the prevailing trend. All these bands are soooo good that you'll want, and be able, to enjoy long sets by each. Which, of course, points-out what's being lost at all those fests with jam-packed lineups. Sadly, today's trend is to deliver many acts, so ticket-buyers have come to think that more acts equals a better buy. If you like full concert sets at a festival, get to that Ol' Kentucky Home...
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Yonder Mountain String Band
♪ Los Lobos
♪ Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
♪ Punch Brothers
♪ Rhiannon Giddens
♪ Peter Rowan
♪ The SteelDrivers
♪ Pokey LaFarge
♪ Dailey & Vincent
♪ Becky Buller
♪ Billy Strings
♪ The Wooks
♪ Snyder Family Band
♪ Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys
♪ High Fidelity
________________________________________
Thu-Sun, Jun 22-25, 2017:
"COUNTRY FEST" in Cadott, WI; http://countryfest.com
* TIX: $275-$450.
✔ CAMPING: Yes
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Blake Shelton
♪ Thomas Rhett
♪ Eric Church
♪ Alabama
♪ Chris Young
♪ Dan + Shay
♪ Jamey Johnson
♪ Brothers Osborne
♪ Wynonna & The Big Noise
♪ The Oak Ridge Boys
♪ Cam
♪ Cadillac Three
♪ William Michael Morgan
♪ Tucker Beathard
♪ Brandy Clark
♪ Drake White & The Big Fire
♪ Ryan Hurd
♪ Luke Combs
♪ Whiskey Myers
♪ Runaway June
♪ DJ Du
♪ Caitlyn Smith
♪ Reverie Lane
♪ Morgan Wallen
♪ Lucie Silvas
♪ Lit
♪ Chris Hawkey
♪ Olivia Dvorak
♪ Jake Worthington
♪ Elizabeth Lyons
♪ Derek Norsworthy
♪ Bobby McClendon
♪ Kaleb Hensley
♪ Alan Turner and The Steel Horse Band
♪ Alexandria Corn
♪ Sasha McVeigh
♪ Elizabeth Mossell
♪ Radio Romance
♪ Morgan Alexander
♪ Roadhouse 6
♪ Cody Hicks
♪ Shane Martin Band
♪ Jimmy Sarr
♪ Stetsin and Lace
♪ Kat Beal
♪ Them Coulee Boys
♪ Aileeah Colgan
♪ Diesel Drive
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED 05/19.
Fri-Sun, Jun 23-25, 2017:
"SUSANVILLE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" in Susanville, east of the Sierra in Northern Cal.
(Details here SOON.)
________________________________________
Fri-Sun, Jun 23-25, 2017:
"WILCO'S SOLID SOUND FESTIVAL" is the every-other-year fest at the MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA 01247; http://solidsoundfestival.com
✔ TIX: $159, kids age 6-11 are $50; tix include access to the entire MASS MoCA gallery all weekend. One-day only, Fri or Sun, $69; Sat only, $109.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: Festival website features the listenable "Official Solid Sound 2017 Playlist" of booked acts.
✔ THE SCENE: Sponsored and hosted by the band WILCO, and happening only every other year, this fest is returning to the stunning MASS MoCA in 2017 for a weekend of music, comedy, art, camping, and more.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Wilco
♪ Alloy Orchestra
♪ Andy Shauf
♪ The Autumn Defense
♪ Big Thief
♪ Daniel Bachman
♪ Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones
♪ Dawn of Midi
♪ Deep Sea Diver
♪ Gustafer Yellowgood
♪ Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids
♪ Jeff Parker Trio
♪ Joan Shelley
♪ Kacy & Clayton
♪ Kevin Morby
♪ Kurt Vile & The Violators
♪ Max Hatt / Edda Glass
♪ On Fillmore
♪ Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers
♪ Quindar
♪ Robert Glasper Experiment
♪ Television
♪ The Nels Cline Four
♪ The Shaggs
♪ Tweedy
________________________________________
Fri-Sun, Jun 23-25, 2017:
"MADSUMMER MELTDOWN" in Schuylkill Haven, PA; www.jibberjazz.com/home.html
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "A full weekend music & camping festival, featuring 27 musical acts, 3 stages , solo artists, food & craft vendors, late-night indoor jams, kids activities, light shows, fire performances, parades, yoga workshops, a musical madness improv stage and so much more."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (end of March, 2017).
________________________________________
Sat & Sun, Jun 24 & 25, 2017:
"ARROYO SECO WEEKEND" festival in Pasadena, CA; www.arroyosecoweekend.com
* TIX: $125-$225.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ Presented by GoldenVoice and inclusive of top Folk-Americana stars and acoustic singer-songwriter/band acts with global stature. This new Southern Cal fest is a big deal that will sell-out early.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Alabama Shakes
♪ Dawes
♪ Fitz & The Tantrums
♪ Galactic
♪ Mumford & Sons
♪ The Shins
♪ Alice Smith
♪ Andrew Bird
♪ Andy Grammar
♪ Broken Social Scene
♪ Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires
♪ Con Brio
♪ David Lindley
♪ Jamtown
♪ Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
♪ John Mayall
♪ Lettuce
♪ Live
♪ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
♪ NK Band
♪ Preservation Hall Jazz Band
♪ Roy Ayers
♪ The Bennie Maupin Ensemble
♪ The Meters
♪ The Mowgli’s
♪ The Revivalists
♪ The Shins
♪ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
♪ Weezer
♪ William Bell
♪ ZZ Ward
________________________________________
Sat & Sun, Jun 24-25, 2017:
"LOUISIANA CAJUN-ZYDECO FESTIVAL" is FREE in Louis Armstrong Park, 901 N Rampart St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116; www.jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco.
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Runs 11:30 am-6:30 pm, both days.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (early April).
________________________________________
✔ ADDED LISTING 05/30/17.
Sun, Jun 25, 2017:
Noon-4 pm "SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL" is FREE at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W Malvern Av, Fullerton, Ca 92831; 714-738-6595; www.TheMuck.org
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: An outdoor festival with free access to the museum galleries. Promo says, "enjoy performances by award winning acts," but none were named by press time. The venue, nicknamed "The Muck," does routinely book Folk-Americana acts for its various series of concerts. We have good info of this one-day event, otherwise: "Celebrate summer with an afternoon filled with live music, food, craft beer and plenty of activities. Enjoy the free children’s art events and play area as well as an arts and crafts fair. Stroll through the galleries inside the Muckenthaler Villa (free admission for the event) and learn about the history of the Muckenthaler Family. Discover local craft breweries in the new OC Beer Alley — featuring Bootlegger's Brewery, Evans Brewing Company, All-American Ale Works, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, and more. Cold brews organized by RYPEN." For more information about summer concerts and performance schedules, galleries, special events, classes, or to purchase tickets to other events at the Muck, call 714-738-6595 or email info@TheMuck.org
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (late May, 2017).
________________________________________
Sun, Jun 25, 2017:
"HONKY TONK FEST" at Grumpy's Northeast, 2200 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418;
✔ TIX: $10.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: An Alt-Country, Americana, Country music one-day fest as a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Minnesota.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Trailer Trash
♪ Leo Rondeau
♪ Katey Bellville and the Sonsabitches
♪ The Beavers
♪ The Hillions
♪ Doug Otto and the Getaways
♪ Country Mike
________________________________________
Jun 28-Jul 9, 2017:
"SUMMERFEST" in Milwaukee, WI; www.summerfest.com
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE: Everything you can imagine musically, and then some.
✔ THE SCENE: "The World's Largest Music Festival hosts over 800 acts and 1,000 performances on 11 stages across 11 days in Milwaukee, WI."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ With 800+ acts over twelve days, you need to look at their site.
________________________________________
Jun 29-Jul 2, 2017:
"HIGH SIERRA MUSIC FESTIVAL" at the Plumas County Fairgrounds, 204 Fairground Rd, Quincy, CA 95971; www.highsierramusic.com
✔ TIX: available online; 4-day pass is $275.75, $150.75 for teens, $60 for kids age 5-12.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Reeeally eclectic mix that includes some top folk-fest headliners. It's a trek to an event that some swear by. Geographically, this is as far north as you can go and still be in the Sierra before they become the Cascades.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Trey Anastasio Band
♪ Ween
♪ STS9
♪ Andrew Bird
♪ Snarky Puppy
♪ Galactic
♪ Mike Gordon
♪ The Greyboy Allstars
♪ Hard Working Americans
♪ Deer Tick
♪ The Travelin’ McCourys
♪ Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel
♪ The Record Company
♪ White Denim
♪ Jeff Austin Band
♪ Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles
♪ Ott & The All-Seeing I
♪ Con Brio
♪ Fruition
♪ Keller Williams
♪ Earth, Wind & Power (The Nth Power, TAB Horns & More)
♪ Dopapod
♪ The Suffers
♪ The Werks
♪ Carolyn Wonderland
♪ Phutureprimitive
♪ Aoife O’Donovan
♪ Billy Strings
♪ River Whyless
♪ The Nth Power
♪ I Draw Slow
♪ Bokante
♪ The Lil’ Smokies
♪ Polyrhythmics
♪ Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons
♪ Afrolicious
♪ Gene Evaro Jr.
♪ Big Something
♪ Achilles Wheel
♪ Kat Myers & The Buzzards
________________________________________
Jun 29-Jul 2, 2017:
"HIGHBERRY" Festival in Ozark, AR; www.highberryfestival.com
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: It's hard to figure, by band names, what's going on. Because it appears to be a mix of opposites.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Dopapod
♪ The Floozies
♪ Dark Star Orchestra
♪ The Nth Power
♪ Aqueous
♪ Jade Cicada
♪ Old Shoe
♪ Aaron Kamm & The One Drops
♪ Opal Agafia & The Sweet Nothings
♪ Friends of the Phamily
________________________________________
Jun 30-Jul 4, 2017:
30th annual "WATERFRONT BLUES FESTIVAL" at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, OR; www.waterfrontbluesfest.com
✔ TIX: early-bird five-day festival pass is $40; “Buddy Pass” with perqs is $89; day tix not yet available; buy early and save online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: It's a well-established event that books great acts. Cajun & zydeco music are also featured here (acts below). In its 30th year, the Waterfront Blues Festival continues to raise necessary funds for Oregon Food Bank's mission to eliminate hunger and its root causes in Oregon and Clark County, Washington.
* 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Chris Isaak
♪ Joss Stone
♪ Big Head Blues Club
♪ Big Head Todd & the Monsters
♪ Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks
♪ Galactic
♪ Booker T Stax Revue
♪ Elvin Bishop
♪ Canned Heat
♪ JD McPherson
♪ Chubby Carrier
♪ Pimps of Joytime
♪ Fantastic Negrito
♪ Bokanté
♪ Sonny Landreth
♪ Cedric Burnside Project
♪ Eric Gales
♪ Pine Leaf Boys
♪ MarchFourth
♪ Southern Avenue
♪ Greyhounds
♪ The Revelers
♪ Blynd
♪ Jontavious Willis
♪ Brother Yusef
♪ Dirty Bourbon River Show
♪ Donna Angelle
♪ Dustbowl Revival
♪ Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
♪ Sons of the Soul Revivers
♪ Chris Cain
♪ The Suffers
♪ Monkey Junk
♪ Duffy Bishop
♪ Big Monti
♪ Cedryl Ballou & TooLoo
♪ Big Monti
♪ Cedryl Ballou & The Zydeco Trendsetters
♪ Chris Cain
♪ Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
♪ Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band
♪ Dexter Allen
♪ Dirty Bourbon River Show
♪ Dirty Revival
♪ Donna Angelle and Her Zydeco Posse
♪ Greta Kohan And Juan Soria
♪ Greyhounds
♪ Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys
♪ Jontavious Willis
♪ King Louie's Blues Revue: Larhonda Steele, Andy Stokes, Lisa Mann
♪ Lady "True Blue" Kat
♪ Monkey Junk
♪ NW Women Rhythm & Blues, Featuring Claudette King
♪ Rae Gordon Band
♪ Southern Avenue
♪ The Duffy Bishop Band
♪ The Suffersse
♪ Jeffery Broussard
♪ more to be announced
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED listing, 05/03.
Jul 1, 2017:
9th annual "ROADSHOW REVIVAL" subtitled "A CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC," at Discovery Ventura, 1888 E Thompson Bl, Ventura CA 93001; www.discoveryventura.com/roadshow-revival
✔ TIX: $34-$95, online. Advance $38 gen adm or $46 including the Afterparty; Early Bird prices before May 31; VIP & Meet and Greet packages available.
✔ CAMPING: No. There are state beaches in the area that have camping.
✔ THE SCENE: It's an all-ages festival with 14 bands on two stages, plus an evening afterparty. Discovery is Ventura's favorite music venue, bringing the nation's best touring acts and local bands to the stage. This year's lineup is headlined by rock legends Los Lobos along with top-notch rockabilly, outlaw country, and Johnny Cash tribute bands, totaling fourteen bands in all. Official promo reads, "The indoor/outdoor event will be held at Discovery Ventura. Discovery Ventura is located in the midst of a neighborhood with adjacent houses. Because the event site plan includes the expansive lot behind Discovery, parking is located off-site, just down the street from the venue, at 125 Hartman Dr. Ventura, CA 93001. A free shuttle will be running throughout the day starting at 11:30AM through 8pm. The shuttle will pick-up in the lot and drop-off right in front of the festival gates. We highly encourage people to carpool, bike, Uber, cab or get dropped off. There will be an Uber dropoff/pickup zone right in front of the venue. There is also a bike station at the venue where you can secure your cycles – please ride carefully! Please do not block driveways, leave trash, etc. The City of Ventura has made it very clear that if the event negatively impacts the neighborhood we will not be able to do it again. Let’s work together to be sure we can do this EVERY year! A wide range of food options will be available from Discovery’s menu throughout the day and night. Food can be ordered from the tent outside or from inside the venue at the host stand. Alcohol available for 21 years or older only. We will have a number of games on-site including our 7 bowling lanes, multiple Cornhole sets, giant Jenga, foosball and more."
There will also be multiple exhibitors setup at the event." The main festival, "Roadshow Revival," runs 11:30 am-8 pm. The After-Party is 8 pm-1 am. This year, longtime festival producer Ross Emory coproduces with Discover Ventura.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(Main festival:)
♪ Los Lobos
♪ Raging Arb and The Redheads
♪ The Rockin Rebels
♪ The Resistors
♪ Phantom Pomps
♪ Hard Six
♪ Jackass
♪ The Walking Phoenixes
♪ The Iron Outlaws
♪ INAZUMA
♪ Abby Girl
♪ The Real Deal
- - - -
(Afterparty:)
♪ The Delta Bombers
♪ Blazing Haley
♪ The Henchmen
________________________________________
Jul 1, 2017:
"OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL -- NEW ORLEANS" at the Shrine on Airline, Zephyr Field, Metairie (New Orleans), Louisiana; www.outlawmusicfest.com
✔ TIX: $50-$250, online. Use the EARLY PURCHASE / discount code from Offbeat magazine; enter promo code "offbeatoutlaw" at: http://www1.ticketmaster.com/outlaw-music-festival-metairie-louisiana-07-01-2017/event/1B00528EEC752D79. All other tix go on sale Friday, April 21, 2017, at 10 am at that url.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Venue is a baseball stadium, with reserved seats on the field and in upper and lower decks of the stands. This is a festival that is set to appear as a tour in six cities, beginning in New Orleans, LA, on July 1. It continues through Dallas, TX; Rogers, AR; Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and ends on July 16, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. Artists performing in each of the six cities vary, with Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow anchoring all locations. For example, Bob Dylan and his band join them in Detroit and Milwaukee; the Avett Brothers play only New Orleans and Dallas. In addition, each location "will feature a range of festival attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans to provide music fans in each city with an unforgettable concert experience."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Willie Nelson & Family
♪ The Avett Brothers
♪ Sheryl Crow
♪ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
♪ plus other artists tba
________________________________________
Jul 2, 2017:
"OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL -- DALLAS" at the Starplex Pavilion, Dallas, TX; www.outlawmusicfest.com
✔ TIX: $50-$250, online. Tickets on sale Friday, April 21, 2017, at 10 am.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a festival that is set to appear as a six-city multi-band concert tour in large outdoor venues. It begins in New Orleans, LA, on July 1. It continues through Dallas, TX; Rogers, AR; Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and ends on July 16, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. Artists performing in each of the six cities vary, with Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow anchoring all locations. For example, Bob Dylan and his band join them in Detroit and Milwaukee; the Avett Brothers play only New Orleans and Dallas. In addition, each location "will feature a range of festival attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans to provide music fans in each city with an unforgettable concert experience."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Willie Nelson & Family
♪ Sheryl Crow
♪ The Avett Brothers
♪ Hayes Carll
♪ Margo Price
♪ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
♪ plus other artists tba
________________________________________
Jul 4, 2017:
"4TH OF JULY BLOCK PARTY" is a one-day festival at Grand Park and The Music Center, 200 N Grand Av, downtown Los Angeles, CA 90012; http://grandparkla.org/event/4thofjulyblockparty/?instance_id=93778
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: The 4th of July Block Party returns, 2-9:30 pm, with eclectic activities and a broad mix of music. Featuring picnics, play, music, dancing and a new fireworks show, the event is jam-packed with ways that make Fourth of July the ultimate summer holiday celebration. The afternoon offers games and art making for all ages including soccer, tag, bubble fun and chalk art. Two musical stages with DJs throughout the day and live performances in the evening will entertain audiences with sounds from America featuring everything from '70s Funk and Soul, to a full-scale Pops orchestra. Fireworks begin at 8:30 pm from the roof of The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and will be visible throughout downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. The event offers a multitude of dining options from more than 30 vendors including the return of gourmet food trucks, and it encompasses all of the park, from Grand Avenue to Spring Street, plus the surrounding streets.
✔ NOTE: Don't even think of trying to drive there. take the Metro Red or Purple Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station, or the Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station. Be aware that Metro has raised its prices and has begun charging for its park and ride lots — so it isn't the nice deal it used to be, but you'll need it for this festival.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (mid-April, 2017).
♪ We do know that live classical music will be performed for the fireworks.
________________________________________
Jul 4, 2017:
"COLUMBIA’S GLORIOUS 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION" at Columbia State Historic Park, Main St & State St, Columbia, CA 95310; 209-532-3772; www.columbiacalifornia.com; http://www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com/event/columbias-glorious-4th-july-celebration/
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ THE SCENE: "Come to Columbia State Historic Park on the 4th of July and participate in the many activities the 49ers enjoyed way back when, including a glorious parade up Main Street at noon. Folks in Columbia began the 4th of July parade tradition in 1852. After the parade, listen to the Great Mother Lode Brass & Reed Band concert, dance in the street, and try your skill at the many contests popular in the early days of Columbia. The kids will enjoy trying to climb the greased pole, and participating in the bucket brigade and the cake walk. Other contests for kids of all ages include nail pounding, watermelon and pie eating, egg relay race and egg toss, and a five-way tug-of-war. The parade and concert are free, and entering the contests only costs a buck. A pulled pork barbecue is served at 4 pm. Barbecue tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 10. Come early for the best parking and bring lawn chairs. The festivities begin with a ceremonial flag raising and black powder musket salute at 11 am." Activities are extensive; see their web page. Sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Information: 209-536-1672.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Great Mother Lode Brass & Reed Band
♪ Faux Renwah
________________________________________
Jul 6, 2017:
"OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL -- ARKANSAS" at the Walmart AMP, Rogers, AR; www.outlawmusicfest.com
✔ TIX: $50-$250, online. Tickets on sale Friday, April 21, 2017, at 10 am.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a festival that is set to appear as a six-city multi-band concert tour in large outdoor venues. It begins in New Orleans, LA, on July 1. It continues through Dallas, TX; Rogers, AR; Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and ends on July 16, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. Artists performing in each of the six cities vary, with Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow anchoring all locations. For example, Bob Dylan and his band join them in Detroit and Milwaukee; the Avett Brothers play only New Orleans and Dallas. In addition, each location "will feature a range of festival attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans to provide music fans in each city with an unforgettable concert experience."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Willie Nelson & Family
♪ Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
♪ Sheryl Crow
♪ Margo Price
♪ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
♪ plus other artists tba
________________________________________
Jul 6-9, 2017:
"COMMON GROUND MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Adado Riverfront Park, Lansing, MI; www.commongroundfest.com
✔ TIX: 4-day pass $79, kids $30. One-day, $29 to $39, depending what day. Kids age 5 and under are free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This lineup really shows what's happened to Nashville's ruination of country music. The festival site finds it necessary to explain who is "country" and who is whatever else. And all those "else's" sure don't look or sound a damn thing like country. Here's their promo: "Presented by Miller Lite, the 18th annual festival in downtown Lansing will feature performances from national, regional, and local acts across two stages. Large video walls give virtually every guest a front row experience at the Auto Value Main Stage, and a more intimate experience can be had at the Pavilion Stage with multiple performances throughout each evening... This year's killer lineup (Toby Keith, Big Sean) plus past activities (a fun run, hammock hangout, and the world’s tallest and longest mobile zipline) equal one hotly-anticipated Michigan summer fest."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Toby Keith
♪ Big Sean
♪ Alessia Cara
♪ Fetty Wap
♪ Kyle
♪ Locash
♪ AJR
♪ James Arthur
♪ Phoebe Ryan
♪ Aileeah Colgan
♪ Drew Hale
♪ DJ Jay Vee
♪ Lisa Mary
♪ Olivia Millerschin
________________________________________
Jul 7-9, 2017:
13th annual "BIG HORN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL" at Johnson County Fairgrounds, Buffalo, Wyoming; www.bighornmountainfestival.com
✔ NOTE 1: Not to be confused with the 6th annual "BIGHORN MUSIC FESTIVAL" on Mt. Baldy, California, Aug, 2017 (see listing).
✔ TIX: Discounted before June 1st. Full 3-day $85 adv, $95 gate; One-day Fri $40 adv, $45 gate; one-day Sat $55 adv, $60 gate; one-day Sun $25 adv, $30 gate.
✔ CAMPING: Yes; tent, camper, and RV.
✔ THE SCENE: Each year, Wyoming's beautiful Big Horn Mountains are the backdrop for this festival of Acoustic, Americana, Folk, Old-Timey, Bluegrass & Traditional Music. There are stage performances, a variety of workshops presented by festival performers, plus a Saturday afternoon "Band Scramble." They have "instrument raffles, food and craft vendors, a pancake breakfast, great folks, and lots of jamming," and they add, "It will all add up to a super time."
✔ NOTE 2: Festival options include "Bluegrass Camps for Kids."
✔ NOTE 3: VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: "If you want to volunteer in exchange for a day or weekend ticket, fill out an online application..."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Dale Ann Bradley
♪ Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
♪ The Jalan Crossland Band
♪ Jeff Troxel & Brian Wicklund
♪ John Roberts y Pan Blanco
♪ The Two Tracks
♪ The Craft Brothers
♪ Prairie Wildfire
________________________________________
Jul 8, 2017:
"OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL -- DETROIT" at the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI; www.outlawmusicfest.com
✔ TIX: $50-$250, online. Tickets on sale Friday, April 21, 2017, at 10 am.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a festival that is set to appear as a six-city multi-band concert tour in large outdoor venues. It begins in New Orleans, LA, on July 1. It continues through Dallas, TX; Rogers, AR; Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and ends on July 16, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. Artists performing in each of the six cities vary, with Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow anchoring all locations. For example, Bob Dylan and his band join them in Detroit and Milwaukee; the Avett Brothers play only New Orleans and Dallas. In addition, each location "will feature a range of festival attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans to provide music fans in each city with an unforgettable concert experience."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Willie Nelson & Family
♪ Bob Dylan and His Band
♪ Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
♪ Sheryl Crow
♪ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
♪ plus other artists tba
________________________________________
Jul 9, 2017:
"OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL -- SUMMERFEST" at Summerfest, the giant, multi-day festival in Milwaukee, WI; www.outlawmusicfest.com
✔ TIX: $50-$250, online. Tickets on sale Friday, April 21, 2017, at 10 am.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a festival that is set to appear as a six-city multi-band concert tour in large outdoor venues. It begins in New Orleans, LA, on July 1. It continues through Dallas, TX; Rogers, AR; Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and ends on July 16, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. Artists performing in each of the six cities vary, with Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow anchoring all locations. For example, Bob Dylan and his band join them in Detroit and Milwaukee; the Avett Brothers play only New Orleans and Dallas. In addition, each location "will feature a range of festival attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans to provide music fans in each city with an unforgettable concert experience."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Willie Nelson & Family
♪ Bob Dylan and His Band
♪ Sheryl Crow
♪ Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
♪ Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
♪ Margo Price
♪ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
♪ plus other artists tba
________________________________________
Jul 9-14, 2017:
"CAJUN-CREOLE WEEK AT AUGUSTA HERITAGE CENTER" in Augusta, West Virginia; https://augustaheritagecenter.org/augusta-schedule/cajuncreole
✔ TIX: check their site.
✔ CAMPING: check their site.
✔ THE SCENE: Music and cooking workshops and dancing. There's host / producer info at American Heritage Center's YouTube Channel. "It's a great way to get out of the heat and head for some of the most scenic mountains in the East. Over the years a lot of Floridians have attended."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (mid-April, 2017).
________________________________________
Jul 13-16, 2017:
"NORTHWEST STRING SUMMIT" in North Plains, OR; http://stringsummit.com
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: Considering that Oregon is an adjoining state and this festival has such a delightful lineup, this one should be a de riguer pilgrimage for Southern Cal bluegrass fans.
✔ THE SCENE: Stunning bookings. "Touring legends, YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND hosts their friends for a weekend of bluegrass paradise in the shady forests of North Plains, Oregon. Multiple sets, late name jam session, and unique collaborations are all part of the fun. The Northwest String Summit (known as "Strummit" to festies) boasts some incredible camping at beautiful Horning's Hideout."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Yonder Mountain String Band
♪ Greensky Bluegrass
♪ Elephant Revival
♪ Fruition
♪ Shook Twins
♪ California Honeydrops
♪ Chatham County Line
♪ Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
♪ The Del McCoury Band
♪ JJ Grey & Mofro
♪ Turkuaz
♪ Travelin’ McCourys
♪ Blitzen Trapper
♪ Dead Man Winter
♪ Danny Barnes
♪ The Lil’ Smokies
♪ Scott Law & Ross James’ Cosmic Twang
♪ Charlie Parr
♪ Todd Snider & Great American Taxi
♪ Dave Simonett
♪ Sierra Hull
♪ Split Lip Rayfield
♪ Noam Pikelny
♪ Darol Anger
♪ Benny “Burle” Galloway
♪ Sally Van Meter
♪ Sideboob
♪ Rushad Eggleston
♪ Left Coast Country
♪ Asher Fulero Band
♪ The Grant Farm
♪ John Craigie
♪ Alder Street
♪ The Copper Children
♪ Jonathan Warren and The Billy Goats
♪ The Riverside
________________________________________
Jul 13-16, 2017:
"GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC FESTIVAL" in Patchogue, NY; www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "The Great South Bay Music Festival is the largest three day, 'American Themed' music, art & cultural family event on Long Island. Featuring over 45 musical artists on 3 stages, and presenting top name, as well as local up & coming artists in contemporary & classic rock, jazz, jam-band, country, folk, zydeco, funk and all types of American music."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Gov’t Mule
♪ G. Love and Special Sauce
♪ Rusted Root
♪ ...and 43 more acts tba.
________________________________________
Jul 13-16, 2017:
"COUNTRY THUNDER WISCONSIN" in Twin Lakes, WI; http://wisconsin.countrythunder.com
✔ TIX: $75-$160.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: It's yuge. "Grab a cowboy hat, an RV or tent if you want to camp, and come and enjoy the world's premier country acts with the camaraderie of over 100,000 fans!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Jason Aldean
♪ Keith Urban
♪ Thomas Rhett
♪ Billy Currington
♪ Big & Rich
♪ Old Dominion
♪ Maddie & Tae
♪ Dan + Shay
♪ Tracy Lawrence
♪ Restless Heart
♪ Chase Bryant
♪ Cam
♪ Tucker Beathard
♪ Runaway June
♪ Frankie Ballard
♪ High Valley
♪ Brandon Ray
♪ Dallas Smith
♪ William Michael Morgan
♪ Ryan Hurd
♪ Michael Ray
♪ Dorado Dorado
________________________________________
Jul 14-16, 2017:
15th annual "GRAND ENCAMPMENT COWBOY GATHERING" in Encampment, WY 82325; 307-326-8855; www.grandencampmentgathering.org
✔ TIX: not announced on their site.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Along with all the entertainment, there are "Historic Tours of Grand Encampment Museum." It's "A non-profit outfit dedicated to preserving & promoting Cowboy & Western Ways & Life through Events, Activities, History, Worship, Poetry & Music."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Cowboy Poet Chuck Larsen
♪ Cowboy Singers Mike Blakely and Almeda Bradshaw
♪ Presentation of Pioneer Award
♪ Campfire Jam Session featuring all entertainers
♪ and more
________________________________________
Jul 15 & 16, 2017:
"THE CLASSIC WEST" is a two-night pseudo festival / mega-concert in Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA; www.theclassic.com
✔ TIX: on sale via Ticketmaster since April 7.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Six bands, one ticket, two nights. The first time ever that these six bands have played together (3 and 3) on the same stage. Many festival trappings are included, with plenty of food alternatives, many vendors, and the possibility of one or more secondary stages outside the stadium. We 'spect this kind of thing will catch-on quickly as aging bands see the chance to make more money by teaming-up in festival formats, especially using concert-adaptable baseball stadiums during the seasonal All-Star Break. Complete info from the promoter, and view the event trailer, at above website.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(Sat:)
♪ The Eagles
♪ Steely Dan
♪ The Doobie Brothers
- - - -
(Sun:)
♪ Fleetwood Mac
♪ Journey
♪ Earth Wind & Fire
________________________________________
Jul 16, 2017:
"OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL -- SYRACUSE" at Lakeview Amphitheater, Syracuse, NY; www.outlawmusicfest.com
✔ TIX: $50-$250, online. Tickets on sale Friday, April 21, 2017, at 10 am.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a festival that is set to appear as a six-city multi-band concert tour in large outdoor venues. It begins in New Orleans, LA, on July 1. It continues through Dallas, TX; Rogers, AR; Detroit, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and ends on July 16, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. Artists performing in each of the six cities vary, with Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow anchoring all locations. For example, Bob Dylan and his band join them in Detroit and Milwaukee; the Avett Brothers play only New Orleans and Dallas. In addition, each location "will feature a range of festival attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans to provide music fans in each city with an unforgettable concert experience."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Willie Nelson & Family
♪ My Morning Jacket
♪ Sheryl Crow
♪ Margo Price
♪ plus other artists tba
________________________________________
Jul 20-23, 2017:
"WANDERLUST SQUAW VALLEY" in Squaw Valley, CA; http://squaw.wanderlustfestival.com
✔ Tix: available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world's leading yoga teachers, top musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers, top chefs and winemakers, and much, much more — all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. We're talking about fun in the sun and dancing under the stars. Hiking on peaceful trails and gettin'your down dog on at the top of the mountain. Sipping poolside cocktails with your friends, and then enjoying a tasty farm-to-table dinner with views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Early morning meditations and all-night chakra spinning musical performances — it's an all-out ecstatic celebration in the most awe-inspiring locations in the world."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced (as of the end of March).
________________________________________
Jul 20-22, 2017:
"COUNTRY JAM USA" in Eau Claire, WI; http://countryjamwi.com
✔ TIX: $115-$175.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: See their website.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Dierks Bentley
♪ Cole Swindell
♪ Locash
♪ Kane Brown
♪ Carly Pearce
♪ Miranda Lambert
♪ Gary Allan
♪ Old Dominion
♪ Jana Kramer
♪ Tim Sigler
♪ Luke Bryan
♪ Brett Eldredge
♪ Trace Adkins
♪ High Valley
♪ Cody Johnson
________________________________________
Jul 20-23, 2017:
"SOMERSET FOLK HARP FESTIVAL" at the Sheraton, Parsippany, in Parsippany, NJ; www.somersetharpfest.com
✔ TIX: Early bird full fest is $395 through May 1. There are many options. $15/day gets you a visitor ticket into the Exhibit Hall with Harp Tastings and daytime concerts.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: It has daily concerts and 100+ workshops and classes from more than 30 presenters. From the Celtic Harp opening day to all forms of trad folk and more innovative harp, this festival is an amazing 4-day conference celebrating the diversity of music, talent and experience of the folk harp world. Whether you want to focus on one style or type of music, solidify some specific skills, or try out something new, the breadth of this year’s workshop offerings is sure to expand your musical horizon. Our Exhibit Hall is the best harp and music shopping under one roof you'll find anywhere on the East Coast. Daily concerts will inspire you. Come for the whole festival or just one day—plenty of registration options.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(daytime concerts incl. w/ visitor tix)
♪ Bedside Harp Ensemble directed by Leslie Stickley
♪ Dominique Dodge
♪ Kim Robertson
♪ Alfredo
♪ Martha Gallagher
- - - -
(evening concerts:)
♪ Headliners to be announced in June, 2017
________________________________________
Jul 22, 2017:
"NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY" at the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center, Norco, CA; 951-270-5632; www.norco.ca.us/depts/parks/events/cowboy.asp
✔ TIX: $5, free for ages 10 and under. Parking is $2.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a relatively recent commemorative day that's been officially proclaimed by states throughout the US and by the Canadian parliament and several provinces. The big fest the Autry Museum has produced in recent years is not scheduled to return in 2017. But we have this, which looks to be a fine event in the Southern Cal town that bills itself as "Horsetown USA." Expect western/cowboy music in town for the event. Their promo says, "Horsetown USA invites you to join us for a fun-filled, action-packed family event which helps preserve and honor America's cowboy and Western heritage which helped to build our country." Last year, the Pacific Coast Junior Bull Riders Rodeo was part of the event, with mutton busting and bull riding, wagon races, a boot scramble, and a stick barrel race during the festivities.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Jul 26-29, 2017:
"EDGEWOOD ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Wildlife West Nature Park, 87 W Frontage Rd, Edgewood, NM; 877-981-9453; http://wildlifewest.org/wwblog/2015/12/coming-up
✔ TIX: One-day Saturday $25; one-day Sunday $15; two-day Sat & Sun $35; youth under 12 are free. Friday Chuckwagon Music Show is $25, reservations required.
✔ CAMPING: Yes; Free dry camping at the 122-acre Nature Center.
✔ THE SCENE: Thursday and Friday Chuckwagon BBQ and Western Swing Barn Dance. Full day Saturday music runs 10:30 am‑10 pm. Children's activities throughout the 4-day event. One of the best outdoor foot-stomping bluegrass/western swing/country music events in new Mexico; two stages of national, regional, local performers, plus workshops, jam sessions, environmental education. All‑ages acoustic music festival. Bands change every hour on two covered stages. Performances are held in covered amphitheater and indoor "bean barn" with shade, shelter and plenty of seating. This fabulous Music Festival benefits native, non-releasable wildlife. "Hosted by Wildlife West, the Edgewood Arts and Music Festival invites guests to experience three days of artisic expression with a diverse lineup of talented musicians. Featuring workshops, open jams and a free camping option, the event provides guests with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the festival experience. Held in a covered amphitheater as well as at various indoor venues, the performance spaces provide guests with the option to enjoy live shows in a variety of settings. Come join in the festivities."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Colorado Blue Canyon Boys
♪ Hot Texas Swing Band
♪ JeeZ LaWeeZ
♪ and 10 more bands on 2 stages
________________________________________
Jul 26-30, 2017:
"FLOYDFEST" in Floyd, VA; http://floydfest.com
✔ TIX: $160-$255.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "The homegrown Floydfest has only one modest aim: 'Our mission is to be the best music experience of our time.' The lofty promise is generating results as each year the lineup gets deeper and the names get bigger. The famous Blue Ridge Parkway serves as your living room for the weekend."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Thievery Corporation
♪ Michael Franti & Spearhead
♪ St. Paul & The Broken Bones
♪ Leftover Salmon
♪ Railroad Earth
♪ Steel Pulse
♪ Shovels & Rope
♪ Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
♪ White Denim
♪ Turkuaz
♪ Fruition
♪ The Hip Abduction
♪ Larry Keel Experience
♪ Nicola Cruz
♪ Keller Williams/Keller Williams’ KWahtro/Keller & The Keels
♪ Tauk
♪ The Steel Wheels
♪ HoneyHoney
♪ Big Something
♪ Shook Twins
♪ Baskery
♪ Aaron Lee Tasjan
♪ Zach Deputy
♪ That 1 Guy
♪ Jack Broadbent
♪ Davy Knowles
♪ Trae Pierce & The T-Stones
♪ The Lil’ Smokies
♪ People’s Blues Of Richmond
♪ Rebekah Todd & The Odyssey
♪ Hillbilly Casino
♪ Urban Soil
♪ T Sisters
♪ Banditos
♪ Jon Stickley Trio
♪ The Tillers
♪ Alanna Royale
♪ The Stash! Band
♪ Strange Americans
♪ Whiskerman
♪ The Brother Brothers
♪ Honey Island Swamp Band
♪ The Mantras
♪ Edward David Anderson
♪ Dead 27s
♪ McLovins
♪ Hayley Jane & The Primates
♪ The Drunken Hearts
♪ Strange Machines
♪ Kansas Bible Company
♪ Liver Down The River
♪ Broccoli Samurai
♪ Howard Falco
♪ Dixon’s Violin
♪ Oakley The Greenman
________________________________________
Jul 27-30, 2017:
7th Annual "GUITARFISH FESTIVAL" in Joshua Tree, CA; http://joshuatreemusicfestival.com/index.html
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced (as of the end of March).
________________________________________
Jul 28-30, 2017:
"NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL" at Fort Adams Park in Newport, RI; www.newportfolk.org
✔ TIX: Already sold-out. 3-day passes (adults $199, kids $60). 2-day passes ($159, kids $40). One-day tix, depending on day (adults $85-$90, kids $20.) Kids tix are for ages 3-12.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: The granddaddy of all folk fests. Officially, "One of the oldest and most iconic music festival in the country." Newport is where Bob Dylan went electric. It's where you can see Fleet Foxes, the Avett Brothers, the Punch Brothers, and more. And, it's sure to sell out. (Alas, it has.)
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Fleet Foxes
♪ Aaron Lee Tasjan
♪ Seratones
♪ Big Thief
♪ Drive-By Truckers
♪ Angel Olsen
♪ Marlon Williams
♪ Rhiannon Giddens
♪ Margaret Glaspy
♪ Choir! Choir! Choir!
♪ Punch Brothers
♪ I’m With Her
♪ Julian Lage
♪ John Prine
________________________________________
Jul 28-30, 2017:
"ROCKYGRASS FESTIVAL" in Lyons, CO; www.bluegrass.com/rockygrass
✔ TIX: $65-$160.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: One of the West's best musical experiences, produced by the same folks who bring us the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. "RockyGrass is held at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons, Colorado — located along the wooded banks of the beautiful St. Vrain River. The historic quarry town of Lyons is just 15 miles north of Boulder in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The town is known for its antique stores, restaurants, artists, and musicians."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Sam Bush Bluegrass Band
♪ The Del McCoury Band
♪ Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas
♪ The Infamous Stringdusters
♪ Tim O’Brien Band
♪ Darrell Scott Bluegrass Band
♪ Peter Rowan
♪ Kruger Brothers with the Kontras Quartet
♪ Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands
♪ Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
♪ Becky Buller
♪ Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
♪ Molsky’s Mountain Drifters
♪ Sister Sadie
♪ Front Country
♪ The Lil’ Smokies
♪ Trout Steak Revival
♪ The Lonely Heartstring Band
♪ The Wooks
________________________________________
Jul 28-30, 2017:
"WATERSHED FESTIVAL" in George, WA; www.watershedfest.com
✔ Tix available online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: What a great name for a town: George, Washington.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Bailey Bryan
♪ Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots
♪ Chase Rice
♪ Chris Stapleton
♪ Darius Rucker
♪ Eric Paslay
♪ High Valley
♪ Josh Abbott Band
♪ Lauren Alaina
♪ Lee Brice
♪ Luke Bryan
♪ Maddie And Tae
♪ Michael Ray
♪ Old Dominion
♪ Randy Houser
♪ The Cadillac Three
♪ William Michael Morgan
________________________________________
Aug 3-5, 2017:
"WE FEST" in Detroit Lakes, MN; http://wefest.com
✔ TIX: $120 (earlybird discount available thru Apr 12 is cheaper).
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "80,000 rowdy country fans descend on the tiny town of Detroit Lakes at this blowout. There’s ten campgrounds to stake out your territory with different areas for different lifestyles. And better leave the kids at home for this one — as the website states: '…we do not recommend that you bring your children.'"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Luke Bryan
♪ Zac Brown Band
♪ Lady Antebellum
♪ Alan Jackson
♪ Darius Rucker
♪ Brett Eldredge
♪ Randy Houser
♪ Eli Young Band
♪ Kelsea Ballerini
♪ Kane Brown
♪ Cody Johnson
♪ Michael Ray
♪ Brett Young
♪ RaeLynn
♪ Logan Brill
________________________________________
Aug 3-6, 2017:
"PICKATHON" in Happy Valley, OR; http://pickathon.com
✔ TIX: $310.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Some top folk and roots acts are in there with rock and whatever else. But, hey, you already knew that Portland is a center for acoustic eclecticticism. "There's plenty that could be said about Pickathon: the diverse and expertly crafted lineup; the festival's pioneering ways in zero-waste food and beverage service; the celebration of Portland's food-truck culture; six stages creating unique environments for the performers, who all play twice over the course of the weekend; the emphasis of quality over quantity, with a 3500 paid attendance capacity; the family-friendly environment."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Dinosaur Jr.
♪ Ty Segall
♪ 939 Ensemble
♪ Alex Cameron
♪ Andy Shauf
♪ Anna & Elizabeth
♪ A-WA
♪ Big Thief
♪ Billy Strings
♪ Black Milk & Nat Turner
♪ Brent Cobb
♪ Cat Hoch
♪ Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
♪ Courtney Granger
♪ Courtney Marie Andrews
♪ Deer Tick
♪ Dori Freeman
♪ Drive-By Truckers
♪ Dungen
♪ Ex-Cult
♪ Hiss Golden Messenger
♪ Huun Huur Tu
♪ J Mascis
♪ Jonathan Richman
♪ Jonathan Toubin
♪ Julia Jacklin
♪ Kaia Kater
♪ Kelsey Weldon
♪ Khun Narin (Electric Phin Band)
♪ King
♪ Mandolin Orange
♪ Marlon Williams
♪ McTuff feat. Skerik
♪ Pinegrove
♪ Robyn Hitchcock
♪ Sunflower Bean
♪ Susto
♪ The Last Artful, Dodgr
♪ Ty Segall
♪ TYuS
♪ Wolf People
♪ Y La Bamba
♪ Xenia Rubinos
________________________________________
Aug 4 & 5, 2017:
"HINTERLAND FESTIVAL" in Des Moines, IA; http://hinterlandiowa.com
✔ TIX: $95.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Folky-rootsy-bluesy big names alongside we're-not-sure what. "It’s a weekend of great music under the stars and skyline. It’s two days of music hand-picked by First Fleet’s Sam Summers for the gorgeous backdrop of Water Works Park, a 1,500 acre oasis in the center of our city. In our first year, Hinterland will feature a diverse blend of relevant artists, cyclist events, on-site sculpture and art installations, craft vendors, family engagement and more."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ alt-J
♪ Ryan Adams
♪ Gary Clark Jr.
♪ The Head and the Heart
♪ Dwight Yoakam
♪ Shakey Graves
♪ Foxygen
♪ Nikki Lane
♪ JD McPherson
♪ The Cactus Blossoms
♪ Max Jury
♪ Annalibera
________________________________________
Aug 4-7, 2017:
"ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL" in Loveland, CO; www.arisefestival.com
✔ TIX: $169.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Bigtime bluegrass, folk and roots Americana acts amidst a very diverse eclectic lineup at a new-agey event — which sorta says it all about Colorado. "Located in Loveland, Colorado the ARISE Music Festival features 3 days of Music, Yoga, Workshops and co-creative experiences of all kinds. Surrounded by national forest, the festival takes place at Sunrise Ranch – an oasis in the heart of Colorado’s legendary Front Range. Featuring sweeping vistas and beautiful meadows, this magical and secluded landscape is a perfect container for participants to entertain and be entertained, be inspired, explore their creative potentials, connect with nature, stretch out, dive in, and get down."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Dopapod
♪ Atmosphere
♪ Tipper
♪ Ani DiFranco
♪ Rising Appalachia
♪ The Expendables
♪ Brother Ali
♪ Desert Dwellers
♪ The Grateful Ball
♪ The Travelin’ McCourys
♪ Jeff Austin Band
♪ Late Night Radio
♪ Wookiefoot
♪ Dirtwire
♪ Bass Physics
♪ Brasstracks
♪ The Brothers Comatose
♪ The Ghost of Paul Revere
♪ Maddy O’Neal
♪ Rdgldgrn
♪ ProJect Aspect
♪ Unlimited Gravity
♪ Templo
♪ kLL sMTH
♪ Dustin Thomas
♪ Elijah Ray
♪ Häana
♪ Bridget Law
♪ Fractal Tribe
♪ Cycles
♪ Skydyed
♪ Kat Wright Band
♪ Mikey Thunder
♪ Evanoff
♪ Earth Guardians
♪ We Dream Dawn
♪ Tnertle
♪ Pandas & People
♪ Bonfire Dub
♪ Satsang
♪ Yaima
♪ The Moments
♪ The Broadcast
♪ Woodland
♪ Tierro
♪ Bana Kuma Orchestra feat. Chris Berry
♪ The Copper Children
♪ Ginny Mules
♪ Jyemo Club
♪ Miss Jaedha
♪ Miscomunicado
♪ Shane Burke
♪ The Heartifact
♪ Calvin Hobbes
♪ Intuit
♪ unexotic
♪ Buddha Bomb
________________________________________
Aug 4-13, 2017:
"MUSIKFEST" in Bethlehem, PA; www.musikfest.org
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "10 days in August, filled to the brim with music, food and fun in downtown Bethlehem, PA."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(first, the ticketed shows:)
♪ Santana
♪ Chicago
♪ Toby Keith
♪ The Band Perry
♪ Lee Price & Justin Moore
♪ Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson
(now, the free shows:)
♪ Not yet announced by press time (mid-April, 2017).
________________________________________
Aug 10-12, 2017:
30th annual "ARIZONA COWBOY POETS GATHERING" at the Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W Gurley St, two blocks W of the Courthouse Plaza, Prescott, AZ ; 602-445-3122; http://azcowboypoets.org
✔ TIX: Info will be on their site in June, 2017.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "This event is now and has always been about gathering a group of poets and musicians who are doing their part to preserve the culture and heritage of the American West and providing them an opportunity to share their talent. The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering has maintained a standard that has been abandoned by most other gatherings: that of inviting men and women who are now or have been in the past a part of the working cowboy’s environment and workplace. It is respected by the cowboy poets as one of the best gatherings in the country."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(Thursday night:)
♪ Jay Snider, Host
♪ Amy Hale-Auker
♪ Steve Lindsey
♪ Slim McWilliams
♪ GIG Award presentation
♪ Chris Isaacs
♪ Broken Chair Band, Dani Sue Carter
♪ Jay Snider
♪ Featuring: Dave Stamey
- - - -
(Friday daytime:)
♪ Jim Buchanan, Gathering Chairman
♪ Don Fernwalt
♪ Marina Davis
♪ Dave Stamey
♪ Trinity Seely
♪ Don Edwards
- - - -
(Friday night:)
♪ Tom Weathers, host
♪ Student poets
♪ Kevin Davis
♪ Ross Knox
♪ Trinity Seely
♪ Tom Weathers
♪ Slim Farnsworth
♪ Avery Ervien
♪ Floyd Beard
♪ Featuring: Trinity Seely
- - - -
(Saturday night:)
♪ Yvonne Hollenbeck, host
♪ Student poets
♪ Ray Fitzgerald
♪ Dale Burson
♪ Yvonne Hollenbeck
♪ Mikki Daniel
♪ Curt Brummett
♪ Featuring: Don Edwards
________________________________________
Aug 10-13, 2017:
"SUMMER MELTDOWN" in Darrington, WA; http://summermeltdownfest.com
✔ TIX: $215.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: This one is heavy on bluegrass witn some top acts. The Guide attended the former "Darrington Bluegrass Festival" here, and can attest that the amphitheatre stage, surrounding forest, and stroll through the woods to the river are all delightful. "Summer Meltdown is a multi-day grassroots music festival featuring 4 stages of music, onsite camping, late night performances, river access, kids activities, music workshops, beer garden, green village and so much more!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ The String Cheese Incident
♪ Nahko and Medicine For The People
♪ The Polish Ambassador
♪ The Floozies
♪ The Infamous Stringdusters
♪ G Jones
♪ Opiuo
♪ Elephant Revival
♪ The Wailers
♪ The Grouch
♪ Tauk
♪ Russ Liquid Test
♪ Brasstracks
♪ The Main Squeeze
♪ Flowmotion
♪ Polyrhythmics
♪ The Dip
♪ Polecat
♪ Acorn Project
♪ Yak Attack
♪ SGB
♪ Decent at Best
♪ Mr. Feelgood and the Firm Believers
♪ Plus Milk
________________________________________
Aug 10-13, 2017:
"THE PEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL" in Scranton, PA; http://thepeachmusicfestival.com
✔ TIX: $135.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Eclectic and rock with some roots-Americana and Irish music, and guitar legend Joe Bonamassa.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Widespread Panic
♪ My Morning Jacket
♪ Gov’t Mule & Friends
♪ Joe Bonamassa
♪ Umphrey’s McGee
♪ Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
♪ Lettuce Featuring Chaka Khan
♪ Mike Gordon
♪ Les Brers
♪ Jaimoe’s Jassz Band
♪ Dark Star Orchestra
♪ The Magpie Salute
♪ God Street Wine
♪ Steve Kimock & Friends
♪ The Record Company
♪ The Marcus King Band
♪ The Soul Rebels
♪ Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
♪ The Mastersounds
♪ Fruition
♪ The Werks Featuring The Shady Horns
♪ Eric Krasno Band
♪ Whiskey Myers
♪ Pink Talking Fish
♪ Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
♪ Aqueous
♪ The Hip Abduction
♪ Moonalice
♪ Butcher Brown
♪ Spafford
♪ Tom Hamilton’s American Babies
♪ Holly Bowling
♪ Mungion
♪ The Jauntee
♪ Lespecial
♪ Ghost Of Paul Revere
♪ Scott Sharrard & The Brickyard Band
♪ Gabriel Kelley
♪ Caverns
♪ The Steppin Stones
♪ Elise Testone
♪ Bobby Lee Rodgers
________________________________________
Aug 11-13, 2017:
"JERRY DAZE" festival at Baldy Notch, top of the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts; parking is at the bottom of the lifts at 8401 Mt Baldy Rd, Mt Baldy 91759; 909-982-0800; http://mtbaldyskilifts.com/event/jerry-daze-2017-08-11
✔ TIX: Will be available online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes. "Set up camp and enjoy; bands will be performing as late as 12 am each evening. Book a tent cabin now to ensure a comfortable spot."
✔ THE SCENE: It's three days of "mountain top jamulation... in celebration of the life and music of Jerome 'Jerry' Garcia and the Grateful Dead," presented by the Orange County Jam Band Society. "Patrons of this event can expect an exciting line up of bands performing on 3 stages over the course of the weekend. Live jams will continuously perform back to back so the music never stops. Enjoy the Sugar Pine Chairlift ride straight up to 7800 ft above the sea! Great food and micro brews await your arrival at the Top of the Notch Restaurant. Escape the sounds of the city for some live dead, home grown jams and many special guests joining in this Grateful Experience in the mountains of SoCal."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (mid-April, 2017).
________________________________________
Aug 11-13, 2017:
"OUTSIDE LANDS FESTIVAL" in San Francisco; www.sfoutsidelands.com/home
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "A bike valet, wine tasting tent, and local organic food vendors are just a couple of signs that you’re in San Francisco at Outside Lands. The quirky and wonderful Golden Gate Park hosts a wide range of acts and has quickly grown into a highlight of the San Fran summer. Bring a hoodie with you. Just because it’s August doesn’t mean that the fog won’t join the party."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced (as of the end of March).
________________________________________
✔ UPDATED with lineup, 5/10.
Aug 12, 2017:
12th annual "PORT GAMBLE MARITIME MUSIC FESTIVAL" in Port Gamble, WA; www.portgamblemaritimemusic.com
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: A nice, one-day sea chantey festival. It's "a day of maritime music set in a natural amphitheatre overlooking picturesque Gamble Bay. We present the cream of the Northwest maritime music community, plus some more far-flung guests... The festival promotes the living legacy of maritime music from all corners of the globe, as played by the many local and national artists who live here in the Puget Sound area and across the country. Food, drinks, & snacks are available at the top of the amphitheatre (which is also the back of the audience) in the Port Gamble General Store. There's parking, and a rain stage across the street."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Larry Kaplan
♪ Spanaway Bay
♪ Tom Rawson
♪ Time & Tide
♪ one more tba.
________________________________________
Aug 12-13, 2017:
"LONG BEACH CRAWFISH FESTIVAL" at Rainbow Lagoon Events Park, N side of Shoreline Dr, at Shoreline Village Dr. & Linden Av, Long Beach, CA; www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com
✔ TIX: will be available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE: This'll be held in the lovely 12-acre park around a lagoon, but the website currently (early April 2017) still shows the 2016 info.
✔ THE SCENE: This one is distinguished by the MASSIVE platters and buckets of crawfish cooked on-site in the biggest cauldrons you've ever seen; they're served with tasty side dishes. You need to PRE-ORDER THAT CUISINE or it'll be sold-out and only available to those who reserved it. There is plenty of other regional food from vendors, too. Big open-sided circus tents are filled with tables and chairs to accommodate all that eatin'. Musically, it has one big stage with a large covered dance floor, and it books top Louisiana bands.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April). It always features plenty of Louisiana Cajun & zydeco, and some trad New Orleans bands.
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED listing 05/03.
Aug 13, 2017:
25th annual "SEA CHANTEY FESTIVAL" aboard the "Star of India" docked at 1306 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA; https://sdmaritime.org/visit/public-events/sea-chantey-festival
✔ TIX: Festival included with regular admission; $16 adults, $13 srs & students, $8 child. A "family package" is $43.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Sea Chantey Festival musical festival is free with paid admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It's sponsored by the museum, along with San Diego Folk Heritage. Featuring national, regional and local performers. For centuries, sailors have honed their shipboard skills to the cadence of songs recounting the adventure, tragedy and romance of life at sea. These “sea chanteys” and the sailors life they describe, come to life aboard the Star of India. The music begins at *9:00 a.m. and ends at *5:00 p.m. with a group finale. Best of all, the whole event is included with Maritime Museum admission at no extra charge. Visitors will enjoy sea chanteys and traditional folk music performed by popular local and national artists such as The Jackstraws, The Bilge Pump band, Gilman Carver and more. The Star of India sail crew will demonstrate various shipboard skills traditionally accompanied by sea chanteys and visitors will have a chance to join in and raise the sails of the historic ship. Current exhibits at the museum include "Swift Boats At War In Vietnam"; "To The Brink Of War"; "San Diego's Navy History"; "Harvesting The Ocean"; "San Diego area commercial fishing"; "Age Of Steam"; "Age of Sail"; "Charting The Sea".
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early May, 2017).
________________________________________
Aug 17-20, 2017:
"PICKIN' IN THE PINES COLORADO" at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, 22799 N Elbert Rd, Elbert, CO 80106; http://pickininthepines.dudaone.com
✔ TIX: $35 per person for those arriving Thu or Fri; $20 per person if arriving Sat; Kids age 12 and under are free.
✔ CAMPING: Yes, included with admission.
✔ VOLUNTEER: "If you would like to volunteer for set up, manning the gate, clean up or anything else please let Greg know," at: 303-918-0335.
✔ THE SCENE: It's "an almost-stageless... annual bluegrass festival / pick / jam / camp-out that is put on for and by the bluegrass musicians of Colorado. It is 'almost' stageless because there is an open mic on Saturday night to which the other campers are invited... [it all] occurs annually in August, on a beautiful, family-friendly boy scout ranch in Elbert, CO. Pickers from all across Colorado gather in this serene setting to create some soulful music in the pines. There is a great room that everyone gathers in on Saturday night to enjoy a pot luck dinner together plus a show-a band scramble of sorts and a talent show for others. The atmosphere is laid back and the jamming is plentiful. Camping is primitive. There are no hook ups."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Whoever shows up!
________________________________________
Aug 17-20, 2017:
32nd annual "MONTANA COWBOY POETRY GATHERING AND WESTERN MUSIC RENDEZVOUS" has its "day headquarters" at Fergus High School, 1001 Casino Creek Rd, Lewistown, MT; www.montanacowboypoetrygathering.com
✔ TIX: 3-day pass is a $10 "Collectible Pin Pass" and gets admission to over 50 hourly sessions of cowboy poetry and western music; Welcome BBQ & Open Mic Show tix $20; Saturday night show gen adm $20, reserved $30; VIP Pre-show meet & greet tix $50. Art & Gear show included with tix and is free admission to the public on Sunday.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: It's the 2nd oldest "Cowboy Gathering" in the country, founded just one year behind the midwinter "National Cowboy Poetry Gathering" in Elko, Nevada. Here, over 120 cowboy poets, western musicians and artists — primarily from Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado and Canada — convene to share their talents and perpetuate the traditions of the American West. The Saturday night "Grand Stage Show" is held at the Fergus Center for the Performing Arts at Fergus High School. Other highlights of the gathering include 50+ hourly sessions of cowboy poetry and western music, discovery workshops, a Friday night Jam ‘n Dance, and Sunday morning Cowboy Church. Teachers can earn up to six continuing education credits for attending the gathering. The American Bus Association selected the festival as one of the "Top 100 Travel Events" in 2010. A Western Art & Gear Show featuring artists of all genres and their endless western wares, is also produced in conjunction with the gathering. This "4-day cultural festival [is] dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history, heritage and values of the cowboy lifestyle of the Upper Rocky Mountain West. Through cowboy poetry and western music lyrics, an oral history of the American cowboy is shared."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
♪ Dave Stamey, with Mary Kaye opening, headlines the "Grand Stage Show."
- - - -
There are MANY more musicians and poets/storytellers over the four days:
♪ John Bacon, Dillon, MT
♪ Owen G Badgett, Ingomar, MT
♪ Jeff Bolstad, Helena, MT
♪ Ramblin' Rangers, Hot Springs, SD
♪ Ed Brown, Oak Lake, Manitoba
♪ Noel Burles, Coalhurst, Alberta
♪ Carr Family Cowboy Band, Whitman, NE
♪ Jesse Colt, Priddis, AB
♪ Keith Cowie, Cheyenne, WY
♪ Gale Drewry, Lewistown, MT
♪ Charlie Ewing, Claresholm, Alberta
♪ Dominic Farrenkopf, "Dusty Trail", Hamilton MT
♪ Terry & Judy Fosbery, Kalispell, MT
♪ Bill Garcia, Belgrade, MT
♪ John Glawson Ol' Ugly, Nanton, Alberta
♪ Richard R. "Dick" Hall, Thermopolis, WY
♪ Steven Ray Hughes, Lewistown, MT
♪ Emily Ireland, Onoway, Alberta
♪ Perry Jacobson, High River, Alberta
♪ Thomas King, Decatur, AL
♪ Lynn Kopelke, Enumclaw, WA
♪ Dennis "the Menace" Lent, Billings, MT
♪ Neal Lewing, Polson, MT
♪ Poppa Mac, Winnipeg, Manitoba
♪ Dale W Mailand, Harlem, MT
♪ Pat McAllister, Billings, MT
♪ Lloyd & Meryl McKenna, Lewistown, MT
♪ Leonard Meyer, Billings, MT
♪ Craig Nelson, Lawtey, FL
♪ Leo Everett Osburnsen, Keenesburg, CO
♪ Angelo Pecora & Gus Duquay, Condon, MT
♪ Bob Petermann, Wibaux, MT
♪ Kay Peterson, Cut Bank, MT
♪ Phyllis Rathwell, Elkwater, Alberta
♪ Phil Robertson, Roberts, MT
♪ Christine Schuman, Big Timber, MT
♪ Trinity Seely, Cascade, MT
♪ Doc Shores, Aberdeen, WA
♪ BJ Smith (Bryan), Linden, Alberta
♪ Warren Taylor, Malta, MT
♪ Stan Wall, Kremlin, MT
♪ Bob Weber, Hamilton, MT
♪ John Wehren, Grass Range, MT
♪ Tom Wilson, Lewistown, MT
♪ Jeannette Zollner, Medicine Hat, Alberta
________________________________________
Aug 18-20, 2017:
15th annual "SUMMERGRASS" at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N Santa Fe Rd, Vista (north San Diego County), CA; http://www.summergrass.net/festival-info
✔ TIX: options: $20 one-day Fri or Sun; $30 one-day Sat; $70 for 3-day pass, adv. only; Bluegrass Music Camp for Kids (see Note 1), $55, and it sells-out early, as does camping.
✔ CAMPING: Yes, and central to the experience; available beginning Wed at 4 pm.
✔ THE SCENE: A big-deal festival renowned for fun and richly blessed with things to do for all ages, but it can get hot there in August. Festival features a "Bluegrass Music Camp for Kids" that sells-out early (see Note 1). This fest features great instrument raffles, so get in on that if you go. The site is the historic Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, and the festival "rents the entirety of the museum during Summergrass weekend. The museum gate opens at 8 am Friday, and as Summergrass guests, you’re welcome to explore the grounds from the time you arrive Friday through Sunday." Museum staff and docents demonstrate many of the collection's operable machines on Saturday. The museum's food court features great BBQ and more. Also, the nearby historic Rancho Guajome Adobe is another attraction and within walking distance.
✔ NOTE 1: "Bluegrass Music Camp for Kids" is for ages 6-16. Pre-registration is required, and closes July 28, 2017. Register by June 3, 2017 for a tuition discount.
✔ NOTE 2: VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT. Festival organizers say: " We LOVE our volunteers and can't do the festival without them! We still have some openings for volunteers to help in a variety of areas, we only ask that you perform your volunteer time before you claim your ticket. Be sure to sign up soon so you don't miss the mandatory Volunteer Training Party on Saturday, August 5th ! Contact Volunteer Coordinator Jim Henderson for more info or send an email to volunteer@summergrass.net or call (760) 301-6626."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
♪ Bluegrass Etc.
♪ Sideline
♪ Nu Blu
♪ Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
♪ Chris Cerna & Bluegrass Republic
♪ Mojavi Soul
♪ Front Porch Music Preservation Society
♪ Prairie Sky
♪ The Brombies
♪ Vulcan Mountain Boys
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Aug 18-20, 2017:
27th annual "ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOLKS FESTIVAL" at Lyons, CO; www.bluegrass.com/folks/
✔ TIX: 3-day passes, single-day tix, and camping are on sale now at www.shop.bluegrass.com or 800-624-2422.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "In contrast to the hot licks and hyper tempos of RockyGrass, the mellower moods of Folks Fest are the perfect antidote for the warm Colorado sun... From morning 'til 11pm each night, the world's most inspired songwriters share their songs and stories, projected through the best sound system at any festival in the country. The festival opens with the prestigious Folks Songwriter Showcase." A favorite activity is cooling off in the St. Vrain River, which flows along one side of the site. Jackson Browne had this to say: "This is probably just about the nicest festival I've ever driven into."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Dave Rawlings Machine (Sun)
♪ Gregory Alan Isakov (Fri)
♪ The Revivalists (Sat)
♪ Lake Street Dive (Sun)
♪ Josh Ritter (Sun)
♪ Rhiannon Giddens (Fri)
♪ The Wailin' Jennys (Sun)
♪ The Weepies (Fri)
♪ Peter Himmelman
♪ Ben Sollee & Kentucky Native
♪ Shel
♪ Mollie O'Brien & Rich Moore
♪ The Mae Trio
♪ Korby Lenker
♪ "Songwriter Showcase"
♪ and many more tba
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Aug 18-20, 2017:
"CUSTER COUNTY COWBOY GATHERING" at A Painted View Ranch, 3115 County Rd 160, Westcliffe, CO 81252; http://custercountycowboygathering.com
✔ TIX: will be available online; not yet announced by press time.
✔ CAMPING: Yes, including RV with electric hook ups.
✔ THE SCENE: High in the midst of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and formerly called the "Wet Mountain Western Roundup," the Custer County Cowboy Gathering has become an even larger family event. Along with the music, there's a chuckwagon dinner and Chuck Wagon Cook-Off competition with cash prizes in a variety of categories including best wagon, best beef, potatoes and cobbler.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ R.W. Hampton, Western Music Association (WMA) Hall of Fame
♪ Belinda Gail, Seven-time winner WMA ‘Female Performer of the Year’
♪ Sons and Brothers
♪ Jim Jones, 2016 Will Rogers Award ‘Song of the Year’
♪ Jeneve Rose Mitchell, Final 14 – American Idol
♪ Floyd Beard, 2016 Western Music Association Male Poet of the Year
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Aug 18-20, 2017:
25th annual "STONY PLAIN COWBOY FESTIVAL" at Stony Plain Heritage Park, 5100 41 Avenue, Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada; http://stonyplaincowboyfestival.com
✔ TIX: Weekend Pass $65 (does not include Sat. Headline Show w/ Aaron Pritchett); Aaron Pritchett Saturday Night Headline show $35; one-day Fri $25; one-day (daytime) Sat $35; one-day Sun $20.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "For 25 years the Stony Plain Cowboy Gathering Society has been celebrating the cowboy scene through music, cowboy poetry and the visual arts & crafts. The Stony Plain Cowboy Gathering Society, a Not-for-Profit society, is made up of a brave group of dedicated volunteers committed to 'The preservation and presentation of historical and contemporary Cowboy Music, Poetry and Art.'"
✔ NOTE: "Looking for Volunteers, Earn FREE Tickets!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Roger West
♪ Steve Newsome
♪ Topher Mils
♪ Aaron Pritchett
♪ Jennie Harluk
♪ Jim & Lynda McLennan
♪ Shane Harluk
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Aug 19-20, 2017:
27th annual "COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL" celebrates "Year of the Woman" in 2017, in La Plaza Park, Cotati, CA; www.cotatifest.com; 707-664-0444.
✔ TIX: $17 either day, $27 both days; seniors discounted; youth age 15 and under are free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE 1: One of the year's best fest posters; see their site.
✔ NOTE 2: Host town and festival location are north of San Francisco. This is a big deal there, and it would be anywhere.
✔ NOTE 3: Runs 9:30 am-8 pm each day. The festival is a non-profit organization established in 1991 to promote the love of the accordion and to support local youth service organizations. To date it has contributed in excess of $320,000 to the youth of the local community. Check their site for organizations supported in 2013 and a list of the beneficiaries.
✔ THE SCENE: "...features Western Artists and our stellar international line up as well." Plus, top acts take the much-maligned instrument center stage across multiple Folk-Americana genres. And we like that a lot.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Amy Jo Sawyer
♪ Royal Jelly Jive
♪ Gail Campanella
♪ En Canto with Jamie Maschler
♪ Conjunto Dominacion Norteña with Liz Olivo
♪ Tiia Karttunen - Finland
♪ Ljubinka Kulisic - Serbia
♪ Thee Hobo Gobbelins
♪ La Familia Peña-Govea
♪ Cory Pesaturo
♪ Ginny Mac
♪ Alpen Band
♪ The Steve Balich Polka Band
♪ Jim Gilman and Guests
♪ Oddjob Ensemble
♪ Golden State Accordion Club Band
♪ Squeezy Peezy
♪ Future Accordion Stars
♪ The Great Morgani
♪ The Mad Maggies
♪ MotorDude Zydeco
♪ The Truccos
♪ The Wild Catahoulas
♪ Mark St. Mary
♪ Big Lou's Dance Party
♪ T Luke and the Tight Suits
♪ Gordon Kohl
♪ "Free Accordion Jazz 101 Workshop" by Paul Betken
♪ more bands are listed on the event's site as they're confirmed
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Aug, 2017: mid-to-late month, on a Fri-Sun:
6th Annual "BIGHORN MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Baldy Notch, top of the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts; parking is at the bottom of the lifts at 8401 Mt Baldy Rd, Mt Baldy 91759; 909-982-0800; robby@mtbaldyskilifts.com; www.bighornmusicfest.com
✔ NOTE 1: Not to be confused with the 13th annual "BIG HORN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL" in Buffalo, Wyoming, Jul 7-9, 2017 (see listing).
✔ TIX: not yet available. Past year prices: Single-day $25 available, with a substantial discount available. Full weekend pass $75, with a substantial discount available. Parking at the bottom of the ski lift is $5.
✔ CAMPING: Yes. Free with festival tix. Tent cabin available from $109.
✔ THE SCENE: Alpine air and surroundings that include dramatic perched-on-the-edge-of-the-world drop-offs. Trail hikes beckon. The music is nearly all acoustic, with 25 bands on 3 stages. Their past year promo says, "the best local festival in terms of a wild alpine experience" and superbly talented young Folk-Americana / Nu-Folk bands and artists along with some truly accomplished artists. It’s high atop the San Gabriel Mountains in Baldy Notch, at the top of the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts. Fans of trad and alt country, bluegrass, blues, Americana, old time, and nearly every other form of American roots music will love this mountain-top musical event. You start with a 20-minute scenic ride up the canyon on a chair lift; it’s not every festival where the fun begins en-route. Anyone terrified of the chair lift's birdlike airiness can choose a steep hour-and-a-half hike, instead, but going down that trail in the dark should be factored-in. Once up there, this is a music festival with all the amenities you expect, and it’s at an elevation of nearly 8,000 ft. above sea level, high atop the sharp, undulating ridge that leads up to 10,064-ft. Mt. Baldy. The Guide attended two of the first three annual editions of this festival, including the inaugural year, and we rate it highly. The drive is about an hour from nearly anywhere in Southern California, but this mountain festival is more like the famous events that lure festivarians to the high Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Folks are free to pitch a tent and set up camp within eye and earshot of the live music and festivities; bands perform as late as 11 pm each evening. Take everything together, and the “Bighorn Music Festival” is far more than just live music. It’s a nicely affordable weekend getaway, up out of the stifling heat, up into the fresh mountain air with breathtaking views, world class hiking, and fine adventure. Sponsors cleverly say, “Escape the sounds of the car horns and leaf blowers of the city for some of the finest homegrown American Roots music in one place anywhere in Southern California.” Indeed, they’ve delivered that at each of the festivals in past years. Tasty food is available at the festival site at the Top of the Notch in a full restaurant / full bar and from additional food vendors on-hand for the festival.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
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✔ NEWLY ADDED listing, 05/03.
Aug 24-27, 2017:
47th annual "RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR" at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Ln, Ramona, CA 92065; www.ramonachamber.com/ramona-country-fair
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: Yes, but limited space at the festival site; make reservations. Addt'l camping at Ramona R.V. Park and Dos Picos County Park.
✔ NOTE 1: This year, the "RAMONA BLUEGRASS & OLD WEST FESTIVAL" moves from May to August 27th and is held in conjunction with the Country Fair; see that separate listing.
✔ NOTE 2: This year's "RAMONA OLD WEST DAYS" is a standalone festival May 6 & 7 (the former Bluegrass fest dates); full info on that is in the May listings.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (late April, 2017).
♪ There will be live music each day of the Fair on multiple stages.
♪ The 2016 Bluegrass Festival lineup was formidable. It featured Hot Club of Cowtown from Austin, Tx; Bluegrass Brethren; Ash Street Ramblers; Mojavesoul; Windy Ridge; Shirthouse; PrairieSky; Box Canyon.
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Aug 25-27, 2017:
4th annual "CIMARRON COWBOY MUSIC AND POETRY GATHERING" at Historic St. James Hotel and The Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron New Mexico; 719-330-1797; www.cimarroncowboygathering.com/cimarron.htm
✔ TIX: This must be America's most affordable festival that books good touring acts in its music genre. Adult tix are $10 at the door; ages 6-12 are $5, and age 5 and under are free.
✔ CAMPING: Yes, at the Philmont Scout Ranch for $10 / night. That includes a platform tent, electricity, private shower and bathroom.
✔ THE SCENE: "Performed by those who live and work in the West." There's breakfast music, sidewalk serenades and lunch at The St. James Hotel; most other events are at the famous Philmont Scout Ranch. Food is available all day Friday and Saturday. Chuck Wagon meal tickets and Commissary meal tickets are available. You can visit the Philmont Museum and book store while you are there.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Floyd Beard
♪ Jim Jones
♪ Valerie Beard
♪ Peggy Malone
♪ Broken Chair Band
♪ Terry Nash
♪ Dale Burson
♪ Dale Page
♪ Janice Deardorff
♪ Sandy Reay
♪ Doug Figgs
♪ Dennis Russell
♪ Purly Gates
♪ Rod Taylor
♪ Danner Hampton
♪ Washtub Jerry
♪ Randy Huston
♪ Jim Wilson
♪ Jill Jones
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✔ NEWLY ADDED listing, 05/31/17.
Aug 26-27, 2017:
"ARTS IN NATURE FESTIVAL" at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126; http://fest.naturec.org
✔ TIX: Not yet available by press time, nor were prices published.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: Volunteers recruited at: http://fest.naturec.org/volunteer
✔ THE SCENE: Rather than rows of vendors and merchants, you’ll find four intimate performance stages, a ‘Museum of Sound’ in eight rustic cabins, interactive hands-on art and nature activities, and winding hiking trails through the great outdoors. The Arts in Nature Festival "exists at the nexus of art, nature, and community." As the Nature Consortium’s founding project, this two-day festival offers an eclectic experience of art and performance in the woods of Seattle’s only campground. The “arts in nature” concept encourages artists and audience members to engage in active participation with each other and with the natural 68-acre landscape of Camp Long. You’ll find multiple intimate but spectacular outdoor performance stages: the new amplified Nancy Stage, the Meadow, on the climbing Glacier and in a forested grove by the Pond. The festival offers over 40 performances ranging from jazz, classical, indie rock, bluegrass, contemporary dance, and spoken word. The “Museum of Sound” is displayed through eight rustic cabins, hands-on art and nature activities, and winding hiking trails through the great outdoors. In the Museum of Sound, artists take over Camp Long’s historic cabins to create installations that blend sound, music, and visual arts. Most of the cabins will have a hands-on component allowing you to interact with the artists’ work! Explore the natural trails in the forest to find each of the cabins and step inside for the full experience. You can even create your own works of art by participating in multiple art activities, writing workshops and open mics, juggling, costumed hikes through the forest, and naturalist events. Aside from the delicious local food and drink options, there are no large vendor booths. The Arts in Nature Festival experience is centered on interaction rather than transaction. The Arts in Nature Festival is an annual event hosted by Nature Consortium, a West Seattle-based nonprofit that connects people, arts, and nature. Learn more about the organization at www.naturec.org.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (May 31, 2017).
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED listing, 05/03/17.
Aug 27, 2017:
"RAMONA BLUEGRASS & OLD WEST FESTIVAL" at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Ln, Ramona, CA 92065; http://ramonabluegrassfest.com
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: Yes, and includes jams, but limited space at the festival site; make reservations. Addt'l camping at Ramona R.V. Park and Dos Picos County Park.
✔ NOTE 1: The festival moves from May to August in 2017 and is being held in conjunction with the 47th annual "RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR" (Aug 24-27); so also see that listing.
✔ NOTE 2: This year's "RAMONA OLD WEST DAYS" is a standalone festival May 6 & 7 (the former Bluegrass fest dates); full info on that is in the May listings.
✔ THE SCENE, 1: It's "a pretty laid back affair... complete shade and a hard cover roof over the Bluegrass venue Rocky Top and Foggy Mountain Stages and audience areas. There are also open grassy areas for sitting in the sun. The Happy Trails Stage area is more open with some tree and bleacher shading. Bring your own seating, cushions, blankets, etc, but no high-backed chairs." Organizers also say, "We’re still evolving a bit this year since we’ve altered away from our original festival time the first weekend in May... returning back to our roots at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center for an entire day of great bluegrass music and many other festivities. We will again be sharing our weekend with the 'Ramona Country Fair,' which goes for four days from Thursday through Sunday. There will be lots of great stuff going on. Y’all Come! We’ll be having several great bluegrass groups for your listening enjoyment ...and like last year, we’ll be sponsored by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce so… Admission will be FREE!"
✔ THE SCENE, 2: Musical Workshop signups open at the festival at noon, or contact Peter Lauterbach in advance at 619-433-4834 or plauterbach@cox.net. This year includes "a couple of mandolin workshops, but other instruments can join in the jams." It's not clear if a variety of workshops featured last year will return; in 2016 those included banjo, dobro, slap bass, western swing fiddle, guitar, harmony singing, Celtic instruments, and "Songwriting & Arranging Using the Guitar."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (late April, 2017).
♪ The 2016 lineup was formidable. It featured Hot Club of Cowtown from Austin, Tx; Bluegrass Brethren; Ash Street Ramblers; Mojavesoul; Windy Ridge; Shirthouse; PrairieSky; Box Canyon.
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Aug 31-Sep 4, 2017 (Labor Day Weekend):
"FALL STRAWBERRY MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Westside (the old Westside lumber mill and RR terminal, all now in the woods), 17807 Tuolumne Rd, Tuolumne, CA 95379; 209-984-8630; http://strawberrymusic.com
✔ TIX: Early Bird prices through June 23rd at midnight do not list any single-day or no-camping options. Early Bird full 4-day pass with camping, $225 adult, $95 teen, $45 child. There is a Thursday night lineup, and early arrival to catch it or camp requires addt'l ticket.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: There's a "LISTEN" tab with selectable music of booked artists, at: http://strawberrymusic.com/playlist
✔ THE SCENE: It's their 66th Strawberry Music Festival in their 35th year, since they do fall and spring (see listing) festivals. "The Fall Festival at Westside offers lots of great camping space to choose from in expansive conifer-studded meadows, amongst sprawling oaks, nestled into wooded folds and perched along winding hillside trails set on 175 acres. Amenities include hot showers, bathroom facilities, hand washing stations, and access to potable water. Nestled on the doorstep to the Stanislaus National Forest in the heart of the Sierra Nevada foothills, the charming gold rush town Sonora is just minutes away with lots of services including lodging, dining, recreation and all the provisions you'll need for four days of fun. Directly adjacent to Westside lies the quaint and quiet town of Tuolumne with a nice park, ball diamond, library, swimming pool, museum, and Veteran's Memorial Hall just a short walk away. Explore the scenery of the Sierra foothills or settle in for the weekend with a variety of cuisine in the food court and lots of great shopping opportunities. With plenty of space for groups of any size, the Fall Festival is your perfect getaway destination." And, "This year Strawberry presents the gold standard in main stage entertainment, intimate side stage performances, top-notch children's programming, workshops and activities for the whole family, and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Programs like the Breakfast Club and the Band Scramble, live broadcasts by Hog Ranch Radio, and Strawberry's legendary camp jam culture are what makes this YOUR festival. Please join us this season with your instruments and radio in tow, ready to laugh, play, sing, dance, eat, and be entertained!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(Fall fest)
♪ Hot Rize
♪ Mavis Staples
♪ Bryan Sutton Band
♪ The Infamous Stringdusters
♪ Jeff Austin Band
♪ Amy Helm & the Handsome Strangers
♪ Western Centuries
♪ Kahulanui
♪ Lindi Ortega
♪ Laura Love
♪ Ghost of Paul Revere
♪ Painted Mandolin
♪ Front Country
♪ Risky Biscuits
♪ Banana Slug String Band
♪ and more tba
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Sep 1-3, 2017 (Labor Day Weekend):
"KERRVILLE FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Quiet Valley Ranch, 3876 Medina Hwy, Kerrville, located 9 miles S of the Guadalupe River on TX Hwy 16 (Medina Hwy) between Medina & Kerrville, TX; 830-257-3600; www.kerrville-music.com
✔ TIX: Not announced at press time (early April, 2017).
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: they're obviously going to get past the giant, 18-day-long "Kerrville Folk festival" in May & June (see listing) before they publish the info for the fall event.
✔ THE SCENE: "The Kerrville Fall Music Festival (formerly called "KERRVILLE WINE & MUSIC FESTIVAL") or 'Little Folk' as some call it, has a similar musical format to that of the Kerrville Folk Festival, but the focus is also on Texas Wines & Texas Craft Beers. Held each year over Labor Day weekend this annual 3-day event, combines camping, music, and the best wines Texas winemakers and beer brewers have to offer. In addition to afternoon and evening concerts, there are weekend wine & beer seminars which pair food morsels with the vintners choice of wines & brewers choice of beers."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced at press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 1-3, 2017: (Labor Day Weekend)
"ABILENE TRAILS, RAILS & TALES" in Old Abilene Town, 100 SE 5th, Abilene, KS 67410; 785-263-2681; http://chisholmtrt.com
✔ TIX: Two-day pass, adult $15, child (age 6-16) $7.50, children age 5 and under free; one-day tix, sat or Sun, $10 adult, $5 child (ages 6-16).
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: The 2017 festival celebrates the 150th Chisholm Trail Anniversary with music and activities for the whole family, organized by the Dickinson County Heritage Center. There's top western music stars and plenty to do. Highlights include: a Saturday morning "Saddle Up, Let’s Ride!" parade; an authentic longhorn cattle drive; a free kids Buckaroo Camp with stick horse races, rope a steer, and more; Cowboy poets, storytellers, and Western music; Chisholm Trail Classic Auto Show; a chance to "be photoed" with a longhorn; Blacksmiths, silversmiths, and historic artisans; a Native American educational exhibition; Buffalo soldiers, cavalry, and arena-style demonstrations; a re-enactment of the first rail shipment of longhorns; a chance to have "a true Cowboy meal at the Chuckwagon breakfast'; the Bull’s Head Saloon where you can try your hand at Texas Hold’Em; a Cowboy Church service; and more. Few festivals can claim such historic ground: Jesse Chisholm, using his Cherokee roots, established trading posts along a trail from Texas that was blazed from buffalo migratory patterns. The Chisholm Trail followed easy paths through the rough terrains of Texas and Oklahoma enabling drovers to move thousands of longhorn from ranches to the railheads to feed the post-Civil War North, while employing ex-Confederate soldiers, ex-slaves, and Native American cowboys alike. More: "Gunslingers, can-can dancers, cowboy poets, skilled artisans, buckaroo camps, fast draw competitions, Saddle Up Let's Ride Parade, longhorn drives and authentic loading onto a railroad cattle car, fast draw competitions, Native American Spirit Dancers, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, and much much more to bring 1867 back to life in the wildest re-enactment of the West."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Red Steagall
♪ Sons of the Pioneers
♪ Michael Martin Murphey
♪ Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
♪ and more tba
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Sep 1-3, (Fri-Sun) 2017: (Labor Day Weekend)
20th annual "RHYTHM & ROOTS FESTIVAL" subtitled "Music and Dance Festival" at Ninigret Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island; www.rhythmandroots.com
✔ TIX: 3-day w/ camping, adult $225 adv / $250 at gate, teen $110/$125; 3-ay w/o camping adult $175/$210, teen $85/$105; any one-day adult $60/$75, teen $30/$35.
✔ CAMPING: Yes. See above, plus check-out "French Quarter Camping" in an 18'x10' Bell tent.
✔ THE SCENE: This one is loaded with Grammy winners and nominees, and that's not easy to do with Roots-Folk-Americana music. Located in a lovely green parkland surrounded by hardwood trees, this year they're "expanding hours of operation to a full three days of programming on Friday through Sunday to celebrate our 20th Anniversary." There's a "large variety of regional food, craft & specialty vendors... freshly prepared foods," and their craft vendors have nice handmade items. Plus, the camping scene offers nice options and showers.
✔ NOTE: VOLUNTEER registration for NEW volunteers opens Thursday, June 1st. They have 350+ volunteers each year.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ The Mavericks; Grammy winners
♪ Roseanne Cash; Grammy winner
♪ Masters of the Fiddle with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
♪ The Squirrel Nut Zippers; Grammy noms
♪ The Knickerbocker All Stars; incl. Jimmie Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Al Copley, Monster Mike Welch, Ricky Russell, Willie J Laws, Brian Templeton, Sugaray Rayford, Rich Lataille, & more.
♪ The New Orleans Suspects w/ Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett of Little Feat
♪ Marcia Ball, Grammy nom
♪ Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys; Grammy winners
♪ Shinyribs
♪ Hat Fitz & Cara
♪ Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys
♪ The Pine Leaf Boys; Grammy noms
♪ 10 Strings and A Goatskin featuring Leonard Podolak of the Duhks; modern style Irish/Maritime trad music in both French and English.
♪ Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys; western swing/country boogie from California.
♪ Sarah Potenza and Ian Crossman
♪ The Turtle Duhks
♪ Los Texmaniacs; Grammy winners
♪ Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express
♪ Woodsmith & Hersch
♪ Sunday Gospel w/ Sarah Potenza
♪ Christine Ohlman and Cara Robinson
♪ The Revelers; Grammy noms
♪ The Alex Meixner Band
♪ Ed Poullard & Preston Frank
♪ more tba
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Sep 1-3, 2017 (Labor Day Weekend):
"PEPSI GULF COAST JAM COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Panama City Beach, 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL 32413; www.gulfcoastjam.com; or, same event, different info, at: http://springjampcb.com
✔ TIX: $40-$999, became available April 2nd at their website.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "Get to the Gulf, twang-enthusiasts and ballad-lovers... you can guarantee this year’s fest will be a crowd-pleaser."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(Fri:)
♪ Sheryl Crow
♪ Colbie Caillat
♪ A Thousand Horses
♪ Craig Campbell
♪ Delta Rae
♪ Will Thompson
(Sat:)
♪ Darius Rucker
♪ LOCASH
♪ Charles Esten
♪ Lauren Alaina
♪ Sammy Arriaga
♪ Gal Friday Band
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LABOR DAY WEEKEND FESTIVALS... Sep 2-4, plus or minus days. Listed by start / end dates. See listings for...
- - - -
✔ "FALL STRAWBERRY MUSIC FESTIVAL" Aug 31-Sep 4 (Tuolumne, CA)
✔ "KERRVILLE FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL" Sep 1-3 (Kerrville, TX)
✔ "NINIGRET RHYTHM & ROOTS FESTIVAL" Sep 1-3 (Charlestown, RI)
✔ "PEPSI GULF COAST JAM COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL" Sep 1-3 (Panama City Beach, FL)
✔ 3rd annual "FISHSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL" Sep 2 & 3 (Kernville, CA)
✔ 22nd annual "SEBASTOPOL CAJUN ZYDECO & DELTA RHYTHM FESTIVAL" Sep 2 & 3 (Sebastopol, CA)
✔ 41st annual "LABOR DAY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" Sep 3-6 (Grapeland, TX)
________________________________________
Sep 2 & 3, 2017: (Labor Day Weekend):
3rd annual "FISHSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL" at the Kernville Rodeo Grounds, 11447 Kernville Rd, Kernville, CA 93238; http://howardpresents.com/upcoming-events
✔ TIX: "on sale soon" as of press time (early April, 2017).
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "A Weekend of Family Fun on the Kern," and produced by Howard Freiberg, this festival benefits "Friends of the Hatchery," a 501c nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping trout numbers healthy in Kern River country... and to educate the public through programs such as 'Trout in the Classroom' and 'Trophy Trout Program.'" In addition to the music, the festival brings a liquid light show, fish fry, bake sale, silent auction, raffles, vendors and more.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Mighty Cash Cats, tribute to Johnny Cash
♪ Creedence Concert Revival, tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival
♪ The Neil Deal, tribute to Neil Young, and to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
♪ Lady Zep, tribute to Led Zeppelin
♪ Grateful Bluegrass Boys
♪ Alice Wallace, Americana/Country music artist (and a Guide favorite)
♪ Rachel Sedacca, nu-folk singer-songwriter
♪ and more tba
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Sat & Sun, Sep 2 & 3 (Labor Day Weekend):
22nd annual "SEBASTOPOL CAJUN ZYDECO & DELTA RHYTHM FESTIVAL" in Ives Park in Sebastopol (Sonoma County), CA; http://winecountrycajun.com
✔ TIX: Tix are $25 one-day, $40 two-day advance (May 1-Sep 1); thereafter, $30 one-day, $50 two-day; children under age 12 are free with adult.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE: Festival "benefits local West Sonoma County schools, non-profit and community organizations (Community Grants Projects) and Rotary International humanitarian projects through the Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise Community Foundation, 501(c)3."
✔ THE SCENE: Good acts, and it runs 11:30 am-7 pm both days. There's a different musical character each day, beginning this year — Saturday is Cajun-Zydeco, Sunday is Rockabilly.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(Saturday lineup — Cajun Zydeco:)
♪ CZ & the Bon Vivants
♪ Mark St. Mary & his Blues & Zydeco Band
♪ The Blues Box Bayou Band
♪ Geno Delafose & the French Rockin’ Boogie Band
(Sunday lineup — Rockabilly:)
♪ The Copper Tones
♪ Mitch Polzak & the Royal Deuces
♪ The RevTones
♪ Kim Lenz & The Jaguars
♪ The Blasters
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Sep 3-6, 2017 (Labor Day Weekend):
41st annual "LABOR DAY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" at Salmon Lake Park, 357 Salmon Lake Rd, Grapeland, TX 75844;
✔ TIX: $15-$55.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Produced by Texas Bluegrass Music, LLC. The music is Bluegrass, Country, & Gospel. Texas Bluegrass Music hosts 3 outdoor events for the entire family with as many as a dozen live bluegrass and gospel bands performing at each festival. No alcohol is sold. The event features great food vendors and arts and crafts, and miscellaneous other merchandise. Full RV hookups are available.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Trinity River
♪ Kristy Cox
♪ The Malpass Brothers
♪ Buffalo Nickel
♪ Southern Style
♪ The Baker Family
♪ Gary Waldrepo
♪ Remington Ryde
♪ Mark Phillips and III’d Generation
♪ The Marksmen
♪ Lone Star Drive
♪ Karl Shifflett and The Big Country Show
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✔ NEWLY ADDED listing, 05/03.
Sep 7-10, 2017:
17th annual "OJAI STORYTELLING FESTIVAL" at multiple venues incl. Libbey Bowl & the Ojai Arts Center, 113 S Montgomery St, Ojai, CA 93023; www.ojaistoryfest.org
✔ TIX: The "EVERYTHING Pass - Again this year, our EVERYTHING Pass" includes all performances, Naughty Tales, and workshops and is for adults, 21+ only; The "Festival Pass" includes all events except workshops and Naughty Tales and is all-ages. There are single-day tix for each specific day. None are yet available at press time (late April), so watch their website.
✔ CAMPING: Nearby, at: Lake Casitas, 805-648-3356; or in the Los Padres National Forest, 805-646-4348. RV camping also at Camp Commfort county park.
✔ THE SCENE: This esteemed festival MOVED in 2017 from its previous "first weekend in May" dates to become a fall event. It continues to present "acclaimed tellers." There are also student outreach events Sep 7 in the Scherr Forum Theatre in Thousand Oaks. Festival workshops are numerous, and include "Japanese Culture Workshop for Kids with Motoko."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(Storytellers; some include musical performances with spoken word)
Dovie Thomason - Native American stories; Mistress of Ceremonies
♪ Bill Harley - 2-time Grammy winner
Niall de Búrca - "one of Ireland's treasures"
Antonio Rocha - from Brazil
Motoko - from Osaka, Japan
♪ Kim Weitkamp - tales from Amish country
♪ Samite - kalimba, marimba, litungu, and various flutes; a war refugee to Kenya from Uganda
Dovie Thomason -
♪ Alan Thornhill - winner of the prestigious Telluride Fingerstyle Guitar Championship
"Raw Tales with The Moth winners from L.A." with Bill Ratner, Christine Blackburn, Michael McCarty, and comedian Cary Odes
"Bodies Unbound" with Cynthia Waring (one-woman play)
"Concert in the Bowl with Alan Thornhill"
"Laughing Night Stories"
"Under the Oaks, Beneath the Stars" with all the Tellers
"Naughty Tales Under the Stars"
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Sep 8, 2017:
"JOHNSON COUNTY PIONEERS & OLD SETTLERS REUNION FIDDLE CONTEST" at the Reunion Pavilion & Grounds, 111 Reunion Dr, Alvarado, TX; 817-783-8114; www.alvaradopubliclibrary.org/johnson_county_pioneers.htm
✔ TIX: Info will appear on the event's website.
✔ CAMPING: Info will appear on the event's website.
✔ THE SCENE: Produced by the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association. the music is bluegrass, country, gospel, and Western Swing. There's an Awards show, Fiddling contests, Music festival, Baby Contest, Arts and Crafts, County Fair, Parade, Carnival, Queens Contest, Car Show, Gospel Music, and Battle of the Bands. "Bring the family out to enjoy some evening entertainment! The Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association is hosting an evening fiddle contest in conjunction with the 125th Annual Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion. Please join us at the fairgrounds September 8th at 7 pm in Alvarado, Texas. Order of play will be 66+, 0-15, 16-25, 26-45, 46-65, Accompanist, and Championship divisions. Prize Money will be awarded."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet published by press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 8 & 9, 2017:
"SAN ANGELO COWBOY GATHERING" Festival at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, San Angelo, TX; www.sanangelocowboygathering.com
✔ TIX: General admission tix go on sale May 1, 2017, online.
✔ CAMPING: RV only at a festival sponsor RV park w/ full hookups: 325-650 0788.
✔ THE SCENE: Looks like THIS is the one for boot scootin' WESTERN SWING. It won both the "2016 Festival of the Year" Ameripolitan Music Award and the "2016 Venue of the Year" from the Cowtown Society of Western Music. It's "A gathering to celebrate the cowboy way of life and western swing music, all to benefit a local nonprofit in San Angelo, Texas each year."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys
♪ Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition with special guest Floyd Domino
♪ Jason Roberts Band
♪ Jake Hooker & The Outsiders
♪ Jeff Woolsey & The Dancehall Kings
♪ Rocky King Band
♪ Coby Carter & 5 Miles West
♪ Brady Honeycutt
♪ Case Hardin
♪ Myra Rolen
♪ Justin Trevino
♪ Darrell & Mona McCall
♪ Clearwater
♪ T. Gozney Thornton & The Old Hat Band
♪ Kelly Spinks
♪ Clifton Fifer, Jr. aka "Two Bears"
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Sep 8-10, 2017:
"TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL" at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629; 949-496-2274; http://www.ocean-institute.org/tall-ships-festival
✔ TIX: Check the event's site in June 2017 for ticket information.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE: Another event, the "Ohana Festival" (see listing) separately happens in Dana Point at the same time, so expect traffic congestion and allow time for that. Or plan to attend both!
✔ THE SCENE: Maritime music and other acoustic folk is always a key part of this event. Things weigh anchor on Friday with the "Parade of Sail," 4-7:30 pm, which you can view from shore or get a ticket to go on-board a tall ship of "the armada," "as you cast off for adventure aboard a historic tall ship during the annual tall ships parade at sunset. Work with the crew hauling up sail or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular demonstration of skill, knowledge and survival!" As the main events arrive on the weekend, "In celebration of California’s rich maritime history, the Ocean Institute annually hosts a fleet of historic tall ships that sail into Dana Point Harbor. History comes alive, as crews from each ship, along with historical re-enactors, engage the public in cannon battles, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters, ship tours, and much more." There are opportunities to sail aboard the vessels for the cannon battles, Saturday and Sunday. There's a main stage, plus on-board minstrels, and a kids stage for "listening to gruff pirate songs about life on the high seas to learning how to tie a bowline, the festival has it all for boys and girls, kids of all ages." This extraordinary event takes place each year the second weekend in September.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Check the event's site in June 2017. First-rate maritime music / sea shanties are always featured, sometimes with performers from Seattle or the Northeast nautical music scene.
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Sep 8-10, 2017:
"OHANA FESTIVAL" in Dana Point, CA; www.theohanafest.com
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE: Another event, the "Tall Ships Festival" (see listing) separately happens in Dana Point at the same time, so expect traffic congestion and allow time for that. Or plan to attend both!
✔ THE SCENE: Some top Folk-Americana stars are featured. The festival's name sounds Hawai'ian, but the acts are not.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Jack Johnson
♪ Haim
♪ Ray LaMontagne
♪ Fiona Apple
♪ Glen Hansard
♪ Dr. Dog
♪ Pixies
♪ Social Distortion
♪ Eddie Vedder
♪ TV On The Radio
♪ The Naked & Famous
♪ Dr. Dog
♪ The Orwells
♪ The Frights
♪ Verite
♪ Simon Townshend
♪ Cameron Avery
♪ Conner Youngblood
♪ Liam Finn
♪ Missio
♪ Ella Vos
♪ The Mattson 2
♪ Timmy Curran
♪ Jade Jackson
♪ Corey Harper
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Sep 8-10, 2017:
"PORT TOWNSEND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL" at Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St, Port Townsend, WA 98368; 360-385-3628 ext 104; http://nwmaritime.org/wooden-boat-festival
✔ TIX: Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "Over 300 boats on land and water; live music all day each day with some maritime concerts; chantey sings Friday & Saturday evenings 8 pm-midnight; 120 presentations; dozens of exhibitors; interactive exhibits for kids; tour the boats — tall ships, vintage and modern wooden boats, racing schooners, and more; sail on a tall ship; three outdoor stages, four indoor stages, and a wealth of wooden boat knowledge from all over the world; paddleboard; kids' boatbuilding; pirate plays; and plenty of local food, beer, and wine options to satisfy everyone."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 8-10, 2017:
29th annual "NATIONAL COWBOY SYMPOSIUM & CELEBRATION" at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX 79401; www.cowboy.org
✔ TIX: Info not posted by press time. in 2016, any "pass" included all evening shows and a meal; it was $140 for an all-inclusive full weekend pass; $55 for a Fri pass; $75 for a Sat pass. Fri or Sat single-day tix included all entertainment stages, exhibits, shopping, special presentations and the evening concert, for $15 adult, $6 youth.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: The schedule includes cowboy music and other entertainers, poetry and storytelling, western writers and authors panels, film and movie seminars, a Youth Wild West Day, horse-handling demonstrations, a horse-themed parade, Native American Indian activities and presentations, the ever-popular Chuck Wagon Cookoff, and exhibits of Western artworks and merchandise. In 2015, NCSC featured more than 60 cowboy and cowgirl poets, musical acts, and storytellers. "The purpose of the NCSC is to celebrate and preserve our Western heritage and cowboy culture for those who know and love it, and to introduce new audiences to the heritage and culture so they may embrace it as well."
✔ NOTE: VOLUNTEERS sought. "..all volunteers must attend an evening training session the day before the start [of the event]."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (mid-April, 2017).
♪ The 2016 festival featured Dave Stamey, Chris Isaacs, Jim Jones, Washtub Jerry, Teresa Burleson, and many more.
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Sep 9 & 10, 2017:
41st annual "RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL" in Guerneville, CA (Sonoma Co.); http://russianriverfestivals.com
✔ TIX: available online, nearly sold-out as of Mar 29.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville offers a picturesque venue that rests along the beach of the Russian River, only a few miles from over 100 wineries. Music lovers have enjoyed a stellar history of acts, including the Doobie Brothers, David Sanborn, Al Jarreau, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Etta James and many more."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Includes JOHNNY LANG and KEB' MO. More tba.
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Sep, 2017: date tba:
"WAILA FESTIVAL" at the Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse - Frontier Hall in the Gila River Indian Community, AZ; 602-380-7957; http://wailafestival.org
✔ TIX: info will be on website.
✔ CAMPING: info will be on website.
✔ THE SCENE: Waila music is a 19th century folk fusion of cowboy music of the Southwest with Ranchera and northern Mexican music, bringing strings played with unique tunings, harmonica, accordion, and Native American flutes. it is important American folk music that was almost lost. Waila Festival, Inc., a 501(C)(3) nonprofit, derived from the "O’odham Waila Festival" which was "born out of a desire to help preserve the traditional Waila Music & Dance of the O’odham Communities. While attending one of the many festivals, Cecil Lewis & Matt Kisto from the Gila River Indian Community were discussing how the Waila Music was slowly fading and the bands were playing more and more Cumbia. They both missed the old sound that they grew up with and thought that the younger generations might not have the opportunity to appreciate what had been such a strong tradition in the Community." And, it "provides academic scholarships to Students from the Four Sister Tribes (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Tohono O'odham Nation) who are pursuing a higher education. And to help preserve the Culture & Traditions of the Four Sister Tribe Communities." the first of the new Waila Festivals was held in 2011, and it's been an annual event ever since.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 12-17, 2017:
18th annual "AMERICANA MUSIC FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE" in Nashville, TN; www.americanamusic.org
✔ TIX: watch their website; tix sell-out promptly when they are announced. (Get on their mailing list.)
✔ CAMPING: No, but there may be special arrangements for RVs.
✔ THE SCENE: Produced by the Americana Music Association as part of the weeklong extravaganza that confers annual music awards and recognitions, features conference sessions, and provides both free and ticketed concerts and multi-artist festival performances; this massive event takes-over Nashville, and for six days, makes it a true "Music City." The event includes performances in the Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville’s newest venue on the Cumberland Riverfront, where two stages will contribute to the overall festival setting. Other events happen in indoor and outdoor venues large and small.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
♪ It will be EXTENSIVE and feature many Folk-Americana stars.
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Sep 13-17, 2017:
46th annual "WALNUT VALLEY FESTIVAL" at the Winfield Fairgrounds, on 9th Av (US 160) 3/4ths mile W of downtown Winfield, KS; http://wvfest.com
✔ TIX: Five-Day Full Festival $90 adv, $95 gate if any are left; two-day combos and single-day tix are available for each day, ranging from $35 adv, $50 gate for Saturday to $15 at the gate for Sunday. Children ages 6–11 are $5, and under age 6 are free with paid adult.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Proclaiming Winfield, Kansas as "Pickers' Paradise," this is an esteemed acoustic music festival with "family fare" entertainment on 4 stages that run simultaneously. There's a large, quality, juried arts and crafts fair; workshops; and bigtime acoustic instrument contests. What began with 10 acts and 2 contests now boasts over 30 acts and 8 contests, including two international contests, 5 national contests and 1 Walnut Valley contest. It's famous for its prestigious competitions, and winners who gain national and global renown. In fact, the event was founded in 1972 with the sole purpose of producing the "Walnut Valley National Guitar Flat-Picking Championships Festival," a contest now known as the Flat-Picking Championship, and it's just one of the competitions here that bestow national titles. The main genre of music is bluegrass, but other acoustic styles are represented. It features workshops and the the previous year's "Contest Champions Concert." Well-known past Winfield winners include MARK O'CONNOR, who has won or placed in more Walnut Valley Festival contests than any other contestant. Mark won the National Guitar Flat-Picking Championship in 1975 and 1977, and also won the Walnut Valley Fiddle Championship in 1974 and 1977. ALISON KRAUSS won the Walnut Valley Fiddle Championship in 1984. GARY “BISCUIT” DAVIS is the first and only 4-time Walnut Valley Champion, winning the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship in 1979, 1988, 1996, and 2012. STEVE KAUFMAN became the first three-time winner of the National Guitar Flat-Picking Contest, in 1978, 1984, and 1986. JASON SHAW became the 2nd 3-time National Flat-Picking Champion winning in 1993, 2008 and 2010. The most recent and last of the current 3-time Flat-Pick Champions is ROY CURRY, winner in 1980, 1991 and 2012. Other musicians to reach 3 wins in championships at Walnut Valley include DAVE PETERS, 3-time Walnut Valley Mandolin Champion, JEFF PRITCHARD, RANDY HOWARD and TRISTAN CLARRIDGE, Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle, plus LUCILLE REILLY and GEORGE HAIG, in the International Autoharp Championship. In 2009, 18-year old BRYAN McDOWELL came to the Walnut Valley Festival for the first time from Canton, NC. Bryan entered three of the eight contests at the Festival. When the dust had settled around Barn 4, the site of all of the instrument contests, BRYAN McDOWELL would hear his name called not once, but a total of 3 times. As the first place winner in the Walnut Valley Mandolin Championship, the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship and the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship. With the new National Mandolin Championship allowing Bryan to enter again in 2010, Bryan then joined the elite group who can claim winning back to back Championships with the same instrument at Walnut Valley by becoming the first-ever National Mandolin Champion. Other Winfield winners include Mandolin virtuoso CHRIS THILE, the Mandolin Champion in 1993, and DIXIE CHICK fiddler MARTIE ERWIN SEIDEL in 1987 and '89. Festival attendance is around 15,000 annually. It is a "participation" event because most people who attend play an instrument of some kind, and a good portion of them bring their instruments and take part in the campsite picking. Hired artists who appear on the stages also go into the campgrounds and join around campfires to pick with everyone else.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Stephen Bennett
♪ Betse and Clarke with Brushy Creek
♪ Roz Brown
♪ Nick Charles
♪ Della Mae
♪ Juni Fisher (winner of 'purt near every Western Music award)
♪ Bing Futch
♪ Grass It Up
♪ Chris Jones & the Night Drivers
♪ Claire Lynch Band
♪ Marley's Ghost
♪ Andy May
♪ Tim May & Steve Smith
♪ John McCutcheon
♪ John McEuen
♪ Joshua Messick Trio
♪ Adam Miller
♪ The Outside Track
♪ The Paperboys
♪ Barry Patton
♪ John Reischman and the Jaybirds
♪ Mark Sganga
♪ Socks in the Frying Pan
♪ The Steel Wheels
♪ Still on the Hill
♪ Linda Tilton
♪ Wall-Eyed Moles
♪ and more tba
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Sep 14-16, 2017:
5th annual "DAILEY & VINCENT LANDFEST IN THE MOUNTAINS" festival presented by Springer Mountain Farms in Hiawassee, GA; www.daileyvincentfest.com
✔ TIX: packages from $35-$110 with gen. adm. and/or reserved seating available.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: As part of their Diamond Celebration, the award-winning super-duo's 3-day festival "bringing the very best in American music," moves from its prior Denton, North Carolina location to the heart of the Georgia Mountains in scenic Hiawassee, Georgia. The event has therefore extended its name to "Dailey & Vincent LandFest In The Mountains," and will be held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Attendees can stay on-site in a tent or RV in one of the 189 campsites offering full hook ups and amenities (make reservations early).
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Jerry Douglas Presents The Earls of Leicester
♪ Del McCoury Band
♪ Dailey & Vincent
♪ Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
♪ The Original Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
♪ Sierra Hull
♪ Primitive Quartet
♪ Monroe Crossing
♪ Audie Blaylock
♪ Larry Stephenson Band
♪ Band of Kelleys
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Sep 14-18, 2017:
8th annual "LOST N LAVA COWBOY GATHERING" 102 S Rail St, Shoshone, Idaho 83352; 208-886-7787; www.lostnlavagathering.com
✔ TIX: Weekend Package $35; Friday Only $20; Saturday Only $20; Reserved Seating $25 each night (limited).
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "The Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering is an annual celebration of the ranching and rural West. Through poetry, music and stories, ranch people express the beauty and challenges of a life deeply connected to the earth and its bounty. Every year, hundreds travel to rural Shoshone, Idaho to learn and share. It's been called the down to earth festival , but it is also a darned good time! At Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering, you can discover cowboy cultures from around the world, learn a traditional skill, dance the two-step, plan for the West's future with ranchers, meet new friends, listen to tall tales, dispel myths, build bridges and be inspired. Join us for an experience you will not soon forget! Use any of the links in our banner to read more about every aspect of the Gathering." And, "Shoshone is in the desert of the Great Basin at 3963 feet elevation, and fall weather in September is varied."
✔ NOTE: trail rides are available Sep 9 through 11; register online in advance.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
♪ daytime shows not yet announced (Apr, 2017)
- - - -
(Fri night concert:)
♪ Kristyn Harris
♪ Poppa Mac
♪ Prairie Wind - Coyote Joe & Little Joe
♪ Tony Argento
♪ Brigid, Johnny and John Reedy
♪ "Jam Session" - following concert
- - - -
(Sat night concert:)
♪ Dave Stamey
♪ Lynn Kopelke
♪ Dave Anderson
♪ Thatch Elmer
♪ Panhandle Cowboys - Farmer Dave Fulf & JB Barber
♪ "Jam Session" - following concert
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Sep, mid-to-late-month, 2017:
36th annual "POISON OAK SHOW" at Columbia State Historic Park, Main St & State St, Columbia, CA 95310; sponsored by and centered at the St. Charles Saloon, 209-533-4656 or email jackdouglasssaloon@yahoo.com
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: In addition to the music, this one is wacky: it's "like a traditional flower show, except all entries must include poison oak." Thus, there are categories (entries accepted at 10 am, Judging is at 1 pm) for Biggest branch, Biggest leaf, Best edible (recipe included), Best arrangement, Best rash (in person or photo), Best photo of poison oak, Most potent looking leaf. The St Charles Saloon is hosting, in Columbia State Historic Park. "Aren’t you just itchin’ to participate?" Located in the heart of the California Mother Lode, Columbia State Historic Park is a living gold rush town featuring the largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state. Visiting Columbia is like traveling back in time to the sights, smells, and sounds of a nineteenth century mining town—merchants dressed in 1850s attire, a whiff of coal smoke from the blacksmith shop, and the rumble of a stagecoach pulling into town. Spend the day enjoying fun activities for the whole family. Pan for gold, explore exhibits, ride the stagecoach, discover unique shops, and learn about the rich history of the California gold rush on a guided town tour."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 15-17, 2017:
"MILLPOND MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Millpond County Park & Recreation Area, Sawmill Rd off US 395 and Ed Powers Rd, Bishop 93514.
http://inyo.org/music/millpond-festival
✔ TIX: Full Weekend 3-Day Pass is $90.00 before June 30, $100 from July 1st to Aug 26th, then $110 after August 26th or at the gate. Single-day passes are $30 for Fri, $50 for sat, $45 for Sun. A student 3-Day pass is $40; a student 1-Day pass is $20. Inyo/Mono County students through 8th grade, with adult, are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
✔ CAMPING: Yes. Some of it is already sold-out for the 2017 festival, so don't dawdle.
✔ THE SCENE: This one reliably delivers great music. Its featured artists headline elsewhere, and there's plenty that's wonderful that you've never heard — but will leave a fan of. Presented by the Inyo Council for the Arts, whose staff attends bunches of other festivals and concerts to choose the best acts. The park's permanent snack bar at the top of the natural amphitheatre hill has some surprisingly good food, and there's a huge Sunday morning pancake breakfast. You can retreat up the hill under the big shade trees and still have clear sight lines to the main stage. The second stage is covered and called the "Workshop Tent," and most headline acts play one or more sets there, too. Camping for RVs is in the big permanent campground with showers; tent camping is around the tranquil lake and you can walk to the showers and laundry. Here's the official promo: The festival, at the foot of the magnificent High Sierra, "brings an eclectic collection of music to one of the most intimate festival surroundings imaginable. As always, the great music will be complimented with food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and kids’ activities – all in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Millpond County Park just outside of Bishop." It's certainly not walkable to Bishop; you could bike it, but most of the ride is on busy Hwy 395; local dial-a-ride transit goes there to/from town, but not late enough for pickup after evening shows. If you don't wanna drive that far? You can ride the Metrolink train from L.A. Union Station to the end of the line in Lancaster and catch the once-a-day Eastern Sierra transit van to Bishop; the local dial-a-ride runs from Bishop as far as Millpond & back.
✔ VOLUNTEERS: opportunities are available. Fill-out the online form at: http://inyo.org/about-us/volunteer/
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 15-17, 2017:
6th annual "DAKOTA WESTERN HERITAGE FESTIVAL" at the Expo Center, 320 Casey Tibbs St, Ft. Pierre, SD; 605-280-8938; https://www.facebook.com/DakotaWesternHeritageFestival
✔ TIX: concert is $25 adv, $35 door, seating ltd to 600.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: There are concerts both days and a wagon train that you can ride (with tix). It's Fort Pierre's bicentennial year, and the festival is the central event. The Dakota Western Heritage Festival is a non-profit, "A celebration of Western traditions and lifestyles through poetry and music."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
♪ daytime music, cowboy poetry/storytelling and other events are not yet posted at press time (mid-Apr, 2017).
- - - -
We have artists for one of the two evening concerts.
(Sat night concert:)
♪ Suzy Bogguss
♪ Susie Knight
♪ Cowboy Poet RP Smith
________________________________________
Sep 15-17, 2017:
12th annual "PICKIN' IN THE PINES BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" in the Pepsi Amphitheatre at Ft. Tuthill Co. Park, Flagstaff, AZ; http://pickininthepines.org
✔ TIX: 3-day pass $85 (non-mbr) through Apr 30; single-day tix become available by phone on July 1. Free admission to those under age 15. All tix through Protix at 866-977-6849.
✔ CAMPING: Yes, fees are per-person and include a 3-day festival pass.
✔ THE SCENE: This festival is a world-class bluegrass & acoustic music festival held here since 2006. The festival honors the interests of the diverse membership of Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music (FFOTM). The organization sponsors the Flagstaff Folk Festival, a youth program — the Young Jammers, "concerts, jams, campouts and other events created for the education, enrichment and entertainment of our community."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
♪ Tim O’Brien
♪ The Drew Emmitt Band
♪ Mountain Heart
♪ Della Mae
♪ Balsam Range
♪ Town Mountain
♪ Foghorn Stringband
♪ The Colton House Trio featuring Chris Brashear, Peter McLaughlin & Todd Phillips
♪ Rapidgrass
♪ The Lil’ Smokies
♪ Burnett Family Bluegrass
♪ The Ping Brothers
♪ Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold
♪ Sugar & The Mint
♪ and more tba
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Sep 15-17, 2017:
"FRESHGRASS FESTIVAL" in North Adams, MA; http://freshgrass.com
✔ TIX: $105.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "FreshGrass is a wonderland of traditional and cutting-edge bluegrass, tucked appropriately into a 19th-century factory turned 21st-century museum in the Berkshire mountains of northwestern Massachusetts. An opportunity for enthusiasts to both appreciate and participate, FreshGrass is family-friendly and brimming with the brightest talent not just on our four stages, but also in our galleries, brick-lined courtyards, and grassy fields."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Brandi Carlile
♪ Railroad Earth
♪ The Del McCoury Band with David Grisman
♪ Del & Dawg
♪ The Wood Brothers
♪ Bill Frisell: Harmony
♪ Alison Brown
♪ Son Little
♪ The Brothers Comatose
♪ Carrie Rodriguez
♪ Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings
♪ Hackensaw Boys
♪ Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
♪ The Suitcase Junket
♪ Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally Band
♪ The Last Revel
♪ Victor Furtado
♪ Julian Pinelli
♪ The Page Turners
________________________________________
Sep 15-17, 2017:
"TELLURIDE BLUES AND BREWS" in Telluride, CO; www.tellurideblues.com
✔ TIX: available online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: "It's a match made in Colorado heaven. Three days of blues, funk, jam, gospel, rock, and soul combined with tasting from 150+ breweries makes this beer and music festival mashup a one-of-a-kind experience. It all takes place at Telluride, a classic Colorado mountain town nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Bonnie Raitt
♪ Steve Winwood
♪ Tajmo: The Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo Band
♪ Anders Osborne
♪ The Revivalists
♪ Benjamin Booker
♪ The Blind Boys of Alabama
♪ The Magpie Salute
♪ Delbert McClinton & Self Made Men
♪ Chicano Batman
♪ Tab Benoit
♪ The Record Company
♪ Samantha Fish
♪ Ben Miller Band
♪ Eric Lindell
♪ Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers
♪ Robert Finley
♪ Alabama Slim
♪ Jack Broadbent
♪ Delgres
♪ Monkey Junk
♪ AJ Fullerton featuring Stud Ford & Nic Clark
♪ JW Jones
♪ Steve Itterly
________________________________________
Sep 15-17, 2017:
"KAABOO FESTIVAL" in San Diego, CA; www.kabooexperience.com
✔ TIX: $219.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ We're listing this one because JACKSON BROWNE, ALANIS MORRISETTE, MOONSVILLE COLLECTIVE, and THE WALLFLOWERS are included in its massive lineup.
✔ THE SCENE: "Forget what you know about music festivals. This is a music experience. A completely curated three-day sound voyage that combines rock-n-roll music and tastemaking socials into a modern wonderland on the warm shores of the Pacific. Where every detail is crafted for your enjoyment and you bask in world-class music, incredible cuisine, craft libations, comedy acts, contemporary art, dancing and premium amenities. This is your escape to the perfect weekend."
✔ THE 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Red Hot Chili Peppers
♪ P!nk
♪ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
♪ Muse
♪ Weezer
♪ Jane’s Addiction
♪ David Guetta
♪ Ice Cube
♪ Jason Derulo
♪ Logic
♪ Alanis Morissette
♪ Jackson Browne
♪ Andy Grammer
♪ Kesha
♪ Live
♪ X Ambassadors
♪ Garbage
♪ Milky Chance
♪ T-Pain
♪ Michael McDonald
♪ The Wallflowers
♪ DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal)
♪ Machine Gun Kelly
♪ Pepper
♪ Timeflies
♪ Pete Yorn
♪ The Magpie Salute
♪ Smash Mouth
♪ The Knocks
♪ Dave Mason
♪ Toad The Wet Sprocket
♪ LANY
♪ Eric Burdon and the Animals
♪ Lost Kings
♪ Le Youth
♪ The Him
♪ The Tubes feat. Fee Waybill
♪ Trevor Hall
♪ Fishbone
♪ The Motet
♪ The Shadowboxers
♪ Little Hurricane
♪ Sam Sparro
♪ Kap Slap
♪ Martin Jensen
♪ Led Zeppelin 2
♪ Emily Warren
♪ Lawrence
♪ The Stone Foxes
♪ One Drop
♪ SteevieWild
♪ Darenots
♪ The Last Internationale
♪ Ages and Ages
♪ Moonsville Collective
♪ Armors
♪ Luna Aura
♪ Jared & The Mill
♪ Ethan Tucker Solo Acoustic
♪ The Steppin Stones
♪ Tristen
♪ Cordovas
♪ Lost Beach
♪ Mamafesta
♪ Josh Arbour
♪ Zeal Levin
♪ Kira Lingman
♪ Trouble in the Wind
♪ Barenaked Ladies
♪ The Dan Band
________________________________________
✔ ADDITIONS made: more acts in the lineup, 5/11.
Sep 16, 2017:
5th annual "LONG BEACH FOLK REVIVAL FESTIVAL" in rainbow Lagoon Events Park, Long Beach, CA; www.folkrevivalfestival.com
✔ TIX: $25; price increases to $30 on July 15th.
✔ THE SCENE: It's foot stomping, high energy fun at this family-friendly festival. It's all about bringing the community together to enjoy a slice of “True American Music.” Announced artists warrant a few words, as some are being imported and are known in their parts of the world, but not locally. Star with the "very talented Lucero all the way from Memphis, TN who will be headlining the night with support from outlaw country legend Billy Joe Shaver, former Delta Spirit front man Matthew Logan Vasquez, The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Valley Queen, Mapache, and more artists TBA soon... In addition to the great music, all the fan favorites from last year are back including our signature contests, amazing gourmet food & craft beers, interactive kid’s area, our 'Craft Bazaar' shopping experience & loads more fun stuff — we just couldn’t pack it all in here."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Lucero
♪ Billy Joe Shaver
♪ Matthew Logan Vasquez
♪ The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit
♪ Valley Queen
♪ Mapache
♪ Hogslop String Band
♪ The Show Ponies
♪ Ivory Deville
♪ "many more tba"
________________________________________
Sep 16-Oct 28, 2017:
"NATIONAL HARVEST & COWBOY FESTIVAL" at Silver Dollar City, 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson, MO 65616; 800-475-9370; www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/festivals/National-Harvest-Festival
✔ TIX: A season pass is $97 adult, $87 child, $91 senior; prices go-up after Apr 30. One-day tix are $62 adult (12-61), $51 child (4-11), $60 senior (62+).
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a festival in an amusement park with 40+ rides & attractions. Musically, there's a daily "Barn Dance" and "Wild West Show." It includes "125 visiting demonstrating craftsmen showcasing their diverse array of talents (that's in addition to Silver Dollar City's own 100 resident craftsmen); and a Salute to the Great American Cowboy that includes wild mustangs, an old-fashioned barn dance, chuck wagon cooking and much more." There's a "Campfire Cooking - Watch as delicious recipes including Dutch Oven Desserts and Cowboy Beef Stew are cooked over on open fire." It also includes "Buck Taylor's Cowboy Emporium," and "Kent Rollins demonstrating the art of authentic chuck wagon cooking while serving up cowboy stories, poetry and humor from his restored 1876 Studebaker wagon."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Music acts were not specifically announced by press time (mid-April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep, mid-to-late month:
47th annual "JULIAN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" in Julian, CA; www.julianlionsbluegrass.com/welcome.html
✔ TIX: check their site.
✔ CAMPING: check their site.
✔ NOTE: Event website still shows 2016 info, as of early April, 2017.
✔ THE SCENE: Bluegrass all day, great BBQ, a raffle drawing, vendors, an all-ages event. And this: "Welcome to Julian… a quiet little mountain getaway, about an hour east of San Diego, in the beautiful Cuyamaca mountains. Our little town takes you back in time to the days of Julian’s beginning rooted in the 1870’s gold rush. For almost 50 years, in the middle of September this quiet little town comes alive with the sound of Bluegrass."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced (as of early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep, mid-to-late month, 2017:
x - "AMERICAN RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL" has STOPPED OPERATING in Coloma, CA; www.americanrivermusic.org
✔ TIX: Not any more.
✔ CAMPING: It was great.
✔ NOTE 1: This is a big loss. Over the past decade, this one had everybody you ever wanted to hear. Their website lists past performers.
✔ NOTE 2: Organizers say, "We're in the planning stages for a fall event [i.e., a concert], and there's always great live music in our friendly river community. We'll be in touch with the announcements to such." So email their site and get on their list if your wanderings take you towards Coloma.
✔ THE SCENE: After 10 years this festival has ended its run. Organizers, upon making that announcement, said: "A huge thanks to the Coloma-Lotus Community for their incredible support, and to everyone who gave their time and passion to make this celebration happen. To the amazing folks that shared their music on our stages — may you continue to inspire!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
x - It's not happening.
________________________________________
Sep 20-23, 2017:
12th annual "LARRY JOE TAYLOR'S RHYMES & VINES MUSIC FESTIVAL AND HOME BREW CONTEST" at Melody Mountain Ranch, 1290 Private Road 707, Stephenville, TX 76401; www.larryjoetaylor.com
✔ TIX: Info will appear on the event's website.
✔ CAMPING: Info will appear on the event's website.
✔ THE SCENE: It's 3 days of original acoustic and band music at this music festival and homebrew competition at Melody Mountain Ranch, just outside of Stephenville, TX. Attendance is approximately 5000 and plenty of onsite camping is available. Visit our web site for updates on camping, prices, and artist lineup on their website.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced as of press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 21-23, 2017:
"YOUBLOOMLA MUSIC SUMMIT & FESTIVAL" at various venues throughout greater L.A., CA; www.youbloom.com/youbloomla-2017
✔ TIX: earlybird tix for the conference, speaker sessions, etc., available online (beginning in April, but not for all events).
✔ THE SCENE: With successful festivals and "summit" conferences in multiple years in both L.A. and Dublin, Ireland, this festival uses multiple established music venues in L.A. and Pasadena. Organizers say, "[At] our festival of fresh talent... all kinds of international multi-genre acts are invited. So, press the magic button and take your first step towards worldwide exposure. Apply by June 16th. Artists will be notified by June 30th, 2017. Please email any questions to artists17LA@youbloom.com"
✔ NOTE: The "call to Apply to Play" at youbloomLA 2017 was issued in early April; check their site.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ tba
________________________________________
Sep 22 & 23, 2017:
"VENICE ART CRAWL" happens throughout Venice and Playa Vista, CA;
✔ TIX: will be available online.
✔ THE SCENE: This is a combination street festival and gallery festival with lots of music in full-time and impromptu venues. The organization's commitment to tunefulness is evidenced in their April 20th mini-festival/fundraiser, subtitled "Music Connects Us" (see listing). "The VAC’s mission is to preserve the arts in Venice, a place that has historically been known as a vibrant and dynamic art community. Our goal is to share, inspire and promote collaboration within the Venice community through mixers and art events. We are an all volunteer run non-profit organization which is a committee of the Venice Chamber of Commerce."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 22 & 23, 2017:
"BADGER CLARK COWBOY POETRY & MUSIC GATHERING" in Hot Springs, South Dakota; www.badgerclarkgathering.com
✔ TIX: Info not yet posted by press time (mid-Apr, 2017).
✔ CAMPING: No, but you're surrounded by Nat'l Parks, Nat'l Monuments, & Nat'l Forests, so with wheels, you can find camping.
✔ THE SCENE: Badger Clark (1883-1957), renowned cowboy poet, was South Dakota's first Poet Laureate. This is "a cultural festival, dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history, heritage and values of the cowboy lifestyle of the American West. Through cowboy poetry and western music lyrics, an oral history of the American cowboy is shared. Badger Clark Cowboy Music & Poetry Gathering is held each fall in the Historic Western Town of Hot Springs, South Dakota."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
Different venues each of the two days figure-in prominently.
- - - -
(Fri artists/events at the Kaan Ranch Wagon Barn:)
♪ Bunkhouse Tales
♪ Steak Fry
♪ Music & Poetry in the barn and on the deck
- - - -
(Sat artists/events at the Mueller Center in Hot Springs:)
♪ Poet's Workshop
♪ Poets on stage
♪ An afternoon with Pegie Douglas featuring Badger Clark's life and poetry set to music
♪ Pegie Douglas and the Badger Sett Band (yep, two t's)
- - - -
(Sat evening concert:)
♪ Ramblin Rangers
♪ Suzie Knight
♪ Campfire Concerto, w/ Paul Larson, Kenny Putman, Boyd Bristol & Chet Murray
♪ Kenny Putnam, two-time SD Champion fiddler
________________________________________
Sep 23 & 24:
"FRIED CHICKEN FESTIVAL" expands to two days, moves to the riverfront in Woldenberg Park, New Orleans, Louisiana; http://friedchickenfestival.com
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Located on 16 acres of land that once housed old wharves and warehouses, Woldenberg Park stretches from Canal Street and Aquarium of the Americas to Jackson Square. "The event will... feature a healthy dose of live local music, as well as additional programming like a cooking demo stage that will be headlined by chef Jeff Henderson of “Flip My Food” fame." Last year "...the event’s surprisingly high turnout—upwards of 40,000 people in Lafayette Square—created plenty of growing pains as the celebration was plagued by long lines and low inventories." Now, it's moved, expanded, and "planning for 100,000 attendees." The food? “We’re coveting some of the well-known fried chicken vendors in Los Angeles, New York and Houston," Cleveland Spers III, whose 'Spears Groups' puts on the festival," told New Orleans' based "Offbeat" music and arts journal. He added, “We truly believe that this can be a national food festival.” The 2017 Fried Chicken Festival will see the return of the fried chicken competition, which will be settled by a panel of judges.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (early April, 2017).
♪ Music on two stages, cooking demos on a third stage. It promises to "feature a healthy dose of live local music."
________________________________________
Sep 26-30, 2017:
"IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS" in Raleigh, NC.; https://ibma.org.
✔ TIX: Festival ticket sales are online; that began April 4 for IBMA mbrs; tix available to gen. public starting Apr 18, 2017.
✔ CAMPING: No, but it's 15 mins to North Carolina State Fairgrounds Camping (email Lindsay Acord at Lindsay.Acord@ncagr.gov and note “IBMA WOB 2017 RV” in the subject line).
✔ NOTE 1: FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD: Currently, their site has "Bluegrass Ramble," an album of THIRTY SONGS from last year's festival as a free download (desktop or laptop only).
✔ NOTE 2: IBMA is the International Bluegrass Music Association. It is, in the bluegrass world, everything that the Grammys organization is for the pop music industry.
✔ THE SCENE: The event brings a conference, awards, showcases, gigs all over town, and a festival. "World of Bluegrass is the annual bluegrass music homecoming, a multifaceted industry event and festival with hundreds of offerings for every bluegrass professional and fan."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ It's enormous, all over Raleigh in multiple venues, and it's only partially determined as of press time (early April, 2017). See the event website.
________________________________________
Sep 28, 2017:
"TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS" at Carthage Civic Center, Carthage, TX; 903-472-8008; www.texascountrymusicassociation.org
✔ TIX: Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: An awards show with a festival feel. Texas Country Music Association's annual awards show. "The Texas Country Music Association, Inc., is pleased to announce that the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards show is scheduled to be held on September 28, 2017 at the Carthage Civic Center in Carthage TX. Nominations will begin in May, 2017 and will be accepted from Fans well as the Texas Country Music Association members online. TCMA Executive Vice President, Nathan Hunnicutt states, 'The Country scene in Texas is saturated with immense talent, so this is an opportunity to highlight artists who really stand out — people who are making waves in the Industry. The Texas Country Music Association is a statewide organization, so we're producing a red carpet event that will make any Texan proud.' Texas Country Music Association, Inc. Founder and President, Linda Wilson said, 'I'm very excited to be producing the Texas Country Music Awards, and I know that we will be able to shine a light on the greatest talent that resides in and travels through our state. The fan participation in Texas is tremendous, so we expect an incredible amount of involvement from Country Music fans during our nomination and voting processes. For fans, this is an opportunity to support their favorite Texas artists and help them advance even further.'"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Mark Chesnutt
♪ Brandon Rhyder
♪ Doug Supernaw
♪ Bri Bagwell
♪ Del Way
♪ and more tba
________________________________________
Sep 28-Oct 1, 2017:
26th annual "OLD WEST DAYS & NEBRASKA COWBOY POETRY GATHERING" in Valentine, Nebraska; www.oldwestdays.net
✔ NOTE: Those who have installed Facebook's ubiquitous spyware in their devices may find info the rest of us cannot see, at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/nebraskacowboypoetry
✔ TIX: Not yet announced by press time (mid-Apr, 2017).
✔ CAMPING: (see note)
✔ THE SCENE: (see note)
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ See "note" above.
________________________________________
✔ NEWLY ADDED listing, 05/23:
Sep 29 & 30, 2017:
6th annual "GET SHAMROCKED IRISH MUSIC FEST 2017" in Town Square Park, 24701 Jefferson Av, Murrieta, CA; www.GetShamrocked.com
✔ TIX: available online; 2-day pass $40 (adv only); one-day Fri $20 adv / $25 gate (if not sold-out - see Note 1); one-day Sat $30 adv / $35 gate (if not sold-out - see Note 1).
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: In 2015, when this fest was still gaining momentum, the Guide proclaimed to our readers, "This is a big-deal Irish / Celtic music event." Now, the event itself is saying, "'Get Shamrocked' is California's Premier Irish music festival featuring 15 brilliant bands gathered from across the planet over two days of pure Celtic magic." (As you can tell, they have a good promo writer.) Town Square Park is "the perfect venue" with free parking and a flat, grassed area, "with huge stage and natural amphitheater." The site is wheelchair accessible. Get Shamrocked has "a vendor village with all kinds of merchandise and goods with food trucks to satisfy all appetites." They continue, "Fueled by Monster Energy the Festival was born in September 2012 and instantly we knew something special was going to emerge from our humble beginnings. After only four previous events, Get Shamrocked has quickly become the number-one Celtic Music Festival on the West Coast." The festival is produced by the year-round Shamrock Irish Pub & Eatery in Murrieta so it's "Based in the heart of the Temecula Valley and wine country in Murrieta, Southern California..." They avoid noting that the area's brutal heat of summer has abated by late September by saying, "Southern California has gained global iconic status with glorious weather guaranteed. It's the perfect place for to gather like-minded Celtic music lovers for a festival experience that makes you forget the rest of the world and party and dance in a 'no attitude' crowd. One stage means the focus is all about the music. And with Guinness & Jameson Irish Whiskey, Magners & Ballast Point all part of the story, along with great food trucks, it is without doubt the best way to enjoy the live music from the rip-roaring Friday night high energy Celtic hammer to the Saturday Irish Rock, Folk & Trad."
✔ NOTE 1: The festival tells the Guide, "This could be the first year that our two-day festival sells-out in advance!" Evidence? (a) in 2015, they doubled their crowd, and (b) The festival's annual 2017 "Launch Party" is in distant San Diego, and it sold-out months in advance; allm of which suggests you should get your two-day festival pass (or single-day tix) promptly.
✔ NOTE 2: This is an age 21+ festival and all patrons must show photo ID before entering the grounds.
✔ NOTE 3: Volunteers needed; e-mail Liza at: volunteer@getshamrocked.com
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
(Fri, starting at 4:15 pm:)
♪ Craic Haus
♪ OnOff
♪ Hoist the Colors
♪ Mickey Rickshaw
♪ The Go Set
♪ Flatfoot 56
- - - -
(Sat, noon-11 pm:)
♪ Kilmainham Boys
♪ Key of Whiskey
♪ The McKintree Boys
♪ Brick Top Blaggers
♪ Quel Bordel
♪ 1916
♪ Enter the Haggis
♪ The Fighting Jamesons
♪ Gaelic Storm
________________________________________
Sep 29 & 30, 2017:
"WESTERN DAYS FESTIVAL" in Old Town Lewisville, Main & Church Streets, City of Lewisville, TX 75029; 972-219-3710; www.lewisvillewesterndays.com
✔ TIX: Free until 7 pm with ticket you printout from their site. After 7 pm, it's $10 per person.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Three festival stages feature national and regional live music; Bluegrass, Country, Cowboy, Folk/Acoustic, Rockabilly, Western Swing music, Cowboy poetry, Fiddling contests, and Rodeo. Plus the Cattle Drive Parade – featuring 20-30 head of Texas longhorns. And Native American singers and dancers, the World Tamale Eating Championship, and car shows. "Old Town Lewisville will be filled with staged gunfights, stick horse rodeo riders, world champion competitive eaters, gourmet chefs, Old West artifacts, and the best of Texas country music at the annual Western Days festival."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Site still shows 2016 lineup, as of early April, 2017.
________________________________________
Sep 30, 2017:
35th annual "FIDDLE & BANGO CONTEST AND CHILI COOK-OFF" at Columbia State Historic Park, Main St & State St, Columbia, CA 95310; www.columbiacalifornia.com; www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com/event/annual-fiddle-bango-chili
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: The "Fiddle & Bango Contest (yes, 'bango') is held at the gazebo in Columbia State Historic Park. More than 40 musicians compete for prizes in the following categories: fiddle, banjo, vocal, guitar, mandolin, miscellaneous, and original song. The grand prize is a gold nugget, and there are cash prizes in each category. The entry fee per category is $15 and contestants sign up between 9 and 10:30 am. The Fiddle & Bango Contest is free to the viewing public. Bring lawn chairs, hats and sunscreen. T-shirts will be available for sale ($20). All ages and music genres are represented in this contest, which is sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Competition begins promptly at 10:30 am, and continues all day, 10:30 am-4 pm, except for a lunch break, which features a CHILI COOK-OFF ($5). Located in the heart of the California Mother Lode, Columbia State Historic Park is a living gold rush town featuring the largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state. Visiting Columbia is like traveling back in time to the sights, smells, and sounds of a nineteenth century mining town—merchants dressed in 1850s attire, a whiff of coal smoke from the blacksmith shop, and the rumble of a stagecoach pulling into town. Spend the day enjoying fun activities for the whole family. Pan for gold, explore exhibits, ride the stagecoach, discover unique shops, and learn about the rich history of the California gold rush on a guided town tour." For more information, call 209-536-1672.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Sep 30-Oct 2, 2017:
"SABOR DE MEXICO LINDO" is centered at 6330 Pacific Bl, in Huntington Park, CA; 323-585-1155; www.hpchamber.org
✔ TIX: It's free, with free parking in public lots.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This one qualifies as an accordion festival. There are two "major concert-stages with professional entertainment..." and "The Plaza de Mariachi returns for its fifth outing." This downtown festival, nine blocks long, is on Pacific Bl from Florence Av to Randolph St. "Throughout its years of history, as the popularity and attendance of the Festival has grown, so has its size and quality. The Festival brings together more than 150 commercial, food, arts and crafts and corporate exhibitors, a free health fair, two amusement and carnival areas, a petting zoo, plus Menudo Contests and food samplings. the restaurants and residents compete in two Menudo Cooking Contests, plus the children's hand-made piñatas judging-contest. For three days and nights, the Festival opens its doors to the public free-of-charge." Runs Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 11 am-11 pm, Sun 11 am-10 pm.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Oct 5-7, 2017:
"PONDEROSA STOMP" Festival in New Orleans, LA; www.ponderosastomp.com
✔ TIX: $70-$130.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: "The Ponderosa Stomp Festival began as an annual blowout show put on by the members of the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau, who made it their mission to rediscover and triumphantly return to the stage hundreds of the architects of American music. Over the years, it has grown and generated respect and developed a devoted and impassioned following among American music aficionados, fans, musicologists and contemporary music critics worldwide. The Festival has expanded to include a Music History Conference, Clandestine Celluloid Film Series, Hip Drop DJ Party, and record show, in addition to the two nights of legendary music performances at the Ponderosa Stomp Concert."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Gary U.S. Bonds
♪ Linda Gail Lewis
♪ The Texas Honky Tonk Revue featuring Frankie Miller, Darrell McCall & James Hand
♪ Barbara Lynn
♪ Roy Head
♪ Lil’ Buck Sinegal & The Top Cats
________________________________________
Oct 5-7, 2017:
"FALL SKUNK MUSIC FEST" at The SkunkFarm, 4063 Jordan Rd, Greer, SC; http://albinoskunk.com
✔ TIX: Online ticketing will be available when announced. Prices for the 2017 SPRING fest were: 3-day $130, 2-day $95, 1-day $40-$55; youth tix substantially less.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Albino Skunk Music Fest has two events a year — one in the spring (in April, see listing), and this one in the fall. Originally founded as a bluegrass music festival, SkunkFest now features all sorts of mostly acoustic music – including Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Alt. Country, Acoustic, Roots and Bluegrass. "SkunkFest is held on the grounds of Glynn and Susan Zeigler’s old farm place north of Greer. SkunkFest was initially private but is now open to the music-loving public. Local food vendors, Craft beers served up by The Community Tap, Handmade Crafts and Kiddieland with playground, activities, kid’s shows & drive-in movie are some of the attractions besides the phenomenal music. Primitive tent camping & RV Camping area (sorry no hook-ups) on site within easy walking distance to everything. No shuttles needed from camping areas or our parking lot. The festival got its name from the sightings of white skunks on the grounds. (Well, mostly white with a dark stripe – they’re not true albinos!) Each fall, we have a ‘theme’ for the fest, featuring original drawings of the Albino Skunk characters promoting all sorts of topical and not-so topical themes. It’s all part of the fun. We are proud of our natural setting and laid back atmosphere that takes you away from the stress and anxieties of modern living. Our goal is to provide a ‘family reunion’ atmosphere and introduce you to new talent that may very well become your next favorite band."
✔ 2017 LINEUP: (Fall Fest)
♪ Not announced as of press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Oct 5-8, 2017:
12th Annual "JOSHUA TREE FESTIVAL FALL" in Joshua Tree, CA; http://joshuatreemusicfestival.com/index.html
✔ TIX: available online (earlybird rates).
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ NOTE: The Spring and fall editions are different as night and day. "The fall fest differs musically with artists of the more rootsicana-newgrassy-folkadelic realms."
✔ THE SCENE: "These independently produced music festivals [Spring and Fall] are held annually in the shadows of the infamous National Park. [They called it "infamous." The Guide certainly didn't!] They are two (of the very few) multi-day campout music festivals in Southern California featuring live music. Music lovers of all ages enjoy this phenomenal live music in an intimate setting and magical surroundings. The spring festival features an eclectic line up of performers; dance-world-electro-funk'n groove. The fall fest differs musically with artists of the more rootsicana-newgrassy-folkadelic realms. The two different musical stylings create distinct audiences at the festivals, but many folks do attend both. The town of Joshua Tree is located in the high desert of the magical Mojave, 50 minutes from Palm Springs, 2.5 hour drive from LA, 3 from San Diego, 3.5 from Vegas, and 5 from Phoenix, at the entrance to the world renowned national park."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced (as of the end of March).
________________________________________
Oct 5-8, 2017:
66th annual "REX ALLEN DAYS" at the Willcox Historic Theater, 134 N Railroad Av, Willcox, Az 85643, and other Willcox venues; 520-312-9332 or 520-216-0062; www.rexallendays.org
✔ TIX: Not yet announced
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Voted 2016's "Best Southern Arizona Annual Event" by Arizona Foothills Magazine, it features music, a rodeo, a parade that features buffalo soldiers from Fort Huachuca, and the Annual Cowboy Hall of Fame Banquet. The festival raises money for local charities in town on on the Indian Reservation. Events include a Rodeo Queen Competition and appearances by Rex Allen Jr., and other Western movie and TV entertainers. There are re-enacted Old West gunfights, antique tractor pulls, Cowboy Poetry entertainers, a Rex Jr. Celebrity Panel Q & A, old Rex Allen movie showings, a gunshow, a car show, and a special Wine & Cheese Benefit for the Rex Allen Museum.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
♪ The 2 shows on Saturday will feature the final public musical performances of Rex Allen Jr, before he retires.
- - - -
♪ The festival will include "many live entertainers during the Fair and Carnival at Keiller Park this year, starting Friday, Oct 6th!"
♪ Schedule and artists/bands are promised "soon" on their website.
________________________________________
Oct 5-8, 2017:
29th annual "DURANGO COWBOY POETRY GATHERING" at 10 venues throughout town, hq at the Historic Strater Hotel & Theatre, 699 Main Av, Durango, CO ; www.durangocowboygathering.org
✔ TIX: Featured daytime performances (40 artists) are free. Each of the ten major events requires a separate ticket, priced from $10 to $40.
✔ CAMPING: No. But the surrounding Nat'l Forest has options.
✔ THE SCENE: The “heart” of the Gathering are the FREE "Daytime Sessions of Cowboy Poetry, Music, Storytelling and Folklore," 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, both days. That happens on three stages: in the Strater Hotel, General Palmer Hotel, and Rochester Hotel. These free stages feature a total of 40 invited performers, in four concurrent theme sessions every hour. In open sessions anyone can entertain. In addition to the western music and cowboy poetry/storytelling, there's a horse-drawn parade with prizes, chuck wagon cookout, trail rides, a trip on the steam-powered narrow-gauge railroad to Silverton, and events on a ranch and at/in ten venues in this historic old mining town. "The Gathering is an exciting, fun-filled event with evening performances and Saturday daytime sessions. Poets and musicians from throughout the country grace our intimate stage at the Diamond Circle Theatre, performing classic and contemporary poems and songs that will bring tears to your eyes and keep you in stitches. The Durango Cowboy Gathering, Inc. is a non-profit organization working to preserve and perpetuate the traditions of working ranch people in the American West. We celebrate the lifeways of rural people by creating the 'campfire' around which anyone with an interest can come to share in the appreciation of the culture and traditions unique to the West. Monies received support our annual Gathering and youth programs."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(daytime featured performers, free shows:)
♪ Andy Hedges - Lubbock, Texas
♪ Victor Anderson - Estes Park, Colorado
♪ "Straw" Berry Cordell - Oklahoma
♪ Marleen Bussma - Dammeron Valley, Utah
♪ Marty Blocker - Cody, Nebraska
♪ Dominic Farrenkopf - Hamilton, Montana
♪ Doug Figgs - Lemitar, New Mexico
♪ Hanson Family - Veneta, Oregon
♪ Slim McWilliams - Lewis, Colorado
♪ Ken and Lynne Mikell - Verde Valley, Arizona
♪ Miss V – The Gypsy Cowbelle - Thermopolis, Wyoming
♪ Terry Nash - Loma, Colorado
♪ Sam Noble - Durango, Colorado
♪ Kay Kelley Nowell - Alpine, Texas
♪ Luke Reed - Santa Fe, New Mexico
♪ Jake Riley - Kearney, Nebraska
♪ Dennis Russell - Cimarron, New Mexico
♪ Lindy Simmons - Mancos, Colorado
♪ Del Smith - Ridgway, Colorado
♪ Tom Swearingen - Tualatin, Oregon
♪ Yampa Valley Boys - Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- - - -
(Thu evening:)
♪ Andy Nelson
♪ R.P. Smith
♪ Terry Henderson
♪ Gary McMahan
- - - -
(Fri & Sat evening, 1 show:)
♪ Gary McMahan
♪ RP Smith
♪ Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns
♪ Pat Meade
♪ Floyd Beard
- - - -
(Fri & Sat evening, other show:)
♪ Terry Henderson
♪ Andy Nelson
♪ Otto Rosfeld
♪ Yvonne Hollenbeck
♪ Trinity Seely
________________________________________
Oct 6-8, 2017:
17th annual "HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS" in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA; www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: It's enormous, having become the biggest free music festival in America. It features over 100 musical artists on 7 stages. The SF Chronicle says, "This is the great gift of Warren Hellman, the one and only, to not only the City of San Francisco, but the world of music." SF Gate adds, "Things You Must Do in The Bay Area Before You Die: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass." It's "Three days of treating you ears" to "Totally free live music in the park." HSB for short is an annual free and non-commercial music festival held the first weekend of October in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Conceived and subsidized by San Francisco venture capitalist Warren Hellman, the festival has been held every year since the first event in 2001. The only downside? It's so enormous (and yeah, crowded) that it really isn't possible to migrate from stage to stage, like at other multi-stage festivals. Here's some history of this astonishing event: "The first festival, which was simply titled 'Strictly Bluegrass,' took place on Saturday, October 27, 2001, and had a small but impressive lineup. Hellman’s one major request was that Hazel Dickens play the festival, and again, he got his way. Hazel Dickens appeared on the Main Stage, as did Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek, while a handful of other bands took to the Small Stage. As word of the free concert got out, the crowds started flocking to GG Park each October. The concert expanded from one day to three, and the lineups grew to include other bluegrass and country favorites such as Gillian Welch, Steve Earle and Robert Earl Keen, and without an ounce of egotism or much fanfare, Hellman himself, playing banjo with his band, the Wronglers. The roster soon grew to include typically non-bluegrass/country acts like Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann, Neko Case, and Conor Oberst. It was the inclusion of such non-bluegrass acts that led Hellman to add the 'Hardly' to the title of the festival in 2004, and it’s been Hardly Strictly ever since."
✔ NOTE: Webcasts of past year's festivals are archived at their site.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (early April, 2017).
♪ Without doubt, you'll see some of the biggest names in Bluegrass and Americana music, as always at this festival.
________________________________________
Oct 6-8, 2017:
3rd Annual "DIRTYBIRD CAMPOUT FESTIVAL" in Silverado, CA; http://dirtybirdcampout.com
✔ TIX: available online; earlybird flash sale is on JUNE 17 at 10 am.
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ This one may be turning less folky and more techo; the lineup is not yet announced, so we can't say for sure. So we're reading the tea leaves.
✔ THE SCENE: "Between the summer camp-style games, the mouth-watering barbecue and the legendary music, there’s a lot to love about Dirtybird Campout! In this rare, insider interview our very own Counselor VonStroke sat down to share a preview on what we can expect in the 2017 edition of Dirtybird Campout. Including a few words on why this year will be the best one yet."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced (as of the end of March).
________________________________________
Oct 6-8, 2017:
28th annual "LONE PINE FILM FESTIVAL" at the Lone Pine Museum of Film History and Lone Pine High School, Lone Pine, CA; 760-876-1152; www.lonepinefilmfestival.org
✔ TIX: Full festival passes will be available online in June. Day passes, available only at the box office, are $30 and permit access to all movies and panels for that specific day.
✔ CAMPING: No, but there are plenty of nearby options.
✔ THE SCENE: The event includes concerts from top Western music stars. TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz returns this year to host the Saturday evening keynote program featuring Scott Eyman, author of definitive biographies of John Ford and John Wayne. Eyman’s new book explores the 50-year friendship between Henry Fonda and James Stewart, along with a screening of their film, "The Cheyenne Social Club." True West Editor Bob Boze Bell; Paul Andre Hutton, author of "Apache Wars"; and John Lagellier, author of "Fighting for Uncle Sam: Buffalo Soldiers in the Frontier Army," will explore the "reel" versus "real" stories of the American Indian Wars through screenings and panel discussions. A further highlight this year will be a tribute to Robert Mitchum, in honor of his 100th birthday. Following a screening of his first starring role in "Nevada," Western producer/historian Rob Word will interview Mitchum’s daughter, Petrine. Additional topics, celebrities and panels will be posted on the festival website as they are finalized. Master of Ceremonies is award-winning cowboy poet Larry Maurice. Guest authors and panelists include Cheryl Rogers Barnett, Bob Boze Bell, Scott Eyman, Paul Andre Hutton, John Lagellier, Wyatt McCrea, Petrine Day Mitchum, William Wellman, and Rob Word.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Music lineup not announced by press time (late April, 2017).
________________________________________
Oct 6-8, 2017:
45th annual "NATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL" at the International Storytelling Center, 116 W Main St, Jonesborough, TN 37659; http://store.storytellingcenter.net
✔ TIX: 3-day adult $165, sr $150, child (age 6-17) $145; Sat & Sun tix $140/$130/$120; single-day tix range from $110-$55 adult, $105-$50 sr, $100-$45 child, based on which day. Extra events cost extra. The Yarnspinner Party is $100; Midnight Cabaret Friday is $20; Ghost Story Fri or Sat are each $10. Pre-Festival Concerts are $20 each.
✔ CAMPING: Nearby; the site has a list of state and other campgrounds, with contact info.
✔ THE SCENE: The Festival, acclaimed as one of the Top 100 Events in North America, has, as it's grown, sparked a renaissance of storytelling across the country. The organizers say, "after years of scientific research in 17 different fields, analysts conclude that storytelling is our most powerful tool for effective communication." In addition to the festival's main stage, there's "Swappin' Ground" tradition in Storytelling Park; the "Yarnspinners' Party"; "Ghost Stories" with frightening tales beneath the nighttime sky; the "Story Slam!"; the "Exchange Place" of "Diverse American storytelling"; the "Midnight Cabaret" with its "Rollicking, grown-up fun"; a Wine and Beer Garden, and the festival's "Marketplace." Special events are presented during the Festival weekend and before, with "pre-festival concerts" on Wednesday & Thursday evening. If you go, catch all you can. A bit o' historY: "Over 40 years ago, a high school journalism teacher and a carload of students heard Grand Ole Opry regular Jerry Clower spin a tale over the radio about coon hunting in Mississippi. And the teacher, Jimmy Neil Smith, had a sudden inspiration: Why not have a storytelling festival right here in northeast Tennessee? On a warm October weekend in 1973 in historic Jonesborough, the first National Storytelling Festival was held. Hay bales and wagons were the stages, and audience and tellers together didn’t number more than 60. It was tiny, but something happened that weekend that forever changed our culture, this traditional art form, and the little Tennessee town... As news of the Festival and of the movement aired on national television and in magazines as diverse as Los Angeles Times Magazine, Reader’s Digest, People, and Smithsonian, the story of how a happenstance hearing of a folktale on a car radio ignited a national movement. Did the story get told again and again because people like stories about innocent beginnings, or because they like to marvel at what can happen with the serendipitous timing of a good story and a carload of receptive listeners, or simply because it’s a colorful tale? No matter the reason, it’s a classic example of how a simple story breathes life into information people want to share with each other. As millions of story lovers all over the world already know, there is no substitute for the power, simplicity, and basic truth of the well-told story."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
Carmen Deedy
Corinne Stavish
♪ Sheila Kay Adams; 7th generation ballad singer
♪ Willy Claflin; musician & storyteller
♪ Claudia Schmidt - New Voice; powerful vocalist
Vicki Juditz
Ben Haggarty - International Teller
Anne Shimojima - New Voice
Oba William King - New Voice
Josh Goforth - New Voice
Bil Lepp
Megan Wells
Donald Davis
Geraldine Buckley
Lyn Ford
♪ David Holt; Four-time Grammy award winning musician
Jim May; Emmy award-winning storyteller
Gene Tagaban
________________________________________
Oct 7 & 8, 2017:
"TICKET TO THE TWENTIES" at the Homestead Museum, 15415 E Don Julian Rd, City of Industry, CA 91745; 626-968-8492; www.homesteadmuseum.org/festivals
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: The music of the 1920s-era is a pure delight, and this is probably the only place you can hear multiple bands perform it live, including vocalists who perfectly replicate the styles. Silent movies screen with live piano and organ accompaniment, just as they did when the great movie palaces were built. Special exhibitions and tours of the museum are free during the festival. Period dress is encouraged — and Prohibition is strictly enforced! There's a car, truck and tractor show of vehicles of the era. safely distanced from the stages, you can listen to hand-crank Victrolas playing the very thick records of the time. And you can even bring a picnic to enjoy in the museum’s picnic area or by the picturesque pond, and many do that in full a920s style. Bring spending money for food and shopping. Runs 3-7 pm both days; arrive a bit early to get parking, because the lots fill-up completely.
✔ NOTE: Free ONLINE MUSIC. Get a blast from the early days of recorded music with the Homestead's "Ticket to the Twenties" playlist. It features music from past festival artists and 1920s hits. Everything from festival artists Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys, Ian Whitcomb, and Dean Mora, to vintage originals by Duke Ellington, Paul Whiteman, Eddie Cantor, and many more. You must be logged in to Spotify to listen (https://www.spotify.com/us/). Then click the festival's link.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (early April, 2017).
♪ Music will happen on two stages.
________________________________________
Oct 7 & 8, 2017:
39th annual "FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL" at the Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W Gurley St, two blocks W of the Courthouse Plaza, Prescott, AZ ; 602-445-3122; https://sharlot.org/az-history-adventures/yearly-festivals
✔ TIX: dailt admission, $10 adults, $8 museum members, free for age 17 and under.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE: PERFORMER APPLICATIONS are being accepted online (late Apr, 2017).
✔ THE SCENE: It's the longest-running folk music event in Arizona, with 200-plus musicians and more than 90 groups performing on four stages throughout the Museum's four-acre campus. "This premier event includes educational and informative workshops on musical history, musical styles and iconic musicians. There are plenty of opportunities to jam on our beautiful grounds - the porch on the historic Territorial Governor's Mansion has proven to be a popular venue year after year. If you are a musician, be sure to bring your instrument - all levels are welcome." Throughout the two-day event, workshops on a wide range of musical subjects are conducted by the performers and group members.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (late Apr, 2017); see above note.
________________________________________
Oct 12-15, 2017:
28th annual "LINCOLN COUNTY COWBOY SYMPOSIUM" at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, 26225 U S Hwy 70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346; 575-378-4140; www.cowboysymposium.org
✔ TIX: "a variety of ticket packages available this year. Call 575-378-4140." Daily Admission $20; Sunday admission $5. Thu or Fri night concerts are $75 each. The sat dance is $50. Other individual event tix vary from $15-$25.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: There are three music stages all day and one main stage at night, all with dance floors and open spaces. Lincoln County was where Billy the Kid rode, but there's no mention of that in the promo. This one calls itself, "The nation's finest cowboy festival with old west storytellers, noted historians, poets, musicians, chuckwagon cook-offs, western artists and craftsmen, cowboy competitions, horse demonstrations, western swing dancing, kids rodeo and educational activities." In 1996, the symposium was selected as the "Best Cowboy Cultural Event" by the National Cowboy Symposium Association. In addition, the LCCS has been named one of North America's top 100 events by the American Bus Association. This year includes the "Albertson's Market LCCS World Championship Chuckwagon Cook-off Competition. "To reserve a plate, mark your calendars for June 1st when tickets go on sale." The 2017 Western Expo will feature over 100 booths from all over the country.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(daytime:)
♪ The Time Jumpers
♪ Moe Bandy
♪ Jody Nix
♪ Dave Alexander Band
♪ Janie Fricke
♪ Coby carter
♪ Tommy Allsup
♪ Billy Mata
♪ Tawnya Reynolds
- - - -
(Thu eve concert:)
♪ Asleep at the Wheel
♪ Red Steagall
♪ Dave Alexander Band
- - - -
(Fri eve concert:)
♪ Bri Bagwell
♪ Tracy Byrd
- - - -
(Sat eve concert:)
♪ Floyd Domino Trio
♪ Mickey Gilley
♪ Jody Nix
________________________________________
Oct 12-15, 2017:
"FESTIVALS ACADIENS ET CREOLES" is FREE in Girard Park, Lafayette, Louisiana; www.festivalsacadiens.com
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE 1: KRVS, "Radio Acadie," broadcasts live from the festival grounds. Interviews, as well as live music, will hit the airwaves throughout festival weekend. Listen to that, and CATCH CAJUN MUSIC ANYTIME on their live stream, at: http://krvs.org
✔ NOTE 2: Dick Brainard has a special hotel rate for Cajun-Zydeco dancers and aficionados at the Ramada Inn in Lafayette during this festival. He tells us, "Our rate will again be $65 + tax/night. This rate will apply from Wed., Oct 11 through Mon, Oct 16." Email Dick for the needed booking code at dickbrainard@gmail.com. Then call the hotel to reserve, at 337-233-6815 and ask for Carla.
✔ THE SCENE: If you want REAL, TRADITIONAL, CAJUN MUSIC, this is the one. Several parallel and affiliated festivals that include folk craft celebrations. The music fest, " Festival de Musique," has six stages and happens "beneath the spreading oaks of Girard Park in Lafayette, LA... 'Festival de Musique Acadienne' now attracts Louisiana's best Cajun and Zydeco bands and draws thousands of people from across the country and around the world. 'Festival de Musique Acadienne,' celebrating 36 years of entertainment, originated as the 'Tribute to Cajun Music Festival,' an event that was designed to attract and educate the younger generation to the traditional values of the Cajun culture... Celebrate the rhythm of Cajun and Creole life... Dance to a traditional waltz. Two-step to the upbeat rhythms of accordions, fiddles and ti fers (triangles). Step back in time as traditional crafters demonstrate their artistry. Festivals Acadiens et Créoles pays tribute to the Cajun and Creole cultures with a combination of FREE festivals. Held the second weekend in October!"
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Oct 13-15, 2017:
4th annual "BOB WILLS FIDDLE FESTIVAL & CONTEST" at multiple venues in Greenville, TX; https://www.twinfiddleproductions.com
✔ TIX: Watch their website.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Western swing is the Official State Music of Texas. Aphorisms like, "If you're gonna play in Texas, you've gotta have a fiddle in the band" are alive and well (and taken seriously in the Lone Star State). This festival is all about celebreation the rich legacy of that heritage and making sure it continues in the hands of accomplished and talented young players alike.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (late-April, 2017).
♪ This event books Grammy noms and winners and other top acts.
________________________________________
Oct 14 & 15, 2017:
"SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES" in Seaside Park at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Bl, Ventura CA; www.seaside-games.com
✔ TIX: Discount tix through Oct 1 are $18 single-day, $28 two days; Seniors & military $15 single-day, $23 two days. At the gate, $20 single-day, $30 two days; seniors & military $17 one-day, $25 two days; children age 6-12, $5 two day tix. Free for children age 5 & under.
✔ NOTE 1: the festival kicks-off Fri, Oct 13, with a concert and Scottish evening at the Four Points (separate ticket).
✔ NOTE 2: To enter the games (Scottish Heavy Athletics, etc., men's and women's), contact Rick LaVallee at caberdroper@gmail.com
✔ CAMPING: Yes, for RVs only.
✔ THE SCENE: It's a large, well-run, respected and respectable Scottish/Celtic festival with plenty of music and trad highland games that include Scottish Heavy Athletics — or, as the festival promo always put it, "Large men throwing stuff." There's also Whisky Tasting. With its Massed Pipebands, parades and competition, the sanctioned Scottish Fiddling Competition, sheepdog herding demonstrations, Scottish Entertainers, Clan Tents, Children's Glen, British and Scottish Food, Highland Dancing, Battle Re-enactments, and classic British car show, the Festival atmosphere will transport you to the Scotland of yesterday and of today and will lay before you the music, dance, games, food and drink of that great culture.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(music stages:)
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
♪ Expect a solid mix of nationally-touring trad Celtic, Scottish, Irish, and Celtic rock.
- - - -
(Scottish Country dancing in McBride Hall:)
This one is booked:
♪ Traditional dance demos on Saturday.
On Sunday, it's primarily a music stage, with:
♪ Rigel (local scottish folk and dance music group)
♪ Three for Joy (upbeat young Scottish music/country dance)
♪ The annual open Celtic Jam Session
- - - -
♪ Plus, contestants perform in the sanctioned Scottish Fiddling Competition
________________________________________
Oct 20-22, 2017:
"LOGANDALE FALL FESTIVAL" in the Clark Co. Fairgrounds, Logandale, NV; http://logandalefallfestival.com
✔ TIX: not yet available. Site shows 2016 prices of $10 one-day, $30 three-day.
✔ CAMPING: may be limited to dry RV camping; in 2016, camping included ONE 3-day pass.
✔ THE SCENE: Temps have cooled-down by late October. This fest began many years ago as a purely bluegrass festival. Now it has many added aspects. "With a Bluegrass Festival–BBQ Cookoff–Craft & Stuff Show–Kids Zone–Small Animal Fair–Rock and Gem Show... this is an annual festival in Nevada's Moapa Valley, in the town of Logandale." That's off I-15, NE of Las Vegas, on the way to the interstate's dramatically scenic trip through the Virgin River Canyon (which is a must-do drive).
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced: their site still shows the 2016 bands, which were:
Cassidy Shewmake Project
Chris Cerna and the Bluegrass Republic
Desperado Bluegrass Band
Frequent Flyers
Get Down Boys
Grasslands
James Reams and the Barnstormers
Johnny Campbell and the Bluegrass Drifters
One Button Suit
Out of the Desert
Pittman Wash All Star Strings
Stillhouse Road
stillhouse-road-band-photo
Stuck in Reverse
________________________________________
Oct 26-29, 2017:
7th annual "HANGTOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL" at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Dr, Placerville, CA 95667; http://hangtownfestival.com
✔ TIX: $40 – $170.50. "A very limited number of 'Blind Faith' [pre-lineup announcement] 4-Day Passes" with deep adv.discounts went on sale Apr 13, at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hangtown-music-festival-2017-tickets-33469566374?aff=bucket
✔ CAMPING: Yes.
✔ THE SCENE: Along with a record of fine lineups, it's family-friendly with extensive kids activities. A hallmark of this one is: "For those who like to enjoy music into the wee hours, our Late Night shows offer unique musical pairings for fans of all tastes. All artists performing in Late Night shows also perform on the daytime stages." The Guide's 2016 advance coverage concluded, "This one warrants a road trip."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced by press time (mid-April, 2017).
♪ The 2016 lineup featured The Infamous Stringdusters, Railroad Earth, The Brothers Comatose, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Whiskey Shivers, and the great Joe Craven in a huge lineup.
________________________________________
Oct 27-29, 2017:
27th annual "RED STEAGALL COWBOY GATHERING AND WESTERN SWING FESTIVAL" at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, Ft. Worth, TX; http://redsteagallcowboygathering.com
✔ TIX: Not yet available. In 2016, 3-day tix without the Saturday Night Rodeo were $75, $90 with the rodeo; Child's Rodeo tix (ages 3-12) $15; daily all-access tix were $35-$40, with children age 12 and under free (excluding the rodeo). Tix box office: www.stockyardsrodeo.com ✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: This was "voted ‘Best Gathering and Best Family Event’ by the readers of American Cowboy Magazine." There's a 5-day wagon train journey/trail ride from an appreciable distance away and you can buy tix to participate. There are plenty of real trappings of the Old West. Organizers say, "Come enjoy these great events during the weekend: Wagon Train and Trail Ride from Jacksboro, Exciting Ranch Rodeo Action, Chuck Wagon Camp and Competition, Trappings Show, Cowboy Poetry and Cowboy Music, Ranch Cutting Horse Assn. Rodeo Finals, Youth Poetry Contest, Youth Fiddle Contest, Youth Chuck Wagon Cook-off, Texas Trail of Fame, Cowboy Church, Cowboy Gospel Concert, Western Swing Dances and NEW Texas Lone Star Open Live Bid Calling Contest."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet published at press time (mid-April, 2017).
♪ Last year featured top acts, including Don Edwards, Jean Prescott, R.W. Hampton, Kristyn Harris, and Red Steagall & The Boys in the Bunkhouse.
________________________________________
Sat, Oct 28, 2017: (prospective)
"GRAND AVE ARTS: ALL ACCESS, MUSIC CENTER ON TOUR" in ten venues throughout downtown Los Angeles; http://grandavearts.tumblr.com/ (still shows 2016 info at press time).
✔ TIX: It's free.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: From The Guide's 2016 write-up: "Using some iconic L.A. locations and venues, this brings a cavalcade of artists and rich variety of activities. There are kid-friendly performances to light up the family stage on The Music Center Plaza, and a vast offering of music in a bunch of venues nearby, atop Bunker Hill, inside the Music Center and beyond, ten venues, with informal activities all the way down the cascading Grand Park to across from City Hall Plaza, all a very big FREE deal." The 2016 event included Folk-Americana / roots artist Moira Smiley leading two sessions of "The Big Sing" for packed houses inside the Music Center for all who signed-up. Venues / major host institutions:
• Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N Grand Av.
• The Music Center including Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Music Center Plaza and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 135 N Grand Av.
• Grand Park, 200 N Grand Av.
• REDCAT at the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex: 631 W 2nd St.
• L.A. Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N Grand Av.
• L.A. Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Av.
• Los Angeles Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Av.
• MOCA, 250 S Grand Av.
• Colburn School of Music, 200 S Grand Av.
• Los Angeles Central Library: 630 W 5th St at Grand Av.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not announced by press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Oct 28-29, 2017: (Projected dates)
"SOUTH LOUISIANA BLACKPOT FESTIVAL AND COOKOFF" in Vermilionville, Louisiana; http://blackpotfestival.com
✔ TIX: will be online.
✔ CAMPING: Yes. Tix will be online.
✔ THE SCENE: "Walking distance from the Lafayette Regional Airport and several hotels, with considerable improvements over the old venue: bigger better dance floor, bigger chapel, more camping area!" Earlier promo: "The South Louisiana Black Pot Festival & Cookoff is one of the most unique festivals in Louisiana. Held annually at Lafayette’s Acadian Village, the festival celebrates its 5th year this October with two days of great music, dancing, food, camping & jamming. The festival is a cooperative of south Louisiana musicians, artists and Southern culture enthusiasts, creating an unprecedented gathering of south Louisiana’s hottest roots bands, as well as a number of groups from all over the country. Live performances range from Cajun & Zydeco, to Creole, Swing, Hot Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, Irish & Old-Time. Plus, an old-fashioned black pot cook-off, accordion contest, 'called' square dancing, and ample camping space for tents & RV’s."
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
________________________________________
Nov 3-4, 2017:
"THE WESTERN SLOPE COWBOY GATHERING" "featuring Cowboy Poetry and Western Music," at the Museum of the West, 462 Ute Av (at 5th), and the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S Fourth St (at Ute), Grand Junction, Colorado; www.westernslopecowboygathering.com
✔ TIX: Info not announced by press time (mid-Apr, 2017).
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Presented by the Museums of Western Colorado, the largest multi-disciplinary museum complex between Salt Lake City and Denver. But — other than getting their lineup announced early — there just isn't much online about this festival for this or past years.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Kristyn Harris
♪ Al Albrethsen
♪ Floyd Beard
♪ Valerie Beard
♪ Jerry "Brooksie" Brooks
♪ Nona Kelley Carver
♪ Great Western Heritage
♪ Annie Hughes
♪ Randy Huston
♪ Susie Knight
♪ Slim McWilliams
♪ Peggy Malone
♪ Terry Nash
♪ Dennis Russell
________________________________________
Nov 8-12, 2017:
"WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE & AWARDS" at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104; www.westernmusic.org
✔ TIX: will be available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ THE SCENE: Western Music is the folk music of the Western life style and vista. Like most other genres of Folk-Americana, the Grammys have no awards for any of its many rich facets — traditional or contemporary cowboy / ranch music, western swing, male and female vocalists, best band, best songwriter, best performance, etc. So, this event takes the place of those missing Grammys, and this is the music's annual global celebration. Some Western Music originates from roots in English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh ballads, as well as musical influences from the European countries of immigrants who "went west" and some carries jazz and blues origins. The WMA, with chapters worldwide, does for Western Music what the Grammy organization does for pop music. It celebrates and honors artists and their accomplishments and promotes and preserves history, culture, heritage of all genres of Western music, from cowboy ballads to original songwriting to western swing bands. The annual event offers numerous workshops and live performances, and always features plenty of jams. In addition to the prestigious awards determined by member votes, the event features Harmony, Yodeling & Poetry Contests. Wear your hat and they'll greet you with a big howdy.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
- - - -
(Wed, "Swing Dance Spectacular" features:)
♪ Syd Masters & The Swing Riders
♪ The Swing Sisters
- - - -
♪ Lineups for the many other events and concerts were not announced at press time (early April, 2017).
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Nov 11 & 12, 2017:
23rd annual "HARVEST FESTIVAL OF DULCIMERS" at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 2850 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; www.scdh.org
✔ TIX: will be available online.
✔ CAMPING: No.
✔ NOTE: Presented by the nonprofit Southern California Dulcimer Heritage (SCDH).
✔ THE SCENE: Each of the days is different. Saturday is filled with workshops, all-day jamming, mid-day and evening concerts, vendors, displays of beautiful handmade instruments, and opportunity drawings from 9 am-8 pm, with the evening concert at 8 pm; all at the main site in Costa Mesa. Sunday moves from Costa Mesa to two intensive workshops presented by the festival's headliner artists; one is "Hammered Dulcimer & Other Instruments" 10 am-2 pm in Fullerton, the other is "Fretted Dulcimer & Other Instruments" 11 am-3 pm in Downey. (This is the same festival that was held for many years in Culver City.)
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Heidi Muller, fretted dulcimer (OR)
♪ Bob Webb, multi-instrumentalist (OR)
♪ Ruth & Steve Smith, she on hammered dulcimer, he a multi-instrumentalist (NC)
♪ Plus local artists and teachers perform, lead a youth ensemble concert, and more.
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Sat, Nov 25, 2017: (Projected dates)
"AL BERARD MUSIC FEST" in Henderson, Louisiana; www.alberard.com
✔ TIX: check their site.
✔ CAMPING: check their site.
✔ 2017 LINEUP:
♪ Not yet announced at press time (early April, 2017).
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SOURCES... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS... THANKS...
While details and info on numerous individual festivals came from diverse sources and searches far and wide and alllll over de place — The Guide acknowledges the very valuable PRINCIPAL SOURCES that were used to prepare this 2017 Festival Guide:
✔ www.musicfestivalwizard.com
✔ www.eventbritemail.com
✔ www.folkworks.org
✔ Brad Sjoblom and his long-running "Southern California Cajun Zydeco" website: http://Zydecobrad.com. You can subscribe to Brad's FREE concert/dance/events e-newsletter at: Zydecobrad@aol.com (tell him the Acoustic Americana Music Guide sent you).
✔ www.gatorboyproductions.com
✔ We note that many Cajun-Zydeco festival listings were compiled by Jim Hance directly from prominent band and festival websites, and we add our appreciation for his yeoman efforts.
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Finally...
1) CHANGES IN FESTIVAL LINEUPS AND STAGE TIMES are common, especially as additional acts are booked. So, as Jim Hance cautions, "Refer to both the event websites and websites of your favorite artists appearing at the festivals prior to making your travel plans."
2) Please SEND US info on any festival we may have missed — if it's in one or more of the genres we cover — or write to us to correct any errors that appear in our listings. (And our thanks in advance for that!)
Title your email: FESTIVAL INFO
Send to:
tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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ENJOY YOUR tuneful festivities at 2017's FESTIVALS! (You're welcome!)
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LEGALESE, CONTACTING US, 'N SUCH...
Boilerplate? Where's the main pressure gauge? And the firebox?
What "boilerplate"? Who came up with that goofy term for the basic essential informational stuff...
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Contents copyright © 2017,
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS — and views of interest to artists everywhere — more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music. That includes both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues (now undergoing a major update), and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues from the monumentally large to the intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops, conferences, and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the swamp water roots of the blues and the bright lights of where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell. The porch'll be here anytime you come back from the road.
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