Lowell Folk Festival

The free Lowell Folk Festival returns this summer, July 24 – 26, 2009 for the 23rd year. Planning began shortly after the 2008 Festival and the announcement of ten confirmed performers for this year’s Festival is a pleasant reminder of summer as we emerge from a challenging winter:

• Alash, returning with Tuvan throat singing
• The Brotherhood, practitioners of African American a cappella gospel
• Eddie Forman Orchestra, providing a Festival bastion, polka.
• Genticorum, “one of the most sought after proponents of Québécois musical culture”
• Sierra Hull and Highway 111, a bright young star of bluegrass
• Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys, bringing their enthusiastic zydeco to Lowell in July.
• Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars, klezmer music and songs from New York
• The Lucky Stars will keep audiences dancing with their western swing and honky tonk
• Trudy Lynn delivering amazing R&B from her Houston roots
• Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band, bringing traditional New Orleans jazz to the Festival.

These performers represent almost half of those who will be on the six stages throughout downtown Lowell this July.

Each year, thousands of music fans make their way downtown to the Lowell Folk Festival, the largest free festival in the country, to enjoy a wide variety of acoustic music. Over twenty local, regional and national acts will perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 24-26 offering continuous live music featuring folk, blues, Celtic, bluegrass, folk-rock, world, country, gospel, and Cajun rhythms on six stages. The six stages are all within walking distance from the corner of Merrimack Street and Central Street, allowing for many musical choices.

The Festival also features traditional crafts demonstrations, which in 2009 emphasize the skills of Massachusetts artists, many of whom are featured in the “Keepers of Tradition” book and exhibit at the National Heritage Museum. The Lowell Folk Festival will offer fun activities and arts and crafts for all age groups at various locations throughout the entire weekend.

Delicious ethnic foods sold by local not-for-profit organizations, continue to be a unique Lowell Folk Festival offering spanning from Portuguese to Thai, and from African American soul food to Middle Eastern cuisines.

The year’s festival will kicks off with a Parade through downtown Lowell at 6:45 PM on Friday, July 24.

The schedule for all Lowell Festival events, performing artist information and craft and food
information will be updated at the official website as it is confirmed: visit
www.lowellfolkfestival.org or call 978-970-5000for updates.

The Festival partners: the City of Lowell, Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors
Bureau, Lowell Festival Foundation, Lowell National Historical Park, and National Council for the Traditional Arts remind you to mark your calendar for July 24-26!

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I will find a spot at Boarding House Park to enjoy the music according to the following schedule. If you are going to Lowell, let me know and we can arrange to meet on the lawn.

Saturday, July 25	Boarding House Park	Niamh Ní Charra (Irish)	12:00 – 12:45 PM
Saturday, July 25	Boarding House Park	Yomo Toro (Puerto Rican cuatro master)	1:00 – 1:45 PM
Saturday, July 25	Boarding House Park	Genticorum (Quebecois)	2:00 – 2:45 PM
Saturday, July 25	Boarding House Park	Sierra Hull & Highway 111 (bluegrass)	3:00 – 3:45 PM
Saturday, July 25	Boarding House Park	Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band (Traditional New Orleans jazz)	4:00 – 4:45 PM
Saturday, July 25	Boarding House Park	Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys (zydeco)	5:00 – 6:00 PM