My annual pilgrimage to the Lowell Folk Festival took place this past weekend. One of the more interesting groups to perform were the taiko dojo drummers from San Francisco.
One of the audience members sitting in front and to the left of where I was captured this video and posted it to YouTube. The piece is called "Many Sides' and is performed with an interlude during which a lion dance is performed.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Lowell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lowell. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Lowell Folk Festival 2013
I spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon at the 27th Annual Lowell Folk Festival. As I was going to be sitting most of the afternoon to listen to the music as I traveled around the world, I parked in the garage by the Lowell train station and walked in to Boarding House Park. An easy jaunt with sidewalks among what is left of the city along the railroad tracks. I'll have some photos up later of the walk and the performers.
One the photos I did share via Twitter was picked up by the editor of the Lowell Sun for his Storify post which you can find here
http://storify.com/LStomzuppa/lowell-folk-festival-saturday-spectacular?utm_campaign=&utm_source=t.co&awesm=sfy.co_jOgS&utm_medium=sfy.co-twitter&utm_content=storify-pingback
One the photos I did share via Twitter was picked up by the editor of the Lowell Sun for his Storify post which you can find here
http://storify.com/LStomzuppa/lowell-folk-festival-saturday-spectacular?utm_campaign=&utm_source=t.co&awesm=sfy.co_jOgS&utm_medium=sfy.co-twitter&utm_content=storify-pingback
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Lowell Folk Festival - recap via sherku - part 1
sherku: spirit
words don't much
matter when
sent forth with
good music
Lowell Folk
Festival
sherku: black hat
broad brimmed
black hat carried
waved, gestured
definitely
part of his dance
sherku: morning
great day
in the morning
Claire Lynch Band
gets great start
with funky
bluegrass music
sherku: swing
who knew that
hummingbird
could fiddle
a swing beat
so let's swing
lost in music
sherku: rhythm
no need
no fancy
instrument
hands slap thighs
and steel toe shoes
find the rhythm
sherku: booming blues
do you hear
Magic Slim
and the Teardrops
play the blues
keeping the
storms away
sherku: dancing
in their chairs
in the aisles
on the dance floor
these blues got
everyone moving
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Lowell Folk Festival
My annual trip to Lowell for the wonderful event called the "Lowell Folk Festival" is on tap for today. 6 hours of good music across a variety of genres.
For more info on the Festival including the schedule and performers, visit their web page
http://www.lowellfolkfestival.org/index.html
These photos are from the Festival last year:
For more info on the Festival including the schedule and performers, visit their web page
http://www.lowellfolkfestival.org/index.html
These photos are from the Festival last year:
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Lowell Folk Festival - photo recap
Here are my photos from the recent Lowell Folk Festival
I have not completed posting the sherkus composed while I was sitting, listening and enjoying the day but those that are posted you can find here: http://quietpoet.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 01, 2011
First dip into Lowell
The Lowell Folk Festival has come and gone for its 25th year. I was able to spend Saturday afternoon in the sun enjoying glorious music. A bunch of sherku were crafted listening to the music and absorbing the environment. As long as my phone battery lasted, I was able to post them to Twitter. The battery did give way but the pen and paper did not.
Here is the first batch. There is more to come.
Here is the first batch. There is more to come.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Lowell Folk Festival - great music this weekend!
The Saturday afternoon schedule for the Lowell Folk Festival. The festival runs on multiple sites within Lowell. I tend to stay at Boarding House Park and get six hours of good music without moving around.
The full schedule can be found on the website here:
http://www.lowellfolkfestival.org/schedule.html
| SATURDAY, JULY 30 | BOARDING HOUSE PARK | BIRMINGHAM SUNLIGHTS | 12:00 |
| SATURDAY, JULY 30 | BOARDING HOUSE PARK | LEDWARD KA'APANA | 1:00 |
| SATURDAY, JULY 30 | BOARDING HOUSE PARK | HECTOR DEL CURTO'S TANGO QUARTET | 2:00 |
| SATURDAY, JULY 30 | BOARDING HOUSE PARK | DERVISH | 3:00 |
| SATURDAY, JULY 30 | BOARDING HOUSE PARK | QUEBE SISTERS BAND | 4:00 |
| SATURDAY, JULY 30 | BOARDING HOUSE PARK | SHEMEKIA COPELAND | 5:00 |
The full schedule can be found on the website here:
http://www.lowellfolkfestival.org/schedule.html
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Lowell Folk Festival - quick recap
I spent the afternoon in the hot sun at the Lowell Folk Festival today. It was worth it as I took a tour around the musical folk land. Starting with bluegrass (the Steep Canyon Rangers) to kosher gospel (yes, really! performed by Joshua Nelson) to Cape Verdian (Maria deBarros) to Irish (BUA) to Quebecois (De Temps Antan) and finally to close the afternoon to Cajun (Bruce Daigrepont).
I sweated but didn't mind it, the music was good. Other than some technical issue not resolved with Maria deBarros that created a jarring sound that I think hindered her performance, all went well. It did get dark clouds overhead for a bit to provide some respite for the sun. Fortunately, the rains held off.
I had the inspiration for at least three sherku (one, two, three) with more possible.
I took a bunch of photos so stay tuned for some of those to appear here.
Which group did I like the best?
It was really not contest, DeTemps Antan won the crowd and I with their enthusiasm. The conditions were trying (hot, humid) but all had the same gig.
BUA and Steep Canyon Rangers came closest for consideration.
Joshua Nelson was a pleasant surprise.
Next year will be the 25th Lowell Folk Festival. Each that I have attended (about eight in person, at least 13 via the WGBH broadcast) have been special.
I sweated but didn't mind it, the music was good. Other than some technical issue not resolved with Maria deBarros that created a jarring sound that I think hindered her performance, all went well. It did get dark clouds overhead for a bit to provide some respite for the sun. Fortunately, the rains held off.
I had the inspiration for at least three sherku (one, two, three) with more possible.
I took a bunch of photos so stay tuned for some of those to appear here.
Which group did I like the best?
It was really not contest, DeTemps Antan won the crowd and I with their enthusiasm. The conditions were trying (hot, humid) but all had the same gig.
BUA and Steep Canyon Rangers came closest for consideration.
Joshua Nelson was a pleasant surprise.
Next year will be the 25th Lowell Folk Festival. Each that I have attended (about eight in person, at least 13 via the WGBH broadcast) have been special.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Lowell Folk Festival
The Saturday schedule at Boarding House Park in Lowell for the annual Lowell Folk Festival. The largest free folk festival in the US and it is in our backyard (so to speak).
The Steep Canyon Rangers play bluegrass, Joshua Nelson sings kosher gospel, Maria De Barros sings Cape Verdian, the BUA group is Irish, De Temps Antan plays Quebecois, and Bruce Daigrepont is a Cajun Band.
Six different kinds of folk music over six hours in one place!
Follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LowellFolkFest
| Saturday, July 24 | Boarding House Park | STEEP CANYON RANGERS | 12:00 noon |
| Saturday, July 24 | Boarding House Park | JOSHUA NELSON | 1:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 24 | Boarding House Park | MARIA DE BARROS | 2:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 24 | Boarding House Park | BUA | 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 24 | Boarding House Park | DE TEMPS ANTAN | 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 24 | Boarding House Park | THE BRUCE DAIGREPONT CAJUN BAND | 5:00 p.m. |
The Steep Canyon Rangers play bluegrass, Joshua Nelson sings kosher gospel, Maria De Barros sings Cape Verdian, the BUA group is Irish, De Temps Antan plays Quebecois, and Bruce Daigrepont is a Cajun Band.
Six different kinds of folk music over six hours in one place!
Follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LowellFolkFest
Monday, August 03, 2009
Lowell Folk Festival - 2009
The collection of posts on or about the Lowell Folk Festival
From Steve's 2 Cents:
From Steve's 2 Cents:
- Lowell Folk Festival - D.L. Menard with Terry Huva...
- Lowell Folk Festival - Dr Michael Walker and the O...
- Lowell Folk Festival - Sierra Hull, Hghway 111
Lowell Folk Festival - good dancers
This dancing couple gave lessons to anyone watching at the Lowell Folk Festival. His hand placement, peripheral vision, and excellent anticipation kept them moving along the walk way almost undeterred by anyone attempting to walk by.
Note his right hand, positioned just so, on the small of her back. It would press to guide her forward or release to let her move back.
His peripheral vision was almost uncanny, catching the openings as they appeared or waiting for them to appear, keeping the movements going so that their dancing seemed all one carefully choreographed dance movement.
I am kicking myself for not finding out their names to provide the credit where it is due. The music was good. Their movements helped to make the music even better!
Note his right hand, positioned just so, on the small of her back. It would press to guide her forward or release to let her move back.His peripheral vision was almost uncanny, catching the openings as they appeared or waiting for them to appear, keeping the movements going so that their dancing seemed all one carefully choreographed dance movement.
I am kicking myself for not finding out their names to provide the credit where it is due. The music was good. Their movements helped to make the music even better!
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Lowell Folk Festival - D.L. Menard with Terry Huval and the Jambalaya Cajun Band
The setting sun created some good shadows on the next band, also from New Orleans; D.L. Menard with Terry Huval and the Jambalaya Cajun Band.
They did not let the setting sun stop any of their good playing. They did get some dancers up in the aisles moving to the music and had most everyone else clapping or nodding along.
They did not let the setting sun stop any of their good playing. They did get some dancers up in the aisles moving to the music and had most everyone else clapping or nodding along.
Lowell Folk Festival - Dr Michael Walker and the Original Liberty Jazz Band
From Irish, to Puerto Rican, to quebecois, to blue grass and now down to New Orleans for some traditional jazz.Dr Michael Walker and the Original Liberty Jazz Band.
Steve Pistorius at the piano
Detroit Brooks on the banjo and Roland Guerin on the bass.
Dr Michael White doing the lead solo on the jazz rendition of "Summertime".
Very well done!
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Lowell Folk Festival - Sierra Hull, Hghway 111
Sierra Hull, only 17, is an accomplished mandolin player and here in this snapshot performs a solo number with a guitar.
Her voice is clear and remarkably like her mentor's, Allison Krauss.
Sierra was joined on stage by some youngsters in the group, The fiddler was 16 and the banjo player was 18 (if I recall correctly).
No matter their age, they could all play some great bluegrass!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Lowell Folk Festival - Genticorum
After the opening set of Irish music, we moved south to the island of Puerto Rico and now come back north to Canada for some traditional quebecois music by Genticorum,
Note the feet of Pascal in the center, they are moving creating a percussive tap while he plays his fiddle. And you think you have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time!
Alex plays two instruments, the guitar (shown above) and the flute shown here.
Pascal Gemme is the center piece of this group.
Yann Falquet completes this trio with good guitar playing and occasional Jew's Harp.
Note the feet of Pascal in the center, they are moving creating a percussive tap while he plays his fiddle. And you think you have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time!
Alex plays two instruments, the guitar (shown above) and the flute shown here.
Pascal Gemme is the center piece of this group.
Yann Falquet completes this trio with good guitar playing and occasional Jew's Harp.
Lowell Folk Festival - Yomo Toro
Yomo Toro, is a cuatro player from Puerto Rico. At 76 years young, he still plays a mean guitar.
The lead singer was passionate about her singing.
The lead singer was passionate about her singing.
A picture of the full group on stage at Boarding House Park in Lowell on Saturday.
The jÃbaros were descendants of Spanish settlers who moved to the Puerto Rican highlands to cultivate small, family-based plantations. The central instrument in jÃbaro music is the cuatro, now considered Puerto Rico’s national instrument (while its name, which translates as “four,” hearkens back to an earlier, four-stringed version of the instrument, the modern cuatro is equipped with five sets of double strings). In a typical jÃbaro ensemble, the vocals and cuatro would be accompanied by a güiro (gourd rasp) and maracas, which provide a strong Afro-Caribbean flavor to the music.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Lowell Folk Festival - Niamh Ni Charra
Noami Arenberg, Brian O'Donovan, and Brad Paul all of WGBH, 89.7 FM introduced the groups as part of the live broadcast on Saturday.The Lowell Folk Festival is one of the largest free festivals in the USA. So close to Franklin, only 45 minutes away, it is a good thing to do every year.
The festival operates from several concert and "dance stages". For the concert stage, the area is set up for sitting with some aisle space to dance in. For the dance stages, there is a full dance floor in front of the band to get into the music.
This year was typical in the diversity being showcased on the Boarding House Park Stage. The first group played traditional Irish music. Niamh Ni Charra, lead a group of fine musicians and a step dancer with some good hand-clapping foot stomping music.
The guitarist is intent.
The bodhran player is keeping with the music.
Niamh shows her wonderful smile in this moment with the concertina.
The set closes with the step dancer adding some percussion to the performance and ends up airborne a few times. I got lucky to catch one of those moments here.
Monday, July 20, 2009
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:
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!
-----
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.
- 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!
-----
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 NÃ 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 |
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
2009 Massachusetts Poetry Festival Expanding
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Saturday, August 16, 2008
MA Poetry Festival
Scheduled to be held after the Dodge Poetry Festival, this will provide a local flavor in a great location: Lowell.
Read more on the web site here
Read more on the web site here
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