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 festival organizers announced ten confirmed performers for this year’s Festival. The line-up includes 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 will bring 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; and Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band, will bring 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, which according to organizers, is 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, [wiki: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.
Buy recordings by the musicians participating in the festival:
- In North America: La Bibournoise by Genticorum, Alash by Alash Ensemble, Brotherhood of Brass by Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars, American Roots: Blues by Trudy Lynn, It’s a Groove Thing! and Pick It Up by Rosie Ledet, and Secrets by Sierra Hull.
More information at: www.lowellfolkfestival.org
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
