Among the top attractions at the 46th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival are: Doc Watson, Mavis Staples, Jonathan Edwards, Bettye LaVette, Sam Bush, John Flynn, Elvis Perkins, The Mammals, Baka Beyond, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Stephen Wade and Friends, The Quebe Sisters, Les Yeux Noirs, Back of the Moon, Fennings All Star String Band, Toby Walker, The Pine Leaf Boys, Jack Williams, Freebo, Carsie Blanton, and The Lovell Sisters.
In all, more than 50 folk, blues, old-timey, bluegrass, world and roots artists will be providing more than 55 hours of music from new and innovative to traditional, including more than 22 hours of dance music in the 3,500 square foot, wooden floor dance tent.
Returning for his 46th year as host/emcee is the Godfather of Philly Folk Music, WXPN radio personality and Festival co-founder Gene Shay, whose four decades of dedication, preservation and promotion of folk music have become celebrated, not only in Philadelphia, but around the country.
Grand Entrance Foyer
The Philadelphia Folk Festival now features the Grand Entrance Foyer, an outdoor lobby that welcomes festival goers as they pass through the main entrance with an active area of dance, merchandise, crafts and, in the Philadelphia Folksong Society tent, space for members to gather and meet.A highlight of the Grand Entrance Foyer is the Dance Tent with a 3,500 square foot wooden floor where top-shelf dance bands and callers will be performing live.
Excellent Family Activity
The Philadelphia Folk Festival is a perfect family event, too. You will find an unmatched selection of attractions for the kids, especially in Dulcimer Grove, the shady area between the Crafts Stage and the Camp Stage, where puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, hands-on crafts and of course, kid-oriented musicians make it a haven for folk fans 12 and under.And, back by popular demand, The Great Groove Band! Children can register in advance and receive music and instructions. Then, they can join the band for the entire weekend, rehearsing intensively for three days before a Main Stage performance on Sunday.
Older kids, 12 to 16, will again be eligible for the special "youth ticket," allowing them into the grounds for half the regular gate price, when accompanied by an adult.
Camping
A special section of the campgrounds is designated for family camping as a "quieter" area of the tent camping, where campers there are asked, particularly late at night, to avoid after-hours jam sessions.The campground at the Philadelphia Folk Festival features a large campfire sing after each evening concert.
Lineup by Day
Friday Afternoon Kids Concert (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- The Coyotes, Kala Jojo and John Flynn
Friday Afternoon (2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
- David Holt, Jess Klein, Fennigs All-Star String Band, Diana Jones, Jack Williams, Toby Walker and Chanterelle
Friday Evening (7:30 p.m. to midnight)
- Back of the Moon, The Lovell Sisters, The Quebe Sisters Band, Doc Watson and Jonathan Edwards
Saturday Showcase
- Johnny Duke & the Aces (11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.]
- The Lowlands (11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.]
Saturday Afternoon (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
- Old Springs Pike, featuring Tony winner Johnny Gallagher and Son Volt
Saturday Evening (7:30 p.m. to midnight)
- Bettye LaVette, The Mammals, The Pine Leaf Boys, Mavis Staples and Stephen Wade & Friends
Sunday Showcase
- Johnny Duke & the Aces (12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.]
- The Lovell Sisters (12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.]
- Chanterelle (2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.]
Sunday Evening (4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Baka Beyond, Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Greencards, Sam Bush, John Flynn, Les Yeux Noirs, Vance Gilbert and Great Groove Band
Tickets for the Philadelphia Folk Festival are now on sale and can be purchased on-line at www.pfs.org. Tickets are also available at the Philadelphia Folksong Society Box Office, 7113 Emlen Street, Philadelphia. For complete information about the Festival and tickets, call the Philadelphia Folk Festival at 800-556-FOLK or visit the Festival website at www.pfs.org.
