Richmond Folk Festival announces first batch of performers

This is just the beginning, stay tuned for more.

June 2, 2016; 10:55 AM • by Richard Hayes

The Richmond Folk Festival has officially released the first set of performers that will be gracing our city with their presence in October.

They say a taste leaves you wanting more. Whoever “they” are they’re right, because now I want to know all the bands that are playing. Attending the Richmond Folk Festival requires a level of attention to detail akin to planning a military invasion. I need all the bands and the schedules right this second so I can start figuring out exactly where I need to be when, the best direct routes, the best beer to grab on the way, the best food to grab…the list goes on.

Alas the logistics center will have to wait, and instead let’s enjoy this taste of what’s to come.

Head to the Richmond Folk Festival website to listen to samples and get full bios of the artists listed below.

Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Southern Italian pizzica tarantata – Salento, Italy
The Fairfield Four, African American gospel quartet singing – Nashville, Tennessee
Gary U.S. Bonds with Gene “Daddy G” Barge, The Norfolk Sound – Norfolk, Virginia, by way of Long Island & Chicago
Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, zydeco – Eunice, Louisiana
Homayoun Sakhi & Salar Nader, Afghan rubâb and tabla – San Francisco Bay Area, California
Jason D. Williams, rockabilly – Memphis, Tennessee
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, bluegrass – Xenia, Ohio
Marquise Knox, blues – St. Louis, Missouri
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Cape Breton and Ontario fiddling – Nova Scotia and Ontario, Canada
Sheila Kay Adams, Appalachian songs, stories, and ballads – Marshall, North Carolina
Sri Lankan Dance Academy of NY, traditional Sri Lankan dance – Staten Island, New York