Archives: Folk Festival

Old Bay Ceili Band

Baltimore is home to a vibrant traditional Irish music scene that boasts some of the finest players in the world. In 2008 and 2009, “Old Bay” represented the United States in the senior ceili band competition at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world competition of Irish Traditional music. At home, the band regularly plays at local ceilis where Irish set dances (similar to square or contra dances) are led by a caller. In addition to their performance sets at the Festival, Old Bay will play for called dances.

September 14, 2011 0

Imamyar Hasanov and Pejman Hadadi

A master of the Azerbaijani kamancha (spiked fiddle), Hasanov began playing at the age of seven, eventually becoming the youngest soloist in Azerbaijan’s National Music Instruments Orchestra before immigrating to Virginia. Highly respected both in the U. S. and Azerbaijan, he will explore both the folk and classical roots of this amazing instrument with Iranian percussionist Pejman Hadadi on the tombak (goblet drum) and daf (frame drum).

September 14, 2011 1

Horn’s Punch & Judy

Punch and Judy, the hilarious, slapstick hand puppetry brought to England from Italy more than 300 years ago, had arrived in the Chesapeake region at least by the early 1800s. Horn’s Punch & Judy represents an unbroken Baltimore tradition that dates back to 1897. Now under the care of puppeteer Mark Walker, Old Punch, the wisecracking trickster figure who exemplifies the best and worst of human nature, will bring smiles to the faces of both children and adults.

September 14, 2011 0

Davell Crawford

Grandson of New Orleans R&B legend James “Sugarboy” Crawford, Davell Crawford is the living, breathing embodiment of everything that makes New Orleans music great. Heir to the New Orleans piano legacy of Jelly Roll Morton, James Booker and Professor Longhair, and with a charisma evocative of Satchmo, his soulful voice taps a deep emotional well that irresistibly draws listeners into his world. Simply one of the most brilliant artists the Crescent City has ever produced, and that’s saying something.

September 14, 2011 0

Chatham County Line

Creating original songs inspired by the rural southern experience, these four young bluegrass musicians are noted for their distinctive vocal harmonies, trenchant lyrics, and visually engaging live performances, where they “work” a single microphone in the classic bluegrass ballet.

September 14, 2011 0

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba

With stage energy that will drive dancers wild, thispowerful group combines Afro-beat with the “African blues” of the Bambara people. A traditional West African lute, the ngoni, takes front and center in the first-ever ngoni quartet led by the masterful Kouyate, who secures the survival of his tradition through innovation and a steadfast dedication to his family’s ancestral heritage as griots, Mali’s traditional oral historians and musicians.

September 14, 2011 0

Moms love brunch

C’mon now, don’t be an ingrate. Treat Mom to a lovely brunch! No matter what Mom is in the mood for, you’ll find a local restaurant that will make this Mother’s Day much more delicious than the bowl of Ramen you cooked for her last year.

May 2, 2011 1

First round of performers released for the 2011 Richmond Folk Festival

Today, a mere seven months out from the Folk Festival, we have the first round of performers for you to peruse. Behold! The first six performers, with genres ranging from Reggae to traditional Tsimshian song-and-dance.

March 14, 2011 0

Larry Chance & The Earls

First heard on the street corners of American cities in the 1940’s, doo-wop went on to define an era in American popular music. With roots in South Philadelphia and “Little Italy” in the Bronx, Larry Chance is a true doo-wop original who has produced a string of national hits.

March 14, 2011 0

Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys

With an uncompromising respect for tradition and a forward-looking vision, this band has set the standard for modern Cajun music, creating a sound that is at once intelligent, sophisticated, soulful and exhilaratingly danceable – inspired music that never fails to both move the spirit and the body.

March 14, 2011 0

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