Providence Folk Festival Coming Sunday
Monday, August 24, 2015
The second annual Providence Folk Festival is coming to the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence on Sunday August 30th. This free family-friendly event is bringing some top national and local talent to the capital city.
We spoke with musician and Festival producer John Fuzek about plans for Sunday’s event. “This is the second year for the festival. It is a spin-off of the Downtown Sundown Series,” a regular summer series that Fuzek also produces.
Main Acts
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThere’s a full day of folk music on two stages planned. “I try to make it a mix of locals and a couple of headliners. It took me a while to sort out the headliners for this year. I am excited to have Cliff Eberhardt and The Nields as headliners,” shared Fuzek. “I am equally excited about the other acts as well,” he noted.
The Nields, Katryna and Nerissa, are a sister act who have been making music together since 1991. They are veterans of the folk circuit and have played countless festival and solo dates including Lilith Fair. Eberhardt is also well known in the folk community and has recorded a number of albums including a 2011 acoustic tribute to The Doors, All Wood and No Doors.
Top Local Acts
The majority of performers are Rhode Island or Massachusetts based. Fusak emphasizes "I try to get stuff that you may not have seen or if you have it has a twist to it that you can only see at the fest. An example of this is Dan Lilley and the Keepers with Amy Bedard. Amy will be joining them for this one performance.”
Indeed, some of the best regional artists, covering a variety of folk sub-genres, will be appearing. Additional Main Stage acts include Cardboard Ox, Kala Farnham and Co., Sync or Swim, Tiffany Rozenas, and Rank Strangers. Steve Allain and Tracie Potochnik will serve as hosts at the Main Stage.
The Rhode Island Songwriters Association Stage, with MC Jacob Haller, will be hosting a singer-songwriter spectacular with Marc Douglas Berardo, Michael Couto, Mike & Aleksi Glick, Lara Herscovitch, Jan Luby, Alissa Musto, Grace Rennick, and Carolyn Waters.
Free isn’t Free
Producing a two stage music festival is no easy task, and although there’s no admission charge for the show, Fuzek is raising money here through Indiegogo. "You can get some cool perks for doing so, noted Fuzek."
“Finding and raising enough is always hard. The Park provides some of the funding but the rest we have to raise. It is an uphill battle. We have to go without some things just to get the event produced.”
In addition, Fuzek shared that “fans will also be able to make donations at the festival. We have a donation box, well it is actually an old guitar that has been bedazzled to look cool. It will be at the festival merch table and every little bit will help!”
The Festival will be held on Sunday from 12-6 at the Roger Williams National Memorial. Bring the kids, a blanket or chairs, and plan to picnic or visit a food truck. Rain Date in Sunday September 20th.
Ken Abrams reviews roots, rock, folk and more for GoLocalProv. E-Mail him here.
Related Slideshow: Newport Folk Festival 2015: Sunday Highlights
The final day of the Newport Folk Festival commemorated the 50th anniversary of Bob Dylan "going electric" with an all star band. It was a fitting close to one of the best festivals in recent memory.But before the big finale, there was a great day of music to enjoy. Check out our slide show from GoLocal Music Critic Ken Abrams and photographer Rick Farrell of Mojo Photography.
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