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| George Wein's Folk Festival 50 Celebrate five decades of folk music in Newport, RI, August 1 - 2 at George Wein's Folk Festival 50. The 2009 festival, which takes over Fort Adams State Park from 11:30 am - 7:00 pm each day, will celebrate 50 years of rich history in Newport, where Pete Seeger and Joan Baez helped shape the course of American music. This summer, they return to usher in the next 50 years, performing alongside Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie on a festival bill that also heralds folk music's bright, expansive future with sets by The Decemberists, Neko Case, Fleet Foxes, Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine, Ben Kweller and many more. Since 1959, George Wein has been presenting the very best of Americana, blues, roots, gospel, country, Cajun, bluegrass, and traditional folk music in scenic Newport. FOLK FESTIVAL 50 is proud to present tributes to festival co-founder Pete Seeger on both Fort Adams days and a special set on Sunday featuring Joan Baez, who made her Newport debut in 1959. Other festival highlights include sets by Billy Bragg and Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman, who continue in folk's great tradition of political songwriting. Folk troubadour Ramblin' Jack Elliott picks his way back to Newport to give new voice to the songs of America's greatest blues players. The Campbell Brothers infuse some sacred steel music into Sunday's program, while Tim Eriksen leads a new generation of Shape Note Singers in traditional hymns. The Decemberists combine the energy of rock with the craft of great storytellers, and Neko Case, Guy Clark, Gillian Welch, Elvis Perkins, Josh Ritter and Brett Dennen carry on the festival's long-time history of powerful songwriting. The Avett Brothers bring a rollicking new twist to bluegrass and country roots, and Mavis Staples will take festival-goers to the place where R&B meets gospel. With blues from Ben Kweller, bluegrass from The Del McCoury Band, Cajun from Balfa Toujours, alt-country from guitar master David Rawlings and the down-home sounds of Tao Rodriguez Seeger, this year's lineup draws from the many musical styles that have found a home in Newport over the years. George Wein's FOLK FESTIVAL 50, produced by New Festival Productions, LLC, features: SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 ~ 11:30 am - 7:00 pm Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue Pete Seeger; The Decemberists; Fleet Foxes; Gillian Welch; The Avett Brothers; Billy Bragg; Iron & Wine; Mavis Staples; Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman; Ramblin' Jack Elliott; Ben Kweller; The Low Anthem; Tift Merritt; Brett Dennen; Tao Rodriguez Seeger; Langhorne Slim SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 ~ 11:30 am - 7:00 pm Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue Pete Seeger with special guest Judy Collins; Joan Baez; Arlo Guthrie; Neko Case; The Campbell Brothers; Josh Ritter; Elvis Perkins in Dearland; Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers; The Del McCoury Band; Guy Clark; David Rawlings Machine; Balfa Toujours; Dala Girls; Deer Tick; Joe Pug write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |