27th ANNIVERSARY OLD SONGS FESTIVAL OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE – JUNE 22, 23 & 24, 2007
Remember Brigadoon? It was a Broadway musical (actually based on a old German story) about a mythical Scottish town that would appear once every hundred years with a magical fair taking place. While Brigadoon may have been a myth, the regular attendees of the Old Songs Festival will tell you that this annual event captures the enchantment and community spirit. Having gone to a few Old Songs festivals myself, I can tell you that this festival is my FAVORITE event, and I start counting down the days as soon as the year begins.
This is a family festival and there is something for everyone – music to listen to and music to make. There are numerous workshops and jam sessions that allow everyone to participate. Music seems to come from every nook and cranny of the fairgrounds. Every folk instrument you can imagine will be represented – including the standard fiddles, banjos, guitars, dulcimers, autoharps, mandolins, accordions and much more. The weekend offers 3 main concerts -Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 3pm. In between the concerts, you will find the performers engagned in more than 120 workshops, classes, and sessions. There are some fantastic food vendors with every kind of food imaginable (and some incredible micro-brewed beer and ale), numerous instrument makers displaying their talents, plus a juried craft show.
This year’s line-up includes the Jeremy Kittel Acoustic Trio, Finest Kind from Canada, Brian McNeill from Scotland, Simple Gifts, the Magnolia Sisters featuring Ann Savoy from Lafayette, Louisiana, 
Mamadou Diabate from Mali, Africa, David Munnelly Band from County Mayo, Ireland, Michael Cooney, the Arrogant Worms from Canada, Herdman Hills Mangsen, Bodega from Scotland, Paul Rishell & Annie Raines, the Whippersnappers, the Stillhouse Rounders, Jon Bartlett & Rika Ruebsaat from Canada, Steve Tilston from England, Pat Humpfries and Sandy O, Pat Wictor, Kieron Means & Sara Grey, Magpie, Crazy Quilt, and Louis Killen.
The 27th annual 3-day Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance will be held on June 22, 23, 24, at the Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, NY. The Fairgrounds create a perfect “village” atmosphere as the concerts and workshops utilize the barns,sheds and buildings that can house a country fair. Nestled amongst trees and some beautiful countryside, this is a laidback festival – and only a few hours drive from mid-town Manhattan. (Altamont, NY is a suburb of Albany).
This is a family festival and there is something for everyone – music to listen to and music to make. There are numerous workshops and jam sessions that allow everyone to participate. Music seems to come from every nook and cranny of the fairgrounds. Every folk instrument you can imagine will be represented – including the standard fiddles, banjos, guitars, dulcimers, autoharps, mandolins, accordions and much more. The weekend offers 3 main concerts -Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 3pm. In between the concerts, you will find the performers engagned in more than 120 workshops, classes, and sessions. There are some fantastic food vendors with every kind of food imaginable (and some incredible micro-brewed beer and ale), numerous instrument makers displaying their talents, plus a juried craft show. Hardy souls can enjoy three-day of on-site camping, although personally I enjoy a comfortable bed, air conditioning, and ice machine, cable TV and a nice breakfast buffet. ( Okay, maybe I don’t fit the old folkie stereotype! ) There are several hotels within a few miles of the site.
This year’s line-up includes the Jeremy Kittel Acoustic Trio, Finest Kind from Canada, Brian McNeill from Scotland, Simple Gifts, the Magnolia Sisters featuring Ann Savoy from Lafayette, Louisiana, 
Mamadou Diabate from Mali, Africa, David Munnelly Band from County Mayo, Ireland, Michael Cooney, the Arrogant Worms from Canada, Herdman Hills Mangsen, Bodega from Scotland, Paul Rishell & Annie Raines, the Whippersnappers, the Stillhouse Rounders, Jon Bartlett & Rika Ruebsaat from Canada, Steve Tilston from England, Pat Humpfries and Sandy O, Pat Wictor, Kieron Means & Sara Grey, Magpie, Crazy Quilt, and Louis Killen.Kids are invited to join the Great Groove Band during the weekend. For the past 9 years, the Great Groove Band welcomes school age children with their instruments to particiapte in 3 sessions of learning fiddle tunes with Donna Hébert. More than 40 children have participated in this program, made friends and passed the music on.
Also, the family will enjoy the antics of The Puppet People and our perennial favorite, Roger the Jester.
All-festival, camping and day tickets are available online through the Old Songs web site: www.oldsongs.org . For information call 518-765-2815.
I highly recommend this festival. A few years ago, my brother-in-law made an unfortunate decision to get married on an Old Songs weekend. No, I’m not saying it was unfortunate that he got married – I’m in favor of the institution and Dave has a lovely wife – but his planning could have been better. It was difficult leaving the fields of Old Songs early on a Saturday afternoon and ending up at the Rainbow Room a few hours earlier. I can give you one guess where I would rather have been.
I urge you to check out Old Songs. It is a pleasant weekend trip and you will discover some great music – presented as it should be. Old Songs should be the model that other festivals follow. I am dusting off my lounge chair and I plan on enjoying another memorable weekend. Please be sure to say hello!!!