THE PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL turns the Big 5-0 this year and they have a lot to brag about.  This beloved event is the longest continuously-running festival of its kind in North America and will celebrate its Golden Anniversary on August 19-21 at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, near Schwenksville, PA.
To commemorate this historic event, great efforts were taken to pay tribute to its musical roots.  “We looked to a theme of Past, Present and Future,” says Lisa Schwartz, President of the Philadelphia Folksong Society that produces and presents the annual summer festival.   “We really want to honor our musical lineage and highlight not only the heritage artists, but also the new traditionalists who will help to teach future generations to love folk music.”

The Levon Helm Band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The David Wax Museum, Hoots and Hellmouth, Gregory Alan Isakov, Terrance Simien, Dry Brance Fire Squad Lea Mayfield, Philly Local artists Jim Boggia, and Suzie Brown, Arlo Guthrie, David Bromberg Big Band, Jorma Kaukonen, The Campbell Brothers, The Kennedys, Angel Band, Joel Plaskett Emergency, The Wood Brothers, Tom Paxton, Tom Rush, Dala, Tempest, Madison Violet, Give & Take Jugglers, The Great Groove Band, Dan Bern, Justin Townes Earle, John Hartford String Band, David Amram, The Battlefield Band, John Flynn, Elizabeth Butters, Alexis P. Suter Band, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, RUNA, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Wilderness of Manitoba, Kim & Reggie Harris, Roy Book Binder, Footworks, Caitlin Rose, Brad Hinton, Burning Bridget Cleary, The Berrys

“Collaboration will be the key focus this year,” said Artistic Director, Richard Kardon. “Imagine the possibilities,” said the other Artistic Director, Jesse Lundy.   What if Arlo Guthrie is backed up by the David Bromberg Big Band?  Perhaps Jorma Kaukonen and Roy Book Binder will discuss the impact and play the music of the Reverend Gary Davis.  Or, maybe Tom Rush, Tom Paxton and David Amram will perform together.  Dala, Madison Violet and The Battlefield Band could discuss and perform Atlantic Celtic fiddle songs.  How about Sunday Morning Gospel with the Campbell Brothers’ Sacred Steel? Or, Kim & Reggie Harris, The Kennedys and David Bromberg & Nancy Josephson could present a song workshop as husband and wife teams?  So, expect the unexpected!

Returning for his 50th consecutive year as host is WXPN-FM DJ Gene Shay who has been called the “Godfather of Philadelphia Folk Music”.  Shay, who helped put together the very first PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL, has been the same golden voice on the radio, playing folk artists every Sunday night, for most of our lives.

Sing Out! Magazine urges you to come on over to the celebration this year and visit us at our booth! See you there.