August 2008

Takoma Park to host an eclectic line-up

Lea returns to the Takoma Park Folk Festival with brand new songs (and plenty of old favorites). Photo by Julie Wiatt

by Kevin Adler

Organizers of the Takoma Park Folk Festival like to say that it’s the “festival of the folk of Takoma Park.” It’s a true statement, and it’s at the heart of the Festival’s special appeal. After all, there are many wonderful cultural events throughout the year; Montgomery County and the greater DC area is blessed with an immeasurable variety of musicians, dancers, artists, and artisans. But few events are embraced as deeply by performers, volunteers, participants, and visitors.

Anna Mwalagho will perform with Chopteeth

Joe Uehlein will lead his U-Liners through a powerful set.

Ruthie will wrangle a few tunes.

Lori Kelley returns.

“I think of the Folk Festival as a giant block party,” said Robbi Kimball, a local Realtor and member of the Folk Festival Committee. “It’s a community event with a genuine homegrown flavor. Plus, I see just about everyone I know in Takoma Park.”

The Festival will be held on Sunday, September 14, at Takoma Park Middle School from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. As always, the Festival will be free and family-friendly.

“The Folk Festival blends the familiar and the new,” said Pam Larson, co-chair of the Program Committee. “On the one hand, we have performers who are very familiar, and we see our old friends. On the other hand, there’s always something new to discover—a new performer, a different musical genre, or a chance to learn a traditional folk dance.”

Long-time local favorites this year include Chopteeth, Lea (with WilPower), Cletus Kennelly & Lori Kelly, and Ruthie & the Wranglers. “We’re so lucky to have groups like this in the area who willing to perform for us,” said Larson. “I always remind people that these performers are not paid by the Festival—that this is their gift to all of us.”

On the other hand, it’s always exciting to discover someone to add to one’s iPod playlist. That’s why the Festival’s producers reach out across the greater DC region each year to seek new performers who they can introduce to an appreciative audience.

The Showcase—TPFF’s answer to ‘American Idol—is one of the ways that the Festival brings in new talent. The Showcase, which will begin at noon at the Seventh Heaven Stage, will feature a record 11 performers this year. Each performer will do two songs, and the winner will have a full one-hour time slot in 2009. “Our judges take it seriously, and yet we have a lot of fun. The audience gets into it, too, and their reaction is one part of picking the winner,” said Larson.

Many visitors to the Festival pick a favorite stage and camp out there for several hours. Lovers of traditional American folk songs head for the Sam Abbott Stage to hear music that’s stood the test of decades or even centuries. “Humor, tragedy, hope and faith are communicated simply and subtly in songs about life and death, work and play, hardships and pleasures, community traditions and personal passions,” said Fred Stollnitz, co-coordinator of the Abbott Stage.

The Abbott Stage will feature performances by the New Misty Crystals (fans of the early-60s folk revival should read the band’s name carefully) and the Civil War Comrades, as well as stunning vocals by Molly Andrews and the daughter-mother team of Elizabeth and Sandy LaPrelle. The stage will close out with a 90-minute sing-around of classics with Lisa Null, George Stephens, Andy Wallace, and Kathy Westra, and then finish with Rick Franklin and His Delta Blues Boys.

The Grove Stage also is home to singer-songwriters, though usually with a more contemporary perspective. With 2008 being an election year, the Grove’s two-hour special session of political songs will be especially timely. Join Chris Chandler, Bob Clayton, Greta Ehrig, Karyn Oliver, Jesse Palidofsky, and Justin Trawick for serious commentary and political humor—sometimes a dose of both at the same time.

The loudest performances take place at the Field Stage, where there’s the most room to groove to the beat. Verlette Simon will open the day with her soul-influenced folk, and she will be followed by Baltimore-based Radio Caroline, whose lead vocalist, Kirk Philips, can do a dead-on impression of Van Morrison when the occasion calls for it. The rest of the Field Stage set weaves through American roots music, high-energy klezmer, and Afro-pop with performances by Ruthie & the Wranglers, the Alexandria Kleztet, Pam Parker, The U-Liners, and Chopteeth.

What Else?

While music is the Festival’s greatest drawing card, it’s hardly the only activity. The Festival includes dance instruction and performances, a juried crafts show, children’s games, 20 food vendors, and more than 100 community groups. “When you add it up, the Festival is a mini-Takoma Park, a microcosm of what makes it great to live here,” said Larson.

Soul in Motion will return to perform and teach African dance.

Crafter Phyllis Alden displays one of her cat rocks at last year's folk festival.

The Folk Festival is a great place to purchase tie-dye finery.

Community tables provide great opportunities for community building and education.

Dance is a big part of the Festival, and the Festival tries to make it as inviting as possible, said Catherine Chapman, co-chair of the Program Committee and coordinator of the Lenore Robinson Dance Stage. “We get the best teachers in the area, and they just have fun with the crowd,” Chapman said. “We’re doing everything from waltzes to Israeli dance to swing this year. And I’m very excited to have African dance instruction from Soul in Motion, which is an award-winning dance troupe in Rockville.”

The Festival’s Crafts Show will be bursting at the seams in 2008, with nearly 50 artisans displaying their work for sale. Works will include jewelry, clothing, weavings, woodwork, pottery, and candles. “We were very impressed with the caliber of the applicants this year,” said Laurie Summers, Crafts Committee chair. “We have some new artisans who people haven’t seen in the past, and they are very dynamic.”

Community groups will again cover the perimeter of the school with colorful displays and passionate arguments. The Festival presents a unique opportunity for these groups to share information about their activities in education, the environment, health, sports, religion, culture, and more. “Community Tables are one of the things that set us apart from a lot of other events. How many chances do small non-profits get to reach thousands of people in an afternoon, and for just a few dollars? We really do want to bring those voices to the community … and to build ties among people,” said Kimball.

A few Community Tables slots were still available as of Aug. 1, though the Festival committee said that they were being filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. To get an application, go to www.tpff.org, and click on the link for Tables.

For kids, the activities are almost endless. In addition to the Grassy Nook Stage, which has performances all day, Cub Scout Pack 33 organizes kids’ games and face painting. Nearby, the House of Musical Traditions has instruments on display for experimentation and purchase, and students from Takoma Park Middle School sell drinks and snacks. This year, more than half of the Grassy Nook performances will be by youngsters.

“I think it’s fair to say that you can enjoy the Festival regardless of your musical interests,” said Larson. “We’ve got great music of many types to enjoy. And if you don’t like the music, there’s dance, crafts, community tables. And you’ll be sure to see your friends walking around. Just come out and learn more about the community you live in.”

Find out more about the 2008 Takoma Park Festival.

Comments: