A Folk Fest Primer
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digthis AFolk Fest primer By Nicole Pensiero performed at the first Philly Folk Festival and FOR THE INQUIRER enjoyed it so much he donated his fee to ext weekend marks the return of the provide seed money for asecond year. much-loved Philadelphia Folk Festival, In itsthird year,the fest drew 18,000 attend- N the oldest continuously run outdoor mu- ees; it became afavorite of “the beard ’n’ sic fest in the country.Encompassing scores sandal set.” To accommodate the crowd, in of performers that span genres like folk, blue- 1967, the fest moved to the 80-acre Old Pool grass, rock, Celtic, blues, and zydeco music, Farm in Upper Salford Township, near the 58-year-old tradition draws up to 30,000 Schwenksville, about 35 miles outside the city, attendees annually. where it’sstill held today. But the all-day party in Upper Salford Town- ship is more than just aconcert: It’satangle Howhas it changed over time? of campers, hammocks, workshops, craft At varying points, Folk Fest audiences de- tents, food vendors, and activities —wrapped lighted in performances from the likes of together with warm, fuzzy feelings and an Joan Baez, Jim Croce, Joni Mitchell, John endlessly laid-back vibe. Just look at its sunny Denver,Arlo Guthrie (a frequentvisitor), Dav- logo: the face of asmiling banjo. idBromberg, and even asurprise appearance Whether you’re afirst-timer or aseasoned by Bob Dylan, though he didn’tactually per- veteran, here’saguide to all you should know form. Blues and gospel performers like Bess- about the Philadelphia Folk Festival. ie Jones and TajMahal played, too. Sets could be short —sometimes just 25 to 40 minutes — Howdid the Folk Festival getstarted? leading the Folk Fest to become what festival Philadelphia DJ Gene Shay and University director Lisa Schwartz calls a“folk Ed Sulli- rock favorites like Iron &Wine and the De- of Pennsylvania folklorist Kenneth Goldstein van Show.” cemberists, and popular singer-songwriters organized the first Philadelphia Folk Festival As decades elapsed and an influx of new like Sharon VanEtten. Jeff Tw eedy of Wilco in 1962, aided by arts nonprofit and longtime genres (punk, hip-hop, grunge, electronica, headlined in 2010. Today,Schwartz, who took sponsor the Philadelphia Folksong Society. etc.) proliferated on Napster,folk music be- the helm in 2018, tries to appeal to both long- Initially held on asmall farm in Paoli, the gan to feel abit dated —and with it, so did time festival devotees and curious newcom- festival’sfirst years featured performers like the festival. “[It] suffered from awell-de- ers. Mississippi John Hurt, the Greenbriar Boys, served reputation for being stuck in the past,” “I try to find the synchronicities between and Judy Collins, as well as banjo contests, wrote Inquirer music critic Dan DeLuca. the performers and the audience. Otherwise, square dancing, and ballad sessions (a cow Around 2008, fest organizers began booking we’re talking to ourselves,” Schwartz said. wandered into one). Fun fact: Pete Seeger acts that would draw younger crowds —folk- Continued on next page Thefestival’sMain Stage features ahostofartists throughout the weekend. MIKE ZEBE /File Photograph W20 |THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER | FRIDAY, AUG. 9, 2019 A|INQUIRER.COM Continued from preceding page What sets the Philadelphia Folk Festival apart from other music fests? Perhaps it’sthe festival crowd, amix of Doc Martens- wearing young bohemians, aging hippies, and everything in between. “Wehave four generations of both volunteers and ticket buyers,” Schwartz said. “I don’tknow of anoth- er festival in North America that can say that.” (Accord- ing to the festival’srecords, more than 70 percent attend- ees are over age 45 and live in Pennsylvania; nearly 20 percent are between 18 and 35.) Or maybe it’sthe sprawling grounds of Old Pool Farm, aworking hay/alfalfa farm, and the free-flowing move- ment of the lawn-chair-toting crowd from one stage to the next. In the shady Dulcimer Grove, where many kid-cen- tric activities are staged, people often set up hammocks. Sometimes, if you walk away for awhile, you come back and someone’sinyour hammock, said longtime fest at- tendee and volunteer Bert Olson. “You might let them hang out there for awhile or ask for it back.” What’s the vibe,and whatcan Idobesides lis- tentomusic? Very laid-back and friendly.You can wander between the various stages to catch different acts and explore the Thecamping area of the Philadelphia Folk Festival is athriving scene of its own. ED HILLE /File Photograph juried crafters, specialty vendors, curated food vendors, contra dancing, and all kinds of Folk Fest merchandise. Hogs, Donutville, Repeat Offenders, and Thunder- way of “making the artists more accessible to the audi- There are also face painters, aerialists, giant puppets, dome are just afew.Festival campers are also treated ence,” Schwartz said. These are not lessons but rather and athriving camping scene. to their own welcome concert Thursday night in ad- small, intimate performances. This year,for the 50th What’s the deal with camping? vance of Friday’spublic opening. anniversary of the Beatles’ Abbey Road, there is aSatur- day workshop highlighting songs from the album, led by “It’sour 40-acre living room,” Schwartz says of the Which acts areworth catching this year? identical twin duo of Katelyn (vocals/guitar) and Laurie festival’scampgrounds, which draw thousands of concert- The big names this year are David Crosby,singer-song- Shook (vocals/banjo), along with several other acts. goers and volunteers. With creature comforts like free writer Margo Price, alt-country faves The Mavericks, WiFi, round-the-clock food, an ATM, ashower truck, and New Orleans’ famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Texan Howabout parking? ageneral store, camping here is roughing it with some Amanda Shires, country singer Kathy Mattea, and Joan There are 1,850 reserved spots that cost $25 each; major perks. Osborne, whose set will feature songs by Bob Dylan. they tend to sell out before the gates open. If you miss For Olson, aSouth Philadelphian who has camped Others worth checking out include British country singer that boat or don’tfeel like paying, there’salso free and volunteered with his wife and kids at the fest for Yola, Bucks County’sown Langhorne Slim and the Lost at off-site parking that includes busing —literally,old nearly 20 years, it is asummer highlight: “Camping is Last Band, and Louisiana accordion squeezer Chubby school buses that take you to and from the festival. areal community; you make new friends every year, Carrier &the Bayou Swamp Band. There are dozens of They run constantly. and make friends for life with the people you see year local performers —infact, the Front Porch Stage will The Philadelphia Folk Festival starts 10 a.m. Friday,Aug. after year.” There are designated areas for heavy showcase Philly-area acts. 16, and runs through Sunday,Aug. 18. Acampers-only camping (pop-ups and trailers), light camping (tents), concert takes place the night of Thursday,Aug. 15. Ticket and eventhose desiringamellowerarea (“Quiet Camp- What arethe festival workshops? prices vary (day passes or festival passes are available); ing”).The different campsiteshave distinct “personali- Throughout the weekend, there are ongoing workshops free for ages 11 and under.For more information, visit ties,” Olson said, and equally distinct names: Spam- (included in the purchase price of aticket), offered as a pfs.org. INQUIRER.COM |A FRIDAY, AUG. 9, 2019 |THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER | W21.