Did I mention it was free?
For more info on who is playing among other things, check out the Folk Fest website. Seriously, I didn’t attend my first few years living in the area, and when I did, I was kicking myself that I’d been so stupid for missing it.
Also, you might get to see me running around with a video camera for LTC (Lowell Telecommunication) covering the event, so maybe you could even get your 15 minutes of (cable access) fame!
Another super cool aspect of this Festival is the ZERO WASTE policy. They require all venders to sell food using compostable utensils and plates, and recycling bins are EVERYwhere. The Festival takes all the compostable material and yes, composts it. The next year they then give away little bags of compost as a reminder about their program and an educational tool. Talk about feeling good about your carbon foot print!
Take the Lowell line from Boston and you’ve got yourself a wonderful, GREEN staycation event to share with your friends and family.
Hope to see you there!
I enthusiastically second this diary!
At a great price.
Did you know that Massachusetts has an official state polka? It’s “Say Hello to Someone From Massachusetts”, written by Lenny Gomulka, who I saw perform at the Lowell Folk Festival several years ago. Not that polka’s my thing, but once you’ve seen five-time Grammy nominee Lynn Marie perform “Squeeze Box”, you may never be the same!!
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p>I can’t say enough about this event. I’ve gone to every one I could over the last dozen years or so, and my musical horizons have been vastly expanded by what I’ve seen. This is the other, underexposed world of excellent, diverse music. Don’t let the “folk” label mislead you; this is not long-haired waifs strumming “Blowin’ In The Wind” on acoustic guitars, but an intense buffet of mind-opening musical delights from every corner of the world and an endless variety of genres.
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p>Although I’m not an anti-pop-music snob by any means, and still see my share of commercial shows, the contrast between that experience and this could not be more stark. At any given moment of this festival, there are as many as six acts performing simultaneously in Lowell’s great downtown area, and any one of these acts might be the best of its type in the world. Even if you think you’re not interested in a certain style, the pure musicianship or showmanship could amaze you.
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p>For example, I’ve seen Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan (“el mejor mariachi del mundo”), the venerable, internationally-known Skatalites, and — right about the time O Brother, Where Art Thou? was bringing his music to a wider audience a few years ago — I saw Ralph Stanley of the bluegrass pioneers the Stanley Brothers — from the fourth row!
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p>Try to imagine the top-draw commercial acts in the world, what it costs to go see them, and how far away you’ll sit (AC/DC, $90, the other end of Gillette stadium, for example), and you’ll understand why this is a huge bang for the buck (yes, it’s free, but you might pay a very reasonable few bucks to park, for a beer, for some food, etc., and you’ll want to drop a few bucks in the bucket when the volunteers come around after each set).
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p>If you have never been to this festival or dipped a toe into these waters on your own, go with an open mind, and you just may come away with the idea that those 10,000 songs on your iPod are only scratching the surface.
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p>And the idea that, by the way, Lowell is actually a very cool place.
why yes it is!
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p>Lowell is a festival town. The Folk Fest is the largest and most famous, but we also are the center and start of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival (which was OMG awesome and I canNOT wait til the next one this fall which is gonna be bigger and even better!) and we have the African Fest, the Asian Water Festival, and a number of other arts and ethic festivals and events.
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p>I spend a lot of time berating and outlining the problems in our fair city, but there’s a reason: I can’t stand it when Lowell doesn’t live up to its potential. When it does, it’s really something to witness. I wanted to buy a home here because of the diversity, the energy, and the possibilities of Lowell. I love working downtown, and I love so many of our great businesses and business people.
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p>But I will refrain from repeating the over-used old marketing phrase pertaining to Lowell because despite being true, I hate it. LOL
This year they should compost the folk musicians, too.
I just tore a muscle in my diaphram from laughing so violently. Compost the musicians, what a riot!
BBQ with friends and family.
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p>Walk the city streets during the festival.
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p>And to rub the lamentations of my tired doggies.
and was amazed at how fun, vibrant, and enjoyable the day was. Wish I could go again, but I’ll be away on vacation. Highly recommended. đŸ™‚
but have attended many in the past. Every once in awhile you may see a star that has not yet been discovered, such as when Alison Kraus played with her group the Union Station when she was a teenager, or the young Irish step dancer who later made a commercial venture from step dancing, Michael Flatley. And then there was a young man from Cape Breton who played the fiddle while step dancing, an amazing act, but never seen again.
http://www.lowellfolkfestival….
My older brother has a penchant for Elliot Smith, and it’s his fault!
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p>must find alice in chains CDs…
take solace in the fact that the musical genius who was Elliot Smith will never bother you again.
I’ve never been before, but sounds great and is on my calendar.