Fox Valley Folk Festival this Sun. & Mon. 9/6 & 7

[Chicago Sandy]

WHAT: Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival
WHEN: Labor Day Weekend (Sun. & Mon. 9/6-7)
11am-6pm both days
WHERE: Island Park, Geneva, IL


Labor Day weekend is coming up, no flooding has occurred (nor is any predicted), so it's time to remind everyone in the area about the annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival coming up on Sunday and Monday, Sep. 6 & 7. As always, it takes place in Island Park (an island in the prettiest part of the Fox River) in downtown Geneva, IL. Geneva is about halfway between the Northwest and Reagan Tollways (I-90 and I-88, respectively); Island Park is literally steps from the platform of the downtown Geneva METRA commuter rail station. Suggested donation is $15 per person per day, but nobody gets turned away (our own UncleDizzy61 will be working one of the admission booths). The fest runs from 11am-6 pm each day, and there will be a volunteers-and-performers open mic the night before (Sat.) at 6 pm in the brick Pavilion in the park, as well as an official Festival open mic starting around 6 pm Sunday night in a downtown Geneva cafe (name and location TBA), for which yours truly will be running sound. Also, on Saturday afternoon the great Peggy Seeger will be teaching a songwriting master class workshop. Details are on the festival site at www.foxvalleyfolk.com. It is not a camping festival, but there are plenty of nearby lodging options for those not wanting to commute from Chicago or the burbs. Jams take place under every conceivable tree, on every conceivable park bench, and in sponsored jamming tents as well.

Oh--and on Sunday at 11 am I will be emceeing the Chicago Songwriters' Collective writers' round on Workshop Stage 2 or 3 (north end) and on Monday at 11 am I will be performing in it as well. I may pop up by invitation on other workshop stages throughout the weekend, too---and please stop by the Chicago Songwriters' Collective booth to say hi, buy some member CDs and find out more (and join!) the CSC.

[lpa53]

Thanks for posting this Sandy. I wouldn't have been aware of it otherwise. If the weather does indeed cooperate, I'll try to stop by. May even get up the gumption to do an open mic!

[Chicago Sandy]

Thanks for posting this Sandy. I wouldn't have been aware of it otherwise. If the weather does indeed cooperate, I'll try to stop by. May even get up the gumption to do an open mic!

UPDATE: I'm also going to be doing the Mountain Dulcimer workshop with David Massengill on Mon. at 3 pm on the "Teaching Stage" (in the nice shady brick Pavilion with lots of chairs!!!) n. of the food concessions and Main Stage.

You may also get to hear me do something slightly R-rated as Cooper & Nelson's guest in their "Songs of Love & Lust" workshop at 5pm Mon. (yes, Norm, I'll do *that* song again).

[Chicago Sandy]

BUMP--
We don't have a definite venue for an open mic Sun. night (we were told we could try the Little Owl/Flagstone Pub downtown, but they might have a noisy rock clientele). We might be able to get an acoustic circle going there if it's quiet, or another Geneva venue may come through.

BUT------

At noon on Sun. and noon on Mon., right after the Chicago Songwriters' Collective Writers' Rounds, on Workshop Stage 2, will be the OFFICIAL on-site Festival Open Mics. You get 2 or 3 songs on a nice PA with great sound (and experienced techs), and people DO come by and listen. Who knows who may be introducing you (hehehehe)? SIGN UP EARLY---the spots go fast, especially in great weather like we're having this weekend!!!

And do drop by the CSC's tent/booth........there's always a jam to be had!!!!

We have some first-rate Mainstage and Workshop talent: Peggy Seeger, the Folk Brothers (David Massengill and Jack Hardy), Anne Hills, Jack Williams, Deb Cowan, Michael Smith, Andrew Calhoun, Cooper & Nelson (Phil Cooper will be doing a fingerstyle hands-on workshop too), Jeni & Billy (authentic coal-mining songs from third-generation coal-country musicians), Li'l Rev, Barton & Para, and on the Two-Way Street Favorites Stage our own Stealth AGF-er Dean Milano (and two I've been urging to sign on here, Donna Adler and Bruce Holmes).

[Chicago Sandy]

bumpitty-bump-bump....

No open mic tonight--The Little Owl wasn't set up for it, and most of the performers went to a potluck pickin' party instead (your intrepid correspondent selflessly drove back to Chicago to print up a mess of FARM flyers and registration forms and Chicago Songwriters' Collective applications to bring tomorrow).

Weather finally cooperated (it rained last night) and it was perfect--in the 70s, partly sunny, partly overcast. Music was wonderful, people danced till they....no, they didn't drop, they were still dancing at 6:30....and tomorrow should be great too.

I'm on at 11 am at Stage 2, followed by an open mic; then again at 3 in a dulcimer shootout with David Massengill and Dan & Donna Benkert--we'll be demonstrating & teaching our own styles, tips and tricks.....and if you ever wanted to hear "52 Vincent Black Lightning" on a mountain dulcimer, be there or be square. (There may be loaners available!)