Collaboration is Key for the 50th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival

August 19-21, 2011

Upper Salford Township (near Schwenksville), PA

Tickets on sale now with early bird discount!!

PHILADELPHIA, May 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- THE PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL turns the Big 5-0 this year and it has 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."  

Among the top attractions at the 50th Annual PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL celebration is:

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  
and more to be announced at a later date!

"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.  

The PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL is a perfect family event, too.  You will find an unrivaled selection of attractions for the kids, especially in Dulcimer Grove, the shady area between the Crafts Stage and the Camp Stage, where puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, hands-on crafts and of course, kid-oriented musicians make it a haven for folk fans 12 and under.  This year, there will be a concentrated effort to have continuous programming, including interactive musical events for children and families from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Children up to 11 years of age are admitted free of charge to the concert area.  Older kids, 12 to 16, will again be eligible for the special "youth ticket," allowing them into the grounds for half the regular gate price, when accompanied by an adult.

Individual daily tickets start at $46.00, including the 20% Early Bird Discount, or attend for all three days for $110.00; add tent camping and you get an additional concert on Thursday night for $150.00 total!  Imagine settling into our 40-acre living room and becoming a part of the musical landscape.  The campground at the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL is considered the ultimate Folk Festival experience.

Tickets for the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.folkfest.org.

For complete information about the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL and tickets, visit the website at www.folkfest.org or call the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL office at 800-556-FOLK.

SOURCE Philadelphia Folksong Society