Newport Festivals Foundation Announces 2011 Newport Folk Festival Line-up and Welcomes New Partnership with Alex and Ani

NEWPORT, R.I., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- An exciting mix of folk music's founding voices and modern favorites highlights the 52nd edition of the Newport Folk Festival set for July 30-31 at Fort Adams State Park, it was announced today by the Newport Festivals Foundation, the recently-formed 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which produces the event.

Tickets go on sale worldwide on Thursday, March 31, at 10:00 am at www.newportfolkfest.net.

The Newport Folk Festival welcomes Alex and Ani (www.alexandani.com), a celebrated eco-friendly jewelry and lifestyle brand, as sponsor of the Harbor Stage. Located in Cranston, RI, with its flagship store at Newport's Bowen's Wharf, Alex and Ani also will create limited edition charms that will be introduced and available exclusively at the 2011 Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival.

This year's festival features: The Decemberists; Emmylou Harris; Elvis Costello; Gillian Welch; Amos Lee; Earl Scruggs; Ramblin' Jack Elliot; Gogol Bordello; M. Ward; Wanda Jackson; Mavis Staples; Tegan & Sara; The Felice Brothers; Carolina Chocolate Drops; Justin Townes Earle; Delta Spirit; Middle Brother; The Wailin' Jennys; Freelance Whales; The Secret Sisters; Trampled by Turtles; The Civil Wars; The Head & The Heart; Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three; The Cave Singers; What Cheer? Brigade; Mountain Man; David Wax Museum; Devil Makes Three; Song Circle with Dar Williams, Ellis Paul, John Gorka & Liz Queler; Typhoon; The Seeger Clogging All-Stars; The Ebony Hillbillies; BrownBird; River City Extension; and PS 22. A Friday night event is under consideration.

"In an age when it's increasingly common to see tour buses roll on to the next gig as soon as sets end, artists linger at this festival, sometimes for the whole weekend, just to hang out or sit in, creating an annual defacto Folk summit by the sea," said Jay Sweet, Folk Festival co-producer. "The goal is to serve the Festival's musical heritage, which means paying respect to older groundbreakers while championing young chance takers. This is Newport's blueprint, written by George Wein and Bob Jones, who along with co-founder Pete Seeger, often remind me that folk music is, and will always be, a living tradition, constantly evolving."

George Wein, President of the Newport Festivals Foundation and Producer of the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, added, "The Newport Folk strongly builds upon the tradition that Pete and I first set into motion in 1959. The Festival touches people around the world, but I couldn't be prouder of our new relationship with Rhode Island's own Alex and Ani as well as the exciting artists who have Rhode Island roots such as What Cheer? Brigade, David Wax Museum and BrownBird."

For general information, craft vendor information or to leave a message for festival staff, call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055. For more information, log on to www.newportfolkfest.net.

Media Contacts:
Carolyn McClair / (917) 686-0854 / [email protected]

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SOURCE Newport Folk Festival