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July 2016 / The South Coast Insider
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Decent folk
While the Folk Festival has made a national name for itself, Tebbetts claims that music fans aren’t the only people who return to the event year after year – the festival has a reputation in the folk community amongst performers as well. Some of the acts have performed at the event half a dozen times or more. For Canadian musician Benoit Bourque, this will be his 19th year of performing at the Folk Festival. He says that it is his favorite event of the year, something he can’t miss. “New Bedford is dynamic,” he says. “It has a European feel but it’s also unique. With the old houses and the cobblestone streets it’s like traveling back in time. But with the waterfront, the food, and the crafts it’s a unique treasure. Every year I find something new that I like about it.” This year’s festival will feature seven stages, one of which is the 1,200-seat Zeiterion Theatre. The weekend will also include a “Meet the Performer” tent. This year the Folk Festival will feature performances by prominent artists such as Livingston Taylor, the Kennedys, and Cheryl Wheeler. With more than five decades of performing, Taylor’s repertoire is vast. “Livingston Taylor has an easygoing warmth to his performances, you feel like he’s playing in your living room,” Tebbetts says. “He’s very spontaneous, telling stories, and jokes. You get the impression that he’s making it up as he goes, which gives the audience the feeling that they’re experiencing a one-of-a-kind show.” Tebbetts lauds the guitar work of Pete Kennedy and the singing skills of his cohort Maura Kennedy. “Pete is one of the best guitar players I’ve ever watched,” Tebbetts says. “It’s staggering – he’s technically brilliant and at the same time he knows how to have fun. Maura has a lovely voice and together they’re amazing.” Another headliner at this year’s festival is Cheryl Wheeler. “She’s a marvelously clever songwriter,” Tebbetts says. “She has a really distinctive voice with an amazing sense of humor. She’s often funny but pointed.” And while The Folk Festival will feature many big name performers, there is also the opportunity to enjoy acts that are new to the event. “Every year I look forward to seeing the new performers,” Tebbetts says. “There’s always some kids I’ve never heard before that are brilliant.” Speaking of brilliant kids, the Blues Festival will include an appearance by Quinn Sullivan, a
ten-year-old who first entertained a national audience at the age of six when he appeared with his guitar on the Ellen DeGeneres show. But Sullivan is not a novelty – in recent years he has toured with blues giant Buddy Guy and has appeared on stage with Eric Clapton at Madison Square Garden, B.B. King, Derek Trucks, and Los Lobos. He has also taken to the stages of the Hollywood Bowl and the famed Red Rocks in Colorado. “If you listen to Quinn play just one song you’ll know that he’s a skilled player,” Desmarais says. “He’s been getting progressively better and better – he’s someone to keep an eye on.”
Beyond music
The folk event will feature more than 90 vendors and importers who will be offering juried, handmade goods and crafts. Food and drink will be available including New Bedford’s renowned fish and scallops. The blues show will offer food from local establishments, as well as beer, wine and soft drinks. The Folk Festival has been described by The Boston Globe as “one of New England’s Greatest Celebrations” and Yankee Magazine awarded it an “Editor’s Pick” in 2014. The concerts were produced by Alan and Helene Korolenko for 20 years, and with the Zeiterion Theatre taking the reins this year, the couple’s role was solely to book the performers. “We have some large stages but there is still an up-close-and-personal atmosphere,” says Alan. “We try to get the best talent possible in a variety of styles.” And after an eleven-year hiatus, Moriarty chose to bring the blues event back to the area. “This year will be bigger and better than ever,” he says. “We chose artists that incorporate many styles into their performances so that there will be something for everyone.” “The blues festival will be enjoyable from start to finish,” Desmarais says. “Even if you don’t listen to the blues it will be entertaining.” “You can go to the folk festival to see one or two performers and discover four or five more that you like,” Finn says. “You don’t need previous knowledge of the music to have a good time.” Both events will cost visitors less than they would spend to see most of these artists in an individual concert. “These two festivals feature dozens of world-class musicians, who combined will attract a regional audience of over 30,000 to explore our historic downtown and our gorgeous waterfront at Fort Taber,” says Rosemary Gill, Executive Director of the Zeiterion. “This level of talent, combined with affordable ticket prices, is great for tourism and locals alike.”