The American Folk Festival

Let's turn our thoughts to Spring. No, even better, let's turn our thoughts to summer and music at the American Folk Festival in Bangor. Frost is still in the ground and the waterfront park is under a layer of snow but organizers have announced the first groups booked to thrill our musical senses. In typical Folk Festival style, every possible musical taste is covered.

Bluegrass lovers get ready for Jesse McReynolds and the Virgina Boys. If Bluegrass is not your thing, the 2008 American Folk Festival will also feature Acadian, Salsa and Blues. Even Gnawa music, described as a mesmerizing blend of Islamic mysticism and hypnotic African rhythms, will also take to the stage. I'm sure the roster of performers will just get better as the American Folk Festival approaches.

If you love music as much as I do, let me give you a tip. Some of the best and most intimate performances take place Saturday night after the folk festival has concluded for the night. That's when the private party is held for folk festival volunteers. Sure it's late but the musicians are still wound right up from their performances earlier in the evening. It's an opportunity for many of them to meet each other and "jam" with one another. All you have to do is volunteer your time and you've got a free ticket to an exciting and personal musical experience.

by Susan Patten