The inaugural Portland Folk Festival released its preliminary lineup last week, and if the preliminary nature of this information is any indication, the fully blossomed lineup is going to set your heart to twangin’.
Being held at various outdoor and indoor venues, as well as neighborhood outdoor spaces throughout Portland from August 19 to 22, the Portland Folk Festival will feature some familiar PDX folk firepower alongside national and international acts who hold only the most special places in our collective hearts (Sea of Bees!, ahem). We’re not talking indie-folk exclusivity here (as the term might most readily be attributed), but real, honest, gritty, goopy acoustic ruminations from the likes of Celso Machado, Jim Page and Earl White Band. Rounding out the younger set will be Portland’s own Loch Lomond, Freak Mountain Ramblers and Future Historians.
A fuller list of the preliminary lineup is available here.
Some additional schematics on this exciting, new Slim Moon-helmed music, art, craft, film, folk adventure:
"Portland Folk Festival will be held over four days, with a different neighborhood focus each day. Music venues, pubs, galleries and interesting spaces throughout Downtown Portland, Alberta Arts District, Mississippi Avenue and Southeast Portland will host events through the day and night all weekend.
The Portland Folk Festival is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the world’s folk and traditional music, and to the vibrant community, forward-thinking quality of life, and spectacular natural beauty of our treasured home of Portland. With one foot firmly rooted in preserving and celebrating the lessons of the past, and one in working toward a sustainable future, we are dedicated to the study, evolution, expression and celebration of the music of the people.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the community of Portland to come together and discover a world of music that’s happening in their own backyard.
Tickets for Portland Folk Festival are being sold online for $45. You will receive a badge that will get you into every show and event during the festival. Tickets for individual concerts will be available through each venue’s online box office or at the door day of show."
The Festival has also been holding monthly showcases in anticipation of the August kick-off. The next one will be held at the Mississippi Street Fair on Saturday, July 10 noon – 8 p.m. at the Parlour on the Hill stage, and will feature the likes of Stefan Jecusco and the Godless Moravians, mbilly, and more.
– Ryan J. Prado