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| No rain, No Rainbows |
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Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 18th Annual Folks Festival - affectionately dubbed "Soaks Fest" for the first two days, followed by a spectacular (and dry) Sunday. From the impressive songwriters in the Folks Showcase (congratulations to winner Chuck E Costa), to Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers' rollicking late-night MoonGrass set, to great sets of music in the Wildflower Pavilion, to the brilliant double rainbow during Greg Brown's Saturday night set, the music was as diverse and inspiring as the Colorado sky. Read a few reports reports from the Festival. Then take a minute to share your feedback on the Festivarian Forum. We hope to see you this fall back in Lyons for our Wildflower Concert Series and next year for the 19th Annual Folks Festival - August 14-16, 2009.
The Song Artists
The 2008 "Summit of the Song" once again brings together a carefully selected group of our favorite performers - crossing generations, genres, global boundaries, and gold records.
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| Drying out on Folks Fest Sunday |
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When we started in the Folks Festival in 1991, our vision was to bring together songwriters from all over the world to collaborate and share their stories. This year's lineup again brings together many accents, including the edgy Scottish singer KT Tunstall, Australian roots trio The Waifs and passionate songwriter Missy Higgins, Canadian space-folk quartet Great Lake Swimmers, and
We are thrilled to welcome back Greg Brown to step out of the St. Vrain river for his eleventh performance at the Folks Festival. Singer and storyteller Todd Snider joins us again for a set of honest and wildly entertaining songs. The heartbreakingly vivid voices of Nanci Griffith, Patty Griffin, and Dar Williams will paint their intimate musical portraits for us in Lyons once again.
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| Josh Ritter |
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The musician with most performances on Planet Bluegrass stages, Tim O'Brien performs a special solo set. Amos Lee brings his soulful folk-rock back to Lyons - where two years ago he had the Friday night festival on its feet. Few bands generate the joyous reponse we've seen from Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, who will play their third Planet Bluegrass stage this August (as well as a Saturday late-night MoonGrass show), though we're pretty sure the vibrant songs and presence of Josh Ritter and Shawn Mullins will have Festivarians on their feet. One of the most acclaimed songwriters in indie-folk John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats makes a rare solo performance.
The 2007 Folks Showcase winner Sarah Sample brings her warmth and energy to her first full-length set on the Planet Bluegrass stage. Boulder Acoustic Society perform roots music with the edge of punk rock and the grace of chamber music. Moira Smiley & VOCO inspire with their improvisational energy, body percussion, and a cappella virtuosity.
We have many many more names to announce in the coming weeks and months, including instructors at our week-long Song School. Stay tuned to these pages and make sure you're signed up for our email newsletter for all the latest news.
The Festival
Lyons locals often look forward to the Folks Festival as their time to finally relax and enjoy summer. In contrast to the hot licks and hyper tempos of RockyGrass, the mellower moods of Folks Fest are the perfect antidote for the warm Colorado sun.
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| Tim O'Brien at Folks |
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The festival opens with the prestigious Folks Songwriter Showcase, where a juried group of the most gifted new songwriters from around the world compete for a spot in the 2009 lineup. (This year's contest received nearly 700 entries!). Songwriting workshops continue throughout the festival in the intimacy of the new Wildflower Pavilion.
Festivarians at the Folks Festival welcome newcomers with a space on their tarp and conversation about summer and song. Children create their masterpieces in the sandy beach next to the stage while parents dream their own masterpieces to the sound of acoustic guitars and lyrical songs.
As the sun sets over the Rocky Mountain Foothills the campgrounds come alive with festivarians from around the country eager to sing their latest creations or share in the creation of new ones with new friends. Whether you are a musician or a music lover, camps from around Colorado and around the country welcome you in with a hearty hug. Connect with your past and future tarpmates on the Folks Fest board at Festivarian.com.
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| KT Tunstall on the Folks stage |
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A Summer Day in Lyons
In August the St. Vrain is transformed from a hub of recreation to a cooling wet paradise. The shallow depths of the river are filled with damp armchairs and constantly evolving rock sculptures.
The relaxed pace leaves time to explore the spectacular environment of Lyons, Colorado. The historic quarry town is located just 15 miles north of Boulder in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The small town (population 1,600) is known for its antique stores, restaurants, artists, and musicians.
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| Watching the stage from a hammock |
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Numerous camping options nearby include: on-site at the festival grounds or under the cliffs at Meadow Park (a quick five-minute walk to the festival). Convenient parking is available at the Olson Property, just a 10-minute walk (or free shuttle bus ride) to the festival grounds.
Non-musical activities in and around Lyons include mountain biking at Hall Ranch, touring through Rocky Mountain National Park (40 minutes up the hill from Lyons), and hiking in the nearby National Forest lands and County Open Space.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the 2008 Folks Festival so unforgettable. We hope to see you this fall back in Lyons for the Wildflower Concert Series and next summer for the 19th Annual Folks Festival - August 14-16, 2009.