Entertainers from around the world, as well as singer/songwriters performing traditional music from the United States and Canada, will convene at the Altamont Fairgrounds June 27 to 29 for the 28th annual Old Songs Festival.
Le Vent du Nord, playing traditional music of Quebec, will be among the many main stage acts on Saturday night, June 28, while among the other top performers will be Ottawa Valley fiddler/stepdancer April Verch and Irish fiddler Liz Carroll accompanied by guitarist John Doyle.
“As a festival, we’re a little different from others because we don’t think in terms of headliners,” said Old Songs art director Roger Mock. “We try to present the best traditional music we can and not worry about who knows who. That makes our festival stand out because people come to listen to the music, not see a personality. Having said that, Le Vent du Nord are really at the top of their game right now. They’ve been here before, and they are four musicians who are tremendous players of traditional Quebecois.”
Energetic performer
Verch is also a Canadian act who is accompanied by her husband, Marc Bru, on the bodhran, an Irish folk drum.
“She’s a young woman in her late 20s from the Ottawa Valley who puts a tremendous amount of energy into her shows,” said Mock. “She has a real crack band behind her, including her husband, and they try to outdo each other with her stepdancing and him playing the bohdran. It’s an amazing show.”
Carroll and Doyle will be among the many Irish acts also scheduled to perform.
“She’s one of the top Irish fiddlers in the country, and Doyle is one of the great Irish guitarists,” said Mock. “They have a wonderful style together, and when they’re on the stage together it’s a knockout performance.”
Along with the main stage entertainment scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. that Friday and Saturday, and noon Sunday, June 29, Old Songs will offer its own production, “The Visitors: The History, Music and Songs of the Adirondacks,” from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday.
Daily tickets for the main stage shows are $30 at the gate. There are also festival packages, which include camping. For more information on the festival, visit the Web site at www.oldsongs.org. Old Songs Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to keeping traditional music and dance alive through the presentation of festivals, concerts, dances and educational programs.
Main Stage Schedule
Friday, June 27
Main Stage Concert
7 p.m. — Andrew and Noah Van Norstrand, Marge Bruchac and Justin Kennick, Scott Ainslie, Chuck and Albert, April Verch Ensemble, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, Malinky, MC: George Ward.
Contra Dance
11: 30 p.m. — Morrison Brothers Band; Caller: Bob Nicholson.
Saturday, June 28
Main Stage Concert
7 p.m. — Andy Irvine, Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr., Walt Michael & Co., Si Kahn, Galitcha, Liz Carroll and John Doyle, Le Vent du Nord, MC: Matt Watroba.
Contra Dance
11:30 p.m. — Fennig’s All-Stars, Rosie’s Ready Mix; Caller: Amidon.
Sunday, June 29
Noon to 3 p.m. — Performances by Festival Jug Band, Great Groove Band, Harmony Singers and Tree of Life Concert.
Main Stage Concert
3:30 p.m. — Christopher Shaw, Joe Jencks, Ira Bernstein and Riley Baugus, Lee Murdock, Priscilla Herdman, The Visitors Act 1; MCs: Bill Spence and Roger the Jester.
Categories: Life and Arts
