Takoma Park Folk Fest Spreads Diversity

Takoma Park Folk Fest Spreads Diversity

American and World Music, Dance, Crafts to be Featured

TAKOMA PARK, Md., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, September 10, Takoma Park will again host one of the DC metro area's largest, most diverse annual music and arts events. The 29th annual Takoma Park Folk Festival will feature more than 50 music and dance performances on 7 stages, plus a large juried Crafts Show and community booths representing more than 100 local organizations.

This fun, family-friendly event is free. It will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Takoma Park Middle School at 7611 Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park.

"We have a broad, encompassing vision of folk music," says Pam Larson, co- chair of the Festival's Program Committee. "We have Celtic, klezmer, bluegrass, and blues. We have African storytellers and flamenco dancers, plus many traditional singers and a tribute to Crosby Stills Nash & Young."

This year for the first time, the Festival will have two hip-hop performances: Storm the Unpredictable, an award-winning performer and songwriter who lives in Oxon Hill, Md.; and the DC youth hip-hop dance ensemble, Future Shock.

"Hip-hop is an emerging form of folk music. It's spoken-word poetry," says Derek Hill, a Festival committee member. "It's listened to by people of all ages and races, and its influence is everywhere. We're hearing it reaching into other music, including musicians that people would consider to be 'folk singers.'"

As with Storm and Future Shock, all TPFF performers have strong roots in the Washington, D.C., region. Many are Washington Area Music Association (WAMMIE) award winners or nominees. "The musical talent in this area is extraordinary, and it's so diverse. On just our World Stage alone we will have music from four continents," says Larson. "Really, our toughest task is selecting among the more than 100 applicants each year."

Yet, the Festival is more than a music showcase. The juried Crafts Show & Sale will have 49 artisans who are displaying and selling their hand-crafted wood, fiber, glass, pottery, jewelry, and more. The Festival also hosts more than 100 local community non-profit organizations that share their message with the thousands of Festival attendees.

"The activity level is immense. It's colorful, neighborly, and great for families, too. It's like a miniature village for a day," says Kevin Adler, Festival chairman.

Adler emphasizes that the Festival is organized by volunteers and that none of the performers are paid. "The performers are our real heroes," he says. "We couldn't do this on our limited budget without their willingness to participate without compensation. They say that the enthusiasm of the crowd and the welcoming atmosphere of the event make it worthwhile."

Other developments:

* This year for the first time, the Festival has arranged for the used
cooking oil from food vendors to be picked up by a local recycling
cooperative and turned into biodiesel fuel.

* The Festival held its first t-shirt design contest this year. The
winning design, selected from 21 entries, was submitted by a middle-
school girl in Takoma Park.

* More than 300 members of the community volunteer on the day of the
Festival. Also, the musicians donate their time and talents.

The Takoma Park Folk Festival, an all-volunteer event, raises funds to support local youth groups in Takoma Park and the surrounding area. For information about attending the Festival, becoming a volunteer, or sponsoring a stage, visit http://www.tpff.org/ or call 301-589-0202.

Source: Takoma Park Folk Festival

CONTACT: Kevin Adler of the Takoma Park Folk Festival, +1-301-270-2839,
info@tpff.org

Web site: http://www.tpff.org/

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