Blue Sky Folk Festival Returns!
Saturday, August 17  
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Madison Violet, the Juno-nominated singer-songwriter duo from Toronto, headlines the evening concert at the August 17, 2019 Blue Sky Folk Festival in Willoughby, Ohio.
  

Ninth annual Blue Sky Folk Festival this Saturday, August 17

. . . where great musicians connect with new musicians . . .

This Saturday, August 17, 2019, the ninth annual Blue Sky Folk Festival comes to Willoughby, Ohio. It is a gem of an event that brings musicians and folk music fans from all over Northeast Ohio to Willoughby for a day of concerts, jamming, and learning.

This year the Blue Sky presents two separate events on August 17, a daytime program and an evening concert at its new location at The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Avenue (Route 20), Willoughby, Ohio 44094.

Evening Concert with Madison Violet

Headlining the evening concert is Madison Violet, deemed one of the best female duos to come out of Canada. The singer-songwriter team of Lisa MacIsaac and Brenley MacEachern continues to woo audiences and critics alike with their engaging performances and brilliant musicianship. Here’s a video, “Tell Me.”

With 10 studio albums over a 20-year career, the award-winning Madison Violet from Toronto moves effortlessly from folk to pop to electronic to Americana.

The evening concert program fills out with original and traditional folk music performances by two creative individuals who have added so much to the folk music scene here:

Emcee/musician Matt Watroba was recently named to the Folk Alliance International D.J. Hall of Fame after a career as the voice of folk music in hosting public radio programs in Michigan, Ohio and at Folk Alley. He sings and writes songs of compassion, inner strength, humor, and everyday living.

You will remember Charlie Mosbrook when you hear his inventive lyrics and beautiful bass voice. Charlie’s song “Remember Who We Are” earned him 2nd place in the 2018 Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting contest in Okemah, Oklahoma. Charlie is also a popular local open mic host.

Evening Concert admission $20 online, $25 at the door while tickets lastDoors open 7 p.m., presale ticket holders 6:45 p.m., concert 7:30 p.m.

Daytime Program

During the Day Program under separate admission, enjoy more than 45 music workshops,  jams and concerts on two stages. Performances and workshops feature such popular and creative musicians as Hal Walker & Friends (right, from Kent, Ohio), Mark Olitsky, The Woodpeckers, Mark Laskey, and songwriter/musician/teacher Scott Franklin.

This year for the first time the Blue Sky Folk Festival will offer a day-long track of contra danceworkshops and dances, led by callers Carol Kopp, Bill O’Connor and Kenny Wilson. No experience, no partner necessary – come and learn.

There are scheduled jams in Old-Time, Slow Old-Time, Western Swing and Old-Time Banjo led by professional musicians, plus popup jamming all over, all day, indoors and out.

For Irish and dulcimer enthusiasts, a tent is set up for open jamming with no schedule, no leaders – just show up and give us some of that beautiful, heart-filled music!

Matt Watroba will emcee the daytime concerts, plus lead a community sing workshop at noon – so get there early.

Daytime Program admission  $10 online or at the gate, under 13 free. Jammers bring your instrument for $2 off at the gateGates open 11 a.m., day program noon – 5 p.m.

Dinner Break

Hang around after the Day Program and enjoy a dinner break from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. before the evening concert. Head to the shops and restaurants in Historic Downtown Willoughby, a 16-minute walk (three minutes by car) – or stay at the Fine Arts Association for more jamming, whether you play or just like to watch. There will be food vendors, plus beer and wine available. This is our first year for this format, we’ll see what happens!

Buy Tickets!
Tickets are available at the gate or online. Daytime program $10 online or at the gate, under 13 free. Jammers bring your instrument for $2 off at the gate. Evening concert $20 online, $25 at the door.

 

From left: Thorne Musica (Paul Kovac & Carrie King), guitar wildman Jim Volk, and Matt Harmon, performing  musician who will also lead a 2 p.m.workshop on “Creative Wordplay in Songwriting.”

Bring the Kids

We’re a family friendly affair. What better way to spend the day, surrounded by music, community and sunshine. Children are welcome at the Blue Sky concerts, workshops and jams as well as planned kids activities. They are our future musicians!

Mountain Dulcimer Raffle

We are grateful to Pat and George Suchy for their donation of a mountain dulcimer crafted by George.

Parking

Free, safe and secure parking is provided at the Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094, and adjoining Andrews Osborne Academy parking lots.

Brought to you by . . .

The Blue Sky Folk Festival is brought to you by the Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to provide venues and opportunities for the performance, sustenance and preservation of folk music in our region through the creation of inspiring experiences that stimulate a personal love and appreciation of folk music. The Blue Sky Folk Festival and Lake Erie Folk Fest depend on your gifts and sponsorships to bring these very affordable events to a larger public.


Your experience begins here | Welcome to Lake County

Discover some of Ohio’s most popular destinations only 20 miles east of Cleveland on the southern shores of Lake Erie. Experience breathtaking landscapes, beaches, outdoor escapes, world-class wineries, national and local heritage sites, and events and festivals throughout the year. Whether traveling for business or making memories with family, you’ll find and experience what can only be described as “remarkable” in Lake County, OH.


The Blue Sky Folk Festival is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Why move?

The Blue Sky Folk Festival emerged in 2011 from the cauldron of an Appreciative Inquiry process at East Shore.  In  2014 the event moved under the umbrella of an independent nonprofit organization, the Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association. Why move to The Fine Arts Association? We loved our founding location at East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirtland, but with increased popularity and attendance, the festival needs larger classrooms and more parking. We’re excited about the change and look forward to welcoming the Fine Arts and Willoughy communities to our festival.

Sponsors

We thank the following organizations and individuals for their support:
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Donate here…
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