The specifics for Champaign-Urbana’s annual Folk and Roots Festival have been announced. The festival will take place November 3rd, 4th and 5th at varying locations in the C-U area and will be bringing its unique sense of community back to the area for the eighth time.
The independently run, all-volunteer festival features a plethora of the best local, regional and touring folk and bluegrass acts, as well as lots of other activities, such as dances and storytelling. All told, there are around eighty different events to participate in over the fest, which means that if you can’t find something that interests you, you aren’t paying attention. Folk & Roots Fest’s group events and shows bring enthusiasts together to celebrate all things independent and earthy. When it comes to local shows and festivals, this one tends to flies under the radar most of the time, and deserves a lot more recognition. Take a look at the press release for more info and make your plans to attend this year.
Eighth Annual Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival November 3-5
The 8th annual Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival will be held in downtown Urbana, Thursday, November 3 through Saturday, November 5. Central Illinois’ only all-volunteer-run, grassroots music and arts festival brings together national, regional, and local artists and organizations for more than 80 high-quality, interactive music performances, dances, storytelling, and hands-on activities for all ages. This event provides a one-of-a-kind, inclusive, accessible, and diverse community experience.
This year’s festival kicks off on Thursday, November 3 with “Uncorked” at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The Hobnob String Band will open for multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins—a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops—and his blend of country blues, ragtime, old-time and traditional jazz. This free event begins at 5:00 in the Krannert lobby.
On Friday and Saturday nights, headlining national and regional performers include award-winning blues artist Gaye Adegbolola from Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women; alt-country blues singer/songwriter Amythyst Kiah; Irish accordion virtuoso Jimmy Keane; Nashville-based Howlin’ Brothers string band; Chicago country band the Hoyle Brothers; and Baltimore’s the Honey Dewdrops. The Cactus Blossoms come to town after a summer tour that included the Newport Folk Festival and A Prairie Home Companion. From St. Louis is Tommy Halloran’s Guerrilla Swing band, and Dan Gellert is one of the finest old-time musicians working today. JD Wilkes is a musician, artist, and filmmaker who has recorded with Merle Haggard and Hank Williams III.
Reflecting the styles of mariachi and Latin/American folk, Cielito Lindo, a fourth-generation family band, will perform a free show for kids and their parents on Saturday afternoon. With roughly half of the performers hailing from Central Illinois, the festival provides an important showcase for local musicians, including the Bashful Youngens, Faye Ballard, Still Shine, and many more.
The Independent Media Center, adjacent to Lincoln Square, will host family events, singalongs, musical performances, and dance events. Beginners and seasoned dancers will share the floor for square, swing, contra, and international dances and workshops. In addition to renowned storyteller and author Janice M. Del Negro, the Local Storytellers Showcase will feature some of our area’s favorite tellers—Linda Dust, Mary McCormack Deka, and Erica Eis—at the Urbana Free Library.
Several hands-on workshops will be held on Saturday at the Community Center for the Arts, including banjo and fiddle workshops by Dan Gellert and a banjo and harmonica workshop by JD Wilkes. Pizza M will host bluegrass and old-time jams throughout the afternoon. A blues jam, hosted by Susan Williams, will be held on Saturday afternoon at the Iron Post.
All workshops, sing-alongs, jams, and performances on Saturday morning and afternoon are free and family-friendly. All are welcome to these participatory events. Admission to evening events is available with multi-day wristband—$40—or daily venue cover charges. For the full schedule, visit folkandroots.org.
The C-U Folk and Roots Festival is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion of accessible art forms and community building in East Central Illinois. Volunteers are always welcome to join our community, make friends, have fun, and support the folk arts. Top sponsors for this year’s event include: City of Urbana; City of Urbana Public Arts Program; Sousa Archives and Center for American Music at UIUC, and the Urbana Business Association, as well as many area businesses, organizations, and individuals.