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AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

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The American Folk Festival Program is produced by

To support the American Folk Festival through a financial contribution or volunteering, visit www.americanfolkfestival.com or contact the festival offices at 207-262-7765.

For 15 years, we’ve showcased artists from all across Maine: Welcome to the celebration of 15 years of the Greater Bangor community bringing the whole world to our waterfront for three boatbuilders, Native artisans, wonderful cooks and carvers and basket makers — connecting our Maine audience with the days of music, dance, food, crafts, and fun. traditions that are part of our region. Thanks to the City of Bangor, together with hundreds of volunteers, A lot can happen in 15 years: a child can go from kindergarten to sponsors, artists, and community members, the Festival has taken root on the beautiful banks of the Penobscot River. Since the Festival college. A sapling tree can take root and begin to truly grow. And began, much has changed here in Maine and globally. But what an unexpected Festival can become a treasured part of Maine’s remains constant is the Festival’s commitment to bringing a unique summer calendar. Now, with deeper roots than ever, the AFF is poised to grow in future years, continuing to bring the very best cultural gem to Bangor each summer. music and heritage from across America and around the world. Fifteen years is an impressive milestone … one that is made For 15 years, the Festival has been an important piece of our possible only thanks to the investment of time, resources, and community. With your help, the next 15 years will continue that support that you — the Festival community — have provided. This valuable tradition! investment is paying off in ways that we couldn’t have imagined Thank you for being part of the Festival’s 15-year history, and for back in 2002 — in economic impact, in arts exposure, and in getting to know the dozens of diverse cultures that have come to our joining us this year to celebrate those 15 years. doorstep. Who knew that we would have the chance to welcome Heather McCarthy, Malian banjo, Honduran Garifuna, and sacred steel guitar to our Executive Director corner of the country? For 15 years, the world has come to Bangor. We’ve enjoyed 15 years of dancing to salsa from Cuba, Chicago blues, Congolese soukous, and so much more! Fifteen years of an exclusive look into traditions like Tuvan and Inuit throat singing, and Taiko drumming. In all, over 100 countries have had their traditional music and dance represented at the Festival, in addition to unique treasures from all across the United States.

America

2016

05 VENDORS 06 WHO’S WHO 09 INFORMATION 12 MAP & SCHEDULE 14 SPONSORS 18 CONNECT WITH THE FESTIVAL 19 FOLKLIFE 21 CHILDREN’S VILLAGE

Welcome to the 2016 American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront!

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Index

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Jeﬀ Little Trio

Over the course of 15 American Folk Festivals, despite widespread recognition of the popularity of the annual event on Bangor’s waterfront, only a handful of artists have been fortunate enough to return to play a second time. The Jeff Little Trio has an even more rare distinction, having been to the American Folk Festival two years in a row — in 2006 and 2007. With few exceptions, the piano does not play a prominent part in Appalachian or Americana music, and is rarely the lead instrument. But Jeff Little is an exception – and a remarkable one. His distinctive two-handed style, much influenced by the mountain flat-picked guitar tradition, is breathtaking in its speed, precision and clarity. Little’s involvement with fiddle tunes, old time country, and traditional blues dates to his growing up in Boone, North Carolina, where his family owned a music shop. The shop was a regular gathering place for musicians who would just stop by to pick a few tunes. At an early age, Little would regularly sit in with many of the musicians from the region, including one of America’s most influential: Doc Watson. These influences helped shape Little’s approach to the piano which is based on these deep musical traditions. But there is also an echo of more contemporary mountain tradition in Jeff’s performances. In addition to performing twice at the American Folk Festival in Bangor, Little has performed at the National Folk Festival, American Piano Masters, The Smithsonian Institution, and in 2014 he was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. Little also can be heard on his four CDs that have been released, and has been heard on NPR and PBS, as well.

The Jeff Little Trio performs: Saturday, Noon EMHS Two Rivers Stage (String Theory Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 2:15 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, 5 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Swing Explosion Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 6:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot stage Sunday, 2 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage

The East Pointers The East Pointers come out of Prince Edward Island, performing traditional music, which has become an American Folk Festival staple over the years. The group is made up of three musicians who are very accomplished on their own, although collectively they have formed a super-trio with a versatile and modern take on traditional music from their heritage. “We set out to play traditional music but put a modern spin on it,” Jake Charron, guitarist for The East Pointers told Timber and Steel in 2015. “We’ve always loved listening to trad music and it started to feel like a lot of people out there would like it too if they had access to it. Maybe some of these new ideas would make it more accessible to some people. We just had a lot of new tunes on the go and decided, why not make a full album?” The East Pointers’ first original full-length album, Secret Victory, features 10 original tracks written by the band’s three members. Guitarist Jake Charron, fiddler Tim Chaisson and his cousin, banjo player Koady Chaisson, wrote the album while on tour in Australia in early 2015. “We spent Christmas down (in Australia) this past year so we took those days off (to write),” Charron told Timber and Steel. “I think even between soundcheck at shows you can come up with little ideas. Over time we started to work on ideas, came home and jumped into the studio.” After an EP earned the group a number of music nominations and awards in Canada, the full length album has only put the band in greater demand. Over the past year, The East Pointers have performed in locations around the world including the UK, Australia, and extensive touring in their home country of Canada. “In Canada, we grew up with more than one Celtic influence,” Charron, told Timber and Steel. “The PEI boys grew up playing predominantly Scottish tunes, but there’s also in Ontario, where I’m from, the Irish tradition is very strong and also the FrenchCanadian tradition. So we’re sort of a blend of Celtic traditions and influences.” The East Pointers’ world travels have included Maine, although this is the group’s first performance at the American Folk Festival.

The East Pointers perform: Friday, 7:45 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, Noon EMHS Two Rivers Stage (String Theory Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 4:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, 7:30 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, 1 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage (Fiddle Traditions Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 3:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Vendors

Food and Marketplace Main Food Court

4M Productions – Corndogs, French Fries, Onion Rings Aucoin – Lemonade, Smoothies, Hot Chocolate Crescent Foods - Benevolent Burrito, Vegetarian Wrap, Portobello Wrap, Spinach Quesadilla, Lemonade and Herbal Teas Dipem Donuts – Doughnuts, Mac-n-Cheese, Hot Beverages Fat Guy’s Concessions – Subs, Hamburgers, Hotdogs Hampden Congregational – Strawberry & Blueberry Shortcake Hewes Chowder Co./Orr’s Island Chowder - Seafood Chowder, Soda, Water Jeff’s Blooming Onion – Blooming Onions Maine Dish – Seafood, Chicken, French Fries, Fried Cheesecake Mr. Jack’s Catering Service – Turkey Legs, Steak Tips, Fried Sides Pizza Pie on the Fly – Pizza by the Slice Que Quesadilla - Roasted Red Pepper, Black Bean, Chicken and Pesto Quesadillas, Hand-Cut Sweet Potato Fries and Lemonade St. George Greek Orthodox Church – Greek Dishes and Desserts St. John’s Episcopal Church – Corn on the Cob Stone Fox Farm Creamery – Handmade Ice Cream Taj India – Indian Cuisine Three Leaf Foods – Sautéed Veggie Wraps with Chicken or Tofu Vasquez & McClain Texican Gourmet – Tex-Mex Dishes, Desserts Vicky Thai Food – Thai Dishes and Sides Whoopie Pie Café – 30 flavors of Whoopie Pies Yogi’s Traveling Kitchen – Doughboys, Funnel Cakes

Railroad Food Court First Congregational Church of Brewer – Root beer & Orange Soda Floats Hammerhead Seafood – Cajun Style Cuisine Nickerson’s Kettle Korn – Kettle Corn Stone Fox Farm Creamery – Handmade Ice Cream The Smoothie Shack – Smoothies, Wraps

Dance Food Court Fast Eddie’s – Ice Cream, Shaved Ice, Milk Shakes Moe’s Original BBQ/Seven Below LLC – Barbecue, Cold Salads Siri Grill – Thai Dishes, Egg Rolls

Marketplace Vendors

A & E Stoneworks – Stone Housewares A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm – Bags, Blankets, Hats, Kits Caricatures by PJ – Color and Black & White Caricatures Circle Stone Designs – Jewelry made from Leather and Metals Custom Creations By Jill – Bags, Purses, Key Chains Dan Johnson Designs – Water Paintings on Wooden Housewares Dick’s Stix – Walking Sticks, Canes, Benches Down to Earth Pottery – Place Settings, Bowls, Vases Field of Dreams Soaps – Bar Soaps, Gift Packs Forever Boards – Upcycled Cutting Boards Herb and Vine – Herbal teas, Seasonings, Jams, Jellies Human Nature/Pet Works – Lotions, Balms, Pet Products Lightwing Designs – Stained Glass and Silver Overlay Jewelry Maine Arts Prints – Prints, Cards, Paintings, Puzzles Maine Focus Photography – Photographic Prints, Images, Books Medicine Wheel Herbals LLC – Soaps, Salves, Deodorant, Oils MoonCrazy Fibre Arts – Felted Hats, Scarves, Soap, Cat Toys Mountain Mama of Maine – Salves, Scrubs, Steams, Misters Native Arts Gallery – Navajo and Zuni Style Jewelry Naturally Bee-Ewe-tiful – Lotions, Perfumes, Pet Products Norumbega Woodcarvers – Flora and Fauna Wood Carvings Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm – Alpaca Fiber Clothing Remarkable Blackbird - Henna and Henna Kits Seamack Designs – Semi-precious stones, Sterling Silver Jewelry Simplici-T From the Sea – Custom Sea Glass Jewelry Simply Prudence Creations – Catcher Bags Street Bauble – Handcrafted Gold and Silver Jewelry Stringin’ Along with ME – Upcycled String Jewelry Syn-Cyr-Ly Sisters – Felted Wool and Fleece Lined Mittens True Blue Collections Inc. – Natural Indigo Dyed Fabric Items Beast Feast Maine – Sauces, Syrups, Toppings, Rubs, Spice Blends Grey Goose Gourmet – Assorted Pepper Jellies Gryffon Ridge Spice Merchants – Custom Cooking Blends, Herbs Lakonia Greek Products – Olive Oil, Vinegar, Herbs and Teas Worcester’s Wild Blueberries – Various Blueberry Fillings and Toppings Wozz! Kitchen Creations – Handcrafted Spreads, Dressings and Sauces

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

“Who’s Who” AT THE 2016 AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL

The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront is only possible through the hard work of hundreds of volunteers, committee members, directors and staff. The following people are among those who have dedicated their time and skills to make the 2016 American Folk Festival a success.

Board of Directors:

Chairman – Rick Fournier, Bangor Savings Bank Vice Chairman – Dan Cashman, Sutherland Weston Secretary – Heidi LeBlanc, Penquis Treasurer – Tim Reynolds & Lee Speronis Maria Baeza, Turning Point Elizabeth Downing, University of Maine Nicole Gogan, City of Brewer Julie Green, Husson University Thom Johnston, New England School of Communication Amy Kenney, St. Joseph Healthcare Vern Leeman, N.H. Bragg Pauleena MacDougall, Maine Folklife Center Keith Martin, Kleinschmidt Julia Olin, National Council for the Traditional Arts John Rohman Kristen Strong Dan Tremble, Fairmount Market Kerrie Tripp, Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau

Development Committee: Chairman – Vern Leeman Maria Baeza Jim Boulier Rick Fournier Kathy McLeod Kristen Strong Elizabeth Downing David Zelz

Communications Committee: Chairman — Dan Cashman Karen Cashman Angela Smith Amy Kenney Julie Green Renee Ordway Bob Duchesne Kelly Cotiaux Caitlin Brooke Aimee Thibodeau

Volunteer Leaders:

2016 Volunteer Leaders Joan Andren, Jim Bird, Jane Black, Barbara Blazej, Jeff Bossé, Jim Boulier, Mary Brooks, Al & Esther Bushway, Barbara Cardone, Barbara Carey, Donna Chase, Peter Clewley, Bruce Clukey, Peter Curran, Dawn & Bill Curtis, Marian & Richard Dressler, Shirley Ellis, Mark Friedman, Erin Guesman, Jo Ann Higgins, Judy Ingersoll, Don Katnik, Diana Keyser, Cedric Long, Jr., Mike McGinn, Kathy McLeod, Connie McVey, Jennifer & Mike Murphy, Steve Ropiak, Lynda Ryder, Janet Smith, Barb St. Peter, Deb Turcotte, Libby Turner, Peggy Turner, Judy Weatherbee, Don Wilbur, Dale Wilkes, Lynne Woods Transportation team: Bill Mulherin, Michelle Mulherin, Nancy Tracy Folklife Area: The Maine Folklife Center at the University of Maine, with the Hudson Museum and the Page Farm and Home Museum Operations Team: Richard Derbyshire, Betty Derbyshire, Woody Higgins, Jack Kearns, Al Banfield, Sean Sykes, Brenda Boulier, Roger Hicks, Dale Farmer, Brad Ostrow, Cameron DePaola Office: Heather McCarthy, Executive Director Robin Merchant, Development Coordinator Denise Libby, Site Services Coordinator Kerrie Tripp and the GBCVB, Logistics Coordination Katie Chase, Event Planning Assistant

In loving memory of Timothy R. Reynolds. A longtime American Folk Festival Board Member, Supporter, and Friend. Tim’s spirit, energy, and enthusiasm will forever be remembered at this festival.

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Nathalie Pires

Nathalie Pires was born into a family of first-generation Portuguese emigrants in New Jersey, and discovered her passion for traditional Fado at the young age of 13. “Fado is a wave of emotion that we express naturally through song, and the first time I sang it was when I realized that,” said Pires. “I was surprised to discover that I had that energy inside me and could comfortably let go and share it in public. I was attracted to the impact Fado had, not only on myself, but on the audience, as well. I’m not sure if it’s the intimacy of it all between the instruments, lyrics and ambiance but sometimes I can feel the audience breathe with me because it can get so intense and in that moment the connection is overwhelming.” Having been called the “soul music of Portugal,” Fado can be traced back to the 1820s in that country, although its origins are believed to have existed even earlier than that. In popular belief, Fado is a genre characterized by mournful tones and lyrics, something that Pires takes seriously while bringing a fresh perspective to the art. “What’s different about me is that I was born and raised in the United States, so where most Fado singers learn to sing in Fado houses, I learned on my own and had to find inspiration through immigrants here or during my trips to Portugal,” said Pires. “My style is definitely driven by ‘saudade,’ which loosely translates to longing or constantly yearning something that isn’t within reach. I’ve also incorporated a different approach to my sound which goes beyond the traditional structure, where I’ve replaced the classical guitar with piano for a fuller more elegant vibe.” Pires has performed all over the world including in Portugal and at Folk Festivals around the United States. The 2016 American Folk Festival will be her first performance in Bangor. “This will be my first time ever visiting Maine and I feel honored and am really looking forward to it,” said Pires. “I’m also looking forward to joining the audience and watching the other performers. I learn so much about music in these festivals, and sometimes I wonder what it must feel like for an audience that doesn’t speak my language to hear my music for the first time and Festivals like these give me the opportunity to experience that as well during the other acts.”

Nathalie Pires performs: Friday, 8:45 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, Noon EMHS Two Rivers Stage (String Theory Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 6:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, 9:30 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, 1:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Songs of Heart and Heartache Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 3:15 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage

Erica Brown & Bluegrass Connection The American Folk Festival features performers from thousands and thousands of miles away from Bangor, Maine. The 2016 edition also features a performer from about 100 miles away in Lewiston, Maine. Erica Brown is a Maine fiddler who last performed at the American Folk Festival in 2005. When the National Folk Festival first visited Maine in 2002, Erica was just 18-years-old, but had already been performing for more than a decade. Erica has been performing on the fiddle in Maine and around New England for more than a quarter-century. Erica was competing in fiddle contests as young as 7-years-old against fiddlers twice her age. It only took her until the age of nine before she was performing throughout New England, into Canada, and as far away as Louisiana. In addition to her musical praise, Darol Anger also called her “The kind of musician who gives musicians a good name.” “She’s meticulous,” John Rock, bass player for the Old-Time Radio Gang, told the Bangor Daily News in 2002. “She studies music theory and has formal training. When she plays a tune, there’s no second-guessing. The timing and intonation are impeccable.” Being lucky enough to call Maine home means that she is able to enjoy the natural beauty of the Pine Tree State anytime she isn’t touring. But the excitement of performing a big festival in her home state is something that would be special to anyone. Erica Brown and Bluegrass Connection perform: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage (Fiddle Traditions Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 3:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, 4:45 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank Children’s Village

Sri Lankan Dance Academy of New York Staten Island, New York happens to have the largest community of Sri Lankans outside of Sri Lanka, with the Tompkinsville neighborhood in particular being dubbed “Little Sri Lanka,” in honor of the vibrant community that has developed. “Some people think Sri Lanka is India,” the troupe’s master choreographer Dilhan Pinnagoda told the Wall Street Journal through an interpreter in 2014. “This is a big opportunity for us to show … local people that we have a big tradition in Sri Lanka.” Today, there are about 5,000 Sri Lankans in the Staten Island community, drawing people to its restaurants and introducing audiences in the United States to traditional Sri Lankan dance. The Dance Troupe is “part art showcase and part graduation,” meaning the dancers in the Troupe have trained for anywhere from 10-15 years to perform the tradition, and reach the master level before traveling to the American Folk Festival. The Academy has about 50 students being trained in drumming traditions and Kandyan dance, which is one of three national dances of Sri Lanka. The dance developed out of a healing ritual called kohomba kankariya, which according to legend was used to rid a king of a mysterious illness. The Kandyan style is characterized by a calm, central core; intricate footwork, flowing arms, and acrobatic leaps; and a percussive, stomping beat accentuated by the jingle of the silambu on dancers’ ankles. Kandyan dance once only allowed males to train as dancers, although the Sri Lankan Dance Academy and several other schools also train women to perform the tradition. The Dance Troupe’s members range in age from 15-25 years old. The Troupe is accompanied on drums by teachers, their choreographer, and a master drummer. The Sri Lankan Dance Academy of New York performs: Saturday, 1:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, 3 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank Children’s Village (Costume Demo) Sunday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Music and Dance Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 2:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Sunday, 4:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Shodekeh Shodekeh is bringing the tradition of beat boxing to the American Folk Festival for the first time on the Festival’s 15th birthday. While beat boxing has become more widespread and mainstream, there are still some misconceptions about it as an art form. “I think they don’t fully understand that this is an American tradition, and that hip hop is an American tradition that was created out of necessity,” said Shodekeh. “It’s not just something cool that you do with your voice and your body as your instrument. It’s a form of cultural preservation. It’s a way of preserving the African-American identity in a way.” “I think most of America recognizes rock n’ roll as an American staple; jazz as a American staple – like baseball and football. They haven’t yet done that with hip hop, and I know these things take time.” Beat boxing’s origins can be traced back to the 19th century. Techniques similar to beat boxing have been present in religious songs, blues, and ragtime. More recently, some wellknown performers have used vocal percussion, even though it only later became known as beat boxing. In pop culture, jazz singers Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau were well known for their vocal styles, and Michael Jackson was known to record himself beat boxing on a tape recorder as a demo to record several of his songs. Beat boxing’s origins are varied and diverse, and as a result the tradition is used in a number of settings. Shodekeh has performed as a solo artist, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and has opened for former President Bill Clinton at an official State of Maryland event with the Choppin State University Choir. Shodekeh says that performing at festivals like the American Folk Festival gives him the opportunity to engage with other musicians and what he calls “musical ambassadors.” “It’s a great chance to experiment musically and culturally,” said Shodekeh. “I enjoy trying to figure out how other music and genres and how they express themselves in their stories and their histories. The artists and performers are the living traditions of their genres.”

Shodekeh performs: Friday, 6:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Mouth Music Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 1:45 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank Children’s Village Saturday, 8:30 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Music and Dance Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 1:45 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank Children’s Village Sunday, 4:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage

Leonardo Sandoval Brazilian-born tap dancer Leonardo Sandoval, described by the Chicago SunTimes as, “strong yet fine-boned, capable of authority and nuance,” and praised by the New York Times for his, “spontaneous aura of thinking,” is quickly gaining a reputation in the tap world for his musicality and for adding his own Brazilian flavor to tap dancing. He began his dance studies at age 6 in Piracicaba (Sâo Paulo State). When he was 11 years old, he began appearing on Brazilian TV, and at age 18, he was invited to Los Angeles to attend the Debbie Allen Dance Academy for the Summer Intensive program, as well as the L.A. Tap Festival. Sandoval also co-founded the Cia Carioca de Sapateado in Rio de Janeiro with the aim of bringing tap dance to a wider audience in Brazil by incorporating Brazilian rhythms, music, and dance styles into tap. In 2013, Sandoval moved to New York and was invited to perform and teach at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World, America’s largest festival of tap and percussive arts. In New York, he is working with Michelle Dorrance’s acclaimed company, Dorrance Dance, performing across the United States and abroad, including at the Jacob’s Pillow and Fall for Dance festivals, Lincoln Center, the Joyce Theater, and the Danspace Project in New York. In addition, Sandoval is also in demand as a solo performer and as a choreographer. Since September 2014, he has been an artist in residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation. His first full-length choreography, Music from the Sole, an hour-long show created with American bassist and composer Greg Richardson, premiered in 2015 at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore, to a sold-out audience. Other recent credits include a guest appearance with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Michael Mwenso & The Shakes, and performances at the Richmond Folk Festival, ATDF’s Rhythm in Motion, and Fall for Dance. Upcoming projects include national and international tours with both Dorrance Dance and Music from the Sole, new choreographic work, as well as performances at the National Folk Festival and the New York City Tap Festival, among others.

Leo Sandoval performs: Friday, 8 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Saturday, 12:15 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank’s Children’s Village Saturday, 3:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, 5 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Swing Explosion Talk / Demo session) Sunday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Music and Dance Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 4:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Information Welcome to the 2016 American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront, the 15th year of an annual celebration of authentic traditional arts. We hope that you enjoy this year’s festival, and that you’ll make your plans to experience this grand event with the help of the information in this guide. From 2002 to 2004, the City of Bangor was host to the 64th, 65th and 66th National Folk Festivals, celebrating traditional performing arts from cultures across the globe and entertaining tens of thousands of people each year. After a very successful three-year run, the community launched the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront in 2005, carrying on the tradition established by the National Folk Festival. The American Folk Festival is a nonprofit organization, working in partnership with the City of Bangor, Penquis, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, and the Maine Folklife Center at the University of Maine. The AFF has proven that authentic traditional arts have a longlasting place in the heart of Bangor.

This year’s American Folk Festival features 20 performing groups for your enjoyment. Plus, mark your calendars for Aug. 25-27, 2017 for next year’s American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront! Festival Admission

There is no admission fee to attend any of the festival’s programs, including performances, demonstrations, and children’s activities. However, presenting the festival free-of-charge costs nearly $1 million, and we need your help to cover these production costs. The suggested donation is $10 per day per person, or $20 per day per family. When you see the donation buckets, please, consider a gift to support the event!

Bucket Volunteers

The volunteers who make up the Bucket Brigade and the Donation Stations are a happy corps of community volunteers who encourage festival-goers to support the American Folk Festival. Donation Stations are at the two main festival entrances (at Railroad and Broad streets), and also in the Main Food Court. The Bucket Brigade travels throughout the festival site. Please, drop your contribution (suggested donation: $10 per person per day) in the bucket to help cover the cost of the festival.

Restrooms

Portable restroom facilities and hand-washing stations are located at numerous spots throughout the festival site. See the map for the facilities closest to you.

Festival Parking

People familiar with Downtown Bangor are invited to park in any street-side parking, surface lots, or the Pickering Square Parking Garage. Or you may want to use the convenient parking at the Bass Park complex off Buck Street. Parking fees are $8 per vehicle per day. The Folk Festival is pleased to partner with the Anah Shrine to facilitate parking at Bass Park. One hundred percent of your parking fee supports these two Bangor area nonprofit organizations: the Second Section of Anah Shrine and the American Folk Festival. Free shuttle service will transport people from Bass Park to the festival site on the Penobscot River waterfront.

Bicycles

Free bicycle parking will be available near the Railroad Street entrance to the Festival (at the corner of Main and Railroad streets) in a special bicycle parking area overseen by Folk Festival volunteers. Remember that Maine law requires that a headlight and rear red reflectors be visible from at least 500 feet when riding at night. Flashing taillights and light-colored and/or reflective clothing are highly recommended. The law requires helmets for anyone under age 16, but everyone should wear a helmet to prevent head injury.

Information Booths, Festival Schedules

Smoke-Free, Please

Smoking is prohibited within any Festival tents, and in the food courts and picnic areas. Throughout other areas of the Festival, please be courteous and refrain from smoking when in a crowd of people.

Medical and Emergency Services

Minor medical emergencies will be treated at the First Aid Center, located just before the Craft Marketplace vendor tents. Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems sponsors and coordinates the First Aid Center.

Lost People

Children who lose track of their caretakers should find a festival volunteer or staff member who will contact security to escort them to the First Aid Center (located just before the Craft Marketplace vendor tents). All lost people will be directed to the First Aid Center unless their parties have made arrangements to meet elsewhere.

Handicapped Accommodations

Handicapped parking facilities will be available at Bass Park and along Broad Street at the Festival’s upriver entrance. Several stage performances and demonstrations will be translated in American Sign Language. See the schedule in the center of this program or check at an information booth. For liability reasons, the festival is not able to provide golf cart transportation to festival-goers.

General festival information, the schedule of performances, and area information will be available at four information booths: near the Dance Tent, near the Railroad Stage entrance, near the Front Street Food Court, and near the Marketplace Vendors.

Baby-Changing Station

What to Bring

Returnables and Recyclables

You may want to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses. A credit card may come in handy to buy festival memorabilia and CDs of performing artists. Collapsible chairs and a blanket might make your trip more comfortable. Some stages will have seating, but others, such as the Railroad Stage, require that you bring your seating. Don’t forget your prescription medications and, just in case, bring your insurance and Medicare cards.

What if it Rains?

Tents cover many festival stages and presentations. If the weather appears threatening, bring an umbrella. The show will go on, rain or shine, unless there is a concern for public safety.

Pets

Please, do not bring pets (other than service animals) to the American Folk Festival. The large crowds — with many people seated on the ground — will appreciate your animals staying at home. Your pets will be more comfortable at home than in the midst of the festival crowds.

The Festival’s baby-changing station is located near the Children’s Village, just downriver from the Penobscot Stage.

For your convenience, there are bins for returnable bottles and cans and other recyclables placed throughout the festival.

Schedule Subject to Change

Programs and performances were accurate at press time, but could change. Check at information booths for performance and scheduling updates.

New this year!

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Alash ALASH are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this gifted trio from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but its overall sound and spirit is decidedly Tuvan. Trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood, the Alash musicians studied at Kyzyl Arts College just as Tuva was beginning to open up to the West. They formed a traditional ensemble and won multiple awards for traditional throat singing in international xöömei competitions, both as an ensemble and as individuals. At the same time, they paid close attention to new trends coming out of the West. They have borrowed new ideas that mesh well with the sound and feel of traditional Tuvan music, but they have never sacrificed the integrity of their own heritage in an effort to make their music more hip. Alash first toured the U.S. under the sponsorship of the Open World Leadership program of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then they have returned many times, to the delight of American audiences. The Washington Post described their music as “utterly stunning,” quipping that after the performance “audience members picked their jaws up off the floor.” Alash enjoys collaborating with musicians of all stripes. They appear as guest artists on Béla Fleck & the Flecktones’ holiday CD Jingle All the Way (2008), which won a Grammy. The Denver Post remarked, “As electrifying as the Flecktones’ performance was, the band were nearly upstaged by Alash Ensemble.” Alash also enjoys a longstanding musical partnership with the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, and they have collaborated with musicians across the spectrum, from country to classical to beatboxing. Beyond performing, Alash has a passion for teaching and promoting understanding between cultures. Their tours often include workshops where they introduce Tuvan music to students from primary, middle and high schools, colleges, universities, and music conservatories. Children as young as 8 and 9 have learned to throat-sing. As one student exclaimed, “Alash opened my eyes to a whole new world!” Alash performs: Saturday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Mouth Music Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 5:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, 8:30 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, 1 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage

Fendika

Fendika, a troupe of the most accomplished azmari musicians and dancers from Addis Ababa, draws deeply from the well of Ethiopia’s bardic tradition, while adding creative movements and sounds that revitalize the ancient artistic forms to create a new tradition. Fendika features two dancers, a singer, and instruments, including kebero drums, masenko (a one-stringed bowed fiddle), and krar (a five- or six-stringed lyre). Founded in 2009 by Melaku Belay, Ethiopia’s leading dancer and a respected cultural ambassador, the ensemble is based at Melaku’s renowned music club Fendika Azmari Bet in Addis Ababa. The musicians and dancers of Fendika present a cultural journey through Ethiopia’s astonishing cultural diversity, mesmerizing audiences with resonant vocal chants, vibrant stringed instruments, spirited drum rhythms, and spectacular dancing. Melaku is a renowned virtuoso interpreter of eskista, a traditional Ethiopian trance dance of athletic shoulder movements that presage hip hop movements of breaking and popping. Melaku and Fendika extend their base of tradition to explore musical partnerships with Ethiopian jazz bands Addis Acoustic Project and the U.S.-based Debo Band, as well as with international groups such as European punk band The Ex. Fendika has appeared in Scandinavia, France, Spain, Mali, Zanzibar, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic; they rocked the Roskilde Festival in Denmark in July 2014, earning a rave review. Members of the group toured the U.S. in 2011, 2012, and 2013 with stops at the Lowell and Richmond Folk Festivals, the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, and Kennedy Center as well as Lincoln Center where their performance received great acclaim from the New York Times. They performed as a showcase band at the prestigious Womex Festival in 2014 and toured Europe twice during 2015 with The Ex. Fendika was a highlight at globalFEST 2016, the premier world music showcase in New York.

Fendika performs: Saturday, 1:15 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, 4 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Music & Dance Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 5:30 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Gerardo Contino y Los Habañeros

PHOTO CREDIT: GIGI DE LA TORRE

Cuban singer/songwriter Gerardo Contino will make his first appearance at the American Folk Festival in 2016, along with his band Los Habañeros. If Contino’s energetic performance doesn’t captivate the crowd, his tendency to pull the audience into “call and response” and provoking the audience into what he calls “hip-shaking abandon” certainly will. “I feel the need and almost the duty to show younger people that this is very vibrant music and we can’t only have it as a museum piece,” Contino told the New York Daily News in a 2014 interview. Contino makes it a goal to get people dancing during his shows, and the sub-goal would be to encourage dancers of all ages to stand up and let loose. The enthusiasm and energy from Contino and his band are contagious. In fact, Gerardo Contino y Los Habañeros was selected by NPR/WNYC as Manhattan’s best band of 2015. Contino’s energy is organic, although his experience comes from home. He has been a part of renowned Cuban bands in Havana since his youth. He left Cuba in 2009 and started the band with Los Habañeros in New York City in 2012. He has toured all over the world, and plays frequently in his new hometown of New York City. Like many artists performing a tradition that has decades-old roots, Contino wants to connect the past to the present and bridge the generation gap. “Because the idea they have about Cuba is the old School music and I respect old school, but people have to understand that there is an evolution,” Contino told the New York Daily News. “We respect the old songs and old styles, but also they have to allow the new generation to show our work.”

Gerardo Contino y Los Habañeros perform: Friday, 9:45 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, 1:45 p.m. Dance Pavilion Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Dance Pavilion Sunday, 12:15 p.m. Dance Pavilion

Tribu Baharu Tribu Baharu comes to Bangor from the Colombian Caribbean. The group is an afrochampeta music crew, with a goal of bringing the joy of being Caribbean through dance, using music as a vehicle to drive that dance. Performing at a festival like the American Folk Festival gives Tribu Baharu the opportunity to spread that joy far and wide for Festival-goers to experience and bring home with them. “In larger festivals, we expect people to smile, dance and forget about the bad times,” said Pocho, the drummer for Tribu Baharu. “The mission of Tribu Baharu’s music is to make people happy.” The Champeta term from “afro-champeta” refers to a knife used by fishermen to remove fish scales. Champeta is a fishermen music with influences including Soukous (congo), Calypso, and reggae. Its origins come from relatively recent times, being traced back to the early 1980s with inspiration coming from recorded music brought into the port of Cartagena from Africa and other Euro-African settlements. During the 1990s, Champeta underwent some changes with the introduction of digital sources of sound. In champeta music, typically the rhythmic bass dominates over the melodic and harmonic lines, resulting in music that is easy to dance to and enjoy. “People will experience, since the very first song, how we live all the tradition of the sound system culture that we have in Colombia, specifically in the Caribbean,” said Pocho. “Everybody will enjoy dancing in a free mood, this [is] due to the energy we have on stage and the power of music.” Bangor and the Colombia Caribbean are separated by about 2,500 miles. Tribu Baharu are making their first trip to Maine and are excited to perform at the American Folk Festival while taking in some of the sights. “We have never been to Maine,” said Pocho. “This is our first time and we look forward to seeing the people enjoying the nice energy we are going to share.”

Tribu Baharu performs: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, 9 p.m. Dance Pavilion Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Dance Pavilion Sunday, 5:30 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

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AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Vishten Vishten returns to the American Folk Festival for the first time since 2004, bringing Acadian music and dance to the Bangor Waterfront. Despite being 12 years removed from their first Festival experience in Bangor, American Folk Festival-goers remember the group well for their versatility, talents, and enthusiasm. In addition to remembering the group and its music, the group’s name, Vishten, tends to stick with fans, as well. The name Vishten comes from a popular song on Prince Edward Island that takes influences from the different languages heard on the island. “It’s something that’s been sung a lot in our area and even throughout Canada and other places that we’ve heard it,” group member Emmanuelle LeBlanc told the Prince Albert Daily Herald in 2014. “For us, it just means a mix of cultures. It’s a mix of Acadian, French, the English and the Micmac.” Vishten was a relatively new group when they last performed at the American Folk Festival. Despite being a trio, when listening to Vishten you will be treated to vocals from all three members, as well as performances on piano, piano accordion, fiddle, mandolin, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bodhran, jaw harp, Moog, and some percussive dance and whistles thrown in for good measure. The band composes most of its own music, and the lyrics are based on traditional words that date back as far as hundreds of years. Cultural heritage is important to the group, as it is here in Maine. “There was a lot of music being played at the house,” LeBlanc recalled to the Prince Albert Daily Herald in 2014. “Musicians would come in regularly and play, and so the local musicians were definitely a big influence.”

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Vishten performs: Friday, 6:30 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, Noon BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, 3 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, 1 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage (Fiddle Traditions Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 1:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Songs of Heart and Heartbreak Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 5:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Nakotah LaRance

Lurrie Bell’s Chicago Blues Band

Nakotah LaRance is a 26-year-old hoop dancer from New Mexico. The art of Native American Hoop Dance has deep origins with Native tribes, coming from a long cultural history. Once a part of a healing ceremony, today’s Native American Hoop Dance is more celebratory. “Today’s contemporary hoop dance is more of a celebration of what they call the sacred hoop of life and all of the beauty that comes with our journey here on this earth,” said Steve LaRance, Nakotah LaRance’s father, who is also the singer and drummer for the hoop dancer. “You will see hoops woven into designs as Nakotah dances, such as the eagle, the butterfly, an alligator, and a horse — things that are found in nature.” LaRance has been called “The World’s Best Hoop Dancer,” with credentials to back it up. He has won top honors in the Heard Museum’s World Hoop Dance Championships for the past two years, and is a six-time World Champion overall, mastering his own five-hoop routine. LaRance also is an actor, having appeared in three motion pictures including, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” as well as a music video. He also has been a featured artist with Cirque du Soleil’s performance of “Totem.” Despite the many awards and appearances on his resume, the American Folk Festival will be his first performance in Maine. “We have been to Kennebunk once, but that’s as close to Bangor as we have come,” said the elder LaRance. “We always look forward to meeting new people and going to new communities, so we are really looking forward to visiting Bangor. The American Folk Festival will be particularly exciting because we have heard about its popularity, and we hope everyone will come by to see the World Champion Hoop Dancer.” Nakotah LaRance performs: Saturday, 2:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Saturday, 4 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank’s Children’s Village Sunday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (“Music and Dance” Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 2:30 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Sunday, 3:45 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank’s Children’s Village

Lurrie Bell’s Chicago Blues Band is fronted by a man who has quite possibly collected enough awards and accolades to fill a small cottage on the coast of Maine. Bell has been playing guitar since he was five-years-old and formed his first blues band while in high school. Bell grew up with many Chicago Blues legends around him, including Eddie Taylor, Big Walter Horton, Edie Clearwater and his own father, famed blues harmonica player, Carey Bell. “I love the state of Maine,” said Bell. “I first played in Maine with my father, Carey Bell, a long while back. The fans are fantastic and really go for the blues. I came back in 2008 with my band at North Atlantic Blues Festival and had a ball.” Lurrie Bell left Chicago at the age of seven to live with his grandparents, but returned when he was 14. By the time he was 17, Bell was playing on stage with Willie Dixon and was recognized into the 80s for his talent as a musician, as well as his musical knowledge and maturity in major publications. Bell was back in high gear in the 2000s, with several CD releases over the past 15 years and a number of awards including a WC Handy Award Acoustic Record of the Year by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Living Blues Magazine’s Male Blues Artist of the Year in 2008 and 2012, and Most Outstanding Guitar Player in the same magazine’s Critic’s Poll in 2007. His musical talent, knowledge, and diversity make him not only a sought-after performer, but a fan of music who is excited to attend the 2016 American Folk Festival in Bangor. “I love the gospel music as gospel and blues are so much alike,” said Bell. “I have enjoyed playing and listening to the African groups, as well. I’ll be in Bangor for a few days so me and the guys will be roaming around a lot ... always some good surprises!” Lurrie Bell’s Chicago Blues Band performs: Friday, 7:45 p.m. Dance Pavilion Saturday, Noon, EMHS Two Rivers Stage (“String Theory” Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 9:30 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Sunday, 1:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Songs of Heart and Heartache Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 5:30 p.m. Dance Pavilion

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers

Those who have attended many or all of the American Folk Festivals over the years likely remember 2011. That was the year that Hurricane Irene made its way up the Eastern seaboard and wreaked havoc on the festival’s Sunday schedule. As a result, The Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers put on a special Monday performance at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre immediately after Folk Festival weekend for people who missed the third day of performances. “We stuck around and did an extra concert for the American Folk Festival that year and lent support in any way we could under the circumstances,” said Ric Jennigs of The Brotherhood Singers. “We enjoyed doing it and got a lot out of it.” The Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers is an African-American a cappella gospel group performing in a traditional fashion with intricate and emotional four-part harmony. The group started out in the late 1980s, singing at the 9th Street Baptist Church in Covington, Kentucky. The Brotherhood Singers have performed throughout the United States, as well as in Canada and Spain, which they have toured 17 times. “We are going into 30 years as of March of next year,” said Jennings. “We have kind of an old-school gospel flavor in our material. We sing a lot of the old gospel tunes. The flavor that we’ve been blessed with tends to reach out to all generations one way or the other, which is sort of surprising to us. But when the Lord is in charge, then there is no void.” The Brotherhood Singers are looking forward to returning to Maine for lobster rolls, the Festival, and the Maine people. According to Jennings, the people in Maine made the biggest impression. “Even at the airport — they said over the PA that we couldn’t get on the plane until we sang a song. So we even enjoyed the airport. It was all a part of God’s plan — being delayed and opening up with our talents that weren’t expected under the circumstances. That’s what it’s all about — sharing the hearts and minds together with His love and song.” The Brotherhood Singers perform: Friday, 8:45 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Saturday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (“Mouth Music” Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 1:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Saturday, 3:15 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Sunday, Noon BDN Railroad Stage

Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Michael Cleveland has accomplished a lot at a young age. He has been named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Fiddle Performer of the Year 10 times, and has earned himself a Grammy Award. How does a 35-year-old achieve so much success? It starts with raw talent, it helps to practice a lot, and it doesn’t hurt to start playing the fiddle at the age of 4. “Even at 4-years-old I knew that I wanted to play,” said Cleveland. “I knew that I wanted to play because I heard a local area bluegrass fiddler play the Orange Blossom Special. I definitely wanted to play bluegrass. There were a lot of great fiddlers in the area but nobody really knew how to start somebody, especially a 4-year-old with visual impairment.” Cleveland was born in Henryville, Indiana and graduated from the Kentucky School for the Blind. Cleveland made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1993 as a guest of Alison Krauss and has performed with a number of bluegrass legends since then including Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, and J.D. Crowe. “It’s even more surreal when I think about it now,” explained Cleveland. “I got to play with Bill Monroe a couple of times. A lot of people playing now in this generation never got to meet him and I got to do that when I was 9 or 10 years old. I have been fortunate to either play with or meet most of my musical heroes and I have been extremely lucky to be able to do that.” Cleveland comes to Maine with his group Flamekeeper. Cleveland not only plays fiddle in the group, but sings, as well, and is joined by musicians on guitar, bass, mandolin, and banjo. The American Folk Festival will not be his first time performing in Maine, and Cleveland likes it that way. “It’s always good to play in Maine,” said Cleveland. “We don’t get to play there as much as we’d like, but we’re hoping to pick some and eat some lobster.”

Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper perform: Saturday, 2:15 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage Saturday, 5 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Swing Explosion Talk/Demo session) Saturday, 8:30 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Sunday, 1 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage (Fiddle Traditions Talk/Demo session) Sunday, 4:15 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

While there’s no argument that the best way to experience the festival is live in-person, there are lots of other ways to connect with the fun.

There’s an app for that

The 2016 AFF app is free and has all the up-to-date information you’ll need to keep your Folk Festival weekend on track. A few favorite features: The ability to create your own schedule to remind you of your favorite performances and send an alert right No, really -- turn your radio dial to WERU from noon-6 p.m. before they begin; announcements of who is performing on a Saturday and Sunday during this year’s folk festival to listen to a specific stage as you walk past the stage; and a photo gallery live broadcast of performances on the Bangor Daily News where you can upload and post your pics from the festival to be Railroad Stage. For more than 10 years, WERU-FM Community featured on Facebook and Twitter. Radio (89.9 Blue Hill, 99.9 Bangor and weru.org) has broadcast the festival and live streams performances on the Internet.

Listen up

Get connected

From our blog, hosted by the Bangor Daily News, to Facebook and Twitter — we’re there. Search for American Folk Festival and you can’t miss us. It’s the place to be for festival and related event updates year round.

Watch and listen

Want a sneak peek at this year’s artists to help plan your festival weekend? The American Folk Festival channel on YouTube features a playlist of videos of this year’s artists. To find us, search YouTube channels for “American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront.”

el brating

Connect with the Festival

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Folklife

Folk Preservers This year the Folklife Area is focused on Maine folk fiber arts. Our Penobscot, Iranian, Indian, and Yankee heritage demonstrators represent just a tiny portion of the Native, Settler, and New Mainer fiber traditions present in this state. Running the gamut of thread fiber arts, these artists will demonstrate and discuss beading, embroidery, weaving, and net making. In addition, the Narrative Stage will feature a varied panel of experts led by UMaine’s Sarah Harlan-Haughey focused on the importance of fiber arts in literature and in daily life. UMaine’s Page Farm and Home Museum will be in the demonstration area giving the historic (and hands-on) perspective of Maine fiber traditions and fiber tools. All of our artists are happy to show visitors their techniques and there will be space available for any visitors who want to bring their own portable fiber art projects to work on in the demonstration tent.

Jennifer Neptune Saturday Noon-12:45 p.m. and Sunday 4:15-5:00 p.m. Jennifer is a Penobscot bead worker and basket maker living in Old Town, Maine. She learned how to create basic jewelry from a fellow Penobscot before experimenting with bags. She went on to study the designs of her tribe and has completed several replicas of regalia. Neptune was part of the previous “Remnants of Our Lives” Maine Folklife Center project on fiber arts.

Simin Khosravani Saturday 12:55-1:40 p.m. and Sunday 3:20-4:05 p.m. Simin is an apprentice Kashkooli rug weaver. She wishes to keep the knowledge and traditions of her Turkish-Iranian tribe alive, as modern life has pushed people away from these ancestral practices. She is apprenticing with her mother Pari Rokh.

Panel Fiber arts in literature and life, Saturday 1:50-2:35 p.m. and Sunday 2:25-3:10 p.m., led by Sarah Harlan-Haughey, CLAS-Honors Preceptor, Department of English, UMaine.

Kavya Seshachar Saturday 3:40-4:25 p.m. Kavya is an Indian crocheter and embroiderer. She learned her technical skills from the women in her family, but takes pleasure in breaking away from traditional pieces and mixing the color palette of India with local inspirations in her work. In February 2016, she participated in winning the Guinness World Record for the largest crochet blanket, with the digital community Mother India’s Crochet Queens.

Stephanie Crossman Sunday Noon-12:45 p.m. Stephanie is a netting artist from Vinalhaven, Maine. She learned net making from her husband’s great grandmother, Gram J. Over the years, as the need for traditional nets faded away, Stephanie gave a new life to a disappearing fiber art, as she moved away from traditional netting to netted bags then to wearable netting, and now creates three-dimensional netted sculptures.

Fashion Show Saturday 4:30-5 p.m. and Sunday 1:45-2:15 p.m. You are invited to bring your wearable homemade fiber art and show it off!

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Treme Brass Band Treme Brass Band might be recognizable to Festival-goers who attended the first National Folk Festival in Bangor in 2002. That year, Treme Brass Band brought its New Orleans-style brass band music to the Bangor Waterfront and led the parade from one end of festival grounds to the other, essentially kicking off a revitalization of Bangor’s downtown and riverfront area. In 2016, to mark the American Folk Festival’s 15th birthday, Treme Brass Band returns to usher that same parade from Two Rivers Stage to the Railroad Stage. “I got the sense that it was new, but the people really enjoyed the music and really enjoyed what we had to offer at the Festival,” said Benny Jones Sr. of Treme Brass Band of his band’s first visit to Bangor. “We were there at a peak time because it was new, but the more you do a festival like this over time the better it gets.” Made up of a combination of saxophones, trombones, trumpet, tuba, and drums, Treme Brass Band has performed for decades and is known and well-respected from the French Quarter of New Orleans all the way to France — and all points in between. “Wherever we go, we try to give the New Orleans flavor — some of the old tunes,” said Jones. “People are used to seeing parades and bands marching down the street and playing in New Orleans. This is something fairly unique to the people of Maine — they really appreciate our style of music.” While a decade-and-a-half has passed since the group’s first experience with the Folk Festival in Bangor, they remember the area and the Festival well, and are anxious to return. “I am looking forward to coming back to have people appreciate our music,” said Jones. “I am also looking forward to having a chance to walk around and sightsee a little bit and hear some other groups play because we like to support other musicians, too. We’re looking forward to a good time.”

Treme Brass Band performs: Friday, 7:15 p.m. Parade from Two Rivers to Railroad Stage Friday, 9:15 p.m. Dance Pavilion Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Dance Pavilion Saturday, 7 p.m. Parade from Two Rivers to Railroad Stage

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Children’s Village Located at the very center of the Festival site is the Children’s Village, which offers a variety of games, crafts, activities, and performances for younger Festival-goers. Presented in partnership with Penquis, the activities in the Children’s Village offer chances to be creative, play at your own pace, and sit down for a performance from many of the Festival artists. Stop by between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for a chance to color your own T-shirt, have your face painted, do a dino dig and more! Plus, there are many performances at the Children’s Village Stage:

Saturday:

12:15 p.m. Leo Sandoval (tap) 1:45 p.m. Shodekeh (beat box) 3 p.m. Sri Lankan Dance Academy of New York 4 p.m. Nakotah LaRance (Hopi hoop dance)

Sunday:

1:45 p.m. Shodekeh (beat box) 3 p.m. Western Flyers (western swing) 3:45 p.m. Nakotah LaRance (Hopi hoop dance) 4:45 p.m. Erica Brown (bluegrass) Make sure to plan some time at the Bangor Savings Bank Children’s Village with your youngsters!

Get your 10,000 steps at the American Folk Festival! Not only does the American Folk Festival offer a dizzying array of music, dance, food, crafts, activities, and more … it’s also a great way to get your recommended 10,000 daily steps in. Eastern Maine Medical Center and the American Folk Festival have teamed up to show you how easy it is to reach 10,000 steps while catching all of your favorite Festival activities. “Eastern Maine Medical Center is glad to be a sponsor of the 10,000 steps program to bring awareness to heart healthy activities,” according to the Heart Care team at EMMC. “All of us at EMMC Heart Care encourage daily walks as it can assist in controlling weight as well as curbing high blood pressure and cholesterol.” When you arrive at the Festival, pick up your guide (and pedometer) at the EMCC booth and start stepping! Walk down to Two Rivers Stage: 750 steps. An hour of salsa at the Dance Tent: 6,500 steps. Before you know it, you’ll reach your 10,000 step goal and still have plenty of energy for more Festival fun!

This year, step oﬀ on the right foot at the AFF! You won’t believe how quickly the counter reaches 10,000 steps!

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

Michael Mwenso & The Shakes featuring Brianna Thomas

Michael Mwenso was just a teenager when the National Folk Festival visited Bangor for the first time in 2002, although he was already performing professionally. He was singing and playing piano before picking up the trombone. By age 13, he was touring with an old-style swing band. By the time he was 14, Mwenso had already attracted the attention of the legendary James Brown, who invited him to sing and dance at his UK engagements until he was 16 years old. “I was able to develop a relationship with James Brown when I was a very young child,” recalled Mwenso. “A lot of the great jazz legends were still alive when I was young though and I was able to talk with them, too. All of the experiences with legendary performers were high points because they all were able to shape me and mold me. They all had their own experiences to share.” When he was 16-years-old, Mwenso left school to turn professional. He played trombone in a variety of groups and began focusing on his singing when he turned 21. Mwenso was a part of a four-voice group, performing bebop vocalese and scat, blues, standards, and Black American folk music. In 2007, Mwenso established a late-night jam session which became a go-to spot for both performers and fans. Today, Mwenso is the curator and programming associate at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Michael Mwenso and the Shakes come to Bangor with vocalist Brianna Thomas. The group has been featured on NPR’s “Jazz Night in America” and at the Kennedy Center’s 2015 New Year’s Eve Gala. The 2016 American Folk Festival marks the first Maine performance for Michael Mwenso & The Shakes, as well as Mwenso’s first visit to the Pine Tree State. “For me, whenever I go into a new place, living in New York and going somewhere like Maine, it will be more of a retreat,” said Mwenso. “I’ll use it as a spiritual retreat and use it as an experience to present music.”

Bonsoir, Catin As a group, Bonsoir, Catin is younger than the American Folk Festival. Formed in 2005, the six-piece band is a Cajun group looking forward to making its first visit to Maine as performers. “We are well aware of the natural beauty of the area and we hope that we get to meet some of our Acadian cousins from the Acadian population,” said Kristy Guillory, accordion player and vocalist for Bonsoir, Catin. “We’ve had visitors from that part of Maine before come through Louisiana and we are always delighted to speak French with them and share things about our similar cultures.” The group of six is made up of mothers and a soon-to-be daddy. As a result, Bonsoir, Catin is more often than not heard in Louisiana dancehalls and at local festivals rather than “on the road,” making the trip north for the American Folk Festival a big deal for them. “We love to take our children and families with us,” said Guillory. “We have often joked that toward the end of a weekend away, when we start to get lonesome for our children and for home, we need to have toddlers lined up and waiting on the side of the stage for us to kiss and hug and then send on their way.” As a still relatively young group, Bonsoir, Catin continues to grow and evolve, meaning Bangor is in for a treat catching them at just the right time. “I feel like that with each new record released we become more and more confident in our songwriting abilities and our abilities to deliver innovative and fresh Cajun music, while being able to stay authentic to our culture,” said Guillory. “We are very excited to be a part of the American Folk Festival. Each time we have the opportunity to play a festival such as this, we really enjoy the camaraderie we find with other musicians that play diverse styles of music and who come from diverse backgrounds. It is inspiring and a reminder that we are more alike than different and that music is an incredible unifier.” Bonsoir, Catin performs: Saturday, 4:15 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Saturday, 6 p.m. Dance Pavilion Sunday, 1:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Songs of Heart & Heartache Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 3 p.m. Dance Pavilion

Michael Mwenso and the Shakes perform: Friday, 9:30 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage Saturday, Noon LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Mouth Music Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 3:15 p.m. Dance Pavilion Saturday, 5 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Swing Explosion Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 1:15 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Songs of Heart and Heartache Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 4:15 p.m. Dance Pavilion PHOTO: GREG MILES | WARDROBE: LITTLE TOWN

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016

The Western Flyers The Western Flyers will bring a variety of classics to the Bangor Waterfront for the 2016 American Folk Festival. Classic Western swing, hot jazz and swing standards, toe-tapping Cowboy songs and electrifying old-time fiddle tunes can all be expected when The Western Flyers take the stage. This trio puts out a big sound because of its versatility and deep musicianship. Joey McKenzie is the guitarist of the trio who has performed in 45 U.S. states, as well as Canada, Europe, Russia and South America. Katie Glassman on fiddle is a two-time National Fiddle Champion and is an integral part of Colorado’s thriving roots music scene. Gavin Kelso on bass has a powerful dexterity and a lively musical imagination. “We all feel really fortunate to have each other,” McKenzie told the Elko Daily Free Press in 2015. “It’s a musical family, and it’s like family because you spend so much time with each other.” The trio came together in just the last few years. Prior to this group, McKenzie performed with — and taught — The Quebe Sisters Band, who have spent some time performing in Maine. All told, he has more than 30 years of experience under his belt. He said that the three musicians would connect frequently over the years, and decided to formally join up to form a trio that has toured around the country including a performance last year at the Library of Congress. “We always felt a musical kinship,” McKenzie told the Elko Daily Free Press. “Whenever we would cross paths, we would always have jam sessions, and we always thought it would be great to someday form a band together. It all fell in place perfectly, time wise.” The group’s debut album, “Wild Blue Yonder” was released on July 29, and features a mix of what can be heard live at the group’s performances at the 2016 American Folk Festival.

The Western Flyers perform: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Dance Pavilion Saturday, 5 p.m. LL Bean Penobscot Stage (Swing Explosion Talk / Demo session) Saturday, 7:30 p.m. BDN Railroad Stage Sunday, Noon EMHS Two Rivers Stage Sunday, 1 p.m. EMHS Two Rivers Stage (Fiddle Traditions Talk / Demo session) Sunday, 3 p.m. Bangor Savings Bank Children’s Village

AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • August 13, 2016