Grab your banjo, fiddle and bagpipes, the
Eisteddfod Folk Festival is in town.
This weekend, folk musicians and aficionados celebrate the legacy
of traditional American and British music at this three-day festival
in Downtown Brooklyn.
On Saturday evening, Aug. 14, folk icons like Oscar Brown; Andy
Cohen; and a Brooklyn choir, Bishop Nathaniel Townsely, Jr. and
the Gospel Jubilee, will have concertgoers kicking up their bare
feet.
Sunday evening promises to be equally as folksy with Ralph Boddington,
Heady West, NexTradition and the Ladino duo, Danny and Joe Elias
playing their unique blend of Spanish and Jewish music.
Also on Saturday and Sunday, workshops are available for those
interested in sharpening their folk skills. Guest performers
will cover a range of subjects including banjo styles, labor
songs, jug bands and gospel music.
Vocalist Julia Friend (pictured) will join her father Alan Friend,
who plays guitar, banjo and concertina, for a "Friends for
Life" workshop on Saturday from 11 am to noon; on Saturday,
from 2 to 3 pm, Julia will participate in the "Strong Women"
workshop; and on Sunday from 12:30 pm to 2 pm, Julia will moderate
the "Ballad Workshop."
Folkwares and records are also on sale at the festival.
The Eisteddfod Festival kicked off Friday, Aug. 13. Remaining
concerts are Aug. 14 at 7:30 pm and Aug. 15 at 2:15 pm. Concert
tickets are $25. Performances are held in the Dibner Library
Auditorium at Polytechnic University, 6 Metrotech Center in Downtown
Brooklyn. Saturdays workshops are $30 and Sunday’s workshops
are $20. For more information, call (718) 426-8555 or visit www.eisteddfod-ny.com.
