Final Festival Lineup Decided

By Katie Nieland, The Montana Standard, Butte

Jun. 3–The line-up for the 70th National Folk Festival is complete.

Thirteen additional performers have been added to the roster for a total of 27.

In all, 250 individuals will demonstrate, exhibit and perform at the festival July 11-13.

The newest performers add Celtic fiddles, gospel, harmonica, hula, cowboy poetry and blues, among others.

“It’s a great lineup with a lot of variety,” said George Everett, director of Mainstreet Uptown Butte. “Some amazing music will be had by all.” Joshua Kohn, programming manager for the National Council for the Traditional Arts, said in his nine years of booking talent for the festival, this year’s performers are some of the most diverse.

“We have everything from powerful blues musicians to exciting Native American performers to the some of the best fiddlers in the world,” he said.

Twenty-seven acts is an average number of performers for the festival, Kohn said.

“There are a handful of groups coming that have performed at years past,” he said. “We try to keep a good mix of new things n but keep some of the things that will definitely blow people away.” The next step on the festival to-do list is to prepare uptown Butte for the event.

“This is the point where we really have to get moving,” Everett said. “Every day we have to do so many things so we can enjoy the performances like everyone else.” Kohn said booking the artists is the easy part. Next he has to acquire accommodations, artist needs and transportation.

“There is so much production still to be done, but we work with a large, helpful volunteer group out of Montana,” he said.

Kohn said the audience will experience new music and culture with all 27 acts.

In between music performances, individuals will demonstrate and talk about their music style. Kohn said a few of the blues performers, for example, will talk about the culture and tradition of blues, and then may play music together.

“There is a feeling of discovery in the audience that is overwhelming,” he said. “It’s really good to be a part of.” — Reporter Katie Nieland may be reached at katienieland@gmail.com

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