Sat 2/14 @ 1-6PM

Sat 2/14 @ 7:30PM

The Lake Erie Folk Fest enters its tenth year with an all-day lineup of performers, jam sessions and workshops that is sure to brighten up even the dreariest February day.

Hosted by the Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association, in partnership with Case Western Reserve University radio station WRUW-FM 91.1, the festival takes place on the CWRU campus, with an afternoon of educational activities and informal performances at Thwing Center and an evening concert at Harkness Chapel, packed with a variety of traditional music offerings.

This year’s headliner is North Carolina-based banjo player Tray Wellington and his Black String Band, whose music spans bluegrass, jazz, folk and Americana, but the local artists on the bill are just as exciting. They include rootsy singer/songwriting duo David Mayfield and Paul Kovac, blues/folk/gospel musician and storyteller Afi Scruggs and Alla Boara, an ensemble featuring some of the area’s most talented younger jazz musicians who filter traditional Italian folksongs through a jazz sensibility. Students from the Cleveland Institute of Music will also perform. Tickets are available here.

Many of the evenings performers will also be doing talks and workshops during the afternoon. Wellington, for instance, will host one of “Writing Songs on the Banjo,” while Anthony Taddaeo, founder of Alla Boara, will share the backstory on how the nearly obsolete Italian songs his band built its sound on were discovered and rescued. Other noted local folk/blues/roots music artists such as Charlie Mosbrook, Bob Frank, Sheelah Das, Bill Lestock and Steve Madewell will also be leading sessions. There are hosted jams but don’t be surprised if jam sessions spontaneously break out in various corners. The afternoon sessions are free and open to all, even kids. There’s also an open mic at 6pm if you don’t want to take a break for dinner between the afternoon sessions and the concert.

There’s also something new this year: a night-before swing dance with student ensembles providing live music. It’s welcoming to dancers of all ages and abilities.

Get more information here.