37th annual Folk Fest

Jan. 23, 1997
Vol. 16, No. 9

37th annual Folk Fest

Three concerts in Mandel Hall -- one on each day of the festival -- will feature music from a variety of international traditions as well as American blues, bluegrass and old-time music in several regional styles. Free workshops, jam sessions and dancing will take place in Ida Noyes Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.

Two Mexican border region bands, representing distinctly diverse styles, will heat up this year's festival. Los Traficantes del Norte is one of the most popular Conjunto (Tex-Mex) groups in the Chicago area. Grupo de Arpa Alegria de Michoacan plays the music that was the precursor of mariachi.

Other highlights include the driving instrumentals and lush vocals of the James King Bluegrass Band, the old-time string band The New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters, and the Kentucky old-time fiddle and guitar duo J.P. & Danielle Fraley. Also playing are "Big" Wheeler, a transplanted blues player originally from rural Georgia; John Jackson of Rappahannock County, Virginia; Liz Carroll, John Williams and Pat Broaders, who play the reels, jigs and hornpipes of Ireland; Robert Jardell & Pure Cajun; Voices of Evening Star, the gospel choir of the Evening Star Baptist Church on West 59th Street; and bagpiper George Hillocks. Concert times and performers are listed below.

Tickets for each concert are $14, $7 for students and children. Tickets are on sale at the Reynolds Club box office or by phone at 702-7300. For more information, call 702-9793. Friday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.

Los Traficantes del Norte

James King Bluegrass Band

John Jackson

Robert Jardell & Pure Cajun

New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters

Voices of Evening Star

Saturday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Liz Carroll, John Williams & Pat Broaders

Grupo de Arpa Alegria de Michoacan

J.P. & Danielle Fraley