PRESS
Official New Release
May 5, 2009
Contact:
Carolyn McClair Public Relations
Carolyn@georgewein.com
George Wein’s FOLK FESTIVAL 50 CELEBRATES FIVE DECADES OF FOLK MUSIC
IN SCENIC NEWPORT, RI AUGUST 1 – 2, 2009
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Tickets on Sale Wednesday, May 6 ~ 10:00 am
NEWPORT, RI, May 5, 2009 – Celebrate five decades of folk music in Newport, RI, August 1 – 2 at George Wein’s FOLK FESTIVAL 50. The 2009 festival, which takes over Fort Adams State Park from 11:30 am – 7:00 pm each day, will celebrate 50 years of rich history in Newport, where Pete Seeger and Joan Baez helped shape the course of American music. This summer, they return to usher in the next 50 years, performing alongside Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie on a festival bill that also heralds folk music's bright, expansive future with sets by The Decemberists, Neko Case, Fleet Foxes, Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine, Ben Kweller and many more.
Since 1959, George Wein has been presenting the very best of Americana, blues, roots, gospel, country, Cajun, bluegrass, and traditional folk music in scenic Newport. FOLK FESTIVAL 50 is proud to present tributes to festival co-founder Pete Seeger on both Fort Adams days and a special set on Sunday featuring Joan Baez, who made her Newport debut in 1959.
Other festival highlights include sets by Billy Bragg and Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman, who continue in folk's great tradition of political songwriting. The Campbell Brothers infuse some sacred steel music into Sunday's program, while Tim Eriksen leads a new generation of Shape Note Singers in traditional hymns. The Decemberists combine the energy of rock with the craft of great storytellers, and Neko Case, Guy Clark, Gillian Welch, Elvis Perkins, Josh Ritter and Brett Dennen carry on the festival's long-time history of powerful songwriting. The Avett Brothers bring a rollicking new twist to bluegrass and country roots, and Mavis Staples will take festival-goers to the place where R&B meets gospel. With blues from Ben Kweller, bluegrass from Del McCoury, Cajun from Balfa Toujours, alt-country from guitar master David Rawlings and the down-home sounds of Tao Rodriguez Seeger, this year's lineup draws from the many musical styles that have found a home in Newport over the years.
George Wein’s FOLK FESTIVAL 50, produced by New Festival Productions, LLC, features:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
Pete Seeger; The Decemberists; Fleet Foxes; Gillian Welch; The Avett Brothers; Billy Bragg; Iron & Wine; Mavis Staples; Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman; Ramblin’ Jack Elliott; Ben Kweller; The Low Anthem; Tift Merritt; Brett Dennen; Tao Rodriguez Seeger; Langhorne Slim
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
Pete Seeger with Judy Collins; Joan Baez; Arlo Guthrie; Neko Case; The Campbell Brothers; Josh Ritter; Elvis Perkins in Dearland; Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers; Del McCoury; Guy Clark; David Rawlings Machine; Balfa Toujours; Dala Girls; Deer Tick; Joe Pug * * *
TICKETS & OTHER INFORMATION
Tickets for George Wein’s FOLK FESTIVAL 50 at Fort Adams State Park go on sale Wednesday, May 6, at 10:00 AM on-line at www.folkfestival50.com, by phone at (800) 514-3849 and by mail. General admission tickets also can be purchased in person at the Visitor’s Center at the Newport County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue in Newport. General Admission seating is first-come first-serve on the lawn. Patrons may bring blankets and low-backed beach chairs. General Admission: Adult: $69.00 in advance, $75.00 on festival weekend, if available.
Parking: Children 3-15: $15.00 each day at all times; under 3, free. Adult Two-Day Passes: A limited number of two-day passes good for admission Saturday and Sunday will be available for $125.00 while they last.
Parking: On site festival parking: $12.00 per vehicle in advance; $15.00 on festival weekend.
Service Charges: Per ticket service charges apply to all tickets purchased on-line or by phone and there is an additional per order charge for phone orders. There is a $4.00 handling charge per order for tickets ordered by mail.
In Rhode Island: General Admission tickets can be purchased in person at the Visitor’s Center at the Newport County Convention Center & Visitor’s Bureau at 23 America’s Cup Ave. No service charges apply. Visit www.gonewport.com for ticket office hours and general information.
Festival Office: There will be a festival office in the Newport area where tickets can be purchased in person at a later date and tickets can also be purchased at the gate, if available. For general information, craft vendor information or to leave a message for festival staff, call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055.
By Mail: To order tickets by mail, send a note specifying the number of tickets you wish to order for each event and include a phone number where you can be reached. Include your address and credit card information (with expiration date and CVC Code from back of card), check or money order plus $4.00 per order for postage and handling to: George Wein’s Folk Festival 50, PO BOX 3865, Newport, RI 02840.
Visit www.folkfestival50.com for more information.