The Boston Folk Festival

Rain at the beginning of the 11th annual Boston Folk Festival, Sunday September 14th at UMass Boston couldn't dampen spirits. Then the rain let up and things really kicked into gear.

Eilen Jewel had the festival crowd dancing between the rain drops, with her Billie Holiday flavored vocals. Susan Werner showed off her strong voice, John Gorka, Eliza Gylkison and Cliff Eberhardt performed as “Longing for Eliza,” and Henry Butler wowed the crowed with his blues-based, New Orleans funk-style piano.

Meanwhile on the Coffeehouse Stage, Annie Lynch and the Beekeepers exhibited their unique brand of alternative folk, and New England's own Jason Spooner Trio entertained the audience before the beautiful backdrop of Dorchester Bay. The "Songwriters in the Round" facet of the Coffeehouse Stage featured "New Songs/Old Roots" with Jud Caswell, Andrew McKnight and Chris O’Brien and "Shades of Blue" with Emily Elbert, Danielle Miraglia and Pat Wictor.

Back at the Field Stage, David Buskin and Robin Batteau’s performance included the winners of the fifth annual Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest. The contest finals and concert were held Saturday night at UMass' Lipke Auditorium, and featured songwriters from as far as Texas and California, and as local as Lexington and Dighton. For the first time the contest featured two divisions, Nick Lattanzi of Belmont was the winner of the Youth Division, and Oen Kennedy of Paris, Maine won for Adults.

The festival reached a crescendo with the performance of headliner Kathy Mattea. Featuring songs from her stunning new album "Coal," as well as past hits such as "Goin’ Gone" and a cover of Nanci Giffith's "Love at the Five and Dime," Kathy's set had the crowd dancing, clapping and cheering for more.

Once again, great music was just a part of the 11th annual Boston Folk Festival. Each tent that dotted the outer edge of the Field Stage area offered a different experience for festival-goers. From handmade crafts and jewelry, to clothing, gift boxes, and even music instruments, there was something for everyone.Great food mixes well with great music. Festival-goers could enjoy top-notch barbeque, great cheese, gourmet coffee, and delicious Pad Thai and Indian food.

The Boston Folk Festival has always been a family event, and this year was no different. If the kids got antsy, all it took was a trip to the children's activity area to produce a smile. An assortment of arts and crafts, helped along by volunteers, kept the kids happy and content. Folk festivals should always include helping others, and the Boston Folk Festival is no different. Visitors were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item, and festival goers responded with several hundred pounds of food for the Pine Street Inn.

Whether it was the music, the backdrop or the food, the 11th annual Boston Folk Festival was once again a feast for the senses.

And, the Songwriting Contest winners are... The First Place winner of the Youth Division is Nick Lattanzi of Belmont (photo left); the First Place winner of the Adult Division is Oen Kennedy of Paris, ME (photo right). Photos by Richard Danca. Both winners will perform their winning song on the main Field Stage of the Boston Folk Festival September 14th in addition to winning cash prizes. More details about the Songwriting finals contest soon. Congratulations to all the contestants - everyone one of the finalists did a great job!

In spite of the pouring rain the first hour, and the cloudy skies all day - the 2008 Boston Folk Festival was awash in phenomenal music and spirit! We'll have photos and a review of the Festival soon. If you attended, please complete this survey and let us know what you thought of the Festival.

It's finally here this weekend -- the Festival will be held rain or shine!! Sunday, Sept 14th at 11am, Eilen Jewell kicks off the Field Stage and also at 11am, Annie Lynch & the Beekeepers kick off the Coffeehouse stage in a great afternoon featuring Kathy Mattea, John Gorka, Cliff Eberhardt, Eliza Gilkyson, Henry Butler and lots more. Park in the "South Parking Lot" for the closest access to the event.

Drive, or take the MBTA to the Festival Getting to the Boston Folk Festival couldn't be easier. By car, the UMass Boston Campus is only a mile off Interstate 93. It's Exit 14 (from the South) or Exit 15 (from the North). By MBTA, take the Red Line to the JFK/UMass Boston stop and take the free shuttle bus to the campus and the special bus stop for the Festival. For directions to the UMass Boston campus and the Boston Folk Festival click here.

Tickets are no longer available on-line, but will be for sale at the gate both Saturday night, Sept 13th for the 6-9pm performances, and Sunday, Sept 14th 11am-7pm events. Prices are affordable - $20 for Saturday night and $35 for all day Sunday. Get more info about tickets here.

Help others -- by bringing non-perishible food items to the Festival. In collaboration with UMass Boston's Golden Key International Honour Society's chapter, WUMB is again participating in their community service opportunity this year! The food you donate will be given to the Pine Street Inn in Boston. Last year more than 2,000 pounds of food was collected, and the students are hoping for more this year. The Golden Key students will also be selling teddy bears at the Festival in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

A world class Folk Festival in your own backyard - and, on the waterfront! What's your pleasure? Is it singer-songwriters, blues or Americana music? Do you like to celebrate tradition or to discover new, up-and-coming artists? The breadth of folk music at this year's Boston Folk Festival is again as rich as it is diverse. You don't have to be a connoisseur to enjoy our folk festival - but it helps to have a love for all different forms of music. And if the first ten years are any indication, you'll experience it all at the 11th Annual Boston Folk Festival. We've got three stages and more for you to choose from. So, whether you prefer to stretch out a blanket or sit in a chair on the harbor-front stages, you'll be hearing some of the best music around. It's the biggest folk festival in the Boston area, and the greatest place to be if you like live music. Overall, it the best music from quality folk talent, the finest food and craft vendors from the New England area, and a fun, friendly atmosphere for the entire family.

Songwriting Contestants here. Congratulations to the five finalists in both the adult and the youth division.
Adult Division: Jim D'Augustine, Acton, MA; Jenny Goodspeed, Ashland, MA; Oen Kennedy, W. Paris, ME; Chuck McCabe, Los Gatos, CA; Idgy Vaughn, Austin, TX.
Youth Division: Matt Borello, Dighton, MA; Emily Elbert, Coppell, TX;; Nick Lattanzi, Belmont, MA; Ian Noe, Beattyville, KY; Kayla Ringelheim, Lexington, MA.
Each of the finalists will perform on Saturday, September 13th starting at 6pm in the Lipke Auditorium at UMass Boston. New York Songwriters David Buskin & Robin Batteau will be the judges (and, they'll also be performing). The 1st Place winners in both divisions will perform on the Field Stage on Sunday, September 14th. More details about each of the ten finalists is available here.


John Gorka (left) who will be performing a special set along with Cliff Eberhardt and Eliza Gilkyson; Kathy Mattea (center); and Henry Butler (right) will be some of the nearly two dozen performers at the 2008 Boston Folk Festival

Children's Activities again at the Field Stage It's a great day for the entire family! Come visit us for imaginative crafts and creative play in the back of the Field Stage area with something for everyone. Toddlers and preschoolers (Age 5 and under) will be busy with colorful, lively activities that stimulate their senses and arouse their curiosity. An exciting variety of imaginative arts and crafts activities will be available for older children of all ages. Many of our crafts activities incorporate recycled materials to encourage awareness and appreciation of creative reuse.

The Boston Folk Festival Salutes our 2008 Sponsors & Donors
Please visit their web sites below

WUMB Radio's 2008 Boston Folk Festival!