27th Annual Tucson Folk Festival
By Dave Cooper
DDowntown Tucson will be buzzing May 5th & 6th as the 27th Annual Tucson Folk Festival features a full weekend of live acoustic music, kid’s activities, food stations & beer gardens, workshops, craft vendors, and much more.
The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association is once again proud to present this spectacular community-based event. The 27th Annual Tucson Folk Festival will be centered in the El Presidio Park area with the Plaza Stage hosting headlining acts. Four other stages nearby will feature an array of musical talent from all over Arizona, and beyond. This is a free event with several hundred artists and performers scheduled to appear. Performances will run Saturday from 12:00noon until 10:00pm and Sunday beginning at 11:00am through 9:00pm.
Two distinctive artists will headline this year’s Tucson Folk Festival on the Plaza Stage. Saturday night, May 5th at 9:00pm, Grammy-award winning BeauSoleil with Michael Doucet will load up and get the crowd on its feet. Mixing in traditional, eclectic sounds rooted in Creole, Cajun and Zydeco influences, BeauSoleil has played all over the globe and has received high praise from esteemed musical luminaries. According to musician and host of Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor, BeauSoleil is “the best Cajun band in the world.” And legendary New Orleans-based music producer, Allen Toussaint, lauds them saying “BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet: they play music that’s honest to the bone.” Additional quotes and awards nominations can be found at the BeauSoleil website.
Arizona native and Tucson favorite, Sabra Faulk and the Angel Band will headline Sunday night’s performances and close out this year’s Tucson Folk Festival performing May 6th at 8:00pm. Since appearing a few years ago at this popular local event, Faulk has developed an avid, loyal fan base to become one of its most celebrated entertainers for the 2012 edition of the 27th Annual Tucson Folk Festival. Sabra Faulk is sure to please her devoted southern Arizona supporters, also add to her fan base while playing new tunes and audience favorites.
In addition to an extensive lineup of stellar artists and performers at this year’s Tucson Folk Festival, TKMA is especially pleased to feature previous headliners from past years to drop by the Plaza Stage and favor audiences with some favorite tunes and special performances. Last year’s top performer Kevin Pakulis, with vocalist Amy Langley, both very popular members of the Tucson music scene, will appear Saturday night at 8:00pm.
Another Tucson fave, John Coinman, 25th Anniversary headliner, hits the Plaza Stage Sunday night at 7:30pm. Coinman has the distinction of being the music supervisor for the motion picture Dances with Wolves starring Kevin Costner. John Coinman is currently recording and touring with Costner’s band, Modern West.
Another pair of special guests to the Plaza Stage includes Ernest Troost and Tony Norris. Ernest Troost, Emmy Award-winning film and television composer and recipient of the Kerrville New Folk award for songwriting, is scheduled Saturday at 8:00pm. From Northern Arizona, Tony Norris brings his Children’s Show for a late-afternoon, all-ages event beginning at 5:30pm, also on Saturday.
The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association is also hosting a Folk Fest Kickoff party and fundraiser. This event is Friday May 4th at La Cocina in the Old Town Artisans’ Courtyard. Greg Morton and Friends will be performing from 6-10pm. A $5 donation is requested to support TKMA’s weekend extravaganza.
Many other fun activities and events will be happening all weekend at the 27th Annual Tucson Folk Festival. You can participate in Music Workshops or the Songwriting Competition. There is also the Young Artist’s Stage, an Acoustic Showcase, and the Ballad Tree to explore. Additional stages surrounding El Presidio Park are the Courtyard stage at the Historic Old Pima County Courthouse. The Museum Stage is located in the Plaza of the Pioneers at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block and La Cocina at Old Town Artisans. There is also the brand new Patio Stage located on the east entrance patio of the Tucson Museum of Art.
Food and beverage courts are situated throughout the festival grounds. There are also local restaurants, shops and stores to visit. Craft vendors featuring original jewelry, clothing, and more can be found to pick up a memento for your fun weekend.
View a map of the festival grounds, check out artist bios, see the full performance schedule, find out how to volunteer, and learn more about all the great things to do at the 27th Annual Tucson Folk Festival here.