Festivals/Camps/Events

Adirondack Dance Weekend (Camp)
Contact: Peter Stix
21 Lenox Ave., Albany, NY 12203-2005
Phone: (518) 489-9066
E-mail:

Autumn weekend of participatory dance, music and singing, featuring contras, squares, swing & other dancing. Also boating, swimming, hiking, great scenery. Limited Attendance.

Adirondack Folk Music Festival
Contact: Schroon Lake Arts Council
PO Box 812
Schroon Lake, NY 12870
Phone: (518) 532-9259
Email:
Website: SchroonLakeArts.com/

Featuring about 12 performers who live and work in the Adirondacks. Vendors of Adirondack crafts and product as well demonstrators and exhibitors. Workshops and concerts.

Black Creek Fiddler's Reunion
Contact: Mark Schmidt
Phone: (518) 861-8783
Email:
Website: black-creek.org

A participatory Old-Time music weekend at the Old Songs Dutch Barn, Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, NY. Memorial Day Weekend. Workshops, Camping.

Capital District Scottish Games
Contact: Peter Plourde
PO Box 2135, Scotia, NY 12302
Phone: (518) 456-3510
E-mail:
Website: www.scotgames.com

The Northeastern United States' leading Scottish Games is held annually on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at the Altamont Fairgrounds. Solo piping and drumming contests are held in the morning, band competitions and massed pipe band performances are presented in the afternoon. Traditional Celtic music groups can be heard throughout the day. Highland dancing competitions and exhibitions of Scottish country dancing and Irish step dancing round out the performing arts. Athletic competitions, a variety of special events, vendors of Scottish and Irish goods, and a range of refreshments help make the Games an event not to be missed.

Catskills Irish Arts Week
Location: Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre
Route 145, East Durham, N.Y.
Contact # for more info: (518) 634-2286, 1-800-434-FEST
Fax: (518) 634-2058
E-mail:
Web site: www.east-durham.org
Contact person: Christina Blakeslee/Quill Centre
   or Paul Keating/Artistic Director

Features daylong traditional Irish music workshops with master teachers from all over the U.S. and Canada.
See Website for complete details.

Champlain Valley Folk Festival
Contact:
PO Box 3
Ferrisburgh, VT 05456
Phone: (877) 850-0206 toll-free number, call between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time
Website: www.cvfest.org

Held the first weekend in August at Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vt.

Civil War Music Heritage Gathering and Encampment
Contact: John Quinn
91 Cross Rd.
Windham, NY 12496
Email:
Website: http://members.tripod.com/~ny77thballadeers/

"Where the mid-nineteenth century American musical landscape is re-created and the Great Northern Catskill Mountains ring out with melodic voice and strings that tell the story of the trials and triumphs of a turbulent time." The Gathering takes place in Windham, NY.

Dance Flurry
Contact: Rich Futyma
115 Hutchins Road
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 885-4430
E-mail:
Website: www.danceflurry.org

A festival that presents participatory dance in a multitude of areas for all levels of experience. Includes contras, squares, swing, ballroom, English, Scottish, Cajun, Latin, Scandinavian, International Folk, African & other dancing, singing, family activities, workshops in dance music & calling. Held in February, usually on the weekend nearest Valentine's Day. . Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY.

East Durham Feis (Irish Step Dancing competition)
Location: Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre
Route 145, East Durham, N.Y.
Contact number for more info: (518) 634-2286, 1-800-434-FEST
Contact Person: Kevin Roe
Fax: (518) 634-2058
Web site: www.eastdurhamfeis.com

An Irish step dancing competition for children aged 3 on up to adults that attracts more than 600 competitors from the Northeast and Canada.

East Durham Irish Festival
Location: Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre
Route 145, East Durham, N.Y.
Contact number for more info: (518) 634-2286, 1-800-434-FEST
Contact Person: Kevin Roe
Fax: (518) 634-2058
Web site: www.east-durham.org

Three days of food, drink and the latest in Irish contemporary music and Celtic rock. With two main tents and a smaller tent for the festival’s youngest attendees, the festival accommodates musical tastes of all ages.

Eisteddfod-NY
Contact:The Folk Music Society of New York
444 West 54th St #7
New York, NY 10019
Website: http://fmsny.minstrelrecords.com/eisteddfod/

A Festival of Traditional Music held at The Renaissance Charter School, 35-59 81st St, Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC.
2010 dates: November 5-7

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
Contact: Anne Saunders
PO Box 144
Sharon, CT. 06069
Phone: (860)364-2138
Fax: (860) 364-4678
E-mail:
Website: www.FalconRidgeFolk.com

A three day community of folk music and dance at the foot of the Berkshires held on the Dodds Farm, off CR 7D in Hillsdale, NY. Camping avail on site, over 40 performers on 4 stages, tented dance floor, juried craft village, international food court, Activities 4 Kids Area & more. Always held on fourth weekend in July.

Farm Fest
Contact: Larry Syzdek, Ruth Olmsted
Shepherd's Hey Farm
43 Riverview Rd.
Clifton Park, NY 12065
Phone: (518) 383-3482
Email:

Farm Fest is a celebration of farming life held the third weekend in September on seven farms in southern Clifton Park, NY. Several participating farms schedule folk events such as concerts, dance demonstrations, fiddling jams, or a capella singing, as well as craft demonstrations, product sales, hayrides, etc.

Fiddler's Jamboree
Contact: Perky Granger
JTHS Jamboree
PO Box 7
Athol, NY 12810
Phone: 518-623-9507 or 623-2692
Email:
Website: www.thurman-ny.com/fiddlers_jamboree/

A three-day festival of Adirondack Mountain music and dance held under cover at Veterans' Memorial Field in Athol, NY, just over the river from Warrensburg. Rain or Shine! Bring your own chair! There's an evening of contra, square and round dancing; fiddle and dulcimer workshops, performances by Quickstep (John Kirk, Trish Miller, Ed Lowman & Cedar Stanistreet), The Cabin Fever Band, Don Perkins, Tom Wilkinson. Sunday all-gospel program--Charlie Payne, Peter Whitebird. Details and complete schedule can be found at www.thurman-ny.com/fiddlers_jamboree. See you there!

Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Of Music and Dance
When: July 21-24, 2005
Where: Trumansburg Fair Grounds, Trumansburg NY
Phone: 607-387-5098
Website: www.grassrootsfest.org

The non-profit Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival is four days and over 60 bands of  blues, raggea, bluegrass, jazz, rock, zydeco, latin, Hip-Hop, country and Irish music.

Galway Lions Cabin Fever Adirondack Songfest
Contact: Ed Pike

Website: www.galwaylionsclubny.org

Twelfth annual songfest: February 5, 2011 featuring Quickstep (John Kirk, Trish Miller & Ed Lowman), Jamcrackers (Peggy Lynn, Dan Duggan & Dan Berggren), and storyteller Joe Bruchac with an evening of songs, fiddle tunes, stories and dancing at 7 PM at the Galway High School auditorium, 5317 Sacandaga Rd, Galway, NY.This is one of the Galway Lions Clubs’ annual fundraisers. Please join us on February 5th, and help us as we help the less fortunate in the Galway community, and beyond. Thanks for your support. Regular ticket price is $15.00 

GottaGetGon
Contact: Gail Griffith
345 Totem Lodge Rd.
Averill Park, NY 12018
Phone: (518) 674-3052
email
Website: www.pickingandsinging.org/GGG_festival2x.htm

Friendly, informal folk festival packed with good music both on stage and off. Memorial Day Weekend at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa, New York. All events are held in covered buildings. Events 7pm Fri nite thru 2 pm Mon. (Memorial Day weekend) include Fri evening potluck dinner, Sat am. - Sun pm workshops and concerts, a Saturday nite family dance, and informal campground picking and singing.

Great Northern Catskills Balloon Festival
Contact: Len DeGiovine
PO Box 385
Greenville, NY 12083
Phone: (518) 966-5050
Website: www.greenville-ny.com/balloon.html

Great Northern Catskills Balloon Festival is held in mid-August at Balsam Shade Resort in Greenville. Hot Air Balloon launches, Entertainment, Fireworks every night, Food & Craft Vendors, Carnival Rides.

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
Contact: Lisa Husted, Office Manager
PO Box 535
Utica, NY 13503
Phone: US: 888-946-8495; Int'l: 315-724-4473
Email:
Website: www.GreyFoxBluegrass.com

With a lineup that reads like a "Who's Who of Bluegrass Music," Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival hosts five stages, hands-on workshops, children's activities, the Bluegrass Academy for Kids, unique vendors, festival foods, onsite camping and round-the-clock picking. The current IBMA Bluegrass Event of the Year, Grey Fox is held the 3rd weekend in July on the picturesque Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY, less than an hour southwest of Albany.

Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival
Phone: 1-888-41-IFEST
Email:
Website: www.irish2000fest.com

Held at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa, NY in mid-September featuring top Irish performers, both traditional and contemporary. Friday night and all day Saturday & Saturday night.

Iroquois Festival
Iroquois Indian Museum
P.O. Box 7
Howes Cave, NY
Phone: (518) 296-8949
Fax: (518) 296-8955
E-mail:
Website: www.iroquoismuseum.org

The Iroquois Festival is a three-day event, held over the Labor Day Weekend, running from 10-6 each day, rain or shine. During the Festival visitors may enjoy the region’s best all-Iroquois Indian art market, with some 32 Iroquois visual artists and craftspeople exhibiting their latest works. Invited artists include antler-carver, ceramic artists, beadworkers, bone-carvers, stone-carvers, silversmiths, and other Iroquois artists working in traditional as well as experimental genres.

Last Gasp
Contact: Gail Griffith
345 Totem Lodge Rd.
Averill Park, NY 12018
Phone: (518) 674-3052
Email:
Website: www.pickingandsinging.org

The Last Gasp is a small, friendly, informal 'camp in the woods, play music, and sing all weekend' folk festival for members of the Pickin' and Singin' Gathering (with no paid performers). Labor Day Weekend at Camp Brookledge near Galway, New York.

Lowell Folk Festival
Contact:
Address: 67 Kirk Street, Lowell, MA, 01852
Phone: 978-970-5000

Website: www.lowellfolkfestival.org

The largest free folk festival in the nation takes place at Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Lowell Folk Festival has brought an international array of folk music, ethnic foods, craftspeople and artisans to New England every summer for more than 20 years.
2010 dates: July 23-25, 2010

Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Festival 
Erie Canal Village
Route 46/49 Rome NY
For more information: (315) 339-2771
E-mail:
Website: www.mvbga.com

Rough Camping, Workshops, Vendors, Great Bluegrass Music.

Mountain Dulcimer Music Fest
Contact: Lori Keddell
119 Co. Hwy 107
Johnstown, NY 12095
Phone: (518) 762-7516
E-mail:
Website: www.dulcimerassociationofalbany.com

A gathering of mountain dulcimer players (and folks interested in learning to play the mountain dulcimer) held the first full weekend in March at the Calvary United Methodist Church, Belle Ave., Latham, NY. (March 4 & 5, 2011 will be our 23rd annual festival!) Includes workshops and Friday and Saturday evening concerts featuring some of the finest dulcimer players from around the country, Saturday afternoon open stage, rental dulcimers, and vendors' area. Featured performers for 2011 will be Anne Lough and Joe Collins. Sponsored by the Dulcimer Association of Albany.

Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance
Contact: Andy Spence
PO Box 466
Voorheesville, NY 12186-0466
(518) 765-2815
E-mail:
Web: www.oldsongs.org

Held the last full weekend in June at the Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, NY. Festival brochure available in April. Thirty artists, craftpersons, workshops and concerts. Extensive family and children's area. Participatory dance and learn-hows. Camping on site. 31st annual Old Songs Festival dates: JUNE 24, 25 & 26, 2011. Visit the festival website for complete info: www.oldsongs.org/festival.html

Old-Time Fiddlers’ Gathering
Contact: Connie Sullivan-Blum
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes
Phone: 607-962-5871 x222
Email:
Website: www.eARTS.org

Corning, NY - - The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes (The ARTS) invites you to the 21st Annual Old-Time Fiddlers’ Gathering on June 19 and 20, 2010 at Watkins Glen State Park in the South Pavilion. Come play a tune with new friends, dance at an Irish ceili, and learn a bowing technique at a fiddle workshop. The Fiddlers’ Gathering features performances in the South Pavilion, workshops with master musicians, and an open Jamming Tent. The event is free and open to the public with the cost of admission to the park.

Park Slope Old-Time & Bluegrass Jamboree
Contact: James Reams
565 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 965-8490
E-mail:
Web: www.bsec.org/events/coffeehouse or www.jamesreams.com/jamboree

Held in mid-September in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY, at the historic building and gardens of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture at 53 Prospect Park West at 2nd street. Friday evening concert; Saturday afternoon workshops and jamming, and evening concerts. 

Polish Fest
Contact:
Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa National Catholic Church
250 Maxwell Road
Latham, NY
Phone: (518) 453-2258
Website: www.polishfest-ny.org/

PolishFest is a two-day celebration of Polish and Polish American arts, literature, music, culture, history, and food. From traditional polka bands, to cool jazz, to hip and humorous literature, to edgy contemporary Polish art, PolishFest will give the community a taste of the fun, the funny, the beautiful, and the stylish aspects of Polish culture! PolishFest is held in late September at the Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa National Catholic Church (PNCC), located at 250 Maxwell Road, Latham, NY

Rhythm & Roots Festival
Contact: Lisa Husted, Office Manager
PO Box 535
Utica, NY 13503
Phone - Toll Free (US): (888) 855-6940
Phone - International: (315) 738-0356
Email (tickets & info):
Website: www.rhythmandroots.com

New England’s Hottest Festival of Roots Music & Dance! Featuring the world's top Cajun, zydeco, blues, Tex-Mex, swing and dance bands. Main Stage, two huge covered dance floors, workshops, children's activities, a Cajun Academy for Kids, ethnic and regional foods and vendors of crafts, instruments, clothing, jewelry and more! On-site camping. Hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, swimming pond -- all within minutes of RI's beautiful beaches and oceanfront accommodations. Held every Labor Day Weekend in Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI.

Rhythm on the Ridge
Location: Maple Ski Ridge
2725 Mariaville Road, Rotterdam, NY
Contact: J. Peter Yakel, 518-810-5285
E-mail:
Website: sites.google.com/site/rhythmontheridge

The Rhythm on the Ridge (ROTR) Roots Music Festival celebrates the range of upstate's talented local and regional bands and artists. The all day, family-friendly fest is tap-rooted with the earthy Americana goodness of Acoustic, Bluegrass, Celt, Country, Folk and Old-Timey music on two stages. Visitors can also enjoy many crafters, vendors, children's activities, music workshops, food and drink aplenty, while soaking in the scenic beauty of Maple Ski Ridge. Relax with us, and become our newest friends. Bring your instruments - field pickin' is encouraged! Each year, the fest sponsors a local charity, which we welcome attendees to help support. In return, attendees receive a discounted entry ticket. Fest date is Saturday, June 11, 2011. See ROTR website for additional fest details.

Riverway Storytelling Festival
Contact: Kate Dudding
Phone: 518-383-4620
Email:
Website: www.riverwaystorytellingfestival.org

A week of over 20 FREE storytelling performances plus other events in and round the libraries in Albany and Rensselaer counties. Family storytelling concerts, a ghost story concert, stories for adults, workshops, a showcase, story swaps, and lots more.

Solar Fest – The New England Renewable Festival
Contact:
Patty Kenyon, Festival Manager
SolarFest, Inc.
Middletown Springs, VT 05757
802-235-2707 (home office)
Email:
Website: www.solarfest.org

SolarFest is a totally solar-powered event, featuring over 20 national and regional musical acts, complete with light shows, plus 27 workshops on solar and wind energy, sustainable living and conservation, plus Children's activities and more. At Forget-Me-Not Farmon McNamara Road in Tinmouth, Vermont. Rain or Shine!

Summer Sinfonia
Summer Day Camp for Young String Players
Hawthorne Valley School, Ghent, NY
For more information or to contact the directors:
Caryn Niedringhaus (518) 479-3438
Email:
Website: www.hawthornevalleyschool.org

Summer Sinfonia -
“THE RINGING STRINGS” - Scottish and Shetland Music, Song, and Dance
Summer Sinfonia is a music day camp that offers an extraordinary opportunity to learn and play Scottish and Shetland music directly from two homeland performers and teachers; Eunice Henderson, Westlea,Cunningsburgh, Shetland, and Gilli Simpson, Dundee, Scotland. Summer Sinfonia is a one week music day camp that is open to all students and their families who play classical and traditional music and who have two years experience on violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, piano, flute, and penny whistle. Music will be taught and played by ear and with notes. Classes vary according to interest and ability and include Shetland and Scottish fiddle tutor, cello/bass band, classical and traditional ensembles, Scottish String Orchestra, Flute Ensemble and Choir, penny whistle, traditional piano accompaniment, country dance, and songs.
For more information please contact: Caryn Niedringhaus, (518) 479-3438 or email:
http://www.hawthornevalleyschool.org/news/summercamps.html

SummerSongs - A Songwriters Summer Camp
Contact: Penny Nichols
PO Box 803
Saugerties, NY 12477
Phone: 845-246-0223   Fax: 845-246-7068
email:
Website: www.summersongs.com

Where: Ashokan Field Campus, Olivebridge, NY
When: Early August. See website for details.

SummerSongs, Inc. is a non-profit corp. dedicated to helping songwriters write the best songs they can write. To that end SummerSongs puts on a songwriter's conference for adults in the Catskills every summer. The location is Ashokan Field Campus; a beautiful campground and conference center with cabins, a small lake, a stream, campground, meeting halls, classrooms, and all the makings of a really good time, including delicious meals. Workshops take place during the day, with plenty of time to relax and play music, swim, sauna or just listen to other people jam. In the evenings there are concerts and song circles, a coffeehouse, and jams that go far into the night.

SummerSongs is an exciting and inspiring project that brings together students from all over the country to study with some of the best songwriters in the world. Including Julie Gold, Steve Gillette, Cindy Mangsen, Sloan Wainwright, Eric Garrison, Mae Robertson,Freebo, Jason Blume, Artie Traum, Cosy Sheridan, Severin Browne,Tena Moyer, Vinnie Martucci & Penny Nichols. Visit www.summersongs.com for registration information.

Traditional Irish Music Festival
Location: Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre
Route 145, East Durham, N.Y.
Contact number for more info: (518) 634-2286, 1-800-434-FEST
Contact Person: Neal Fox
Fax: (518) 634-2058
E-mail:
Web site: www.east-durham.org

Music festival held in the Catskill Mountain village of East Durham, N.Y. Traditional artists from all over the U.S. and Ireland on multiple stages, includes dance and music. More than 4,000 attend the event.

Winterhawk Bluegrass and Beyond Fest
Contact: Anne Saunders
PO Box 144
Sharon, CT. 06069
Phone: (860)364-2138
Fax: (860) 364-4678
E-mail:

Winterhawk festival has been on hiatus since 2003. Plans remain to revive it at an indoor location the future.