The first round of 2016 Richmond Folk Fest artists was announced via the Times Dispatch today and there are some cool early entries, including Gary U.S. Bonds with Gene “Daddy G” Barge (The Norfolk Sound), Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie (zydeco), and traditional African-American gospel quartet, the Fairfield Four.
The event is being held along the riverfront this year from Oct. 7 through Oct. 9. Last year, over 200,000 people attended, and even when the weather isn’t nice, we still get strong turnouts for this beloved local tradition.
The below acts sound kinda great. Now how ’bout a little Calypso pre-dance party to this old Gary U.S. Bonds tune that I always loved.
Early announced acts:
Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (Southern Italian pizzica tarantata)
Salento, Italy
The Fairfield Four (African American gospel quartet singing) Nashville, Tenn.
Gary U.S. Bonds with Gene “Daddy G” Barge (The Norfolk Sound) Long Island, N.Y. and Chicago, Ill.
Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie(zydeco) Eunice, La.
Homayoun Sakhi & Salar Nader (Afghan rubâb and tabla) San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
Jason D. Williams (rockabilly) Memphis, Tenn.
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (bluegrass) Xenia, Ohio
Marquise Knox(blues) St. Louis, Mo.
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy(Cape Breton and Ontario fiddling) Nova Scotia and Ontario, Canada
Sheila Kay Adams (Appalachian songs, stories, and ballads) Marshall, N.C.
Sri Lankan Dance Academy of NY (traditional Sri Lankan dance) Staten Island, N.Y.
There will be more announced artists in late summer. Interested volunteers looking to join the Bucket Brigade can learn more at the festival website.
