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The spirit of an open-hearted, old-fashioned family reunion is being summoned to life for this year's 51st edition of George Wein's Newport Folk Festival, which begins July 30 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport Casino and continues July 31 and August 1 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.
Tickets go on sale worldwide on Friday, March 26, at 10 a.m. at www.newportfolkfest.net.
George Wein's New Festival Productions continues to build on the festival's historic past by featuring emerging young artists alongside some of folk music's most venerable names. This year's festival features Levon Helm's Ramble on the Road, John Prine, Steve Martin & Steep Canyon Rangers, Yim Yames (of My Morning Jacket), The Swell Season, Andrew Bird, The Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Doc Watson & David Holt, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Calexico, Blitzen Trapper, Richie Havens, Sam Bush, The Low Anthem, Tim O'Brien, The Felice Brothers, Justin Townes Earle, Tao Seeger Band, AA Bondy, Chris Thile's Punch Brothers, Dawes, Nneka, Horse Feathers, Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three , Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, Sarah Jarosz, Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, O'Death and Liz Longley. More artists will be announced at a later date.
Many of these musicians have performed and recorded together or crossed paths along the musical highway and they see this storied festival as being so steeped in cultural and historic importance that they liken it to “coming home" to the very roots of the folk-music tradition.
Wein has, since 1959, found Newport a scenic and hospitable venue for presenting the very best of this country's blues, roots, gospel, country, bluegrass, Cajun and traditional folk music. Last year's 50th anniversary edition paid tribute to the great performers who wrote the proud history of this festival, notably co-founder Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Arlo Guthrie and Mavis Staples.
“Newport is like a second home to me and I always look forward to the next visit," said Wein. “After celebrating the 50th anniversary with Pete and 17,000 fans, I can't wait to see the magic unfold over the three days."
“There is something so perfect about being in Newport near the water and that old stone fort - all gathered in to sing with family and friends - that keeps me wanting to come back year after year," said Yim Yames. “It's like the walls of the fort are arms, and I feel secure when I am near them, protected by the spirits there - past, present, and future. And, I like to hear our voices bouncing off those old stone walls as my eye drifts to the sailboats on the seashore and the people just smiling and taking it all in."
All tickets for George Wein's Newport Folk Festival go on sale Friday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m. online, by phone and by mail. General admission tickets (single-day passes only) also can be purchased in person at the Newport Visitor Information Center, located at 23 America's Cup Avenue.
A partial list of performers for George Wein's 2010 Newport Folk Festival:
FRIDAY, JULY 30 ~ 8:00 p.m.
International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Avenue
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Tim O'Brien
Sarah Jarosz
SATURDAY, JULY 31 ~ 11:30 am - 7:00 p.m.
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
John Prine
Andrew Bird
Brandi Carlile
The Low Anthem
Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket
Doc Watson & David Holt
Calexico
Dawes
Nneka
O'Death
Liz Longley
Blitzen Trapper
A.A. Bondy
Sam Bush
Horsefeathers
and more
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 ~ 11:30 am - 7:00 p.m.
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
Levon Helm's Ramble on the Road
The Swell Season
The Avett Brothers
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
Richie Havens
Justin Townes Earle
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Punch Brothers with Chris Thile
The Felice Brothers
Tao Seeger Band
Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons
Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three
and more
For more on the Newport Folk Festival see our 2009 coverage here.
