A tried and true tradition, the Montana Folk Festival returns to Butte for its annual summer showcase of diverse talent this month. The event is set for Friday to Sunday, July 14th–16th. Admission is free to all performances during the three-day gathering. More than 20 groups representing a broad diversity of musical and cultural traditions will perform on the festival’s six stages.
The lineup will include members of the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago (Pungmul & Samulnori), the Mal Barsamian Trio (Armenian instrumentals) and Catherine Russell (jazz, blues & swing). Also performing are the Blue Ridge Girls (Appalachian old-time), Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca (Congolese/Angolan), Fort Belknap Singers (Native American drumming) and Edwin Colon Zayas (Puerto Rican Cuatro).
Enjoy sets by the likes of Red Baraat (joyous Bhangra), High Fidelity (bluegrass), Kiki Valera y son Cubano (Cuban traditional), Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas (Zydeco) and Heart of Afghanistan with the Fanoos Ensemble (traditional Afghani). Take in additional performances by Ken Heath & the True Disciples (gospel), Musique a Bouches (Quebecois a capella), Melody Angel (Chicago blues), Cyril Neville (New Orleans funk) and Redd Volkaert (rockabilly).
This year’s lineup rounds out with Teada (Irish traditional), Chaksampa (Tibetan opera), Cheres (Ukranian folk) and Panfilo’s Guera (Tejano Conjunto fiddle).
Since 1934, the National Folk Festival has celebrated the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance, culture and cuisine. It is the oldest celebration of traditional arts in the country. The Montana Folk Festival continues this tradition in our region by highlighting, exploring and celebrating the heritage of diversity and cultural richness that makes our state and our country great.
The Butte festival features hundreds of performers and craftspeople with music and dance performances on six stages, workshops, folklife demonstrations, two festival markets and ethnic and regional foods.
Festival hours are 6–10pm on Friday, noon–10pm on Saturday and noon–6pm on Sunday. For additional event details, visit www.montanafolkfestival.com or download the Grandstand Events & Guides App. The festival grounds are centered around the Original Mine Yard in Uptown Butte. •
