Salisbury's inaugural Maryland Folk Festival: Everything to know about the big event
The city of Salisbury is a melting pot of vibrant cultures, ethnicities, races and religions. And what better way to celebrate this united Eastern Shore community than through a festival dedicated to its cultural mosaic?
Now, Salisbury — an arts and culture destination — will host the inaugural Maryland Folk Festival after serving as the host of the National Folk Festival for the last five years. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming, family-friendly festival.
When, where is the festival being held?
Similar to the National Folk Festival, the Maryland Folk Festival is a large-scale, multi-day outdoor event featuring hundreds of musicians and performers, and celebrating the roots and richness of American culture.
The festival is dedicated to creating unique experiences of discovery, cultivating cultural and ethnic diversity, and pursuing opportunities to enlighten through music, dance, food, crafts and other folk arts, as stated online.
The inaugural Maryland Folk Festival will take place Friday to Sunday, Sept. 22-24, 2023, in downtown Salisbury. The borders of the Festival Footprint include: Route 13 – Route 50 – Wicomico River – Carroll Street. A detailed festival map is below:
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The festival will kick off on Friday from 6:30-9:30 p.m., with an opening ceremony followed by The Quebe Sisters on the Perdue Dance Stage. Friday will also include performances on both the Perdue Dance Stage and Main Street Stage.
The festival will then continue on into Saturday from noon to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Performers will take to the Perdue Dance Stage, Main Street Stage and Salisbury University Locals Stage. Attendees can learn about longtime folklife traditions at the Maryland Traditions Folklife Stage. Families can take part in crafts and games at the Richard A. Henson Foundation Family Area.
Is the festival free?
Like its predecessor, the festival will be free to the public and geared toward all ages. All attendees can enjoy the performances and demonstrations at no cost. However, food, drink and merchandise will be available for sale.
To help keep the Maryland Folk Festival a free event, a group of community volunteers carrying MDFF buckets will be circulating the festival grounds asking for guests' support. All donations made through the bucket brigade help directly cover the costs of the festival. Suggested donation is $10 per person per day.
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"The City of Salisbury has always been supportive of the folk and traditional arts, and its festival activities over the past five years have put it on the map in a national context,” said Chad Buterbaugh, Maryland State Arts Council deputy director.
“It's wonderful to see the momentum carrying forward with this year's inaugural Maryland Folk Festival, an event that will value both the local and national music, dance, stories, crafts, and foods that make up our country's living cultural traditions," Buterbaugh added.
Who will be performing?
Performances will range from traditional music to storytelling, spoken word and more. Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople — will take part in the event, with more than 30 different musical groups performing on four outdoor stages throughout Downtown Salisbury. Sign language translation will be included at a handful of performances.
Musical performances will come from performers from all around Maryland, including many from right here on Delmarva. Highlights include go-go music from the Chuck Brown band, folk rock from Red Letter Day and boogie-woogie piano music from the Daryl Davis Band, plus many more, including a special appearance by juggler extraordinaire Cascading Carlos.
A full list of singers and performers can be found on the festival's official website. Those announced for the Maryland Traditions Folklife Stage include:
HURLOCK COMMUNITY MASS CHOIR/WATER'S EDGE:
The Hurlock Community Mass Choir is directed by Minister Rayshawn Rich-Vines and includes members from across the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware. This passionate ensemble delivers celestial gospel melodies that uplift spirits and ignite faith.
GERDAN:
Founded by Ukrainian professional duo Solomia Gorokhivska and Andrei Pidkivka, Gerdan ensemble brings the fire and the edge of melodic ideas and rhythms that capture the listener. Musicians of Gerdan reveal their passion for traditional Ukrainian music in their artistic expression to build cultural bridges in time and distance.
LYDIA AND EMILY MARTIN:
The Martin sisters of Boyds, Maryland – Lydia and Emily – present traditional Irish and old-time repertoire and have performed on both sides of the Atlantic. Emily's daughter, Elora Paul-Martin, is a third-generation member of the Martin Family Band.
STOOP STORIES:
“The Stoop” is a Baltimore-based live show and podcast that features everyday people sharing the extraordinary true tales of their lives. The mission of “The Stoop” is to empower individuals and build community through the sharing of personal stories. Since its founding in 2006, “The Stoop” has featured the tales of more than 4,000 people onstage. The podcast is featured on WYPR 88.1 FM.
NOAH MITCHEL:
Noah Mitchel is a vocalist, theater performer, Yiddish folk music performer, and culture worker living in Baltimore. He also leads communal song workshops, gives one-on-one coaching to singers, and hosts open mics, cabarets and programs. He currently works at the Jewish Museum of Maryland and does various arts and culture activities at Hinenu: The Baltimore Justice Shtiebl.
FOLK EM' ALL:
Folk 'Em All Trio is a fun, exciting and energetic string trio that covers a vast array of classic American roots music, from bluegrass to western swing, Jimmy Cliff to BB King and original tunes. The group occasionally doubles as longtime Jerry Garcia/David Grisman collaborator Joe Craven’s back-up band, performing together as Joe Craven and the Y’allterations.
DEWMORE BALTIMORE, SISTA BIG AND AMBER GREEN:
Poets Sista Big, Amber Green, and members of the DewMore Baltimore Youth Poetry Team use poetry, or spoken word, as a platform for civic engagement and as a tool to build strong young people who become leaders in their community.
UMES FRATERNITIES AND SORORITES:
Black fraternities and sororities predominantly recruit Black college students and provide a network that includes both undergraduate and alumni members. These organizations were typically founded by Black undergraduate students, faculty, leaders and institutions.
SOMAPA THAI DANCE COMPANY:
Somapa Thai Dance Company, a premier Thai dance and music company based in the Washington, D.C. area, presents traditional Thai music and dances from Thailand. The group has a mission to introduce Thai arts and culture to the public, promote diversity, and encourage understanding and appreciation of the arts.
PABLO REGIS:
Pablo Regis is a charismatic Brazilian singer and cavaco (Brazilian uke) player based in the College Park area of Maryland.
What vendors will be on-site?
The Maryland Folk Festival will feature a variety of ethnic foods, as well as classic festival fare, that will take diners on a culinary journey around Delmarva and the world, as stated online. Those serving food at this year's festival include:
NC Ribs on Wheels
Sherri’s Crab Cakes
Grandy Cotton Candy
Virginia Vendor Food Services
Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck
Crisfield Pride Lodge 194
Spready Oak Country Café
Sessa’s Vending Stand
KBQ Catering
Mister Softee
Kona Ice
Festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to purchase the handmade creations of fine artists and craftspeople from Maryland and the surrounding region. The marketplace vendors featured at this year's festival include:
Amused Studios
Paul and Irene Aspell Pottery
Barb’s Country Bee Quilling
Bay Fibers Studio
Beach Uniques
BeeGeorge Honey
Belle Grove Tea Co.
BugZen
Counterpoint Studio
Divine Planet Studio
Joan Helena Studios
Peter Holden Pottery
Kostival’s Arts and Antiques
Monocacy Forge
Mudboy Guitar Works
The Painted Screen Society of Baltimore, Inc.
Marie Parham Collections
Secrets of the Universe
Shore Woodcraft
The Weyward Sisters Soap and Candle Co.
Windmill Hill Studios
Woven Sculptures and Baskets
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What is the weather forecast?
The Maryland Folk Festival will take place rain or shine. In the event of rain, visit information booths located throughout the festival to receive an updated performance schedule. In the event of rain, the festival’s three tented stages will offer a dry environment.
According to The Weather Channel's 10-day weather forecast, the Maryland Folk Festival will kick off with mostly cloudy skies and a high temperature of 80 degrees on Friday. Then, pack an umbrella, as rain is expected throughout much of Saturday and Sunday.
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If you go:
WHAT: Maryland Folk Festival
WHERE: Downtown Salisbury
WHEN: Sept. 22-24
INFO: https://mdfolkfest.com/
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: From music to vendors, here's all to know about Maryland Folk Festival
