Montana Folk Festival returns July 12-14, filling Uptown Butte with an eclectic menu of music.
With less than three weeks until the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Montana Folk Festival, organizers and fans are gearing up to welcome 21 performers to Butte July 12-14. The festival’s stages offer a remarkable pastiche of American music, from Cajun and old-time, to gospel, blues, R&B and funk, as well as traditional music from around the world.
“We can now give everyone the complete picture of what to expect when they come to Butte in July,” said Festival Director George Everett. “For any one of these performers, you could expect to pay $50 or more to see them at another venue. These performers will all be in Butte throughout the festival weekend and admission to all shows will be the same – FREE.”
Probably the best-known performer at this year’s festival is the Jerry Douglas Band, led by the Dobro master and 14-time Grammy winner.
Recently announced additions
Recently announced additions to the lineup are: Choro Das 3, a Brazilian choro band first formed by three sisters; Hailu Mergia of Ethiopia, who has a talent for “re-purposing folk songs into funkier modern melodies”; Reverie Road, a fresh, eclectic Celtic band; Sonia and Ismael, Flamenco performers from New York, hailed by The New York Times as “a furnace of earthy sensuality”; and The Wagaku Collective, a trio that plays Japanese traditional music. Local representatives include The Fox Family and Friends, featuring acclaimed Montana Métis fiddler Jamie Fox; and Sam Platts and the Plainsmen, formerly of Montana and now based in Seguin, Texas, who play traditional country and western swing.
Previously announced performers include: Los Texmaniacs (Texas Conjunto); El Laborinto del Coco (Puerto Rican bomba); Sheryl Cormier (Cajun); Le Vent Du Nord (Quebecois); Fran Grace (gospel); Fred Thomas (R&B/funk); Mr. Sipp (Mississippi Delta blues); Kala Ramnath (Hindustani violin); Mehrnam Rastegari (Iranian kamancheh); 79rs Gang (Mardi Gras Indians); Nobody’s Business (old time); Zuni Olla Maidens (traditional Zuni dance and song); and Gary Haleamau & Kawili (Hawaiian traditional).
For details including images, bios, and video clips, visit www.montanafolkfestival.com or on facebook at mtfolkfest.
Rounding out the 2024 festival program are dozens of artists, demonstrators, instructors and performers in the Arts Markets and Montana Folklife Area.
Looking for volunteers
Festival organizers are inviting new volunteers for the festival and updating their database for returning volunteers, too.
“Specific areas where we need the most help include operations set up and tear down, stage crew assistance building and breaking down stages, backstage hospitality, info booths, beverage ticket sales and beverage servers,” said Everett.
He encourages anyone interested in lending a hand to visit the festival website for more details at montanafolkfestival.com/volunteer/. “While there, you can also find a link to our online database to sign up,” he said.
Shifts are four hours, although many volunteers often decide to stay longer because they are having so much fun. Volunteers get a free t-shirt and a chance to see the festival unfold from a unique perspective – from the inside.
About the Montana Folk Festival
The Montana Folk Festival has evolved from the three-year tenure in Montana of the National Folk Festival from 2008-2010. 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 by highlighting, exploring and celebrating the heritage of diversity and cultural richness that makes our state and our country great.
The Montana Folk Festival will feature hundreds of performers and craftspeople with music and dance performances on six stages, workshops, folklife demonstrations, two festival markets and ethnic and regional foods. For details, visit www.montanafolkfestival.com.