Arts & Culture
Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Festival Announces Lineup for 2016
Kentucky Thunder, Keller Williams, The Travelin' McCourys, and new bluegrass lessons come to Druid Hill Park in April.
By Jess Mayhugh. Posted on November 24, 2015, 1:07 pm
Over the past four years, we've watched the Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Festival evolve from bands in a parking lot to an all-day festival in Druid Hill Park. And next year, on April 30, 2016, that evolution continues with a stellar lineup and brand-new festival programs.
Festival organizers announced yesterday that the lineup will feature bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder; one-man jam band Keller Williams; first family of bluegrass The Travelin' McCoury's; Grammy-winning North Carolina band Steep Canyon Rangers; and mandolin player Sierra Hull.
Last year's festival took place on April 25, 2015, which happened to coincide with the night of riots around Camden Yards and the catalyst for uprising around the city in response to the death of Freddie Gray. Organizers say they hope the festival can shed a positive light on the city.
"Going into this year, we knew we needed to deliver an amazing lineup to our fans and the incredible Baltimore music community," says festival co-founder Phil Chorney. "Music has such a power to heal and unite, and we feel that our continued support of the park and community is paramount to showing how amazing Baltimore is."
Of course, another way the festival will highlight the local community next year is by featuring regional acts like Baltimore-based guitarist and singer-songwriter Cris Jacobs, and Pennsylvania bluegrass bands Cabinet, Colebrook Road, and Man About a Horse. Additionally, the winner of a battle-of-the-bands contest will open the festival.
A new addition to the festival is a program they're calling Bluegrass Academy, where performers will give short lessons and discuss their music with fans all for free in a dedicated tent.
"It will be a chance for fans to learn some basics and maybe jam with their favorite artists on the instruments they play," Chorney explains. "So you could learn mandolin techniques from Sierra Hull or banjo from Rob McCoury. Our goal is to get more casual fans playing music while providing them with an amazing experience."
General admission and VIP tickets are currently available and, for each ticket sold, the festival will donate $2 to the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens to support horticulture education programs. In addition, there will be beer provided by Union Craft Brewing and a raffle will take place that benefits Believe in Music, a nonprofit aiming to give inner city students a music education.
"Both Travelin' McCourys and Sierra Hull have former Kentucky Thunder members, so I have a good feeling we will see some amazing jams and collaborations on stage," Chorney says. "And that's really what bluegrass music is all about."
Jess Mayhugh is the digital editor for Baltimore, where she covers nightlife, sports, food, and events.
Read more from Jess Follow @jessmayhugh
You May Also Like
-
Arts & Culture
Tom Hall To Step Down as Baltimore Choral Arts Society's Music Director
The 2017 season, his 35th, will be his last with the 130-member chorus.
-
Sponsored Content
How to Choose the Best Online Writing Workshop for You
Even published writers can profit from editors and readers who help them refine their work.
-
Arts & Culture
Review: The Revenant
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s extraordinary tale of revenge and survival.
-
Arts & Culture
Art After Hours Opens BMA's Doors to Nighttime Crowd
Event aims to attract younger people who work during the museum's open hours
-
Arts & Culture
Music Reviews: January 2016
The latest from Boister and Among Wolves.
-
Arts & Culture
Book Reviews: January 2016
The latest from Wil Haygood, Lia Purpura, and Dr. Daniel Muñoz.