Headliners
STEVE
SESKIN
One of America's most versatile and successful songwriters,
Steve Seskin performed some of his favorites at the 1999 Annual
San
Francisco Free Folk Festival. Seskin has written songs that have
been performed by artists ranging from Peter Frampton to country
star John
Michael Montgomery. He also is a popular performer at acoustic venues
and festivals throughout the US and Canada.
DUNSMUIR
SCOTTISH DANCERS
The Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers are one of the demonstration dance teams
of the San Francisco chapter of the
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Frequent participants in the
San Francisco Free Folk Festival, the group will both perform on the
main stage and lead a workshop. They are delightful to watch and dance
with, communicating the combination of elegance and power unique to
Scottish Country Dance.
WORLD
HARMONY CHORUS
The
World Harmony Chorus performs choral music from African, South American,
European, and American Gospel traditions, and is an outgrowth of a
new choral program at the Mountain View-based Community School of
Music
and Arts (CSMA). Daniel Steinberg, the founder and director, has been
a teaching and performing musician with many Bay Area folk ensembles,
including the Hillbillies from Mars, for over twenty years. With the
establishment of this chooir, he has brought to fruition his vision
of community building through music. Members come from the South Bay,
East Bay, Peninsula and San Francisco. The
choir is open to everyone, with no prior singing experience
required.
FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT
Going out on a musical limb is common for the
group Four Shillings Short. With an ever-increasing array of instruments
(over 20 at last
count), including hammered dulcimer, mandola & mandolin, tin
whistle & woodwinds, sitar, banjo, percussion and vocals, their
music is always varied and captivating.
In a single night, Four Shillings Short perform Traditional Irish
tunes and airs, Indian Ragas, Folk Ballads, Old-Time songs, Medieval & Renaissance
instrumentals and a cappella numbers as well as contemporary folk and
original compositions. Their sound has been described as "wondrously
diverse", "truly refreshing" and "alternative neo-Celtic
folk of the first order".
TONY MARCUS & PATRICE
HAAN
Amazing violin and guitar soloist and vocalist, Tony Marcus is well
known from his performances with the Cheap Suit Serenaders and Cats & Jammers.
Patrice Haan is a Canadian with a beautiful, haunting voice who now
lives in the Bay Area. Together they apply their artful talents to
the great songs of the first half of the 20th century -- the golden
age of American song.
MCBRIDE IRISH STEP DANCERS
The McBride Irish Step Dancers will both perform on the main stage
and lead a workshop. For over thirty years, they have been promoting
Irish culture through its exciting dance of soft shoe reels and jigs
and hard shoe stepping in the Bay Area. Their colorful costumes and
flashing feet always produce an eye-catching show.
RAY BIERL
Known for his solo singing accompanied by violin and guitar, Ray Bierl
has been a staple on the American Folk scene since the late ‘60s.
Focusing on southern musical styles including country and old-time,
in recent years he formed the Hillbillies From Mars and The Earls -
his bluegrass dance bands which can be seen at gigs here in the Bay
Area. A versatile talent, he also calls Contra dances.
BRASSWORKS
San Francisco based Brassworks is a sextet comprised of five brass
players on tuba, trombone/euphonium, french horn, and two trumpets,
(doubling on cornet, flugelhorn and piccolo trumpet) and a drummer.
They perform a wide range of musical styles from renaissance and classical
to folk tunes and marches, blues and rock, Motown and Latin, even Broadway
show tunes! The Band's specialty is period ballroom music from 18th
and 19th century Europe and America.
DOGWATCH
Dogwatch was formed in 1978 and recreates a mid-19th century sailor
band. Large sailing ships often had a number of musicians within the
crew and during a long voyage, they would entertain the crew and any
passengers that might be aboard. The music would range from the chanteys/shanty’s
(work songs) and foc'sl songs to hymns and popular music hall numbers.
The group performed for 6 years at the Dickens Christmas Fair and immediately
found that there were further opportunities for making traditional
maritime music available to everyone through performances and workshops.
JUAN
L. SÁNCHEZ ENSEMBLE
The Juan L. Sánchez Ensemble features the verse and passionate
voice of Juan L. Sánchez, a charismatic modern-day troubadour
who has transcended his roots to create a unique musical universe.
From Lorca's poetry, laced with melodies powered by the bold virtuosity
of Paul Contos on flutes and saxophones (who has accompanied the likes
of Dizzy Gillespie), to the sensual rhythm of bossa novas and rumbas
carried by the Hinojosa-Uccello tandem on Latin percussion and double-bass,
and the undaunted genius of Dayan Kai on zampoña, piano, guitar,
and mandolin, “We consciously aim to be cosmopolitan by incorporating
the poetry and music of European, African, Asian and American cultural
traditions, while continuing to embrace the beauty of the Spanish language
and our rich Latino cultural heritage ...”
OAK, ASH & THORN
… are an a capella singing group who draw their repertoire primarily
from English Traditional music. They also sing British Music Hall,
American Folk, Scottish Folk, Irish Folk, TV Jingles and Babylonian
Beer Hymns. In fact, the only thing a capella they don't sing is
Barbershop. At least, not yet...!
JUBILEE AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
Jubilee American Dance Theatre is a truly unique performance ensemble
bringing to life the dances, music, songs and stories of the folks
that made America. From Appalachia to the Swing Era to Cajun Country,
the New England Whalers, Baja California, America's immigrants and
more, Jubilee transports you to another time and place through its
rich weaving of stories, songs, dance and music.
SYLVIA HEROLD & CHUCK
ERVIN
Sylvia Herold, formerly of Cats & Jammers,
and Chuck Ervin of the Wakefield Jazz Quartet will present a mix
of vintage country, swing and folk music. Their vocal duets will
feature Sylvia on guitar and Chuck on acoustic bass.
JEANIE & CHUCK’S COUNTRY
ROUNDUP
The Roundup performs an entertaining mix of honky tonk, bluegrass,
and old-time on acoustic instruments. Their shows are presented with
one big mike, and they entertain the audience through music, humor,
and showmanship. They look for great songs, with an emphasis on the
country classic era from the 1930s through the 1960s, specializing
in country duets and honky tonk songs. Jeanie’s powerful lead
vocals highlight the rich emotion of classic country music. Be it the
duets of George & Tammy or Charlie and Bill, they play country
classics with humor and respect.