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Faithful fans of the Philadelphia Folk Festival endure showers to see new acts, veteran performers

Faithful fans of world, blues, and folk music endured a weekend of intermittent showers to see a broad roster of performances at the 57th Philadelphia Folk Festival.

    By
  • Jonathan Wilson
    • August 20, 2018
  • Vanessa Collier stepped off the stage into the audience wailing on her saxophone. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Vanessa Collier stepped off the stage into the audience wailing on her saxophone. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • From left, Michelle Nowak, Amber Midgley, and Alyssa Dunn dance to Vannesa Collier's blues performance. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    From left, Michelle Nowak, Amber Midgley, and Alyssa Dunn dance to Vannesa Collier's blues performance. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Daryl Faust teaches his son to juggle in Dulcimer Grove. Faust has been attending the folk festival since he was 10 months old. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Daryl Faust teaches his son to juggle in Dulcimer Grove. Faust has been attending the folk festival since he was 10 months old. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Cyndey Rader blows bubbles while friend Harrison Mask attempts to pop them in front of the Camp Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Cyndey Rader blows bubbles while friend Harrison Mask attempts to pop them in front of the Camp Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Bob McGady, of Ewing, N.J., catches what little sun there was over the weekend. This was McGrady's 28th festival. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Bob McGady, of Ewing, N.J., catches what little sun there was over the weekend. This was McGrady's 28th festival. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Toronto-based singer Melanie Brulée performs for the crowd gathered at the Tank Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Toronto-based singer Melanie Brulée performs for the crowd gathered at the Tank Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Blues, soul, and funk artist Vanessa Collier brought her five-piece band to the Camp Stage at the folk festival. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Blues, soul, and funk artist Vanessa Collier brought her five-piece band to the Camp Stage at the folk festival. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Bagpipe master Dennis Hangey performed at the opening of the evening concerts on the Martin Main Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Bagpipe master Dennis Hangey performed at the opening of the evening concerts on the Martin Main Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Chris Smither opened the Saturday evening concert on the Martin Main Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Chris Smither opened the Saturday evening concert on the Martin Main Stage. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Molly Tuttle and her band performed for the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Molly Tuttle and her band performed for the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Legendary folk singer Tom Paxton performed for the crowd. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Legendary folk singer Tom Paxton performed for the crowd. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • The Bluegrass band Balsam Range performs on the Martin Martin Main Stage during the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    The Bluegrass band Balsam Range performs on the Martin Martin Main Stage during the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Threatening skies and rain greeted concert goers throughout the weekend. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Threatening skies and rain greeted concert goers throughout the weekend. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Tuvan throat singers Alash performed at the Saturday evening show. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Tuvan throat singers Alash performed at the Saturday evening show. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • The Tuvan throat singing group Alash was joined by Baltimore based beat boxer Shodekeh, left, for the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    The Tuvan throat singing group Alash was joined by Baltimore based beat boxer Shodekeh, left, for the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Threatening skies and rain greeted concert goers throughout the weekend. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Threatening skies and rain greeted concert goers throughout the weekend. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Julia Hoff applauds the group BeauSoleil during the Saturday evening performance. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Julia Hoff applauds the group BeauSoleil during the Saturday evening performance. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Co-emcee Christine Lavin performed for the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Co-emcee Christine Lavin performed for the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Michael Doucet fronts the band BeauSoleil during the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

    Michael Doucet fronts the band BeauSoleil during the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

Faithful fans of world, blues, and folk music endured a weekend of intermittent showers to see a broad roster of performances at the 57th Philadelphia Folk Festival in Upper Salford Township.

This year, the festival made a commitment to creating more gender balanced and culturally diverse performances, aiming to include more female, world music, and international performers in their lineup.

While veteran musicians, Tom Paxton, Chris Smithers and BeauSoleil among others returned, many of the newer acts brought the audience to their feet as well.

BeauSoleil performed during the Saturday evening concert. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

The crowd was quickly won over by what may have been the festival’s most unlikely musical pairing. The Mongolian throat singing group ALASH was joined by Baltimore-based beatboxer Shodekeh. Earlier in the day, festival first-timer, Venessa Collier, a soul, funk, and blues vocalist, songwriter, and saxophonist kept her newfound fans on their feet during the closing set of WXPN’s Philly Local Showcase.

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