First Posted: 5/7/2015
TUNKHANNOCK – Organizers of Cornstock Folk Festival announced the initial roster of artists for the third annual event, slated for the weekend of Sept. 4 through 6 at Lazy Brook Park in Tunkhannock. More than 11 bands representing musical genres from bluegrass to reggae will be perform on two stages.
The festival is a three-day celebration of roots and acoustic music boasting stage shows, music workshops, camping, kids’ activities, indie-crafts and art, food vendors and more.
Over 1,000 people attended Cornstock Folk Festival last year and organizers are expecting an even larger crowd this Labor Day weekend. The year’s event will host a mix of musical performances from nationally recognized and award winning groups as well as regional favorites.
Daisycutter is fronted by Sara Milonovich, an award winning and seasoned fiddler, singer, and songwriter. The band’s self-titled debut received a Grammy semifinalist nod.
Members of Professor Louie & the Crowmatrix are no strangers to fame. They performed with rock and folk legends for decades before forming the group in 2000. Bandleader, Aaron “Professor Louie” Hurwitz collaborated with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, The Band, for over fifteen years. Other members toured and recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Joe Jackson, and “Asleep At The Wheel.” The band now hails from Woodstock, New York.
Furnace Mountain describes its music as Ethno Appalachian Roots. The group performs authentic and original music of the Shenandoah Valley. Its members have influences dating back to ancient times. Furnace Mountain has performed throughout the world, from the Yangtze River in China to the banks of the Shenandoah River.
Acoustic guitar virtuoso and multi-instrumentalists, Roy Williams, writes music inspired by the entire spectrum of his listening habits, equal parts 1935 Paris, 1965 Liverpool, and 1995 Scranton. He makes his home in Brooklyn, New York where he assembled an all-star group to perform his original, yet familiar music. The Human Hands most notably includes renowned fiddler player Alex Hargreaves, who is a member of Mike Marshall’s Big Trio and plays with rising Americana star, Sarah Jarosz.
Also confirmed for the weekend are Cornstock’s host band Hickory Project, regional bluegrass favorite Coal Town Rounders, Jerry Garcia tribute band Garcia Grass, Brooklyn-based indie folk-rock duo Owl and Wolf, reggae maestro George Wesley, Gypsy jazz aficionados The Bog Swing Group and the Southern Tier’s own newgrass group Band of Strings. More bands will be announced.
The cost for a weekend pass is $55 at the gate. Day tickets are also available, ranging in price from $15 to $30. Children 16 and under are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. The gate opens at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4. Stage times are 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information or tickets, visit cornstockfestival.com or call 570-250-7464.