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Welcome to the official site of the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest - one of the best free music festivals in the nation! Produced by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, the FolkFest features more than 70 hours of free music over Labor Day weekend. Check back often for updates!
The Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend (August 29-31, 2008) - Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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| | FolkFest News | Updated November 26, 2007
(Press inquiries should be directed to Shelley Johansson at 814-539-1889 x308. Press releases for all Johnstown Area Heritage Association programs and events, including the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest, are posted in PDF format here.)
FolkFest 2008 lineup to be announced in late winter or early spring -- A few of our 2008 artists have begun to post their dates with us on their websites -- so if you've found this site by clicking on a hotlink from an artist's site announcing their appearance with us, welcome -- that artist will be with us. We anticipate making a complete lineup announcement in late winter or early spring. Check back often to find out the latest on FolkFest 2008 programming!
FolkFest on YouTube -- A FolkFest fan let us know about several short films he took at this year's festival, and posted on YouTube -- and with the artists' permission, we're pleased to post them here. Last Train Home; Bill Kirchen, one more of Bill Kirchen, this time on the trombone; and Slavic Soul Party, coming out into the audience to close their show. In addition, here are links to Jennifer Drummey and Jackson Monsour as they played on the August 26, 2007 live radio show, "Acoustic Radio Hour with Anthony Frazier," on WCCS, Indiana, Pa. Enjoy!
What a great festival! -- The entertainment was amazing, the weather perfect, the crowds big, and the mood was right. Thanks to everyone who came together to make this event possible -- our corporate sponsors, especially title sponsor AmeriServ Financial; our in-kind sponsors, who donate products and services of all kinds; everyone who attended and supported the event through the purchase of food and drinks, T-shirts, 50/50 tickets and more. JAHA sends a special thanks to the 450+ volunteers who work so hard before, during and after the event to make it all happen. Photos and more information about FolkFest 2007 have been posted on the 2007 Memories page of this website; in addition, there is an album of photos in the "Pics" section of the FolkFest's MySpace page.
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50/50 winner announced! -- This year's lucky winner of the FolkFest 50/50 drawing was announced from the Toyota stage at the conclusion of the final performance on Sunday night -- congratulations to Sue McCann of Westmont, who wins $1,575. Thanks to all who supported FolkFest through the purchase of 50/50 tickets.
FolkFest featured in regional media -- The FolkFest has been or is going to be previewed in a variety of regional media. More articles/radio shows will be posted as details on publication/air times become available -- here's a sampling of what's happened thus far!
- FolkFest captures the cover of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette entertainment section -- Dwayne Dopsie is featured on the cover of the August 30, 2007 entertainment section, which features three articles about the festival. You can read the article about the festival, including its schedule, here, a profile of Dwayne Dopsie here, and a profile of Druha Trava here.
- FolkFest featured in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review -- Bill Kirchen, Slavic Soul Party and The Tossers, along with festival chair Ron Carnevali, were interviewed for an article that appeared in the August 30, 2007 entertainment section -- click here to read it.
- Ron Carnevali interviewed on WQED -- Ron Carnevali was interviewed on WQED, a public radio station with classical music format that airs in Pittsburgh and Johnstown. Portions of the interview will be aired on Jim Cunningham's Morning Show, which airs from 6:00-9:00 a.m. weekdays, in the days leading up to the festival; you can also hear a podcast on WQED's home page.
- A.J. Croce interviewed on Cool 101.7 -- Zak McDowell interviewed A.J. Croce by phone, and this interview aired on Cool 101.7 in Johnstown on Tuesday, August 28 at 3:18 p.m.
- "The Backyard Rocker" with Professor Jim Price -- Festival chair Ron Carnevali was Jim Price's guest on "The Backyard Rocker" and played music from FolkFest artists. The show aired on Sunday, August 26 from 8-10 p.m. on WBXQ 94.3/WBRX 94.7 in Altoona.
- The Acoustic Hour with Anthony Frazier -- This show airs on WCCS in Indiana, Pa., on Sunday mornings from 9-10 a.m. The August 19 show featured a phone-in interview with Bill Deasy, a featured performer at FolkFest 2007, and more -- you can listen by clicking here. Jennifer Drummey and Jackson Monsour were in the studio for the Sunday, August 26 show, and each played a few songs live; you can hear that show by clicking here.
- The Tribune-Democrat previews the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest -- Click here to read the story in the Johnstown paper, which ran on August 26.
- WYEP's "Rhythm & Roots" show on Sunday, August 19 -- Host Kate Borger talked to festival chair Ron Carnevali on WYEP, Pittsburgh's AAA public radio station, and they played some of the artists featured in our 2007 lineup.
- FolkFest previewed on KDKA's "Pittsburgh Today Live" -- Festival chair Ron Carnevali was a guest on KDKA, Pittsburgh's CBS affiliate, on the Friday, August 17 episode of "Pittsburgh Today Live," which airs from 9-10 a.m. weekdays. Footage from past FolkFests was shown, and the 2007 lineup was previewed.
- The August 16 issue of Our Town Magazine -- This issue featured interviews with FolkFest performers Bill Kirchen, James Talley, The Tossers, A.J. Croce, Gigi Dover & The Big Love, Dwayne Dopsie, and Tres Chicas
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Bill Kirchen on the FolkFest -- "a whole parallel universe of music." Bill Kirchen, former guitarist for Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen and the "Titan of the Telecaster," last played at FolkFest in 2004 (see picture). He was recently interviewed in Our Town Magazine; the following is an excerpt from the online version of the article: "If I saw someone do today what we did in 1967, I'm not sure it would work anymore. I think they've closed the door. There aren't as many wide and varied artists coming in. We were a wacky eight-piece playing boogie woogie from the forties and hardcore rockabilly and country," he said. One of the few places Kirchen said those artists still exist is festivals like the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest. "That's the great thing about the FolkFest. That is a whole parallel universe of music that has escaped that marketing strictly by the numbers," he said. "That's the heir to what I saw in '64 and '65 in Newport that really ruined me for normal work."
Shuttle system changes announced -- The FolkFest's free shuttle system has some changes in 2007. For complete details on the shuttle system, visit the Scrip, Shuttles, Parking page of this website. The Downtown Loop and the free Inclined Plane rides stay the same, but changes include:
A new Cambria City loop, thanks to sponsor AmeriServ Financial
The Log House Arts Festival will run its own shuttle from the Hiram G. Andrews Center, but only during that festival's hours.
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FolkFest to offer expanded kids' area, including "Puppen Meister"-- As in previous years, the FolkFest will feature bouncy houses for kids from Big Bouncy Bunch of Fun. This year, we welcome Puppen Meister, which will be presenting a free marionette show for kids every few hours, and will also offer a variety of kids' games. The children's area will be located near the Walnut Street Bridge entrance to the festival, where "Mac and Bloo," two characters from the Cartoon Network, will greet festivalgoers courtesy of gateway sponsor Atlantic Broadband.
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Individual sponsorships now available -- We've sent out reminders, but order forms for individual sponsorships are now available by clicking here -- fill out your form and send it to JAHA, PO Box 1889, Johnstown, PA 15907. For your $75 contribution to FolkFest, you get to park in a special lot on Washington Street, right across from the festival. You'll also receive two laminated passes that allow you access to a special lounge in the train station, featuring a full cash bar, air conditioning, and best of all -- clean bathrooms with flush toilets. Additional passes are available for $20 each.
Johnstown Magazine performance schedule released -- The schedule for the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest, including set times and stages, is now available on the Performance Schedule page of this website! The page includes a downloadable schedule in grid format, as well as a chronological listing of performances on each stage.
FolkFest flyers and posters now available -- Want to help us spread the word about the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest 2007? Download, copy and distribute this downloadable flyer, or e-mail Shelley Johansson if you'd like a poster or two to post in your place of business. Thanks!
FolkFest adds Grinning Mob, Jennifer Drummey & The Small Band (pictured), Jimmy Sapienza & Five Guys Named Moe, and Jazz In Your Face -- We are pleased to round out our 2007 lineup with these four acts, three of which have strong Johnstown connections! Grinning Mob of Johnstown has been touring for 10 years now, and last played FolkFest in 2005. Jennifer Drummey & The Small Band, also from Johnstown, is newer on the Johnstown scene, playing a wonderful blend of folk, rock and jazz. Jazz In Your Face is a FolkFest perennial, delighting audiences with their terrific big-band jazz. Finally, Jimmy Sapienza & Five Guys Named Moe are popular Pittsburgh entertainers, known for superb musicianship as they present the best in Italian standards. Visit our 2007 Performers page to read more about our 2007 lineup.
JAHA invites area churches and non-profits to be part of the Community Kitchen -- In 2007 the FolkFest will once again feature the Community Kitchen, where churches and non-profits vend food and drinks without paying a booth fee! It's a great opportunity for these organizations to earn funds to support their programs and services. To find out more, visit the Community Kitchen page of this website.
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FolkFest welcomes new faces in the 2007 lineup -- As always, the FolkFest lineup for 2007 will feature a mix of new acts and favorites from previous years. Performers slated to appear at the FolkFest for the first time include: The Tossers; Slavic Soul Party; Tres Chicas (pictured); Scott Miller & the Commonwealth; James Talley; Druha Trava; Too Slim & the Taildraggers; Last Train Home; McKay Brothers; and Jimmy Adler. Read more about the lineup at on the 2007 Performers page of this website. |
AmeriServ Financial renews its title sponsorship of the FolkFest -- Back in 1996, AmeriServ Financial became the title sponsor of a young festival then known simply as the Johnstown FolkFest. Through that sponsorship, AmeriServ supports the festival financially and with more than 180 volunteers each year -- as well as providing in-kind help with printing and promotion. AmeriServ has once again renewed its title sponsorship for the 2007 festival. JAHA extends a sincere thank-you to AmeriServ Financial and all our FolkFest sponsors, who make it possible for the festival to feature free admission. |
Zydeco returns to the FolkFest -- FolkFest 2007's zydeco artist is Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Dwayne is the son of the late, great Rockin' Dopsie and grew up playing zydeco -- in fact, Dwayne played FolkFest 1993 at the age of 14 with his father's band. Today he is known as "The Hottest Accordion in America" and plays nationally and internationally, including annual appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival since 2000. Read more about Dwayne Dopsie and the rest of the 2007 lineup on the 2007 Performers page of this website. |
2007 lineup features past favorites -- The FolkFest is pleased to welcome back several popular artists to the festival, some of whom are playing in new bands. Returning to the FolkFest are: Bill Kirchen (who last played here in 2004); Eric Lindell Band (Lindell played as a part of a revue, the Louisiana Blues Throwdown, in 2003); Gigi Dover & Big Love, pictured (Dover played FolkFest in 1997 and 1999 with her former band, the Rank Outsiders); and Bill Deasy (who played in 1997 with his former band, Gathering Field). |
New sponsorship video now available -- The festival simply wouldn't be possible without the support of our sponsors. A new video explaining the benefits of sponsorship is now available -- JAHA would like to thank Clark Productions (production) and Geoff Miller of Woodland Marketing Management (narration) for their work on the video. If you're interested in finding out more about FolkFest sponsorship, contact Patti Genovese at 814-539-1889, ext. 309. |
FolkFest to take part in the second year of a state marketing program; 2006 survey data shows a jump in out-of-town visitors -- In 2006, FolkFest became one of 32 festivals chosen to participate in a festival marketing program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. Year Two of the program, which aims to attract out-of-town visitors to the events, was kicked off with a workshop held in Johnstown on October 3-4.
The program has been a great success for the FolkFest thus far. In 2006, the program enabled FolkFest to market itself outside of the immediate area, focusing on Pittsburgh and several other nearby cities. Survey results showed a 10% jump in out-of-town visitors in 2006 as compared to 2005, despite the rainy weather.
As a part of this program, the Johnstown FolkFest has been featured on a special music festival page on the state's tourism website, visitpa.com. That's Big Sandy & the Fly-Rite Boys in the banner photo, which was taken at FolkFest 2004. For more information on some of the other participating festivals, click here.
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The AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest 's MySpace.com page now includes music -- Visit the Johnstown FolkFest's page on MySpace.com, which now features music from 2007 performers Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Slavic Soul Party, Too Slim & the Taildraggers (pictured) -- and as of March 30, a new tune by Gigi Dover & The Big Love. If you're a member of MySpace, please add the FolkFest as a "friend" -- and help us spread the word about the festival by forwarding the page to your "friends" who would be interested!
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Thanks, everyone, for such a great festival in 2006! -- The AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the 2006 festival so successful -- the sponsors, who make the festival possible; the performers, who put on such amazing shows; everyone who came out to the festival, particularly those who braved the rain on Friday night; and most especially the many volunteers who donated their time and talent during the weeks leading up to the event, during the festival, and during the cleanup after it was over. Thank you!
Check out regional coverage of the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest 2006!
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