What started out as a tribute to Woody Guthrie on what would have been his 100th birthday in 2012 has blossomed into an annual multicultural, multidimensional event with music, lectures, classes, concerts, and much more. This year’s Irvington Folk Festival will be held June 14-20 at various locations, and includes folk, bluegrass, rockabilly, gospel, jazz, world music and classical music.
Organizers of this year’s festival note that the event reflects the diversity found in Irvington itself — a neighborhood that has been home to Butler University scholars, painters, poets, stalwart businessmen and women as well as the likes of KKK Grand Dragon D.C. Stephenson and gangster John Dillinger. Today’s Irvingtonians come from all walks of life, but are united by their love of the community, and a wide range of musical styles.
On Sunday, June 14, the Irvington Folk Festival officially kicks off from 1-4 p.m. with Bluegrass at the Bona, located at 5350 E. University Ave. The concert features Cornfields and Crossroads, and the audience is invited to picnic on the lawn (food will also be available for purchase). On June 15 from 7-10 p.m., the Acoustic Ascent Irvington Songwriter’s Competition will be held at Playground Productions Studio (5529 Bonna Ave.) where songwriters compete for prizes. June 16 brings a fascinating musical performance, film and conversation with Mac Bellner — “Pete Seeger Social Justice Lecture Series: Celebrating the Alan Lomax Centennial” at 7-9 p.m. at the Irvington Public Library (5625 E. Washington St.).
For a unique experience, go to the Bona Thompson Center (5350 E. University Ave.) on June 17 from 7-9 p.m. for World Music Night at the Bona, featuring the Ron Esposito Trio and Adam Riviere Long playing Tibetan crystal bowls, tabla, flute, percussion, and didgeridoo. Admission is $10 per person and doors open at 6:30.
Check out Dear Lincoln at Coal Yard Coffee on June 18 at 6:15 p.m. and Rockabilly Night with Bigger Than Elvis with Slim and the Slimtones at the Coal Factory, 5533 E. Bonna Ave. Then, on June 19, there will be a special celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S. with a program of storytelling, music, and much more at Downey Avenue Christian Church, beginning at 7 p.m. This is also a celebration of the 120th anniversary of the Irvington First Baptist Church, the second oldest church in Irvington. Definitely check out well-known storyteller Sally Perkin’s story of the song “Amazing Grace.”
submitted photo
The Children’s Festival is part of the Irvington Folk Festival.
The festival ends on June 20 with a day long celebration at Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair, The Irvington Children’s Festival will run from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the west end of St. Clair St. and feature musicians, performers, a decorated bike show, and activities geared for kids of all ages. From noon to 8 p.m., the Alternative Gift Fair will be open in the park, featuring Indiana artisans, and a huge variety of food trucks will be set up around the park throughout the day. Music on the main stage begins at 1 p.m. with The Brains Behind Pa at 1:30 followed by sets from Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine, Flatland Harmony Experiment, Martine Locke, and Blue Collar Bluegrass. All day there will be a workshop and jam in the Jamming tent.
All events except for the World Music Night at the Bona are free and open to the public. The Irvington Folk Festival is made possible by funds provided by the Historic Irvington Community Council, businesses and individuals in the neighborhood, and through a Go Fund me campaign — visit www.gofundme.com/irvingtonfolk to kick in a few bucks to show support for this great community event.
