Takoma Park Folk Festival

Alphabetical Listing of 2000 TPFF Performers

Performers are listed alphabetically by last name (if solo performer or dance workshop instructor), group name, or the first appearing surname of a duo or other number of performers. (Please note that all information listed below was current at the time of original publication; websites, emails and the like may have changed since.)

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | V |

—A
12:00 Noon—Courtyard Stage
ALEXANDRIA KLEZTET
Not your typical Klezmer group. When they get their clarinet bopping with an African Djembe, you’ll be hora-ing around the tent. http://member.aol.com/kleztet

1:00PM—Grove Stage
JULIA ALTSTATT
“When Julia sings about a ‘Long Cold Winter,’ you’ll feel the chill in your bones. But it’s a good kinda chill, ‘cause you know she’s singing it like she’s lived it, and that’s the best kind of singing there is.” Music critic David Nuttycombe. www.Pressroom.com/~julia

11:00AM—Grassy Nook Stage
AMARTEY HEDZOLEH
Traditional African storyteller. A singing griot, accompanying himself on guitar, kalimba, and miscellaneous percussion instruments.

5:00PM—Abbott Stage
ARCHIE EDWARDS BLUES HERITAGE FOUNDATION
... is a group of local blues musicians who are preserving the legacy of one of Washington’s under-celebrated cultural treasures. Come hear the music that happens very Saturday afternoon, when area blues musicians gather and jam, keeping alive the memory of Archie and his legendary barbershop.

2:00PM—Grove Stage
ARMOR AND STURTEVANT
This husband-and-wife duo covers an eclectic territory from traditional Appalachian to East African music. They also create “fiddle meets thumb piano” originals. www.naturalsound.com/armstur.htm

5:00PM—Grassy Nook Stage
KAREN ASHBROOK—KIDS IRISH JAM SESSION
Come hear Irish music performed by local youth artists (led by Karen Ashbrook) who know how to make beautiful music. For kid-on-kid music making, this is the place to be.

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12:30PM—Courtyard Stage
BALKANTO provides the music for the Romanian Dance Workshop with instructor Jamie Platt. Traditional music of Central and East European peoples—Hungarian, Romanian, Yiddish, Romani Gypsy, South Slavic, Russian, even a little Greek. Craig@cal.org

12:00Noon—Field Stage
BLUE MOON COWGIRLS
... is Karen Collins (also of Squeeze Bayou), Ann Porcella, and Dana Ward. Singing in the old-style country music tradition of three great voices surrounding one mic, they are accompanied by very special “Cowgirl” Ira Gitlin on guitar and banjo. http://members.aol.com/kcollin/bluemoon/

1:00PM—Grove Stage
JERRY BRESEE
We welcome the Godfather of the Reston-Herndon folk scene to Takoma Park. “Jerry Bresee is terrific,” says fellow musician Tom Paxton. www.shenandoahacoustics.com/jbresee

4:00PM—Abbott Stage
ELIOT BRONSON
Eliot Bronson is an up-and-coming Baltimore-based singer/songwriter whose catchy tunes feature intricate guitar work. www.electrobus.com

12:00 Noon—Grove Stage
MARY BYRD BROWN
Baltimore, Washington, Annapolis, Northern Virginia coffeehouse icon Mary Byrd Brown swings between moody minor keys and playful upbeat tunes. www.marybyrdbrown.com

5:00PM—Courtyard Stage
RAY BUGNOSEN, BALLROOM DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Founder of the Ballroom Dance Company, Ray is a former American Rhythm Dance Champion. He performs in shows and exhibitions regularly and is one of the Washington, D.C. area's most popular instructors of social and competitive ballroom dancing. www.ballroomdancecompany.org

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4:00PM—Courtyard Stage
CAPOEIRA ANGOLA
Now headquartered in Takoma, D.C., the international foundation promotes this playful Afro-Brazilian “danced fight.” www.capoeira-angola.org/

circulating around the grounds
FRANK CASSEL
performs at festivals during the summer form New York to Georgia. He also performs folk and bluegrass music regularly, weather permitting, at the Takoma Park Farmers’ Market on Sunday mornings. His new CD “Banjo Man, for Children of All Ages” is a big hit.
Click here for a related article about Frank Cassel

1:00PM—Field Stage
T. MICHAEL COLEMAN AND THE CABIN JOHN BOYS
T. Michael Coleman, Starz Vanderlocket, and Mike Mumford join Moondi Klien on the Field Stage.

11:30AM—Auditorium Stage
THE CONTINENTALS
The group's sound is not just German, purely Polish, or simply Slovenian, but is instead a unique blending of many cultural influences to create a truly continental sound. They’re sure to create a festive atmosphere. Come dance the hour away—no teaching! http://members.aol.com/mikzcardz/page38.htm

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2:00PM—Abbott Stage
RICHARD DAHL
Richard Dahl, a mainstay of the local open mic scene, is showing us his skills during daylight hours. “The music he creates draws on a worldly palette of colors and rhythms…both intimate and intelligent,” says Mike Joyce of the Washington Post. www.richarddahl.com

4:00PM—Courtyard Stage
LIZ DONALDSON AND FRIENDS provide the music for the Contra Dance (with caller Michael Schechtman). Liz Donaldson, a full-time musician who plays piano and accordion, is known for her innovative back-up style incorporating exciting rhythms, textures, and harmony lines. She also dances and teaches Scottish country dancing and plays for Scottish, English, and American contra and square dances. Liz@us.net.

12:00 Noon—Abbott Stage
CHUCK DURFOR
Chuck Durfor’s one-man (fingerstyle guitar) acoustical jam mixes British folk, jazz, and classical influences with those of country blues and beyond. You’ll think you’re listening to a full band. As Chuck says, “as long as my thumbs are attached I have my bass guitarist.” http://hometown.aol.com/cdurfor

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2:00PM—Courtyard Stage
ELLEN ENGLE AND MARC SHEPANEK—SWING DANCE WORKSHOP
Ellen and Marc teach lindy hop, jitterbug, St. Louis shag, and Argentine tango at Glen Echo Park and around the area. They have been performing here for 11 years. www.erols.com/flyfeet

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4:00PM—Grove Stage
CATHY FINK & MARCY MARXER
Three-time Grammy Award nominees will mesmerize listeners with their energy, harmony, and musical ability. www.cathymarcy.com

2:00PM—Grassy Nook Stage
FIRE AND EARTH
Fire and Earth are Amikaeyla Proudfoot Gaston and Deb Spice Kleinmann. They’re a groovy, crunchy, hippie, funky kinda group who sing for big and little people and love being seriously silly and silliously serious.

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3:00PM—Courtyard Stage
STEVE GESTER—TANGO WORKSHOP
Steve Gester has been teaching ballroom dancing for over 25 years. He teaches many dance forms including ragtime/ballroom tango, waltz, foxtrot, one-step, swing, szeifachers, Cajun, and some Scandinavian and Latin dances. He also teaches and calls contra dancing and square dances.

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1:00PM—Abbott Stage
ANDREA HOAG
... the queen of Takoma Park fiddlers, has traveled around the world studying traditional fiddle styles. From Sweden to Scotland to the Southern Appalachian she’s picked up many styles and infuses each with her passionate and lyrical musical touch. www.azaleacityrecordings.com/andreahoag

5:00PM—Grove Stage
HOT SOUP
Jennifer Agner, Christina Muir and Sue Trainor mix tight harmonies into a spicy musical concoction. Their new CD is “Soup Happens.” www.hotsouptrio.com/

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1:00PM—Grassy Nook Stage
IMANI “GLOBAL VOICES”
Renowned performer and arts educator Imani Gonzalez introduces children to traditional world music and song. This participatory program creates cultural understanding through the power of song and harmony. www.classactsarts.org

3:00PM—Field Stage
IN PROCESS…
Five strong, independent women who bring a rich sound spiritual songs by blending their voices and the rhythms of hand-held African instruments. Iamasong@aol.com

2:00PM—Field Stage
IRISH FIRE
Beautifully rendered traditional Celtic Music by singers Grace Griffith and Dominick Murray, fiddler Dave Abe, and piper Mark Hillman. http://pages.prodigy.net/dominick.murray/

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11:00AM—Courtyard Stage
ELLEN JACOBS’ STUDENTS
These young fiddlers (8-12 years old) love to play a range of American and European styles.

4:00PM—Grassy Nook Stage
BILL JENKINS
... will bring and demonstrate over 100 instruments—guaranteed to turn the audience into a band by the end of his set.

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1:00PM—Field Stage
MOONDI KLEIN
The founding member of the Rock Creek Bluegrass Band, lead vocalist for The Seldom Scene and Chesapeake, finally brings his beautiful tenor voice and irreverent musical style to our stage. Moondi’s music can be classified as reggae-, rock-, Celtic- and country-influenced bluegrass. Moondi is joined by T. Michael Coleman, Starz Vanderlocket, and Mike Mumford. Basil1@aol.com

3:00PM—Grassy Nook Stage
JAMAL KORAM, THE STORY MAN
Renowned author and educator, Jamal Koram shares traditional African values that speak to the entire human family. Join him for an enthralling journey through the African landscape. www.classactsarts.org

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12:00 Noon—Grove Stage
LEA
There’s a certain intensity about Lea. Solidmusic@aol.com

3:00PM—Courtyard Stage
LIZ LERMAN DANCE EXCHANGE COMMUNITY DANCERS
Takoma’s own dance diplomat brings us inspired expressive movement from dancers of all ages. www.danceexchange.org/

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3:00PM—Courtyard Stage
WENDY MORRISON AND FRIENDS provide the music for the Tango Workshop with instructor Steve Gester. Wendy—The House of Musical Traditions’ teacher of Irish tinwhistle, clawhammer banjo, piano accordion, and English concertina—plays accordion and concertina in the Maryland-based Klezmer band Klezmos and with Ralph Gordon in Dance on a Dime. www.dc.net/wendy

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5:00PM—Courtyard Stage
NAMU LWANGA
Born and educated in Uganda’s rich culture, Namu sings in the Zouk, Soukous, Soca, and Reggae musical styles, and she is an award-winning dancer and composer. www.namulwanga.com

2:00PM—Courtyard Stage
THE NEW HOTS JAZZ ORCHESTRA is an authentic 1920s and 1930s hot-jazz dance orchestra, providing the music for the Swing Dance Workshop with instructors Ellen Engle and Marc Shepanek. Dressed in period costumes, this 12- to 14-piece orchestra will run you through the early jazz music of the turn-of-the century, flapper, and early swing eras. Jackelder@aol.com

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5:00PM—Courtyard Stage
ORQUESTA LA ROMANA provides the music for the Ballroom Dance with instructor Ray Bugnosen. Orquesta la Romana (www.orquestalaromana.com) is a 10-piece Salsa orchestra featuring Edwin Ortiz, leader, on bongo; Mauricio Castillo lead vocalist; Gary Sosias, timbales and lead vocals; Bogart Parra, congas; Tony Laguer, bass; Joel Massicot, piano; Mac Neal Anderson, trumpet; Keith Mathis, trumpet; Al Brevard, trombone; and Greg Boyer, trombone. Salsadc@aol.com

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2:00PM—Abbott Stage
CHARLES PARENTE
Charles Parente. Blending piano with acoustic guitar, “…Charles has the ability to frame real-life events into songs that far transcend the original inspiration.” www.charlesparente.com

3:00PM—Abbott Stage
AL PETTEWAY AND AMY WHITE
... are winners of more than three dozen Wammies. What the two of them have done to acoustic guitar music is both funky and sexy. Their playing incorporates Celtic-inspired guitar, mandolin, piano, and African percussion. Their current collaboration entitled, “Racing Hearts,” has received national acclaim. Watch out for their next release of guitar duets. www.fairewood.com

12:30PM—Courtyard Stage
JAMIE PLATT, INSTRUCTOR—ROMANIAN DANCE WORKSHOP
An instructor in the area since 1980, Jamie started the Foggy Bottom Folkdancers in 1983, and they meet every Thursday evening at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on 23^rd Street Northwest. Dancingplanet@erols.com

11:00AM—Grassy Nook Stage
TED PORTER
Watch out for music made from oddball instruments using common and unusual materials. Kids, don’t try this at home!

4:00PM—Field Stage
TOM PRASADA-RAO
A virtual world music ensemble rolled into one guy. His voice weaves incantations, and the guitar is a magic wand in the hands of this extraordinary musician. www.songs.com/tpr

4:00PM—Abbott Stage
DARRYL PURPOSE
Darryl Purpose is an ex-gambler, part-time activist turned full-time musical storyteller and singer/songwriter. www.songs.com/dp

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1:00PM—Courtyard Stage
LOS QUETZALES/INQUETZALLI MEXICAN DANCE
... is a regional troupe that presents the energetic and rich art of Mexican folk dancing. www.classactsarts.org

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5:00PM—Field Stage
REVERB
This a cappella quintet revitalizes the twin heritages of African American gospel and doo-wop singing as they infuse traditional and composed songs with panache and feeling. www.reverbmusic.com

11:00AM—Courtyard Stage
RIRA
The Gaelic word for fun is rira, and that reflects this exciting Irish group made up of members from 14 to 16 years of age. Representing the next generation of Celtic music, they’ve performed at the White House as well as our Folk Festival under their former name, Erinhead. Cburt@compusnet.com

circulating around the grounds
ROCK CREEK MORRIS WOMEN
... is a group of women interested in the preservation of English ritual dances. Most often seen in the spring and fall, Rock Creek Morris Women dance in various festivals and events in and around Washington, D.C.

3:00PM—Grove Stage
GARTH ROSS
... makes singing seem effortless. His wonderfully soulful voice could turn the National Anthem into a love song. www.busofmonkeys.com

11:00AM—Field Stage
ROUSTABOUT
A great old-time string band, featuring Chris Romaine on fiddle, Lars Hanslin on clawhammer banjo, and Bruce Hutton on banjo and guitar. Founded in 1985 by Chris and Lars, Roustabout has earned a reputation as one of the finest bands for square and contra dances. They appear regularly at dances, irregularly at concerts, and will play at your next soyburger barbecue.
Debthutton@aol.com

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4:00PM—Courtyard Stage
MICHAEL SCHECHTMAN—CONTRA DANCE CALLER
Michael Schechtman, a local in Takoma Park/Silver Spring, is an avid contra dancer and caller in the DC area.

1:30PM—Courtyard Stage
DAVID SHNEYER—SHOFAR BLOWING WORKSHOP
The art of blowing the ram’s horn goes back to ancient times. David Shneyer, member of the Fabrangen Fiddlers and director of Am Kolel, a Judaic resource and renewal center, will teach this art. The sound of the Shofar is a sound that announces the Jewish High Holiday season and is also the call for liberation.

2:15PM—Courtyard Stage
SILK ROAD DANCE COMPANY
Their repertoire features the dance traditions and colorful costumes from cultures along the historic trade route that linked China with the Mediterranean. www.silkroaddance.com

12:00 Noon—Abbott Stage
AVRIL SMITH
Avril Smith’s guitar playing continues to evolve as she explores a range of influences from jazz to bluegrass. Smith_avril@hotmail.com

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12:00 Noon—Abbott Stage
FRANKLIN TAGGART
Franklin Taggart, a former Nashville songster, sharpened his songwriting skills while installing carpet at the Motel 6. Since relocating to Takoma Park, he has established himself as a favorite local accompanist. Come and check out his solo set which has flavors of country, pop, rock, jazz and some gospel. Frantag@aol.com

2:00PM—Courtyard Stage
THAI CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS ASSOCIATION
... invites you to witness the folk dance of Thailand. The purpose of the Association is to preserve and promote the Thai culture and arts in the United States and abroad. More authentic than the “King and I.” Snagavaj@aaas.org

11:00AM—Abbott Stage
THEALELLA
... is a fun, funky, all-female a cappella group. This eight-person choral ensemble surprises with traditional, Eighties, Jewish, African, Top-40, Spirituals, and original tunes! Thealella@yahoo.com

12:00 Noon—Grassy Nook Stage
SUE TRAINOR
N amed “Best New Artist” by the Children’s Music Web in 1999, Sue Trainor is sure to entertain as she guides young audiences to discover their song-making talents. Join Sue for a set of interactive movement and sing-along songs, including hits from her album, “Under Tables, Out Back Doors” (winner of the 1999 “Best Album for Kids” Wammie Award). http://www.hotsouptrio.com/

11:00AM—Grove Stage
MARY SUE TWOHY
... is branching out from her Takoma Park folk roots to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. The 1999 Best New Artist Wammie award winner uses her soaring voice to deliver her insightful, purposeful lyrics. She will be joined by Takoma Park guitar slinger Franklin Taggart.
Click here for a related article about Mary Sue Twohy
www.marysuetwohy.com

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2:00PM—Abbott Stage
VICE VERSA
Vice Versa creates plush, soaring harmonies. We’re delighted that the acoustic duo of Rupa Marya and Katie Eisenberg recently emigrated to D.C. from San Francisco. www.viceversavirtual.com

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | V |