2003 TPFF Peformer List

2003 TPFF Performers

This index is listed alphabetically by first word in a group's name, by last name of an individual performer, or by last name of the first person listed in a duo/trio. (Please note that all information listed below was current at the time of original publication; phone numbers, emails and the like may have changed since.)

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

A

A Bunch of Ballads (Abbott Stage)

Ballads are stories told in songs. In our local area, the tradition of singing these narratives is still very active, and we have assembled four of the best local practitioners, great singers all: Judy Cook, Lisa Null, Chris Noyes, and George Stephens. Look for their individual bios.

Dave Abe (World Stage)

Dave Abe's fiddling has been honed by study of Donegal style and tutelage under Baltimore's renowned Brendan Mulvihill. Adept in repertoire ranging from melodic slow airs to fiery jigs and reels, his playing lives up to the band's name. Dave is in Irish Fire.
http://www.irishfire.net

David A. Alberding (7th Heaven Stage)

Whether on a festival stage or in a quiet listening room, David's percussive guitar style and rich, distinctive baritone set the stage for his cast of characters. By blending together elements of folk, rock, jazz and blues, David brings these characters to life and gives them a voice that shares insight into the human condition. David's debut CD, "Way Back," showcases diverse song-writing and presents a mix of both lighthearted fun and deep introspection.
http://www.davidaalberding.com

Ed Alkalay (7^th Heaven Stage)

"Every so often I find myself championing the cause of an artist or album I would not normally expect myself to like. This fuels my underdog fires even more because I realize that if I can be swayed, perhaps another jaded music lover like myself can be persuaded to see the light as well. Such is the case with Ed Alkalay. [He] invests more narrative into each song than I thought possible, forcing me to check the runtime of almost every track, unwilling to believe that the story I just heard could have been told so economically and yet with such detail. The best painters never waste a stroke, the best directors never waste a scene, and Ed Alkalay’s way with words places him in the upper echelon of modern bards." (Justin Kownacki, Splendzine, June, 2002).
http://www.edalkalay.com

Beth-Allison and the Well-Strung Boys (Field Stage)

Beth-Allison and the Well-Strung Boys have a unique style of Americana music that combines rock, alt-country, blues, jazz and even a little bluegrass, reflecting the diverse influences of the individual members. The majority of their songs feature the songwriting skills of Beth Rinaldo, Allison Page, and Scott Holland. This vocal and guitar trio is backed by Kevin Forder on bass. Honorary Well-Strung Gal, Helen Hausmann, from American Song, often contributes her extraordinary violin playing to the sound. Although the group showcases their original material, they also perform an eclectic selection of their favorite songs by artists such as Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Bruce Springsteen, Amy Rigby, Steve Earle, the BoDeans, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Canned Heat.
http://www.Beth-Allison.com

Arte Flamenco (World Stage)

Born in the mountains, the caves, the gypsy neighborhoods, in the south of Spain, preserved by families in the intimacy of the patio, Flamenco is not only a dance, but a whole way of looking at life, and interpreting life's joys and sorrows through music. The music is the result of blending of many cultures that thrived over the centuries in the Iberian Peninsula, and includes elements of the New World and of Africa. Founded by Natalia Monteleon, Arte Flamenco debuted in 1998 to a sold-out house at Howard Community College's Smith Theater, and in subsequent years has been seen at Hispanic and international festivals, arts events, regional schools and universities, and other venues. The company has twice been invited to appear at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Millennium Stage.
http://www.arteflamenco.us

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"BanjerDan" Dan Mazer (Grassy Nook Stage)

BanjerDan is a banjo player and multi-instrumental performer. Since taking up music in 1974, Dan has performed in almost every imaginable situation, in the U.S. and overseas, from busking, coffeehouses and bar gigs to musical theater productions, children's shows, studio work and solo strolling appearances, and even symphonic concertizing. Dan became interested in banjo as a teenager, and learned his craft in the Washington, D.C., area's hot 1970s bluegrass scene. He was a member of DJ and the CB Pickers, Rockcreek, and The Jackstraws. His banjo, mandolin and dobro work appear on CDs by DJ and the CB Pickers, Tim Flannery, Teagen McClain, James Durst, Joe Ross, and Honky Tonk Confidential. In addition to performing music, Dan is a music teacher and journalist. His articles have appeared in Bluegrass Unlimited, Acoustic Musician, Banjo Newsletter, and other magazines.
www.banjerdan.com

Beatles Tribute: Yesterday and Today (7^th Heaven Stage)

Local singer-songwriters participating in this session include David A. Alberding, Verlette Simon, Cletus Kennelly, Lori Kelley, Gina DeSimone, and Mary Sue Twohy. Look for their individual bios.

Renée Brachfeld

Renée Brachfeld has been captivating audiences throughout the United States since 1984 with her unique blend of storytelling and juggling. Renée has performed to rave reviews at schools, libraries, festivals, synagogues and churches. She also teaches storytelling, and presents workshops and residencies for children and adults. Renée frequently performs together with her husband, musician and cantor Mark Novak. Their recording, "King Solomon’s Daughter: Stories and Songs from the Jewish Tradition," won the 1996 Parent’s Choice Award for excellence in children’s programming.
http://www.jewishstorytelling.com

Luke and Daniel Brindley (Grove Stage)

Luke Brindley combines formidable musicianship with an honest, contemplative poetic vision. His songs range a wide spectrum, from instrumental odyssey to intimate barroom refrain, variously revealing Brindley as an adept guitarist and mature songwriter with a fine, expressive voice. Luke Brindley has an uncommon chemistry with his multi-instrumentalist brother, Daniel, who plays piano, accordion, percussion, and provides additional vocals. The two have a penchant for improvisation and a knack for connecting with audiences. Luke Brindley has produced the recordings "Spring Song" and "How Faint the Whisper," albums exploring themes of betrayal and hope. The Washington Post calls Luke "a superb acoustic guitarist and performer." And Performing Songwriter magazine noted his "subtly impactful songs . . . a rustic romanticism that only a city-centered fellow could express with the proper ache."
http://www.lukebrindley.com

Peggy Bulger (Abbott Stage)

Peggy Bulger pursued a career as a folklorist because of her early love of folk music. She is director of the American Folklife Center, the second person to hold that position since the U.S. Congress created the Center in 1976. She received her Ph.D. in folklore and folklife from the University of Pennsylvania. Bulger has been documenting folklife and developing and managing folklife programs for more than thirty years. She co-authored South Florida Folklife (1994) and edited Musical Roots of the South (1992). She has produced many videos, including "Music Masters & Rhythm Kings" (1993), "Every Island Has Its Own Songs: The Tsimouris Family of Tarpon Springs" (1988), and "Fishing All My Days: Maritime Traditions of Florida’s Shrimpers" (1985), and a number of recordings, including "Deep South Musical Roots Tour" (1992) and "Drop on Down in Florida" (1981). She has served as president of the American Folklore Society (2000-2002).
pegbulger@mindspring.com

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Cabaret Sauvignon (World Stage)

Four all-star musicians, Karen Ashbrook, Andrea Hoag, Paul Oorts and Dave Weisler, nationally and internationally known in diverse genres, come together in the powerful new ensemble Cabaret Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape, although originally French, produces its finest wines on American soil. Similarly, the band has its roots in European traditions, but has developed a new, original bouquet. You'll be treated to romantic Parisian waltzes, smoky cabaret specials, Flemish baroque-era jigs and minuets, and graceful English country dance tunes. In the band's many original pieces you'll notice influences from jazz, Latin, Celtic, Swedish, and classical traditions.
Paul.oorts@verizon.net

Cantaré (Grassy Nook Stage)

Cantaré artists Cecilia Esquivel from Argentina, Diana Sáez from Puerto Rico and Patricia Vergara from Brazil introduce audiences to the beautiful songs and rhythms of Latin America. Drawing from the musical heritage of the Caribbean and Central and South America, Cantaré performs songs in Spanish and Portuguese, while sharing the music's cultural and historical background. Audiences learn about the history of Latin America and the different cultures that shaped their music—Native American, European, and African—while becoming familiar with the language, rhythms, and musical instruments from the different countries. The music of Cantaré communicates the inter-dependency of people and cultures and the rich fusion that results when diverse traditions come together.
www.cantaremusic.com

Frank Cassel, Banjo Man (Jamboree Court)

With his banjo slung over his shoulder and a smile on his face, Frank Cassel brings joy to the Festival each year. He has been performing folk and bluegrass music in the Washington, D.C., area for many years. He's also a fixture at the Takoma Park Farmers' Market on Sunday mornings, weather permitting.
http://geffy.chaosnet.org/whatsnew

Cynthia Cathcart (7th Heaven Stage)

Cynthia Cathcart is an award-winning performer and instructor on the clarsach, the wire-strung harp of Ireland and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The brilliant revival of this ancient instrument is in part due to the uniquely bell-like resonance of brass, silver and gold harp strings, producing a sound unlike any other harp. Cynthia strives to bring the joy of the music of these precious strings to a wide range of people through her recordings, books and delightful performances that carry listeners to a time when legends lived and magic was a part of every day.
www.potomactalent.com

Cerulean Groove (Grove Stage)

Cerulean Groove is a Baltimore/Washington-area band that artfully combines elements of folk, rock, blues, jazz and groove into a distinct sound. Formed in the spring of 2001, the band has been compared to such acts as Eddie from Ohio, 10,000 Maniacs, Tracy Chapman & Sarah McLachlan. In January 2003, the band was nominated for a Wammie (Washington Area Music Award) as the Best Contemporary Folk Duo/Trio. Singer-songwriter/percussionist Laura Cerulli fronts the trio with her soulful voice, mesmerizing percussion, and introspective writing style. Guitarist Scott Reiber brings his mix of rock, pop and blues-style playing to the band with both electric and acoustic guitars. Larry Joseloff keeps it all in the pocket with his melodic and groove-driven bass lines.
http://www.ceruleangroove.com

Mary Cliff (Celebrity MC, Field Stage)

Mary Cliff produces and hosts the popular Saturday-night folk-music program, "Traditions," broadcast on WETA FM 90.9. The four-hour program is known for celebrating many traditions—traditional folk, revival, singer-songwriters, ethnic, and world music—while supporting artists and performances in the Washington, D.C., area.
http://www.marycliff.net

Judy Cook (Abbott Stage)

Born in Virginia, the third of four children, Judy grew up with singing from both parents and a love for music. As she took her place in the folk community, Judy began researching the songs she loved and discovered the wealth of written, recorded, and personal sources for traditional songs and ballads. Judy began performing professionally in the early 1990s. Her first recording of unaccompanied traditional songs and ballads, "If You Sing Songs," was released in 1998, the same year as her first singing tours. This was followed two years later by "Far From the Lowlands." She is well respected on both sides of the Atlantic as a singer and propagator of the old songs.
http://www.judycook.net

Lea Coryell and Ralph Lee Smith (Abbott Stage)

Lea Coryell and Ralph Lee Smith play and sing roots-based music, with Lea playing old-time banjo and Ralph playing Appalachian dulcimer. Both also play harmonica. Lea's repertoire includes Appalachian music, sea songs, blues, old and new country music, humorous songs, and traditional hymns. Ralph plays old-time Appalachian songs and tunes on the dulcimer. Both perform on authentic traditional and antique instruments, including a 19th Century "tack-head" banjo and a 19th Century dulcimer, both from Southwestern Virginia.
http://www.shenandoahacoustics.com/coryell

Rachel Cross & Friends (World Stage)

Rachel Cross started her musical career in 1983 as a street musician in Paris, France, and has been playing guitar, writing songs, singing and recording ever since. Rachel was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the award-winning world-beat band Big Village for eleven years. Known for her high-energy performances, positive vibe, and powerful voice, Rachel has performed at countless venues, colleges, and festivals including The Kennedy Center, on board the Green Peace Warrior, and at the Mid-Atlantic conference for the National Organization of Women. Her debut solo CD, "Angels & Aliens, Monsters & Freaks," on Dreamy Eyes Records is now in its second pressing and is receiving airplay across the nation.
www.rachelcross.com

Jennifer Cutting (Abbott Stage)

Jennifer Cutting combines careers as an ethnomusicologist, recording artist, composer, and record producer. She is a pioneering performer and bandleader who is named in Oxford University Press's upcoming history of Electric Folk for nurturing an Electric Folk revival in America in the '80s and '90s as bandleader of British folk-rock band The New St. George. Cutting continues her acoustic/electric innovations as leader of her new band, the Ocean Orchestra, and as head of her international production company, through which she has produced and recorded with the greatest legends of her genre. She has won some of the country's most prestigious national-level awards, including First Prize in songwriting at the Merle Watson Memorial Festival for her melodic, tradition-inflected work that is shaped by the British and Celtic traditions she has preserved as a fieldworker, archivist, and collector. As a public-sector ethnomusicologist for 18 years at the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, she delights in helping to guide artists, scholars, media producers, and other researchers toward their own inspirations through the largest collection of ethnographic materials in the country, the Archive of Folk Culture. She was recently awarded the Montgomery County Media Arts Fellowship for 2003.
http://www.jennifercutting.com

Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra (Field Stage)

What do you get when you cross Irish jigs with a rock-and-roll rhythm section; mythology and classical symphonic themes with spine-tingling electronics? You get the Ocean Orchestra, an all-star ensemble of the Washington area's favorite Celtic and rock musicians, directed by boundary-bending composer/bandleader Jennifer Cutting. The lineup features Cutting on electronic keyboard and accordions; Grace Griffith on vocals, Zan McLeod on bouzouki, mandolin, and electric guitar; Chris Noyes on vocals, whistle, and acoustic guitar; Dave Abe on fiddle, Rico Petruccelli on bass, and Chris Stewart on drums. Alternately ethereal and house-rocking, the band plays Cutting's newest electric folk arrangements of Irish and British traditional music and her award-winning originals, as well as reprising a few of the best-loved pieces she wrote for her critically acclaimed British folk-rock band, The New St. George. Cut loose and dance, or lose yourself in dreamy reverie. There's nothing like it anywhere... Ocean is Celtic Music for Ancient Moderns!
http://www.jennifercutting.com/ocean

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Alicia Deeny (Grove Stage)

Alicia Deeny is a 2002 Wammie Award winner in the World Music category. She has been a performing musician since she was a child and was first inspired to play the guitar and sing by her Puerto Rican grandfather, who taught her typical music from the Caribbean island during the summers she spent there. Her collaboration with guitarist and producer Jay Weaver, and growing up in the culturally diverse Washington, D.C., area, contributed to the development of her music—a fusion of pop, rock, country, folk, jazz, and Latin music. While her performance is seemingly eclectic, there are common threads that weave her music together to create a singular sound. Her lyrics, melody-rich songwriting, and strong vocal presence, as well as the exciting arrangements and instrumentation of the musicians she performs with, give her music the backbone that allows her to move from one style to the next while remaining uniquely Alicia.
http://www.aliciadeeny.com

Gina DeSimone (7th Heaven Stage)

Gina DeSimone describes herself as a "folkie;" however, her music encompasses so many different styles, it can be difficult to define. But why think too hard about it? Gina's music appeals to the listener on such a visceral level, no such definitions are necessary. Her original acoustic music draws from such diverse influences as classic rock, fingerstyle blues, Latin and world rhythms, and, of course, traditional folk. One minute, an original composition will feature driving guitar rhythm, and the next, delicate fingerstyle artistry. Sung with a clear honest voice, her songs speak of life, love and hope--sometimes with a Zen-like spirituality— other times with the grittiness of a dusty Mississippi roadhouse.
http://www.ginadesimone.com

The Dreamsicles (Field Stage)

The Dreamsicles, featuring Tom Prasada-Rao and Cary Cooper, are the grooviest duo since Batman and Robin, Sonny and Cher, Bonnie and Clyde, pumpkin and pie. Cary and Tom mix together, and the sum of the parts becomes a magical concoction where songs about ice cream become songs about love, where whimsical, playful notions, become powerful, provocative songs, unafraid to be vulnerable, unafraid to be straightforward--to say what they mean, and t—mean what they say. With two voices, a guitar and percussion, the Dreamsicles transport you to a place where your body moves, where you tap your feet, where you smile, and where you immediately sing along with songs from deep in the heart of love, where laughing is as precious as air and water.
http://www.thedreamsicles.com

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Leandra Finder

Dreamcatchers: Clowns and balloon artists serving the D.C. Metropolitan area.
866-458-0557

Foggy Bottom Morris Men (Jamboree Court and around the grounds)

Foggy Bottom Morris performs traditional dances in the styles of English Cotswold villages: Badby, Bampton, and Bledington. They also perform Bedlam-style Border Morris dances in season. As well as performing at festivals and events throughout the region and the world, they perform annually at the Takoma Park Maryland library solstice celebration. They also practice weekly in Takoma Park. Morris dancing is an English folk tradition—and a great way to exercise and socialize.
http://www.fbmm-morris.org

Funniest Songs We Know (7^th Heaven Stage)

Local favorites twist and charm—Steve Key, Sue Trainor, Zoe Mulford, and Ed Alkalay. Look for their individual bios.

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Steve Gester and Nancy Pineles (Dance Stage)

Steve Gester has been teaching ballroom dancing for over 25 years. He teachers many dance forms including ragtime/ballroom tango, waltz, swing, one-step foxtrot, Latin, and Scandinavian dances, and teaches and calls contra and square dances.
Sgester@ixpres.com

Marc Glickman & Friends (Dance Stage)

Marc Glickman is a performer of traditional Jewish, Irish, and American music and an expert in the repair and restoration of stringed instruments. Trained in classical piano, he has performed with many traditional music groups, including Klezmos, EMS, and Hickman, Glickman and Devine, as pianist, guitarist, and vocalist. Marc will be joined by Wendy Morrison, Jonah Blaustein, and Rich Seidel, all of whom are members of, or have played with Klezmos. Wendy is The House of Musical Traditions' teacher of Irish tinwhistle, clawhammer banjo, piano and button accordion, as well as English and Anglo concertina. Jonah plays clarinet and is also a professional piano technician, and also plays with Marc in Blue Bamboo. Rich Seidel plays string bass, and also plays with Wendy in Klezcentricity and other groups.
http://www.klezmos.com

Jack Gregori (7^th Heaven Stage)

Born in 1977 at the height of the disco era, Jack quickly realized the power of music. He soon became interested in blues, soul, and rock music. Later, Jack discovered country music and feasted on the incredible repertoires of Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Lefty Frizzell. Supported by his powerful voice and his accomplished guitar playing, Jack's songs span a variety of musical styles, from upbeat soul/rock to tender ballads to sorrowful blues. Jack's guitar style is a mishmash of blues, country, and rock. Jack also plays piano, dobro, harmonica, and percussion. He currently plays in a duo with Ed Alkalay.
Maxwell335@aol.com.

Grace Griffith (World and Field Stages)

Grace Griffith records on the Blix Street Records label. She recorded "Beyond the Horizon" and "Sirensong" with Connemara, and has three solo projects to her name as well, including "Grace," "Minstrelsong," and now a new release, "Sands of Time." Grace's following is growing on an international scale as her recordings for Blix Street (the label responsible for establishing Mary Black and Eva Cassidy in the U.S. and U.K.) receive attention and airplay.
http://www.loworbit.com/grace

Laurie Rose Griffith and Peter Mealy (Grove Stage)

Laurie and Peter are long-time favorites on the D.C. music scene, with their tight harmonies, intricate guitar arrangements, and great material. Laurie's rich soprano and astute interpretive skills are supported by her strong, versatile guitar playing. Peter, a guitarist and string bassist who is versed in many styles, is widely respected for his stunning guitar arrangements and award-winning songs. Laurie and Peter have performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival and were finalists at the Kerrville Newfolk Competition. They have been nominated for 8 Wammies, and their CD, "Tocoi Light," was voted Best Debut Album of 1996.
http://www.laurieandpeter.com

Karma Gyaltsen (Abbott Stage, as part of the Vocal Styles Showcase)

A Tibetan exile, Karma Gyaltsen has devoted himself to preserving Tibetan culture. He studied that culture intensively at the Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts (an exile establishment in India), where he taught music and dance. He also toured with TIPA in the 1970s and '80s. More recently, Karma has been a radio announcer on Voice of America's Tibetan Service. Occasionally he gives one-man shows along the east coast of the United States.
kgyaltsen@hotmail.com

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Tom Hall (Dance Stage)

Tom Hall has been enjoying and teaching Cajun/Zydeco dancing since 1986, when he lived near New Orleans and attended frequent Fais-do-do's. Tom is a founding member of what is now a vibrant Cajun/Zydeco music and dance community in the Washington/Baltimore area. He makes frequent visits to Louisiana dance halls and is learning to play the Cajun accordion.
tommyhall@earthlink.net

Kim and Reggie Harris (Field Stage)

Unique in their ability to entertain, Kim and Reggie Harris blend their talents as composers, singers, storytellers, educators, folk performers, interpreters of history, and cultural advocates. Their captivating stage presence, vibrant style, intricate harmonies and stunning arrangements inspire audiences everywhere. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Kim and Reggie Harris have been performing together since 1975. Their passion and commitment to finding connections in art that foster education and community building, and their musical articulation, has led critics and fans to describe their work as "uplifting" … "insightful" … "magical" and "celebration of life and sound!"
http://www.kimandreggie.com or
http://www.vnientertainment.com

Joe Hickerson (Abbott Stage)

Joe has been called a "vintage pre-plugged paleo-acoustic folksinger" (Hickerson) and "a great song leader"(Pete Seeger). For 35 years he was Librarian/Director of the Library of Congress Archive of Folk Song/Culture. He wrote the 4th and 5th verses of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" in 1960. His recordings for Folk-Legacy and Folkways range from 1957 to 2003. He sings "folksongs and allied forms that I like and can remember." His concerts are guaranteed to "Drive Dull Care Away."
http://www.joehickerson.com

LiPing Chen Hudson (Abbott Stage, as part of the Vocal Styles Showcase)

LiPing Chen Hudson loved to sing when she was growing up in a village in southern Taiwan, learning many Chinese and Taiwanese folk songs by ear. She pursued her education in a different direction, however. She came to Michigan as a graduate student in English-language education and returned to Taiwan to work for the government there. In 1994, she came to the U.S. again, to Washington, D.C., in a diplomatic capacity, and married an American she met on an airplane. Marrying a "foreign devil" ended her government career, but opened the opportunity to pursue singing professionally.

LiPing won two national singing competitions in Taiwan in the 1980s. She sang in campus venues both in Taiwan and in Michigan throughout her university days. She is equally comfortable singing in folk, classical, and popular styles in Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, and English. She blends her lovely voice with the traditional and modern melodies, and accompanies herself with guitar and percussion instruments, producing music that will make you want to tap your toes, and bringing a bit of Far Eastern culture to a new audience. LiPing is working on recording CDs featuring Chinese and Taiwanese folk songs and lullabies.
lipinghudson@aol.com

Pat Humphries and Sandy O. (Field Stage)

Called the "true spirit child of Woody Guthrie," Pat Humphries brings her powerful, singable songs to concert halls, coffeehouses, festivals, conferences and demonstrations across the country. Pat is now performing with her partner, Sandy Opatow, who adds exquisite vocals, guitar playing and songwriting. Pat and Sandy's anthems such as "Keep On Moving Forward" and "Peace, Salaam, Shalom" have defined peace and justice events worldwide and have been translated into 7 languages. Since September 11, 2001, Pat Humphries & Sandy O. have been performing at concerts, teach-ins and rallies. The duo's songs, including "CodePINK" for the Women's Vigil for Peace, have been featured on Pacifica Radio "Democracy Now."#1 on Amazon.com after a May 2002 feature on NPR's "All Things Considered," Roots Magazine called Pat's CD "Hands" "an acoustic, insightful delight in the tradition of Seeger and Guthrie."
http://www.pathumphries.com

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International Capoeira Angola Foundation (Jamboree Court)

Now headquartered in Takoma, D.C., the international foundation promotes this playful Afro-Brazilian "danced fight." Capoeira Angola has its roots in Bantu tradition and was used by the enslaved Africans of Brazil as a form of resistance. We are delighted to have these youthful practitioners of this artful medley of dance, acrobatics, and music.
http://www.capoeira-angola.org

Irish Fire (World Stage)

The members of Irish Fire are no strangers to followers of traditional Irish music. Singers Grace Griffith and Dominick Murray are joined by fiddler Dave Abe, and for this appearance will also feature Paul Nahay on piano. Many of the tunes they will perform today are from their self-titled CD, "Irish Fire." (See individual artists under their own names.)
http://www.irishfire.net

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Ellen James (7th Heaven Stage)

Instrumentals and harp-accompanied vocals, mostly traditional and original, with guest appearances from other musical styles.
703-443-6887

Bill Jenkins' World of Music (Grassy Nook Stage)

Bill Jenkins has been collecting instruments from around the world for 30 years and brings them to schools, museums, libraries, etc., for hands-on programs. Through playing music we learn to appreciate other cultures and connect with all of humanity in peace.
301-699-8704

The Jones Family (Abbott Stage)

The Jones Family—the folk group, that is—got their star—in the family —car, where they would sing together on long trips. But ever since the release of their first CD, "Unquiet," in 2001, they have been performing on stages throughout the region. "Unquiet" was described by Sing Out! magazine as a "debut CD of unusual beauty and confidence." Dirty Linen praised the group's "strong, unpretentious singing." The Joneses recently completed their second CD, "From Earth to Heaven." The Jones Family includes father Chuck, mother Brenda, 19-year-old daughter Chenoa, and 11-year-old son Trevor, who recently joined the family band as percussionist.
http://www.jonesfamilysing.com

JumpStart (Dance Stage)

JumpStart is a high-energy contra dance band with over 21 years experience. They enjoy playing dance music from the American, Canadian, Scottish and Irish traditions, as well as many original tunes. They perform regularly with the Patchwork Dancers and for dances, concerts, weddings and parties. They've played at the Smithsonian museums, on the Mall, and at many area festivals. JumpStart includes Jim Besser (concertina, guitar), Kathy Kerr (fiddle) and Julie Gorka (piano, fiddle). The band's sound is enriched by Jim's experience as a Morris musician, Kathy's passion for old-time and Canadian tunes, and Julie's interest in Scottish and English Country Dance music.
Kathykerrk2@hotmail.com

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Chris Kalke (Dance Stage)

Chris Kalke grew up in Michigan and began dancing as a child with her parents and their friends in the Scandinavian community to the music of the late Per Bengtsson, Erik Nilsson, the hardanger fiddler Ingvald Orheim, and others. She danced with the original Hoijakat (now called Nordic Heritage Dancers) of Detroit and Windsor and was one of their teachers. She is currently the director of the Nordic Dancers performance group and also a fiddler with Skandal.

Loretta Kelley (Dance Stage)

A Takoma Park resident, Loretta is the premier American player of the hardingfele (Hardanger fiddle), an instrument developed in Norway. A gifted storyteller and musician, Loretta often tells her audiences the story behind the tunes she performs and explains the origins of the several-hundred-year-old hardingfele and its unusual, "sympathetic" sound.
Lorettakelley@fanitull.org

Lori Kelley (7th Heaven Stage)

Story songs, peculiar topics, and songs about obsession. Folk, country, Western, rock, pop, alternative, adult contemporary, topical. When Lori Kelley takes the stage, almost anything can happen. With sister and brother-in-law she formed Twice Shy, a band that twice topped the list of the D.C. area's "Top 20 Best Live Performances," so Lori is sure to be entertaining. Her next CD, "Like Sea Glass,"was recently released.
http://www.lorikelley.com

Cletus Kennelly (7th Heaven Stage)

Cletus Kennelly is a three-time Wammie-winner for Songwriter of the Year, Best Contemporary Folk Male Vocalist, and Best New Artist. He brings his passionate vocals, percussive playing style, and powerful yet delicate 12-string guitar to his songs, which have garnered him 30 songwriting awards and ten Wammie nominations. His debut CD "Thread" itself garnered three Wammie nominations, and his 9/11 reflection song, "Looking Up" was nominated for a Wammie Award for Song of the Year.

"Cletus Kennelly wields a mean 12-string acoustic and writes a moving tune…the earnest and true kind." (Eric Brace, Washington Post) "What makes Cletus great is Cletus. He has a way of connecting to the audience directly, and the rich quality of his voice is so effective, he doesn't need a band behind him. That he has such a good one [on the CD] is a bonus." (Ray Ruskin, Kensington Coffee House) "Cletus Kennelly is able to pan for nuggets of lyrical gold." (Chris Slattery, Gazette Newspapers)
http://www.cletuskennelly.com

Steve Key (7^th Heaven Stage)

Steve Key wrote "Record Time (33, 45, 78)" recorded by country star Kathy Mattea, has performed at major folk festivals such as Philadelphia and Winnipeg, and won the New Folk Songwriting Contest at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. He is also known for his humorous songs, story songs, folk ballads, sing-along anthems, and songs of heart and home. His current CD, "House Blend," was recorded at house concerts in Maryland, and he continues to play house concerts, showcase clubs, church-based coffeehouses, festivals and other folk venues. He is the President of Focus, a non-profit membership organization based in Washington D.C., which presents folk music concerts in various venues and has a mission of creating a full-time listening venue for folk music (www.FocusMusic.org). He is also the host of weekly open mics in the D.C. area.
www.stevekey.com

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Lulu's Fate (Field Stage)

Lulu's Fate, headlined by mandolinists Tom Espinola and Steve Smith, puts a modern twist on the traditional southern string band, melding standards like guitar, mandolin, and acoustic bass with the unexpected sounds of steel drums and hand percussion. Their repertoire is varied: they play original compositions, new arrangements of traditional tunes, and toss in a smattering of swing, calypso and classical styles for good measure. The group is currently working on its debut recording, due out in fall 2003. In addition to performances at folk music venues throughout Maryland and Virginia, Lulu's Fate has also performed in New Mexico and Texas, including the Chamizal Festival in El Paso.
http://www.lulusfate.com

Donal Leace with Doug Rainoff and Barnett Williams (7th Heaven Stage)

The word "craftsmanship" implies not only careful technique, but also a love of and pride in one's craft. In this sense the word "craftsman" can be aptly applied to singer-songwriter Donal Leace. His voice, says one critic, "resonates and vibrates like a hollow steel drum, then rings clear as a crystal bell." Donal has performed with many of the nation's most outstanding jazz, folk, blues, pop, gospel, rock, and country artists, such as Roberta Flack and Nancy Wilson. In January 2000 he was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association "Hall of Fame."
http://www.donalleace.com

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Jim Maxwell (Dance Stage)

Dr. Jim Maxwell teaches clogging, tap and Irish step. Jim has been teaching clogging; tap, jazz, and Irish step dancing in the Metropolitan area for several years. His teaching was the subject of a Washington Post article on October 12, 2000, and he has a clogging video that is sold nationally. He won first place for free-style clogging. Jim has completed four TV shows that are shown on "Our Place," a show for children.

Jim is the director of the Patchwork dancers, and some will be joining him at the Festival. Patchwork starts with a base of traditional clogging dance routines but the team shows considerable Irish influence in its style. Patchwork performed at so many retirement homes that they received an award for this service from the Fairfax Council for the Arts.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jimmaxwell

Jacqui MacMillan (7th Heaven Stage)

Drum For Joy! is a participatory rhythm-based community circle that utilizes a variety of hand drums and percussion instruments to empower the participants with the ability to create beautiful, spontaneous music together—regardless of musical experi—ce or ability! All ages are welcome to come and experience this fun form of creative self-expression!

Jaqui MacMillan is a Washington, D.C. based percussionist. Her drumming quest began in the early 1980s. Since then, she has studied with many masters, including Mamady Keita, Babatunde Olatunji, and at the Tam Tam Mandique School. She is a graduate of the 1999 Drum Facilitators Playshop and the 2001 Facilitators Mentor Training in Hawaii with Arthur Hull. Jaqui won the Washington Area Music Association's "World Music Instrumentalist Award" (Wammie) every year from 1995 through 2002 and is a REMO endorsee and facilitator. Having performed and recorded for over 13 years with some of the top names in the business, Jaqui has taught privately and given workshops around the country for over nine years through her program called "Drum for Joy! Currently she is working on a book about women who drum and she was featured in the November 2000 issue of DRUM! Magazine. Jaqui belie s that healing happens through the arts and music.
http://www.drumforjoy.com

MiraMarKlezmers (World Stage)

The MiraMarKlezmers play authentic Klezmer music that originated in the old shtetls of Europe. The band's heartfelt joyous treatment of these celebratory tunes guarantees that you'll find yourself tapping your feet and clapping your hands. The band has an exciting original sound largely due to the uncommon combination of instruments—clarinet, accordion, banjo-mandolin, — bass, tabla and, of course, tuba!
081440@msn.com

Lisa Moscatiello (Grove Stage)

Billboard magazine has said that Lisa Moscatiello possesses a voice of "knee-buckling poignancy and believability" and Philadelphia DJ (WXPN) Gene Shay has called her "one of the best voices in the business." She has won over 20 Washington Area Music Awards including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for her CD "Second Avenue." She has been performing with Dave Chappell for almost ten years. Dave is one of the most sought-after electric guitarists in the region, known as much for his driving solos as for his taste and versatility. A multiple WAMMIE winner, he has performed with Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Moore and Marvin Hamlisch and plays regularly with the Rhodes Tavern Troubadors and the Hula Monsters. Dave and Lisa have a special chemistry in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and they freely ignore the demands of musical pigeonholing to go where their collective muse leads them. Their repertoire includes the bossa-inflected "Throw it Away" by jazz legend Abbey Lincoln, the Eurythmics' "Love is a Stranger," a hypnotic rendition of Jesse Winchester's "Biloxi," timeless British and Celtic ballads and Lisa's own finely-crafted original songs.
http://www.lisamoscatiello.com

Christina Muir (Abbott Stage)

With a charm her audiences cannot resist, Christina Muir delivers her songs with an elegant musicality designed to captivate and move the heart. Dynamic harmonies are woven on the strings of her acoustic guitar or mountain dulcimer, encircling her lyrics and setting them off like jewels. The folk industry's distinguished trade magazine, Dirty Linen, praises Muir's "full throaty vocals and fretboard prowess" that shine on her debut solo album, "Feet First." Daughter of folk performer Ann Mayo Muir (of Bok, Trickett and Muir), Christina continues to build on her musical heritage by dishing up delicious harmonies with her nationally touring trio, Hot Soup.
www.hotsouptrio.com

Zoe Mulford (7^th Heaven Stage)

What happens when a Harvard-educated feminist poet takes up roots guitar in Durham, North Carolina? Something like the music of Zoe Mulford. Witty, lyrical, versatile, and spellbinding, Zoe's songs tackle subjects from love and grief to home cooking with an honesty that has charmed diverse audiences. Her first CD, "As Soon As I'm On Top Of Things," is available online (www.mp3.com/Zoe Mulford) and at the House of Musical Traditions.
http://www.mp3.com/Zoe_Mulford

Dominick Murray (World Stage)

Dominick Murray was lead singer for the popular ensemble "Celtic Thunder" for many years, and with them he recorded the Indie-award-winning album "The Light of Distant Days." Dominick's passion for the music, classic Irish tenor voice, and winning humor are a driving force in the band. A first-generation Irish American, Dominick's stories and songs make for a delightful show. Dominick is in Irish Fire.
http://pages.prodigy.net/dominick.murray/

Music from the Library of Congress Archive of Folk Culture (Abbott Stage)

What sorts of folk music interest the folks who work at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress? What musical loves guided them to the doorsteps of that institution? Find out as Peggy Bulger, the head of the American Folklife Center, interviews Joe Hickerson, Jennifer Cutting, and Andy Wallace, and coaxes them to share their music. Look for their individual bios.

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Paul Nahay (World Stage)

Paul Nahay lives locally, acts globally (being an avid environmental activist), and plays piano brilliantly, filling out the sound of Irish Fire richly.
http://www.irishfire.net

Namu Doris Lwanga of Nigeria (Grassy Nook Stage)

Born and educated in Uganda, Namu Doris Lwanga merges the arts of storytelling, music and dance, forming a theatrical performance that is alive with rich cultural traditions and personal. Namu plays many traditional East African instruments, sings in over nine languages, incorporating such vision musical styles as Zouk, soukous, socca and reggae. A versatile artist with world-wide acclaim, she has written plays, choreographed award-winning dances, recorded several CDs and won a Parents Choice Honors Certificate for her video, "Web of Tales." She is a resident company member of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre and presents music, dance, and teaching workshops across the country.
http://www.kayaga.com

Chris Noyes (Abbott Stage and Field Stage)

Chris Noyes has been teaching and performing on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for the past 17 years. She is a veteran of the Baltimore/Washington Irish-music scene, and is one of the founding members of the original Chesapeake-flavored folk trio, Crab Alley. In recent years, she has collaborated with Lisa Moscatiello and Grace Griffith, performing as GLC at the historic Avalon Theatre and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum as well as in most of the coffeehouses on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and D.C. Chris also is a member of Jennifer Cutting's new project, the Ocean Orchestra. Chris's solo CD, "Mirrorstones," was partially funded in 1994 with a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council; she received a Governor's Citation for excellence in folk music. An avid fan of obscure ballads, she enjoys finding treasures in folk compilations; she also writes her own songs. Chris teaches voice and guitar privately and also teaches music at Tilghman Elementary School on Tilghman Island. She received a Master of Science in Music Education, with a concentration in voice, from Towson University in 2003.
csnoyes@intercom.net

Lisa Null (Abbott Stage)

Lisa grew up in a musical family and began singing professionally in the 1970s. She's sung at coffeehouses, pubs, and festivals all over the U.S., Canada and Britain, appeared on "A Prairie Home Companion," and recorded two albums, primarily of ballads. A folklorist, writer, and voice teacher, she was a co-founder of Green Linnet records.
Enul@starpower.net

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Orange Line Special (Abbott Stage)

The acoustic Bluegrass sound of Orange Line Special emphasizes the traditional vocal harmonies and driving instrumentals of this great American "roots" music. The band's repertoire includes classic Bluegrass songs and tunes, a number of rarities, and a few oddball originals thrown in for good measure. Founded way back in the last century (1999), the band is named after a fast passenger train that runs between New Carrollton and Vienna. Who's aboard the Orange Line Special? Guitarist and singer Lynn Healey, banjo player and vocalist Richard Dress, guitarist and singer Charlie Bean, Paul Gregory on mandolin, and bass player Mike Licht. Orange Line Special has a CD, "Next Stop: Bluegrass City." The band's recording of the original song "Tiffany Tavern" is available only as a free download from the washingtonpost.com MP3 site.
http://www.orangelinespecial.com

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Jesse Palidofsky Group (Grove Stage)

Jesse Palidofsky has shared his evocative compositions and soulful vocals at maximum-security prisons and hospices as well as the National Theatre, on the Hudson River sloop Clearwater, at Washington Folk Festival, Takoma Park Folk Festival, and at numerous coffeehouses and festivals throughout the area. He is featured on the 2003 Capitol Acoustics CD of Washington-area songwriters produced by Steve Key and Focus, and has received numerous Visiting Artist grants from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.

Clarinetist and soprano saxophonist Jonah Blaustein is a fabulous instrumentalist who performs in a variety of musical genres. He has performed with the Capitol Quicksteps Quadrille Orchestra, the Latin group Cumbiaranga, the Dixieland sound of Sunshine Skiffle Band, the Eastern European Jewish stylings of Klezmos, the band sound of Imperial Palms Orchestra, and the Greek and Balkan music of Karpouzi.

Cellist extraordinaire Fred Lieder performs regularly with Wammie award-winning vocalist Lisa Moscatiello.
Jessepal1@aol.com

Peascods Gathering (Dance Stage)

Peascods Gathering is a group of amateur musicians performing a wide variety of folk-dance music. Their repertory includes contradance, English Country, Scandinavian turning dances, and Eastern European (International) dances, as well as traditional couple dances including waltzes, polkas, schottishes, tangos, and hambos. The group has been performing in the Washington D.C., area for over 26 years. Performances have included Glen Echo dances, the Washington Folk Festival, Library of Congress, British Embassy, and numerous weddings, anniversaries, and other private parties. The band has also performed several series of regularly scheduled dances.
http://www.peascods.org

Jamie Platt (Dance Stage)

Jamie Platt has been leading dance workshops at the Takoma Park Folk Festival, the Washington Folk Festival, the FSGW Minifest, and Philadelphia's Heritage Dance Festival for the past 20 years. Be prepared to dance up a storm! This year, he will teach kolos and other dances from Serbia, Croatia and elsewhere. Information on his Thursday night folkdance class can be found at his website.
http://www.dancingplanetproductions.com

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Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble (World Stage)

Los Quetzales brings Mexico's rich and colorful history to the Festival, presenting some of the most popular dances, such as "La Bamba" and the "Mexican Hat Dance," with colorful traditional costumes. The exuberant colors of the honored Quetzal bird are represented in their traditional costumes, and reflect the beauty and vitality of their culture.
http://www.quetzales.org

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Reverb (Field Stage)

Reverb sprang from a group that sang Christmas carols in 1990. Since then, the a cappella vocal group has performed along the East Coast, in East and Southern Africa, the Persian Gulf and the Caribbean. In December 2001, Reverb sang the National Anthem in Philadelphia to kick off an Eagles National Football League game. The ensemble has appeared on Fox Morning News, Black Entertainment Television, and other television and radio programs. Reverb's new CD features the best of the group's gospel and R&B compositions.
http://www.reverbmusic.com

Rhythm Workers Union (Jamboree Court)

The Rhythm Workers Union creates a spontaneous musical experience around a core of talented and experienced musicians. Its sound is built on a powerful drum presence that grabs listeners' attention at concerts, and inspires those who've seen the performers at parades, marches, and rallies. Woodwinds such as the digeridoo, oboe, flute, and bouzouki harmonize with each other and play off the relentless percussion. RWU's songs celebrate community empowerment and non-violent protest, and they are often enhanced by improvised dance pieces. Experienced and beginning performers are welcome to join.
http://www.rhythmworkersunion.org

Rick & Audrey (Grassy Nook Stage)

Rick and Audrey are friendly folk-singers who love to tell stories and sing sweet harmonies. At family shows, their mission is to get the parents (as well as the kids!) tapping their toes and singing along. Playing a delightful mix of guitar, bouzouki, and mandolin (and a wild menagerie of musical saw, tin Elvis-box, and other percussive implements!) R&A will … Sing songs about piscine heroes! Take an in-depth look at shadows, snakes, maps, cats, muffins, and aliens! Not to mention, sing the glory of sandwiches! Take a break, pick up a shaker, and sing along! Rick and Audrey are married and live in Takoma Park. Over the past three years, their music has led them to festivals, coffeehouses, churches, and schools around the Washington/Baltimore area. Visit their website for more info about exciting upcoming adult and family shows.
http://www.richarddahl.com

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Tatiana Sarbinska (Abbott Stage as part of the Vocal Styles Showcase)

Tatiana Sarbinska is a world-renowned Balkan vocalist and teacher. Her strong vocal prowess is matched by her charismatic stage presence and delivery. Born in the village of Rila, Bulgaria, Tatiana rose quickly through the ranks of Bulgarian state choruses to become one of the preeminent soloists of her generation. For many years, she was the featured soloist of the internationally acclaimed Pirin Ensemble. With Pirin, she toured around the world, made numerous recordings and TV films, earning "national treasure" status and renown as "the voice of Bulgaria." Her extensive repertoire includes music from all of Bulgaria's folklore regions.

Since moving to the U.S. in 1991, Tatiana has coached many Balkan ensembles—including Kitka in San Franci—o, Libana in Boston, Slaveja in Washington, D.C.—and has founded two choruses — the Boston area: Divi Zeni (women) and Zornica (men). She has taught at the Boston Conservatory and Boston University, and has given many performances.
http://www.tatianasarbinska.com

Sarenica (Dance Stage)

Šarenica plays music from the Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian tamburitsa tradition of (former) Yugoslavia and of the South Slavic immigrants to America who have been playing and dancing their heritage, keeping it alive and thriving for well over 100 years.
Craig@cal.org

Shawkat Sayyad (World Stage)

Shawkat Sayyad was born in Jerusalem. He studied the oud initially in Jerusalem and subsequently attended a conservatory in Egypt. Since 1958, he has worked as a singer and musician. He has toured on his own and with his orchestra, The Golden Tune Band, all over Europe, the Middle East and the United States. He is currently playing on weekends at the Middle East Market in Takoma Park.
Middle East Market, 301-270-5154

Ross Schipper (Dance Stage)

Ross Schipper, a member of the Nordic Dancers since 1983, first became interested in Scandinavian dancing in 1981. Together with Linda Brooks, he runs the Scandia D.C. "Third Saturday" dances and teaches for local folk festivals. Ross has traveled numerous times to Sweden and Norway, where he has attended dance workshops, and festivals and researched various dances. He holds a Silver Medal in Swedish folkdance from Svenska Ungdomsringen för Bygdekultur.
http://www.hambodc.org

David Shneyer (Jamboree Court)

David Shneyer is the director of the Am Kolel Judaic Resource and Renewal Center in Rockville. He is also a member of the Fabrangen Fiddlers, one of our favorite past performers of Jewish folk music at the Festival. This year, David will be demonstrating the Shofar, or ram's horn, one of the oldest musical instruments known to humankind. The sound of the Shofar gathers people together, warns people of danger, and announces special days and seasons of liberation. David will teach participants how to play the ram's horn and the significance of its sounds.
http://www.am-kolel.org

Verlette Simon (7th Heaven Stage)

Take a little bit of Gladys Knight, and a drop of Mavis Staples, throw in some James Taylor, a little Emily Saliers and a pinch of Jackson Brown, and you'll come out with the acoustic soul fusion of Verlette Simon. Verlette has worked in both the A&R and Promotion departments of Atlantic Records. She has shared the stage with Castleberry Dupre, Milo Z, Rachel Cross, Patty Labelle, Salt 'N Pepper, and Toshi Regan, just to name a few. In 1999 Verlette moved from New York to Maryland, and has managed to build an impressive following in a short time. Her performances are full of inspirational anecdotes, introspective moments and an outpouring of soulful energy. She has performed at such venues such, the Kennedy Center, the Washington Club, Kensington Coffee House, Metro Café, Jammin Java, Berwyn Café, Woodystock at Chief Ike's Mambo Room, Madam's Organ, and a variety of house concerts and folk festivals.
http://www.verlettes.com

Somapa Thai Dance Company (World Stage)

The Somapa Thai Dance Company has been performing Thai classical dance and fulfilling their mission of preserving and promoting Thai culture and arts in the United States since 1999. Key members of the troupe were trained in Thailand by the most celebrated dance instructors from the prestigious Department of Fine Arts in Bangkok. A Somapa is one who has drunk of the inner wine of the spirit, or of the mystical soma of inner illumination, and these beautiful dances reflect that spirit.
http://www.somapadance.org

Dick Spottswood (Celebrity MC, Field Stage)

Archivist, producer, radio host, and author, Dick Spottswood can be heard on WAMU 88.5 on Sunday afternoons. He's a national expert on traditional folk music and ethnic music.
http://www.wamu.org/spottswood

Squeeze Bayou (Dance Stage)

Squeeze Bayou may be a local band, but it plays some of the most authentic Cajun dance music that can be heard anywhere. The band's specialties are two-steps and waltzes. Most of their material comes from traditional sources (and the vocals are sung in Cajun French), but they blend in country music, blues, and Creole influences. The band includes Karen Collins (fiddle, vocals), Matt Levine (steel guitar), Fred Feinstein (guitar), Kevin Enoch (bass), and David Lopez (drums).
http://squeezebayou.com

George Stephens (Abbott Stage)

Blending strong vocals and guitar accompaniment, George Stephens sings traditional and traditionally inspired songs and ballads of the men and women who work in the mines and the mills, the forests and the fishing boats, the cattle herds and the car factories; all those who are "...working life out to keep life in."
Gstmlm@erols.com

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Takoma Park Double Dutch Team (Jamboree Court)

V.I.R.T.U.E., a city-sponsored, non-profit organization that consists of jumpers, parents and volunteers, was founded by Coach Ka'Trina Green in May 2002. Prior to forming V.I.R.T.U.E., Green worked with challenged teens and teen mothers for more than 14 years in her native New York City. During that time, she introduced the sport of Double Dutch to the youths as a vehicle to help manage anger, build self-esteem, increase physical fitness and develop sportsmanship. She found that Double Dutch—a sport made up of two turner—and a jumper—taught teens that the value of individual—actions and attitudes has a direct impact on the outcome of the team, a life lesson that will challenge them to make appropriate decisions and healthy choices.

With the support of the Takoma Park Recreation Center, Green was able to use this same concept to create V.I.R.T.U.E. and familiarize youth living in the community and surrounding area with the sport of jump rope with Double Dutch as the emphasis area. The goal of the program is to teach youth competitive jump rope and gymnastics skills while participating in an activity that encourages creativity, teamwork, sportsmanship, athleticism, physical fitness, discipline, and leadership.
Virtuejumpers@yahoo.com

Susan Taylor (Dance Stage)

Susan Taylor has called dances for kids and dance gypsies, brides and grooms, in barns, churches, and school halls all across our great land—often in places without cell-phone reception. With a generous sense of humor and welcoming warmth, she'll have you moving and laughing in no time. Susan is the mom of a wonderful 11-year-old girl and teaches movement and music to little kids and movement for actors at the Baltimore School for the Arts.
susantaylor@greenbelt.com

Sue Trainor (Grassy Nook and 7th Heaven Stages)

There's no end of merriment and participatory music making when Sue Trainor's on hand! Follow your imagination along some creative new paths as she entertains the whole family with playful songs and stories. In addition to her adult performances (solo and with Hot Soup), Sue is an artist-in-education. Her children's programs encourage creative thinking and expression, using lots of singalongs and substitution songs, dancing and hand motions, as well as a variety of rhythm instruments. Kids will be singing and making up songs long after the concert! For more information about Sue's school programs, visit
http://www.SueTrainor.com or http://www.HotSoupTrio.com

TuneFish (Dance Stage)

TuneFish has mined the contra dance repertoire for tunes that have "something special" about them. (In other words, the tunes they really like and haven't heard a million times before!) The trio features Jeff Steinberg on fiddle, Julie Gorka on piano and fiddle, and Richard Seidel on bass and guitar. All veterans of contra dance in the D.C. area, they have joined forces to give contra dancers what they want, "Great Tunes, Driving Rhythms." Come dance!
http://Seidel@mindspring.com

Mary Sue Twohy (7th Heaven Stage)

Mary Sue Twohy's smooth vocals dancing above subtle, expressive guitar garnered her 2000 and 2001 nominations for Contemporary Female Folk vocalist, Contemporary Folk Recording, and Song of the Year and 1999 Best New Artist Award from the Washington Area Music Association. Azalea City Recordings, Carroll Street presents "The Risk Involved," MarySue's second recording effort, produced by Pete and Maura Kennedy. "Training Butterflies," MarySue's debut, was produced by Pete Kennedy. Both CDs have gone to second pressing.
http://www.marysuetwohy.com

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The Unusual Suspects (Grove Stage)

The Unusual Suspects—Kim Capps, Richard Seidel and T.J. O'Malley—takes a blend of folk and country music, adds a hint of jazz and blues and lots of character to create a unique sound. The trio's passion for music comes across in classic country tunes, jazz standards,'50s pop tunes and moving originals. Utilizing creative arrangements and sweet harmonies, The Unusual Suspects pleases the mind, ear and heart.
http://www.unusualsuspects.biz

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Vocal Styles Showcase (Abbott Stage)

Look at individual bios for LiPing Hudson (Taiwanese), Karma Gyaltsen (Tibetan), and Tatiana Sarbinska (Bulgarian).Look for their individual bios.

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Andy Wallace (Abbott Stage)

Andy Wallace has been involved with traditional music and culture for the past 40 years. He spent 15 years directing the National Folk Festival, 5 years with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and has organized numerous other festivals and tours. Andy was a founding member of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. An active performer on the folk-music scene during the 1960s and '70s, Andy worked with Jonathan Eberhart and Mike Rivers in the Ringshouters, with Pete Seeger as a member of the original crew of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and as a solo artist. He has recorded with Jonathan Eberhart, Helen Schneyer, Louis Killen and Pete Seeger, among others, and has appeared on NPR and public television. Andy's repertoire reflects his broad musical tastes and includes ballads, sea chanties, Southern and New England dance tunes, cowboy songs, and Cajun and Quebecois songs and tunes with some Gilbert and Sullivan thrown in for good measure. His "day job" is Public Events Coordinator at the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.
Awallace@loc.gov

Ron Warren (7^th Heaven Stage)

Ron Warren is an award-winning composer/arranger as well as a performer (on Native American flutes and keyboards) whose work in a wide range of media has been heard throughout the United States and Europe. The Washington Post has praised his "pensively evocative music" as well as his "expressive and highly energetic" performances. After many years of listening to Native American music and attending powwows, Ron began learning Native American flute about four years ago to celebrate his father's heritage and to continue to learn more about the traditions. His recent performances on flute have included guest appearances with NAMMY winner Jeff Ball and participation in a concert at the Stone Ridge School in Bethesda, MD, which was taped for overseas broadcast by "Voice of America."

Ron's latest CD, "Heartbeats of the Forest World," featuring music for Native American flutes, with guest artists Alejandro Lucini, percussion, and Brian Kooken, guitar, is available from his website and from amazon.com.
http://www.ronwarren.net

We're About 9 (Grove Stage)

This three-part-harmony-singer- songwriter-adult-alternative- contemporary-americana-folk- niche-group is one of the fastest emerging acts on the scene. We're About 9 is Brian Gundersdorf, Pat Klink and Katie Graybeal. With a profound vocal blend, mercilessly charming stage presence, articulate banter, and passionate, quirky, compelling, convoluted, crafted, literate songs, We're About 9 sets a wild night-before-Christmas kind of excitement everywhere they go.
http://www.circanine.com

Wu Shen Tao Health & Martial Arts (Jamboree Court)

Wu Shen Tao Martial Arts has operated in the Silver Spring/Takoma Park area since 1986 and has developed over time a comprehensive program for training in the martial arts. Unfortunately, in this country, many people associate martial arts with violence or with the super athlete. At Wu Shen Tao, they do not stress violence, nor will you be required to engage in activities for which you are not ready. Their goal is to introduce you to the more spiritual and health-related aspects of training by offering a variety of programs ranging from Qi Gong and meditation to self-defense, with many choices in between.
http://www.wushentao.com

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Zeala (Grove Stage)

Zeala is a six-woman band melding influences from funk to jazz to bluegrass in an eclectic and danceable mix of original and familiar tunes. Zeala is turning heads with its groovy horn section, hip-swinging rhythm and bass, tight vocal harmonies and skillful guitar stylings. The band includes Aura Kanegis, Avril Smith, Lisa Taylor, Lea, Stacey Sloan and Cheryl Terwilliger.
http://www.zeala.net

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