For the week of July 30 - August 5, 2003

Northern Rockies
Folk Festival

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong once said, "All music is folk music and I’ve never seen a horse play music."

To wit: People often assume folk music is just one thing, say a farmer-looking dude with an old guitar and maybe the farmer’s dimwitted daughter warbling tunes about mining and droughts.

In fact, it’s always been music that folks played when they got together, be it the blues, zydeco, country or bluegrass. So, in a word, folk music is what will be played at the 26th Annual Northern Rockies Folk Festival in Hailey’s Hop Porter Park Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1 and 2.

As all of Hailey knows, this is the second most beloved weekend of the summer, after July 4, when the town of Hailey is at the center of what’s happening and what is hip. Hip, in this case, is akin to having a mature and organic response to music, no matter what genre.

This year’s line-up is especially rousing. The Derailers headline on Friday night preceded by the Cajun tunings of the Zydeco Flames. The Flames play again on Saturday night followed by Sam Bush, a legend in bluegrass innovation. Other bands include the opening act on Friday, Lenker & Zellerhoff. On Saturday, two bands from the Wood River Valley play, CowBlues and the Red Headed Fiddler. Magic Valley bluegrass band Deadline Ridge, The Heard and Slow Children Playing are on the bill on Saturday afternoon.

The Folk Festival Quilt raffle, a NRFF tradition, is Saturday evening. Nonprofit organizations sell food and refreshments. Also, maintaining the community feel of the event, the large custom built playground is open and always swarms with children. No dogs are allowed.

Tickets in the form of Booster buttons are available at CM Copy & Print, Big Bad Bills, Read All About It in Hailey and Chapter One in Ketchum for $15 or at the gate for $18. Kids and seniors are so fabulous they can just waltz in for free.

You know what makes this festival so special ultimately? It’s all about the music and not about making money.

 

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