Americana Project students headed to L.A.

Alumni of the Sisters Folk Festival's Americana Project will share the stage with major acts in the folk music world, in the inaugural L.A. Acoustic Music Festival over the weekend of June 6-7, on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.

The two-day celebration of acoustic music - which takes place during the Pier's 100th Anniversary year -benefits the California Acoustic Music Project (CAMP).

"The intent is for profits from the festival to start an Americana Project in some Los Angeles schools," said Sisters Folk Festival Executive Director Brad Tisdel.

Travis Ehrenstrom, Jena Rickards, Slater Smith and Laura Curtis will travel with Tisdel to perform a short set each evening just prior to the headliner performances.

The lineup for Saturday, June 6 will open with the Refugees, the all-female "power band" of Wendy Waldman, Deborah Holland, and Cindy Bullens, followed by Joel Rafael, Eliza Gilkyson, and the extraordinary Jimmy LaFave, named "Best Singer-Songwriter" by Austin Music Awards, playing what he calls "red dirt music."

After a dinner break, Richard Thompson, the iconic British folk rock legend and one of the world's most critically acclaimed singers, songwriters and guitarists, will take the stage, followed by Natalie MacMaster, the virtuoso Cape Breton fiddler. Bringing it home as the final act of the evening will be Bruce Cockburn.

"I think it's an incredible opportunity to showcase the Sisters Folk Festival and the Americana Project and some of our strongest kids," Tisdel said.

Tisdel noted that many of the artists in the L.A. festival have appeared at the Sisters Folk Festival and he is eager to talk to others who might be booked in the future.

Leading off the lineup on Sunday, June 7 will be Sarah Lee Guthrie (granddaughter of Woody Guthrie) and Johnny Irion; Austin singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves; and Stonehoney.

In the afternoon, the Woody Guthrie tribute (by the band Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway) will pay homage to America's greatest troubadour. Sunday evening will continue the massive talent lineup with David Bromberg & the Angel Band, followed by David Lindley, one of Southern California's prototype singer/songwriters, known also for his guitar work in Jackson Browne's recorded legacy.

The festival will conclude with Nanci Griffith performing her acclaimed brand of "folkabilly" music.

The California Acoustic Music Project (CAMP), to which proceeds from the event will be contributed, is a 501c(3) organization that provides artists-in-residence to schools on an ongoing basis through the curriculum of the Americana Project.

For tickets and information call (818) 621-8309 or visit http://www.laacousticmusicfestival.tickets.musictoday.com.