Tickets still available for Sisters Folk Festival

Tickets are still available for the 2009 Sisters Folk Festival, held September 11-13 in downtown Sisters.

Since its inception in 1995, the Sisters Folk Festival's national reputation has grown, and so have the audiences.

"The lineup this year is stronger than ever, and has legendary performers mixed with musicians that are tearing it up around the country but may not be household names. We do everything we can to introduce new artists to the NW and our Central Oregon audience, while bringing international artists of stature and long-standing excellence in many genres of music," said Executive Director Brad Tisdel.

The Sisters Folk Festival encourages patrons to purchase the $85 All-Events Pass for the weekend, which includes all music and workshops. A limited number of individual tickets are available as well.

"For those who are new to the festival, our patrons come back year after year because of the talent, the value and the unbelievable performances they are exposed to in an intimate setting. There is magic in the air as the city of Sisters comes to life, and audience members have the ability to see our artists in venues as small as 85 and as large as our main stage of 1,100 people... it is something very special," said Tisdel.

Artists include legendary bluegrass icon Peter Rowan, the instrumental prowess of the Alison Brown Quartet, eclectic and witty songwriter Todd Snider, bluesman Kelly Joe Phelps, the youthful energy of the Belleville Outfit, Texas swing of the Quebe Sisters Band, Portland indie-standout Blind Pilot, multi-talented Kevin Welch & Fats Kaplin, and 2009 Sisters Folk Festival encore performer Susan Werner.

For a complete list of performers go to the "Performers page" on the Web site http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org.

"The beauty of the area combined with six concurrent stages all within walking distance give people plenty of options to see their favorite artists. Generally speaking, if you can't fit them in on one day, you can catch them the next," said Katy Yoder, events director.

In addition, tickets for the Americana Song Academy, a unique and empowering songwriting and music camp are on sale now. "Song Camp," held September 8-11, brings festival main-stage talent to teach for three inspiring days before the festival.

The academy is held at Caldera, a private performing arts camp at Blue Lake. This opportunity provides participants a chance to work closely with nationally recognized songwriters to hone their craft and spark their music and creativity. Tickets for the three-day camp can be purchased through the festival office or Sisters Folk Festival Web site.

Artists for the Sisters Folk Festival will also be mentoring and performing in the Sisters School District at all three schools. The Belleville Outfit, Tremoloco, Danny Schmidt, Bob Hemenger and Joe Craven will all be visiting the schools as guest artists for the award-winning outreach program of the Festival, the Sisters Americana Project. Students from the Sisters High School Americana Project will be performing at Angeline's Bakery and Café on Saturday, September 12, as part of the festival.

To order tickets visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org, call the Sisters Folk Festival at 549-4979 or e-mail [email protected] Tickets are also available at Paulina Springs Books, 252 W. Hood Ave. in Sisters.