Sisters Folk Festival approaches sell-out

Anyone who is still thinking about buying an all-event pass to the Sisters Folk Festival may want to act now.

According to festival officials, the event, scheduled for Friday-Sunday, September 6-8, is approaching a sell-out for the second year in a row.

"We expanded the number and running time of our venues this year and we're selling more tickets," said festival Board Chair Jim Cornelius. "But we've already sold more tickets than we did last year, and they're going fast."

All-event passes are $115; children five and under are free, and youth tickets are $50 for those 18 and under. A limited number of single-day tickets are available for Sunday performances only. Those tickets are $60 adult, $25 student.

More than 40 performers will offer up their music at nine different venues across Sisters. Artists include The California Honeydrops, The White Buffalo, Shook Twins, Ray Bonneville, Joshua James, Baskery and festival encore artist and Grammy- nominee John Fullbright.

"The festival offers tremendous bang for the buck," said Cornelius. "That's thanks in large part to our sponsors and the members of the Sisters Folk Arts Circle. Their year-round support makes it possible for us to keep our ticket prices at the very low end of the market for a three-day music festival."

The festival offers music-lovers an up-close-and-personal encounter with the artists and with the town of Sisters.

"The Sisters Folk Festival has helped nurture many small, beautiful venues in town, which provides up-close access to the artists and their performances," said festival Artistic Director Brad Tisdel. "The Depot Café, The Open Door at Clearwater Gallery, and Angeline's Bakery all have a sense that you are in for something special, and that intimacy brings out the best in our performers; and besides, they all serve excellent, well-crafted artisan food."

This year, with the addition of a new venue and fine art gallery at FivePine Lodge and Conference Center from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, festival organizers will be running a shuttle from The Belfry, to Sisters Art Works, the Village Green and then to FivePine every 15 minutes to make it easier for attendees to get to venues without driving. Bikes are strongly encouraged and bike valets will be set up at the two largest venues through a partnership with sponsor Blazin Saddles of Sisters.

During the dinner break on Saturday, there will be a poetry reading at Paulina Springs Books by Oklahoma poet-laureate Nathan Brown, a fine singer-songwriter.

For tickets visit www.sistersfolkfestival.org or call the office at 541-549-4979. Passes are also available at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters and Redmond.