SFF to host free summer concert series

Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) will once again host the Summer Concert Series at Fir Street Park. The three-show series is free to the public and will be presented on Thursday evenings, July 26, August 2, and August 16; and is sponsored in part by First Interstate Bank.

On July 26, Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper will perform. Cleveland is one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation and, with 10 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Fiddle Player of the Year awards under his belt, he is the most awarded and celebrated fiddler in the history of the genre. Cleveland plays with so much fire, drive and virtuosity that audiences are often left shaking their heads in amazement. Together with his band, Flamekeeper (four-time IBMA Instrumental Band of the Year Award winners), Cleveland delivers some of the most powerful, exciting and authentic bluegrass you can find.

The Lost Bayou Ramblers take the stage on August 2, hot off their Grammy-winning album "Kalenda," awarded Best Regional Roots Music Album in 2018. Lost Bayou Ramblers' evolution as a "perversely progressive" band rooted in Cajun traditions continues to excite, challenge, and redefine genre expectations as well as cultural preconceptions.

On August 16, the revered traditional Irish band Altan will play in Sisters for the first time. With their exquisitely produced award-winning recordings, ranging dynamically from the most sensitive and touching old Irish songs all the way to hard-hitting reels and jigs and their dynamic live performances, Altan has moved audiences worldwide.

Altan plans to conduct a workshop on Irish music earlier in the day in Sisters. Altan has always believed that Irish traditional music is a modern music in every sense and its growing influence and popularity have proved them right.

For SFF 2018 Summer Concert Series and artist information, visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org. SFF encourages patrons to bring blankets and low-back chairs; seating is not provided. Shows start at 6:30 p.m., are free, and open to the public. Picnics are encouraged. Fir Street Park is located in Sisters at 150 N. Fir St.