Festival offers diverse music

There is excitement around the lineup for the Sisters Folk Festival, which rolls into town Friday-Sunday, September 27-29.

"I'm excited, even exuberant, about the diversity of music this year," SFF Creative Director Brad Tisdel told The Nugget.

Artists from Africa to Venezuela will take the stage, with many artists making their debut at the festival, with stalwarts like blues master Chris Smither marking his return for a third engagement. The last time he was here was in 2006.

"We have outstanding fiddlers from all over the world," Tisdel noted.

Photo Courtesy Kristin Otharsson

Balla Kouyaté & Mike Block Band will take the stage at Sisters Folk Festival this weekend.

A total of 33 acts are slated to perform in seven venues around downtown Sisters.

Smither, Väsen, Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms Country Band, Las Guaracheras, Carsie Blanton, Viv & Riley,

Paul McDonald, Gabe Lee, Michaela Anne, The Pairs, Tropa Magica, Lizzie No, The Lowest Pair, and Beth Wood, join Aoife O'Donovan, Hawktail, The Mammals, Fantastic Cat, Balla Kouyaté & Mike Block Band, Peter Mulvey, SistaStrings, Cris Jacobs, Kittel & Co, Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs, Kyshona, Melissa Carper, Luke Winslow-King & Roberto Luti, The Langan Band, Cassandra Lewis, San Miguel Fraser, Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves, Jenner Fox & Jeremy Elliott, and Glitterfox.

Music ranges from songwriter-oriented sets to lively, danceable music.

Over nearly three decades, Sisters Folk Festival has built a reputation as a "discovery" festival, where patrons find artists that they did not know previously that become lifelong favorites.

Photo by Joanna Chattman

The legendary Chris Smither returns to Sisters Folk Festival.

Tisdel encourages patrons to explore.

"Be open to something that's different and new," he said. "Seek out artists you don't know as well as artists you do recognize. There's a lot of great artistry to explore and discover."

There are several free activities, including the traditional Sunday morning community celebration at the Village Green, which is open to the public (the tent does fill up).

There will also be a free KidZone at Fir Street Park on the corner of Fir Street and Main Avenue.