The University of Chicago Folk Festival has seen the likes of Muddy Waters, Ralph & Carter Stanley, The New Lost City Ramblers, and more incredible artists.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes the 60th Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival, Feb 14-15. Join the Folklore Society of UC for this long-held Chicago tradition. Fans of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, The Mamas and the Papas, and Mumford and Sons do not want to miss this incredible festival. Tickets are on sale now!
The first UC Folk Festival was first put on in 1961 and in the early years featured folk music legends such as Muddy Waters, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, Frank Profitt, Hobart Smith, The Staples Singers, Clarence “Tom” Ashley, and many more! The Folk Festival had a lasting impact on the folk music scene both locally and nationally and has been held every winter since.
This year the Folklore Society brings contemporary folk musical guests Bill and the Belles, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass, Medicine Line Jamie Fox With Scotty Leach, the Mariachi Sirenas, and more to the Mandel Hall stage. Don’t miss these incredible musicians in action. Tickets are $10 for students, $20 for seniors, and $25 for general admission. Performances begin at 8 p.m. on Fri, Feb 14 and 7:30 p.m. Sat, Feb 15.
The festival will also feature free workshops for those interested in folk history, making music, or learning folk dances like contra, Cajun style, and Scandinavian dancing. Want to learn how to play? Take part in workshops on fiddle, sea shanty, Georgian polyphonic singing and more! Workshops run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat, Feb 15 in the Ida Noyes Hall.
Tickets to the University of Chicago Folk Fest are on sale now!
Practical information
Feature photo courtesy of Fever.