[IMC] 7h Annual Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival November 5-7

[rkubetz at comcast.net]

7h Annual Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival November 5-7 



Urbana, Ill. (October 14, 2015) – The seventh annual Champaign-Urbana Folk & Roots Festival is coming to downtown Urbana on Friday and Saturday, November 5-7. The all-volunteer-run, grassroots festival brings together national, regional, and local artists and organizations for more than 80 high-quality music performances, dances, storytelling, and hands-on activities for all ages at multiple venues in the downtown area. Except for ticketed evening performances, all events and activities are free of charge. 



Krannert Center continues its collaboration with the C-U Folk and Roots Festival, hosting two kick-off concerts on Thursday, November 5. Cedric Watson, a four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, accordionist, and songwriter—one of the brightest young talents to emerge in Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco music over the last decade—and his band, Les Amis Creoles, will play alongside local Cajun band the Cornstalkers at Krannert Uncorked from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The Global Transfer Afterglow with Allos Musica Ensemble—featuring contemporary classical, jazz, and traditional music from the Middle East and Europe—starts around 9:30 p.m. 



“The festival continues to expand opportunities to create and experience music in intimate settings,” explained steering committee member Brenda Koenig. “It is a celebration of traditions and community.” The family-friendly event includes individual and group performances, dances, instructional sessions, jams, song-circles, children’s activities, storytelling, and demonstrations. The festival runs from 4:00 p.m. on Friday and runs all day Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. 



Among the headlining national and regional performers are singer-songwriters John Gorka, Lynn O’Brien, and Lilli Lewis, Canadian roots singer Kaia Kater, Indie-Americana artists The Amigos, acoustic blues duo Shari Kane and Dave Steele, and root-rockers Katie Belle & the Belle Rangers. 



Throughout the weekend, the Landmark Hotel ballroom in Lincoln Square will host a variety of dance events. Beginners and seasoned dancers share the floor for square, contra, swing and Cajun dances and workshops. All the dances at the Landmark will feature live band and callers. Tall tales and storytelling will be featured all day Saturday at The Urbana Free Library. 



All workshops, sing-alongs, jams and performances during the day on Saturday are free. Evening events do require the purchase of a wristband for admission to the venues in order to support the festival. 



A multi-day wristband pass is $35 for all ticketed shows; an individual day wristband costs $20, or $15 for a single venue. Children 12 and under are free. For the full schedule, visit folkandroots.org . Wristbands for ticketed events may be purchased through brownpapertickets.com and at the festival. 



The C-U Folk and Roots Festival is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion of accessible art forms and community building in East Central Illinois. Top sponsors for this year’s event include the City of Urbana, the City of Urbana Public Arts Program, Piato Café, the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, and the Urbana Business Association, plus numerous organizations and individual sponsors. 



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For further information, contact: 

Brenda Koenig, 217/621-6409, bakoenig at sbcglobal.net 


Frances Harris, 217/649-3212 


Bios, photos, and information on featured acts, local performers, workshops, and exhibits are available on the CUFRF website: www.folkandroots.org . 
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