The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Thirty artists will perform at seven different venues around Sisters in the Sisters Folk Festival (SFF), scheduled for October 1-3.

In a final round of bookings, newly confirmed artists include Minnesota-based guitar player and songwriter Charlie Parr; Nashville duo Wild Ponies; Montana duo Big Sky City Lights; local favorites Dennis McGregor and the Spoilers; the long-awaited return of The Haymakers; Sisters-based folker Jenner Fox; and Portland duo Pretty Gritty.

These artists join a diverse and dynamic lineup including nine-time all-Ireland fiddle champion and Grammy award-winner Eileen Ivers, legendary Zydeco musicians CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, as well as Ruthie Foster, Darrell Scott, Mary Gauthier, Judith Hill, Ron Artis II & the Messengers, Willy Porter, Emily Scott Robinson, Max Gomez, Rainbow Girls, Thunderstorm Artis, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Changui Majadero, Lowdown Brass Band, Haley Heynderickx, Beth Wood, Hogslop String Band, Garrett Lebeau, Yasmin Williams, Alisa Amador, Ordinary Elephant, and Robby Hecht.

This year’s festival represents a return to live music, and a celebration of what makes Sisters Folk Festival special. All seven venues will be outdoors; some are tented with ventilated sides. The SFF organization has updated its COVID-19 safety policy to require proof of COVID vaccination for all festival staff, artists, production crews, patrons, vendors, and volunteers. Additionally, capacity at venues will be reduced and the festival will comply with any other local or state mandates in place at the time of the event.

The same safety policy will apply to the 2021 Americana Song Academy, which takes place four days prior to the festival at a new location in Camp Sherman. The House on Metolius is a historic home with cabins overlooking the Metolius River Basin and the Cascade Mountains. Organizers note that it is a wonderful location to inspire musical creativity and connection to the natural beauty for which Camp Sherman is known.

A Song,” is one of the featured performers at the 24th Sisters Folk Festival. photo provided

Mary Gauthier, who has just released a book, “Saved

This year’s academy setting will create a more intimate experience with just 50 participants and nine instructors and will allow participants to work more closely on their craft with festival teaching artists. Instructors for 2021 include Mary Gauthier, Willy Porter, Emily Scott Robinson, Thunderstorm Artis, Ordinary Elephant, Robby Hecht, Alisa Amador, Dennis McGregor and Beth Wood. The Americana Song Academy will run Monday, September 27 through Thursday, September 30. Space is extremely limited and close to selling out.

Tickets to the Sisters Folk Festival are on sale now, with single-day passes offered beginning on September 1. For those wishing to volunteer for their ticket, a variety of volunteer shifts are open for set-up, take-down, merchandise sales, patron check-in, bar, and more. For more information on all SFF programs, including tickets, lineup, and volunteering, visit www.sistersfolkfestival.org.