Free Music – Second Annual Ferdinand Folk Festival to be Held Saturday Night

Nationally- and internationally-acclaimed musicians will gather for the second annual Ferdinand Folk Festival on Saturday.  This free festival is a family-friendly celebration of folk music, art, and culture in nearby Ferdinand, Indiana, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (all times are EST) in the town’s beautiful 18th Street Park.

In addition to music, the event will feature arts, crafts, children’s activities and theater, hands-on-art demonstrations, environmental education booths, and a wide variety of food choices.  Go here for more information.

This year’s Ferdinand Folk Festival lineup features a mix of national, international, and regional award-winning and highly-acclaimed artists:  Shawn Mullins, Green Room Rockers, Jen Chapin, Small Potatoes, Ember Swift, Dana and Susan Robinson, and Eddie Rasche.

Shawn Mullins, of Atlanta, GA. is the 2011 Ferdinand Folk Festival headliner.

Shawn Mullins, is a Grammy-nominated artist best known for his number-one hit "Lullaby" off of the platinum-selling album Soul's Core.  Not only does he have a Grammy nomination under his belt, but he also has three number-one singles to his credit. In 1999, "Lullaby" hit number one on the Adult Top 40 charts and in 2006, his song "Beautiful Wreck" topped the Triple A/Americana charts.

Most recently, he contributed his songwriting abilities to the Zac Brown Band's number-one single "Toes". His song "All in My Head" was featured on the hit television sitcom Scrubs and his song "Shimmer" was used in promotional campaigns for the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Australia. In 2003, he formed a folk/pop supergroup, The Thorns, with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge.

Green Room Rockers of Chicago, IL/West Lafayette, IN.

Indiana’s own Green Room Rockers has cemented itself as a leading force in Midwestern ska. Their recent self-titled album differentiates them from their peers as not only a good ska band, but a great one.  Their drummer, Perry Clark, is a Ferdinand native and Forest Park High School graduate.
Jen Chapin of Brooklyn, NY.

New York-based singer/songwriter Jen Chapin’s jazz-tinged urban folk songs have been hailed by People magazine as “thoughtful…worth savoring” and by National Public Radio as “brilliant…soulfully poetic.”  She has been featured on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, honored by the USA songwriting competition, and has appeared on stage with Bruce Springsteen. She is the daughter of the late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin of “Cats in the Cradle” fame.
Small Potatoes of Cary, IL.

This Chicago-based duo of Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso has been touring on the folk circuit since 1993 and in that time they've become sought-after regulars at many clubs and coffeehouses across the United States. They have made repeat appearances at major folk festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Walnut Valley Folk Festival, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Additionally, they were named as one of the "most requested" acts at the 1999 Falcon Ridge New Artist Showcase. Manning is also a past winner of the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest.
Ember Swift, Beijing, China, www.emberswift.com.  Canadian-born Ember Swift is an internationally-touring musician.  Her home life is split between Toronto and Beijing, and she continues to tour across many national borders. She has released 10 albums and 1 DVD project since 1996.  Her eclectic styles include folk, jazz, swing, R&B, funk, pop, folkrock, blues, and French cabaret.
Dana and Susan Robinson of Asheville, NC.

From Asheville, North Carolina, Dana and Susan Robinson bring to the stage an exciting blend of original songs of the American landscape and oldtime Appalachian mountain music. Dana’s guitar and fiddle combined with Susan's clawhammer banjo playing and harmony singing bring a joyful energy to their concerts. Their music is the sound and feel of bedrock America.

Eddie Rasche of Jasper, IN.

Eddie Rasche is a singer/songwriter who lives in Jasper, Indiana. He has been playing guitar and writing songs for over 25 years. His music falls somewhere among the genres of Folk/Americana, Alternative Country, and Alternative Rock. Rasche performed on the Market Stage at the inaugural Ferdinand Folk Festival.

There will be a handicapped-accessible drop-off point; additionally, there also will be ample parking for bicycles.  The Ferdinand Community Center’s parking lot will be off limits (there is a wedding that evening), but the nearby Tri-County YMCA and the new Ferdinand Library parking lots will be available.

Guests are also encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to listen to the performances.  Coolers will be allowed, however, glass bottles will be strictly prohibited.

Additional Ferdinand Folk Festival features:
More than 75 food, art and craft, and environmental awareness vendors (complete list of vendors and products can be found here).

Children’s activities:  “Lemonade:  the Musical!” children’s theater; storytelling; face painting; Harmony by Hand educational programming, and more.  The 18th Street Park also features top-of-the-line playground equipment, featuring rubber fall protection mats.

Music-related workshops:  Jen Chapin’s songwriter workshop and Ember Swift’s “Women in Independent Music” workshop.
Environmental presentations:  solar discussion and a tour of the Town’s 18th Street Park tree planting projects.
Falconry demonstration.
Mutt Strutt – held on the Town’s scenic asphalt walking trails (created with an environmentally-friendly mix of used tires and asphalt), the Mutt Strutt benefits the Dubois County Humane Society.  To pre-register, visit.
The Folk Jammers Jam Area:  unique to this area, the jam area offers a free, daylong opportunity to play music and learn from others. Music fans are welcome to listen to the Folk Jammers or bring their own instrument and participate.  This will take place all day.
The Ferdinand Folk Festival’s primary mission is to promote, through music, the health and wellness of community, culture, and environment.  This folk music festival—folk music defined as “music originating among the common people of a nation or a region”—has its roots in the Town of Ferdinand’s desire to hold more cultural events and activities within its borders, along with several well-received, local house concert series, and a desire to share outstanding singer-songwriter-musicians with a broader audience.  By bringing people together in a festive spirit, the event organizers wish to celebrate the natural beauty found here, share our neighborly values, and offer a unique venue to experience quality music, good food, and original art.

Ferdinand, Indiana, is situated in the rolling hills of southwestern Indiana just north of I-64.  Local area attractions, a high quality of life, and an ideal location make Ferdinand a great place to start a business or raise a family.