Lake Erie Folk Fest Returns to Shore

The Strings and a Goat

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The halls, classrooms and auditorium of the Shore Cultural Centre will resonate with folk and traditional music on Saturday, February 24 from 1:00pm-10:00pm.  The 3rd Annual Lake Erie Folk Fest (LEFF) will take place throughout the Shore building with FREE workshops, jam sessions, demonstrations, folk dancing, mini-concerts and activities for young people from 1:00pm-6:00pm.  That evening at 7:30pm, the Shore Auditorium comes alive with an eclectic array of music in a day-ending concert.  Featured that night will be the French-Canadian acoustic trio Ten Strings and a Goat Skin.  Out of Prince Edward Island, Ten Strings plays a variety of traditional and roots music that spans Scottish, Irish, French and Canadian cultures.  “Probably one of the most exciting and progressive new roots groups to come through in some time!” wrote Brian O’Donovan of Burren Backroom Sessions in Boston.

Sharing the bill that night will be Aaron Jonah Lewis and Lindsay McCaw from Detroit playing their special blend of bluegrass and contemporary music.  Lewis is known for his expert fiddle work.  Wakeman, Ohio native Emily Keener will be returning to LEFF following her acclaimed performance at last year’s festival concert.   Filling out the bill is the Slovenian men’s chorus, Fantje na vasi from Cleveland and Shore Cultural Centre artists/instructors Tam Tam Magic performing West African dance and drumming. 

Tickets for the evening concert are $10 and available on-line at www.shoreculturalcentre.com. Tickets are $15 the day of the show.  Advanced ticket holders will be allowed into the auditorium at 6:45pm to select their seats.  Doors open to all others at 7:00pm.

This roots music based festival debuted at Shore two years ago and received enthusiastic reviews from the hundreds who attended.  It is a collaboration between the Shore Cultural Centre and Northeast Ohio Heritage Music Association (NEOHMA), the latter being a volunteer organization that produces the annual Blue Sky Folk Fest during the summer in Kirtland, Ohio.  “We see this as a perfect opportunity to warm up the Ohio winter by sharing our love and enthusiasm for folk and roots music with music lovers of all kinds,” said LEFF artistic director Laura Lewis.  “It also gave us the opportunity to partner with Shore, another organization with deep roots in the community and the arts.” 

Roots music has been defined as world music, authentic music or the early music of a particular culture.  In the case of American music that would be Gospel, Blues, Country & Bluegrass and Jazz.  The LEFF involves attendees through open jam sessions, sing-alongs and dancing lessons.  People are encouraged to bring their own instruments and hand percussion to join in the music making throughout the day.  “Nothing brings people together like the common ground of music,” said Chris Cipriani, Shore Director of Programming and Marketing. 

Young people will have the opportunity to participate in craft making, singing and dancing events throughout the afternoon led by Shore resident artists.    

Food and beverage service will be available from 12 noon until 7:30pm in the Culinary Bistro on the basement floor.  The Bistro is both a working restaurant and classroom for students enrolled in area schools’ culinary programs.  It is run by Euclid Public Schools under the guidance of Chef Daniel Esquivel, former executive chef at the Chagrin Valley Country Club.

The Lake Erie Folk Fest is supported in part by the Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation, Sam Ash Music Stores, Studio Strings of Medina, Village Blacksmith, Inc., Funny Times Peace Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, Anonymous Donor Advised Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, and supporter GAR Hall.

For further information visit www.lakeeriefolkfest.com and www.shoreculturalcentre.com or call the Shore at 216-289-8578.  The Shore Cultural Centre is located at 291 East 222nd Street in downtown Euclid.