Mt. Airy-based society putting on Phila. Folk Festival this weekend

by NATHAN LERNER

If you mention the Philadelphia Folk Festival to most people, it evokes images of a pastoral setting. That's no big surprise since the event is held on the Old Pool Farm, outside of Schwenksville, Montgomery County. However, many are unaware that the headquarters for the Philadelphia Folksong Society, which sponsors the festival, is right here in Mt. Airy on Emlen Street. David Baskin, himself a longtime Mt. Airy resident, is the chairman of the Philadelphia Folk Festival. He observed, "West Mt. Airy is like our spiritual home with a large base of members and  attendees."

Now marking its historic 43rd edition, the festival will take place this year between Friday, August 27, and Sunday, August 29. It's always an interesting balancing act between tradition and innovation. Baskin clarified, "We try to keep the Festival the same but at the same time fresh and relevant."

What is the the biggest change in this year's event? Baskin responded, "We've reset the main gate for easier access. The bus drops you right there. The new area inside will have the sales tent, a Philadelphia Folksong Society members' tent,  the  newly enlarged dance tent and the expanded crafts area. Baskin elaborated,  "It was time for the dancers to have a proper space with a wood floor and top notch bands.”

Once again, the festival will be an interesting potpourri of performers. The multi-talented Kris Kristofferson will be making his debut at this year's event. Other headliners include established veterans John Prine, Natalie MacMaster, Taj Mahal and Chris Smither. Full Frontal Folk, a locally based group that emerged as a favorite of the 2002 festival will also be returning.

Fred Kaiser, who has been involved with booking the festival since  1975 and assumed the principal role in 1982, explained that booking the festival is not without its challenges: "The biggest one is finding enough work for the number of high quality performers." In the post- 9/11 climate, additional bureaucratic impediments have arisen. "The biggest problem is getting visas for out-of-country performers, including those from Canada.  The process has reached the point where many performers don't have the staying power to wait out the long process."

Asked to characterize this year's musical line-up, Kaiser emphasized, "Very eclectic. The schedule includes a wide variety of music, especially in  our expanded dance tent program. This includes over 23 hours of dance music  featuring Contra, Square, Zydeco, Texas Swing and Fandango." Kaiser cited Ollabelle, Adrienne Young & Little Sadie, and Uncle Earl as three of the newcomers, who rate particular attention. According to him, "They are three of the new young bands, playing oldtime and new oldtime/bluegrass music flawlessly with tremendous energy."

For further information about or tickets to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, call 215-247-1300 or 1-800-556-FOLK, or visit www.folkfest.org