Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival returns to Geneva's Island Park
Like red sauce and red wine, folk music and storytelling are a natural pairing.
Both art forms are all about story and will be performed in abundance Sunday and Monday, Sept. 1-2, in Geneva's Island Park at the 43rd annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival.
Festival director Juel Ulven has been with the festival's founding organization since its inception in 1976.
"The Fox Valley Folklore Society was formed to promote folk life events," Ulven said.
And over the span of more than four decades, the festival has become an annual pilgrimage for folk fans, drawing them to the Fox Valley area every year for a weekend of folk art immersion. It's presented by the society, the city of Geneva, and the Geneva Park District.
"We're the biggest folk festival in Illinois," Ulven said. "There's eight stages running simultaneously. There's about 30 featured performers. We usually have attendees from 12 to 15 states. We've got volunteers - about 100 - that come from 12 states."
Ulven said the festival, held in Island Park since 1979, derives its popularity from its specialized emphasis.
"It's not music that's sold to you. It's music you've got to go looking for," he said. "A lot of the songs are passed down by generations. They have common themes, common motifs. They're mainly stories on living, cautionary tales. It's sort of the news of the time. Some of them are based on real events."
The festival also will feature modern folk music.
"A fair amount of what we do is contemporary folk," he said. "One of the groups that really exemplifies what we do is Red Tail Ring."
The husband-and-wife team from Michigan is known for blending old-time roots with new sounds. Ulven said they deliver beautiful harmonies and play both standards and original compositions.
Festival music highlights include performances from Cajun Strangers from Madison, Wisconsin, and from Del Rey, a Seattle blues band.
The bill also includes the Boo Bradley duo from Wisconsin.
"They do sort of jug band staff," Ulven said.
Visitors will also find New Orleans-based artist Gina Forsyth and John Roberts, a singer originally from England who plays the concertina and banjo, he said.
Then there's Michael Smith.
"He's kind of the godfather of singer/songwriters," Ulven said.
Music workshops will be in progress throughout the weekend.
"We'll have jam sessions all over the island," he said.
The festival takes place on 13 acres and includes food vendors, an arts area with crafts vendors and a children's area, in addition to an area dedicated to stories.
"There's a full-time storytelling stage. We have professional storytelling," he said.
After the main stage closes, the art of dance will be celebrated with a barn dance from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Visitors are invited to join in for circle, line and square dancing.
"They teach you everything. They walk you through," he said.
Meanwhile, ghost stories will be told from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the pavilion. For a complete schedule of events, visit foxvalleyfolk.com.
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43rd annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 1-2
Where: Island Park, 2 E. State St., Geneva
Admission: Donations are encouraged of $25 per day for adults, $15 for teens and elders; free for ages 12 and younger
Info: foxvalleyfolk.com and genevaparks.org