Susquehanna Folk Festival
FESTIVAL - Download the program book!
Our online program book is here! It has all the festival 411: schedules, performer bios, messages from our sponsors, and more.
Download the PDF version here.
FESTIVAL Fri, Aug 9 - Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
York
Canada’s reigning couple of Celtic music kick off our Susquehanna Folk Festival with their spectacular Cape Breton fiddling and step-dancing. If you haven’t seen anyone do both of those things at the same time (and brilliantly), you are in for the treat of a lifetime.
We’re excited to also welcome special guests Poor Man’s Gambit. Their traditional tunes and songs are just lovely altogether.
Get tickets early! And join us at the Appell Center in York, PA, in the lovely Capitol Theatre, for our headline concert on Friday evening, August 9. MORE
FESTIVAL Fri, Aug 9 - Friday Night Contra Dance
York
The Susquehanna Folk Festival’s weekend of dance kicks off with live southern old-time music by The Contra Rebels (Todd Clewell, Barb Schmid and Henry Koretzky) and caller Bob Nicholson. Join us at the Appell Center in York, PA, in the Studio, for a
contra dance on Friday evening, August 9.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - FREE FOLK Saturday
York
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, much of our daytime festival programming is FREE! Spend a cooool afternoon having folky fun before our ticketed matinée and evening events. Free Folk Saturday features family-friendly folk dancing, an old-time jam, singer-songwriter Bobbi Carmitchell, and our Emerging Artist Showcase, plus hands‑on activities in our Young Folks Zone.
Free Folk on both Saturday and Sunday, August 10 & 11.
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FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - A Little Folk Dancing
York
Try some easy, fun, family-friendly dances with World Dance Lancaster’s Zita Angelo. Anyone can dance! We’ll have two short sessions on Saturday: one right after doors open and the other in early afternoon. Meet in the Young Folks Zone, adjacent to the Studio Stage, at the Appell Center in York, PA for
a little folk dancing on Saturday, August 10.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - Bobbi Carmitchell
York
Lancaster County singer-songwriter Bobbi Carmitchell has been a force on the Central Pennsylvania music scene for 40 years, and has toured all over the country. Her music and singing supports many causes that she believes in. As part of “Bringing It Home” programming in The Studio of the Appell Center, Bobbi performs a
FREE mini-concert on Saturday morning, August 10.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - Old-Time Jam
York
Bring your instrument and bop over to York (PA) Central Market to join in an old-time jam session with York County's Todd Clewell and Barb Schmid. Musicians of all levels, as well as listeners, are all welcome! This is one of the many FREE hands-on events the festival offers.
Open jam session Saturday afternoon, noon to 2pm.
FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - Emerging Artist Showcase
York
Congratulations to The Honey Badgers, who took top honors in our 2024 Emerging Artist Showcase. And congratulations and many thanks to our other finalists too: it was a close contest!
Our 2024 finalists:
The Honey Badgers
Joseph Alton Miller
Dann Pell
Erin Lunsford
Red Smith & Blue Dawn MORE
Our 2024 finalists:
The Honey Badgers
Joseph Alton Miller
Dann Pell
Erin Lunsford
Red Smith & Blue Dawn MORE
FESTIVAL - Fun for Young Folks
York
We are partnering again with York County Libraries to present hands-on family fun at the Susquehanna Folk Festival. Our Young Folks Zone, adjacent to the Studio Stage, will be open Saturday from 11 am to 3:20 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 2:40 pm. Join us at the Appell Center in York, PA for
FREE family activities!
FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - Hubby Jenkins
York
A talented multi-instrumental roots artist following the thread of African American history that weaves itself through country blues, ragtime, fiddle and banjo, and traditional jazz. Formerly with the Carolina Chocolate Drops! Join us in the Capital Theatre at the Appell Center in York, PA, for a
matinée concert on Saturday afternoon, August 10.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - Hot Club of Cowtown
York
This trio’s exuberant alchemy of hot jazz, Texas swing, quirky humor and wicked improvisation has won hearts all over the world. They were a fan favorite at our 2019 Festival and we’re sure they will be this year too! Our Emerging Artist Showcase winner will open the show. Join us at the Appell Center in York, PA, in the lovely Capitol Theatre, for our
headline concert on Saturday evening, August 10.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sat, Aug 10 - Saturday Night Contra Dance
York
The Susquehanna Folk Festival’s weekend of dance continues with a Contra Dance featuring live music by The Dead Sea Squirrels and caller Janine Smith. Join us at the Appell Center in York, PA, in the Studio, for a
contra dance on Saturday evening, August 10.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - FREE FOLK Sunday
York
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, much of our daytime festival programming is FREE! Spend a cooool afternoon having folky fun before our ticketed matinée and evening events. Free Folk Sunday features local bands Brazilian Vibes and Tanjo & Crow, dancing limberjacks (and limber-janes!), creative takes on roots music in our Archive Challenge, and hands‑on activities in our Young Folks Zone.
Free Folk on both Saturday and Sunday, August 10 & 11.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - Brazilian Vibes
York
From infectious Afro-Brazilian rhythms to the enchanting cadence of bossa nova, this Harrisburg-area band celebrates and shares the captivating music of Brazil. As part of “Bringing It Home” programming in The Studio of the Appell Center, Brazilian Vibes will entertain us with a
FREE mini-concert on Sunday morning, August 11.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - Tanjo & Crow
York
This gritty-funky duo is a no-holds-barred exploration of roots music through distinctive songwriting, Appalachian arrangements, and seemingly fearless improvisation. Tanjo & Crow, featuring Tanner Bingaman (our 2021 Emerging Artist!) and Allan Combs II, will perform a
FREE mini-concert on Sunday afternoon, August 11.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - Limberjacks & Limberjanes
York
Randy Heisley-Cato’s charming little wooden dancers are coming to the festival! See them “perform” on Sunday at noon and 1:20 pm. Come the Young Folks Zone, adjacent to the Studio Stage, at the Appell Center in York, PA for
FREE limberjack demonstrations on Sunday afternoon, August 11.
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - Archive Challenge
York
Artists delve into the Library of Congress’s extensive collection of American folk music, and choose a song to make their own. This year’s artists are "Cigar Box Guitar" aficionado Shane Speal, Blue Sky Quartet’s Sarah Fiore, and local music advocate Zach King. Join us in The Studio of the Appell Center for our
Archive Challenge on Sunday afternoon, August 11.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - Larry & Joe
York
Larry Bellorín and Joe Troop play a surprising fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music, promoting a message of unity between the two folk traditions — on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else these two master musicians decide to throw in the van. Join us in the Capitol Theatre at the Appell Center in York, PA, for a
matinée concert on Sunday afternoon, August 11.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - The Klezmatics
York
Joyously unconventional Eastern European Jewish music ends our Susquehanna Folk Festival in grand style! The Klezmatics’ music is steeped in tradition and spirituality, incorporating contemporary influences from jazz to punk. It’s wild, mystical, provocative, reflective, and ecstatically danceable. Join us at the Appell Center in York, PA, in the lovely Capitol Theatre, for our
headline concert on Sunday evening, August 11.
MORE
FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 11 - Sunday Night Swing Dancing
York
Lively roots jazz by Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five brings the Susquehanna Folk Festival’s weekend of dance to a rousing finale! An intro class will get you started; open dancing follows. Join us at the Appell Center in York, PA, in the Studio, for
swing dancing on Sunday evening, August 11.
MORE
FESTIVAL - Give Dancing a Try!
York
Social dancing is fun, great exercise, and a lifetime learning opportunity. Jump right in! All of our evening dances start with an introductory workshop, and the local dance community is very welcoming to new friends. Join us at the Appell Center in York, PA, in the Studio, for
contra and swing dance workshops at the Susquehanna Folk Festival.
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