Brooklyn Folk Festival:15 & Counting!

October 20, 2023 by David K. Moseder

The 15^th annual Brooklyn Folk Festival is being held at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights on Friday evening, November 10th through Sunday, November 12, 2023. Celebrating 75 years of Folkways Records, in conjunction with the Jalopy Theatre , this year’s gathering boasts one of the strongest and most intriguing lineups in the event’s 15-year history with more than three dozen artists performing.

Ramblin’ Jack Elliot / photo by Chris Felver /courtesy of the artist

A true folk icon, Brooklyn-born Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is the winner of both a Grammy Award and the National Medal of Arts. The 92-year-old alumnus of Midwood High School, who had a profound influence on the likes of Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie and Phil Ochs, to name a few, is set to hit the Main Stage at 6:10 Sunday evening. Also on hand is David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter), who will play music from and inspired by Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music on Saturday afternoon.

Beareather Reddy & The Brown Liquor Sounds at the Jalopy Theatre / photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Friday evening highlights include an exclusive video performance by Peggy Seeger (Pete’s half-sister) from her home in England, followed by ’60s counter-culture darlings The Fugs, featuring original founding member Ed Sanders. Grammy winner and Emmy nominee Dom Flemons closes out the evening.

The weekend also features several local artists familiar to Brooklyn folk aficionados, including Nora Brown (who kicks off Saturday evening’s Main Stage performances), Ali Dineen, Feral Foster, Mamie Minch, the Jackson Lynch Band and Beareather Reddy. There will also be a number of talented new-to-Brooklyn performers, perhaps most notably Katie Martucci, who has performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and scored a film for National Geographic and Peter Stampfel, formerly of the Holy Modal Rounders.

Artists on our Radar

Janet LaBelle Takes the Spotlight: Blending Vintage Vibes with Modern Magic

Janet Labelle With Guitar In Hand / photo by John Nyboer

Dynamic Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Janet LaBelle continues to push her creative boundaries. Known for her unique ability to fuse analog warmth with modern production, LaBelle has been praised by Jersey Beat for her “sweet voice and sharp, thoughtful songwriting,” and her newest projects are no exception. Her music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of folk, classic rock, and pop into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. LaBelle recently released her single “Day in the Sun” on September 13 via her own Wild Violet Records, and it has already been captivating audiences with its sunny melodies and deeply personal narrative. The song, inspired by a meaningful hike with a friend in 2023, showcases her talent for finding beauty in simplicity, a theme that resonates through much of her work. The inclusion of horns marks an exciting creative evolution, adding a new layer of depth to her already richly textured sound. Throughout her career, LaBelle has explored a wide range of musical styles. She first made waves as a teenager in the punk-pop band Avery, and since then, her solo work has spanned genres like classic rock, folk, pop, and even French chanson. Her previous EPs, including Moon Songs (2010) and Blossom & Blue (2011), demonstrate her eclectic tastes, with influences ranging from surf rock to vintage country. Working with respected producers such as Evan Taylor (Bernie Worrell) and Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants), LaBelle continues to expand her sound, evolving with each new release. Fans can catch her live at upcoming performances, including a show at Our Wicked Lady on September 24th and at Sleepwalk on December 3rd. These live shows will give listeners a chance to hear both her new and classic material in an up-close setting. Her combination of memorable songs, captivating performances and a unique voice sets her apart as an artist who continues to rise, drawing listeners in with every new creation.

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