Kauai Folk Festival Is Coming In September! Live Music in Hawaii!
The 2019 Kauai Folk Festival is a weekend full of music, dance, food, drink, craft and good times for Kauai residents and visitors to the Garden Island. This year more than 34 performers (multiple Grammy-winning artists and more than twelve international acts) will be playing continuously on five music stages. The Kauai Folk Festival blends traditional music and dance from all over the world with its Hawaiian counterpart. And, for the first time, this event will be held at the Historic Grove Farm Museum in Lihue.
The Kauai Folk Festival showcases Old Time, Americana, Tropical, and Hawaiian music. Former Kauai resident, and Grammy winner, Taj Mahal, will be one of the more than 34 musical acts filling the air from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on September 28th and 29th, 2019 (rain or shine).
2019 Kauai Folk Festival Musical Line-Up (from the website):
Taj Mahal – Blues legend Taj Mahal has a long history in Hawaii. As a historian, he has studied the nuances of Hawaiian history and culture. As a resident performer, he has come to know, play with, and record with countless Hawaiian artists. His Hula Blues Band is a rotating cast of Hawaiian musicians fusing blues, folk, and Hawaiian music in the inimitable Taj Mahal style!
Kyle Campbell – Heralding from Knoxville, Tennessee, Kyle Campbell is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the frontman for The Bearded, who’s repertoire includes old-time Appalachian dance tunes, jugband, vintage blues and bluegrass. A large part of the band’s setlist consists of Campbell’s originals as well. All of these sundries come together resulting in a “uniquely East Tennessee sound.”
Jonny Fritz – There is no way to categorize Jonny Fritz. His status among songwriters and the country and folk music elite is something of a phenomenon that has to be seen, heard, and experienced to be believed. His songs and captivating stage presence are the stuff of legend. You will not forget what you’ve seen and heard…whether you want to or not! “Dad Country” makes its debut appearance on Kauai at the Kauai Folk Festival.
The Montvales – A French-Appalachian folk duo performing in Hawaii for the first time!
Reeb Willms and Caleb Klauder – Half of the legendary Foghorn Stringband, Reeb Willms and Caleb Klauder have been touring the world as a country, folk, old time, and bluegrass duo for over a decade. Pitch-perfect harmonies, original songs that seem like they’re 100 years old, and instrumental prowess that will knock your socks of. They’ll also be teaching harmony singing, mandolin, and guitar workshops to festival attendees who want to learn more about their unique and traditional styles.
Slo County Stumblers – Champion fiddler Casy Meikle’s mid-country old time quartet. Hot fiddle and banjo numbers for dancing!
Peter Rowan – Peter Rowan is largely known for his role in Bill Monroe’s legendary Bluegrass Boys and as a bandmate in ‘Old and in the Way’ with fellow legends Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Vassar Clements, and John Kahn. There is no one in folk/bluegrass history who has played with more ensembles, recorded more legendary albums, or explored as many musical landscapes. Rowan’s ‘My Aloha’ Bluegrass Band is formed around his 2017 release “My Aloha” – a fun fusion of bluegrass, folk, and Hawaiian musical styles.
Kilin Reece – Luthier, historian, and virtuoso multi-instrumentalist performing with a number of acts and presenting his groundbreaking research on the undiscovered or long-forgotten links between global musical styles and their Hawaiian counterparts. He is our soul brother and the link that’s holding this whole concept together.
Mike Bub – Read the liner notes on just about any classic bluegrass album and you’ll see Mike Bub’s name listed as bassist. His omnipresence in the bluegrass and honky tonk scenes has earned him the nickname “Sir Bub” among many. He’ll be performing with several ensembles at the Kauai Folk Festival and teaching an upright bass workshop.
Ed Poullard – Ed Poullard is a master fiddler, accordionist, and Cajun accordion builder. The creole fiddling tradition in Southern Louisiana is one of the many unusual styles of folk music represented at the Kauai Folk Festival. He will be performing with a full band as well as teaching creole fiddle styles at the Kauai Folk Festival.
Jordy – 18-year-old Kauai-based songwriter and her magnificent band.
Sashamon – Kauai’s reggae hero teams up with Molokai-based ukulele/guitar virtuoso and singer…songs of the old country.
Tim Obrien and Jan Fabricos – As a founding member of the band ‘Hot Rize’, Wheeling, West Virginia native Tim O’Brien is lauded as the greatest multi-instrumental songwriter in folk music. He has recorded several albums, played with countless ensembles, and brings his powerful voice and instrumentalism to the Kauai Folk Festival in his very first appearance on Kauai alongside his life and musical partner, Jan Fabricius – a singer perfectly matched to O’Brien’s signature sound.
Uncle Shuffelo and his Haint Hollow Hootenany – Hands down the most powerful old time stringband in the world. The Shuffelo and Derryberry families hail from rural Middle Tennessee
Caroline Pond and the Rainbow Stringband – North Carolina native fiddler/singer and her FUN band from Honolulu!
AND MORE!
Artist Workshops (included in ticket price):
This is a new addition to the festival format. Performers will share in workshops on guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele and mandolin. Jam stations and loaner instruments will be available. Attendees are encouraged to bring instruments.
Dance instructors will teach hula, square dance, swing and two-step. Voice instructors will teach harmony singing, ballads and Hawaiian song.
Food and Drink
Food and drink will be available from vendors, including Kauai Juice Co, Po’okela Sausage, Uncle D’s Vegan BBQ, Ya Quddus Bagels, Maui Brewing Co, Kupu Spirits and more.
2019 Kauai Folk Festival Location:
In previous years, the Kauai Folk Festival has been held on the north shore of Kauai. This year it will be more centrally located at the historic Grove Farm Museum, a 100 acre property in the heart of Lihue. Built in 1864 Grove Farm maintains the plantation era environment of years past. The folk and aloha of this festival combines perfectly with this new venue. Proceeds from this event will go toward the preservation efforts of the Grove Farm Museum.
Grove Farm Museum is located at 4050 Nawiliwili Road, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii 96766. There will be a dropoff/ticketing kiosk on the museum site. Drivers will then proceed to an off-site lot just a few hundred feet away. Parking and shuttles to/from lot will be available free of charge to festival ticket holders.
It is advisable to pack a good sun hat, sunscreen, and a handheld umbrella. Chairs and blankets are allowed as well.
2019 Kauai Folk Festival Tickets:
One Day Pass $60
Two Day Pass $100
VIP Weekend Pass (VIP seating, VIP parking, VIP-only private shows) $300
Hawaii residents may enter “kamaaina” online for 15% off the ticket price.
Tickets available online.
KAUAI FOLK FESTIVAL POLICIES
The Kauai Folk Festival is committed to conducting a safe and welcoming community event. Mahalo for your help with making KFF a success. Basic info, faqs, rules, ticket and attendance policies are below. Aloha from Kauai Folk Festival!
Bring
- Your ticket
- Photo ID for Alcohol Beverage Purchases (Photo ID not required for entry.)
- Comfortable clothing and shoes/slippahs
- Sunscreen and water
- Your instrument for jamming (optional)
- Smiles and Aloha : )
Policies and Rules
- See all Ticket Purchase and Attendance Rules and Policies Below.
Minors and Children
- Those under the age of 18 are discouraged because of the delicate nature of the historic grounds and safety issues. Minors 18 years old and under are required to provide a signed Minor Release form and be accompanied “within arms reach” by an adult/guardian at all times.
Minor Release Form and frequently asked questions can be found online.
For more information about the artists performing and the musical event, go to Kauai Folk Festival’s Home Page.
So, if you are lucky enough to be on Kauai the weekend of September 28th and 29th, buy yours tickets online now and head to Lihue in September for 24 hours of music and aloha with lots of like-minded “folks” on the island. Enjoy!
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