Capital Region colleges collaborate for Folk Festival

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Two colleges in the Capital Region are joining forces to co-host an inaugural Folk Festival for students, faculty, and the public on November 7 and 8. The two-day festival kicks off with an evening of performances at Bennington College’s Student Center.

Trish Miller and John Kirk, faculty members at both colleges, helped develop the festival with the intention of creating space for students to learn, gain confidence, and perform alongside experienced musicians. Following an evening in Bennington, the festival travels to Skidmore College in Saratoga County for an afternoon and evening of workshops and performances.

Festival schedule

Friday, November 7

• 4 p.m. – Student music session with faculty and guest musicians
• 7:30 p.m. – Performances from Carling Berkhout and Sam Clement, followed by contradance band Sycamore, featuring Cedar Stanistreet, Samuel Foucher, and Max Newman
• 9:30 p.m. – Campus dance taught by Quena Crain with live music by Sycamore

Saturday, November 7

• 1 p.m. – Workshop and jam with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason in Filene Hall
• 3 p.m. – Coffee break in Zankel Music Center’s lobby
• 3:30 p.m. – Workshop with Carolyn Shapiro in room 117 of the Zankel Music Center
• 4:30 p.m. – Community sing and play with Trish Miller and John Kirk in room 006 of the Zankel Music Center
• 7:30 p.m. – Performances by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, with an opening act from Carolyn Shapiro in the Zankel Music Center

All workshops and performances are free for students of Bennington and Skidmore College if they present a student ID. A suggested donation of $10 is requested for members of the public interested in attending. Tickets are available through the Arthur Zankel Music Center’s website.