The Princeton Traditional Music Festival begins on the evening of Friday, August 19 with the opening ceremony followed by an Irish country-dance on Veterans’ Way beside the Legion. The dance will feature a live band with fiddle, guitar and concertina. Everyone is welcome. There will be a caller to teach the dances so no experience is necessary and people don’t even need to bring a partner. On Saturday and Sunday there will be music from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm on two stages – one on Veterans Square and one in front of the Museum.
Two new faces at this year’s Festival are Randy Vic and Becky Deryckx . Randy is a multi-instrumentalist who has been active in the Irish music scene for many years. He has played for dances, given concerts, taught music and hosted jam sessions. Randy has developed a fine lyrical style and his playing goes straight to the heart of Irish traditional music. Becky is a recent arrival on the Irish music scene. She plays primarily at traditional pub sessions. She also makes regular trips to the east coast and to Ireland to learn more about the music she loves and the culture from which it comes. Randy and Becky have known each other for several years but this is the first time they have performed as a duo. With Randy on fiddle and Becky on whistle and flute you are in for a feast of traditional Irish music.
Jasmine Fiona is another newcomer to the Festival this year and we warmly welcome her. Jasmine is an a capella singer and traditional music has always been a part of her life. Haunted by the melodies of many traditions and enchanted by the Roma, Jasmine’s eclectic collection of songs spans many times and places. At the Festival she intends to focus on Irish, Scottish, English and Appalachian ballads, laments and lullabies.
These are just three of the new performers coming to this year’s Princeton Traditional Music Festival and the best thing about it is it’s free!
The reason it’s free is because it’s run entirely by volunteers and the performers are donating their talents. To make the festival a success the organizers will need lots of volunteers. If you’d like to get involved, please contact them. Even if you have only a couple of hours available your help would be most welcome. Give them a call and they’ll welcome you aboard. To find out more visit the Festival’s webblog at princetonfestival.org or give Jon and Rika a call at 295-6010.