Arts and Entertainment

2016 Folk Festival kicks off with events around Anchorage

Now in its 27th year, the Anchorage Folk Festival has long been required attendance for fans of singer-songwriters, Americana and a number of regional folk music varieties.

In recent years, the festival's organizers have tried to appeal to a broader audience, both with national acts and by offering additional events at new venues over the festival's 11 days.

Last year, the festival added a movie night at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, a feature it renewed again in 2016. This year they've added a social dance the first weekend with headliner Front Country at Williwaw Social, a recently opened downtown venue.

"One of the ways we're doing that is to get more and more community partners on board so that they're reaching out to their community members," said Folk Festival boardmember and past president Kenny Powers. "We have an ever-expanding network of communities. It's not just folkies who are a part of it."

Last year's co-headliner, The California Honeydrops, proved that. As much funk as folk, the band still drew large and varied crowds, Powers said.

"Some people have a narrow view of what folk music is," he said. "If they realize the diversity of folk music, they might be more inclined to come to the Anchorage Folk Fest."

Still, as much as anything, the festival hangs its hat on participation -- from Alaska artists who perform and other members of the community, which come for the free shows and workshops.

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The festival acts as a major showcase for local talent, with dozens of musicians performing in 15-minute time slots at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on both weekends of the festival. The festival has also emphasized the growth of "Folk Week" in between the weekends, featuring performances at Organic Oasis, Reilly's, Jitters in Eagle River and the Pubhouse at Inlet Towers, among other locations. "Folk Week" kicks off Jan. 25 with the Bear Tooth showing of "Janis: Little Girl Blue," a documentary on blues-rock legend Janis Joplin. A jam with local musicians will follow the film.

The festival has continued to add more dances and dance workshops -- from contra to waltzing. Second weekend headliner Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys will play for a Zydeco Mardi Gras Ball on Jan. 30.

The workshops aren't only for dancers, but also for performers and musicians. There is also free instruction offered in arrangement and songwriting.

Powers says the festival offers musicians a chance not only to learn from the pros, but also to play with them at one of the jams held each Friday night of the festival at Spenard Roadhouse.

"One of the goals of the Anchorage Folk Festival is not just to entertain us, but to create a community that is what folk music is all about," he said. "Bringing these amazing musicians in from Outside, they bring in their talents and getting exposure to these guys helps grow our community."

Powers hopes the festival will soon be considered a community festival, not just a folk festival.

"It could be like the Fur Rendezvous, a big festival that everybody in town knows about and looks forward to all year around," he said. "We're moving in that direction."

2016 Anchorage Folk Festival

The 27th Anchorage Folk Festival kicks off this weekend with 11 days of music, workshops and dances. Headliners Front Country (Jan. 22-24) and Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys (Jan. 29-31) will be featured at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium, along with performances by dozens of Alaska musicians. The festival also includes free musical and dance workshops at the Wendy, as well as a number of other performances and events throughout Anchorage.

Jan. 21-31 at the UAA Wendy Williamson Main Stage

Free performances by guest artists Front Country (Jan. 22-24) and Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys (Jan. 29-31).

Free performances by local artists both weekends:

- Thursday: 7-10 p.m.

- Friday: 7-10 p.m., includes guest artists

- Saturday: 1-5 p.m.; 7-10:30 p.m.

- Sunday: 1-5 p.m.; 7-9:30 p.m., includes guest artists

Free workshops: Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m.-5:15 p.m. at UAA.

Workshops include guitar, fiddle, drumming, dancing, harmonies, songwriting, playing music for dancers and more.

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Dances

Contra dance with Front Country: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Wendler Middle School

Dance party with Front Country: 8 p.m.-late Saturday, Jan. 23, at Williwaw

Contra dance with AFF All-Stars: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at UAA Student Union

Zydeco Mardi Gras Ball with Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys: 8 p.m.-late Saturday, Jan. 30 at 49th State Brewing Co. (formerly Snow Goose Restaurant Theater)

Folk Week

"Janis: Little Girl Blue" movie night and jam session: 7:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 at Bear Tooth Theatrepub

Free concerts at various locations around town 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 26 and 27.

See anchoragefolkfestival.org for a full schedule of events.

Chris Bieri

Chris Bieri is the sports and entertainment editor at the Anchorage Daily News.

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