Travelin’ McCourys, Sweetback Sisters headline this year's Anchorage Folk Festival

For its 28th edition, the Anchorage Folk Festival landed one of the biggest family names in bluegrass.

Del McCoury provides a link to the genre's founder — he played with Bill Monroe in the early 1960s.

McCoury's sons, Ronnie and Rob, not only play in their father's band, but carry on the tradition in their own band, The Travelin' McCourys.

Joined by bassist Alan Bartram and fiddler Jason Carter, The Travelin' McCourys will headline the first weekend of the 2017 Anchorage Folk Festival, which kicks off Jan. 19 at locations throughout Anchorage.

The McCourys will appear at the Wendy Williamson main stage for select performances throughout the first weekend as well as at a dance Saturday, Jan. 21, at Williwaw.

"I've known them for a while and I know they've been wanting to come up to Alaska," folk fest president Kate Hamre said. "They came up with Del about 10 years ago. They've wanted to get back and Del (McCoury Band) wasn't playing that weekend."

While the McCourys grew up immersed in the bluegrass tradition, they also dabble in more progressive styles.

The group has shared the stage with The Allman Brothers Band and crossed genres to play with jam bands and gospel groups.

The Sweetback Sisters take the mantle of headliner for the fest's second weekend. Featuring the singing of Emily Miller and Zara Bode, the group time travels to the classic country era of post-war honky-tonk and Western swing.

Hamre said the group had been on the radar of folk fest board members and others in the community for some time.

"They have amazing harmonies and a real unique country sound," she said. "It really brings you back to old female country singers and we're really excited to have them."

The Sweetback Sisters will also play a dance at Williwaw on Jan. 28.

Festivities get started Wednesday at 7 p.m. with a kickoff party at 49th State Brewing Co. Performers include Hannah Yoter & Silas Hoffman, Hot Club of Nunaka, Todd Grebe and Cold Country and The Good Time Guardians. Tickets are $15. Tickets for the McCoury dance at Williwaw are $20 and $15 for the Sweetback Sisters dance and Hamre said they expect them to move quickly.

"We're really encouraging people to buy tickets for those dances online," she said. "We almost sold out last year and it was our first year doing them."
Aside from the headline artists, the festival will have its annual offerings, which include free workshops in dance and musicianship, as well as performances by local artists.

Both weekends of the folk fest feature free music by local performers and headliners at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Hamre said the festival has expanded its workshop offerings this year and will include band workshops hosted by local favorites Super Saturated Sugar Strings and Blackwater Railroad Company.

The folk fest will also host a pair of Thursday Contra dances as well as dance workshops.

Aside from the performances at the Wendy, Hamre said there will also be other acts at a number of locations throughout the city as part of folk week.

Another annual tradition at the festival is a movie at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub. This year's selection, "Songcatcher," will be screened Monday, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m.

The Travelin' McCourys

Friday, Jan. 20: 8:45 p.m. at the Wendy Williamson. Late-night jam from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. at Spenard Roadhouse

Saturday, Jan. 21: 4:30 p.m. at the Wendy Williamson. 8 p.m. til late at Williwaw (tickets $20 at anchoragefolkfestival.org)

Sunday, Jan. 22: Workshops from 1-3:45 p.m. at University of Alaska Anchorage. 8:30 p.m. performance at Wendy Williamson.

The Sweetback Sisters

Friday, Jan. 27: 8:30 p.m. at the Wendy Williamson. Late-night jam at Spenard Roadhouse from 11 p.m. til late.

Saturday, Jan. 28: 4:30 p.m. at the Wendy Williamson. Social dance at 8 p.m. at Williwaw (tickets $15 at anchoragefolkfestival.org)

Sunday, Jan. 29: Workshops from 1-3:45 p.m. at University of Alaska Anchorage. 8:45 p.m. performance at Wendy Williamson.

Free performances at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium will run Thursday-Sunday Jan. 19-22 and Thursday-Sunday Jan. 26-29.