Join us for the Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Walk the decks of a scalloper, dine on fresh seafood, see fishermen’s contests, and watch a cooking demonstrations. Experience the workings of the industry which brings seafood from the ocean to your plate.
Archie Fisher
An avid horseman and master guitarist, singer and songwriter Archie Fisher is Scotland’s foremost Folk music troubadour. He is known in his homeland for a 27-year tenure as the host of BBC Radio Scotland’s award-winning “Traveling Folk” show. Recognized for his contributions to Scottish folk music, he was inducted into the Scots Traditional Music Hall of Fame and in 2006 was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire), a prestigious honor nominated by his peers and bestowed by Queen Elizabeth.
James Keelaghan
Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons. As the calendar pages have turned, for almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, intent and intensity, and curiosity.
Fusing his insatiable appetite for finding the next unique storyline Keelaghan also forges his pieces with brilliantly defined craftsmanship and a monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of not only the Canadian scene, but as a member of the international singer-songwriter community.
Armed with a songbook that has enlightened and enthralled, and been embraced, by audiences around the world, Keelaghan’s life as an artist is one that is a perpetual journey on so many levels.
Jez Lowe
Jez Lowe has built an enviable reputation as a songwriter and performer in the world of acoustic music, and as a recognised musical ambassador for his native North East England, with more than a dozen albums and countless live performances around the world over the last twenty years.
Among those who have recorded their own versions of Lowe’s songs, are Fairport Convention, The Dubliners, The Tannahill Weavers, Cherish The Ladies, Gordon Bok, The Black Brothers, Liam Clancy and literally hundreds of others. Songs like BACK IN DURHAM GAOL, THE BERGEN, GREEK LIGHTNING and THESE COAL TOWN DAYS have generated scores of cover versions around the globe, and are now classics of their kind.
He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, both solo and with the Bad Pennies, including the main stages at Edmonton Festival (Canada), Tonder Festival (Denmark), The Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian (US), Port Fairy and Byron Bay Festivals (Australia) and at concerts and festivals in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Ireland, Holland, Germany and Spain.
This year’s event will feature of the best of voices and musicians from Canada and the US.
The Music
The Lucky Sisters (Allison Lupton, Rosemary Phelan, and Tannis Slimmon) have brought their individual talents (from their own solo careers) to comprise this exquisite and ethereal vocal harmony group. From Cambridge, Toronto, and Guelph, Ontario, they’ll be making their first U.S. appearance.
We’re tremendously lucky to have Paul Mills, who has produced many hundreds of masterful recordings, and is a folk icon in Canada, make the trip southwards for the night. Paul, who is producing The Lucky Sisters upcoming album, will accompany the gals as well as others through the night.
Healing Garden stalwart and fave Kelli Trottier will bring her singing, fiddling, and stepdancing self down from Kingston, Ontario for her fifth Waltham appearance.
Rebecca Hosking, hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, will be unveiling her latest CD at our special event. Scott Neubert, another Nashville resident (and Healing Garden staple) will accompany Rebeca and others in the show.
We’re also delighted to present local artist Angela Simonneli for her first Healing Garden special Guest appearance. You may be familiar with Angela from her Red Line Radio rock group. It wouldn’t be a HG fest without Mr. Versatility and Dependability, Matt Leavenworth to provide his accompaniment. We’ll be enjoying the night of festive music at the French Club in Waltham.
Event Sponsor Patio Records
Patio Records of Waltham, MA is dedicated to the mission of building healing gardens at Hospital treatment centers. These gardens are designed to aid patients’ well-being during their times of receiving cancer treatments. While working with local hospitals towards patio construction, a concurrent pursuit is the universalization of the concept of having such a facility be part of an overall treatment plan for those unfortunate to be so afflicted.
Hosted by the City of New Bedford, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts and the New Bedford Economic Development Council, the New Bedford Folk Festival offers an exciting atmosphere with great music, beautiful arts and crafts and fun activities for the whole family.
Join us in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic.
Walk the decks of a scalloper, dine on fresh seafood, see fishermen’s contests, and watch a cooking demonstrations. Experience the workings of the industry which brings seafood from the ocean to your plate.
The Working Waterfront Festival presents performances of music, dance and poetry; demonstrations and contests of industry skills; tours of workboats; documentary films and footage at sea; cooking demonstrations; author readings; children’s activities; U.S. Coast Guard demos; Tug Boat Muster; whaleboat races, and more!
The 20th Annual Healing Garden MusicFest Concert takes place on October 15, at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA. Sponsored by Patio Records this benefit concert is geared towards raising funds to build healing gardens at hospital treatment centers. Musicians include: Garnet Rogers, Barbara Kessler, Rick Fines, Suzie Vinnick and many more. More information about the Healing Garden Fest here.
About Patio Records
The Mary Eagan Garden Fund was created in memory of Mary (1947-1992), who succumbed to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Mary, a mother of four children, requested that any monies raised in her honor be directed towards building a patio for future patients’ well-being during their times of receiving cancer treatments.
While working with local hospitals towards patio construction, a concurrent pursuit is the universalization of the concept of having such a facility be part of an overall treatment plan for those unfortunate to be so afflicted. The Waltham (MA) Hospital embraced this goal, and on April 27th, 2001, saw the opening ceremony and ribbon cuttting of the magnificent Mary Eagan Garden adjoining the Cancer Care Center; providing a setting of comfort and solace for people who our hearts go out to.
The first Mary Eagan Garden in Canada was opened within the the 4.5 acre Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Park in Ottawa on September 24, 2008.
Annual Benefit Concerts have led the way as a fundraising vehicle. To date, Patio Records has hosted nearly 40 events in New England and Canada, featuring lineups of Canadian and U.S. virtuosos. These exceptional musicians have been enthusiastic in response to the concert series.
The Working Waterfront Festival presents performances of music, dance and poetry. Experience demonstrations and contests of industry skills; tours of workboats; documentary films and footage at sea. There will be cooking demonstrations; author readings; children’s activities; tug boat muster; whaleboat races, and more!
The largest fishing port in the US!
Join us in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Walk the decks of a fishing vessel, dine on fresh seafood, see fishermen’s contests, and watch a cooking demonstrations. Experience the workings of the industry which brings seafood from the ocean to your plate.
The New Bedford Folk Festival
New Bedford Folk Festival brings together over 70 renowned and emerging performers and 90 plus juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford’s authentic historic district in July. In 2018, we celebrated the 23rd New Bedford Folk Festival on July 7 & 8. In 2019 the festival will be held on July 6 & 7.
The two-day family-oriented festival offers continuous folk music from 11 AM to 9 PM on seven sound stages in and around the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park ranging from the majestic 1200 seat Zeiterion Performing Arts Theater to the intimacy of the National Park Garden Stage.
The Artisans’ Marketplace showcases the handcrafted work of many local artists, as well as artisans from Maine to California and the International Bazaar, offers high-quality, imported handcrafts, many of them Fair Trade, from around the globe.
Food is also a great part of the festival. From street carts to the food court to the restaurants in and around the festival you can sample some of the tasty cuisines the area has to offer.
Presented by the Zeiterion Performing Arts Theater and hosted by the City of New Bedford, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Whaling Museum the New Bedford Folk Festival offers an exciting atmosphere with great music, beautiful arts and crafts and fun activities for the whole family.
Check out the crafts and commercial vendors
New Bedford Folk Festival – Vendors
