That's All Folk

The Swallow Hill HarvestFest redefines a musical genre.

A A A Comments By Erin Vanderberg Thursday, Oct 2 2008

“Folk is a bad word, in a way,” says Laura McGaughey of the Swallow Hill Music Association. “When people think of folk music, they think of old music that some white hippie wrote with a guitar.” Swallow Hill’s philosophy is to promote music by the people, for the people, that enriches people. Call it folk if you must, but “the genre is a moot point,” adds McGaughey.

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In its seventeenth year, the Swallow Hill HarvestFest has morphed from a 24-hour folk-a-thon to a folk festival to its new incarnation as a showcase of everything that Swallow Hill does — including its music school, its outreach programs and, this year, its newly renovated home, at 71 East Yale Avenue.

The weekend’s festivities begin tonight at 8 p.m. with performances by the South Austin Jug Band and Beppe Gambetta; they continue at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mornings with more music, workshops, lessons, open-door jams and — not to be missed — a Folk Idol karaoke contest. Tickets are $12 to $21 for the Friday-night show, with weekend admission at $15 per day or $28 for both days. For tickets and a complete festival schedule, visit www.swallowhillmusic.org or call 303-777-1003.
Fri., Oct. 10, 8 p.m.; Oct. 11-12, 11 a.m., 2008

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What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.