SALISBURY, MD – With less than two months to go till the second annual Maryland Folk Festival, the City of Salisbury has announced the performers that will round out this year’s lineup.
The festival will open at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 and run through Sept. 22 in Downtown Salisbury. Heart & Sole Performing Arts, a step team based in Salisbury, will lead the parade from the Plaza on Main Street to the Perdue Dance Stage, which will be located on North Division Street near the Government Office Building. At the Perdue Dance Stage, Chief Donna Wolf Mother Abbott will give a blessing during the festival’s opening ceremony.
New this year is the Toyota Narrative Stage, which will feature storytellers, poets and panel discussions.
City of Salisbury Poet Laureate Nancy Mitchell will lead four programs at the Toyota Narrative Stage. They are:
Give Sorrow Words: How Poetry Can Transform Grief and Trauma
Acclaimed poets Sue Ellen Thompson and Beth Dulin will share experiences and discuss how writing and reading poetry helped them navigate grief and trauma.
Come Here/From Here
“Come Here” Ladd G. Colston will share his perspective of a fresh-eyed newcomer to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and “From Here” Lexine Lowe will share her experiences growing up on the Eastern Shore and how it has radically changed since.
Young Rockstar Poets offer Fresh Perspectives on Poetry and Po-Biz
Acclaimed young poets Sarah Brockhaus and Lisa Compo will share poems and discuss with Mitchell how radically the landscape of writing and publishing poetry has changed in the technological age, particularly since the rise of social media.
Citizen Poet: The Role of the Poet Laureate in Community
Widely and wildly acclaimed, the beloved Maryland Poet Laureate Grace Cavalieri and Mitchell will discuss how their service as poets laureate has enriched their lives and fostered connections in their diverse communities.
In addition, the following storytellers will join the Narrative Stage, sharing decades of experience from a wide and diverse Maryland.
Harold “Stoney” Whitelock (skipjack captain) – Deal Island, Maryland
Following in the footsteps of his father, who became a skipjack captain at 16 years old, Stoney Whitelock worked on the boats as a young man. He loved this way of life that connected him to his family and the community. Whitelock is a lifelong resident of the Eastern Shore and a fourth-generation skipjack captain. He’ll share generations of stories and experiences on the water.
Stoop Stories (storytelling) – Baltimore, Maryland
Stoop Stories returns to the Maryland Folk Festival with Jessica Henkin and others. “The Stoop Storytelling Series” is a Baltimore-based live show and podcast that features everyday people sharing the extraordinary true tales of their lives.
TAHIRA (black storytelling) – Claymont, Delaware
TAHIRA’s storytelling performances weave together captivating tales and melodies from various regions of Africa, bringing to life the rich heritage and vibrant traditions of the continent. This performance was facilitated by the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs in honor of Gov. Wes Moore’s proclamation inaugurating September as African Immigrant Heritage Month in Maryland.
Two additional performers are also being announced for the Salisbury University Locals Stage, sponsored by Salisbury University and its Fulton School of Liberal Arts.
Nothin’ But Trouble (Americana blues) – Camden, Delaware
Nothin’ But Trouble electrifies the audience with its amazing musical mix of traditional blues, original tunes and good vibes.
Such Fools (’70s style rock / jam band) – Salisbury, Maryland
Such Fools are bound together on a quest for a meaningful musical experience on the Delmarva peninsula.
At the festival’s Richard A. Henson Family Area, the Great American Indian Dancers will treat festivalgoers to a pop-up performance Saturday, and Cascading Carlos – The Juggler will perform Sunday.
Great American Indian Dancers: The Great American Indian Dancers feature live music, dance and storytelling from diverse tribes from throughout the United States.
Cascading Carlos – The Juggler: Two-time Guinness World Record title holder Carlos Mir, aka Cascading Carlos – The Juggler, loves to mesmerize audiences with his high-energy interactive juggling skills.
The Maryland Folk Festival will continue to feature individual artists on Facebook (facebook.com/MDFolkFestival) and Instagram (instagram.com/mdfolkfestival). Stay tuned to MDFolkFest.com for the festival schedule and other information.
